The Digital Frontier
Advancements in 20th century medicine reshaped society and made good health an expectation, not an exception. Now, 21st century breakthroughs may end disease, reverse aging, and restore sight and hearing — perhaps sooner than we think.
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The masterplan to end EV “range anxiety” forever
A look at the history of EV charging and the tech trends that could encourage more people to make the switch to an electric car.
Why happiness is not the best indicator of well-being
Achieving values and pursuing growth is the real secret to a fulfilled life.
T-Minus: 10 space startups to watch
Today’s aerospace industry includes hundreds of startups, all vying to be the next SpaceX. Here are 10 that could actually do it.
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New AI algorithm transforms 2D photos into 3D maps
A new method named MonoXiver uses AI to build up reliable 3D maps of a camera’s surroundings based only on 2D photos.
After studying 850 hours of footage, this paper offers 3 rules for a great conversation
Good conversations leave a lasting impression. They are rewarding and enriching. Here’s how to have more of them.
Where are the universal coronavirus vaccines?
Universal coronavirus vaccines that protect against all known variants of COVID-19 — and ones that don’t exist yet — are closer than ever.
Study finds exactly how long people want to live: it isn’t forever
Most people prefer a shorter life if they have dementia, chronic pain, or are a burden to their families.
Is human uncertainty the key to improving AI?
AI systems assume humans are always certain. Teaching them to anticipate and understand uncertainty may help them reduce human error.
New “Lattice” device tests drugs on eight organs at once
Northwestern University scientists have developed a device that simulates up to eight organs at once to aid drug development.
New CRISPR system is 66% smaller but just as powerful
A new CRISPR system is just as efficient as CRISPR-Cas9 but much smaller, which could make it easier to deploy in people.
Study: ancient technique holds thousands of tons of carbon, sequestered over centuries
“Dark earth” holds thousands of tons of carbon, sequestered over centuries by indigenous practices, a new study suggests.
Researchers brew a stronger concrete using — coffee?
Researchers and engineers from RMIT University made concrete 30% stronger in the lab by incorporating aggregates made from coffee grounds.
These earbuds analyze brain activity and sweat content
A flexible sensor turns a pair of earbuds into a health monitoring device capable of recording brain activity and analyzing sweat.
T-Minus Weekly: An astronaut’s return, a Martian dust devil, and more
Freethink’s weekly countdown of the biggest developments in space, featuring the return of NASA’s Frank Rubio, a dust devil on Mars, and more.
“Forbidden planet” is orbiting a star that should have destroyed it
About 520 light-years from Earth, the planet Halla is orbiting a red giant that should have already engulfed and destroyed it.
Jellyfish surprise scientists by learning without a brain
Researchers demonstrate that Caribbean box jellyfish don’t just float around aimlessly. They learn and adapt to their environment.
GPT-4 scores in the top 1% of test-takers for creative thinking
New AI tools are increasingly part of creative production, and are scoring surprisingly high in creative thinking tests.
Webb telescope spots strange objects in the Orion Nebula
New James Webb Space Telescope images of the Orion Nebula include more than 100 strange objects that are neither planets nor stars.
Is iron the Achilles’ heel for cancer?
Some cancer cells store high quantities of iron. Iron-activated cancer drugs selectively disrupt cancer cells, without harming healthy cells.
How technology is making it easier than ever for artists to become “solopreneurs”
Social media provides a platform for artists to promote their work, a way to communicate with their audience, and ultimately build better businesses.
Okay, so you’re an artist. How do you make $?
With the boom of social media, artists don’t need galleries to survive anymore. Here’s how not to become “the starving artist.”
Adding spider DNA to silkworms creates silk stronger than Kevlar
Spider silk is strong and tough, but hard to farm. Silkworm silk is easy to farm, but not that strong. What if we could combine the two?
Octopus tentacle-like patch delivers drugs through your cheek
A needle-free drug delivery system inspired by octopus tentacles could one day replace injections for administering biopharmaceuticals.
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