Re-imagining democracy for the 21st century, possibly without the trappings of the 18th century
Imagine that we've all—all of us, all of society—landed on some alien planet, and we have to form a government: clean slate. We don't have any legacy systems from the U.S. or any other country. We don't have any special or unique interests to per.....»»
Whales are recovering from near extinction, but industrial fishing around Antarctica competes for their sole food source
The Southern Ocean encircling Antarctica is the world's largest feeding ground for baleen whales—species like humpbacks that filter tiny organisms from seawater for food. In the 20th century, whalers killed roughly 2 million large whales in the Sou.....»»
New research sinks old theory for the doldrums, a low-wind equatorial region that stranded sailors for centuries
During the Age of Sail, sailors riding the trade winds past the equator dreaded becoming stranded in the doldrums, a meteorologically distinct region in the deep tropics. For at least a century, scientists have thought that the doldrums' lack of wind.....»»
Opinion: Planning smart and sustainable cities should not result in exclusive garden utopias for the rich
One of the big ideas of the 21st century, "smart cities" promised a new world of connected, data-driven and sustainable urbanism. Pervasive digital infrastructures would monitor flows from sewage to traffic to criminal activities, providing informati.....»»
The Golden Age of offbeat Arctic research
The Cold War spawned some odd military projects that were doomed to fail. Enlarge / At the US Army’s Camp Century on the Greenland ice sheet, an Army truck equipped with a railroad wheel conversion rides on 1,300 feet of track.....»»
Why Polio Has Reemerged in Gaza
After a quarter of a century, the disease has returned to Gaza, prompting a campaign to immunize all of the territory's children against the virus......»»
Did lawmakers know role of fossil fuels in climate change during Clean Air Act era?
How much was known at the mid-20th century about the dangers of human-caused climate change? A lot more than most Americans think......»»
Space-based experiments could help to advance early cancer detection through blood tests
Imagine a sensor so sensitive it can detect early cancer in a single drop of blood, enabling diagnosis and treatment before the first symptoms—possibly before a tumor even forms......»»
South Korea sees highest average summer temperature on record
South Korea experienced its highest average summertime temperature since such records began half a century ago, nearly two degrees higher than the historic average, the weather agency said Thursday......»»
Acer’s Iconia X12 Tablet is Impressive, Except for One Thing
The Iconia X12 comes with most of the trappings of a modern-day Android tablet. The post Acer’s Iconia X12 Tablet is Impressive, Except for One Thing appeared first on Phandroid. If you’ve been tuning in to IFA 2024, then you m.....»»
Jack Black stars as expert crafter Steve in A Minecraft Movie teaser
"Anything you can dream about here, you can make." Jason Momoa and Jack Black star in A Minecraft Movie. Minecraft is among the most successful and influential games of the early 21st century, winning many awards and selling over 30.....»»
Beef industry can reduce emissions by up to 30%, says new research
Greenhouse gases resulting from human activity have been the largest driver of climate change since the mid-20th century—especially from agriculture. The U.S. beef industry alone is responsible for 3.3% of the nation's total emissions, and even wit.....»»
Research shows 50-year generation gap in the bigmouth buffalo, Minnesota"s longest-lived fish
A recent study in one of the most pristine spawning grounds for a Minnesota fish has found a half-century gap between successful broods, and that number's climbing......»»
New knowledge about a fungus that turns 60–80% of the flies in your home into zombies
What can we learn from a fungus that eats most of the flies in your home from the inside, turns them into zombies and then lures other flies to necrophilic intercourse? Possibly quite a lot, according to researchers at the University of Copenhagen......»»
The best Western of the 21st century is now on Netflix. Here’s why you should watch it
This 2007 movie with Christian Bale and Russell Crowe, is one of the best of its genre. It's now streaming on Netflix, and here's why you should watch it......»»
From rhino horn snuff to pangolin livestock feed: A half-century of patents reveals the wildlife trade"s evolution
The bright blue blood of the horseshoe crab is used around the world to detect bacterial contamination in vaccines. Synonymous with luxury, sturgeon caviar has been patented as an antidote to impotency in China. Rhino horn is used in traditional Asia.....»»
The slim Galaxy Z Fold 6 could launch with a different name
The rumored Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 Slim might be launched with a different name, possibly adopting the Special Edition moniker. The post The slim Galaxy Z Fold 6 could launch with a different name appeared first on Phandroid. We’ve been.....»»
Exploring Darwin"s longstanding interest in biological rhythms
A close reading of Darwin's work suggests a deep interest in cyclical events. Rhythmic phenomena in nature—today the subjects of the field of chronobiology—have been studied since at least the 18th century. In a perspective, Tiago Gomes de Andrad.....»»
This bird species was extinct in Europe. Now it"s back, and humans must help it migrate for winter
How do you teach a bird how, and where, to fly? The distinctive Northern Bald Ibis, hunted essentially to extinction by the 17th century, was revived by breeding and rewilding efforts over the last two decades. But the birds—known for their distinc.....»»
Will the ‘Car-Free’ Los Angeles Olympics Work?
Organizers of the 2028 Summer Games will attempt to re-create the city’s public transport heyday of the early 20th century, but ousting the car—even for just a few weeks—will be costly......»»
Apple Vision Pro exasperations and iPhone 16 anticipation on the AppleInsider Podcast
Even Apple Vision Pro fans are getting frustrated by its lack of progress now, but perhaps Apple has its mind on the new iPhone 16 coming soon, or the bigger, better, and possibly bendier models yet to come.Apple Vision Pro is still amazing, but ther.....»»