A startup called Colossal is working on adding wooly mammoth genes to elephants so they can take residence in the arctic. The company was co-founded by Harvard genetics professor George Church. The hope is that the reintroduction will slow down the permafrost’s melting due to climate change. The theory is somewhat roundabout: forests limit snow accumulation and […]
Researchers from Stanford have developed a technique for discovering what’s inside a room through a keyhole by using a pulsing laser. Predictably, it’s called the “keyhole imaging technique.” The technique depends on a shiny surface on the opposite side of the room. The light bounces off the wall and other objects in the room, then eventually […]
In general, female birds have less colorful plumage than their male counterparts. For example, bright red cardinals are male—the females are pale brown with a reddish hue. Researchers have discovered that some female hummingbirds have bright feathers and experience less social harassment. Surprisingly, there was less harassment from both male and female birds. In addition to […]
A study out of England sheds light on the declining number of moth caterpillars beneath LED streetlights. Compared to unlit areas, there are 52% fewer caterpillars. The LED streetlights are better for the environment in one aspect—energy efficiency—but are unwittingly affecting another part of the environment. In contrast, the old-style streetlights affected the caterpillar population too, […]
Poisonous snakes are washing ashore on New Zealand beaches. Why is this a big deal? Because New Zealand doesn’t have snakes. Until now. Beachgoers often assume the snakes are washed-ashore eels because many haven’t seen a snake before. Making the situation on the island worse is that there’s no anti-venom on the island—anyone that gets […]
According to the most recent census data, the United States white population is declining while the Hispanic and Asian population is on the rise. Interestingly, the data gathered during the pandemic showed no majority racial or ethnic group for people below 18, giving us a glimpse of what’s in the future for the United States. Unsurprisingly, […]
According to research published in Nature, a greater percentage of the global population lives at risk of living through a flood. From 2000 to 2015, there was a 20-24% increase in people exposed to flooding. Intuitively, this number makes sense. Social media feeds have been filled with images and videos of massive flooding in Germany, China, and New York City. […]
Trevor Milton is the founder and former chairman of Nikola, famous for zero-emissions hydrogen-powered truck concepts. He resigned as chairman in September 2020 amid fraud allegations and an investigation by the SEC. GM was involved with the company until the revelation that videos of Nikola's prototype trucks were rolling down a hill and not genuinely functional. Nikola's […]
A young couple was killed in Lucas County in 2011. Someone’s serving two life sentences for the murders. Genetic genealogist Cece Moore thinks she can help put the case to rest. The convicted murderer maintains his innocence, even though his DNA was found on a cigarette at the crime scene. Moore believes two more sources of DNA can […]
Richard Branson became the first billionaire in space after Virgin Galactic, which he owns, launched a supersonic space plane with him onboard. The passengers spent a few minutes enjoying weightlessness over fifty miles from the Earth’s surface. Jeff Bezos hopes to be the second billionaire in space who travels on a ship developed by his own company. […]
