Earth’s magnetic field protects life on Earth from radiation, but
The Earth’s magnetic field deflects particles emitted by the Sun. Mark Garlick/Science Photo Library via Getty Images Ofer Cohen, UMass Lowell Earth’s magnetic field protects life...
Being homeless means not being free − as Americans are supposed to be
Portland, Maine, officials ordered that a park be cleared on Sept. 28, 2022, of people who were homeless and that any trash be removed before a...
People dig deeper to fact-check social media posts when paired with someone who doesn’t share their perspective – new research
Joining up with someone who holds a different perspective influences your take on online posts. Frazao Studio Latino/E+ via Getty Images Eli Gottlieb, George Washington University...
Why are US politicians so old? And why do they want to stay in office?
Donald Trump, left, and Joe Biden, both photographed on Nov. 2, 2023, are two of the three oldest men ever to serve as president. Trump: Brandon...
Friendship research is getting an update – and that’s key for dealing with the loneliness epidemic
Despite stereotypes to the contrary, men can prefer close, one-on-one friendships. Westend61 via Getty Images Jessica D. Ayers, Boise State University Friendship research is getting an...
The Health Impacts of the End of Daylight Saving Time
The Health Impacts of the End of Daylight Saving Time As the end of daylight saving time approaches, it is essential to be aware of the...
Let the community work it out: Throwback to early internet days could fix social media’s crisis of legitimacy
Content moderators like these workers make decisions about online communities based on company dictates. Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Washington Post via Getty Images Ethan Zuckerman, UMass...
Why Google, Bing and other search engines’ Embrace of generative AI threatens $68 billion SEO industry
Search engines are expected to increasingly incorporate generative AI. ArtemisDiana/iStock via Getty Images Plus Ravi Sen, Texas A&M University Why Google, Bing and other search engines’...
Not religious, not voting? The ‘nones’ are a powerful force in politics – but not yet a coalition
Politicians all over the spectrum have long tried to appeal to religious voters. What about atheists, agnostics and nothing-in-particulars? Y.Gurevich/iStock via Getty Images Plus Evan Stewart,...
Dopamine is a brain chemical famously linked to mood and pleasure − but researchers have found multiple types of dopamine neurons with different functions
A better understanding of dopamine could lead to better treatments for neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases, among others. Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library via Getty Images Kimberlee D’Ardenne,...
There’s no age limit for politicians − as people live longer, should that change?
Mitch McConnell, Diane Feinstein and Joe Biden are all over 80 years old, joining a number of politicians who are staying in office well past their...
AI scores in the top percentile of creative thinking
Creativity involves generating something new – a product or solution that didn’t previously exist. Maestria_diz/iStock via Getty Images Erik Guzik, University of Montana AI scores in...
ChatGPT and other language AIs are nothing without humans – a sociologist explains how countless hidden people make the magic
Do you know who helped ChatGPT give you that clever answer? Eric Smalley, The Conversation US (composite derived from Library of Congress image), CC BY-ND John...
Unraveling the Cosmic Enigma: UFOs, Aliens, and the Cosmic Odyssey
The universe has long held secrets that tantalize the human imagination. Among the most enigmatic mysteries are unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and the possibility of extraterrestrial...
Cats first finagled their way into human hearts and homes thousands of years ago – here’s how
Who run the world? Cats! Grace Cary/Moment via Getty Images Jonathan Losos, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis Cats first finagled their way...
6 Small Kind Gestures to Make a Big Impact Each Day.
6 Small, Kind Gestures to Make a Big Impact Each Day. Everywhere you look, you can see moments of kindness. From a friend sending a thoughtful...
Most Americans support NASA – but don’t think it should prioritize sending people to space
The Artemis I Launch in November 2022. NASA/Bill Ingalls, CC BY-NC Mariel Borowitz, Georgia Institute of Technology and Teasel Muir-Harmony, Georgetown University Most Americans support NASA...
4 factors driving 2023’s extreme heat and climate disasters
2023’s weather has been extreme in many ways. AP Photo/Michael Probst Michael Wysession, Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis Between the record-breaking global...
Is it really hotter now than any time in 100,000 years?
Recent heat waves underscore Earth’s new climate state. Sean Gladwell via Getty Images Darrell Kaufman, Northern Arizona University Is it really hotter now than any time...
Why people tend to believe UFOs are extraterrestrial
Photos claiming to be UFO evidence are often doctored or otherwise ambiguous. Ray Massey/The Image Bank via Getty Images Barry Markovsky, University of South Carolina Why...
If you win the Powerball jackpot then what?
If you win the Powerball jackpot then what? If you win the Powerball jackpot, there are certain things you should and shouldn’t do to manage your...
What is a flash flood? A civil engineer explains
Pickup trucks creep through flood waters in Richland, Miss., following a morning of torrential rains in August 2022. AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis Janey Camp, Vanderbilt University...
Sex, love and companionship … with AI? Why human-machine relationships could go mainstream
The California-based startup Replika has programmed chatbots to serve as companions. Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images Marco Dehnert, Arizona State University and Joris Van Ouytsel, Arizona...
