Japanese scientists analyzing asteroid Ryugu samples discovered the five fundamental building blocks of DNA and RNA, a finding suggesting these life-essential molecules were widespread in the early solar system. The Hayabusa2 mission's returned material, analyzed over six years, contained adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil, alongside ammonia. This supports the theory that carbonaceous asteroids like Ryugu transported these molecules to Earth billions of years ago, seeding potential life. Toshiki Koga clarified these building blocks don't prove life existed on Ryugu, only that primitive asteroids could preserve molecules crucial for life's chemistry.

German researchers identified a trio of bacteria capable of digesting a common plastic additive, phthalate esters, only when working together. A consortium of two *Pseudomonas* and one *Microbacterium* species broke down diethyl phthalate (DEP) at 888 mg/L within 24 hours at 30°C. The bacteria collaborate through cross-feeding, offering a new tool for tackling plastic pollution and industrial waste streams.

Hubble captured unprecedented footage of Comet K1 (ATLAS) fragmenting just days after it began breaking apart, a rare close-up observation months before its exit from the solar system. The telescope's images, taken in November 2025, showed one fragment disintegrating during the observation period, providing unique insights into cometary disintegration dynamics.