Lunar prospectors: the businesses looking to mine the Moon

“In the silent vacuum of space, five autonomous robots churn through the lunar surface, digging up a loose layer of rock and dust and leaving rows of uniform tracks in their wake. Stopping only to recharge at a central solar power station, the car-sized machines process the lunar dirt internally to extract a type of helium so rare on Earth that a palm-sized container is estimated to be worth millions. Once processed, the precious resource is loaded into a launcher and ejected back to Earth. The vision is one born of science fiction, but there are several companies already raising money to mine Earth’s neighbor for resources, in a race to be first to benefit from the nascent lunar economy.”

The Guardian »

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**This C-3PO head from The Empire Strikes Back just sold for more than $1 million at auction**

“Did you hear that?’ C-3PO asks at the beginning of the first Star Wars movie in 1977. The melodramatic droid is instantly recognizable, with a body coated in gold and eyes that glow orange. He gets the first line in the original film, and he appears to panic and fuss in nearly all of the movies that followed. On March 25, a light-up C-3PO head used in Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) sold at a Propstore auction for $1,058,400 — far higher than the estimate of $350,000 to $700,000. According to a video from the auction house, the item had belonged to the family of a crew member who worked on the film.”

Smithsonian Magazine »

Gut bacteria may influence social behavior through smell

“In a new study, Northwestern University neurobiologists discovered that gut bacteria and the nose work together to shape social behavior in mice, including who fights and who backs down. Using a combination of genetic and behavioral experiments, the scientists found that gut microbes produce a pungent odor that other animals can smell. When detected, these scents trigger aggression and shape social hierarchies. The discovery reveals a previously unknown way the microbiome influences social interactions.”

Phys.org »

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The best hookup apps for 2026: I swiped until my thumb hurt

“In the age of on-demand everything, it’s no surprise that we can get ‘dates’ (and I use that term loosely) with the tap of a button. Thanks to classic hookup apps like Tinder and newcomers like Pure, finding a sexy new friend can be as straightforward as ordering a pizza. As for the quality, well, that’s about the same as your pizza — hit or miss, depending on the time of day, where you're located, and how hungry you are. Fortunately, you’ve got me, your resident dating app expert (though I prefer modern-day Carrie Bradshaw), to guide you to the promised land, aka the best hookup apps.”

Mashable »