Some of 2025’s scientific discoveries broke records

What’s Happening

So basically Longest lightning, the first AI-generated genomes and biggest black hole smashup were among this year’s top science superlatives.

Earth Some of 2025’s scientific discoveries broke records Notable findings include longest lightning, biggest black hole collision and more The James Webb Space Telescope spied the earliest locked in black hole (central sphere in this illustration). It’s probably surrounded , which might alter the light emitted the growing celestial body. (wild, right?)

Erik Zumalt/University of Texas at Austin By Erin Garcia de Jesús 3 hours ago this: via email (Opens in new window) Email Click to on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to on X (Opens in new window) X Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Some of 2025’s scientific discoveries pushed the limits.

The Details

Earth’s longest lightning and the first AI-generated genomes are among this year’s superlative achievements, along with black holes old and large. Here are the record-breaking findings that stretched scientific boundaries and captured our attention.

Light up the sky The record-breaking lightning megaflash (illustrated) spanned about 829 kilometers, roughly the distance from Dallas to Kansas City, Mo. MICHAEL PETERSON/GTRI In October 2017, a colossal lightning bolt flashed from Dallas to Kansas City, Mo.

Why This Matters

, a distance of roughly 830 kilometers, researchers reported in July. 39 seconds, this year officially took the title of longest known megaflash , unseating a 709-kilometer-long bolt that zipped across Brazil and Argentina in 2019. Such megaflashes happen in only about 1 in 1,000 thunderstorms across the Americas.

This could have implications for future research in this area.

Key Takeaways

• Invading mosquitoes A resident of Iceland captured three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes (species pictured) on the island in mid-October.
• The find marks the first time mosquitoes have been identified in the country, before one of the last mosquito-free places on Earth.

The Bottom Line

Invading mosquitoes A resident of Iceland captured three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes (species pictured) on the island in mid-October. The find marks the first time mosquitoes have been identified in the country, before one of the last mosquito-free places on Earth.

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