Science & Society
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Space
Scientists are getting serious about UFOs. Here’s why
UFOs have been rebranded as UAPs (unidentified anomalous phenomena). Probably not aliens, they might impact national security and aircraft safety.
By Sid Perkins -
Neuroscience
‘Then I Am Myself the World’ ponders what it means to be conscious
Neuroscientist Christof Koch’s new book discusses how information integration in the brain leads to consciousness and whether AI will ever be self-aware.
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Climate
Twisters asks if you can 'tame' a tornado. We have the answer
Science News talked to a meteorologist and Twisters’ tornado consultant to separate fact from fiction in Hollywood’s latest extreme weather thriller.
By Abby Wallace -
Environment
The world has water problems. This book has solutions
The Last Drop tackles global water problems and explores how humans can better manage the precious resource.
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Humans
Does social status shape height?
A controversial idea drawing on findings from the animal kingdom suggests there’s more to human stature than genetics and nutrition.
By Sujata Gupta -
Climate
In ‘Warming Up,’ the sports world’s newest opponent is climate change
In her debut book, Madeleine Orr presents an authoritative account of climate change’s impact on sports, and how the industry can fight back.
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Science & Society
‘After 1177 B.C.’ describes how societies fared when the Bronze Age ended
Archaeologist Eric H. Cline’s new book reconstructs ancient examples of societal resilience and fragility that have modern-day relevance.
By Bruce Bower -
Animals
‘Cull of the Wild’ questions sacrificing wildlife in the name of conservation
In his new book, ecologist Hugh Warwick seeks middle ground in the waging battle that is wildlife management.
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Science & Society
Scientists are fixing flawed forensics that can lead to wrongful convictions
People have been wrongly jailed for forensic failures. Scientists are working to improve police lineups, fingerprinting and even DNA analysis.
By Amber Dance -
Health & Medicine
Privacy remains an issue with several women’s health apps
Inconsistent privacy policies and dodgy data collection in popular fertility and pregnancy tracking apps put women’s health information at risk.
By Payal Dhar -
Artificial Intelligence
Should we use AI to resurrect digital ‘ghosts’ of the dead?
Technology that creates deepfake bots of dead loved ones may need safeguards, experts warn.
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Earth
A hidden danger lurks beneath Yellowstone
A volcanic eruption at Yellowstone is unlikely anytime soon, but evidence is growing that a violent hydrothermal, or steam, explosion is possible.
By Douglas Fox