science
Ancient computer found in shipwreck decoded by scientists
A new model of the Antikythera mechanism reveals a "creation of genius."
The great free will debate
Philosophers, theoretical physicists, psychologists, and others consider what or who is really in control.
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What is life? Why cells and atoms haven’t answered the question.
75 years after Erwin Schrödinger's prescient description of something like DNA, we still don't know the "laws of life."
Can humans travel through wormholes in space?
Two new studies examine ways we could engineer human wormhole travel.
Can you be scientific and spiritual?
Spirituality can be an uncomfortable word for atheists. But does it deserve the antagonism that it gets?
Mystery unsolved: ghost ships circling off California
Circle spoofing is an advanced form of GPS manipulation – but nobody knows exactly how, or why.
Did Einstein believe in God?
Here's what Einstein meant when he spoke of cosmic dice and the "secrets of the Ancient One".
New research reveals why some octopuses punch fish
"Don't tread on me" is a slogan of the deep sea, too.
Got a question for Michelle Thaller? Ask it here!
NASA astronomer Michelle Thaller is coming back to Big Think's studio soon to answer YOUR questions! Here's all you need to know to submit your science-related inquiries.
This map of Europe is good for only one thing
Topologists can't tell donuts from coffee mugs, but their maps are revelatory nonetheless.
Cotton masks outperform synthetic fibers in humidity test
Cotton mask fibers prove 33 percent more effective at blocking viruses in trials.
When does an idea die? Plato and string theory clash with data
How long should one wait until an idea like string theory, seductive as it may be, is deemed unrealistic?
Best. Science. Fiction. Show. Ever.
"The Expanse" is the best vision I've ever seen of a space-faring future that may be just a few generations away.
Introduce your child to the world of STEM with these DIY projects
These DIY learning kits focus on topics like coding, robotics, and AI, and are on sale for as low as $41.99.
How tiny bioelectronic implants may someday replace pharmaceutical drugs
Scientists are using bioelectronic medicine to treat inflammatory diseases, an approach that capitalizes on the ancient "hardwiring" of the nervous system.
Why science denial and science negation are different
Surprising as it may seem, we are all very good at denial. Negation, however, is a different phenomena.
Texas snowstorms are due to rapid heating of the Arctic, say scientists
A warming Arctic Circle could be responsible for bursts of cold weather in the south.
What democracy and science demand: The ‘Smartmatic vs Fox News’ case
The opening lines of Smartmatic's $2.7 billion lawsuit against Fox News lay bare the culture of denial in the US.
One year of COVID-19: What will we learn?
Pandemics have historically given way to social revolution. What will the post-COVID revolution be?
Norway has highest share of women scientists and engineers in Europe
Despite overall increase over the past 20 years, share of women in science and engineering falls in some European countries
7 dimensions of depression, explained
From baboon hierarchies to the mind-gut connection, the path to defeating depression starts with understanding its causes.
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One billion galaxies: Astronomers unveil largest sky map ever made
Scientists with the the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Legacy Imaging Surveys spent six years creating a detailed map of more than 1 billion galaxies.
The way we teach science misses something key: Human context
Why do we deprive students of the historical and cultural context of science?
The bacteria in our guts can tell time
For the first time, it was discovered that nonphotosynthetic bacteria have a circadian clock.
Citizen scientists are filling research gaps created by the pandemic
Participation in community science programs has skyrocketed during COVID-19 lockdowns.
A 62-year-old Russian mystery (and conspiracy theory) has been solved
Some mysteries take generations to unfold.
Thinking thresholds: Is science the only source of truth in the world?
Adam Frank, a card-carrying atheist and physics professor, wonders if there might be more to life than pure science.
When worldviews collide: Why science needs to be taught differently
Science doesn't exist in a cultural and existential vacuum and its teaching shouldn't either.
13.8: Why we’re here
Welcome to the 13.8 relaunch, a new Big Think column led by physicists and friends Adam Frank and Marcelo Gleiser.
Was ‘Oumuamua a rock or an alien scout? Harvard astronomer talks controversial hypothesis in new book
Ari Loeb, who suggested in 2018 that the mysterious object was an alien craft, is back to discuss the evidence.