Science and Tech Archives - Page 9 of 13

What Would Happen in the First 24 Hours of Nuclear War?

November 4, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Experts outline the terrifying chain of events that could unfold within a single day of nuclear conflict.

©Image license via Flickr/The Official CTBTO Photostream

Within minutes of a nuclear exchange, the world would plunge into chaos. Military analysts say the first 24 hours after a nuclear strike would determine the fate of millions—and possibly civilization itself. Global communication networks would collapse, governments would scramble to respond, and radiation would spread through major population centers. Scientists warn that even a “limited” conflict could unleash mass casualties, trigger firestorms, and send shockwaves through the planet’s atmosphere within a single day.

The Plague Never Fully Disappeared — So What Happens If It Spreads Again?

November 3, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Scientists say the bacteria behind the Black Death still circulates — and outbreaks still happen today.

It was one of the deadliest diseases in human history, killing tens of millions during the Middle Ages. But the plague never truly vanished. The same bacteria that caused the Black Death still survives in wild rodent populations around the world, occasionally infecting humans. Though modern medicine makes large-scale outbreaks far less likely, experts say changing climates, human encroachment, and antibiotic resistance could make conditions ripe for its return — in ways few expect.

Space Junk Is Crashing Back to Earth at Record Rates—Here’s What to Do If It Lands Near You

November 3, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Experts say falling space debris is becoming more common—and knowing what to do could matter.

Space junk reentering Earth’s atmosphere was once a rare event. Now, as thousands of aging satellites and rocket parts orbit the planet, experts say the odds of debris landing near populated areas are rising. Most fragments burn up before reaching the ground, but some larger pieces survive reentry. Recent incidents in the U.S., Australia, and India have sparked new safety discussions. Scientists say understanding the risks—and what to do if debris lands nearby—has never been more important.

Scientists Are Using AI More Than Ever—But Growing Increasingly Skeptical of It

October 31, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

A new survey reveals that as scientists rely more on AI, their confidence in its results is declining.

A comprehensive survey of academic and industry scientists found that as use of artificial intelligence tools rises sharply, their trust in those same tools is falling. The questionnaire, conducted across 25 countries in early 2025, asked about frequency of AI use, accuracy of outcomes, and professional confidence. Researchers reported more incidents of AI errors and misalignment with expectations, leading to growing caution despite increasing dependence. The results underscore a paradox at the heart of modern science: more adoption, yet less faith.

Sam Altman Backs Startup That Aims to Read Minds Without Implants

October 31, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

The OpenAI CEO is investing in a company developing noninvasive technology to decode brain activity.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is funding a new biomedical startup that wants to read human brain activity—without surgery. The company, called Sonera Magnetics, is developing a noninvasive system that uses sound waves and magnetic sensing to interpret neural signals in real time. Researchers say the approach could one day allow computers to “listen” to the brain’s patterns to restore communication or control devices. Altman’s investment signals his growing interest in merging advanced AI with human biology.

AI Isn’t Just Replacing People—It’s Ditching Animal Actors Too

October 31, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Studios are turning to digital animals created by AI, cutting real animal actors from film sets.

Hollywood’s next wave of job losses isn’t human—it’s animal. A growing number of studios are replacing live animal actors with AI-generated versions that can be animated, trained, and controlled entirely on screen. From dogs and horses to exotic wildlife, these digital doubles eliminate costs, safety concerns, and ethical debates about animal use in film. Industry experts say the shift marks another major disruption as artificial intelligence reshapes nearly every corner of entertainment production.

After Centuries of Mystery, Science May Be Closing In on How Consciousness Works

October 29, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

New research brings scientists closer to a unified theory explaining how the brain creates conscious experience.

For centuries, philosophers and scientists have struggled to explain how subjective awareness arises from the physical brain. Now, advances in neuroscience and physics are edging researchers closer to what some call a “unified theory of consciousness.” Competing frameworks—like Integrated Information Theory and Global Workspace Theory—are beginning to converge in surprising ways. Though the mystery isn’t solved yet, new findings suggest we may be approaching the first testable model that explains how the mind becomes aware of itself.

Two Dinosaur Fossils From the “Mummy Zone” Are Changing What We Know

October 28, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Exceptionally preserved dinosaur “mummies” discovered in Wyoming’s fossil-rich badlands are offering rare insights into prehistoric life.

In the fossil-rich badlands of Wyoming, paleontologists have uncovered two remarkably preserved Edmontosaurus fossils—massive duck-billed dinosaurs that lived around 66 million years ago. Found in a region now known as the “Mummy Zone,” these specimens contain rare traces of skin, muscle, and even hoof-like foot structures. The extraordinary preservation is giving scientists a closer look at the anatomy and adaptations of these Late Cretaceous giants, revealing new details about how they lived, moved, and survived in prehistoric North America.

If Russia Launched a Nuclear Strike on the U.K., the Fallout Would Change the World

October 28, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Following Moscow’s recent “overwhelming response” warning to the U.K., analysts model the global consequences of a nuclear strike.

Russia’s recent warning of an “overwhelming” nuclear response if the U.K. crosses one of its red lines has elevated fears of a nuclear clash on British soil—and the ripple effects could be global. Experts modelling the scenario say a strike wouldn’t just devastate one nation, but would trigger cascading economic, political and climate-impacts far beyond Europe. With alliances, supply chains and ecosystems all interconnected, the consequences of such an attack could reach every corner of the world.

Secrets Found in Copernicus’ Original Manuscript Are Rewriting Science History

October 27, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

New analysis of Copernicus’ notes reveals how he refined—and doubted—the theory that changed science forever.

Centuries after Nicolaus Copernicus transformed humanity’s understanding of the universe, researchers have reexamined his original manuscript, De revolutionibus orbium coelestium. Using high-resolution imaging and digital transcription, historians uncovered hidden notes, corrections, and margin sketches showing how Copernicus refined his heliocentric theory in real time. The manuscript reveals not only his evolving calculations but also his hesitation to challenge Church orthodoxy. These insights illuminate how one mathematician’s quiet revisions ultimately redefined science and our place in the cosmos.