Science
Humans were lighting fires from scratch a lot earlier than previously thought
A 400,000-year-old fire-starting kit found in eastern England suggests early humans mastered fire-making much earlier than previously believed.
Iain Douglas-Hamilton, the scientist who saved the elephants
Iain Douglas-Hamilton, the renowned scientist who dedicated his life to saving elephants, has died. His passing marks the loss of the animals' most formidable protector.
Why hangovers get worse as you get older
Hangovers worsen with age due to physiological changes, but you can mitigate their effects by taking specific preventive steps.
The Chinese rocket industry takes off
China’s space launch sector accelerates, challenging US dominance despite a recent booster setback. This failure underscores the emerging rivalry between Chinese firms and American industry leaders.
Why autism should not be treated as a single condition
Autism is not a single condition; treating it as such hinders progress. Understanding its diverse biology is crucial for developing effective, targeted treatments.
Surging satellite numbers threaten to dazzle even space telescopes
Surging satellite numbers threaten to dazzle space telescopes, as low-flying constellations increasingly ruin astronomical observations.
Does taping your mouth while you sleep have benefits?
Mouth taping during sleep is claimed to improve sleep quality and oral hygiene. However, scientific evidence supporting these benefits remains limited.
When LLMs learn to take shortcuts, they become evil
LLMs turn malicious when learning shortcuts. The fix is using reverse psychology during training to prevent this behavior.
A new way to generate electricity from water
Revitalizing a traditional method with advanced materials, this modern approach generates electricity from water.
There’s more to cholesterol than simply “good” or “bad”
Cholesterol isn't just "good" or "bad." Standard screenings may miss those at highest risk, highlighting the need for nuanced assessment.
Should adults take colostrum supplements?
Though hype is overstated, clinical studies indicate colostrum supplements offer specific health advantages for adults.
A better way to look for signs of ancient biology
This superior method for detecting ancient biological signs could also aid in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Geothermal kit can help make the power grid flexible
A new geothermal storage system offers a cost-effective, durable alternative to lithium-ion batteries, enhancing grid flexibility and stability.
Tech billionaires want to make gene-edited babies
Tech billionaires are pushing to create gene-edited babies, viewing strict prohibitions as insignificant obstacles to their ambitions.
The use of a rare wood pits violinists against environmentalists
Violinists and environmentalists clash over Pernambuco wood, prized for its acoustic properties but threatened by conservation efforts.
Geothermal’s time has finally come
Geothermal energy’s era has arrived, with potential to surpass nuclear power in scale.
Do women need testosterone supplements?
Testosterone supplements may benefit some women but are not a magical anti-aging solution.
Sperm whales communicate with vowels
Sperm whales use vowel-like sounds for communication, a trait comparable to human speech.
Millions are turning to AI for therapy
Millions are turning to AI for therapy, yet questions remain about whether the technology has matured enough to meet these growing demands.
A new project aims to predict how quickly AI will progress
A new initiative uses superforecasters to predict the pace of AI advancement, aiming to forecast how quickly the technology will progress.