Science

Israel’s moon lander crashed, but don’t call it a failure

The first privately-funded lunar mission will be remembered as a pioneering achievement that helped to change the way the space industry operates.

Science has found a new use for Skrillex: mosquito repellant

What the “painless woman” says about how anxiety and fear fit into pain

Life without pain might seem like a blessing. But her case–and how we understand what pain really means–is more complex than it first appears.

How bacteria could make our infrastructure stronger

Calcium-munching bacteria could keep destructive road salt from eating away concrete bridges and other crucial infrastructure–a $276 billion problem in the U.S. alone.

Beware of this new dark pattern popping up in ads and packaging

Intentionally or not, e-cig maker Blu desensitized users about the dangers of nicotine with perfectly placed fake warnings.

Scientists have good news and bad news about sit-stand desks

A new meta-study analyzed all the research on sit-stand desks. They found that while standing desks probably won’t help you lose weight, there are other reasons to buy one.

What is carbon gentrification?

Tech companies that espouse sustainability may actually exacerbate a city’s carbon footprint, new research suggests.

We need an algorithmic bill of rights before algorithms do us wrong

As corporations rapidly roll out advanced artificial intelligence, we need to develop strong safeguards capable of meeting the risks.

This new AI tool ages faces in videos with creepy accuracy

Hollywood would obviously be one possible user, and police departments are already asking about how it can be helpful in finding missing children.

PepsiCo’s top scientist is joining the fight to help you live forever

Ooooh, here’s a map of all the weird sounds humans make

By studying how people interpret “non-word utterances,” like “ooh” and “ahh,” scientists have created a rich visual map of our emotions.

This scientist-designer makes awesome posters for university lectures

Scientists are rock stars. These posters prove it.

The color of the ocean is changing–here’s why

By the end of the 21st century, the polar oceans may be tropical green, while other areas will shift to a dark blue. It’s another example of how climate change is altering our planet.

How pushing buttons on Facebook pushes your buttons

Social media can push you to slip easily from thought to behavior, decreasing the opportunities for you to think more thoroughly.

Machine learning is a sweet way to tell if your honey is fake

One of the world’s most adulterated foods could get a new authenticity test, thanks to software that has “learned” to recognize certain grains of pollen.

This AI generates images of food just by reading the recipe

It nails down pastas, rices, and soups, but makes hamburgers look like “hamberders.”

Forget AutoCAD–this app lets you design with DNA

Band-Aid of the future? These high-tech bandages speed up the healing process

This AI can see in total darkness

It can even image tissue inside of your body.