Pong Was Boring—And People Loved It
November marks the 50th anniversary of Pong. Why should we care? For starters, Pong is the first video game that millions of people welcomed into their homes to play on their own televisions. Pong kick-started a global video-game industry tha.....»»
The high cost of complexity: New study explores energy needs of multicellular life
Between 1.8 billion and 800 million years ago, earthly life was in the doldrums. During this period, called the "boring billion," the complexity of life remained minimal, dominated by single-celled organisms with only sporadic ventures into multicell.....»»
The extreme floods that devastated Spain are hitting more often. Is Australia ready for the next one?
Spain is still reeling from recent floods in the Valencia region. In some areas, a year's worth of rain fell in a single day. Sudden torrents raced through towns and cities. More than 200 people are dead. Rapid analysis suggests daily rainfall extrem.....»»
Record-high pollution sickens thousands in Pakistan"s cultural capital of Lahore
Record-high air pollution in Pakistan's cultural capital of Lahore is sending more people to hospitals and private clinics, doctors said Wednesday as authorities warned a complete lockdown could be imminent if residents fail to don face masks and fol.....»»
Are Tablets Back in Style? New Data Seems to Think So
More people are buying tablets again. The post Are Tablets Back in Style? New Data Seems to Think So appeared first on Phandroid. While it’s safe to say that tablet devices didn’t really “disappear,” we’re at.....»»
Conspicuous consumption may have evolutionary roots, researchers suggest
It's sometimes said that people buy products they don't really need, with money they don't really have, to impress people they don't really like. This behavior is known as conspicuous consumption because these consumers want others to see them with t.....»»
Helping the most vulnerable stay cool in extreme heat
The health effects of heat waves hit some communities harder than others. People with preexisting health conditions, as well as those who have low income or are physically or socially isolated, very old or very young, from racial or ethnic minority g.....»»
Indonesia volcano erupts again after killing nine day earlier
A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted again on Tuesday, blowing an ash column into the sky a day after it spewed fireballs on nearby villages that killed nine people......»»
Hubble and Webb are the dream team—don"t break them up, researchers say
Many people think of the James Webb Space Telescope as a sort of Hubble 2. They understand that the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has served us well but is now old and overdue for replacement. NASA seems to agree, as they have not sent a maintenance m.....»»
Campaign rewards gamers on Roblox for engaging with the US election. What does it mean for global politics?
If historical trends are anything to go by, most young people in the United States will not vote in this week's presidential election. For example, in the 2016 presidential election, less than half of Americans aged 18 to 29 cast their ballot......»»
Missing a deadline has a bigger impact than you might think, according to study
Missing a deadline has more complex consequences than you might think. Researchers at the University of Toronto found that if you submit a piece of work late, people will think it's lower in quality than if you were to submit the exact same work on t.....»»
Biologists reveal the genetic "switch" behind parrot color diversity
From the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro to the shoulders of pirates: parrots are synonymous with color for people across the world. In a study published in the journal Science, scientists from The University of Hong Kong, together with an international t.....»»
The M5 MacBook Pro may be another boring update
More solid reports build on the idea that the MacBook Pro will have a complete overhaul featuring an OLED display, but that it won't come until 2026......»»
Not the usual suspects: Research reveals novel genetic basis of pest resistance to biotech crops
If left unchecked, insect pests can devastate crops. To minimize damage and reduce the need for insecticide sprays, crops have been genetically engineered to produce bacterial proteins that kill key pests but are not harmful to people or wildlife. Ho.....»»
Elon Musk turns X’s block button into a “glorified mute button”
X change lets blocked users see posts made by the people who blocked them. X, formerly Twitter, is now letting blocked users see posts made by the people who blocked them. "We're.....»»
Dams have taken half the water from Australia"s second biggest river—and climate change will make it even worse
The largest wetland on Australia's second longest river, the Murrumbidgee in the southern Murray-Darling Basin, is drying up. This is bad news for the plants, animals and people who rely on the vast Lowbidgee Floodplain. So it's important to understa.....»»
Rainwater samples reveals it"s literally raining "forever chemicals" in Miami
PFAS are in Miami's rainwater. And it is the latest evidence the synthetic "forever chemicals"—that have raised health concerns for people and wildlife—hitch a ride on the water cycle, using the complex system to circulate over greater distances......»»
Indonesia"s Mount Lewotobi erupts, killing 10 people
Indonesia"s Mount Lewotobi erupts, killing 10 people.....»»
Check your Samsung Galaxy S24 right now for a new security update
Samsung Galaxy S24 users can now download a new software update. Although it’s not the update people have waited for, it’s still a major one......»»
Understanding nature disconnection and eco-anxiety in young people
An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Adelaide has taken a deeper look at the nature disconnection and eco-anxiety experienced by young people......»»
The Virus That Causes Mpox Keeps Getting Better at Spreading in People
Analysis of a strain of the virus circulating in Central Africa shows genetic mutations indicative of sustained human-to-human spread.....»»