the digest (Page 185)

Latest in the digest

Scientists at LIGO just observed the gravitational waves given off by a black hole as it consumed a neutron star for the first time.

Scientists Just Detected a Black Hole Devouring a Neutron Star

By Dan Robitzski

Four tissue chips designed to mimic various process in the human body are headed to the International Space Station to help scientists study disease.

SpaceX Is Sending Living Bits of Human Organs to Space

By Kristin Houser

As cobalt mines run low, scientists think they could start harvesting it from the ocean. They have a plan to get enough for over 500,000 Tesla batteries.

Advanced Transport

Ingenious Gadget Could Harvest Battery Material From the Ocean

By Dan Robitzski

Scientists are hoping a new upgrade at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) could finally make fusion a reality by coating the reactor in lithium.

Scientists Have a New Idea to Make a Fusion Reactor Practical

By Victor Tangermann

Scientists have identified two anti-CRISPR drugs, both of which prevent the technology from making edits when mixed with human cells.

Science & Energy

New Anti-CRISPR Drugs Could Prevent Creation of Killer Plagues

By Kristin Houser

Research suggests that two drugs may improve communication skills in people with autism. But the seemingly-conflicting results mean more research is needed.

Neuroscience and Brain

Controversial Research: Two Drugs May Reduce Autism Symptoms

By Dan Robitzski

A suspected Russian spy whale has made itself a fixture of a Norwegian port community, fetching rings for locals and even letting them pet its nose.

The Suspected Russian Spy Whale Is Acting Weird

By Kristin Houser

Ex-Googler: Company Has “Voodoo Doll, Avatar-Like Version of You”

By Dan Robitzski

Amazon warehouses could be fully automated in about a decade, but for now, humans are still better than bots at picking merchandise.

Robots and Machines

Amazon Says It Could Have Fully Automated Warehouses in 10 Years

By Kristin Houser

Renewables produced more electricity in the U.S. than coal-fired plants in April, possibly signaling a tipping point in the transition to clean energy.

Science & Energy

Renewables Surpass Coal in the US for the First Time

By Kristin Houser

A new website uses Google's AI to churn out poetic couplets. The results are sometimes nonsensical, but occasionally prescient.

We Used Google’s New AI to Generate Angsty Poetry About the Future

By Dan Robitzski

SpaceX finally confirmed today during a press event that the Crew Dragon capsule that flew to the International Space Station in March was destroyed.

SpaceX Confirms That Accident Destroyed Crew Dragon Capsule

By Victor Tangermann

Health-focused apps can sell sensitive personal information to whomever they please, and a new study shows that many do so without telling users.

Health & Medicine

Apps to Help Quit Smoking Are Selling Your Data

By Dan Robitzski

In an op-ed for The Washington Post, astronaut Buzz Aldrin urges America's leaders to chart a path to put humans on Mars — and not just a few of us.

Buzz Aldrin Calls For “Great Migration of Humankind to Mars”

By Kristin Houser

Asteroid samples gathered by the Japanese space probe Hayabusa contain water-rich minerals, suggesting that asteroid impacts could bring water to planets.

A Japanese Probe Just Found Water on an Asteroid

By Dan Robitzski

Fast food giant McDonald's installed AI-powered menu boards in 700 of its restaurants after acquiring an Israeli AI startup.

Artificial Intelligence

McDonald’s Is Installing AI-Powered Kiosks to Predict Your Order

By Victor Tangermann

A multi-company effort has resulted in the creation of an AI-powered virtual security guard that looks like it stepped straight out of a Japanese anime.

Artificial Intelligence

This Virtual Security Guard Looks Like an Anime Character

By Kristin Houser

The Department of Homeland Security is going to start DNA testing people who cross into the U.S. seeking asylum next week.

Homeland Security Will DNA Test People Seeking Asylum

By Dan Robitzski

NASA has determined that a pair of Taurus XL rockets failed their satellite launch missions due to faulty materials from an aluminum manufacturer.

NASA: Manufacturer’s Lies Caused Two Satellite Launches to Fail

By Kristin Houser

A newly filed lawsuit alleges that Tesla was responsible for the 2018 death of a man driving a Model X with Autopilot engaged.

Tesla Sued for Role in Deadly Crash Involving Autopilot

By Kristin Houser

In 2024, China may launch a robotic space probe to gather and return samples from a nearby asteroid. The mission aims to learn how asteroids form.

China Is Planning a Mission to Deep Space

By Dan Robitzski

Google employees have announced a sit-in to protest what they believe were retaliatory acts by the company following a November walkout.

Google Employees Plan Sit-in to Protest “Culture of Retaliation”

By Kristin Houser

Facebook probably didn't get the reaction it expected when it unveiled updates to its dating service: instead of clapping, the crowd sighed and groaned.

Facebook’s New Dating Feature Prompted Audible Groans

By Dan Robitzski

A new study suggests that the Moon formed after a Mars-sized object known as Theia slammed into a magma-covered young Earth.

Science & Energy

New Theory: The Moon Formed From Magma Blasted Away From Earth

By Kristin Houser

A team of researchers from Germany and Canada are proposing to turn old air conditioning units into devices that can turn harmful CO2 into fuel.

Retrofitted Air Conditioners Could Turn Carbon Dioxide Into Fuel

By Victor Tangermann

A memo obtained by the Orlando Sentinel seems to confirm that the video showing an explosion during a test of SpaceX's astronaut capsule is authentic.

Internal Memo Confirms SpaceX Explosion Video Is Real

By Jon Christian

Bird just began a monthly subscription service in San Francisco and Barcelona, where people get their own scooter for a month instead of hunting one down.

Advanced Transport

Bird Announces Monthly Scooter Subscription Service

By Dan Robitzski

Burger King plans to test Impossible Whoppers, burgers containing plant-based patties created by Impossible Foods, in markets across the U.S.

Burger King Will Sell Meatless Whoppers Across US This Year

By Kristin Houser

Two Chinese launch startups have successfully tested and demonstrated rockets that set the groundwork for future reusable launch vehicle technology.

Watch Out SpaceX: Chinese Startups Are Testing Reusable Rockets

By Victor Tangermann

Startup Prometheus is developing a machine that pulls carbon out of the atmosphere and transforms it into usable gasoline.

This Startup’s Making Tech to Convert Air Pollution Into Gasoline

By Kristin Houser

It's about to be Winter on Pluto. When it is, scientists predict that Pluto's entire atmosphere will condense into a layer of frost.

In 11 Years, Pluto’s Atmosphere Will Be Completely Frozen Solid

By Dan Robitzski

Plans for a SpaceX resupply mission to the International Space Station had to be delayed thanks to a problem with one of the station's eight power units.

Space Station Power Outage Delays SpaceX Delivery

By Victor Tangermann

Chinese ride-hailing startup Shenma Zhuanche bought billboards in New York City's Times Square to shame Tesla over faulty cars.

A Chinese Startup Got 3 Times Square Billboards to Diss Tesla

By Dan Robitzski

In 2029, the asteroid 99942 Apophis will fly past Earth close enough to look like a shooting star. NASA is planning ahead to learn as much as possible.

When This Asteroid Zips by Earth, Scientists May Hitch a Ride

By Dan Robitzski

British startup Arborea will test the ability of its "BioSolar Leaf" technology to pull pollution from the air through a newly announced pilot project.

“BioSolar Leaf” Tech Will Pull Pollution from London Air

By Kristin Houser

Right now, AI can't be considered conscious. But should it someday get to that point, some experts argue we should lay out algorithms' civil rights now.

Artificial Intelligence

These Professors Are Arguing That AI Should Get Animal Rights

By Dan Robitzski

A new study says that based on Facebook's current numbers, dead people's accounts will outnumber the living in about 50 years.

In 50 Years, Dead People Will Make up Most of Facebook’s Users

By Dan Robitzski

Hactivists have found a database containing details on more than 80 million U.S. households, but they have no idea who owns it.

No One Knows Who Owns This Massive Database of Americans’ Info

By Kristin Houser

Scientists Plan to 3D Print Muscular Tissue on the Space Station

Scientists Plan to 3D Print Muscular Tissue on the Space Station

By Dan Robitzski

In his new book, Oxford professor Young-hae Chi theorizes that invisible aliens are creating alien-human hybrids, perhaps as a response to climate change.

Oxford Academic: Invisible Aliens Are Breeding With Humans

By Kristin Houser

New images appeared in a since-deleted post on Chinese social media network Weibo of Motorola's upcoming folding RAZR smartphone.

Robots and Machines

Leak: Motorola’s Folding Phone Looks Like an Old-School Flip Phone

By Victor Tangermann

The group of fishermen in Norway found a whale wearing a strange harness with the words "Equipment of St. Petersburg" written on its strap.

Whale Suspected of Being a Russian Weapon Found in Norway

By Kristin Houser

To reconcile the recently-confirmed, faster rate of universal expansion, researchers suggest that the cosmos may be younger than they previously assumed.

The Universe Might Be a Billion Years Younger Than We Thought

By Dan Robitzski

SpaceX-Like Startups Think They Can Solve Fusion For Cheap

SpaceX-Like Startups Think They Can Solve Fusion For Cheap

By Victor Tangermann

People are experiencing higher levels of negative emotions such as sadness and anger, according to a survey of adults in more than 140 nations.

Health & Medicine

New Research: The World Is Sadder, Angrier Than Ever Before

By Kristin Houser

Researchers propose a new field of AI study called "machine behaviour" — and it could ensure we reap the tech's benefits while avoiding the drawbacks.

Artificial Intelligence

To Prevent the Apocalypse, MIT Says to Study “Machine Behaviour”

By Kristin Houser

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis wants to make sure that AI is built to serve, not conquer humanity, and wants to make sure important choices aren't automated.

Artificial Intelligence

Meet the Rabbi Fighting Back Against AI Armageddon

By Dan Robitzski

U.S. internet service provider (ISP) Cox Communications is offering a new tier of internet service called "Elite Gamer" for an additional $15 a month.

An Internet Provider Is Selling an “Elite Gamer” Service

By Victor Tangermann

No matter how cute or emotionally-savvy some robots may seem, experts warn that it's an illusion. Artificial intelligence simply isn't that sophisticated.

Expert Warns Against Forming Emotional Attachments With Robots

By Dan Robitzski

A scientist argues that the sheer volume of potentially habitable planets and moons coupled with the existence of water in space makes life inevitable.

Scientist: “Alien Life Now Seems Inevitable and Possibly Imminent”

By Dan Robitzski

A UK college has launched the Imperial Centre for Psychedelic Research — the world's first formal center for research into psychedelics.

Health & Medicine

World’s First Center for Psychedelics Research Opens in UK

By Kristin Houser

UK-based design agency Layer teamed up with Chinese electric car maker Nio to create a smart scooter that can learn where you want to go.

Artificial Intelligence

Autonomous Scooter Uses AI to Learn Your Favorite Routes

By Victor Tangermann

Next week, the European Space Agency will live-tweet an exercise where volunteers play out how a hypothetical asteroid impact might unfold.

The European Space Agency Will Live-Tweet a Mock Asteroid Impact

By Dan Robitzski

Researchers have created a nanofiber yarn that allows damaged muscles and tendons to continue healing even without movement restrictions.

New “Nanofiber Yarn” Keeps Cells Alive While Injured Tissues Heal

By Kristin Houser

The AI Group Elon Musk Quit Just Released An Amazing Music AI

The AI Group Elon Musk Quit Just Released An Amazing Music AI

By Victor Tangermann

New data from the Hubble Space Telescope all-but confirms past findings that the rate of the universe's expansion has accelerated over time.

Hubble Data: The Universe Is Expanding Faster and Faster

By Dan Robitzski

This Martian Greenhouse Concept Just Won a NASA Award

This Martian Greenhouse Concept Just Won a NASA Award

By Victor Tangermann

The newest version of the Brave web browser lets users opt into a program that will pay them in cryptocurrency to watch ads.

Ad-Blocking Web Browser Will Now Pay You Crypto to Watch Ads

By Kristin Houser

A couple from Massachusetts found a way to train a neural network to tell apart real oil paintings from Dutch painter Rembrandt from imitations.

Artificial Intelligence

A New AI Can Spot Art Forgeries

By Victor Tangermann

A lawyer argues that we should set up international agreements that would let us nuke an incoming asteroid before it's too late.

Lawyer: Make a Rule Saying We Can Nuke Apocalyptic Asteroids

By Dan Robitzski

Lyft's Grocery Access Program offers people living in food deserts with discounted rides to grocery stores, giving them healthier food options.

Lyft Expands Program to Help Families Get Healthy Groceries

By Kristin Houser

Japan's asteroid bomb created a crater much larger than expected, leading scientists to wonder if there's something they don't know about the asteroid.

Science & Energy

New Image Shows Aftermath of Japan’s Asteroid Bomb

By Kristin Houser

DARPA announced plans to invest in space-traveling droids that could repair high-altitude satellites, which would drive down the cost of new satellites.

The Pentagon Wants to Build Satellite-Repairing Droids

By Dan Robitzski

A new app built by Princeton researchers can monitor your smart speaker and other IoT devices to track how much of your info they're sending out.

Robots and Machines

New App Tells You When Your Smart Speaker Is Spying On You

By Dan Robitzski