Surprising Science — March 17, 2014

Neil deGrasse Tyson: Science is Trending in the World

As Big Think reported, Neil deGrasse Tyson’s “Cosmos” was trending on Twitter during its Sunday night broadcast. During a photo shoot with, yes, GQ magazine, Tyson claimed that science is trending worldwide.

Do we have the charming astrophysicist to thank?

TIME reports:

What’s also trending is the way people are reacting to Tyson’s “Sexiest Astrophysicist” appeal, which Tyson humbly attributes to science, and not himself.
“When you tell people something that’s intellectually delectable, they can feel sensually towards it,” Tyson told PEOPLE. “But I think at the end of the day, the object of their affection is the universe.”

To check out a video on Tyson bringing sexy (science) back, head to TIME.

a sign that says the management accepts no responsibility.

High Culture

Even lawyers hate “legalese”

“In witness whereof, the parties hereunto have set their hands to these presents as a deed on the day month and year hereinbefore mentioned.”

a blue and black background with letters and numbers.

Health

How generative AI language models are unlocking the secrets of DNA

From gene expression to protein design, large language models are creating a suite of powerful genomic tools.

a black and white drawing of a group of people.

The Past

The strange case of the woman who gave birth to rabbits

Mary Toft staged an elaborate hoax, but the pain was real.

a black and white photo of two men laying on a dock.

Neuropsych

The 5-step “military method” for falling asleep in minutes

You’ll be able to sleep through a war.

a painting of a man standing next to a tree.

The Well

Eastern philosophy says there is no “self.” Science agrees

“Why are you unhappy? Because 99.9 percent of everything you think, and of everything you do, is for yourself — and there isn’t one.”

Up Next

Starts With A Bang

Messier Monday: The Wrong-Way Globular Cluster, M68

A surprising globular cluster found directly opposite to the galactic center!“A friend who is far away is sometimes much nearer than one who is at hand. Is not the mountain far […]