Week in Science: AI solves "holy grail" math problem

Plus, how vaccines prevent cancer                    

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October 2—Just days after a Fields Medalist predicted that an AI would solve a “holy grail” math problem, it actually happened. Plus, a new study found that one in eight cancer cases are caused by infections that may be preventable with vaccines. And how to avoid accidentally poisoning yourself with the latest TikTok health trend. What’s that smell? Take our Friday quiz to find out. —Emma Gometz, Newsletter Editor Have thoughts or feedback on our coverage? Email newsletters@sciam.com anytime.

Top Stories

AI solves a ‘holy grail’ problem from probability theory Just days after a Fields Medalist predicted that an AI would solve the puzzle, Anthropic succeeded Manon Bischoff

Want to protect yourself against cancer? Get vaccinated Many cancers associated with infection are preventable Jackie Flynn Mogensen

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Blockbuster retatrutide trial signals a ‘new high-water mark’ for weight-loss drugs The experimental weight-loss drug is a triple agonist and the first of its kind to reach a phase 3 clinical trial Jackie Flynn Mogensen

This TikTok home remedy could cause botulism—here’s what to know No, fermenting garlic in honey is not a replacement for antibiotic or antiviral meds Adam Kovac

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Satellite images reveal ethereal auroral storm raging above the North Pole The satellite, Smile, is a joint European and Chinese mission to study space weather and geomagnetic storms above Earth Adam Kovac

How IVF ‘add-on’ treatments put patients in an impossible position There’s little evidence that many IVF “add-on” treatments work. Should they even be offered? Jackie Flynn Mogensen

Surprising result seen in primordial matter inside atom smasher Physicists at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider on Long Island have seen hints of a phase transition from the early universe Clara Moskowitz

NASA announces plans to revive Boeing’s troubled Starliner spacecraft Starliner hasn’t flown since its failed 2024 mission left two astronauts onboard the International Space Station for 286 days Adam Kovac

These tiny implants talk through the body itself A new system sends faint electrical pulses through tissue instead of over Bluetooth. In rats, it made the animals flex one of their hind legs on cue when one of their front paws moved Peter Hall

SpaceX’s Starship lifts off in make-or-break orbital test flight The world’s largest rocket successfully entered orbit for the first time—a milestone for SpaceX and a relief for future NASA moon missions Lee Billings

The next era of space warfare is upon us Elusive, satellite-stalking spacecraft could unleash space war—or help keep orbital peace Mary Randolph

A Jupiter-bound spacecraft just swung by Earth, snapping photos as it went Juice is on its way to study Jupiter’s moons, with a little assist from Earth’s gravity Mary Randolph

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