“Cognitive ecstasy” is one reason humans persevere in science, art, and invention.
Humans are curious because discovery is pleasurable. In Jason Silva’s latest video. he says humans don’t care about spectacle—what we care about is ecstatic understanding: “In other words, cognitive ecstasy defined as an exhilarating neurostorm of intense intellectual pleasure.” (Video)
Continue reading… “Progress in technology is driven by our growing addiction to ‘cognitive ecstasy’”
Ununseptium – the 117th element
The discovery of the periodic table’s 117th element has been confirmed after four years of painstaking research. Element 117, otherwise known as ununseptium, was originally discovered back in 2010 by a group of American and Russian physicists with the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR). However, it has taken years for the discovery to be replicated by another independent team, which the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) requires. Now the element, with the approval of the IUPAC, can be named and added to the periodic table, extending our understanding of transuranium elements.
Continue reading… “Scientists confirm existence of the periodic table’s 117th element”
A review and update of a controversial 20-year-old theory of consciousness published in Elsevier’s Physics of Life Reviews claims that consciousness derives from deeper-level, finer-scale activities inside brain neurons.
The quest started with trying to make better yogurt.
Bacteria that uses a tiny molecular machine to kill attacking viruses could change the way that scientists edit the DNA of plants, animals and fungi, revolutionizing genetic engineering. The protein, called Cas9, is quite simply a way to more accurately cut a piece of DNA.
Continue reading… “New protein discovery could change biotech forever”
This plot shows the discovery as seen in one of the LHC detectors.
In Geneva, scientists using the Large Hadron Collider have announced the discovery of a new subatomic particle to very high confidence that is consistent with what we expect the Higgs particle to look like.
Continue reading… “Higgs particle discovery”
Last week there were used battleships for sale on e-bay, this week we’ve got used space shuttles. But not going as cheaply as the warships and not being turned into pots and pans either.
NASA has been trying to flog these space shuttles for a while now; they have already been marked down from $42M to $28M. And it looks like they may have finally found a new, earth-bound, home.
Continue reading… “Sold to the Highest Bidder: 3 Used Space Ships”
Scientists Thomas Defler, Marta Bueno and Javier García have discovered a new species of monkey in the Caquetá region of southern Colombia. The region, which is part of the Amazon rainforest, had been inaccessible for years due to a violent insurgence.
The violence subsided three years ago, allowing García–a native of Caquetá–to explore the Colombian Amazon. Using a GPS to traverse the upper Caquetá River, García found 13 different groups of titi monkeys, which have a very complex call.
Continue reading… “Scientists Discover New Bearded Monkey”
The photo actually shows a trail of urine and waste water streaming out of the shuttle Discovery.
The beautiful trail in the sky looked like a mysterious celestial event. In reality, it was urine. Some skygazers were treated to the unexpected view of a bright sparkling glow Wednesday night, created when astronauts aboard the space shuttle Discovery dumped the waste out into space.
Continue reading… “Glowing Trail Of Astronaut Urine Spotted In The Night Sky Over North America”
This is Tyrrhenoleuctra antoninoi
After 10 years of biochemical and molecular analysis of the Tyrrhenoleuctra plecoptera that live in the Western Mediterranean, Spanish and Italian scientists have now demonstrated that one of the insect populations of this group is a distinct and, therefore, new species.
Continue reading… “New Insect Species Discovered”
A limestone countertop, a practiced eye and Google Earth all played roles in the discovery of a trove of fossils that may shed light on the origins of African wildlife.
Continue reading… “Google Earth Plays A Role In Discovery Of Early African Mammal Fossils”
From a half billion kilometers away, the message was powerful. In 1994, fragments of the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet slammed into Jupiter. The earth-size fireballs ejected into space were captured and relayed back to be seen again and again in Internet replay. The message: we need a foothold in space if our species is to survive.
Continue reading… “Year 2036: Mars colonization and a date with destiny”
Researchers at a US Navy laboratory have unveiled what they say is “significant” evidence of cold fusion, a potential energy source that has many sceptics in the scientific community.
Continue reading… “Researchers Unveil Significant Evidence Of Cold Fusion”
By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.
Learn More about this exciting program.