WEIRD SCIENCE
by Paul Ratner – Credit: ABC. In 1973, a computer program was developed at MIT to model global sustainability. Instead, it predicted that by 2040 our civilization would end. While many in history have made apocalyptic predictions that have so far failed …
After a virus was created from mail-order DNA, scientists are sounding the alarm about the genetic tinkering carried out in garages and living rooms. By Emily Baumgaertner – (Leer en español) Across the country, biohackers — hobbyists, amateur geneticists, students and enthusiasts — …
Michael Irving – Sandia researchers Michael Chandross (left) and Nic Argibay, overseeing the testing of the platinum-gold alloy that’s now the world’s most durable alloy (Credit: Randy Montoya). Engineers at Sandia National Laboratories, in Albuquerque, have developed what they say is the most durable …
America’s Ozone Problem Has Now Spread to Its National Parks Humans can’t leave good things alone, huh? By Peter Hess – Who doesn’t like escaping into the wilderness to get some fresh air reset their brain from the stresses of civilization? Well, we …
by Robby Berman – The dangerous Comet Swift-Tuttle in 1992. (Credit: Jim Scotti, University of Arizona). The Perseids are arguably the most famous annual meteor shower. Silently streaking across the mid-August heavens each summer, it’s a profound and beautiful event for anyone …
by Robby Berman – Plants learn and remember (Pakorn worasang/immfocus studio/Big Think) Monica Gagliano studies learning and memory in plants. She’s an “evolutionary ecologist” who performs behavioral experiments on plants that are adapted from studies of animal intelligence. Her work has convinced her …
By Jessie Yeung, CNN – China claims to have successfully tested its first hypersonic aircraft, a big step forward in aerospace technology that could intensify pressure on the US military. The China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA), based in Beijing and part of …
Michael Irving – A simulation of antimatter particles being concentrated and accelerated into a positron beam (Credit: Imperial College London) Particle accelerators have plenty to teach us about the mysterious forces and matter that makes up the universe, but these facilities aren’t …
Paul Ridden – The Masterkey 4.0 projects a laser keyboard on the desk and a display on the wall (Credit: Masterkey 4.0). Smartphones are pretty much everywhere, and can be pretty powerful computing machines. But tapping away on a touchscreen can be …
Rich Haridy – In some people, additional probiotics could result in small intestine bacterial overgrowth causing cognitive impairments and severe bloating (Credit: ayo888/Depositphotos) While current research is finding that modulating our gut microbiome through probiotics can have a number of positive health …
