"The land grabs are not new, but it's become a question of life and death."

Scientists warn of "cascading system collapse" in Amazon Rainforest

Scorched Earth Policies

With the Amazon Rainforest burning away and sequestered carbon being released, the global environment is rapidly approaching the point of no return.

Scientists Warn Of “Cascading System Collapse” in Amazon Rainforest

The destruction of the Amazon could be a "doomsday bomb," causing planet-wide environmental destruction.

And a gray kitten named Garlic is the first step.

Chinese firm wants to give cloned pets the original's "memories"

Meet Garlic

A Chinese first that creates cloned pets says it's considering ways to use artificial intelligence to clone animals memories.

Chinese Firm Wants to Give Cloned Pets the Original’s “Memories”

It can already clone cats' bodies. Next, it wants to clone their minds.

The proposed zeppelins could circle the entire planet in as little as two weeks.

These scientists want to bring back zeppelins in a big way

Big Ass Blimp

An Austrian team of scientists are proposing to build airships, otherwise known as zeppelins, that are ten times as big as the Hindenburg.

These Scientists Want to Bring Back Zeppelins in a Big Way

Their proposed cargo airship is ten times bigger than the Hindenburg.

Microsoft: We stopped listening to your Xbox convos "months ago"

Gamer Gab

Microsoft says humans no longer review audio of Xbox users for "product improvement purposes" — but that doesn't mean they aren't still listening.

Microsoft: We Stopped Listening to Your Xbox Convos “Months Ago”

Most of them, anyways.

He also tried to force two others to send him bitcoin.

YouTube sues man for allegedly swatting a Minecraft streamer

Against the Stream

YouTube is suing a Nebraska man for allegedly lauching a swatting attack against a popular Minecraft streamer after attempting to extort money from them.

YouTube Sues Man for Allegedly Swatting a Minecraft Streamer

But that wasn't until after he tried to extort money from them.

He seemingly missed all the signs it wasn't legit.

Instagram hoax fools Department of Energy head Rick Perry

Face Palm

U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry shared a chainmeme to his Instagram and Twitter feeds, apparently unaware that it was a hoax.

Instagram Hoax Fools Department of Energy Head Rick Perry

This guy is in charge of the US's nuclear arsenal.

YouTube Mistakes Combat Robots as Animal Cruelty?! Not Impressed.

“With the massive volume of videos on our site, sometimes we make the wrong call."

YouTube accidentally removed robot battle videos for "animal cruelty"

Robot Violence

YouTube accidentally took down videos of robots fighting, claiming they included portrayals of animal violence and cock fighting.

YouTube Accidentally Removed Robot Battle Videos for “Animal Cruelty”

"Robot builders across the world cried out in agony."

“I think people would be shocked how fast they can move.”

Newt Gingrich proposes $2 billion prize to land on the Moon

Last One is a Rotten Egg

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is proposing to award a $2 billion prize to the first private space company to land Americans on the Moon.

Newt Gingrich Proposes $2 Billion Prize to Land on the Moon

NASA skeptics want to put taxpayer money behind Musk, Bezos, and company — not NASA.

"If you were an alien looking at our solar system and saw Mercury, you’d be a little discouraged."

Astronomers just drastically narrowed the search for alien life

Short List

Astronomers found out that a potentially-habitable exoplanet can't support an atmosphere, ruling it and similar worlds out in the search for alien life.

Astronomers Just Drastically Narrowed the Search for Alien Life

We can safely rule out an entire class of exoplanets.

Who’s a ‘Good Boy?’ Astro, FAU’s Smart Robodog That’s Who

What has big ambitions and a cold dead stare?

This Boston Dynamics-esque bot has horrifying, human-like eyes

Looking Ruff

“Astro” the robodog promises many things, but… its face… Researchers from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) set out with an ambitious task, to build a robodog which combined all the best parts of Siri, 3D-printing, and robots like Boston Dynamics SpotMini. Unfortunately, Astro’s engineers added an extra component to the bot, horrible […]

This Boston Dynamics-Esque Bot Has Horrifying, Human-Like Eyes

It looks like it's wearing the eyes of its last victim.

The company's timing really couldn't be worse.

Amazon claims Rekognition can now detect fear

Fear Factor

Amazon claims its Rekognition software can now detect fear on a person's face, as well as provide a better estimate of their age.

Amazon Claims Rekognition Can Now Detect Fear

The facial recognition tech has also gotten better at estimating ages, Amazon says.

The GoRelax acupressure mat is the stress reliever you've been waiting for.

This powerful acupressure mat obliterates stress in just 15 minutes a day

Brands We Love

A short daily massage with the innovative GoRelax acupressure mat can provide deep relaxation, increased blood circulation, and reduced tension.

This Powerful Acupressure Mat Obliterates Stress in Just 15 Minutes a Day

Say hello to the specially-engineered GoRelax stress-busting massage mat.  

It features the best of Futurism Cartoons, along with 80 new images.

Futurism's new 'Cartoons From Tomorrow' book is a 'wry and often ingenious' look at our high-tech world

The new Cartoons from Tomorrow book from Futurism features the best of Futurism Cartoons along with 80 all new satirical comics.

Futurism’s New ‘Cartoons From Tomorrow’ Book Is a ‘Wry and Often Ingenious’ Look at Our High-Tech World

Pre-order your copy today.

It combines four medications into a once-daily pill.

This cheap "polypill" could reduce your risk of a heart attack

Health Boost

The first large-scale study of a polypill showed the cheap, once-daily medication was able to prevent cardiovascular disease.

This Cheap “Polypill” Could Reduce Your Risk of a Heart Attack

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/aug/22/single-polypill-reduces-risk-of-heart-attacks-and-strokes-study-finds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Single polypill reduces risk of heart attacks and strokes, study finds</a> [The Guardian]

More on heart attacks: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/genetic-test-risk-heart-attack" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A $50 Genetic Test Can Tell How Likely You Are to Have a Heart Attack</a>

Rx/Medicines

A new study put an 18-year-old theory to the test — and it passed.

It looks at just 14 measurements in a blood sample.

This blood test seems to predict if people are going to die soon

Death Notice

A new blood test that looks at just 14 biomarkers could one day allow doctors to predict the likelihood you're going to die within five to 10 years.

This Blood Test Seems to Predict if People Are Going to Die Soon

READ MORE: <a href="https://time.com/5656767/blood-test-longevity/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">We&#8217;re One Step Closer to a Blood Test that Predicts When a Person Will Die</a> [TIME]

More on mortality: <a href="https://futurism.com/scientist-someone-alive-today-1000" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Scientist Thinks Someone Alive Today Will Live to Be 1,000</a>

Studies

It was 83 percent accurate in a test of 7,603 people.

The heart allowed a cow to jog for 30 minutes at a time during an animal trial in April.

This steampunk bionic heart uses maglev tech to pump blood

Lub Dub

A team of engineers from private medical company Bivacor have been working on an artificial, bionic heart that can allow cardiac patients to stay alive.

This Steampunk Bionic Heart Uses Maglev Tech to Pump Blood

<a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/biomedical/devices/this-maglev-heart-could-keep-cardiac-patients-alive">This Maglev Heart Could Keep Cardiac Patients Alive</a> [IEEE Spectrum]

More on artificial hearts: <a href="https://futurism.com/neoscope/researchers-3d-printed-heart-human-tissue">Researchers Create First Ever 3D-Printed Heart Using Human Tissue</a>

Devices

It could keep patients alive until their donor organs arrive.

"It's like going to a really expensive homeopathic doctor."

Microbiome testing startup uBiome based tests on infant, pet data

Theranos, Too

Medical testing startup uBiome based its consumer gut-testing kits on some shoddy science, including keeping animal and infant research in its database.

Microbiome Testing Startup uBiome Based Tests on Infant, Pet Data

READ MORE: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ubiome-poop-testing-startup-problems-science-microbiome-2019-8">uBiome insiders say key science at the buzzy startup was flawed from the start. Now, the company and a top science journal are investigating.</a> [Business Insider]

More on uBiome: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/fbi-investigating-startup-ubiome">FBI Investigating uBiome&#8217;s Billing Practices</a>

Developments

The science behind uBiome's poop test is extremely murky.

It produces no greenhouse gas emissions and requires no fracking.

This geothermal energy unit could be built in a backyard

Dig It?

A Canadian company is building a geothermal energy project so benign, its CEO claims you could "literally put it in someone's backyard."

This Geothermal Energy System Could Be Built in a Backyard

"It's just a much more benign system..."

"It's going to be difficult for partners who want to be seen as in [regulatory] compliance."

Backers for Facebook's Libra cryptocurrency may jump ship

*Pop!*

Backers for Facebook's Libra cryptocurrency are reportedly considering pulling their support in the face of increased scrutiny and regulation.

Backers for Facebook’s Libra Cryptocurrency May Jump Ship

They face the choice of supporting Libra or complying with regulators.

It could mean better medical equipment or stealth planes.

Scientists built a working "quantum radar" device

Quantum Peekaboo

A working quantum radar device uses low-energy microwaves to spot objects that remain invisible to conventional radar technology.

Scientists Built a Working “Quantum Radar” Device

The device uses entangled microwaves.

Ever wonder what a 3D printer would look like if it could walk, fly, or swim?

Designers want to give 3D printers legs, let them wander the Earth

Move It

A Danish initiative imagines 3D printers that can walk, fly, and swim, navigating the world autonomously to repair roads, reefs, and high rises.

Designers Want to Give 3D Printers Legs, Let Them Wander the Earth

Could roving 3D printers repair the planet's damaged environment?

Otherwise, whatever agency or corporation develops the tech first will have free rein over its use.

Expert: governments must step in to prevent evil, superpowered AI

Abolish Skynet

Governments should step in to prevent tech companies from developing malicious, evil, super-human AI, writes tech expert Wim Naudé.

Expert: Governments Must Step in to Prevent Evil, Superpowered AI

Primarily by preventing a "winner takes all" scenario for whomever figures it out.

"It's the first information on this kind of material in its original environment."

Rocks on a distant asteroid resemble those on Earth

Space Mining

Newly-released photos on the surface of the asteroid Ryugu reveal rocks that appear similar to ancient meteorites that crash-landed on Earth.

Rocks on a Distant Asteroid Resemble Those on Earth

Astronomers released new images of Ryugu's surface.

Just because life emerged on Earth doesn't mean our planet is perfect for it.

Earth might not be the most hospitable planet out there

Alien Search

New research suggests that other exoplanets could feasibly serve as a better host for life than Earth does, if they fit certain criteria.

Scorched Earth Policies

Scientists Warn Of “Cascading System Collapse” in Amazon Rainforest

The destruction of the Amazon could be a "doomsday bomb," causing planet-wide environmental destruction.

The Latest

Meet Garlic

Chinese Firm Wants to Give Cloned Pets the Original’s “Memories”

Big Ass Blimp

These Scientists Want to Bring Back Zeppelins in a Big Way

Gamer Gab

Microsoft: We Stopped Listening to Your Xbox Convos “Months Ago”

Against the Stream

YouTube Sues Man for Allegedly Swatting a Minecraft Streamer

Face Palm

Instagram Hoax Fools Department of Energy Head Rick Perry

Robot Violence

YouTube Accidentally Removed Robot Battle Videos for “Animal Cruelty”

Last One is a Rotten Egg

Newt Gingrich Proposes $2 Billion Prize to Land on the Moon

Short List

Astronomers Just Drastically Narrowed the Search for Alien Life

Looking Ruff

This Boston Dynamics-Esque Bot Has Horrifying, Human-Like Eyes

Fear Factor

Amazon Claims Rekognition Can Now Detect Fear

Brands We Love

This Powerful Acupressure Mat Obliterates Stress in Just 15 Minutes a Day

Brands We Love

Futurism’s New ‘Cartoons From Tomorrow’ Book Is a ‘Wry and Often Ingenious’ Look at Our High-Tech World

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Our Top Stories

Abolish Skynet

Expert: Governments Must Step in to Prevent Evil, Superpowered AI

Space Mining

Rocks on a Distant Asteroid Resemble Those on Earth

Alien Search

Earth Might Not Be the Most Hospitable Planet out There