Read the latest articles from Futurism (Page 696)

China broke a record with its "artificial Sun" fusion reactor on Friday when it sustained a plasma temperature of 120 million degrees Celsius for 101 second
Science & Energy

China’s “Artificial Sun” Fusion Reactor Just Set a World Record

The reactor got more than 10 times hotter than the core of the Sun.

By Tony Ho Tran

Chinese officials are frustrated by the growing number of US researchers and officials calling for another investigation into how the pandemic began.
Developments

China Is Furious That Americans Are Considering the Lab Leak Hypothesis

Calls for investigations into how the pandemic began are irritating Chinese officials.

By Dan Robitzski

After a fire and explosion wrecked a nearby container ship, the Sri Lankan coastline is coated in plastic and toxic pollution.
Pollution

Burning Container Ship Covers Beaches With Horrible Toxic “Snow”

Billions of plastic pellets are blanketing the Sri Lankan coastline.

By Dan Robitzski

China's government announced on Monday that couples are allowed to have a third child, signaling concerns over declining population growth.
Future Society

China Now Allows Couples to Have Three Children

Is it too late to reverse China's plunging population growth?

By Victor Tangermann

Thousands of New York City drivers just launched a worker-owned rideshare service meant to take the exploitation out of the gig economy.
Advanced Transport

Thousands of New York Drivers Create Worker-Owned Version of Uber

"Every single transaction reveals exploitation."

By Dan Robitzski

Though it didn't mention Starship by name, the Air Force says it set aside almost $50 million in tech development related to the spacecraft.
Starship

The Air Force Seems to Be Investing Heavily in SpaceX’s Starship

The US military is very interested in SpaceX's capacity for round-the-world delivery.

By Dan Robitzski

Officials in China have reported the first human infection of the H10N3 bird flu strain today, citing the hospitalization of a man in the city of Zhenjiang.
Developments

Bird Flu Virus Spreads to Human in China

Fortunately, "the risk of a large-scale spread is extremely low."

By Victor Tangermann

Space junk reportedly blasted a hole in the side of Canadarm2, a robotic arm attached to the International Space Station.
Off-World

Space Debris Blasts Hole in Space Station’s Robotic Arm

Despite the new scar, Canadarm2 still seems to work just fine.

By Dan Robitzski

NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has taken a series of photographs of gorgeous multicolored clouds, shimmering in the evening Sun on Mars.
Mars

Mars Rover Snaps Photo of Shimmering Multicolored Clouds

"I always marvel at the colors that show up: reds and greens and blues and purples."

By Victor Tangermann

According to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the space company could be launching Starship spacecraft from an ocean spaceport as soon as next year.
SpaceX

Elon Musk: SpaceX Will Be Launching From Floating Platforms by 2022

"Ocean spaceport Deimos is under construction for launch next year."

By Victor Tangermann

A UN report reveals that an autonomous kamikaze drone attacked and seemingly killed human soldiers without any human oversight pulling the trigger.
Robotics

Autonomous Killer Robot Accused of Attacking Soldiers

A fully autonomous drone seems to have selected and attacked targets without operator oversight.

By Dan Robitzski

Tesla is now making use of the driver-facing camera to make sure drivers are paying attention while using the self-driving assistance feature Autopilot.
Tesla

Tesla’s In-Car Cameras Are Now Spying on Drivers to Make Sure They Pay Attention

"When radar and vision disagree, which one do you believe?"

By Victor Tangermann

China has launched the Tianzhou-2 spacecraft from the Wenchang Space Launch Center. Its goal is to resupply their new space station for future astronauts.
Off-World

China Launches First Cargo Resupply Mission to New Space Station

The new space station is poised to be the ISS’s chief rival.

By Tony Ho Tran

The staff at ZooTampa are investigating the deaths of 12 stingrays after they were discovered dead in their Stingray Bay exhibit Thursday morning.
Future Society

Every Single Stingray at This Zoo Just Died

The zoo says they have no idea how it happened.

By Tony Ho Tran

The Department of Homeland Security Is Investigating Microwave Weapon Attacks
Future Society

The Department of Homeland Security Is Investigating Microwave Weapon Attacks

They’re encouraging personnel to report any mysterious health incidents.

By Tony Ho Tran

New NASA Picture Shows Milky Way’s Violent, Energetic “Downtown”
Future Society

New NASA Picture Shows Milky Way’s Violent, Energetic “Downtown”

An astronomer spent his pandemic year taking the photo — and it's dazzling.

By Tony Ho Tran

A brain implant that delivers imperceptible, personalized electric shocks is successfully treating a woman with severe depression.
Studies

Study: Wake Up an Hour Earlier, Cut Your Depression Risk by 23 Percent

End yesterday earlier, start today earlier — and, as an incredible new study tells us, potentially much, much better.

By Foster Kamer

According to a new book detailing the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates, Sanders preferred extremely cold hotel rooms and private jet travel.
Climate Change

Climate Change Champion Bernie Sanders Demands Ridiculously Cold Air Conditioning

"Charter flights were a revelation to him."

By Victor Tangermann

New details about Tesla's long-awaited Cybertruck have emerged through the publication of several patent applications dating back to 2020. 
Advanced Transport

Cybertruck Patents Reveal “Armor Glass,” Retractable Solar Panels

Can Tesla interest you in a solar panel truck bed? How about some "armor glass?"

By Victor Tangermann

British police raided a facility they thought was hiding an indoor police farm because of its heat signature but found a Bitcoin mine instead.
Energy

Police Raid Suspected Weed Growery, Find Bitcoin Mine Instead

It's a shockingly easy mistake to make.

By Dan Robitzski