“If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth.” These wise words of Carl Sagan in his book “The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark,” offer a grave warning against the allure of pseudoscience and conspiracy theories. […]
Deprogramming conspiracy believers with debunkbot Read More »
Stars flicker faintly as the dark horizon reddens. Howling, freezing winds and desolate craters starkly contrast the lush tropical rainforests and coral gardens 10,000 feet below. As the blinding light finally emerges over a sea of swirling clouds, a bright reflection appears from the sparse, reddish slopes. It is a silver plant, radiating under the
Mirror of the sun: The Hawaiian silversword Read More »
Think mushrooms. Other than juicy, beefless patty substitutes sizzling on a grill, your first thoughts may have ventured to vivid, orange blooms sprouting out of rotting tree trunks. Fungi — even the term evokes vague revulsion or apprehension — are synonymous with rot and decay. They are harbingers of death, macabre forest floor scavengers who
The mycelial cycle: Replenishing the world with fungi Read More »
With the staggering advances of AI and brain-computer ventures like Neuralink, an “organo-technological” cyborg-like future seems to be on the not-so-distant horizon. However, some researchers are pioneering the reverse: brain powered computers. The burgeoning field of organoid intelligence posits future computer systems to run on networks of human brain cells. Organoids are stem-cell derived 3D
Hello computer: Brain powered biocomputers Read More »
Nature has provided endless wonder and inspiration for philosophers and artists since the birth of civilization. Now, increasing numbers of scientists have turned to Mother Nature, not as a source of beauty and contemplation, but to seek her guidance as the most resourceful engineer. In 1997, author Janine Benyus coined the term “biomimicry” to describe
As of 2021, 367 million tons of plastics were produced globally, with over 22% composed of single-use items. Thanks to its durability, versatility, and ease of production, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has become the most common form of plastic in disposable products like water bottles and grocery bags. Despite some successes in reducing single-use plastics in
You awaken to your Alexa alarm blaring. You ask the virtual assistant for the weather report and a reminder of the day’s appointments. After a quick FaceTime with a friend across the world, you casually scroll past the headline “New SpaceX crew blasts off to International Space Station.” Only 50 years ago, Stanley Kubrick’s cult
Starchild Awaits: The Technology of ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ Read More »