January 2026: The month's most significant tech and science stories
From robot companions to space industry pivots, a roundup of the research and developments that shaped the month.
Research roundup: 6 cool stories we almost missed
Among the month's overlooked discoveries: a robot capable of lip-syncing, genetic analysis of Leonardo da Vinci, and archaeological findings suggesting that human effort, rather than glacial movement, transported the massive stones at Stonehenge.
A cup of coffee for depression treatment has better results than microdosing
Research indicates that the benefits attributed to microdosing in treating depression have been exaggerated compared to the effects of caffeine consumption.
The TV industry finally concedes that the future may not be in 8K
The lack of available programming and marginal practical advantages have rendered 8K television sets commercially unviable.
ICE observer says her Global Entry was revoked after agent scanned her face
According to court documents, both Global Entry and PreCheck credentials were canceled within three days of a facial scanning incident.
TrumpRx delayed as senators question if it's a giant scam with Big Pharma
The platform's launch has been postponed while lawmakers request clarification from health department oversight officials.
Here's why Blue Origin just ended its suborbital space tourism program
This program has laid the groundwork for our company's future success.
Blue Origin
FCC aims to ensure "only living and lawful Americans" get Lifeline benefits
Citing suspected fraud in California, Carr is pushing for tighter eligibility requirements to be implemented across all states.
Notable stories from the month
- I spent $4,000 on a robot dog from China
- Physicist does the math on Star Trek's "Picard maneuver"
- Bouncy castle launches horrifying MRSA outbreak, striking 48 kids in Ireland
- Trump's forced coal plant extensions thrown out by judge
- ChatGPT-using lawyer punished for citing fake testimony from made-up witnesses
Developers say AI coding tools work—and that's precisely what worries them
Conversations with software engineers revealed optimism about artificial intelligence capabilities paired with significant reservations about their implications.
Web portal leaves kids' chats with AI toy open to anyone with Gmail account
The Bondu platform's security gap allowed virtually any Gmail user to access transcripts of children's conversations with the AI companion.
How far does $5,000 go when you want an electric car?
While long-distance travel remains impractical, budget-conscious buyers can obtain a basic electric vehicle at this price point.
NASA faces a crucial choice on a Mars spacecraft—and it must decide soon
We think that's a really important mission, and something that we can do.
NASA
Rocket Report: How a 5-ton satellite fell off a booster; will SpaceX and xAI merge?
We're seeing remarkable growth year after year.
Inside Nvidia's 10-year effort to make the Shield TV the most updated Android device ever
Selfishly, a little bit, we built Shield for ourselves.
Nvidia
Having that high-deductible health plan might kill you, literally
The elimination of ACA tax credits is driving enrollment toward high-deductible health plans among more Americans.
US spy satellite agency declassifies high-flying Cold War listening post
The JUMPSEAT satellites conducted surveillance operations from positions above the North Pole, targeting Soviet communications.
People complaining about Windows 11 hasn't stopped it from hitting 1 billion users
Despite persistent user complaints, Windows 11 has reached the 1 billion user milestone as Windows 10 gradually declines in market share.
How often do AI chatbots lead users down a harmful path?
Anthropic's recent research on "user disempowerment" presents concerning data regarding the frequency of problematic AI guidance.
Google Project Genie lets you create interactive worlds from a photo or prompt
The tool can generate playable environments within 60 seconds, though access requires a paid AI Ultra subscription.
Comcast keeps losing customers despite price guarantee and unlimited data
Despite restructuring its Internet service offerings to include price protections and data allowances, Comcast continues to experience subscriber attrition.
She'll mess with Texas: Nurse keeps mailing abortion pills, despite Paxton lawsuit
A Delaware nurse practitioner faces legal action from Texas authorities for distributing hundreds of abortion medications monthly through the mail.
County pays $600,000 to pentesters it arrested for assessing courthouse security
Gary DeMercurio and Justin Wynn received a settlement more than six years after their arrest for conducting security testing at a courthouse.
New OpenAI tool renews fears that "AI slop" will overwhelm scientific research
The launch of the "Prism" workspace coincides with emerging evidence that AI-generated academic papers are flooding journals with diminished quality standards.
Custom machine kept man alive without lungs for 48 hours
A specialized device sustained a patient whose lungs had been severely damaged by infection, allowing time for treatment before transplantation.
Does Anthropic believe its AI is conscious, or is that just what it wants Claude to think?
While no empirical evidence exists that AI systems experience suffering, Anthropic's training methodology operates under the assumption that they might.
Do you have ideas about how to improve America's space program?
Any time there's dynamic change, there's the opportunity for new ideas.
Tesla kills Models S and X to build humanoid robots instead
Tesla is discontinuing production of the Models S and X, vehicles that once set industry standards but have since fallen behind competitors.
States want to tax fossil fuel companies to create climate change superfunds
As climate-related expenses mount, state legislatures are enacting measures requiring fossil fuel producers to finance remediation efforts.
Early Universe's supermassive black holes grew in cocoons like butterflies
During their formation phase, young supermassive black holes exist within dense gas envelopes that shield them from external observation.
Tesla: 2024 was bad, 2025 was worse as profit falls 46 percent
Tesla's earnings declined significantly, with emissions credit sales accounting for more than half of remaining profits as vehicle sales dropped 8.6 percent.
Site catering to online criminals has been seized by the FBI
The RAMP platform, one of the final remaining venues for ransomware-related discussions, has been taken offline by federal authorities.
Seven things to know about how Apple's Creator Studio subscriptions work
For Mac versions of professional applications, the subscription model introduces minimal immediate changes to existing functionality.
Stranded boys struggle to survive in Lord of the Flies trailer
We need to think about food and shelter. We need to help each other and be good camp mates.
SpaceX sends list of demands to US states giving broadband grants to Starlink
SpaceX is declining to provide detailed commitments regarding Starlink network capacity or subscriber guarantees to states offering broadband funding.
Angry Norfolk residents lose lawsuit to stop Flock license plate scanners
Residents challenging Norfolk's deployment of Flock camera technology, which they characterized as indiscriminate surveillance, were unsuccessful in court.
Source: Ars Technica