We can’t believe it’s almost 2026!
As we wrap up 2025, we wanted to look back at some of our favorite moments from the past year.
And of course, a huge shout-out to YOU, our readers! Since launching in September 2025, nearly 3,500 people have joined us through our newsletter and socials. 🎉 We’re so grateful for your love and support!
And, as always, if you ever have any feedback or ideas, just hit ‘Reply’ - we read every message.
Thanks! Looking forward to 2026! ❤️
In today’s post:
PICTURES OF THE YEAR
This week we’re highlighting some of the best pictures of the year!
(Note: some of these were featured in previous editions, but they were so good we had to share again!)
2025 Landscape Photographer of the Year awards 🌄
Nature’s Best Science Images from 2025 📸
2025 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 😂
5 FACTS
Top breakthroughs of the past 25 years 🏆
National Geographic recently shared a great list of the biggest scientific breakthroughs from the past 25 years. Here are some of our favorites:
CRISPR: Editing DNA. In 2012, scientists introduced CRISPR, a tool that lets them edit a cell’s DNA. Since then, it’s been used to cure sickle-cell disease, save a baby with a fatal genetic disorder, and transform the field of biology! (Nobel Prize in 2020)
AlphaFold: Predicting protein shapes. AlphaFold, an AI program created by Alphabet, helps scientists figure out how proteins fold and interact with other proteins. This makes it much faster and easier to design new medicines! (Nobel Prize in 2024)
Graphene: A super material. Graphene is the strongest and thinnest material we know. It’s also super conductive and see-through! Since its invention, it’s been used to create better water filters, faster-charging batteries, and medical sensors. (Nobel Prize in 2010)
Higgs boson: A missing piece of physics. Scientists first guessed the Higgs boson existed in 1964, but it wasn’t actually found until 2012. The discovery helped explain why particles have mass. (Nobel Prize in 2013)
Robots go where no one has gone before. NASA’s Voyager 1 became the first spacecraft to reach interstellar space. The New Horizon probe was the first to fly past Pluto. NASA also collected samples from asteroids and brought them back to earth for the first time!
SCIENCE QUESTIONS
Does time literally fly? ⏱️🚀
How do our brains measure time?
Our brains don’t actually perceive time - they estimate it by creating and storing memories.
When a lot of new or exciting things happen, our brains notice more details and form more memories. Because we remember more, that period of time feels longer. This is also why scary or intense moments, like a car accident, feel like they happen in slow motion - our brains are working overtime to capture everything.
Why does time feel faster as we get older?
When we’re young, almost everything is new: school, first jobs, first big life events. Since our brain is collecting and storing tons of new memories, it feels like a lot of time has passed.
As we get older, our days become more routine. They’re less interesting, so our brains create fewer memories. When we look back, it feels like not much has happened - so it feels like not much time has passed.
But then, when we realize it’s already 2026, we’re left wondering how the year flew by.
Can we make time feel slower?
Yes - by making more memories!
You can try things like keeping a gratitude journal or looking through your photos each month. This helps you remember what’s happened and keeps your memories fresh!
Source: Science Alert
ICYMI
Here’s some of our favorite questions we explored from this past year! 🎉
Sep. 24 - Identical twins aren’t completely identical? Also: a man who survived being hit by lightning 7 times!
Oct. 8 - Are sugar highs just a myth?
Oct. 15 - How deadly is a penny dropped from the top of the Empire State Building?
Nov. 19 - How old is your dog really? Also: what’s the point of baby teeth?
Nov. 26 - Why is everyone right-handed?