Watching the news can feel overwhelming, almost like the world is on the brink of collapse. Thankfully, science is bringing us the positive updates we’ve all been waiting for.
In 2025, researchers have dedicated themselves to safeguarding us from existential threats, enhancing both human and environmental health, and revealing the mysteries of our universe.
Here are our top feel-good science stories for 2025.
1. ‘City Killer’ Asteroid Likely Won’t Strike Earth
In February, concerns arose when the likelihood of asteroid 2024 YR4 colliding with Earth in 2032 escalated from 1.2% to 3.1%, labeling it one of the most hazardous asteroids tracked.
This asteroid, estimated at around 60 meters (197 feet) in diameter, could have unleashed energy exceeding 500 times that of the Hiroshima bomb, putting a major city at risk.
Fortunately, NASA has reassured us that the threat has diminished significantly and now states there is no significant threat from this asteroid, although it estimates a 3.8% chance of it hitting the moon.
Astronomers tracked asteroid 2024 YR4 using multiple observatories, including the James Webb Space Telescope. – Credit: Getty
2. Vitamin Supplements May Help Slow Aging
A large-scale clinical trial led by researchers at US General Brigham Massa has discovered that vitamin D supplements can help maintain telomere length (protective caps on chromosomes that shorten with age).
The double-blind study involving over 1,000 participants found that vitamin D could potentially delay aging by nearly three years compared to a placebo group.
3. The World’s Largest Camera Takes Its First Photo
The newly launched Vera C. Rubin Observatory has captured its first snapshot of the universe. Each image is so vast that it would take 400 ultra-high-definition TVs to view it in its entirety.
The observatory will collect an immense amount of data every night for the next decade, aiding scientists in exploring cosmic mysteries such as the expansion of the universe and dark matter.
Vera Rubin captured these two spiral galaxies in stunning detail, part of a broader cosmic image. – Credit: RubinObs/NOIRLab/SLAC/NSF/DOE/AURA
4. “Forever Chemicals” May Not Be So Permanent
Recent research has uncovered a method to effectively destroy PFAS (polyperfluoroalkyl substances), harmful chemicals linked to various cancers that infiltrate our homes through packaging and nonstick cookware.
The new technique utilizes phosphates to break the resilient carbon-fluorine bonds that make PFAS so persistent in the environment and detrimental to health.
5. Renewable Energy Surpasses Coal for the First Time
In the first half of 2025, global wind and solar energy production exceeded that of coal, marking a pivotal advancement towards sustainable energy. This achievement is mainly due to significant renewable energy projects in China and India, alongside a temporary downturn in coal usage.
Global renewable electricity is projected to double by 2030. – Credit: Getty
Video games have evolved significantly since their rise in popularity in the 1970s, leading to a remarkable surge in players. Today, there are around 3 billion gamers globally, with estimates indicating that over 90% of Gen Z engage in gaming for more than 12 hours a week. Contemporary gaming blockbusters are vibrant and imaginative, immersing young people in dynamic and expansive worlds they can explore and influence.
This burgeoning creative talent has caught the attention of criminals, who target children and teenagers within popular online games, transforming them into skilled hackers.
The financial and societal repercussions of cybercrime are staggering. It is predicted that global costs of cybercrime will reach: 12 trillion dollars by 2025. Moreover, research indicates that 69% of youth in Europe report having engaged in some form of cybercrime. In the UK, the last statistics released by the National Crime Agency in 2015 revealed that the average age for cybercrime suspects is 17, which is notably younger than for other criminal activities like drug offenses (37 years old).
“If you’re facing arrest at 17, it likely began around age 11,” states Fergus Hay, co-founder and CEO of The Hacking Games, an initiative aimed at helping young individuals channel their coding talents into legitimate paths. “This transition doesn’t happen instantly. Games are often the gateway that enables skill development and experimentation in a controlled setting. These young hackers are continually modifying and hacking games to exploit vulnerabilities.”
He further noted that social media platforms are integral, offering tools and steps for hacking while also fostering a desirable lifestyle and community belonging.
This challenge coincides with a notable uptick in serious cyber-attacks within the UK. The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) recently reported a historic surge in large-scale cyber assaults. In the year leading to August 2025, GCHQ categorized 204 incidents as being of ‘national significance,’ an increase from 89 the prior year.
In response to these threats, Hay initiated the Hacking Games and collaborated with John Madeline, a cybersecurity expert, to realize a vision of “cultivating a generation of ethical hackers who will enhance global safety.”
“This is a generation of inherent hackers. They can either serve society positively or become a liability. If we can engage them, we can guide them towards becoming ethical rather than criminal hackers,” Madeline emphasizes.
The Hacking Games recently unveiled the HAPTAI platform, which assists in creating hacking aptitude profiles for youths by evaluating their performance in popular games and aligning those results with psychometric data. Subsequently, candidates are matched with suitable job roles and teams where they can flourish.
The projected global average annual cost of cybercrime is $23 trillion by 2027, fueled by threats from state entities and organized crime groups worldwide. These groups often seek out young individuals, steering them towards criminal activities.
For youths approached by these “cyber Fagins,” there is a lure of significant financial gain. Initial payments often come in the form of virtual currencies for gaming but can escalate to tens of thousands in real money or its virtual equivalent.
They approach young hackers and offer payment for their abilities, often using cryptocurrencies. Composite: Stocksy/Guardian Design
“When they identify talent displaying genuine hacking or game modification skills, they engage them under the guise of another youth, asking, ‘How would you utilize cryptocurrency?'” Hay explains. “Many are exceptionally bright, sometimes neurodivergent, employing games as a medium to push creative boundaries. They do not inherently possess a criminal mindset.”
The scale of the cybercrime issue in the UK has become increasingly evident over the past year, with businesses experiencing significant disruption and monetary loss. Major corporations, including Co-op, have reported losses amounting to millions due to hacking incidents, one of which saw four arrests as part of an ongoing investigation by the National Crime Agency.
Social Issues Behind Crime
As a socially conscious organization, Co-op is dedicated to community enhancement and has partnered with The Hacking Games to mitigate future cyber threats and foster opportunities for vulnerable youth.
“When they experienced a cyberattack, Co-op sought to understand the nature of the issue. Upon discovering underlying societal factors, they recognized their responsibility to grasp the root causes impacting youth and to collaborate with us to address these challenges, not just the technical aspects,” Madeline clarifies.
The Co-op has a longstanding tradition of community initiatives addressing issues like social mobility and isolation. Together, Co-op and The Hacking Games aim to establish a pilot program within the Co-op Academies Trust across Northern England. Sponsored by Co-op Group, the Trust encompasses a network of 38 academies with around 20,000 students, including primary, secondary, special schools, and universities, dedicated to guiding aspiring hackers towards legitimate career trajectories.
For this pilot, students will be selected based on their interests in gaming and technology. Through interactive and creative sessions, participants will delve into the principles of ethical hacking and understand its crucial role in cybersecurity. The program will also highlight career education, with reputable industry partners introducing talented youths to the vast prospects available in this rapidly expanding domain.
“Our academy students’ curiosity about technology-related roles is on the rise, yet there is scant data regarding their home gaming environments and whether these interests extend to hacking,” remarks Joe Sykes, careers director at Co-op Academies Trust. “As educators, we must confront these challenges directly—this initiative will undoubtedly provide fresh perspectives and foster insights for students eager to explore these pathways.”
Hay and Madeline aspire to bridge the cybersecurity skills gap by showcasing the potential of gifted young developers. Composite: Stocksy/Guardian Design
A Path to a Legitimate Career
Young gamers may find themselves simply altering game experiences without authorization or creating cheat codes to sell them on the dark web.
Some parents associated with The Hacking Games have only discovered their child’s online activities when asked about tax implications after their digital wallets reached $400,000 (£298,000).
“For the youth unsure about further education, many are starting to realize that substantial earnings can come from just a few keystrokes,” explains Madeline.
According to Hay and Madeline, it’s essential to engage young individuals before they stray too far, to identify their skills, recognize their potential, and integrate these into an educational framework that aims to fill the cybersecurity skills gap in the UK and globally—a concept Hay refers to as “intergenerational opportunities.”
“Many of these youths have felt marginalized in school and, at times, victimized. They possess a deep disdain for wrongdoers and bullies. If you understand their motivations, you can channel that into something positive,” he concludes.
Amur tiger, also known as Siberian tiger, explores Russian waters
Tamim Ridlo/Shutterstock
tigers between empires Jonathan C. Slugt, Allen Lane (UK). Farrar, Strauss, Giroux (USA)
The Siberian tiger is an extraordinary creature, characterized by its “black and orange striped body.” It lets out a roar reminiscent of a “terrible tide,” especially during the harsh winters of Russia’s Far East. Specifically, we refer to the Amur tiger, whose habitat includes the Amur River basin, one of Asia’s most expansive basins. This river delineates the eastern boundary between Russia and China, and it is the dynamic interaction between these two empires and their Tiger’s Pot properties that constitutes the essence of Surat’s captivating new book, Tigers Between Empires: The journey to save the Siberian tiger from extinction.
Historically, more than 3,000 tigers roamed this vast area of northeast Asia. Facing numerous threats, the Soviet Union was pioneering in 1947 by being the first nation to enact legal protections for tigers. Though tiger populations initially rebounded, large carnivores uniquely reflect the dynamics of human politics. The collapse of the Soviet Union led to poverty in remote regions and a return to trapping for survival. By the close of the 20th century, tigers faced severe challenges on both sides of the border, as hunting, logging, and prey poaching decimated their numbers. Their existence was often equated with a sign of an underdeveloped civilization.
Amidst this landscape, New Englander Dale Mikel arrived to oversee the Siberian Tiger project. In 1992, he found himself in Russia’s Primorye region, bordering the Sea of Japan—a land filled with pristine forests and rich ecosystems. Mr. Surat, who has dedicated decades to this area, serves as a remarkable guide, offering detailed and emotive descriptions of this unique environment. As I read, I felt a surge of longing to experience it myself. There, cliffs adorned with Korean pines and oaks meet the sea, as tigers wander along the shores.
As a field biologist, Surat recognizes the resilience of those engaged in the project. Alongside dedicated Americans, many Russians willingly venture into the wilderness, often skiing for weeks while tracking tigers. The narrative interweaves human and tiger stories, drawing us into the lives of characters like the magnificent Olga, the courageous Severina, and the orphaned Zolushka. Changing perceptions can be just as vital as scientific endeavors. In a poignant moment, a farmer shares how he refrained from shooting Olga, inspired by the narrative he heard from Mikel, reflecting the possibility of coexistence when he viewed her as an individual.
In a climate of growing nationalism, this project and its accompanying book highlight the powerful outcomes that cross-border cooperation can yield. For three decades, Americans and Russians collaborated, motivated by a shared goal, achieving extraordinary results. At the time of its inception, little was known about the Amur tiger, yet their dedication and innovative approaches have rejuvenated chances for this majestic animal.
Years later, in 2022, Mikel departed from Russia after serving in the project for 30 years. Foreign-run NGOs are now unwelcome in the country. However, upon his departure, the protected Amur tiger habitat had expanded to six times its initial size, and the wild tiger population had reached 500—double the total from the mid-20th century. Stability is not guaranteed, and nothing can be taken for granted. Yet, such prospects offer a refreshing optimism for our current world.
Adam Weymouth is the author of lone wolf, shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Award.
The sun is shining brighter through solar energy. According to Ember, a think tank on energy, solar energy has been the fastest-growing power source globally for the past two decades.
In 2022, solar power generation capacity surpassed 1 terawatt for the first time, and just two years later, it doubled, contributing 7% to the world’s electricity supply. When including wind turbines, which harness solar energy through different methods, solar accounted for 15% of global electricity last year.
This surge in solar energy is not simply due to an increased commitment to climate goals. Indeed, as noted in another Ember Report, many renewable energy targets have barely made progress towards achieving net-zero emissions over the past decade.
The true driver behind the rise of solar is its position as the most cost-effective method of electricity generation almost everywhere.
In his book Here Comes the Sun: The Last Chance for Climate and a New Chance for Civilization, long-time climate advocate Bill McKibben asserts that we are on the brink of a critical historical transition—from reliance on fossil fuels to embracing solar energy. “We are looking to the heavens for energy instead of to hell,” McKibben writes.
Below, he provides a thoughtful exploration of how solar energy not only addresses climate issues in time but also transforms the interaction between the economy and the natural world.
This is not the first call to action for a swift transition to renewable sources. However, it offers a visionary glimpse of what a solar-powered society could look like, going beyond just technological and economic considerations during the energy shift.
Solar-led energy transitions may be inevitable, but they may not happen quickly enough.
“This critical transformation is now presented as the most significant bargain ever, yet it remains cloaked in mysteries we have yet to fully unravel,” he notes.
This optimism is presented by McKibben, a renowned voice in environmentalism since his first book, The End of Nature, where he first alerted the world to the climate crisis.
Rather than detailing the ongoing damage from climate change, he emphasizes the numerous advantages of increased solar power, including more stable energy prices and reduced reliance on fossil fuel-rich states.
On a spiritual note, he suggests that this shift may rekindle our deep respect for the sun and its immense power.
McKibben also engages with skeptics of renewable energy, providing a balanced perspective on the trade-offs in the energy transition, such as the rising demand for minerals, land use, and potential job losses in fossil fuel industries. His argument is reinforced by an array of global anecdotes from different energy transitions, including a positive mention of the Kentucky Coal Mines Museum’s transition to solar energy to cut costs.
Nevertheless, doubts linger about the feasibility of McKibben’s optimistic outlook. A significant portion of the rapid growth in solar energy is currently occurring in China, which has unique advantages such as central planning and a distinct political structure that may not be replicable elsewhere. This rapid pace may not even be sustainable in China itself.
In the U.S., despite remarkable growth in solar energy in recent years, the industry now contends with challenges posed by the previous administration’s discontent towards renewable resources. Loss of tax credits that once leveled the playing field with subsidized fossil fuels and local opposition to solar projects also complicate future growth.
As McKibben acknowledges, both can be true: solar-driven energy transitions may be on the horizon, but reductions in emissions might not happen swiftly enough to avert further drastic impacts of global warming. “It won’t be easy, but it’s necessary,” he asserts. “We must cease burning, or we will face dire consequences.”
Personally, I resonate with this perspective—I’d much prefer to bask in the sunlight.
Sally Ride during NASA’s seventh space shuttle mission, STS-7 in 1983
NASA
Sally Christina Costantini Disney+ (Available from June 17th)
In 1983, Sally Ride made history as the first American woman in space, becoming the third woman overall to achieve this milestone, following Valentina Tereshkova and Svetlana Savitskaya. The new documentary, Sally, directed by Cristina Costantini, delves into her remarkable journey. It captures not just the media attention but also her personal complexities, including a 27-year partnership with science writer Tam O’Shaughnessy.
The film, debuting at the Sundance Film Festival in January, commences with an extensive montage of archival footage, featuring Ride’s television appearances, which serve as an introduction to her role as a beacon of empowerment.
You can sense the determination that fueled her journey. “It’s crucial to not do anything foolish,” she reflects during a segment, encapsulating her pursuit of excellence and the weight of expectations she faced in a male-dominated field.
Ride grew up in the thriving era of the US Space Program. NASA’s 1976 initiative to diversify its astronaut selection process paved the way for women and ethnic minorities. Out of 8,000 applicants for astronaut training, 1,500 were women, leading NASA to employ 40 aspiring astronauts.
The documentary employs a clever blend of interviews and meticulously crafted sequences that smoothly integrate with the archival material. Fellow astronauts like Kathy Sullivan, Judith Lesnick, and Anna Fisher, along with journalist Lynn Sherr and Ride’s ex-husband Steve Hawley, provide valuable insights into her character, enhanced by some archival bits.
For example, Fisher reflects on the pressures faced by female astronauts to downplay their femininity, particularly regarding attire and makeup. The film also portrays Mike Mullane, who initially appeared as a staunch sexist but later acknowledges his past mistakes in a heartfelt letter to Ride—highlighting the professional hurdles she navigated throughout her career.
In 1976, NASA’s decision to diversify its class opened the door for women and ethnic minority groups.
Costantini also tenderly explores Ride’s lifelong bond with O’Shaughnessy, who met Ride on a sunlit tennis court during their teenage years. Their private relationship, upheld for decades, reflects Ride’s reserved nature and the societal attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community at that time.
The soundtrack features notable tracks such as Lazy Calm by Cocteau Twins, Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra, and Neil Young’s Harvest Moon, adding emotional resonance to Ride and O’Shaughnessy’s narrative.
The narrative takes a poignant turn with Ride’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis in 2011, recounting her personal battle. After giving a speech at a conference in California, she felt a sense of unease, prompting her to seek medical advice the following day. An ultrasound revealed a tumor of golf ball size in her abdomen.
O’Shaughnessy’s testimony vividly illustrates how quickly their lives transformed. Nonetheless, they cherished their time together until Ride’s last moments. Her legacy extends beyond scientific achievements, encompassing the impact of Sally Ride Science’s nonprofit organization.
In summary, Sally presents a heartwarming and insightful tribute to a woman who defied conventions in both her career and personal life. Costantini captures not just Ride’s triumphs but also the sacrifices intrinsic to her groundbreaking journey, ensuring her story resonates with future generations.
football dial F Widely available every week starting Wednesday Total Sport FM listeners are used to their hosts being white and ungainly, so what happens when the management brings in a young YouTuber? Rory Adefope (below), with Des (Fergus Craig) She plays Lisa, a new employee who pairs up to compete for airtime. The fast-talking, tongue-in-cheek satire of sports radio is spot-on, and every character is a bit ignorant and awful. As the producer says, “Hate equals clicks, views, and ad dollars.” Hannah Verdier
miss me? BBC Sounds, 2 episodes every week Lifelong friends Lily Allen and Mikita Oliver have a wealth of chemicals and materials for their twice-weekly updates. Funny stories, memories from her ’90s involving A-listers, discussion of hot topics, musings on the Princess of Wales are all here, and an insider’s look at how the celebrity world works It also includes a perspective. HV
Rory Adefope. Photo: Julia Kennedy/Observer
smarter than me Wide range of weekly episodes available Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ best podcast with older (and smarter) women is back for season two. Billie Jean King, Patti Smith, and Sally Field are among the sensational subjects who offer pure inspiration this time around. Louis-Dreyfus says it has “brainwashed” her about her own ideas about aging and made her look forward to it. I can see why. HV
unreliable witness Wide range of weekly episodes available Who is Ellie Williams? The 22-year-old was jailed on false rape charges in 2022, but this nuanced podcast proves there’s a lot the public doesn’t know. Sky News home editor Jason Farrell and producer Liz Lane have spoken to her family and friends, who portray her as an intelligent and sociable woman who had shown signs of abuse. HV
strike BBC Sounds, weekly episodes There are many reflections on the miners’ strike, which marks its 40th anniversary, but it is the personal memories that are truly moving. Merthyr Tydfil-born filmmaker Jonny Owen, then 13, explores the divide between miners who went on strike and those who didn’t, and how it divided friendships and communities. talked about. HV
There’s a podcast for that
Danny Robbins, host of the Battersea Poltergeist Podcast. Photo: David Levin/The Guardian
this week, Rachel Aroesti choose the best five paranormal phenomenon Podcasts from a guide to American spiritualism to a BBC investigation finding the truth about 1950s London poltergeists.
ghost story This wonderful podcast by journalist Tristan Redman begins as a vague anecdote about a potentially haunted attic in south-west London and turns into a fascinating, deep, and rather beautiful meditation on memory and the past. We will continue to expand. This series was started by a strange coincidence. As a child, Redman experienced strange occurrences in her bedroom. Years later, he found his wife’s great-grandmother murdered next to her. What follows is an interesting investigation into a very strange murder and a spine-chilling investigation into the possibility of ghosts. Could it be that Redman has lived under the influence of supernatural forces all his adult life? Although his conclusions were by no means definitive, they were revelatory and moving.
battersea poltergeist Danny Robbins is the king of paranormal podcasting in the UK, as host of the BBC’s excellent audio series-turned-TV show Uncanny. But it was actually the 2021 series Battersea Poltergeist that first ignited the comedy writer’s late career. switch. An incredibly thorough investigation into the ghostly events that took place on Wycliffe Road in the 1950s, Robbins pulls out all the stops to uncover the noises and flights that haunted the Hitchings family and made headlines for more than a decade. Provided a reasonable explanation for the object. But no matter how hard he tries, the host can’t completely dismiss the idea that something happened there that can’t be explained scientifically. And by the end of the series, you will too.
ghost church Podcaster and comedian Jamie Loftus (known as co-host of the long-running show “The Bechdel Cast”) is an American spiritualist (a religion adjacent to Christianity defined by the belief that the dead never actually die). ) is a reliable and often hilarious guide to. This charming, funny and heartfelt series. To delve into the shaky underpinnings of spiritualism and its less comical modern aspects, Loftus ventures into Cassadaga, a small, highly insular community in Florida that has dedicated its life to communicating with spirits. I would like to interview mediums. Although she arrived with an open mind, she quickly realized that it would take a preternatural level of seriousness to keep from laughing at all the mind-bogglingly bizarre details. Ta.
radio rental Podcaster Payne Lindsay, who made a name for himself by investigating a series of cold cases, goes on to create a series of gruesome films that revolve around something that isn’t exactly a true crime, but is still incredibly sinister. I turned my attention to the story. After scouring forums for suitably chilling stories, from stories of her girlfriend’s doppelgänger to an evil babysitter that clearly never existed, Lindsay tracks down the posters and reveals the gruesome details of their experiences. I recorded everything. The paranormal is just one possibility in these explanations, but human evil is a far more terrifying possibility, so for once it’s often the preferable option. Oh, and if that gets a little too much, Rainn Wilson (aka Dwight from The Office US) is on hand to break the ice, serving as MC for the whole thing in the guise of video store owner Terry Carnation .
ghost in the suburbs Wellesley, Massachusetts is a real place, but it’s not the poltergeist-filled community this podcast would have you believe. Ghosts in the Burbs does not initially appear to be a work of fiction. Our host is a seemingly real person named Liz Sower, a community member who decided to compile local ghost stories from her neighbors into a (real) blog. However, it soon becomes clear that Sour is actually narrating a sophisticated melodrama about a town plagued by paranormal activity. The tone is pleasant, and Sour and his acquaintances give off a delicious mummy vibe, but it’s also very unsettling. After a while, the host will be able to see ghosts, spirits, and demons. It’s not a skill set that will help you sleep at night.
Why not try it…
After Broad and Market Examines the 2003 murder of Sakia Gunn, a young, black, gay 15-year-old student in downtown Newark. Her murder galvanized LGBTQ+ activism in New Jersey.
in Y is importantnutritionist Alina Kuzmina and expert guests discuss a wide range of health topics, including overeating, work-life balance, and the relationship between mind and body.
Serpentine Podcast: Intimacy We ask how we can expand and evolve our connections with ourselves, others, and the world around us.
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