Highlights from Science: Space Returns, Rocket Tests, Future Pears, and Ice Age Discoveries

This brief covers significant events in science: a Russian Soyuz capsule brought astronauts back from the ISS, a Chinese startup's rocket test failed, Belgian scientists experiment with pears under future climate conditions, and Ice Age mastodon remains were found in Peru.

In recent science news, notable events have made headlines. Firstly, a Russian Soyuz capsule successfully landed in Kazakhstan, bringing two Russian cosmonauts and one U.S. astronaut back to Earth after their mission on the International Space Station (ISS). The Soyuz MS-25 spacecraft touched down at 1159 GMT.

Meanwhile, China's Deep Blue Aerospace faced a setback when their reusable kerosene-fuelled rocket, Nebula-1, failed during a high-altitude vertical recovery test flight. Despite crashing in Inner Mongolia, the rocket completed 10 out of 11 tasks, showing promise for future attempts.

In Belgium, climate scientists in Limburg are using advanced technology to grow pears under simulated future climate conditions, aiming to predict how global warming will impact agriculture by 2040. This innovative approach could help farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Additionally, researchers in Peru have uncovered fossilized remains of three Ice Age mastodons in the Andes, raising intriguing questions about how these ancient giants came to inhabit the region. The excavations, which began in 2019, provide valuable insights into the region's prehistoric biodiversity.

(With inputs from agencies.)