Research roundup: 7 cool science stories we almost missed

Image caption: Astronomers have discovered a “black hole star,” an extremely bright red spot in the early universe that appears to be a new type of astrophysical object. It resembles an enormous star, but its energy production is closer to what a black hole might generate. Image credit: Jose-Luis Olivares, MIT. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 (resized to fit). Article by Jennifer Ouellette. Ars Technica – September 1, 2026.

It’s a regrettable reality that there is never enough time to cover all the interesting scientific stories we come across. So every month, we highlight a handful of the best stories that nearly slipped through the cracks. August’s list includes the discovery of a new celestial object astronomers have dubbed a “black hole star”; breaking down plastics with microbes and turning them into edible cookies; how whale calls are connected to Einstein’s special theory of relativity; and how avocado tree flowers switch sex during the day, among other highlights. […]

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