A New Tiny Blue Octopus, Helium Shortage, Norovirus Outbreak in California, and the Texas <em>T. rex</em>
This week's science news highlights include the discovery of a new tiny blue octopus near the Galápagos, the ongoing helium shortage affecting various industries, and a norovirus outbreak impacting hikers in California. Additionally, researchers have identified a new species of giant mosasaur in Texas, named Tylosaurus rex, and a 500-million-year-old fossil that sheds light on a previously unclear period of animal evolution. These stories reflect significant developments in marine biology, public health, and paleontology.
- ▪A tiny blue octopus discovered near the Galápagos may be a new species.
- ▪The current helium shortage poses challenges for medical and scientific applications.
- ▪A norovirus outbreak along the Pacific Crest Trail has affected dozens of hikers in California.
- ▪Researchers have identified a new species of giant mosasaur in Texas, named Tylosaurus rex.
- ▪A 500-million-year-old fossil provides new insights into a poorly understood chapter of animal evolution.
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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 SpeciesFive 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.
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