Research Discoveries

Invisible bursts of radiation that happen inside thunderstorms may hold the key to one of nature’s most spectacular mysteries: how lightning actually begins. Scientists have found that these high-energy flashes, known as terrestrial gamma ray flashes, don’t just accompany lightning strikes—they may help set the stage for them. For decades, researchers struggled to explain lightning’s first step.…

The hype around protein intake doesn’t seem to be going away. Social media is full of people urging you to eat more protein, including via supplements such as protein shakes. Food companies have also started highlighting protein content on food packages to promote sales. But is all the extra protein giving us any benefit – and can…

Animal protein isn’t linked to a shorter life — and may even offer some protection against cancer. A large new analysis of nearly 16,000 U.S. adults followed for up to 18 years found no evidence that eating animal protein raises the risk of dying from cancer, heart disease, or any other cause. More surprising still: animal protein…

Researchers at New York University have built a wireless capsule the size of a large vitamin that rats can swallow, giving scientists a unique way to shine light into their digestive systems without surgery. The device opens new doors for studying the enteric nervous system, a network of neurons in the gut often nicknamed the “second brain”…

In A Nutshell Most of food chemistry is still unknown: Beyond calories and nutrients, our diet contains 26,000+ compounds — most unstudied “nutritional dark matter.” Hidden compounds may drive health or harm: Molecules like TMAO (from red meat/eggs) raise heart risk, while garlic can block its production; gut microbes turn fruit compounds into health-boosting urolithins. Food affects genes and…

A class of drugs called beta-blockers — used for decades as a first-line treatment after a heart attack— doesn’t benefit the vast majority of patients and may contribute to a higher risk of hospitalization and death in some women but not in men, according to groundbreaking new research. “These findings will reshape all international clinical guidelines on…

How can we live longer? The eternal question, and one that scientists have long been trying to answer. We know that diet, exercise, and genes play a big role in the aging process and how long each of us might be alive for. We also know that certain drugs or medicines have the potential to increase our…

Doctors have long relied on measurements like body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratios to assess health risks. However, researchers are increasingly focusing their attention on an unexpected indicator: neck circumference. A thick neck might project strength, like that of heavyweight boxers or rugby players, but studies suggest it could signal a concerning health issue. BMI, which…

Your brother covers your rent. Mom helps with groceries. Dad lends money for car repairs. These everyday exchanges add up to a hidden economy worth about $52 billion, and many families say it’s hurting their relationships. More than half of respondents have borrowed money from friends or family, according to a new JG Wentworth survey of 1,267…

For years, doctors have repeated a familiar message: if you’re heading into surgery, shedding pounds could improve your odds of a smooth recovery. Hospitals often encourage patients to slim down before elective procedures, citing risks like infection, heart strain, and breathing difficulties in heavier individuals. But a study from UCLA suggests that this advice may not apply…

Four in ten American parents say they don’t believe, or aren’t sure, their children will be able to afford to live in the same neighborhood where they grew up, according to a sobering new poll. In fact, the survey suggests that more than half of all Americans think they’re already paying too much for housing, with the…

With burgers sizzling and classic rock thumping, many Americans revel in summer cookouts, at least until that wayward cousin asks for a “pop” in soda country, or even worse, a “coke” when they actually want a Sprite. Few American linguistic debates have bubbled quite as long and effervescently as the one over whether a generic soft drink…

On average, Americans say $74,000 a year would make them happy, according to new survey from Talker Research. But there’s a disconnect: half of respondents say their current paychecks don’t support the lifestyle they want. The survey of 2,000 adults, commissioned by SurePayroll By Paychex, describes how traditional employment and evolving goals are pushing people to look…

Do you like AI models? Well, chances are, they sure don’t like you back. New research suggests that the industry’s leading large language models, including those that power ChatGPT, display an alarming bias towards other AIs when they’re asked to choose between human and machine-generated content. The authors of the study, which was published in the journal…

Eighty years have passed since Japan’s surrender ended World War II. But the way Japan thinks about its wartime history is changing at pace. This is coinciding with a political shift that risks renewed Japanese militarism, an outcome that would complicate politics across east Asia. Japan’s traditional narrative of the war originated in the post-war occupation, a…

More than half of Earth’s land surface has pushed past what scientists call local ecological boundaries, or limits that help keep our planet’s life-support systems stable. These boundaries are part of a scientific framework known as planetary boundaries, which identifies the safe environmental conditions that have allowed human civilization to flourish for thousands of years. According to…

Writing, reading, math and mindfulness? That last subject is increasingly joining the three classic courses, as more young students in the United States are practicing mindfulness, meaning focusing on paying attention to the present moment without judgment. In the past 20 years in the U.S., mindfulness transitioned from being a new-age curiosity to becoming a more mainstream…

Air conditioning can feel heaven-sent on hot summer days. It keeps temperatures comfortable and controls humidity, making indoor environments tolerable even on the most brutally warm days. But some people avoid using air conditioning (AC) no matter how hot it gets outside, out of fear that it will make them sick. While this may sound far-fetched to…

Your car breaks down on a Tuesday morning, and the repair bill comes to $500. If you’re part of Generation Z, there’s a good chance you have nothing set aside to cover it. A new survey from Credit One Bank reveals that 62% of Gen Z have no emergency savings at all, nearly double the rate of…

Does anyone else think we’ve all become a bit too protein-obsessed? Once upon a time, we got our protein from meat, fish, dairy and pulses. Now it seems like every consumable product comes loaded with it — from energy bars to protein-packed cereals and baked goods. I’m surprised no one’s thought of stirring it into their tea…

A strange species of cockroach that produces milk for its young has helped scientists uncover something unexpected: when pregnant mothers don’t get enough sleep, their pregnancies last significantly longer and their bodies struggle to produce the nutrients their babies need. In a new study, researchers found that sleep-deprived Diploptera punctata cockroaches had gestation periods nearly 25 days…

Common respiratory infections like the flu and COVID-19 might jolt dormant cancer cells back to life in survivors, causing them to multiply and spread in the lungs. This new research offers a potential explanation for why cancer deaths rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting it wasn’t solely due to delayed screenings and treatments. In a lab study…

American seniors are receiving billions of dollars’ worth of medical care that may not help them, and Medicare is footing most of the bill. A new study reveals that Medicare beneficiaries receive $4.4 billion annually in medical services that offer little to no clinical benefit, with $3.6 billion paid by Medicare and $800 million in out-of-pocket costs.…

Every day, adults inhale an estimated 68,000 microplastic particles just from indoor air, which is equivalent to about three to four particles per breath, research shows. Scientists say this daily total is roughly 100 times higher than earlier estimates based on larger particles. French researchers made this startling discovery by using advanced detection methods to spot plastic…

For years, apples and bananas have been staples in health-conscious diets. Known for their fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and overall versatility, these fruits have earned a reputation as go-to healthy options. However, a recent study by researchers at William Paterson University has shifted the spotlight to a lesser-celebrated citrus fruit — lemon. After assessing 41 fruits on…

A new study calls into question the general assumptions about waterfront living, showing that Americans living close to the coast tend to live longer lives, while those near inland waters like lakes and rivers actually have shorter life expectancies. Yes, it’s long been thought that living near waterways brings benefits for everyone. But it turns out that…

Picture this: it’s your first day at a new job. You’re about to introduce yourself to a large group of people you’ll be working with – and promptly fall flat on your face. Not exactly the entrance you had in mind. We’ve all cringed at moments like these — whether they happen to us or to others.…

The locals residing in Liechtenstein possess enough money to let them live a life without doing any work. This allows them to have enough time to pursue a hobby they love. Tucked away like a hidden gem between Switzerland and Austria, lies a country that has no airport, no currency and no language. Yet, “it is one…

Archaeologists found evidence of infant cannibalism from 850,000 years ago at Gran Dolina cave. A human neck bone with cut marks indicated intentional decapitation. Spanish archaeologists found evidence of ‘infant cannibalism’ around 850,000 years ago. Researchers discovered a human neck bone while digging at the Gran Dolina cave site in Atapuerca, northern Spain. The remains show clear…

Working 50+ hours a week while watching rent consume half your paycheck has become the American nightmare in certain cities. A new study reveals which urban areas are pushing residents to their breaking point, and the results expose deep cracks in how we live and work across the country. With 77% of Americans feeling stressed about the…

Although 10,000 steps per day can still be a suitable target for those who are more active, 7,000 steps per day might be a more realistic and achievable target for many Walking around 7,000 steps a day could be enough to significantly reduce the risk of dying early and developing serious health conditions, according to a major…

GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide may cause 25–40% of weight loss to come from lean muscle. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have become household names, promising dramatic results for millions struggling with obesity. But new research out of the University of Virginia reveals a troubling side effect that could undermine long-term…

Getting a warning on your phone seconds before an earthquake hits isn’t science fiction anymore; it’s reality for millions of people worldwide. Scientists at Google and UC Berkeley have turned ordinary Android smartphones into the world’s largest earthquake detection network, reaching 2.5 billion people across 98 countries. Over three years, this smartphone-based system detected more than 11,000…

New Year’s resolutions have become almost synonymous with failure. By mid-February, most people have already abandoned their ambitious goals to eat healthier, exercise more, or save money. Does it come down to laziness, lack of motivation, or something else? New research reveals the real reason why most resolutions fail. The year-long study published in Psychological Science finds…

Cancer researchers have discovered something remarkable hiding in plain sight: a common bacteria used to make sauerkraut and kimchi can transform stevia leaves into a potentially potent weapon against one of the deadliest cancers. Scientists at Hiroshima University found that when they fermented stevia leaf extract with Lactobacillus plantarum — the same bacteria used in yogurt and…

Two specially trained dogs have proven they can detect Parkinson’s disease simply by smelling skin swabs, achieving accuracy rates that rival expensive medical tests. In a rigorous study, the canines correctly identified the neurological condition in 70% and 80% of patients while maintaining over 90% accuracy in ruling out healthy individuals—a breakthrough that could change how doctors…

With talent in short supply and the nation’s workforce more mobile than ever, companies are seeking to locate in places where workers want to live. That makes quality of life an economic issue. And state economic development organizations are leaning into that as they pitch their states to business. “Connecticut is one state with a whole lot…

Plus, discover all the other lifestyle factors that could determine whether you develop the brain-robbing disease SCIENTISTS have spent decades trying to understand what causes dementia. Is it alcohol? Obesity? Or are some of us simply genetically predisposed? The evidence is mixed – though experts generally agree that there are several factors involved in the abnormal build-up…

Celestial objects that glow with steady, eternal light powered not by nuclear fusion like our sun, but by dark matter — the invisible substance that makes up most of the universe — may already exist near the center of our galaxy. According to research from the University of Hawaii and Durham University in the U.K., these strange…

Your sexual health affects your overall health so it’s important to be educated about it. CNA Women speaks to health experts to find out what’s fact and what’s fiction. Sexual health is still seen as a taboo subject among women in Singapore. Not talking about it means that women are losing out on important education, and possibly,…

A surgical robot has successfully removed pig gallbladders in a lab setting without any hands-on help during the actual surgery steps, completing each operation with a 100% success rate. The new system, developed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, handled all the critical parts of the procedure by itself, even correcting its own mistakes along the way.…

Scientists at the University of Mississippi have discovered that a slimy sea cucumber might hold the secret to stopping cancer cells from spreading throughout the body. It’s a major breakthrough that could transform how doctors treat some of the most aggressive tumors. Led by Dr. Vitor Pomin, an associate professor from the school’s Department of BioMolecular Sciences,…

Archaeologists have announced the discovery of an ancient city in Peru’s northern Barranca province. The 3,500-year-old city, named Peñico, is believed to have served as a key trading hub connecting early Pacific coast communities with those living in the Andes mountains and Amazon basin. Located some 200km north of Lima, the site lies about 600 metres (1,970…

Microplastics have permeated the region’s food chain, hitting countries like Indonesia and the Philippines the hardest. The programme Insight looks at the health risks and what is being done to boot plastic from our plates. grilled, fried or floating in fragrant soup — is a staple on Indonesian dining tables. Its flesh is tender, its flavour delicately…

You’re offered two choices. Option A requires you to wake up at 6 a.m., commute to work, spend eight hours on your feet, and take home just enough money to cover your basic needs. Option B lets you stay home, receive nearly the same amount of money, and have all day to yourself. Which would you choose?…

To outsiders, parents using “baby talk” may seem like they’ve lost their minds. We spend endless hours having one-sided conversations with tiny humans who can’t even hold up their own heads. But a new international study reveals this seemingly ridiculous behavior might be the secret sauce that separates us from every other species on the planet. The…

Deep in the misty highlands of northwestern Peru, where ancient mountains pierce the clouds and few humans dare to tread, scientists have uncovered three entirely new species of frogs. These amphibians have been quietly living their lives in one of Earth’s most remote corners. The newly discovered amphibians call the Cordillera de Huancabamba home, a rugged mountain…

Your brain makes life-or-death decisions in milliseconds, and scientists just figured out exactly how it chooses between fight, flight, or freeze. New research reveals that two competing neural highways determine whether you’ll face danger head-on or hide under the covers. Understanding this wiring could finally explain why anxiety affects everyone differently. Scientists at the University of Florida…

Researchers have developed what they’re calling “nanofibrous blankets” that float on contaminated water and use ordinary sunlight to break down pollutants. These lightweight, self-supporting mats could revolutionize water treatment by eliminating the need for expensive ultraviolet lamps while solving one of the biggest headaches in water purification: how to remove tiny particles after they’ve done their job.…

Antarctica wasn’t always a frozen landscape. In fact, it may have once featured lush forests, palm trees, and rivers, according to new research published in the journal Nature Communications. “This finding is like opening a time capsule,” Professor Stewart Jamieson, who co-authored the study, told The Economic Times. Groundbreaking study Researchers began the study in 2017, extracting…

When our ancestors first gathered in the world’s earliest cities 10,000 years ago, they weren’t alone. Tiny, blood-sucking hitchhikers were already lurking in their dwellings, and new genetic research reveals these bed bugs beat every other pest to urban living by thousands of years. Scientists analyzing bed bug DNA from the Czech Republic discovered something remarkable: these…

A massive star exploded around 13,000 years ago, and research now suggests that the cosmic blast may have plummeted Earth into a sudden ice age while wiping out woolly mammoths, giant sloths, and other massive creatures across North America. The scientist behind the study suggests such events could continue to influence the future of our planet. Research…

Forget fingerprints and facial recognition – researchers have discovered that the way you breathe through your nose is so unique, it can identify you with stunning accuracy. A breakthrough study shows that humans have individual “nasal respiratory fingerprints” that remain stable over time and can predict everything from your body weight to your mental health. Israeli scientists…

Many Americans have shelled out hundreds of dollars for biological age tests promising to reveal whether their bodies are aging faster or slower than their actual years. These methylation-based “aging clocks” have become the gold standard for evaluating anti-aging treatments, from supplements to lifestyle changes. But a controversial new paper argues these widely trusted tests might be…

Getting a cortisone shot for knee arthritis might provide quick pain relief, but new research reveals a troubling association: those steroid injections may be linked to faster joint damage over time. A surprising study found that patients who received corticosteroid injections showed more signs of arthritis progression compared to those who got no treatment at all, or…

Very few people live beyond a century. So, if no one had babies anymore, there would probably be no humans left on Earth within 100 years. But first, the population would shrink as older folks died and no one was being born. Even if all births were to suddenly cease, this decline would start slowly. Eventually there…

While aging is inevitable, aging well is something we can influence. It’s not just about the number of candles on your birthday cake – it’s whether you’ve got the puff to blow them out, the balance to carry the cake and the memory to remember why you’re celebrating. As we age, our bodies change. Muscle mass shrinks,…

For nearly 80 years, scholars have debated the origins of the Dead Sea Scrolls, relying on expert interpretations of ancient handwriting styles that often don’t agree. Now, a new artificial intelligence system is offering a more objective approach, with results that challenge the long-standing assumptions about when these texts were written. The findings could influence how historians…

Some of the most complex cognitive functions are possible because different sides of your brain control them. Chief among them is speech perception, the ability to interpret language. In people, the speech perception process is typically dominated by the left hemisphere. Your brain breaks apart fleeting streams of acoustic information into parallel channels – linguistic, emotional and…

When patients with severe irritable bowel syndrome walk into Dr. Erin Mauney’s office, they’ve usually tried everything. Years of medications, diets, and treatments have failed them. So when she tells them she’s studying psilocybin — the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms—to treat their gut problems, their reactions range from surprise to desperate hope. Mauney, a pediatric gastroenterologist…

For millions of women, combined hormonal contraceptives are a part of their daily life – providing a convenient and effective option for preventing pregnancy and managing their menstrual cycle. But new findings are sounding the alarm on a serious, and often overlooked, risk: stroke. According to recent findings presented at the European Stroke Organization Conference, combined oral…

For many, the effects of this hormonal shift are more than frustrating – they can be life altering. Symptoms like brain fog, hot flushes, night sweats, headaches, insomnia, fatigue, joint pain, low libido, anxiety, depression and even bone loss from osteoporosis are all common. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has helped many women manage these symptoms – but…

More and more people over the age of 50 are taking up physical exercise. Medical associations resoundingly agree that this is a good thing. Physical exercise is not only key to disease prevention, it is also a recommended part of treatment for many illnesses. However, starting to move at this stage of life requires some care. This…

That cup of coffee you had during dinner with friends didn’t just keep you tossing and turning — it fundamentally altered how your brain operated during whatever sleep you managed to get. New research reveals that caffeine doesn’t simply block sleep; it transforms the sleeping brain into a more complex, hyperactive state that resembles being closer to…

My telescope, set up for astrophotography in my light-polluted San Diego backyard, was pointed at a galaxy unfathomably far from Earth. My wife, Cristina, walked up just as the first space photo streamed to my tablet. It sparkled on the screen in front of us. “That’s the Pinwheel galaxy,” I said. The name is derived from its…

A team of researchers has recently claimed they have discovered a gas called dimethyl sulphide (DMS) in the atmosphere of K2-18b, a planet orbiting a distant star. The University of Cambridge team’s claims are potentially very exciting because, on Earth at least, the compound is produced by marine bacteria. The presence of this gas may be a…

Billy Joel is stepping away from the stage. The 76-year-old music legend announced Friday that he’s canceling all remaining concerts after being diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, a brain condition that’s been affecting his balance, hearing, and vision. “This condition has been exacerbated by recent concert performances, leading to problems with hearing, vision, and balance,” Joel’s team…

It’s a question that’s long been the cause of debate: is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Morning shower enthusiasts will say this is the obvious winner, as it helps you wake up and start the day fresh. Night shower loyalists, on the other hand, will argue it’s better to “wash the day…

More than 60 million people are estimated to be living with dementia, resulting in over 1.5 million deaths a year and an annual cost to the global healthcare economy of around $1.3 trillion. Despite decades of scientific research and billions of dollars of investments, dementia still has no cure. But what of the old saying that prevention…

Mars keeps its secrets buried deep, but every meteorite that punches through its protective layers scatters evidence across the surface. Scientists from Brown University now believe the scattered debris around impact craters holds a coded message about what’s hiding beneath the Martian surface, including potentially life-sustaining ice deposits that future astronauts could tap into. When meteorites strike…

Inside a laboratory nestled above the mist of the forests of South Dakota, scientists are searching for the answer to one of science’s biggest questions: why does our Universe exist? They are in a race for the answer with a separate team of Japanese scientists – who are several years ahead. The current theory of how the…

Instead of buying the next trendy expensive supplement or exotic superfood, a morning cup of tea could do more for your blood pressure than you realize. A new international study suggests that certain foods, like tea and dark chocolate, pack enough cardiovascular punch to rival prescription medications—at least for people who need them most. Researchers analyzed 145…

Over 11,000 Americans turn 65 each day, and with each passing year comes more risk for one of the most dangerous threats of aging: falls. But have no fear! Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have designed a new robot, aptly named E-BAR (Elderly Bodily Assistance Robot), that can lift a person from the floor,…

Trading the 9-to-5 for fulfillment still comes with a cost When was the last time you felt truly alive at work? For a small but growing segment of the workforce, that feeling isn’t the exception; it’s their entire career strategy. New research reveals how some people are rejecting cubicle life entirely, transforming recreational passions into full-time work…

For the first time, scientists have pitted the two most popular weight loss drugs against each other in a direct competition – and one clearly dominates. A new study led by Weill Cornell Medicine researchers reveals that tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) helps people lose significantly more weight than semaglutide (Wegovy). The difference is striking: people taking tirzepatide lost…

The news made for an alarming headline recently: Research showed that common chemicals in plastics were associated with 350,000 heart disease deaths across the world in 2018. The statistic came from a study published in the journal eBioMedicine. The authors, a group of researchers at New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine, estimated that roughly 13 per…

Few people outside herbalist circles had heard of ghost pipe a decade ago. These days, however, this strange white plant that lacks chlorophyll has developed an almost cult-like following online, with enthusiasts using it primarily for pain relief—despite minimal scientific understanding of its properties or safety. From Forest Floor to Facebook Fame Results of a survey published…

Your body might be 35, but your heart could be pumping like it’s 80. A team of researchers from the UK, Singapore, and Spain discovered people with conditions like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure have hearts functioning as if they’re nearly five years older than their actual age. For those with severe obesity, the numbers are…

Warnings about bird flu transmission have been popping up on headlines across the globe. Public health concerns over bird flu, however, could face serious roadblocks as most Americans remain either unwilling or uncertain about taking protective measures against the spreading virus. A startling 61.4% of Americans would either refuse or are unsure about taking a vaccine for…

Women with endometriosis are at a significantly higher risk for developing a range of autoimmune diseases, new research has shown. The new study, involving researchers from the University of Oxford, has identified a significant genetic link between conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease and multiple sclerosis to endometriosis. Women with endometriosis were found to have a…

People who eat lots of ultra-processed foods (UPF) may be at greater risk of dying early, a study in eight countries including the UK and the US suggests. Processed meats, biscuits, fizzy drinks, ice cream and some breakfast cereals are examples of UPF, which are becoming increasingly common in diets worldwide. UPFs tend to contain more than…

In the ancient landscapes of what is now northeastern Brazil, 113 million years ago, an unusual ant with bizarre upward-pointing jaws died and became entombed in limestone. This single fossil has just rewritten the timeline of ant evolution, pushing back their confirmed history by 13 million years. Scientists have unearthed what they’re calling the oldest undisputed ant…

Suffering from a painful reaction after eating a hamburger might be more than just bad luck – where you live could be putting you at risk. New research shows that specific landscape features around your home may increase your chances of developing Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS), an increasingly common allergy that makes eating beef, pork and other mammal…

Did ancient sunscreen and sewing needles save humanity? Earth’s Northern Lights typically dance near the poles, but 41,000 years ago, they lit up skies over North Africa and Australia. New research reveals how dramatically Earth’s magnetic field weakened and shifted during an event called the Laschamps geomagnetic excursion, potentially influencing human evolution at a pivotal moment in…

PEERING back 2,000 years to the age of Jesus isn’t exactly easy – but rare objects from those times solve the mystery of what his life might’ve been like. Archaeologists have uncovered several mind-boggling artefacts from two millennia ago, including a stone linked to Jesus’ crucifixion, and even a shockingly preserved ship from the Sea of Galilee.…

A video of a bat swimming in a swimming pool with ease was shared on social media, which went viral and left netizens with all kinds of questions. Here’s how the ‘shocked’ internet reacted… Recently, a video of something quite ‘unexpected’- but completely ‘natural’- was shared on social media, leaving most netizens ‘shocked’ and ‘curious’, as it…

Her first panic attack came at a company-wide meeting, right before her scheduled presentation. Carolina Lasso had given many similar talks about her marketing team’s accomplishments. When her name was called this time, she couldn’t speak. “I felt a knot in my throat,” Lasso said. “My head, it felt like it was inside a bubble. I couldn’t…

Ever struggled to wake up in the morning? That groggy, disoriented feeling isn’t just in your head; it’s actually called “sleep inertia,” and it can linger for up to two hours after waking, even if you’ve had a full eight hours of sleep. While many of us reach for coffee to combat this sluggishness, Japanese researchers have…

In the 1987 classic film RoboCop, the deceased Detroit cop Alex Murphy is reborn as a cyborg. He has a robotic body and a full brain-computer interface that allows him to control his movements with his mind. He can access online information such as suspects’ faces, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help detect threats, and his human…

Ever been caught in the middle of workplace drama where people who normally avoid each other suddenly band together? Maybe it happened after a round of surprise layoffs or when a beloved boss got fired. A new international study shows this isn’t just random office politics; it’s actually a powerful psychological phenomenon that can transform how different…

Parents rushing to drop their kids off at school could be unwittingly putting their little ones in harm’s way, a new paper suggests. Researchers at the University of Calgary found that dangerous driving behaviors were spotted at a jaw-dropping 98% of elementary schools monitored in their study during morning drop-off times. The biggest risk? Parents letting kids…

In 2024, after living together for five years, a Spanish-Dutch artist married her partner—a holographic artificial intelligence. She isn’t the first to forge such a bond. In 2018, a Japanese man married an AI, only to lose the ability to communicate with her when her software became obsolete. These marriages represent the extreme end of a growing…

Moving to a sunny coastal town in Portugal or Spain for retirement sounds like a dream come true for many. Retirees are after Mediterranean beaches, affordable living costs, and endless leisure time in a cultural paradise. But behind those smiling social media photos of retired expats sipping sangria, there’s often an untold story unfolding. Many retirees who…

NASA wants to put boots on Mars in the coming decades. But before the first astronauts take that historic step, scientists are warning about an overlooked threat that could derail these ambitious plans: the dust covering the Martian surface A new scientific review in the journal GeoHealth warns that the fine particles blanketing Mars might seriously harm…

Months of economic uncertainty led worker confidence to crater even before Trump’s tariffs tanked financial markets Workers are feeling worse than they did even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employee confidence, which has been declining since 2022, remained near February’s record low last month as recession fears increased, according to Glassdoor’s employee confidence index, which was measured through…

There have been several headlines over the past week about an AI chatbot officially passing the Turing test. These news reports are based on a recent preprint study by two researchers at the University of California San Diego in which four large language models (LLMs) were put through the Turing test. One model – OpenAI’s GPT-4.5 –…

We’ve all been there — sitting in a meeting or classroom, only to suddenly realize we haven’t heard a word in the last five minutes because our thoughts drifted elsewhere. That sinking feeling hits: “Not again.” You scramble to refocus, maybe feeling a twinge of guilt. After all, isn’t paying attention supposed to be the cornerstone of…

Professional taste testers can breathe a collective sigh of relief—their jobs appear safe from the AI revolution, at least for now. In what might be the most deliciously revealing AI experiment to date, a food scientist at the University of Illinois enlisted ChatGPT to evaluate chocolate brownies, with results that should reassure human sensory panels everywhere. When…

When other countries hear about America’s democratic troubles, they like us less—but they’ll still work with us. That’s the key finding from new research examining how U.S. democratic decline affects its image abroad, particularly among allied democracies. While news about events like the January 6th Capitol riot and controversial voting laws damages America’s favorability ratings, it doesn’t…

Polarization across America has grown like ivy, with its leaves stretching deep into a surprising new battleground: the doctor’s office. Research published in the British Journal of Political Science reveals that Americans’ trust in their personal physicians—once a rare nonpartisan sanctuary—has become increasingly divided along political lines, with potentially serious implications for public health. The study, conducted…