A New Tiny Blue Octopus, Helium Shortage, Norovirus Outbreak in California, and the Texas T. rex
Discover the top stories from May 24 to May 30, 2026, that you may have missed, including a new species of tiny octopus and a mysterious outbreak of norovirus in California.
Steve George is a contributing writer for Discover Magazine, who previously served as the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Director, overseeing the brand since 2012.
Jack Knudson is an Associate Editor for Discover Magazine who writes articles on space, ancient humans, animals, and sustainability, and manages the Planet Earth column for print.
Stephanie Edwards is the Engagement Specialist at Discover Magazine, who manages all social media platforms and writes digital articles that focus on archaeology, the environment, and public health.
Missed some of our top stories from the week? Check out our round-up below, covering the biggest science news and stories that matter.
For this week's stories, from May 24 to May 30, 2026, we include a new tiny blue octopus discovery, what Earth's helium shortage could mean for the future of science, and a 500-million-year-old fossil that is helping to fill a missing chapter of animal evolution.
1. A Tiny Blue Deep-Sea Octopus Near the Galápagos Could Be a New Species
Five thousand eight hundred feet beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean, a tiny blue octopus suddenly drifted across a remotely operated vehicle’s (ROV) camera near an underwater mountain in the Galápagos.
Newly identified blue octopus (Video Courtesy of the Charles Darwin Foundation)
About the size of a golf ball, the little octopus stood out against the dark seafloor around it. The crew later used the ROV to collect the animal and bring it back to the surface. Back on land, researchers would realize they had just encountered a new species.
2. We Are Experiencing a Helium Shortage — What This Could Mean for an "Irreplaceable" Element
Helium is one of those chemical elements we’ve all heard of, but most of us only know about it for its most trivial uses. But helium is a serious gas with significant applications, especially in medical care and scientific research of all kinds. It’s also in short supply on Earth, which is a problem in many ways.
3. Norovirus Outbreak Spreads Along Pacific Crest Trail in California, Causing Dozens of Hikers to Suddenly Fall Ill
For dozens of hikers in California, a sudden outbreak of norovirus has soured excursions on the Pacific Crest Trail. The contagion started to circulate along a stretch of the trail near the mountain village of Wrightwood, just 77 miles northeast of Los Angeles, in early May, leaving seven hikers infected with norovirus and several others dealing with debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms.
4. The Texas T. rex Is an 80-Million-Year-Old Mosasaur the Size of a School Bus
Artistic reconstruction of Tylosaurus rex in the Late Cretaceous(Image Courtesy of Alderon Games Path of Titans)
Texas now has its own T. rex that ruled the Cretaceous seas with an iron jaw.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown species of giant mosasaur, a fearsome marine reptile that once prowled the ancient seas. And in a fitting nod to its sheer dominance, scientists named it Tylosaurus rex — meaning “king of the tylosaurs.”
5. A 500-Million-Year-Old Fossil Adds a New Clue to a Missing Chapter of Animal Evolution
From roughly 497 million to 485 million years ago, fossils became harder to find. Sandwiched between two major turning points in animal evolution, the Cambrian radiation and the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event, the Furongian has looked like a missing chapter.
That is what makes Magnicornaspis so useful. Instead of just adding one more fossil to the record, it offers a clearer view of the kinds of animals that may have been living during this poorly understood interval.
6. Human Cells Can Pass DNA to Each Other Through Tiny Tubes — Here's How It May Fuel Cancer Growth
When cells in our body are going through a rough patch due to radiation or botched attempts to divide, they sometimes link up with other cells to safely hand over their DNA. This process of DNA transfer — supported by tiny tubes that form between two cells, passing DNA from one to the other — has been observed for the first time in human cells, and this discovery may very well change how we think about our cells.
Anastasia Scott is an Assistant Editor at Discover Magazine. Her work focuses on bringing clarity and creativity to scientific ideas. View Full Profile
Steve George is a contributing writer for Discover Magazine, who previously served as the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Director, overseeing the brand since 2012.View Full Profile
Jack Knudson is an Associate Editor for Discover Magazine who writes articles on space, ancient humans, animals, and sustainability, and manages the Planet Earth column for print.View Full Profile
Stephanie Edwards is the Engagement Specialist at Discover Magazine, who manages all social media platforms and writes digital articles that focus on archaeology, the environment, and public health.View Full Profile
