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How New York's largest hospital system is predicting COVID-19 spikes
Northwell Health is using insights from website traffic to forecast COVID-19 hospitalizations two weeks in the future.
NASA images of Mars reveal largest canyon in the solar system
Valles Marineris on Mars is 10 times longer and three times deeper than Earth's Grand Canyon.
Telehealth will save lives—for as long as it has funding
The federal government and private insurers greatly increased Americans' telehealth access during the pandemic. Will these changes be permanent?
In 1988, Bernie Sanders outlined the key problem with news media today
"The function of private media is to make money for the people who own the media. It is a business," Sanders said.
One ethics lesson can curb your meat consumption, study finds
For several weeks after considering the ethics of eating meat, participants in an experiment changed their eating habits.
Ultraviolet LED lights kill coronavirus cheaply and effectively, scientists report
Ultraviolet LED lights could soon be used to help disinfect air and surfaces in buildings, planes, subways and other spaces.
Manmade objects now weigh more than all living things on Earth
Humans churn out about 30 gigatons (30,000,000,000 tons) of material every year.
Chemists modify hallucinogen to treat depression and addiction
A new study explores the therapeutic potential of the psychedelic drug ibogaine, which has been used in Africa for centuries.
Can hospitals prevent gun violence? This ‘universal screening’ study will find out.
Gun violence is a public health crisis that is notoriously difficult to study because of politics. Finally, a new research initiative has the green light to collect life-saving data.
​Amazon devices have colonized homes. 'Smart neighborhoods' may be next
Here's why you may want to opt-out of Amazon's new shared network.
​A meat-free world by 2035? 'Totally doable,' says ​Impossible Foods CEO
"Our mission is to completely replace the use of animals as a food technology by 2035," said Patrick O. Brown at the 2020 Web Summit.
​'The time is now' for cryptocurrencies, PayPal CEO says
Is Bitcoin akin to 'digital gold'?
What will 'psychedelic therapy' look like when it's legalized?
Psychedelic therapy will become legal in Oregon in 2023. That's thanks largely to a renaissance of psychedelic research that's changing attitudes on the substances' medical potential.
UK approves Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, will begin shots in days
Britons could start receiving the vaccine within days.
The Arecibo telescope has collapsed: A look at its 57-year history
Puerto Rico's iconic telescope facilitated important scientific discoveries while inspiring young scientists and the public imagination.
DeepMind AI solves 50-year-old biology problem in breakthrough advance
The Google-owned company developed a system that can reliably predict the 3D shapes of proteins.
Vegans are more likely to suffer broken bones, study finds
Vegans and vegetarians often have nutrient deficiencies and lower BMI, which can increase the risk of fractures.
Researchers 3D bioprint realistic human heart model for the first time
A new method is able to create realistic models of the human heart, which could vastly improve how surgeons train for complex procedures.
Adult language-learning changes how the brain’s hemispheres function
It's never too late to learn a new language. Just don't count on speaking French like a Parisian.
'Muscular bonding': The strange psychological effects of moving together
Synchronous movement seems to help us form cohesive groups by shifting our thinking from "me" to "we."
Virgin Hyperloop completes world's first human test
How many hurdles stand in the way of hyperloops becoming a commercial reality?
Oregon decriminalizes drugs: Here are 3 metrics other states will track
It's "the biggest blow to the war on drugs to date," said Kassandra Frederique, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance.
Denmark to kill 17 million mink to prevent spread of mutated coronavirus
It's a precautionary measure stemming from fears that mutated coronavirus strains may reduce the efficacy of future vaccines.
The previous experience of every US president since Theodore Roosevelt
What qualifies someone for the top position in American government?
Election results: How Twitter, Facebook plan to block misinformation
Both social media companies plan to implement special protocols on Tuesday as election results begin rolling in.
COVID-19 may cause 'significant' cognitive deficits, study says
A growing body of research suggests COVID-19 can cause neurological damage in some patients.
NASA finds water on sunlit moon surface for first time
Water may be far more abundant on the lunar surface than previously thought.
'Magic square' math puzzle has gone unsolved since 1996
Think you can solve it? One mathematician has already offered about $1,000 and a bottle of champagne to whoever cracks it first.
Can't stop unwanted thoughts? Poor sleep may be to blame, study says
The study sheds new light on the relationship between sleep and mental health.
Viewing nature in VR or on television boosts wellbeing, study finds
"Interacting" with nature through virtual reality applications had especially strong benefits, according to the study.
Vitamin D may lower risk of contracting COVID-19, says new research
A series of recent studies found that people with healthy levels of vitamin D were less likely to contract COVID-19 and suffer severe complications from it.
Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to 3 scientists for black hole discoveries
Roger Penrose used mathematics to show black holes actually exist. Andrea Ghez and Reinhard Genzel helped uncover what lies at the center of our galaxy.
This interactive face recognition tool measures your attractiveness, BMI and age
A new interactive documentary "How Normal Am I?" helps reveal the shortcomings of facial recognition technology.
Study: 33% of people fantasize about being in a sexually open relationship
Most said they want to act on their desire someday. But do open relationships actually work?
‘Global democratic recession’ has been eroding freedoms since 2006, says study
The 20th century was marked by waves of pro-democracy revolutions. Now, the future of democracy looks uncertain.
Study reveals alarming link between binge-drinking and anxiety
New research conducted on mice suggests repeated heavy drinking causes synaptic dysfunctions that lead to anxiety.
Elon Musk promises $25,000 electric car at Tesla's 'Battery Day'
The electric car manufacturer says updates to its battery design and manufacturing process will help lower production costs.
Is resurrection possible? Researchers catalogue the ways science may achieve it.
From cryonics to time travel, here are some of the (highly speculative) methods that might someday be used to bring people back to life.
Study: Do people trust governments less when ‘fake news’ proves real?
People remember when governments lie to them and it lowers their satisfaction in government officials.
Airspeeder's ‘flying car’ racers to be shielded by virtual force-fields
Welcome to the world's newest motorsport: manned multicopter races that exceed speeds of 100 mph.
'Viking' was likely a job title among diverse people, says DNA study
"The results change the perception of who a Viking actually was," said project leader Professor Eske Willerslev.
Almost 300,000 guns sold without background checks as pandemic overwhelmed system
The 'Charleston Loophole' has likely allowed thousands of guns to end up in the hands of people who would have failed a federal background check.
Jon Stewart: Congress is abandoning veterans exposed to toxic 'burn pits'
Stewart is supporting a new bill that aims to extend health care and disability benefits to veterans who served alongside burn pits.
Venus' clouds may harbor 'aerial' aliens, MIT scientists say
Scientists have detected within the Venusian atmosphere a chemical known to be a byproduct of life.
Study: 'Mighty mice' stayed strong in space with gene treatment
Targeting a signaling pathway in mice helped them retain muscle and bone mass aboard the International Space Station, according to a new study.
NASA-funded scientist says 'MEGA drive' could enable interstellar travel
The drive would provide enough thrust for a spacecraft to travel near the speed of light using only electricity, says physicist Jim Woodward.
Scientists discover first 'intermediate-mass' black hole in massive merger
It's the largest black hole merger ever observed by scientists.
The ​'Motte & Bailey' meme reveals what's wrong with political arguments in 2020
This medieval-themed meme highlights a shady yet all too common rhetorical move people make in arguments.
Andrew Yang backs California’s data privacy campaign
"Our data should be ours no matter what platforms and apps we use," Yang said.
Study: Viewing religion, science as incompatible is uniquely American
In some countries, religiosity and pro-science attitudes are actually positively correlated, according to the results of a recent study.
New ‘bullet plane’ aims to make private flights affordable
Otto Aviation says the hourly cost of flying the new Celera 500L is about six times cheaper than conventional aircraft.
Elon Musk's Neuralink successfully implanted chips in pig brains
"It's kind of like a Fitbit in your skill with tiny wires," Musk said.
Remembering Sir Ken Robinson, the educationalist who changed thinking on schools
Sir Ken Robinson died on August 21 of cancer at the age of 70.
NASA scientists propose sending a submarine to explore Titan's seas
The mission could launch as soon as the 2030s, the researchers said.
3,000-pound Triceratops skull unearthed in South Dakota
"You dream about these kinds of moments when you're a kid," said lead paleontologist David Schmidt.
​Why is anxiety spiking in young people but not older adults?
A new study shows that anxiety has been rapidly increasing among young adults in the U.S. from 2008 to 2018.
New Google AR exhibits let you see prehistoric creatures up close
Google's Arts & Culture app just added a suite of prehistoric animals and NASA artifacts that are viewable for free with a smartphone.
Children raised near greener areas have higher IQs, study finds
Spending time in green spaces seems to yield many health benefits, most of which researchers are only beginning to understand.
First case of COVID-19 reinfection reported in Hong Kong
The patient's second infection was asymptomatic, suggesting that subsequent infections may be milder.
Police can track cars nationwide with new license plate surveillance network
The system is basically facial recognition technology, but for cars.
Study: Black babies are less likely to die when cared for by a Black doctor
Why do Black newborns have a relatively high mortality rate in the U.S. — and how does the race of the doctor factor in?
Study: Unattractive people far overestimate their looks
The finding is remarkably similar to the Dunning-Kruger effect, which describes how incompetent people tend to overestimate their own competency.
Humans could merge with AI through this specialized polymer
Scientists are seeking ways to safely connect computers to the brain.
Promising COVID-19 studies show hope for long-lasting immunity
The immune system seems able to "remember" the coronavirus, and therefore able to prevent — or minimize the severity of — reinfection.
Face mask study reveals worst material for blocking COVID-19
A study published Friday tested how well 14 commonly available face masks blocked the emission of respiratory droplets as people were speaking.
NASA bounces laser beams off of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
After a decade of failed attempts, scientists successfully bounced photons off of a reflector aboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, some 240,000 miles from Earth.
Therapy app Talkspace mined user data for marketing insights, former employees allege
A report from the New York Times raises questions over how the teletherapy startup Talkspace handles user data.
Self-driving cars to race for $1.5 million at Indianapolis Motor Speedway ​
So far, 30 student teams have entered the Indy Autonomous Challenge, scheduled for October 2021.
New guidelines redefine 'obesity' to curb fat shaming
Is focusing solely on body mass index the best way for doctor to frame obesity?
Why ‘Christian nationalists’ are less likely to wear masks and social distance
In a recent study, researchers examined how Christian nationalism is affecting the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dinosaurs suffered from cancer, study confirms
A recent analysis of a 76-million-year-old Centrosaurus apertus fibula confirmed that dinosaurs suffered from cancer, too.
Chernobyl fungus could shield astronauts from cosmic radiation
A recent study tested how well the fungi species Cladosporium sphaerospermum blocked cosmic radiation aboard the International Space Station.
Size matters: Bigger brains equal more complex hand movements in primates
Big brains come at a big cost, however.
ESA's 'interplanetary cargo ship' to carry Mars rocks to Earth in 2031
The Earth Return Orbiter is part of a long-term mission to search for ancient alien life on Mars.
How face masks are fooling facial recognition software
A new study explores how wearing a face mask affects the error rates of popular facial recognition algorithms.
U.S. to disclose UFO findings from Pentagon task force
A new report from The New York Times describes a Pentagon task force's long-standing project to collect data on unidentified aerial phenomena and a Pentagon consultant who says the U.S. has collected crashed "off-world vehicles."
A catastrophic asteroid shower hit Earth & moon 800 million years ago
The impact might have triggered the Ice Age.
Scientists create 'non-cuttable' material 85% less dense than steel
Proteus could someday be used to create extremely strong and lightweight armor and locks.
Scientists find 16 'ultra-black' fish species that absorb 99.9% of light
These alien-like creatures are virtually invisible in the deep sea.
Opioid deaths surge as pandemic spreads across U.S.
How exactly is COVID-19 affecting the opioid crisis?
3 highlights from Penn Jillette's Big Think interview on 2020, cancel culture, and friendship
The renowned magician recently joined Big Think CEO and cofounder Victoria Brown for a wide-ranging discussion.
This is your brain on smells
A new study explores how the brain encodes different scents — a topic which scientists know relatively little about, compared to our other senses.
COVID-19 brain study to explore long-term effects of the virus
A growing body of research suggests COVID-19 can cause serious neurological problems.
Bubonic plague case reported in China
Health officials in China reported that a man was infected with bubonic plague, the infectious disease that caused the Black Death.
How #Unity2020 plans to end the two-party system, bring back Andrew Yang
The proposal calls for the American public to draft two candidates to lead the executive branch: one from the center-left, the other from the center-right.
NASA astronaut drops mirror during spacewalk outside ISS
Watch as the small mirror joins millions of other pieces of space junk currently orbiting the planet.
Can the U.S. fix unemployment with 'Universal Basic Jobs'?
What would happen if the U.S. guaranteed every citizen a job with a living wage and benefits?
Man unable to 'see' numbers after suffering rare brain disease
He can't identify the numbers 2 through 9. But strangely, he can still see ones and zeros.
Europe to ban American travel as U.S. struggles to contain pandemic
The European Union is debating over two lists of nations from which it will accept travelers starting July 1.
NASA videos show what sunsets look like elsewhere in the galaxy
On other planets, blue skies and red sunsets aren't the norm.
'Ring of fire' solar eclipse will occur this weekend. Here's how to watch.
It could be the most spectacular annular eclipse of the decade.
A decade ago, this scientist predicted 2020 would bring 'peak' chaos to the U.S.
Can researchers use data science to accurately predict the future?
This wearable robot arm can hold fruit and punch through walls
Researchers are making progress in the effort to develop safe and practical supernumerary robotic limbs.
COVID-19 shutdown prevented 60 million infections in U.S., study says
The study also estimated that international lockdown efforts prevented more than 500 million infections worldwide.
This spreadsheet lists 1,000+ cases of alleged police brutality amid George Floyd protests
The videos raise serious legal and moral questions about police crowd-control tactics.
Russian company accidentally spills 20,000 tons of oil into Arctic river
It's one of the nation's worst oil spills on record.
A 'Strawberry moon' eclipse is happening on Friday. Here's how to watch it from home
On Friday, the moon will pass through the Earth's outer shadow, known as the penumbra.
Facebook finally adds option to delete old posts in batches
Got any embarrassing old posts collecting dust on your profile? Facebook wants to help you delete them.
England rolls out 'Test and Trace' program to combat COVID-19
The program aims to notify people after they've come in close contact with someone who tested positive.
Stephen Johnson is a St. Louis-based writer whose work has been published by outlets including PBS Digital Studios, HuffPost, MSN, U.S. News & World Report, Eleven Magazine and The Missourian.
