Science and Tech

Why genetic ancestry results are estimates, not definitive answers about who you are.

DNA ancestry tests have become wildly popular, promising to tell people where they come from with just a saliva sample. Results that claim Viking roots, Indigenous ancestry, or connections to ancient populations can feel exciting and deeply personal.

But scientists say these tests don’t work the way many people think they do. Genetic ancestry reports are based on probabilities, comparisons, and incomplete reference databases, not on direct proof of identity or culture.

While the tests can offer useful insights into broad population history, they also have important limitations that are often misunderstood. Knowing what these tests can and cannot reveal helps people interpret their results more realistically and avoid drawing conclusions the science does not support.

Click through to know what a DNA test can reveal for you.

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How algorithms are shaping fairness, responsibility, and trust faster than society can respond.

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept quietly developing in research labs. It now helps decide who gets a job interview, what content appears in your feed, how medical images are analyzed, and which loans are approved or denied.

These systems are often described as efficient and objective, yet they are built by humans, trained on human data, and deployed in human systems filled with bias, inequality, and competing values. As AI becomes embedded in everyday life, ethical questions are no longer theoretical. They affect fairness, accountability, privacy, and trust right now.

Let’s explore the most pressing ethical concerns surrounding AI, not through fear or hype, but by looking at how real decisions are already being made and why those choices matter.

Click through to understand the concerns and issues facing all of us.

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Decode the eerie glow: what’s really causing purple streetlights, how safe they are, and what to do if you see them.

Across the United States and Canada, drivers have started noticing something strange on their usual routes: familiar white streetlights slowly shifting to an eerie purple glow. What looks like a deliberate aesthetic choice is usually a manufacturing defect in certain batches of LED fixtures, where the outer phosphor coating fails and exposes the bluish-violet light underneath.

In some cities, the purple lamps have sparked conspiracy theories about surveillance or secret signals, but transportation departments insist they are simply faulty bulbs that need to be replaced.

Until they’re fixed, though, these lights can change how well drivers see road markings and pedestrians at night, and they may even affect how safe people feel walking in certain neighborhoods. Here’s why the problem is happening, where it’s showing up, and what you should do if you spot purple streetlights on the roads you travel most often.

Click through to learns what’s behind the purple glow.

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New audio evidence is raising fresh questions about how unexpected discoveries on public land are handled.

Deep inside America’s national forests, scientists often place small audio recorders in the landscape to listen. The goal is simple and practical: track wildlife, understand how ecosystems change over time, and measure how human noise affects nature.

These devices are meant to pick up birds, wind, insects, and distant animal calls. But during routine reviews, some researchers noticed sounds that did not seem natural or random. The recordings suggested organized human activity in areas thought to be largely untouched.

What followed was not a dramatic announcement, but a quiet process of questions, internal reviews, and careful decisions that brought up a bigger issue. When unexpected discoveries happen on protected public land, how should they be handled, and who decides when the public is told?

Click through to get the answers.

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Scientists say it could soon detect signs of life on distant exoplanets.

Some of humanity’s biggest questions revolve around a single idea: are we alone in the universe? NASA has now completed a next-generation space telescope designed to bring scientists closer than ever to answering that question. Built specifically to study the atmospheres of distant planets, the instrument represents years of engineering and scientific planning. Researchers say it will not deliver instant proof of alien life, but it could soon identify the most promising worlds to investigate. In doing so, it marks a major step forward in the search for life beyond Earth.

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Many banks are rapidly shutting local branches, and financially smart customers are already making key moves to stay protected.

Banks across the country have been shutting down branches at a faster pace than ever, and many people are now realizing their local location may not be around much longer. With more customers relying on mobile apps and online services, banks are consolidating buildings to cut costs and keep up with changing habits. While the shift can feel unsettling, plenty of everyday customers are already adapting. They’re updating how they bank, strengthening online habits, and finding new ways to stay prepared as branches disappear. Knowing what others are doing now can help you stay ahead of the changes.

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A new study reveals an unexpected way to tell whether someone is genuinely paying attention.

A new study from the University of Rochester suggests there may be a surprisingly simple way to tell whether someone is actually paying attention when you’re talking to them. Researchers found that a subtle, often overlooked behavior can reveal how engaged a listener really is, even when their facial expressions or words say otherwise. The team discovered this cue while studying how people follow stories and conversations, and the findings offer an interesting peek into how our brains respond during real communication.

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Rapid advances in technology, automation, and consumer habits are pushing many familiar items toward extinction.

Everyday life is changing faster than ever, and many of the tools, habits, and devices we rely on today may not survive the next five years. Technology experts, market analysts, and industry reports all point to the same trend: automation, artificial intelligence, digital payments, and shifting consumer preferences are replacing older products at record speed. Some items are fading quietly, while others may disappear almost overnight. Understanding what’s on the way out can help people plan ahead, adapt early, and stay comfortable in a world where innovation never slows down.

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As cities shift to digital parking enforcement, drivers are adjusting to new tools, new rules, and fewer paper tickets on their windshields.

Paper parking tickets are gradually disappearing across many U.S. cities as enforcement agencies switch to digital systems that rely on license-plate scanning and online notifications. Instead of finding a printed ticket tucked under the wiper, many drivers now receive electronic alerts or mailed notices generated automatically by enforcement software. The move is designed to cut costs, reduce paper waste, and streamline parking operations. While the change can feel unfamiliar at first, drivers who understand how the new system works are already making simple adjustments to avoid missed notices, surprise fines, or confusion about how to contest a ticket.

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A quick chime can tell flight attendants what’s happening long before passengers notice anything.

Most airline passengers hear the familiar chimes that sound throughout a flight, but few know what those tones actually mean. These audio cues aren’t random—they’re part of a coded communication system used by flight attendants and crew to share important information without alarming passengers. Airlines use different sequences and tones to indicate everything from routine requests to urgent safety issues, allowing the crew to coordinate smoothly behind the scenes. Understanding what these signals represent reveals just how much communication happens quietly while travelers sit unaware in their seats.

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