Read the latest articles from Futurism (Page 727)

The UK has officially licensed the COVID-19 vaccine developed by multinational pharmaceutical company Pfizer and German partner BioNTech.
Viruses

UK Becomes First Western Country to Approve COVID Vaccine

The country will begin vaccinating high risk groups as soon as next week.

By Victor Tangermann

Who should get the Covid-19 vaccine first? On Tuesday afternoon, a panel that advises the CDC voted on who that group needs to be. And the big winners?
Developments

CDC Panel: This Is Who Should Get the COVID Vaccine First

20 million Americans could get the COVID vaccine by the end of December. Here's the official word on who should come first.

By Foster Kamer

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that would be open to "have this conversation" about a merger with another carmaker if it "would be a good idea."
Elon Musk

Elon Musk: Tesla Open to Merging With Another Carmaker

Musk would be open to "have this conversation" if it "would be a good idea."

By Victor Tangermann

A new AI algorithm called RoboGrammer can design robot bodies that are optimized for specific tasks or crossing specific terrain.
Artificial Intelligence

MIT Engineers Built an AI That Design Its Own Robots

Did they learn nothing from Skynet?

By Dan Robitzski

A volunteer in the AstraZeneca/Oxford University vaccine trial alleges that he suffered severe neurological side effects, a claim that the researchers deny.
Viruses

Woman Claims Husband Got Neurological Damage From COVID Vaccine

The research group behind the trial calls the allegations "malicious and misconceived."

By Dan Robitzski

A startup called NewRocket developed a gel-like rocket fuel that's less toxic and more easily controlled than existing fuels.
Science & Energy

New Rocket Engine Could Use Slimy Gel as Fuel

The startup says it allows rockets to switch on and off without exhausting their whole supply.

By Dan Robitzski

The founder of Arcimoto, a company producing electric three-wheelers in Oregon, claims that Tesla CEO Elon Musk crashed one of their cars into a brick wall.
Elon Musk

Electric Car Maker Claims Elon Musk Crashed Its EV Into a Brick Wall

"He jumped into the driver’s seat of Adeo’s Arcimoto and promptly drove it into a brick wall."

By Victor Tangermann

China's Chang'e-5 spacecraft successfully landed on the Moon, where it's expected to bring the first lunar samples back to earth in almost 50 years.
Science & Energy

China Lands on Moon Before Returning to Earth With Lunar Rocks

China's ultra-ambitious sampe return mission just touched down.

By Dan Robitzski

With the help of SpaceX, a multimedia company is sending a pair of 5.5 pound remotely-controlled racecars to hold the first car race on the Moon.
SpaceX

SpaceX Will Launch Remote Controlled Racecars to Lunar Surface

The plan is to hold the first-ever car race on the surface of the Moon — in 2021.

By Victor Tangermann

Google's DeepMind AI team built an algorithm called AlphaFold 2 that can solved the protein folding problem with better accuracy than any other team.
Google

Google AI Solves Longstanding, Near-Impossible Biology Problem

The AlphaFold algorithm seems to have cracked the protein folding problem.

By Dan Robitzski

The iconic Arecibo Observatory collapsed on Tuesday, according to officials. The 900-ton platform suspended above the 1,000 foot dish antenna crashed.
Science & Energy

Arecibo SETI Telescope Collapses Completely

As recently as yesterday, NASA had been exploring options to repair the ailing dish.

By Victor Tangermann

Thanks to a detailed account posted by photographer Ross Bernards on Instagram, we may just have figured out who stole the mysterious Utah monolith.
Robots and Machines

A Gang of Men Apparently Stole the Utah Monolith

It "popped out and landed on the ground with a loud bang."

By Victor Tangermann

Researchers have developed a system that could pull significant amounts of oxygen and hydrogen out of the briny water present on Mars.
Future Society

New System Separates Oxygen From Salty Martian Water

It could allow Mars colonists access to breathable oxygen and hydrogen fuel.

By Victor Tangermann

Building fiber optic cables with a hollow, air-filled core could finally address an issue that's plagued the tech for 50 years.
Science & Energy

We Can Improve Fiber Optics by Filling Them With Air

Optical fibers might get their first overhaul in 50 years.

By Dan Robitzski

A team of space law experts argues that we need strong international accords to prevent military conflicts either in or fought over space.
Off-World

Here’s How We Could Avert Off-Planet Warfare

We need clearly-defined rules for what militaries can do in space.

By Dan Robitzski

The European Union expects to meet two of its three 2020 climate goals, setting the stage for even more ambitious projects in the future.
Climate Change

It Looks Like Europe Will Hit Two of its Three 2020 Climate Goals

Finally, some good news!

By Dan Robitzski

SETI Institute senior astronomer Seth Shostak is willing to bet you a cup of joe that we will find aliens by 2036, The Debrief reports.
Off-World

SETI Institute Scientist Says We’ll Find Aliens by 2036

He's willing to "bet everybody a cup of Starbucks."

By Victor Tangermann

FCC chairman Ajit Pai has announced he's leaving the position on January 20 following the inauguration of president-elect Joe Biden.
FCC

Net Neutrality Hater Ajit Pai Is Stepping Down From the FCC

He will not be missed by many.

By Victor Tangermann

With the recent discovery of phosphorus, scientists have found all six elements on a list of crucial ingredients for life on various comets.
Biology

Comets Can Carry the Six Most Important Elements for Life on Earth

It lends new evidence for the theory that comets brought the ingredients for life to Earth.

By Dan Robitzski

Tesla competitor Nikola Motors has officially announced that its deal with General Motors to produce its hydrogen-electric pickup called the Badger is off.
Advanced Transport

Remember That Hydrogen-Powered Cybertruck Killer? It’s Officially Dead

This would-be Tesla competitor fell flat on its face.

By Victor Tangermann