A map of the universe created by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI). Each dot is a galaxy, with Earth in the centre DESI collaboration and KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/R. Proctor In the wake of bombshell findings that suggest dark energy might be weakening as the universe expands, physicists are considering replacing the standard cosmological model of the…
Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman. People are funny about snakes. I remember being taught the rhyme, “Red touches black, you’re okay, Jack; red touches yellow, you’re a dead fellow,” in elementary school—never mind the fact that we did not have coral snakes in New Jersey. My guest today has spent…
Dolphins show signs of language-like communication Martin Strmiska/Alamy Dozens of dolphins have been recorded making specific whistle sounds that seem to refer to a shared meaning, expressing either questioning or alarm. Some researchers are claiming this shared usage is the best evidence yet that these intelligent marine mammals have a language-like communication system. We know…
Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American’s Science Quickly, I’m Rachel Feltman. The idea of digital life after death is something science fiction has been exploring for ages. Back in 2013 a chilling episode of the hit show Black Mirror called “Be Right Back” followed a grieving woman who came to rely on an imperfect AI copy…
We are very proud of our Weekly podcast, which we have been putting out every week for over five years. In that time the podcast has won a number of awards and been listened to in over 160 countries. We love being able to bring science to new audiences, and we love the flexibility, informality…
In our daily lives, the sun seems constant and quiet, sedately shining at a steady pace. But looks can be deceiving: our star can also blast out powerful solar storms, huge explosions of energy and subatomic particles. If these are directed toward us, they can trigger auroras and disrupt our power grids, as well as…
Hot weather can stress power lines Peter Lane/Alamy Rising summer temperatures pose a blackout threat to the UK’s electrical grid, with crucial equipment such as transformers and cabling ill-equipped to cope with the climate of the future. In a worst-case scenario, extreme heat could cause multiple equipment failures across the country, triggering widespread power outages…
A new antivenom relies on antibodies from the blood of Tim Friede, who immunized himself against snakebites by injecting increasing doses of venom into his body.
Self-Driving Cars Have New Rules in the U.S. Here’s Why That Matters New rules that trim crash reporting requirements and widen testing access for U.S. robotaxis are hailed as an innovation edge and criticized for eroding safety oversight By Deni Ellis Béchard edited by Dean Visser On April 24, with a brief video and a…
Drought conditions can have devastating impacts on Eurasian regions like Karapinar in Turkey YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images Over the past two decades, swathes of Eurasia – from Ukraine’s breadbasket to cities in northern China – have seen a spike in extreme heatwaves followed by droughts. A tree ring record extending back nearly three centuries…
