Many of us enjoy finding new ways to categorize individuals in our lives, and recently, there’s been a noticeable surge in discussions surrounding “dark empathy.” “They appear sensitive and caring, but their true intent is manipulation.” Guardian I previously shared how TikTok influencers often label it as “the most dangerous personality type.”
This month, I’ve received requests from readers seeking clarification on the science behind these trendy terms. What defines dark empathy? And how can one identify such individuals?
This notion emerged from research investigating the so-called dark triad of personality traits: psychopathy (cold, antisocial behavior), narcissism (excessive self-focus), and Machiavellianism (manipulative tendencies). Historically, the Dark Triad was associated with a lack of empathy for others.
However, this perspective shifted with a groundbreaking 2021 study by Najah Heim, a researcher at Nottingham Trent University in England. Analyzing nearly 1,000 participants, the study confirmed that many individuals with dark triad traits lacked the capacity for empathy. However, a significant subset of around 175 participants exhibited high levels of psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism while also scoring well on standard empathy measures. They noted, for instance, that they were sensitive to others’ discomfort and claimed that people’s emotions significantly affected their own moods.
Heim and her colleagues coined the term “dark empathy” to describe this group. Further studies indicated that these individuals were generally less aggressive and more extroverted than their less empathetic counterparts, yet they displayed more hostility than the average individual. The researchers concluded that, behind a seemingly genial facade, there lies a “partially hostile core.”
This discovery prompts several questions. Psychologist Distinguish distinguishes between cognitive empathy (the visceral response to witnessing others’ emotions) and emotional empathy (the ability to understand others’ perspectives). It’s still unclear if dark empathy signifies a distinct phenomenon. Researchers also remain uncertain about how the behavior of these individuals varies depending on the context.
I am eager to find answers to these inquiries, but the current literature offers little on how to effectively interact with these individuals. For now, I will remain vigilant for classical red flags of toxic behavior, such as attempts to wield emotional manipulation through flattery or threats, and work to establish clear boundaries. While terms like “Dark Empath” may sound intriguing, their behaviors can be as distressing as those exhibited by traditional bullies in your life.
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The Royal Society suggested to Elon Musk that he might consider resigning from his fellowship if he believed it wouldn’t assist in addressing an attack on research from the Trump administration, according to the Guardian.
The owner of X, who is also the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, was elected as a member in 2018 due to the UK’s National Academy of Sciences’ contributions to the space and electric vehicle sectors.
However, in the past year, fellows and other scientists have informed the Royal Society that they feel the Academy has breached its code of conduct, leading some to resign, and the return of awards has become a point of contention amid protests against the Academy’s perceived inaction.
Among the various factors behind the protests was Musk’s position as the head of the U.S. Government Efficiency Office (DOGE), an agency criticized for reducing research funding and enforcing censorship within academia.
In March, the Guardian reported that the Royal Society decided that Musk would not be subject to an investigation regarding alleged violations of the Code. It was noted that Sir Paul Nurse, who is currently running for the presidency of the association, had advised Musk in May to think about resigning from his fellowship.
In an email sent to the Fellowship, Sir Adrian Smith, the current president of the Royal Society, disclosed that on March 19, he first communicated with Nurse about the “wide range of damages” inflicted on American science by the Trump administration and urged for “action to reverse this tragedy.”
Smith promptly responded, “highlighting his strong commitment to science and requesting further information regarding Paul’s concerns.”
Sir Paul Nurse, president of the Royal Society, expressed his concerns to Musk regarding American science. Photo: Paul Nurse
Nurse followed up with another letter on March 27, suggesting that Musk speak with U.S. public sector scientists to discuss the impact of the administration’s policies.
“Paul did not receive any responses to this communication or the follow-up reminders,” Smith stated.
On May 20, the nurse sent a letter outlining concerns shared with him by U.S. scientists, noting that “some of the proposed budget cuts seemed pointless.”
Smith mentioned: “In his letter of distress, Paul suggested, ‘If you feel you can’t help, you should consider whether you truly wish to remain a Fellow of the Royal Society.’
Nevertheless, Musk only replied after Smith and Nurse indicated that the contents of their correspondence would be shared with the fellowship.
A spokesperson for the Academy confirmed that Musk has not made any comments regarding proposals to consider resigning from his fellowship, stating, “Elon Musk remains a Fellow of the Royal Society.”
In an email to Smith’s fellowship, it was noted: “The society’s officers and council determined that pursuing disciplinary action against Musk does not align with the Royal Society’s interests.” Although significant disagreements were expressed during previous fellowship meetings, Smith acknowledged that defending science globally remains the society’s foremost objective.
Not all peers advocate for condemning Musk, with some expressing concerns about potentially questioning the views of others who have shared controversial opinions. However, one fellow familiar with Smith’s email described the situation as “a significant issue.”
Another fellow noted that the leadership approach seems to prioritize pragmatism over ethical considerations. “If a new party emerges around Musk, it could lead to significant repercussions, including potential repercussions for Royal Society archives from that period,” they commented.
Stephen Curry, a professor emeritus of structural biology at Imperial College London and a previous organizer of open letters, supported the correspondence but stressed that the academy should take a more resolute and explicit stance.
“They haven’t received any indications from Elon Musk that he aligns with the Royal Society’s declared values, so it should be made clear to him that without this commitment, his fellowship must end,” he stated.
“I am increasingly concerned that the Royal Society is unable to uphold its own code of conduct.”
A representative for Musk was requested for comment.
“Isometric movements like planks can help alleviate pain.”
Sutulastock/Shutterstock
In my previous article, I discussed how isometric exercises, which involve holding muscles in a fixed position, can effectively lower blood pressure. Since then, I’ve started integrating them into my workouts. This leads me to ask: Do these exercises provide additional benefits?
The answer is yes—and some benefits were surprising. Isometric exercises, such as planks (as shown) and wall squats, can alleviate pain, prevent injuries, and significantly enhance fitness in an efficient manner. In fact, most individuals will likely gain from incorporating these into their workout regimes.
One of the most notable advantages of isometric exercises is their ability to build strength with minimal movement, making them less physically demanding compared to more dynamic workouts. They are indeed effective: a review revealed that isometric training over 42-100 days could boost muscle strength by as much as 92%.
These strength gains can be highly targeted. Athletes frequently employ isometric exercises to strengthen the challenging aspects of their movements, like the lowest point in a squat. This focused training may enhance overall performance, as researchers have discovered that isometric training could surpass jump-based training in terms of durability.
Moreover, these exercises are gentle on the body, making them easy to include at the beginning or end of a standard workout, providing extra benefits. They serve as excellent warm-ups and research has shown they can reduce muscle soreness post-exercise without hindering running performance. This contrasts with static stretching, which doesn’t alleviate muscle pain and can actually decrease performance.
Incorporating some isometric movements into your warm-up routine can also help in preventing injuries. Slow, controlled training that targets less active stages during workouts is commonly used to guard against hamstring injuries in soccer players; however, isometric exercise is found to be more effective, according to a study.
While the exact mechanism remains unclear, it appears that isometric exercises can activate the signaling pathways between nerves and muscles, enhancing muscle responsiveness during workouts. This could help in correcting muscle imbalances, which are often a source of injuries.
These advantages are not limited to athletes. A review published this year demonstrated that isometric training significantly reduces pain and strengthens muscles in individuals with osteoarthritis. Because they are low-impact, these exercises are perfect for beginners and those with limited mobility due to injuries.
Considering their myriad benefits, isometric exercises have become a consistent part of my training routine. Furthermore, because they require no equipment and minimal space, I can perform them almost anywhere at any time.
Grace Wade is a health reporter for New Scientist, based in the US.
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Brian Johnson in Don’t Die: Who Wants to Live Forever
Netflix
Netflix Brian Johnson stands out as a unique figure in contemporary society. The billionaire entrepreneur and proponent of anti-aging practices aims to extend both lifespan and “healthspan” by taking nearly 100 different medications daily and adhering to a rigorous fitness plan. The real enchantment of Please Don’t Die lies in its ability to evoke mixed feelings towards Johnson. His lifestyle is built on a fundamentally flawed scientific approach, yet his ideas are more captivating than those of his tech-savvy peers.
Disney+ In The Sea with David Attenborough, there’s a sequence that is as chilling as it is eye-opening. The aggressive trawling disturbs the seabed, leading to the displacement of fish from their habitats. This documentary marks Attenborough’s most politically charged effort, serving as a cautionary tale about the severe environmental repercussions of industrial fishing practices. If this indeed is part of the 99-year-old’s final project, it certainly encapsulates the essence of his illustrious career.
Chilean Flamingos of Laguna Colorada, Bolivia, America
BBC Studios/NBC
BBC iPlayer/NBC Who could be seen as the American equivalent of David Attenborough? Perhaps the two-time Oscar-winning Tom Hanks might be your answer. He brings a touch of cinematic brilliance to this 10-part nature series, narrating the incredible biodiversity of the Americas. While I don’t expect much insight into the climate crisis from this series, its lack of real-world relevance is almost compensated for by its stunning cinematography.
Bruce Parry, a Marapu woman from Sumba, Indonesia, and her tribe
BBC/Frank Films/Will Lorimer
BBC iPlayer A couple of decades ago, Bruce Parry spent an extensive period submerged in an Indigenous community for the anthropology series Tribe. Now, the series is returning but in a vastly changed world. Faced with increasing threats from deforestation and migration, Parry must earn the trust of the community he visits. The scenes in Tribe—which include piranha fishing, political discussions, and ayahuasca rituals—are richly fascinating, and we hope to witness more of them. The access granted to us through Parry feels like a true privilege.
Netflix Children have historically been used for entertainment, and the practices surrounding child actors have often been disturbing. In the 1920s and 30s, many faced long hours of labor and near-death experiences from excessive workloads and amphetamines. Fast forward to the 21st century, and “Kidfluence” has emerged, wherein families create financial empires through their children’s online activities. Bad Influence follows child pageant star Piper Locker, who has reportedly been exploited by her mother. This harrowing documentary explores the darker aspects of social media.
BBC iPlayer/CNN Whereas David Fincher’s film Social Network spotlighted the early days of Facebook, the origins of Twitter remain less familiar. Twitter: Break the Birds takes us back to when it was a basic platform for status updates. The documentary shines during its exploration of the power struggles between Jack Dorsey and his co-founders, and it discusses the technical challenges social media platforms have faced from the beginning. Interestingly, did you know that Twitter (or X, as it’s currently branded) had initially considered names like Ketchup or Friend Stalker? The later sections serve as a timely reminder that many of the platform’s issues predate Elon Musk’s controversial involvement.
BBC iPlayer Last year, naturalist Chris Packham introduced In Our Autistic Mind, a two-part documentary that allowed people with autism to create a film expressing their inner experiences. The follow-up season tackles ADHD and dyslexia, two conditions often misunderstood. While the series primarily examines the social difficulties faced by individuals with ADHD and dyslexia, it also incorporates strong scientific insights into their neurological underpinnings. Highlighting positive aspects, it reveals that many dyslexic individuals excel in pattern recognition.
Pangolin: Kuru’s Journey
Netflix
Netflix From the creators of My Octopus Teacher, Pangolin: Kuru’s Journey tells the heartwarming tale of a baby pangolin rescued from the illegal wildlife trade. We follow Kuru as he is rehabilitated by his caretaker Gareth, who considers himself a helicopter parent. The duo’s adorable adventures, from carrying Kuru away from a warthog’s burrow as dusk approaches, evoke both laughter and empathy. With pangolins being the most trafficked mammals globally, Kuru’s survival is a testament to human care and compassion.
Hannah Fry is the secret genius of modern life
Marco Cervi/BBC
BBC iPlayer The third season of Hannah Fry’s Guide to Everyday Technology is just as engaging as ever. This time, the focus is on roller coasters, highways, and—inevitably—air fryers. The series thoroughly explores how these technologies impact our lives and uncovers some surprising insights. How did the creators of the Theremin influence modern doorbell designs? What role did it play in the innovation of refrigeration? And just what is an air fryer starfish? If you’ve ever wanted to take apart your gadgets to see how they work, this meticulously crafted series will satisfy your curiosity without voiding any warranties.
Amazon Prime Video We’ve become acquainted with octopuses in a variety of quirky roles, from spiritual guides to unlikely educators. Enter this two-part series dedicated to these tentacled beings and their remarkable talents. A beautifully animated depiction of their life cycle is narrated by Doris, a massive Pacific octopus whose journey defies the odds, even as her story tragically culminates. Nonetheless, Octopus! remains a whimsical documentary brimming with curiosity and humor.
NOW Science fiction serves as a powerful lens through which we can envision the future, often depicting a grim outlook. This four-part documentary aims to explore how sci-fi has imagined the atomic bomb and its consequences. Beyond this, Wonderland thoughtfully examines a wide range of sci-fi narratives from the past 80 years, providing depth and nuance often missing from surface-level analyses of the genre.
Netflix In 2023, the world grappled with the four-day search for the missing OceanGate Titan submarine. Ultimately, five lives, including that of co-founder Stockton Rush, were lost following a catastrophic implosion. This feature-length documentary exposes how egotism and carelessness contributed to these untimely deaths. One particularly haunting moment features audio from an acoustic surveillance system that detected fissures in the carbon fiber hull during initial test dives, an essential safety protocol the company later ignored.
Disney+/Nat Geo In 1983, Sally Ride became NASA’s shining star as the first American woman to journey into space, capturing global attention. However, both she and her fellow female astronauts faced rampant institutional sexism and invasive media scrutiny. This feature-length documentary intricately weaves together her personal battles to retain a semblance of privacy, including her 27-year relationship with Tam O’Shaughnessy during an era marked by homophobia. It also delves into captivating aspects of Ride’s career, such as the hand-eye coordination techniques she developed to gain an edge over her colleague Judy Resnik, who tragically perished in the Challenger disaster.
A group of Utahraptors in Walking with Dinosaurs
BBC Studios/Lola Post Production
BBC iPlayer Back in 1999, Walking with Dinosaurs captivated audiences, bringing them into the world of prehistoric wildlife using groundbreaking visual effects. Given that those visuals feel somewhat dated now, a reboot seemed timely. In each episode of the 2025 series, researchers act as detectives, unearthing ancient relics and drawing extensive conclusions from bones and their surroundings. These imaginative stories showcase scenarios such as hatchlings chasing dragonflies through the jungles or a pack of Albertosaurus cornering their quarry. As always, a healthy dose of skepticism is advised; there remain many mysteries surrounding the lives of dinosaurs that we have yet to unravel.
He clutched memories of the trap tightly, and the previous summer, his front limbs were ensnared in sheer terror. As he came to, he recognized Usie’s presence and detected a horrifying human scent on his neck—he saw his brother shot before his eyes.
This young wolf is Slavc, using GPS to navigate a breathtaking journey from Slovenia to the Italian Alps, reaching Lothinian Plateau several months later.
With curiosity piqued, Adam Weymouth followed Slavc’s path, crafting his own epic tale intertwined with complex themes: the intricate relations of human interactions and their impacts, environmental challenges across the continent, and of course, the wolves themselves. A beautifully intricate narrative woven with affection.
Why are certain individuals more prone to becoming radical or aligning with extreme viewpoints? This book reveals how political neuroscience investigates our limitations and firmly held beliefs. A pivotal inquiry raised by neuroscientist Leor Zmigrod examines whether a person’s sensitivity is “rooted in cognition and biology.”
1 The experiment she references released in 2008, published in Science, suggested that politically conservative individuals have a stronger reaction to threatening stimuli than their more liberal counterparts. Moreover, an interesting correlation emerges between the ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and one’s adherence to political or social ideologies.
Adding to the intriguing discoveries, Rebecca Lemov pens her work titled Truth Instability.
This book examines mind control and the complex dynamics of the 20th and 21st centuries, from the “invisible” manipulation techniques employed on North Korean prisoners during the 1950s to the “soft” brainwashing that occurs through interactions on social media.
The historical insights provided by Lemov, together with the ongoing revelations from political neuroscientists, prompt us all to be particularly cognizant—being conscientious is half the battle.
David Farrier contends that rapid changes in animal behaviors are occurring under human influence. He suggests that if we hope to thrive alongside these changes, we must also adapt our lifestyles. “Climate change is altering many of the ‘wild clocks’ governing movement, reproduction, and blooming cycles. Learning to synchronize our timing with nature’s rhythms can profoundly impact our political landscape.” His pursuit of human adaptability unfolds a daring vision.
In his review, Jacob Aron pointed out that determining the truth is fundamental to science. I admire books centered around proofs, and Adam Kucharski (a gifted statistician and epidemiologist) serves as a captivating guide in this realm. Abraham Lincoln utilized a well-known proof derived from Euclidean element, which exemplifies an approach to derive seemingly universal truths from foundational principles—one he used in his battle against slavery.
Corals, sponges, worms, jellyfish, clams, crabs, octopuses, and more—could invertebrates truly constitute 99% of marine diversity? Absolutely, asserts marine ecologist Drew Harbel, who looks forward to introducing us to these creatures and their remarkable capabilities from Hawaii to Indonesia. The book is also filled with stunning photographs for your enjoyment!
In the early 2000s, the largest global tech companies shifted their manufacturing to the world’s second-largest economy. The story of Apple’s presence in China is complex, far from being a straightforward narrative of wealth accumulation through low wages and minimal labor rights. This book unravels the paradoxes surrounding its subtitle, “Catching the World’s Largest Company.” While China “captured” Apple, the company subsequently altered the future of the U.S. by enhancing China’s technological sector and creating around 5 million jobs. In light of the increasingly authoritarian policies of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the effects of Apple’s actions continue to resonate in the current global economic landscape.
Numerous books focusing on our food system suggest that the monolithic machines designed for mass-producing cost-effective calories are harming us. Originally, this system aimed to alleviate hunger, but it has unintentionally fueled health crises, including obesity and diabetes, as well as exacerbating climate change.
These books differ notably in their approach. What framework can sustain nourishing an ever-growing population of 8 billion while preserving the planet?
Stuart Gillespie appears more radical than many, arguing that transformation is impossible without political shifts and changes in power dynamics; the discussions at conferences often represent a “facade.” Genuine transformation necessitates systemic shifts.
His manifesto advocates for equitable nutrition and health upheld by law, not merely “paper” human rights. It could be a genuine game-changer.
When individuals fall ill, everyone wishes to understand the underlying issues without rushing, notes neurologist Suzanne O’Sullivan. Her book has garnered considerable attention due to its relevance.
O’Sullivan outlines the notable rise in diagnosis rates for ADHD, autism, and depression, alongside the increasing prevalence of conditions like Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and emerging genetic disorders. Other health issues, including cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and dementia, seem to be on the upswing. So, what’s actually happening?
O’Sullivan explores several significant case studies in her chapters, including Huntington’s Disease, Lyme disease, and long COVID, as well as conditions deemed unnamed syndromes—rare, elusive ailments that may take years to identify.
The issue of labeling is a substantial part of the problem, according to O’Sullivan. If labels only attract individuals with mild manifestations of an ailment, they lose their value. What, then, is the solution?
O’Sullivan’s recommendations include: ceasing the expectation that medications will alleviate our disappointments, reconsidering the reliance on medical interventions for ordinary life experiences, and urging patients to encourage their doctors to adopt a more generalized medical perspective. It’s not just about new technologies—it’s about investing in humanity. Provocative and inspiring.
This unique work—a rarity from economists—challenges conventional thinking. Economists often separate their economic decisions from moral implications, favoring utilitarian perspectives that emphasize the greater good achieved through maximizing benefits for the largest population. However, this perspective tends to overlook moral values like compassion and fairness.
In this book, the authors strive to ensure that moral values are considered alongside economic constraints. This ambitious project aims to form a framework for navigating ethical decisions without dismissing their costs.
In our quest to understand the universe’s origins—13.8 billion years ago—we often grasp at elusive concepts. This informative book succinctly summarizes nearly every prevailing hypothesis about the Big Bang.
The authors engage the reader across twelve chapters, tracing the “earliest memories of science” as the universe began to expand from an incredibly dense state. They suggest that understanding these origins not only illuminates our past but also highlights the need for new physics. Their objective is to evaluate the strengths and limitations of competing models, leading us into a new conceptual landscape forged by the scientific process. And of course, (without giving too much away) it all begins with your understanding of what the Big Bang truly signifies…
The metaphors we choose reveal much about our understanding. Thus, renowned naturalist Robert MacFarlane questions the vitality of a river and makes waves with his exploration.
As he traverses the globe considering this question along with others—such as whether forests can think, and whether mountains have memories—Rowan Hooper described the narrative as “beautiful, wild, and provocative.” MacFarlane might express concern that we are attempting to reestablish animism to navigate our interactions with the non-human world. Instead, Hooper advocates for a focus on sound ecological thinking and science!
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Hal Lacroix’s adventure unfolds on a spacecraft that has been exploring new planets for centuries
Dotted Zebra/Alamy
Exciting science fiction awaits fans this July, with two highly anticipated books making their debut. Are you intrigued by the beautifully articulated vision of rapid transformation as its effects evolve in a subtle yet increasingly unsettling manner? Don’t miss Alex Foster’s Circular Motion. Or maybe you’re captivated by the excellent “generation ship” narrative? If so, keep an eye on Hal Lacroix’s Here and Beyond. In addition, there are tales of climate fiction, zombies, space romance, and more. Enjoy yourself – I certainly will!
Set in a near future, this striking debut novel envisions an Earth with a colossal aircraft in orbit. Meanwhile, the Earth’s rotation gradually accelerates, initially shortening by mere seconds. However, it ominously contracts to just two hours as the story unfolds, leading to dire consequences. I’ve just completed this novel, and it may very well be my top read of the year so far—smartly written and truly engaging.
I have a special fondness for compelling “generation ship” stories. This one stands out, as 600 people embark on a 360-year voyage to a new planet following Earth’s downfall. Yet, generations must survive aboard their vessel, Shipworld, facing challenges from illness to rebellion, raising tensions among the crew. But don’t take my word for it; our sci-fi reviewer, Emily H. Wilson, gave it a hearty thumbs up, and her taste is impeccable (or at least aligns with mine!).
While I pen these words, London is engulfed in flames, making Susanna Kwan’s dystopian depiction of a rain-soaked future San Francisco even more captivating. We follow Bo, who has fled a city ravaged by catastrophic floods. Living alone on a street transformed into a river, Bo is tempted to leave her boat until her elderly neighbor Mia requests assistance, prompting her to remain. This novel draws comparisons to Emily St. John Mandel’s literary dystopia Station Eleven and Eleanor Catton’s climatological thriller Bilnum Wood, both of which I cherished; thus, I’m eager to delve into Kwan’s rainy world.
Susanna Kwan’s awakening unfolds in a flooded future San Francisco
Bulgac/Getty Images
This month’s science fiction takes us from Earth in disarray to the rain-soaked where the sun is waning. A unique story features two sisters in a small village amid arid lands who struggle for survival as temperatures plummet, leading villagers to confront death—”an ordinary man replaced by a blinding light that sears his head like a miniature sands.” Fascinating!
Another tale revolves around Quetza, an acrobat in a Martian circus who stumbles upon “ominous secrets.” Millions of years later, Azad inhabits a desert planet, teaming up with a space travel historian to discover why their ancestors abandoned Mars.
This climate fiction narrative (I refuse to adopt the “CLI-FI” label as I find it unappealing) unfolds in a self-sustaining community established on a remote Welsh island in 2056, aimed at escaping a tyrannical government. But 13-year-old Gresni suspects her family harbors secrets, especially when an event from the mainland washes ashore.
Penned by the acclaimed publisher recognized for Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow, the narrative follows Zoe and Jack, who meet as chemistry students at Harvard University. Two years later, they drop out to join a venture promising longevity, yet their love faces challenges that test its limits.
I confess that this may not fit traditional science fiction norms, but I’m finding it hard to resist: it’s a 2022 road trip story set in Ukraine, featuring “The Maverick Scientist” Yeva and Lefty, “The Only Snail” navigated to ensure the survival of his species. Yeva funds her passion for breeding rare snails by dating men who come to Ukraine for a “guidance romance tour” in search of obedient brides. “Glorious…funny and clever, filled with science, longing, and adventure,” Anne Puckett states. Therefore, I believe a blend of science and snails would surely captivate sci-fi enthusiasts.
As a passionate fan, I feel there’s a distinct lack of zombie novels like The Walking Dead. Fortunately, Lee Radford addresses this gap with a tale about a scientist whose spouse was the last person bitten by the zombie epidemic. While the government quarantines infected individuals, scientist Kesta harbors perilous secrets. Her zombie husband, Tim, is restrained to prevent his rampage. Rick Grimes, I’m just suggesting he could have handled Tim with a heartbeat…
I’ve earmarked this next book for my reading list and am eagerly anticipating it. Elric only awakens once he’s healed, envisioning an experimental treatment center where heartache can be anesthetized. Naturally, there are some “shadow side effects,” and it follows four strangers (and a dog). The Wizard of Oz certainly seems to embody the journey toward healing from heartache.
The publisher describes it as “Suffic’s action-adventure sci-fi novel.” Volatile Memory features Willa as she uncovers cutting-edge technology on nearby planets. This tech, however, turns out to be the remains of a woman donning an AI mask that resurrected her. Together, they seek to unravel its mysteries…
Emily Buchanan’s Send Flowers depicts a woman’s deceased boyfriend reborn as a houseplant
Ozgurcankaya/Getty Images
In a world nearing climate collapse, eco-influencer Fiona has stayed secluded in her apartment since her boyfriend Ed’s passing. One day, his favorite plant is left at her door, prompting her to sprinkle his ashes on the soil. The next morning, she discovers that the plant not only blooms but can also speak. Ed has returned—albeit as a house plant.
Building strong friendships may seem like a natural process—finding joy in each other’s presence, sharing laughter, and bonding over common interests. However, the unspoken dynamics of different types of friendships can often be complex. Recent research has shed light on the significance of these relationships in our overall happiness. Yet, there are strategies for nurturing meaningful connections.
This article is a part of our special series that explores how experts view some of the most intriguing concepts in science. Click here for additional information.
Jeffrey Hall, Director of the Relationships and Technology Labs at the University of Kansas, is among the researchers examining ways to cultivate friendships. He suggests viewing friendships as a spectrum—from mere acquaintances to our closest confidants who remain by our side.
“The fundamental requirement is mutual liking and a communication frequency that allows the relationship to develop,” he states. “Trust and a sense of safety in sharing secrets are expected, along with prioritizing each other above others.”
Time invested in a friendship is crucial, as highlighted by Hall’s research. In a series of studies, he had participants recently relocated to a new city map out their social lives. He found that individuals must spend about 57-164 hours with someone before they are deemed “friends,” while developing “good” or “best” friendships typically requires around 200 hours together.
The quality of time spent together is also vital. “Engaging in daily activities—eating, drinking, playing, exploring—helps cement these bonds because we want to share those moments with them,” says Hall, co-author of the upcoming book Social Biome, which delves into these themes. Conversely, being compelled to interact through work or study does little to foster genuine friendships.
It’s common to find ourselves gravitating toward individuals who share common traits. Over the last decade, anthropologist Robin Dunbar from Oxford University identified seven key attributes in “pillars of friendship.” These pillars represent deep connections stemming from shared language, culture, education, career experiences, interests, worldviews, humor, and musical tastes.
He notes that we may share only one or two of these pillars with around 150 people we identify as friends, while only five close companions and about six to seven truly good friends exist in our lives, as mentioned in his book Friends: Understanding the Influence of Our Most Important Relationships.
Interestingly, friends may even share similar brain activity patterns. In a 2018 study, Carolyn Parkinson at UCLA had students watch a series of videos in an fMRI scanner. The results showed that she could predict friendships based on similarities in their brain responses to the clips, indicating that closer friends often have synchronized neural activity.
As discussed in my book, Connection Law, Parkinson’s research explores the concept of shared reality. This idea suggests that having a mutual perspective on the world enhances relationships. “These individuals focus on similar aspects of life and share similar emotional responses to their experiences,” she notes.
Can these connections exist digitally? Hall believes they can. “Communicating via phone or video with loved ones is likely just as beneficial as in-person interactions,” he asserts. “Creating regular opportunities for digital communication can help maintain and enrich these relationships.”
Explore more articles in this series by following the links below:
The finest science is not just intelligent—it’s extraordinary. Don’t take our word for it! For 28 years, Wellcome has hosted its annual photography competition, showcasing impactful images that highlight health, science, and medicine.
The Wellcome Photography Prize delves into various topics, including mental health care and the everyday experiences of living with disabilities. This year, we’re thrilled to reintroduce the biomedical imaging category, offering a chance to appreciate the beauty of science alongside intricate medical visuals. Additional categories include “Solo Photography” and “Storytelling Series.”
Among the highlights is the first non-invasive image of microplastics buried within human skin and a poignant journey to the Peruvian Andes, where Indigenous farmers combine traditional wisdom with innovative science to combat water pollution.
The winners will be unveiled on July 16th, 2025, followed by a free public exhibition at the Francis Crick Institute in London from July 17th to October 18th.
A total of 25 images have secured the prestigious top prize this year. And here’s our favorite.
Blooming Barrier by Lucy Holland
Tissue samples taken from infants affected by Hirschsprung’s disease, a condition impacting goblet cell development and leading to long-term digestive issues. – Photo Credit: Lucy Holland/Wellcome Photography Prize 2025
From Butterflies to Humans by Amaia Alcalde Anton
This image captures the brain of a metamorphosing butterfly, where new neurons are generated through neurogenesis—a process observed in various species during growth and maturity. – Photo Credit: Amaia Alcalde Anton/Wellcome Photography Prize 2025
I Have You Under My Skin: Microplastics in Mammalian Tissues by P Stephen Patrick and Olumide Ogunlade
This groundbreaking non-invasive image reveals the presence of turquoise plastic particles deep within a living mouse. Biomedical researchers Patrick and Ogunlade have pioneered photoacoustic imaging techniques that utilize laser interactions with samples to visualize microplastics. – Photo Credit: P. Stephen Patrick and Olumide Ogunlade/Wellcome Photography Prize 2025
Liver Cholesterol by Steve Gschmeissner
This depiction by Steve Gschmeissner illustrates blue cholesterol crystals in a human liver, with lipid cell structures. The lipid droplet measures approximately 12 micrometers wide. – Photo Credit: Steve Gschmeissner/Wellcome Photography Prize 2025
read more:
Submarine Heat by Jander Matos and Joaquim Nascimento
Captured by researchers Jander Matos and Joaquim Nascimento at the Bioimaging Lab in Brazil, this image reveals the egg (0.56 mm wide) of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, a known carrier of diseases such as dengue and Zika. The yellow details in the egg indicate nodules that provide nutrients for survival in water. – Photo Credit: Jander Matos and Joaquim Nascimento/Wellcome Photography Prize 2025
Organoids by Oliver Mex and Nicole Ottawa
Photographed by Oliver Mex alongside biologist Nicole Ottawa, this organoid mimics the uterine lining and is colored for realistic representation. The organoid measures 0.2 mm in width. – Photo Credit: Oliver Mex and Nicole Ottawa/Welcome Photography Award 2025
Brixton Road, Lambeth in Southern London by Marina Vitaglione
Created by Marina Vitaglione in collaboration with Joseph Levermore and scientists from the Imperial College Environmental Research Group, this image visualizes contaminating particles (less than 0.01 mm) magnified from Brixton Road, London. It highlights these “invisible killers.” – Photo Credit: Marina Vitaglione/Wellcome Photography Prize 2025
Ice and Fire Record by Ingrid Augusto, Kildare Rocha de Miranda, and Vania Da Silva Vieira
This image illustrates the internal structure of *Trypanosoma cruzi*, the parasite responsible for Chagas disease, which is transmitted through contaminated food or bites from certain insects. Untreated, it can lead to serious cardiac and digestive conditions. – Photo Credit: Ingrid Augusto, Kildare Rocha de Miranda, Vania Da Silva Vieira/Wellcome Photography Prize 2025
Nemo’s Garden by Giacomo D’Orlando
Nemo’s Garden is the pioneering underwater greenhouse system located in Liguria, Italy, designed to explore agricultural solutions for regions facing challenges in plant cultivation. The findings showcase how submerged plants possess higher antioxidant levels than their land-grown counterparts, aiding in drug development. – Photo Credit: Giacomo D’Orlando/Wellcome Photography Prize 2025
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Ciril Jazbec’s Dream of Curing Water
This series by Slovenian documentary photographer Ciril Jazbec investigates the health impacts of rapidly melting glaciers in the Cordillera Blanca Mountain Range, threatening water supplies with heavy metals accumulated over centuries. Peru houses most of the world’s tropical glaciers, vital for mountain farming communities. Climate change has led to a 40% reduction in glacier surface area since the 1970s. – Photo Credit: Ciril Jazbec / Wellcome Photography Prize 2025
Stereo EEG Self-Portrait by Muir Vidler
This self-portrait by UK photographer Muir Vidler captures his experience after electrode implantation into the brain for epilepsy treatment—a procedure used when medication fails. He documented this photo on the first day following electrode insertion, which he had to keep for a week. – Photo Credit: Muir Vidler / Wellcome Photography Prize 2025
Find a Life by Sandipani Chattopadhyay
This poignant image shows locals gathering water from the riverbed in Purulia, West Bengal, India. Climate change has disrupted the monsoon patterns, leading to dry rivers and forcing many communities to search for drinkable water. – Photo Credit: Sandipani Chattopadhyay / Wellcome Photography Prize 2025
This Is Endometriosis – 2014 – 2022: Five Years by Georgie Wilman
This self-portrait by UK photographer Georgie Wilman notes the dates of her scars resulting from endometriosis surgery. Affecting one in ten women and females assigned at birth, endometriosis is often downplayed as “painful periods,” a phrase that fails to encapsulate its severity, which causes internal bleeding and damage to organs. Wilman’s imagery powerfully conveys the struggles and impacts of living with endometriosis. – Photo Credit: Georgie Wileman / Wellcome Photography Prize 2025
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Beautiful Disasters by Alexandru Popescu
This aerial view depicts a former village in the Loopa area, Transylvania, Romania. In 1977, Nicolae Ceaușescu forcibly relocated its 1,000 residents to create a toxic waste lake linked to Roșia Poieni copper mine. The lake grows approximately 100 cm annually, jeopardizing local groundwater quality. – Photo Credit: Alexandru Popescu / Wellcome Photography Prize 2025
Few can easily embrace the desire for revenge, yet it’s undeniable that some of us are drawn to it.
From President Donald Trump’s advocacy against what he perceives as the “cancel culture” in social media, to the potential motivation behind the cutting down of the iconic British Sycamore Gap Tree, the concept of revenge certainly appears to be more influential than love as a force for change in the world. One might even ponder if it borders on an addiction.
James Kimmel Jr. is passionate about uncovering solutions. Convinced that if our world cannot become more compassionate, we must take action. His new book, The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World’s Most Fatal Addiction – and How to Overcome It, represents a culmination of his efforts over the past decade to delve deep into the neuroscience of revenge and its devastating costs.
One cannot overlook Kimmel’s impressive credentials as a psychiatry instructor at Yale University, where he leads research on motivation and behavioral control. As a former civil litigator who dealt with non-criminal disputes, he witnessed firsthand how the legal system can be manipulated to settle personal scores and punish perceived adversaries, particularly by those in positions of wealth and influence.
Kimmel gained insight into these impulses through his experiences. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania during the early 1980s, he faced bullying and had his family extorted. Their dogs were killed, and after an explosion involving their mailbox, a teenage Kimmel found himself grappling with these pressures, though he refrained from acting violently.
Nevertheless, he admits that his unresolved grievances led him to pursue a career in law—a “professional revenge business.” Following a mental breakdown, he began to study what he refers to as “revenge addiction,” ultimately shifting his focus toward psychiatric treatment.
Today, Kimmel identifies as a “recovering revenge addict” and a determined researcher aiming to present a case for viewing “obsessive revenge” as both an addiction and a neurological disorder.
Kimmel posits that the desire for revenge is experienced in some brains similarly to the effects of drugs.
He argues that such cravings activate the brain’s reward pathways, blunting impulse control and acting as a biological response akin to pain relief and pleasure. This notion not only clarifies the “urge to retaliate” but also implies a possible method to mitigate violence. By identifying individuals who often feel victimized, professionals may preemptively address grievances, potentially curbing mass shootings and other tragic acts of violence.
To substantiate his assertions, Kimmel references numerous studies on reward, revenge, and forgiveness. He takes an insightful approach toward their limitations and addresses skepticism from experts.
However, his interpretation of revenge as a catalyst for “all wars, murders, and assaults throughout human history” could polarize readers and spark debate.
Kimmel acknowledges the role of “genetic predispositions, early traumas, or psychosocial factors,” asserting that revenge addiction shouldn’t excuse violent behaviors. Yet, this notion can mistakenly arise, particularly when he compares a potentially lethal “yearning for revenge” to the seriousness of heart attacks.
This perspective may be perplexing and insensitive. Kimmel is most compelling when recounting stories of individuals who have freed themselves from lives dominated by hatred. Yet, his fixation on revenge as the sole origin of evil tends to overlook the complexities of other contributing factors, such as misogyny and childhood abuse.
His analysis of the motivations behind the actions of mass murderers and historical figures like Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Mao Zedong feels overly simplistic when framed solely through the lens of revenge addiction. While revenge has undoubtedly appeared as a motivating force throughout history, Kimmel might be too close to his central theme to fully appreciate its multifaceted nature.
Elle Hunt is a writer based in Norwich, UK
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Nature of science journals aims to highlight the complexities of academic publishing.
In an editorial released on Monday, the journal revealed it will include a peer review file with the papers it plans to publish. This will grant reviewers insight into the behind-the-scenes process where authors respond to revisions.
Publishing peer review files has been an option in Nature since 2020, but as of Monday, it has become a standard practice.
“Our goal is to demystify what many refer to as the ‘black box’ of science and clarify how research papers are developed. This aims to enhance transparency and foster trust in the scientific process. We believe that publishing peer reviewer reports enriches scientific communication and contextualizes how results and conclusions are reached.”
Opening the peer review process is becoming increasingly common among scientific journals, but Nature stands out as one of the largest and most influential in adopting this practice.
Peer review occurs once scientific research is submitted to a reputable journal, where field experts evaluate the work for issues such as flawed inferences, poor research practices, and data errors. These external experts provide feedback to journal editors and authors, known as the Judge Report.
“Peer review enhances the quality of the paper,” the editorial states. “The dialogue between authors and reviewers should be regarded as a significant component of the scientific record, crucial to research andits dissemination.”
Nature’s updated process automatically publishes judge reports and author responses. Journal practices evolve particularly when public trust in science wanes; a Pew Research Center poll indicates that trust in scientists fell approximately 10 percentage points from 2019 to 2024, with only 45% of Americans considering scientists to be effective communicators.
Michael Eisen, a former editor of the scientific journal Elife and a proponent of reforming the scientific publishing process, believes Nature’s decision marks a significant step towards greater transparency in the field.
“It’s valuable for the public to witness the process,” Eisen stated. “Much of the criticism stems from misunderstanding, which often arises from a lack of transparency surrounding scientific processes.”
Eisen suggests this move could help skeptics recognize the rigorous scrutiny applied to critical topics.
“For instance, if people observe the thorough examination vaccine-related studies undergo, it can help them better understand and assess the context of scientific findings,” Eisen noted.
At the same time, this transparency may help to mitigate the sensationalism often associated with striking findings.
“It may help dispel the notion that once a paper is published, it is infallible and that all questions have been resolved,” Eisen added.
He also mentioned that Nature could publish reviewer comments on manuscripts that were ultimately rejected.
“The truly transformative step would be to disclose reviews for all submitted papers,” Eisen remarked. “While it’s insightful to understand the questions raised in reviews of accepted papers, it is equally important to see why certain papers were rejected by the journal.”
Charming animal images are a fast way to uplift anyone’s spirits, and sharing these moments fosters a sense of community.
When someone shares a photo of a playful kitten with their parents or a video of an otter clasping paws, they participate in a phenomenon known as “pebling.”
“Pebling refers to a behavior exhibited by Gentoo Penguins, who offer pebbles as symbols of affection to potential partners,” explained Professor Ghalia Shamayleh, who led the study as noted in BBC Science Focus. “Our findings indicate similar behaviors among humans on social media.”
A male gentleman penguin presenting stones to his mate while perched on the rocks of Mikkelsen Harbor, Trinity Island, Antarctica.
According to Shamayleh, the images, videos, and posts we share online serve as “the pebble equivalent for humans.” We send them to our loved ones as tokens of affection to reinforce our connections.
Animal-themed posts particularly enhance these “pebbles.”
The research, centered around social media accounts dedicated to pets, revealed that creators “infuse joy, love, and entertainment into their social media content.”
This often manifests through visual storytelling, such as taking pets on adventures or introducing them to family members. It also employs “Petspeak,” a blend of baby talk like “dogo,” “teefe,” and “sploot,” alongside playful language and slang.
Animals hold a universal charm. Who doesn’t enjoy seeing pictures of cute puppies or kittens?
In everyday settings, animals act as “social lubricants,” bringing people together to express “AWW” and lift their spirits. This effect becomes even more pronounced in the online world.
Initially, sharing an animal photo may suggest a level of unfamiliarity that prevents sending something more personal.
However, the research indicated that people thoughtfully consider the social media content they choose to share.
Shamayleh and her co-authors, including Professor Zeynep Arsel from Concordia University, analyzed several pet-focused media accounts to understand user interactions and conducted interviews with various content creators and fans.
They found that individuals utilize images and videos to evoke shared experiences among loved ones, reminiscing and reaffirming common histories.
For instance, one might send a friend a brief clip of two baby pandas attempting to stand, accompanied by the comment, “Just like in your first yoga class and mine.”
The study found that incorporating “context clues,” such as the music in this video, influenced how people reacted and what content was shared.
By selecting posts that resonate with the recipient’s interests, senders are able to convey a deeper understanding of their loved ones, by sharing videos of their favorite animals.
“By referencing the sender’s relationship alongside animal content, individuals digitally emphasize their bond, saying, ‘This reminded me of you and our connection,'” remarked Shamayleh.
So, the next time you come across a delightful animal photo or video, don’t hesitate to share it and show your loved ones how much you care.
About the Experts
Ghalia Shamayleh is an Assistant Professor in the Marketing Department at Essec Business School, specializing in sociocultural consumer phenomena through detailed interviews and observations. She investigates the implications of digital interactions on interpersonal and interspecies relationships.
In my view, the Stern-Gerlach experiment was a pivotal moment that introduced the findings of quantum mechanics to the scientific community. Proposed by Otto Stern and carried out by Walther Gerlach in 1922, this experiment demonstrated that atoms possess quantum properties. It revealed that electrons must adhere to quantum principles. The Stern-Gerlach experiments underscore the unusual aspects of the quantum realm, suggesting that observers seem to influence the properties that particles exhibit. Measuring the quantum characteristic known as spin appears to alter the possible spin values particles can possess subsequently. Essentially, the act of observation influences the future states of a particle.
In physics, we are conditioned to perceive ourselves as separate from the physical systems we study. This experiment challenges that separation. My experience shows that students often accept this premise as an undeniable truth. However, after contemplating it multiple times, they find it at odds with their intuitive understanding of reality. Coming to terms with these outcomes is a surreal journey—wonderful and extraordinary.
When I reflect on how to articulate witnessing the decline of American science in real-time, “surreal” is the best descriptor. It does not resemble the surrealism of the Stern-Gerlach experiment; instead, it feels like a reawakening to a tangible reality. I recognize that I once harbored an illusion about the world, but the emerging reality is intriguing and exhilarating.
Our current political climate resembles a reckoning with a previously held false sense of security. It seems that although the US government might support science today, there won’t be a transformative reality waiting for us tomorrow. Instead, the government continues to squander taxpayer-funded culture, casting it into oblivion. This metaphor carries weight: when an object crosses a black hole’s event horizon, it reaches a point of no return. The object is lost forever.
We find ourselves in a similar predicament. The universe remains to be explored, but the impairments to our research capabilities are enduring, altering the trajectory permanently. The number of master’s and doctoral programs has already diminished the availability of opportunities. Aspiring professors are not receiving the same level of training, which will affect not only future scientists but also science communicators.
The US government discards publicly funded culture, casting it into voids of neglect.
The entirety of our future appears discarded. While Donald Trump has suggested cuts to NASA’s astrophysics budget and the National Science Foundation’s physics funding, these reductions in mathematics and astronomy will not prevent global hindrances to science, and will lead to far-reaching repercussions. The US plays a crucial role as a global investor in particle physics, cosmology, and investigations into fundamental truths.
While attending the 2025 Natural Philosophy Symposium at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, we were alerted to devastating budget cuts to NASA’s funding. The event started with an engaging talk by philosopher and cognitive scientist David Chalmers, followed by insights from philosopher Sandra Mitchell on human reasoning, and a discussion with theoretical physicist Nima Arkani-Hamed.
We discussed questions that have captivated humanity for millennia. What is reality, and how can one engage in researching that reality? Such events emphasize the potential outcomes when provided with the necessary time, space, and resources to explore ideas.
During this gathering, NASA’s Astrophysics department appeared to be on the brink of obliteration. The repercussions of this shift will echo for decades. In 1922, Germany stood at the forefront of scientific understanding. However, after the Nazis subverted German science for their propaganda, the field never fully recovered.
This narrative may seem like a dramatic tale about a specific group of individuals. Yet, it’s essential to remember that these discussions lead to real publications. I benefited from Government Pell Grants for economically disadvantaged undergraduates and the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship. The research discussed in this article has been financed through several federal agencies.
This disconcerting moment affects not only scientists in the US but resonates worldwide. Much of the science we engage with originates from American institutions, making this issue pertinent to all of us.
Chanda’s Week
What I’m reading
I’m currently delving into Ricky Fein’s intriguing debut novel. The devil has three times.
What I’m watching
I’ve enjoyed Mission: Impossible, and I’ve seen all of the films at least once in the past two weeks.
What I’m working on
I’ve drafted my third book, The Universe is a Black Aesthetic (Coming soon from Duke University Press).
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein serves as an associate professor of physics and astronomy, as well as a core faculty member of women’s studies at the University of New Hampshire. Her latest book is The Disturbed Cosmos: A Journey to Dark Matter, Space, and Dreams.
Throughout history, the effects of wear and tear, along with natural aging, have resulted in oil paintings displaying cracks, discoloration, and peeling pigments, leaving lasting marks.
Repairing such damage is typically reserved for the most treasured artworks, requiring years of meticulous effort. However, a new approach promises to revolutionize this process, enabling the restoration of aging pieces in a matter of hours.
This innovative technique utilizes artificial intelligence and advanced digital tools to create reconstructions of damaged paintings, which are subsequently printed on a transparent polymer sheet and applied over the original artwork.
To showcase this method, Alex Kachin, a graduate researcher from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, undertook the restoration of damaged panels attributed to a master Dutch painter of the late 15th century, whose identity remains unknown, following a piece by Martin Schongauer.
The artwork, rich in detail, is visibly segmented into four panels, marred by fine cracks and speckled with countless tiny paint losses.
“Much of the damage involves small, intricate details,” Kachin noted. “It has been deteriorating for centuries.”
Kachin initiated the process by scanning the painting to ascertain the dimensions, shapes, and locations of the damaged areas, identifying 5,612 individual sections requiring repair.
Following this, a digital mask was created using Adobe Photoshop. Missing paint spots were filled in, with surrounding pigment colors adjusted accordingly. Repairs to patterned sections involved duplicating similar patterns from other areas of the painting. For instance, a missing facial feature of a child was sourced from a different work by the same artist.
Close-ups illustrating the masking results. Photo: Alex Kachin, MIT
Once the mask was complete, it was printed on the polymer sheet and painted over, followed by a varnish application to ensure it harmonized with the painting.
In total, 57,314 colors were utilized to restore the damaged sections. The modifications were crafted to enhance the artwork even if slightly misaligned.
Upon seeing the results, Kachin expressed satisfaction. “We dedicated years to perfecting this method,” he remarked. “It was a significant relief to realize that this approach enabled us to reconstruct and piece together the surviving parts of the painting.”
This approach, as detailed in Nature, can only be applied to works featuring a smooth varnish that allows for flat application. The mask can be removed using conservator solvents without leaving marks on the original piece.
Kachin envisions this technique facilitating galleries in restoring and showcasing numerous damaged paintings that might otherwise lack the value warranting traditional restoration efforts.
Nonetheless, he recognizes the ethical considerations surrounding the use of film overlays on paintings, questioning whether they might disrupt the viewing experience and the appropriateness of features derived from other works.
In a related commentary, Professor Hartmut Kutzke from the Museum of Cultural History at the University of Oslo emphasized that this method enables quicker and more cost-effective recovery of damaged artworks compared to conventional methods.
“This technique is likely best suited for relatively low-value pieces kept in less visible locations, and may not be appropriate for renowned, high-value artworks,” he noted. “However, it could significantly increase public access to the arts, bringing damaged pieces out of storage and into the view of new audiences.”
The former OpenAI board member, Helen Toner, commented that the US administration’s focus on academic research and its approach to international students is “a tremendous gift” to China in the competition surrounding artificial intelligence.
Toner, who serves as the Strategic Director of Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), joined OpenAI’s board in 2021 following a career dedicated to analyzing AI and the dynamics between the US and China.
At 33 years old, Toner—an alumna of the University of Melbourne—was part of the board for two years until she left alongside founder Sam Altman in 2023. There were concerns regarding Altman’s communication consistency and the board’s confidence in his leadership.
In the following tumultuous month, Altman was initially dismissed and then reinstated, while three board members, including Toner, were sidelined. Their situation has become the subject of an upcoming film, and along with the film’s director Luca Guadagnino, they have reportedly met in person.
According to Time Magazine, Toner was recognized as one of the top 100 most influential figures in AI for 2024, a testament to her advocacy for AI regulation by policymakers worldwide.
At CSET, Toner leads a team of 60 researchers focusing on AI applications for white papers aimed at briefing policymakers, particularly in military, labor, biosecurity, and cybersecurity contexts.
“My primary focus is on the intersections of AI, safety and security issues, the Chinese AI landscape, and what is termed frontier AI,” explained Toner.
Toner expressed concern that the US may fall behind China in the AI race. Although US export controls on chips complicate China’s access to competitive computing power, the country is making substantial strides in AI, illustrated by the surprising success of its generative AI model, Deepseek, earlier this year.
Toner criticized the Trump administration’s research cuts and international student bans as being “gifts” to China in the AI competition with the US.
“It’s undeniably a significant gift for China. The current US approach to attacking scientific research and the talents of foreigners—a considerable part of the US workforce comprises immigrants, many from China—is a boon for them in this contest,” she remarked.
The AI boom has raised alarms about job security, with concerns that AI may replace many human jobs. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, which developed the generative AI model Claude, recently stated that AI could eliminate 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs, potentially leading to a 20% unemployment rate over the next five years.
Though Toner acknowledged Amodei’s predictions, she noted, “While I often find his assertions directionally correct, they tend to sound overly aggressive in timelines and figures,” but she agreed that disruptions in the job market are already occurring.
“The current capabilities of [language model-based AI] are best suited for small, manageable tasks rather than long-term projects that require human oversight,” she advised.
Experts suggest that organizations heavily invested in AI are feeling pressure to demonstrate returns on their investments. Toner remarked that while practical applications of AI can yield considerable value, it remains unclear which business models or players will successfully unlock that value.
The integration of AI services could range from enhancing existing applications, such as a phone keyboard that transcribes voices, to standalone chatbots, but she remarked that it’s still uncertain what role AI will ultimately play.
Toner noted that the push for profitability presents risks that could overshadow the advancement race in AI.
“This reflects how companies are weighed down by the need to balance between rapid product releases and the thorough testing needed to implement additional safety measures that could also complicate user experience,” she elaborated.
“Such companies must make these trade-offs while feeling the pressure to accelerate as much as possible.”
Toner voiced her concerns regarding the concept of a “progressive power” of AI, which suggests gradual integration of AI systems into various societal and governmental facets; acknowledging it may be too late to reevaluate this path.
She expressed optimism regarding AI’s potential to enhance scientific research, drug discovery, and autonomous driving solutions like Waymo, which could significantly reduce road fatalities.
“With AI, the goal isn’t perfection; it’s to exceed existing alternatives. In the automotive sector, the alternative involves thousands of annual deaths. If we can improve that scenario, it’s remarkable; countless lives could be saved,” she articulated.
Toner humorously mentioned that a friend suggested potential actresses to portray her in the film.
“One suggestion was a stunningly talented actress,” she said. “Anyone they choose will definitely be a worthy pick.”
As we age, flexibility tends to decrease. Clinicians utilize tests like “Sit down and stand” to assess older adults’ ability to rise from a chair, helping to identify risks associated with falls and frailty.
There are numerous factors contributing to decreased mobility as we age. Tendons might cause the joints to tighten, impacting the cartilage between them. Additionally, ligaments typically weaken, and muscle tightness around the joints, along with reduced synovial fluid, can exacerbate the situation.
Our muscle mass doesn’t just stay the same; it diminishes with age, particularly the quadriceps in the front of the thighs, which are crucial for standing up from a chair.
The encouraging news is that these changes can be mitigated. Engaging in regular physical activity is believed to slow down the loss of flexibility while also enhancing bone density, heart health, and mental well-being.
Studies reveal that older adults who remain physically active can achieve a broader range of motion compared to their sedentary peers. The NHS guidelines recommend that older individuals engage in strength, balance, and flexibility exercises at least twice weekly, in addition to 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity weekly (or 75 minutes of vigorous activity if they’re already active).
If you do exercise regularly, don’t forget to incorporate stretching. Yoga can be beneficial if you’re able to practice it, but even simple stretches can enhance flexibility and be performed while watching TV or chatting on the phone! It’s advisable to consult someone trained to demonstrate proper stretching techniques.
Your diet also plays a crucial role. Consuming adequate proteins helps in muscle building, particularly with nutrients like calcium and vitamin D that support bone density.
While aging does lead to less flexibility and makes standing up more challenging, there are proactive steps you can take to counteract these effects!
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Questioner: Alexandra Wereck, Cambria
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Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has tasked the Food and Drug Administration with conducting a safety assessment of Mifepristone, the primary medication used in most abortions in the U.S. This week, Kennedy indicated that the review was prompted by a “surprising” report on significant adverse events that was released last month.
“At the very least, it clearly indicates that we need to modify the labeling,” he stated during the Senate budget hearing on Wednesday, addressing Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo). “We requested FDA Director Marty McCurry to carry out a comprehensive review and provide a report.”
The report suggests that neither peer-reviewed studies nor medical journals have identified a higher rate of serious complications from Mifepristone than that reported by the FDA. It calls for “further investigation into the harm Mifepristone may cause to women” and urges a “reconsideration of its approval entirely.”
Published online in April by the Center for Ethics and Public Policy, a conservative think tank that endorses Jewish and Christian values, the center is associated with the Advisory Committee for Project 2025, which pushes right-wing policy initiatives allegedly influencing many recent actions by President Donald Trump.
Conversely, data shows that fewer than 0.5% of women taking Mifepristone experience serious side effects, while the report claims the actual figure is about 11%.
Researchers studying reproductive health have criticized the report as junk science, exaggerating the medication’s risks.
Dr. Ushima Upadyyay, a public health scientist from the University of California, San Francisco, expressed on Thursday, “We should be cautious about public health officials demanding a review of science.”
“A rigorous study, which involved my own consultation with a clinician, ensured that the medication is safe for use at home,” she added.
The report claims its analysis is based on 865,727 insurance claims for women prescribed abortion medications, yet it does not disclose the database used, failing to adhere to standard scientific research protocols. Multiple external researchers have noted that the definition of a “serious adverse event” is broad enough to capture minor side effects like daily bleeding. However, the report’s authors assert that they excluded mild or moderate events.
Regardless, complications after medication abortions were categorized as “serious” in contradiction to medical consensus. The Mifepristone label already indicates that the treatment fails in roughly 2.6% of cases, with the physician community suggesting the failure rate may reach up to 5%. Additionally, the report classified ectopic pregnancies as serious incidents, even in the context of Mifepristone use.
Alina Salganicoff, the director of the Women’s Health Policy Program at KFF—a health policy research and news organization—asserted that the report “does not meet generally accepted research standards,” noting that using insurance claims to evaluate abortion outcomes is ineffective as “many abortions, especially early ones, are not covered by insurance.”
Rachel Jones, a leading research scientist at the Guttmacher Institute, an organization advocating for abortion access, remarked that the report seems to stem from ideology rather than science.
“The FDA typically relies on clinical trials and studies, but this isn’t the case here. It should not influence current policies,” she stated.
The authors of the report responded to these criticisms in a post on the Center’s website, claiming the peer review system is biased against anti-abortion groups, leaving “no opportunity to publish peer-reviewed analyses that provide critical views on abortion medications.”
“As the largest ever study on abortion drugs reveals they are neither safe nor effective, the abortion industry has opted to misrepresent our findings to protect their financial interests, jeopardizing women’s health,” said the report.
Dr. Christina Francis, CEO of the American Pro-Life Physicians Association, indicated that the report sends a message for the FDA to conduct a thorough reassessment of Mifepristone’s safety.
“We have long urged the FDA to conduct a more detailed review of the real-world complication rates,” she explained. “In my view, this report is timely and much needed.”
HHS, which handles media inquiries for the FDA, did not provide comments upon request.
Reproductive health researchers argue that disseminating flawed research represents one of the many strategies employed by anti-abortion groups to restrict access to Mifepristone, alongside litigation and lobbying federal officials.
“Organizations wishing to ban abortions often produce these types of studies,” said Jones.
Misleading research has previously contributed to legal challenges against Mifepristone access, which were ultimately withdrawn by the Supreme Court. In a 2023 decision temporarily revoking Mifepristone’s approval, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kakusmalik cited a study from an anti-abortion group that was later retracted by a medical publisher.
Attorneys General from Idaho, Kansas, and Missouri sought to revive a lawsuit in October against Mifepristone in the same Texas federal court. However, earlier this month, the Trump administration requested the judge dismiss the case.
Julia Kaye, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, indicated at a press conference that this might complicate the administration’s legal arguments in other ongoing cases. Other legal experts view this as a strategy to sidestep taking a definitive stance on abortion.
During his confirmation hearing, Kennedy pledged to align with Trump on abortion issues, proposing on Wednesday that Trump would ultimately determine how Mifepristone is managed in the U.S.
“We believe that policy shifts will ultimately pass through President Trump,” he stated.
Absolutely, you possess beauty in every form. It shines through in your attractiveness, charm, intelligence, grace, and charisma (at least when you’re not in the midst of a nose-picking session).
However, there may be times when you don’t feel wonderful. For those trapped in that “ugly duckling” phase, numerous trends and products—from skin-taping to turmeric gargling—might seem to provide a way forward. Regrettably, many of these beauty hacks lack substantial evidence to support them.
So, what actually enhances your allure? And which myths should we ignore? Here’s what scientific research reveals: and spoiler alert—it fundamentally revolves around not being a jerk.
1. Charm is Truly Relative
The science behind charm is a bit complex. It’s become trendy for certain “podcast men” to either misuse or twist “scientific facts” regarding what people consider attractive.
Yet, beneath the chatter, there is an established scientific discipline that investigates appeal—delving into the characteristics that psychologists deem attractive to romantic and sexual partners.
Dr. Ed Morrison, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Portsmouth, elucidates that many charming traits often mirror a person’s underlying biology. “That’s evolution,” he notes. “When selecting your peers, you assess their biological markers: hormones, health, and genes.”
However, it’s essential to highlight that charm isn’t always that straightforward. As Dr. Veronica Lamart, a senior lecturer in psychology at Essex University, points out, isolating biology from culture can be challenging.
“Attractiveness is a somewhat subjective experience,” she shares. “At any given moment, certain physical traits deemed attractive might simply reflect advantageous characteristics or indicate social desirability.”
Across culture and history, concepts of beauty have varied widely, ranging from traditional Chinese foot binding and Japanese blackened teeth to the elongated skulls appreciated by ancient Mayans, along with practices among certain Tajikistani women emphasizing integration. Although these customs may seem foreign to outsiders, they represent culturally specific ideals of beauty and identity.
To sum up, beauty is not universal, objective, or static. It is profoundly shaped by culture—and some individuals may find themselves attractive while others are left bewildered.
Nonetheless, countless studies, primarily targeting white heterosexual individuals in Europe and North America, have attempted to uncover what traits people generally find appealing. The findings may come as a surprise to many…
2. You’re More Attractive on a Roller Coaster
Riding roller coasters can enhance attractiveness as adrenaline tricks the brain, misinterpreting fear as romantic attraction—Credit: Skynesher via Getty
There’s an abundance of tips for creating the ideal date, but Lamarch argues that incorporating healthy elements of fear and danger can amplify your emotions.
“Classic research was conducted on unstable bridges,” states Lamarche—research from 1974. “On unstable bridges, individuals rated others as more attractive due to the misattribution of fear stemming from their precarious situation.”
This phenomenon is termed the “misattribution of arousal” theory. Thus, LaMarch advises taking your date to an amusement park or watching a horror film (but maybe not both).
3. Attraction Isn’t About Income
The so-called “Manosphere” often perpetuates the idea that women are gold diggers, solely valuing men for their financial assets. However, Lamarche contends that much of the research leading to this conclusion is outdated and mirrors the patriarchal norms of its time.
“Fifty or sixty years ago, seeking someone who could provide financially meant something entirely different,” she explains. “In that era, when physical safety and happiness were at stake, it wasn’t as shallow as it may appear.”
In today’s context, there’s no compelling evidence that wealth is inherently attractive. Your efforts would likely be better invested elsewhere.
Money may be nice, but it doesn’t mean others will find you attractive. – Credit: westend61 via Getty
4. Vegetables Can Make You Shine
Though it may seem peculiar, consuming orange-hued vegetables can indeed enhance one’s appearance, as studies have demonstrated that specific plant pigments can improve skin quality.
Carotenoids—antioxidants found in yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables like butternut squash, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, mangoes, and oranges—are key players here.
“When you observe someone’s skin, you’re essentially gauging their underlying health,” Morrison states. The study involved manipulating skin tone in photographs and asking individuals to rate the attractiveness of each image.
“In all instances, softening the skin tone tended to enhance appeal.”
You are what you consume, and if you indulge in plenty of orange vegetables, expect a hint of that vibrant hue to emerge. – Credit: Science Photo Library via Getty
5. Physical Appearance Matters Less Than You Think (Especially for Men)
Regardless of what Jim’s brother might insist, physical appearance isn’t the sole determinant of charm, especially concerning heterosexual men, as noted by Morrison.
Conversely, women tend to prioritize personality traits over mere physical attraction.
Lamarche notes, “People aren’t simply focused on who looks the hottest,” emphasizing that they often pursue those they view as most physically appealing.
6. Be a Good Person
All the most crucial captivating traits that both Lamarch and Morrison identify as universally appealing are interestingly simple.
Cross-culturally, individuals value kindness, dependability, intelligence, and honesty, while traits like aggression are generally viewed as unattractive.
Also, honor those close to you. According to the principle of proximity, “We tend to be more drawn to people who are in close proximity to us,” says LaMarch.
Morrison adds:
“The primary factor you can modify is how you present yourself. If your goal is to become appealing, cultivating an attractive, engaging, and interesting persona is likely the best approach.”
Read more:
About Our Experts
Dr. Ed Morrison serves as a senior lecturer and doctoral supervisor at the University of Portsmouth. As a member of the Center for Comparative and Evolutionary Psychology, he focuses on evolutionary models of behavior. Morrison’s research interests lie within the realm of human partnership initiation, particularly regarding movement and facial attractiveness.
Dr. Veronica Lamart is a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Essex. She completed her PhD in Working Psychology at the University of Buffalo, New York, in 2017. Lamart’s research involves understanding how individuals manage trust and dependence in romantic engagements, as well as how feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability impact relationship stability.
When an unavoidable tragedy occurs and astronauts lose their lives in space, the astroforensics team is summoned to identify the perpetrator. But how does one investigate a murder in an environment devoid of gravity?
The Yo-yo Diet Phenomenon
Our fat cells possess memories, which may explain why so many diets fail. If the weight you shed continues to resurface, you may find yourself caught in a “yo-yo diet” cycle. Here are effective strategies to maintain your weight.
The Mysterious Galaxy
Six red dots identified by the James Webb Space Telescope are causing significant challenges for astrophysicists. These elusive points are so uncommon that they jeopardize our understanding of the universe.
The Intelligence of Fungi
New findings suggest that fungi may exhibit signs of intelligence… but does this imply they possess consciousness? While some experts believe they do, others remain skeptical. Here’s what we know.
plus
“Natural” Cosmetics: Why the once praised “natural” cosmetics could be more harmful to the planet than their lab-engineered counterparts.
Dark Oxygen: Researchers in the deep sea hypothesize that “dark oxygen” is generated on the ocean floor. Meanwhile, deep-sea miners dispute this notion, sparking a heated debate.
Q&A: Your queries answered! This month: Is suspended animation a reality? Does the deep sea have seasons? Why does Mars seem so peculiar? Is AI producing false memories? Can tumors cultivate their own organs? Is it possible to avoid “Ozempic Face”? Have you ever intercepted messages from aliens? And more…
The ginger cat results from a unique genetic variation that, as far as scientists can tell, isn’t found in other species.
A recent survey published in Current Biology reveals that this variation is linked to the faulty expression of a gene called Arhgap36, which has never been associated with the development of mammalian ginger fur.
Interestingly, this gene resides on the X chromosome, which helps explain why most orange cats are male.
Similar to other male animals, including humans, cats possess one X and one Y chromosome. The gene for orange fur is on the X chromosome; therefore, if a male inherits an X chromosome with the orange gene, he will display an entirely orange coat.
Conversely, female cats have two X chromosomes. To display complete orange fur, they must inherit the orange gene from both of their X chromosomes. If they inherit it on only one, the other X may carry a non-orange gene.
This results in a mix of colors in their fur—like the patchy orange, black, and white patterns observed in Calico and Tortoiseshell cats.
Female cats with one copy of the orange gene often have partially orange fur, like this calico cat. – Credit: Jacobi’s Nils via Getty
The relationship between orange fur and sex applies to cats but not to other orange mammals, such as tigers, orangutans, or red-haired humans.
According to Dr. Christopher Kaelin, Senior Scientist and Lead Author at Stanford Medicine Genetics and Research, the orange mutations in those animals occur due to one of two genes, neither of which are sex-linked.
As a result, orange cats appear to be “genetic exceptions.”
The study confirms that ginger cats exhibit genetic anomalies, but the evidence is still inconclusive regarding whether this unique trait contributes to their reputation for being a mischievous bunch.
To determine if the ARHGAP36 mutation has any impact beyond fur color, researchers have examined various organs, including the kidneys, heart, brain, and adrenal glands, in both orange and non-orange cats, finding no significant differences.
Kaelin remarked, “I don’t think we can exclude the possibility of gene expression changes in untested tissues that might influence behavior.”
He also mentioned that the prevalent notion of orange cats causing chaos could largely be attributed to their male predominance, noting that there is limited scientific research on the personalities of orange cats.
Larry Niven is a towering figure in the realm of science fiction, and I felt honored to interview him via Zoom from his home in Los Angeles. His seminal 1970 novel, Ringworld, is this month’s selection for the New Scientist Book Club. However, his literary contributions span numerous novels and short stories, including one of my personal favorites, An outdated world. At 87, he continues to write, and we discussed his insights on Ringworld, the projects he’s currently working on, and his thoughts on humanity’s potential to venture beyond our solar system. Below is an edited transcript of our conversation.
Emily H. Wilson: Larry, thank you for participating in this interview and for being part of the New Scientist Book Club. It is a tremendous honor to speak with someone so central to the evolution of this genre.
Larry Niven: Thank you.
EHW: What inspired you to become a science fiction writer?
LN: I was immersed in science fiction during my early adulthood, but I only discovered the fandom when I started selling my stories. That connection was invaluable for me.
EHW: What was the genesis of the idea behind Ringworld?
LN: The concept of the Dyson sphere—hypothetical megastructures in space—was introduced to me by another writer, possibly Paul Anderson. Intrigued by the idea, I realized we could observe other civilizations based on their energy usage. But to harness that energy, one needs a way to block sunlight. I envisioned using rotational gravity for the Dyson sphere, focusing on its equatorial regions, and thus conceptualized the “poor man’s Dyson sphere.”
EHW: A book club member noted that Ringworld evokes a sense of awe and wonder.
LN: My choice to depict a grand structure, despite the risk of ridicule, contributed to my success. Ringworld serves as a knowledge playground where readers can engage with its complexities and even rediscover my oversights.
EHW: Reflecting back from 2025, it seems like it was an immediate success, altering your career trajectory.
LN: That’s absolutely true.
EHW: You mentioned in your writings that New Scientist highlighted how students and scholars engaged with physics concepts in Ringworld post-publication. How did that affect you? Do you think we will see such global interaction today?
LN: Science fiction permeates various media like film and comics. While Ringworld remains significant, capturing the attention of mathematicians isn’t straightforward.
LN: It’s about envisioning the future. Things are in flux, and science fiction highlights the notion that minds can think similarly but are fundamentally different.
EHW: Why did you write Ringworld Engineers as a sequel? One book club member mentioned that it was their first introduction to your work.
LN: I aimed to improve upon Ringworld since its inhabitants were not fleshed out enough. Robert Heinlein told me that the two books together formed a significant narrative.
EHW: The universe in Ringworld set in known space led to extensive narrative weaving. How did that come about?
LN: It seemed logical to create interlinked stories within the universe I had built. This web of narrative has been evolving for over 60 years.
EHW: If you were to rewrite Ringworld today, would it differ from the original?
LN: I’ve often thought that if I were to begin anew, I would focus on the barriers of interstellar travel. Building a ring world implies challenges in reaching other stars.
EHW: At what point in your career did you become a full-time science writer? Did you ever balance it with other jobs?
LN: I was a science enthusiast, particularly in astrophysics and astronomy. At 24, I realized my options were limited, which led me to start writing.
EHW: How is science fiction perceived today?
LN: I’m not as engaged with the field nowadays. I often buy books online for my Kindle, but that doesn’t mean I make the most of the current offerings.
EHW: One of my favorites of yours, An outdated world, isn’t widely read despite being a fantastic story told concisely. What can you share about writing that book?
LN: Initially, it was a dystopian tale about people frozen for the future, struggling with their wishes when they were revived—without civil rights. I encapsulated that in a short story called Rammer, which turned into the first chapter of An outdated world. I eventually continued that narrative as I became comfortable exploring the future.
EHW: You were known for your collaboration on The Mote in God’s Eye with Jerry Pournelle. How do two authors co-write a novel?
LN: Jerry and I collaborated on roughly nine novels. When he proposed the idea to co-write, I accepted without knowing where it would lead, and it turned out to be both fun and challenging. Our involvement with the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Association helped shape the narrative over three years and even earned us an award for the best unfinished novel.
EHW: Before this interview, you mentioned your book Draco’s Izakaya, a collection of short stories. I approached it hesitantly, as I’m not a short story person. It uniquely merges narratives, introducing readers to aliens through the bartender’s character. It felt more like a novel than a traditional collection. What was your aim in writing it?
LN: I started writing short stories knowing they needed substance beyond mere glimpses. My goal for Draco’s Izakaya was to convey wisdom within a lean structure, crafting a narrative that felt unified despite its brevity.
EHW: If you were to recommend four other books alongside Draco’s Izakaya, which would you choose?
LN: Depending on the individual asking, I might suggest: Lucifer’s Hammer for casual readers, Scaffold for military personnel, Ringworld for true fans, and Destiny’s Road for general audiences as well.
LN: I’m collaborating with Stephen Burns on a space novel featuring Gil “Arm” Hamilton. We’ve begun an anthology project, and our short story, The Sacred Cow, which features Gil, won an award from Analog Magazine. Now, we’re encouraged to produce more content.
EHW: A few quick questions: What is your favorite science fiction book that you didn’t write?
LN: I truly enjoy Nova by Samuel R. Delany.
EHW: What is a favorite book in a genre you haven’t ventured into?
LN: I believe it must be The Wizard of Oz.
EHW: What is your favorite science fiction television show?
LN: Star Trek, but I’m not as caught up with it.
EHW: What is your all-time favorite sci-fi film?
LN: I have a fondness for Destination Moon and admire ambitious works like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Rollerball for their ambition.
EHW: What advice would you give to aspiring science fiction writers today?
LN: I think I’m prepared to encounter the puppeteers from my works or the Mediator.
EHW: And do you think humanity will eventually leave this solar system?
LN: We’re making advancements, though not as quickly as we imagined. Initially, we thought reaching the moon would be simple, and it has proven quite challenging.
Larry, thank you for this enlightening conversation. It has truly been a privilege.
LN: You’re welcome. I always enjoy speaking with New Scientist. Be sure to read and savor!
Larry Niven’sRingworld is the latest selection for the New Scientist Book Club. Join us to read along!
In the event of a global disaster affecting international trade and fuel supplies, our survival may hinge on a resilient yet practical diet consisting of peas, potatoes, sugar beets, and spinach.
This perspective emerges from a recent study featured in the journal PLOS 1.
The research, conducted by Dr. Matt Boyd of Adapt Research Ltd and Professor Nick Wilson from The University of Otago, New Zealand, examined how cities could sustain themselves amidst scenarios like nuclear conflict, severe pandemics, or significant solar flares that might disrupt global food systems.
These situations could hinder access to vital resources, such as fuel and fertilizers, jeopardizing industrial agriculture and long-distance transportation.
Prior studies have highlighted urban agriculture, including rooftop gardens and community plots, as potential methods to bolster local resilience. However, Boyd and Wilson sought to determine the actual efficacy of these efforts.
They utilized satellite imagery to assess the food production capacity of Palmerston North, a temperate city in New Zealand.
The findings revealed that urban agriculture could sustain only about one-fifth of the city’s population, even under optimal conditions where all suitable urban spaces became gardens.
To fully nourish the city, over 1,140 hectares of farmland would need to be repurposed for food production, along with an extra 110 hectares to cultivate biofuel crops for agricultural machinery in the absence of liquid fuels.
Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of the study is the proposed diet.
“Every individual requires a specific amount of protein and energy to stave off hunger,” Boyd stated to BBC Science Focus.
“Among the crops we analyzed, peas necessitate minimal land to fulfill one person’s protein and energy requirements when cultivated with urban farming techniques.”
Palmerston North in New Zealand – home to around 90,000 residents – was used to estimate how urban areas and adjacent farmlands could feed a moderately sized city in the aftermath of a global disaster. – Getty
However, Boyd noted that while peas thrive in situations with climates similar to today’s, they may not survive the colder conditions anticipated after a nuclear winter.
This phenomenon occurs when soot from a nuclear explosion blocks sunlight, cooling the planet and resulting in shorter growing seasons and lower average temperatures. In such scenarios, sugar beets and spinach would be more viable options, as both crops are hardy and high in energy content.
Traditional farming methods remain accessible just outside urban areas, assuming limited reliance on nearby land and fuel. Under typical climate conditions, potatoes can efficiently feed people using minimal land.
“However, they are susceptible to frost,” Boyd remarked, which is problematic in nuclear winter conditions.
“When we combine 3% carrots with 97% wheat, we achieve optimal protein and energy levels for wheat. Both wheat and carrots can endure frost and require less liquid fuel than potatoes.”
Fortunately, this doesn’t imply a rigid diet consisting solely of these foods. The study offers a strategy for maximizing the number of people fed with minimal land usage, representing a worst-case scenario dietary plan.
“In practice, it’s likely that a diverse crop mixture would be cultivated,” Boyd explained. “However, when determining what to grow near a city, priority should be given to crops that provide high protein and energy levels.”
The researchers believe their methodology will assist cities globally in evaluating food security and developing land use strategies that enhance resilience. However, cities bounded by large bodies of water or those that are densely populated may need to explore alternative approaches.
“The likelihood of global catastrophes is increasing due to emerging bio threats, geopolitical tensions, and technological advancements,” Boyd cautioned. “Society must be prepared for both the destruction of infrastructure and the aftermath of such events.”
“Our study’s insights suggest that with local government support and proactive measures, cities can adopt localized solutions to enhance resilience.”
About our experts
Matt Boyd founded Adapt Research in 2015, focusing on custom research collaborations with experts. His work centers on analyzing and mitigating significant global risks, along with technology and public health issues. Boyd’s findings are published in peer-reviewed journals, including New Zealand Medical Journal and Public Health Journals in Australia and New Zealand.
A recent survey published in the journal Communication Physics reveals that eggs are more likely to crack when they fall on their sides.
What implications does this have for cracking eggs? Eggs for breakfast? It may not matter significantly. The middle section remains intact while the Golden Fork fills with escaping whites.
Scientists suggest that this knowledge could aid in cooking stubborn eggs: dropping them horizontally may prevent a destructive crack that leads to a messy, cloudy interior.
Common belief holds that eggs are strongest at their edges, as demonstrated by their packaging in cartons. It’s thought that the curved base of the egg helps distribute force and minimize impact.
However, during compression tests, scientists found that eggs cracked with the same force regardless of the direction of pressure.
“The fun started when I expected one outcome and got another,” remarked Hudson Borja da Rocha from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who was involved in the experiment.
The researchers conducted simulations, releasing eggs from three heights in both horizontal and vertical orientations, ranging down to 0.4 inches (10 mm).
The outcome? Fewer eggs broke when dropped horizontally.
“Conventional wisdom holds that vertical eggs are stronger than they appear, but this research shows otherwise,” stated Mark Myers, a materials scientist at the University of California, San Diego, who was not part of the study.
The research found that the equator of the egg is more flexible and can absorb more energy from a fall before breaking.
Eggs are often used in at-home experiments for egg drop challenges, which has partly inspired this new research. It remains uncertain whether these findings will help safeguard these delicate eggs.
Tal Cohen, a co-author from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, noted that it’s somewhat counterintuitive that the rectangular sides of the egg can better endure falls.
Countless broken eggs illustrate “the bravery to question these widely accepted notions.”
On Friday, the White House unveiled a budget proposal outlining significant reforms at NASA as part of its initiative to secure $163 billion in federal funding.
The suggested reductions include a nearly 25% cut, translating to over $6 billion, from NASA’s budget. The most substantial decreases target the agency’s Space Science, Earth Science, and Mission Support divisions.
The blueprint also advocates for a space launch system rocket and Orion spacecraft aimed at returning astronauts to the moon, but proposes to terminate the program after just two more missions.
The SLS Megarocket and Orion Spacecraft were fundamental components of NASA’s Artemis Moon initiative, named after the Greek goddess associated with the moon. This mission aimed to create a base camp on the lunar surface and facilitate regular missions.
Critics have pointed out that the SLS rocket exceeds the scale and capabilities of the historic Saturn V booster used in the Apollo missions, resulting in significant delays and budget overruns.
President Donald Trump’s budget draft seeks to terminate the Artemis II test flight, expected to launch in early 2026, as well as the Artemis III mission, planned for mid-2027.
A document outlining the budget requests indicates a shift in NASA’s funding priorities aimed at “returning to the moon and placing the first human on Mars.”
The proposal envisions a hub for space stations in lunar orbit, along with the cancellation of the lunar gateway project, which was intended to play a crucial role in upcoming deep-space missions.
Other significant changes include a $2.265 billion reduction in NASA’s Space Science budget, a $1.161 billion cut in Earth Science funding, and a $5 billion decrease for the International Space Station.
Additionally, these budget cuts will shrink the size of the crew aboard the space station and limit scientific research capabilities, while preparing for its decommissioning by 2030, as part of a transition to commercial space stations, dependent on budget requirements.
In an internal email obtained by NBC News, NASA’s acting administrator, Janet Petro, stated that the proposed budget “demonstrates the administration’s backing for our mission and sets the foundation for our next significant accomplishment.”
She encouraged NASA employees to “exercise patience, resilience, and the discipline needed to achieve unprecedented feats,” acknowledging the budgetary constraints as “difficult choices” that would result in some activities being discontinued.
Among other points, Petro highlighted that under the discretionary budget, NASA would dissolve the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft programs, as well as the gateway initiative, and halt funding for the Mars sample return project.
Petro’s communications did not specify which aerospace and defense contractors might gain or lose federal support due to these proposed changes. However, companies such as SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, and the United Launch Alliance (a collaboration between Boeing and Lockheed Martin) are positioned as leading launch providers in the absence of the SLS.
Following the rejection of numerous authors by the Trump administration for the upcoming national climate assessment, two scientific organizations have embarked on initiatives to publish special collections of climate change research.
Earlier this week, researchers were informed that their contributions would no longer be needed for the national climate assessment.
The future of this assessment is uncertain, and some authors have voiced concerns that its integrity is compromised, lacking scientific rigor or the ability to adequately convey the risks associated with climate change.
Robert Kopp, a professor of Earth and Planetary Science at Rutgers University and one of the authors affected by the recent decisions regarding the National Climate Assessment, commented:
In response to the administration’s actions, the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the American Meteorological Society (AMS) announced on Friday their plans to curate a special collection focused on climate research, as stated in press releases from both organizations.
As per the news release, this collection will span over 20 peer-reviewed journals and aims to “sustain momentum” in the work relevant to the National Climate Assessment, in light of the author and staff rejections.
AGU President Brandon Jones noted in a statement that this special collection is not meant to serve as an “alternative” to the national climate assessment but represents “a unique opportunity to publish new research and reviews that could support climate assessments focused on the U.S.”
The White House has not commented on the rationale behind the rejection of National Climate Assessment authors or the administration’s plans moving forward.
The 1990 Global Change Research Act mandates the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) to submit reports to the President and Congress every four years, with national climate assessments previously satisfying this obligation. These reports summarize the best available science on climate change physics, its effects on the U.S., and societal adaptations. They also include localized climate forecasts for various regions to inform the public about community risks.
The latest assessment, published in 2023, comprised around 2,200 pages across 37 chapters. It highlighted that the lower 48 states have experienced an average warming of 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1970, alongside increasingly severe weather events and costly disasters.
“If you’re a state official, business leader, or a member of the public looking to understand the impacts of climate change on the economy, coastal areas, or human health,” Kopp stated:
The National Climate Assessment is a culmination of the efforts of hundreds of researchers volunteering their time, although it is organized by USGCRP staff. In April, the White House ceased funding for this organization.
“I have no insight into the plan; I don’t think anyone does,” Kopp remarked. “They have let go of all the authors and staff of the Global Change Research Program, leaving some government positions currently unfilled.”
The USGCRP website currently states, “We are reviewing the operation and structure of USGCRP.”
Kopp mentioned that the authors of the National Climate Assessment had dedicated about a year to summarizing the chapters intended for their 2027 report and evaluating relevant themes. This summary has already been submitted for review to the federal agency, and the authors are now considering how best to proceed with it.
“We cannot replicate the NCA unless there is an organization prepared to take charge and staff up,” Kopp concluded.
Late yesterday, Seturaman Panchanathan, whom President Trump hired to run the National Science Foundation five years ago, left. He didn’t say why, but it was clear enough. Last weekend, Trump cut more than 400 active research awards from the NSF, and he is pressing Congress to halve Congress’ $9 billion budget.
The Trump administration has targeted American scientific companies, an engine of research and innovation that has been inducted for decades. The National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and NASA are cutting or frozen budgets. Thousands of researchers have been fired or paid back.
The confusion is confusing. Isn’t science an eternal power? Does it contain disease? Would it help you compete with China? Why not attract the kind of immigrants the president says he wants? In this edition of the newsletter, you will break the huge thing to understand the fuss.
investment
American research thrives under a sponsorship system that highlights dollars that Congress has approved to universities, national labs and labs. The Knowledge Factory employs tens of thousands of researchers, bringing talent from around the world, creating scientific breakthroughs and Nobel Prizes.
Science moves slowly, so it’s a slow moving system. Discoveries are often indirect and repetitive, and include collaboration between researchers who require years of granted education to become experts. Startups and businesses that need quick returns on investments are usually unable to wait long for long money or risk.
Science is capital. With some measures, all dollars spent on research will return at least $5 to the economy.
President Trump is not patient. He reimbursed university research into AIDS, pediatric cancer and solar physics. (Two well-known researchers compiled the list Lost NIH grants and NSF Awards. ) The administration has also fired thousands of federal scientists, including meteorologists from the National Weather Service. CDC’s pandemic preparation expert. A black researcher at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. Already built for $3.5 billion over a decade, the next generation space observatory is waiting for a launch that could never happen now.
Alienate scientists
Administrative authorities provide various reasons for the crackdown: cost reduction, government efficiency, and “protecting women from gender ideological extremism.” Many grants have been eliminated because they include terms such as climate, diversity, disability, trans, or women. Some portrayed the administration’s rage, as the application included a DEI statement requested by the previous administration.
You don’t need a telescope to see where this leads. American leaders have historically seen science as an investment in the future. Will this administration seize it? One third of American Nobel Prize winners were foreign-born, but immigration crackdowns wiped out scientists like Xenia Petrova, a Russian who ages at Harvard University and is now sitting in a detention center in Louisiana. Australian scholars have stopped attending conferences in the US for fear of being detained, The Guardian reported.
Now, some American scientists are looking for an exit. France, Canada and other countries are courting our researchers. A recent poll by Nature magazine found that more than 1,200 American scientists were considering working abroad. Journal recruitment platforms were seen 32% of overseas positions more applications Between January and March 2025, this was higher than the same period last year.
Ringworld by Larry Niven won both Hugo and Nebula awards in 1970, and received massive acclaim. It has been printed ever since.
It came out when humans had just landed on the moon and we seemed to be heading towards the stars. The title alone evokes a particular golden age of science fiction when (most male) writers wrestled with big physics and big ideas, imagining a distant future in which humans took on galaxy adventures.
Authors like Niven were pride in trying to get science right because they wanted to imagine what was in the universe. and Ring World Features New Scientist This month seemed like a good time to revisit Book Club and novels, and finally read it as a teenager.
How did this 55 year old work stand the test of time? After all, many books from this era are grossly dating. Because science has now made their plotline stupid. Sometimes, because sexual politics (or other cultural aspects) have begun to stink for decades.
First of all, this book is packed with ideas! You can see why it was a smash hit and eventually became part of a vast network of follow-up stories, prequels and spinoffs.
Considering how much internal lore is thrown at us, I found the novel surprisingly zippy and exposition light. Our 200-year-old hero, Louis Gridley Wu, was approached by alien Ness, known as a human-seasoned adventurer and puppeteer, and asked to come to a mysterious mission in exchange for access to new technology.
Ring World Evokes the golden age of science fiction when writers (mainly men) wrestled with big physics and big ideas
Woo and Nessus are to join their adventures with a belligerent “Kuchinti” alien like cats called Speakers and Animals (the animal in question is the other species) and a young human woman named Tierra Brown, who became apparent only later in the story. The gang travels to Ringworld of the same name and crashes after being fired by an ancient security system.
Ringworld is the star of this show. This is an ancient craft on an unthinkable scale. A world of ribbons looped around the stars, 1.6 million kilometers wide and an internal surface area of 3 million Earths. It has a diameter of 305 million kilometers and is made from a material with incredible tensile strength. In the Terra-formed innermost part of Ringworld, civilization has fallen, but life continues.
Woo and the gang have to find a way to move a vast distance across the inside of the ring and leave it. Along the way, as you can imagine, they have a lot of adventures.
There is something modern editors would probably want to cut about this 1970 novel convention, and they may want to give female characters more depth.
Meanwhile, science was thoroughly separated by readers at the time, so Niven’s follow-up, Ring World EngineerThe S, published 10 years later, was a counterargument for all people who understood the fundamental mechanism. Ring World.
This isn’t my favorite Niven. In other words An outdated world. However, revisit Ring World I starved him to return to his universe. I’m going to reaffirm some of his other classics The Mot of God’s Eyesimilarly Ring WorldThere are many interesting questions that you won’t be able to answer in the first book, so there’s a follow-up.
Strictly speaking, this section should be entitled “Larry Niven also recommended.” I recently exchanged emails with him to plan an interview and I asked him which of his books he would specifically recommend to me. He answered immediately Draco Izakaya. I didn’t have time to read it yet, but I’m very happy to be able to share this recommendation with the man himself..
Emily H. Wilson is the former editor of the new scientist and author of the Sumerian trilogy set in ancient Mesopotamia. The final novel in the series, Ninshuval, will be competing in August. You can find her at emilyhwilson.com or follow her on x @emilyhwilson and instagram @emilyhwilson1
Arts and science of writing science fiction
Explore the world of science fiction and learn how to create your own fascinating science fiction stories in this immersive weekend break.
Ringworld by Larry Niven won both Hugo and Nebula awards in 1970, and received massive acclaim. It has been printed ever since.
It came out when humans had just landed on the moon and we seemed to be heading towards the stars. The title alone evokes a particular golden age of science fiction when (most male) writers wrestled with big physics and big ideas, imagining a distant future in which humans took on galaxy adventures.
Authors like Niven were pride in trying to get science right because they wanted to imagine what was in the universe. and Ring World Features New Scientist This month seemed like a good time to revisit Book Club and novels, and finally read it as a teenager.
How did this 55 year old work stand the test of time? After all, many books from this era are grossly dating. Because science has now made their plotline stupid. Sometimes, because sexual politics (or other cultural aspects) have begun to stink for decades.
First of all, this book is packed with ideas! You can see why it was a smash hit and eventually became part of a vast network of follow-up stories, prequels and spinoffs.
Considering how much internal lore is thrown at us, I found the novel surprisingly zippy and exposition light. Our 200-year-old hero, Louis Gridley Wu, was approached by alien Ness, known as a human-seasoned adventurer and puppeteer, and asked to come to a mysterious mission in exchange for access to new technology.
Ring World Evokes the golden age of science fiction when writers (mainly men) wrestled with big physics and big ideas
Woo and Nessus are to join their adventures with a belligerent “Kuchinti” alien like cats called Speakers and Animals (the animal in question is the other species) and a young human woman named Tierra Brown, who became apparent only later in the story. The gang travels to Ringworld of the same name and crashes after being fired by an ancient security system.
Ringworld is the star of this show. This is an ancient craft on an unthinkable scale. A world of ribbons looped around the stars, 1.6 million kilometers wide and an internal surface area of 3 million Earths. It has a diameter of 305 million kilometers and is made from a material with incredible tensile strength. In the Terra-formed innermost part of Ringworld, civilization has fallen, but life continues.
Woo and the gang have to find a way to move a vast distance across the inside of the ring and leave it. Along the way, as you can imagine, they have a lot of adventures.
There is something modern editors would probably want to cut about this 1970 novel convention, and they may want to give female characters more depth.
Meanwhile, science was thoroughly separated by readers at the time, so Niven’s follow-up, Ring World EngineerThe S, published 10 years later, was a counterargument for all people who understood the fundamental mechanism. Ring World.
This isn’t my favorite Niven. In other words An outdated world. However, revisit Ring World I starved him to return to his universe. I’m going to reaffirm some of his other classics The Mot of God’s Eyesimilarly Ring WorldThere are many interesting questions that you won’t be able to answer in the first book, so there’s a follow-up.
Strictly speaking, this section should be entitled “Larry Niven also recommended.” I recently exchanged emails with him to plan an interview and I asked him which of his books he would specifically recommend to me. He answered immediately Draco Izakaya. I didn’t have time to read it yet, but I’m very happy to be able to share this recommendation with the man himself..
Emily H. Wilson is the former editor of the new scientist and author of the Sumerian trilogy set in ancient Mesopotamia. The final novel in the series, Ninshuval, will be competing in August. You can find her at emilyhwilson.com or follow her on x @emilyhwilson and instagram @emilyhwilson1
Arts and science of writing science fiction
Explore the world of science fiction and learn how to create your own fascinating science fiction stories in this immersive weekend break.
NASA’s funding cuts have already impacted US research and education programs
dcstockphotography/shutterstock
NASA has cancelled contracts and grants worth up to $420 million, following guidance from the Trump administration’s government efficiency (DOGE). The reductions will impact research projects and education programs in the United States, but NASA says it’s perfect for checking exactly which organizations are affected.
After Doge, an independent task force led by tech billionaire Elon Musk, NASA confirmed the amount but refused to specify which programs were cancelled. Casey Drier The Planetary Association, a California-based nonprofit organization, list of a program that has recently lost funds using the agency’s public grant database. NASA has since deleted the database and did not respond to questions about the accuracy of the list.
Much of the cuts on Dreyer’s list coincides with President Donald Trump’s skepticism about climate science and his administration’s active targets regarding his interpretation of the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) program.
Climate-related cancellations include a Massachusetts Institute of Technology project that uses satellite sensors to map the impacts of extreme heat, air pollution and flooding. Another target was a University of Oklahoma study to develop digital twin simulations that predict the impact of flooding on tribal lands.
However, it is unclear why NASA has ended support for other research, such as using bioengineering cells to investigate how spaceflight affects the human body and modelling how lunar dust can contaminate future lunar missions.
NASA spokesman Bethany Stevens said New Scientist The agency is “to work with the Ministry of Government Efficiency initiative to optimize the workforce and resources.” Doge urged agencies across the US government to cut funding or shut down altogether.
But it says that ongoing grants and contract cancellations will fly in the face of a “strict” review process that selected them in the first place as “the most scientifically appropriate proposal.” Michael Batario At Yale University. “Politics cannot and should not define what is scientifically worth studying at the level of individual grants,” says Batario, who is studying the atmosphere of Mars and Titan in preparation for future missions.
“DEI related cuts get me the most out of the way.” Bruce Jacoski He was the lead scientist at NASA’s Maven Mission to Mars at the University of Colorado, Boulder. “These grants are about reaching out to underrepresented groups and making people accessible to training and education. None of them appears to promote people who are less qualified than more qualified.”
For example, NASA cut funding for a conference hosted by the National Association of Black Physicists, a longtime nonprofit that promotes the professional well-being of African-American physicists and physics students. “We were told that the reason for cancelling the contract is to comply with the president’s executive order regarding the DEI,” he said. Stephen Robersonpresident of the National Association of Black Physics. “We would like to appeal this decision and explain further why an annual conference, in which people of all races and academic levels present scientific research, is considered a DEI.”
New Scientist They reached out to researchers and organizations that they thought were affected, but few responded to the National Association of Black Physicists. The San Diego Aerospace Museum, featured on Drayer’s list, said NASA’s funding for educational events appears to be still intact, despite the NASA database indicating changes to the grant’s end date. NASA did not respond to requests to verify the status of this fund.
Approximately 1,900 leading researchers have denounced the Trump administration Open Letter On Monday, it conducted a “wholesale assault on National Science” that could backtrack research for decades, threatening the health and safety of Americans.
All signatories of the letter were warned by the damages caused by layoffs in health and science institutions, all elected members of the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine, and by the cuts and delays in funding that have historically supported research within government and across American universities.
“For over 80 years, wise investments by the US government have built up national research companies and are a global hope,” the letter states. “Amazingly, the Trump administration is destabilizing the company by stripping funds for research, firing thousands of scientists, removing public access to scientific data, and pressures researchers to change or abandon their work on ideological basis.”
The letter stated that many universities and research institutes have so far “became antagonistic to the administration and remained silent in order to put their funds at risk.” However, he said, “The country’s scientific enterprises are undoubtedly undoubtedly.”
The signatories urged Americans to appeal to Congress to protect scientific funds.
With Elon Musk’s efforts to cut spending on institutions he considers as ideological enemies and President Trump’s crackdown, the administration has sought to dismantle some of the federal government’s scientific fundraising equipment.
Funding from the National Institutes of Health, which supports jobs by more than 300,000 scientists across the country, has down billions of dollars from typical levels in the early months of the Trump administration.
The White House has also moved to cancel research in certain areas, including transgender health and climate science.
The Trump administration announced last week that it had fired 10,000 Health and Human Services Department employees as part of a broader restructuring that reflects the priorities of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The department hired unreliable vaccine skeptics to study the links that have been exposed by scientists for a long time between vaccines and autism. On Friday, the country’s top vaccine regulator resigned, citing Kennedy’s “misinformation and lies.”
Over the past few weeks, members of the National Academy of Medicine, a nonprofit that provides independent health policy advice, have begun discussing concerns with members of the National Academy of Science and Engineering.
Dr. Stephen Wolf, the organizer of the letter studying health policy at the Federal University of Virginia, said the conversations produced open letters.
The letter was drafted by a group of 13 scientists representing fields such as medicine, climate science, sociology and economics.
“We know what this does to the US life expectancy, mortality rates and the mental health crisis we have,” Dr. Wolf said. “These changes in research companies are going to lead to harm to everyday Americans.”
Dr. Wolf cited the planned reorganization of the Agency for Medical Research and Quality, a small institution responsible for protecting patient safety and ensuring Americans’ access to free preventive services like mammograms.
“The person responsible for protecting the quality of healthcare in the United States has just been demolished,” Dr. Wolf said.
The letter outlines the results of funding cuts, including a pause in research studies, faculty layoffs, and reduced enrollment of graduate students.
It also condemns the management of “censorship involvement” among other things by “blocking research on topics that appear undesirable, such as climate change, or topics that have unfavorable outcomes on topics from vaccine safety to economic trends.”
President Trump’s tariffs can increase prices, and efforts to reduce the federal workforce may lead to higher unemployment. Many economists are concerned about administration policies that will cut federal support for scientific research.
The Trump administration has recently canceled or frozen billions of dollars in federal grants for researchers, resulting in significant cuts to funding for academic medical centers and other institutions. It has also attempted to dismiss hundreds of workers at the National Science Foundation and has revoked visas for numerous foreign-born students.
These policies could jeopardize the US’s competitiveness in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, affecting the nation’s health and productivity in the long run.
“Universities play a crucial role in innovation,” says Sabrina Howell, a professor at New York University. “These policies are detrimental to our ability to innovate and grow.”
Scientists warn that the US risks losing its position as a leading research hub and a top destination for scientific talent globally.
Laboratories across the country are already laying off workers and halting projects, potentially affecting ongoing clinical trials. Top universities like Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania have announced employment freezes. Other countries are actively recruiting American scientists, offering a more welcoming environment.
Economists argue that taxpayer-funded research is crucial for early-stage studies that may not attract private investors. Research has shown that every dollar invested in research and development yields about $5 in economic returns, including intangible benefits like increased longevity and leisure time.
“Research is a high-return activity that benefits society in many ways,” said economist Benjamin F. Jones from Northwestern University. “We need to invest more in research to stay competitive.”
Unexpected discovery
Hudson Freeze’s groundbreaking research in microorganisms in the 1960s led to important discoveries in DNA replication and genetic sciences. His work showcases the vital role of government funding in scientific research.
Dr. Freeze’s discoveries underscore the importance of government support for scientific breakthroughs. While private investors may overlook research on rare disorders, government funding has led to significant advancements in medical science.
The US research and development system, established during World War II, has been instrumental in driving economic growth and innovation. Federal investments in research have led to key technologies like the Internet and modern medicine.
…
Immigration plays a crucial role in driving scientific and technological advancements in the US. Despite accounting for a small percentage of the population, immigrants have contributed significantly to innovation, patents, and entrepreneurial ventures.
Changes in immigration policy and the perception of the US as unwelcoming could deter foreign students and scientists from choosing the US for education and research. Research has shown that restrictions on immigration during the Trump administration led to a decline in Chinese students studying in the US.
“International students and scientists are responsive to the environment in the US,” said economist Britta Glennon from the University of Pennsylvania. “A welcoming atmosphere is crucial for attracting global talent.”
If we could exchange bodies, we could see and feel the world just like everyone else. This idea was not only a favorite Hollywood plot, but was recalled by the 17th century philosopher and empiricist pioneer John Locke. He used it to explore one of the greatest philosophical challenges of the human condition. Are your subjective experiences the same as others?
For Locke, the appeal of the body exchange story is probably based on today’s endurable confidence. This means that it is impossible to objectively measure subjective experience. This yawning gap in science is a problem.
Let’s take a look at an example of pain that is notoriously difficult to measure objectively. Studies have shown that women have less pain relief than men, even with similar amounts of distress. Things are even worse for people in marginalized groups. Fortunately, Investigate now The neurologist methods can rewrite how we communicate the sensation of pain, and have a major impact on equalizing treatment. A new approach to answering the question of whether color perception is the same proves fruitful for everyone (see “Are we all considered the same color? We have an answer in the end”).
Trying to measure subjective energy levels can be called “woowoo.”
The perception of color is one thing, but what about more ambiguous concepts such as energy? When you try to measure someone’s subjective energy levels, you may feel it beyond the realm of research.
Still, as our cover story explains (see “New Understanding of Tiredness Uncovering How You Recover Your Energy”), looking fresh in mind-body connections, along with biological mechanisms for energy generation in our cells, reveals a new understanding of what may drive intangible sensations that appear to lack energy.
The coalescence of such science is worthy of a tentative celebration. At first, I work to work to understand what appears to be beyond objective measurements. It helps doctors to better understand and treat patients, and helps us all lead a better life. no Funny Friday– Style body swap is required.
Standing up to a science rally in Washington Square Park, New York City on March 7th
James Dinneen
Thousands of people in American cities protested March 7th against the Trump administration's cuts to scientific funding.
In New York City, over 1,000 people gathered at Washington Square Park and chanted “Fund Science Not War!” People had signs of mourning the cut, including one that said, “Science makes America great.”
The protest was one of at least 30 “stand-up for science” rallies in US cities, and over 150 events were expected worldwide. The researchers also left the institute as part of the protest.
Since President Donald Trump took office on January 20th, the administration has cancelled or frozen billions of dollars in federal funds for scientific and medical research. Much of the reduction focuses on research related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and research on climate change and gender. The government has also fired thousands of federal employees at U.S. scientific institutions, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Science is something that needs to be cherished. I think everyone has to be here. I'm rather working with my cells in my lab, but I think we need to bring awareness to these issues.” Anna Vivineteda neuroscientist at Weill Cornell Medicine who participated in the New York protest. She had signs that read, “So bad, even introverts are here.”
Demonstrators keep signs during stand-up at a science rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on March 7th
Tierney L Cross / Bloomberg via Getty Images
“Science is being attacked, and funds are now being cut for decades in ways that affect the well-being of our country,” says Maia, a researcher at the Columbia University Eco Museum in New York. She says she and her colleagues lost funds for their research.
The largest gathering took place in Washington, D.C., where thousands of people attended. It included scientist Bill Nye. Francis Collins, former director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Several members of the Congress. Over 1,500 people attended the New York event. There, notable researchers also spoke, including Lisa Randall, the chief scientist at Meta Ayan Lekun, former NIH director and Nobel laureate, theoretical physicist at Harvard.
Researchers from around the world participated in the New York protests. “America has been a very exceptional thing to science. I really believe that science has made America great. We are very disappointed because everything is destroyed,” says a French cancer biologist.
New Scientist We also spoke with scientists from Argentina, Israel, Canada and Australia at the rally. Some of them worried that they might have to leave the US to continue their work. “I am heartbroken. Vivinezze, from Argentina, said:
Dennis Robbinsa science educator at Hunter College in New York had a sign that read, “Now I am a crazy scientist.” He says he had the same signs in his first “March for Science” protest in 2017.
#StandUpForScience2025 At the Michigan State Capitol. It's time to still come out and defend government scientific funding and sustaining evidence-based decision-making. pic.twitter.com/jvtktzocaf
– Rebecca Santelli (girlfriend) (@rebeccasantelli) March 7, 2025
A crowd of people at the Philadelphia science march! The most popular sign: “I left the lab for this.” The protests have just begun, so please join us! #marchforscience #science #philly
tHis year was 1962 and you just woke up in the shadows of the Cumbria Front Scale (now Seller Field) nuclear power plant five years after a devastating meltdown. They are trapped in a considerable isolation zone surrounding the accident scene, so they must remain alive long enough to understand how to escape. A rather challenging task by the presence of aggressive cultists, illuminated monsters, and very territorial terrorist bees. Imagine a stalker. But set in northern England, an Oxford-based developer rebellion heads towards what’s in storefronts.
Fallout may seem like another obvious inspiration in this illuminated game world, but after playing the two-hour demo, it is clear that the game will draw more charm from the classic British sci-fi. Here, lush woodlands, the Rugoro River and dry stone walls are trapped in the picturesque Lake District. But around you are 1960s cars and tanks, abandoned farm buildings, burnt-out ruins of strange sounds and symbols that suggest something very ominous is happening. The development team can see it in the dirty, dislocated scenes around you about Dr. WHO, Wicker Mann, with John Wyndham’s novel as a key inspiration. As you approach the phone booth and pick up the ringing handset, you may hear unembodied voices warning you about the obviously friendly characters you encounter on the road. You will get lost in caves and ghostly monsters and infect you with a delusional mental virus. This is so many Quatermass John Partwee Ella.
Something ominous is happening…Atomfall. Photo: Rebellion development
It’s a while before you hit a gang of druids stalking the undergrowth and suddenly enter into battle. But in other survival games like the stalker spirit and escape from Tarkov, I have to resort to cricket bats, magical improvised melee weapons, or rusty guns that don’t matter whether I fire a few successful ammunition. The developers say they want the game to come back to life badly. You are not a Super Soldier. Everywhere, there are small trinkets to clean, from apples to machine parts.
When the character isn’t trying to get you tattered with bats, they may provide you with information and trading opportunities. It appears that they can wander freely through the overgrown farms and desolate industrial buildings looking for clues as to what happened here. Beware of the shining green blue bee nests hanging from the tree – those people Really territory. And toxic.
Here hell is looking for clues as to what happened… Atom Fall. Photo: Rebellion development
Even my short demonstrations have a lovely ominous tension in the air. Relying on the false handgun and explosive device you stuck together, the blue Peter style, adhesive tape on both sides, and what you find at abandoned military checkpoints adds a sense of despair and disaster.
I have found some of the menu and weapon choices tricky. For games that rely heavily on stealth, it’s very easy to accidentally ruin the shotgun because you haven’t loaded it in advance. But this is from a survival game. Often it’s better to wander around in the grass longer than engage with enemies (though it may not be clear where you are covering and where you are not). Many.
Atomfall looks like an interesting amalgam of a stalker. , Resistance: Human Falls, everyone went to joy. Several role-playing elements are lobbed. I think there’s a lot to depend on what happens to the mystery at the heart of the game.
What does it mean that apocalyptic adventure takes place in the countryside of England? To capture the horrifying dignity of ’70s public relations films about playing Triffids, Daemons, or Frisbee near an electric substation, you need more than a quaint cottage with local accents. But the fact that we have a survival adventure in the Lake District is something that excites us as its beautiful, supernaturally recharged environment.
When it comes to sensitivity, the question of which generation is the most sensitive depends on who you ask. American Psychologist Dr. Jean Twenghe has conducted research comparing different cohorts and suggested that “millennials” (those born between 1981 and 1996) exhibit traits such as neurotic narcissism and anxiety more than previous generations. They tend to have unrealistically high expectations and struggle with criticism.
However, other studies have not always supported these findings. Research on nearly 500,000 American high school students between 1976 and 2006 found minimal differences in psychological characteristics across generations, including egoism and sensitivity to social status, which may indicate hypersensitivity.
Contrarily, some studies suggest that older generations may actually be more sensitive. A study from 2019 that analyzed hundreds of people born between 1923 and 1969 showed that those born earlier in the century exhibited greater signs of hypersensitivity.
Another study from 2024 focused on changes in narcissistic traits, including hypersensitivity, over the lifespan and across generations. It revealed that narcissism tends to decrease with age consistently across generations.
Overall, these studies suggest that hypersensitivity tends to decrease with age, with age being a more significant factor than the generation one belongs to. Some experts, like psychologist Professor Cote Rudolph, argue that the concept of individual generations like “Boomers” and “Gen X-ers” is arbitrary, and age and life experiences have a more significant impact.
This article addresses the question of which generation is the most sensitive, as asked by Madison Halladay from Jersey.
To submit a question, please email Questions@sciencefocus.com or reach out on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram page (remember to include your name and location).
For more fascinating science content, visit our Ultimate Fun Facts page.
If you’re like Khloe Kardashian, who recently turned 40, you may have considered testing your biological age to see if you feel younger than your actual age. But while these tests can tell you a lot about your body’s aging, they often overlook the aging of your brain. Researchers have now developed a new method to determine how quickly your brain is aging, which could help in predicting and preventing dementia. Learn more here.
Unlike your chronological age, which is based on the number of years since you were born, your biological age is determined by how well your body functions and how your cells age. This new method uses MRI scans and artificial intelligence to estimate the biological age of your brain, providing valuable insights for brain health tracking in research labs and clinics.
Traditional methods of measuring biological age, such as DNA methylation, do not work well for the brain due to the blood-brain barrier, which prevents blood cells from crossing into the brain. The new non-invasive method developed at the University of Southern California combines MRI scans and AI to accurately assess brain aging.
Using AI to analyze MRI brain scans, researchers can now predict how quickly the brain is aging and identify areas of the brain that are aging faster. This new model, known as a 3D Convolutional Neural Network, has shown promising results in predicting cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease risk based on brain aging rates.
Researchers believe that this innovative approach can revolutionize the field of brain health and provide valuable insights into the impact of genetics, environment, and lifestyle on brain aging. By accurately estimating the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, this method could potentially lead to the development of new prevention strategies and treatments.
Overall, this new method offers a powerful tool for tracking brain aging and predicting cognitive decline, bringing us closer to a future where personalized brain health assessments can help prevent and treat neurodegenerative diseases.
Jeff Goldblum has made many contributions to this world, but perhaps the best is the delivery of the iconic line in the 1993 film Jurassic Park. In the scene where his character Ian Malcolm bets Dinosaur Park creator John Hammond, Goldblum speaks of what has become a long-standing meme.
As we might call it high, paradigms are a great way to think about the risks and rewards of scientific efforts.
Still, it is rare to see scientists appear strongly in their field of research. As a mathematician, Malcolm probably didn’t really care much about the development of genetics. Perhaps this has given us a recent warning against creating “Mirror Life.” Molecules can wreaking havoc through the biosphere, where they have an opposite orientation to everything else on Earth.
The creation of mirror life can cause havoc through the biosphere
Mirror Life fails violently on the “must-have” side of the scale, but there seems to be little reason to create it – in other cases, the decision is not that easy. Perhaps the most troublesome recent example is gain-of-function research. This is where often pathogenic organisms are modified and increase their ability to both risk and reward. For example, changing the flu virus makes it obviously a risk to make it easier to infect humans. But if it helps us understand the virus and potentially prevent the pandemic, is it worth it?
The acquisition of features has always been controversial, but recently the debate over it has exploded. People who believe that SARS-Cov-2, the virus behind Covid-19, was created in the lab – no evidence-based belief jumped on gain-of-function research as a smoking gun. Does this mean that such work must be prohibited? Perhaps not, but in Malcolm’s words, we need to keep in mind the distinction between “possibility” and “essential.”
The Dark Moon is the location of the new science fiction novel Schloud by Adrian Chaikovsky
LaperRuque / Alamy
Humanoid mosquitoes, fatal lunar aliens contact, implants that tell you all about your partner … I feel that the science fiction novel provided in February is particularly interesting. Other worlds This year's cold, dark season. You will find it, regardless of whether you are following the classic science fiction such as Gareth L. Powell, Adrian Tchaikovsky, high concept thriller, or future global flooding. enjoy!
After reading Tchaikovsky's excellent science fiction novel Alien clay In the case of a new Scientist Book Club -we are in the middle now, so sign up and participate in us. It's free, I'll talk to Adrian next month! -I'm definitely getting better from this wonderful writer. This latest one is a story of a deadly black moon survival and the first contact, and is crowded with radio activities. When two people have to land in a hostile month, they begin to learn more about the strange species they live there. Our science fiction columnist Emily H Wilson really enjoyed this. Please be careful about next week's review.
Eliya persuades Anna to go to EminMind to celebrate the 10th anniversary. This high -tech company provides implants so that you can hear each other's thoughts. But Anna may have something hidden from her partner … I love the good concept thriller, which is a fun (and terrible) idea.
Powell is the author who won the British Science Fiction Award. Stars and bones and Remaining of warAnd his latest novel sounds like another great slice in hard science fiction. It follows the story of archaeologist Ursula Morrow, who will be infected with alien parasites. Her worries about the danger of her career, do nothing because the Earth is later destroyed and no one really needs an archaeologist. Two years later, she is in a refugee camp in the backwater world when she is in charge of finding an infected alien crafts, hoping that humanity may help survive. 。
I love how wonderful and strange this novel sounds. In 2272, New York and Buenos Aires have been underwater for years, and the Patagonia Islands are the only lands that can live on Earth. Our protagonist is a humanoid mosquito where everyone has a terrible appearance. When the world collapses around him, Dengue's boy looks for the truth about his origin and the meaning of his life. This is translated from Spanish by Rahle Berry, and I think it's surprising!
Many of the earth are underwater for the boy with dengue fever …
VICNT/ISTOCKPHOTO/Getty Images
I like the sound of this blend of archeology and science fiction. There, you will reach the unexpectedly arriving at the Malboro downs, which is approaching the city of Swindon. Claire Holworth is part of the archeological survey on its origin to manage sites before public pressure to reach the summit.
The blend of this science fiction and thriller will continue to return to the summer cabin of Oregon's family and start again to start again. In the cabin, he discovers Alex, a 10 -year -old girl, Artemis Darth Vader.
I haven't read it yet, so I can't promise that this is a science fiction, but it's compared to the works of speculative fiction writers such as Margaret Atwood, David Mitchell, and Karian Bloodle (Time in time The author), and it sounds very interesting. It is mainly for women who are older or died, but the people around her are scary and the same way through the continent for centuries for centuries. Can she stop? This can be more fearful than science fiction. We will report in both methods.
This time, compared to the Jordan Peal movie, more speculative fear here Stranger Singus -I're very here here. Kara is a 25 -year -old and a passive guardian of 16 -year -old brother Jamie. Meanwhile, she has been suffering from the “nightmare” of Jamie and her siblings, Dre, who continues to die. When Jamie's actions become unable to control, the brothers continue to run and realize that their lives and reality are facing the balance.
Octavia E. Butler
Marcom Ali/Wire Image/Getty
This is for my fellow Octavia E. Butler fans, you are there. This book looks at the book's collection, the influence of her childhood, and the books that are not well known, and “animals, science fiction, black girls, racial and racial and racism.” I will explore. Environmental justice, “says the publisher.
As I mentioned last month, the hard back actually occurs in February, so I remember it because it sounds great. As I mentioned earlier, it has been turned over by our science fiction columnist Emily H Wilson, and after the extinction of humanity, I decided to write a novel about Android and AI. Continue to the author Zelu of SF. However, as she wrote, the lines between what she wrote and the reality begins to blur …
We are constantly detecting lies in our daily interactions. This could be a change in our partner’s tone of voice indicating hidden emotions, a child repeatedly looking at a forbidden present, or a colleague’s implausible story about missing petty cash at work.
Despite our ability to detect some lies, there are still instances where we fail to see through deception. Researchers have been investigating this phenomenon for over a century, with the latest studies offering new insights into the complexities of deception.
One recent significant study conducted by Associate Professor Timothy Luke and his team at the University of Gothenburg focused on analyzing the behaviors associated with lying. By delving into the nuances of deceit, they aimed to uncover the underlying processes of deception.
One key aspect highlighted by Luke is the distinction between “white” lies and deception, emphasizing that not all lies are equal. Deception involves deliberate attempts to mislead others, with various psychological factors influencing the complexity of deceit. Factors like communication style and length play crucial roles in distinguishing lies from truth.
While conventional beliefs suggest that liars exhibit behaviors like avoiding eye contact and nervousness, research findings from the Gothenburg study challenge these assumptions. Experts in the field of lie detection agree that gaze aversion and nervousness are not reliable indicators of deception.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images, Alamy. Image manipulation: Andy Potts.
Instead, experts suggest that the level of detail in the information provided can be a more reliable indicator of deception. People who lie tend to offer less detailed explanations compared to truth-tellers. Linguistic cues, such as inconsistencies in statements and evidence, also play a significant role in detecting deception.
When it comes to distinguishing truth from lies, researchers recommend employing a strategic approach that challenges inconsistencies in suspects’ narratives without direct accusations of lying. By presenting contradictory evidence and observing the suspect’s responses, investigators can uncover potential deception.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images, Alamy. Image manipulation: Andy Potts.
While traditional approaches to lie detection based on behavioral cues may be unreliable, focusing on individual characteristics and personal deceit patterns can offer more effective ways of uncovering lies. By examining linguistic patterns and analyzing personal deception models, researchers are improving their ability to detect deception effectively.
Ultimately, trust in one’s own investigative skills and evidence-based analysis is crucial in detecting lies. Fixed cues and generalizations may not always be accurate, emphasizing the importance of caution and critical thinking when assessing deceptive behaviors.
The influx of unrealistic health tips on TikTok signals the beginning of a new year. Let’s explore some intriguing suggestions and the evidence behind them.
Try wearing rubber bands around your ears to reduce facial swelling
A TikTok trend from South Korea suggests wrapping rubber bands around your ears for 10 minutes to combat facial swelling, claiming to facilitate lymphatic fluid movement. However, science does not support this theory. While lymphatic massage can temporarily reduce swelling by stroking outwards, there is no evidence to validate the rubber bands’ effectiveness.
Professor Hywel Williams, an expert in evidence-based dermatology at the University of Nottingham, points out that many TikTok videos feature individuals without facial puffiness, potentially leading to unnecessary worry and anxiety. He suggests a comprehensive trial where individuals with facial swelling wear various items like rubber bands and cotton, with their swelling assessed by independent estheticians before and after. Williams emphasizes the importance of conducting proper scientific studies to verify health claims.
Experimenting with garlic in your nose for sinus cleansing
TikTok showcases individuals showcasing giant mucus bubbles or a stream of snot expelled after inserting garlic in their nostrils, claiming it alleviates nasal congestion. However, experts like Simon, a consultant ear, nose, and throat specialist, refute this, stating that the mucus production is a response to the strong garlic odor, not a sign of congestion relief.
Exploring the benefits of applying castor oil in the belly button for bloating reduction
Some TikTokers advocate for applying castor oil on the belly button, known as belly button lubrication, to aid digestion, reduce bloating, and alleviate menstrual pain and endometriosis. This practice originates from Ayurveda, claiming that essential oils are absorbed through the “pechoti glands” in the belly button. However, research has yet to confirm the existence of such glands, casting doubt on the effectiveness of this technique.
Dr. Gemma Sharp, an epidemiologist at the University of Exeter, highlights the lack of scientific evidence supporting the use of castor oil for weight loss or managing endometriosis symptoms. She warns against relying on unproven home remedies that may potentially trigger allergic reactions.
Consider the weight loss benefits of Oat Empic
Ozempic, a diabetes medication known for its weight loss effects, contains semaglutide, a compound that slows digestion. TikTok users have popularized Oatzempik, a mixture of oats, water, and lime juice, suggesting similar weight loss benefits. While the claim is unverified, weight loss ultimately depends on calorie balance. Oats, however, contain beta-glucan, a soluble fiber that may aid weight loss and BMI reduction.
Explore the concept of mouth taping for health benefits
Mouth breathing at night can lead to dry mouth, sore throats, and snoring. Mouth taping, using porous tape to encourage nasal breathing, aims to filter allergens and humidify inhaled air. While limited studies suggest it may reduce snoring in mild obstructive sleep apnea, caution is advised as it can pose risks, particularly for individuals with sleep disorders. Consultation with an otolaryngologist is recommended before attempting mouth taping, especially for those with respiratory issues.
Amelia Earhart, one of aviation’s most famous pioneers, is renowned for being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. However, her story tragically ended in 1937 when her Lockheed 10-E Electra plane vanished during an ambitious round-the-world flight.
Earhart’s goal was to circumnavigate the equator and the globe, planning a 46,670 km (29,000 mile) journey that spanned California, Central and South America, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Ocean.
After six weeks of traveling, Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan departed from New Guinea towards Howland Island, approximately 2,735 km (1,700 miles) southwest of Honolulu.
The challenging 20-hour flight was the longest leg of their journey, pushing the plane to its limits. Despite support from the US Coast Guard, they were unable to locate the 6.5 km² (2.5 square mile) Howland Island in the vast Pacific Ocean, and it vanished without a trace.
An official US government investigation concluded that Earhart’s plane ran out of fuel and crashed into the ocean after failing to find Howland Island. However, with no concrete evidence, various theories abound regarding the disappearance.
In 1929, Amelia Earhart boarded a plane carrying a box full of homing pigeons as part of a scientific experiment. – Photo credit: Getty
Most famously, it is speculated that Earhart and Noonan landed on a reef near Gardner Island, resulting in their tragic demise.
The failure to reach Howland Island may have been due to navigation errors. One theory, the International Date Line Theory, suggests Noonan’s calculations did not account for crossing the International Date Line.
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Noonan utilized celestial navigation based on celestial bodies’ positions. However, the Earth’s rotation and revolution around the Sun cause these positions to shift daily, necessitating precise date and time knowledge for accurate navigation.
Given the flight’s timing as it passed midnight and crossed the International Date Line, Noonan faced complex calculations that may have led them off course.
If Noonan missed the second date change as they crossed the Date Line again, the plane could have veered 110 km (70 miles) east of Howland Island.
In January 2024, the US ocean exploration team “Deep Sea Vision” discovered potential wreckage of Earhart’s plane on the ocean floor. They used underwater drones to scan over 12,950 km² (5,000 square miles) of the Pacific Ocean.
The images indicate an object resembling a Lockheed Electra in a position predicted by the Date Line Theory, prompting further investigation by the team.
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This article addresses the question raised by George Grainger of London: “Was Amelia Earhart or her plane ever discovered?”
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