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Interesting Things

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Reviewboard Interesting Things artwork for Emotion Shapes Ape Learning: Orangutan Study Unveils New Behavior
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Interesting Things

Emotion Shapes Ape Learning: Orangutan Study Unveils New Behavior

A surprising study reveals that orangutans aren't just choosing food based on taste; they are actively seeking out rewards linked to positive social sounds. This research suggests that the emotional context—the feeling of joy or camaraderie—can profoundly influence how intelligent animals learn and make choices, offering a fascinating parallel for human cognition.

October 23, 2026 at 3:21 AM CDT
How citizen science is tracking changes in shorelines around the world
Image: The Guardian Science · Source: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/oct/23/how-citizen-science-is-tracking-changes-in-shorelines-around-the-world
Interesting Things

Citizen Science Maps Global Shoreline Changes with Phone Photos

A global army of citizen scientists, armed with camera phones and smart software, is turning everyday beach walks into a powerful scientific monitoring system. The CoastSnap project is mapping coastal changes worldwide, offering researchers an unprecedented, day-by-day view of how waves and tides are reshaping our shores.

October 23, 2026 at 2:47 AM CDT
Why we’re still so obsessed with Elizabeth Holmes - video
Image: The Guardian Science · Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/video/2026/oct/22/why-were-still-so-obsessed-with-elizabeth-holmes-video
Interesting Things

Why We're Still Obsessed with Elizabeth Holmes: The Psychology Behind the Fascination

Why the story of Elizabeth Holmes continues to captivate audiences, even years after the scandal, forces us to look deeper into the psychology of fascination and morbid curiosity surrounding high-stakes ambition and failure in the modern world.

October 23, 2026 at 2:04 AM CDT
Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (W.H.O.), tobacco use kills around 443,000 Americans (about 18 percent of all deaths) yearly and secondhand
Airman 1st Class Levin Boland · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Interesting Things

Crows Think Twice as Fast as Humans: Unpacking the 'Bird Brain's' Speed

Discover how crows process visual information at twice the speed of humans and primates, revealing an evolutionary blueprint for rapid, sophisticated intelligence that challenges our definitions of 'bird brain'.

October 23, 2026 at 1:52 AM CDT
Australia offers astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg for space mission to International Space Station
Image: The Guardian Science · Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/23/australian-astronaut-katherine-bennell-pegg-2028-space-mission
Interesting Things

Australian Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg Eyes 2028 ISS Mission

Australia is offering astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg for a 2028 mission to the International Space Station. This ambitious project involves extensive government engagement with private sector funding and philanthropic support, aiming to inspire future generations in STEM and secure Australia's place in the global space race.

October 23, 2026 at 12:21 AM CDT
The humble one-celled alga that helped scientists win the Nobel prize
Image: The Guardian Science · Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/oct/21/chlamydomonas-one-celled-alga-nobel-prize
Interesting Things

The Tiny Alga That Unlocked the Secrets of the Human Brain

A microscopic alga has provided scientists with a revolutionary tool to map the neural circuits controlling memory and emotion, opening new doors for treating neurological diseases.

October 22, 2026 at 7:11 AM CDT
Big pharma accused of ‘free-riding on nature’ as global fund attracts just $7,000
Image: The Guardian Science · Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/oct/22/cop17-cali-conservation-fund-pharmaceutical-freeriding-nature-aoe
Interesting Things

Big Pharma Accused of Free-Riding on Nature as Biodiversity Fund Stalls at $7,000

Big pharma is accused of exploiting nature's genetic resources for profit while failing to contribute meaningfully to a global biodiversity fund, which has attracted a negligible sum despite its massive potential. This story explores the ethical gap between scientific advancement and ecological responsibility.

October 22, 2026 at 6:38 AM CDT
Blackpool Tower seen against a blue sky
Image: BBC Entertainment and Arts · Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6jrw03njgxzo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
Interesting Things

Blackpool, Sheffield, Milton Keynes, Wrexham Vie for UK City of Culture 2029

Four cities—Blackpool, Milton Keynes, Sheffield, and Wrexham—are shortlisted for the prestigious UK City of Culture in 2029. Each location is receiving funding to develop ambitious cultural bids, promising a fascinating contest between showbiz history, innovative planning, industrial heritage, and modern ambition.

October 22, 2026 at 4:49 AM CDT
Reviewboard Interesting Things artwork for Alga Unlocks Brain Secrets for Depression and Parkinson's Research
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Interesting Things

Alga Unlocks Brain Secrets for Depression and Parkinson's Research

A microscopic alga has provided scientists with a revolutionary tool to map brain circuits by using light signals. This discovery isn't just academic; it offers new pathways to understand and potentially treat complex conditions like depression and Parkinson’s disease, while insights from studying ancient life forms hint at secrets of human longevity.

October 22, 2026 at 2:11 AM CDT
The poster for the 1931 film,   High Stakes  .
RKO Pictures · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Interesting Things

Tap Dancing Through a Minefield: The High Stakes of Musk's Tech Union

Elon Musk is reportedly considering merging Tesla and SpaceX. This potential mega-merger would combine ground-level robotics and automotive tech with space exploration infrastructure, aiming to accelerate his vision for a self-sustaining city on Mars.

October 22, 2026 at 12:08 AM CDT
"Confront Long Covid" with illustration of three medical workers wearing face masks
Unknown author Unknown author · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Interesting Things

Sea Monsters, Long COVID Gut Bugs, and Elephant Carcasses: A Science Deep Dive

A new science podcast connects the deep mystery of sea monsters, the intimate world of the long COVID microbiome, and the ecological role of elephant carcasses in sustaining the savannah, inviting readers to explore the astonishing interconnectedness of life on Earth.

October 21, 2026 at 10:30 AM CDT
Theatre advertisement for the film, Queen of Outer Space, 26 August, 1958.
Allied Artists Pictures · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Interesting Things

Musk and Bezos: The Cosmic Race for Outer Space Control

In the high-stakes race between Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, the focus is shifting from mere competition to a strategic merger of Tesla's terrestrial tech prowess with SpaceX's space dominance. This move aims to create an integrated system capable of achieving humanity’s ultimate goal: establishing a permanent presence beyond Earth.

October 21, 2026 at 10:05 AM CDT
Bad apple effect: study shows how people are influenced by rule-breaking of others
Image: The Guardian Science · Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/oct/21/bad-apples-rule-breaking-study
Interesting Things

Bad Apple Effect: How Others' Rule-Breaking Shapes Our Choices

A fascinating psychological study reveals how our sense of autonomy in making decisions about breaking rules is deeply intertwined with what others are doing. The 'bad apple effect' shows that witnessing rule-breaking can either temper or escalate our own behavior, offering a surprising insight into the invisible architecture of social control.

October 21, 2026 at 8:30 AM CDT
Tesla and SpaceX explore merger as Elon Musk gives backing
Image: The Guardian Science · Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/oct/20/spacex-revenue-earnings-report
Interesting Things

Musk Eyes Mega-Merger: Tesla and SpaceX Explore Union

Elon Musk is actively exploring a mega-merger between Tesla and SpaceX, driven by the desire to integrate their respective technologies—automotive/robotics with aerospace/AI infrastructure—to achieve his ultimate goal of colonizing Mars. The move is complex, requiring shareholder approval, and signals a massive shift in how technological ambition is being pursued.

October 21, 2026 at 5:01 AM CDT
An artist's impression of the MMX spacecraft - which is a gold and black spacecraft with large solar panels, thrusters and antenna - flies above the red surface of Mars, which looms large in the background. It is he
Image: BBC Science and Environment · Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmvgxvkv54w1o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
Interesting Things

Japan Launches World's First Mission to Sample Martian Moon Phobos

Japan is launching a world-first mission to collect physical samples from Phobos, one of Mars's small moons. This five-year mission aims to gather soil and rock samples to unlock secrets about how the moons formed and potentially shed light on the origins of life in the solar system.

October 20, 2026 at 10:33 PM CDT
Elon Musk, in a black leather jacket, speaking about SpaceX's quarterly business performance in a livestream.
Image: BBC Science and Environment · Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmlyl09xjke4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
Interesting Things

Musk Unveils Flying Car Concept at Tesla Event

Elon Musk unveiled what he claims is the world’s first flying car, the Tesla Roadster 2. The vehicle was demonstrated performing maneuvers like flipping in mid-air and landing using air jets powered by thrusters. This development signals a major leap in personal mobility, blending automotive design with aerospace propulsion.

October 20, 2026 at 9:51 PM CDT
Reviewboard Interesting Things artwork for Blood Clues: Predicting IBD a Decade Early
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Interesting Things

Blood Clues: Predicting IBD a Decade Early

Scientists have uncovered specific patterns in blood antibodies that can signal a predisposition to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) up to a decade before symptoms appear. This research offers a crucial pathway toward catching the condition early enough to potentially prevent long-term damage, shifting the paradigm from reactive treatment to proactive care.

October 20, 2026 at 8:57 PM CDT
‘These risks are real’: the threat of AI bioweapons - video
Image: The Guardian Science · Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/video/2026/oct/20/these-risks-are-real-the-threat-of-ai-bioweapons-video
Interesting Things

AI's Shadow: The Real Threat of Bioweapons Amplified by Tech

The rise of artificial intelligence presents a startling new frontier in global security: the potential for AI to fundamentally alter the landscape of bioweapons development. Experts warn that this technology can act as an amplifier, making sophisticated biological threats more accessible to both rogue actors and well-resourced nation-states. We explore how AI could help refine existing pathogens and design entirely new, drug-resistant agents, while also examining the immense physical and expert

October 20, 2026 at 8:26 PM CDT
Margaret Hamilton c. 1929
Unknown author Unknown author · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Interesting Things

Trailblazer Margaret Hamilton, Who Coded the Moon Landing, Dies at 90

The story of Margaret Hamilton, the brilliant computer scientist whose software was essential for the Apollo 11 Moon landing, offers a profound look at the intersection of human ingenuity, pioneering spirit, and the power of code to achieve the seemingly impossible.

October 12, 2026 at 7:43 PM CDT
  
Newscutting relating to Rackstrow's announcing A figure... which represents a woman eight months gone with child; "a proper person attends the ladies"; 1754 (manuscript); Figure... which represents a woman eight month
Rackstrow, Benjamin, d. 1772 [funder/Sponsor] Incledon, Charles Benjamin, 1763-1826 [performer] · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Interesting Things

NASA Crew-12 Mission Successfully Returns After Eight Months in Space

The successful return of four astronauts from NASA's Crew-12 mission after eight months in space highlights the incredible human and technological capacity for long-duration space travel and international collaboration.

October 12, 2026 at 1:41 PM CDT
‘A living hell’: how Los Angeles got taken over by mosquitoes
Image: The Guardian Science · Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/11/los-angeles-mosquitoes-west-nile-virus-el-nino
Interesting Things

Los Angeles: How Mosquitoes Created a Living Hell

Los Angeles is experiencing a biological crisis where extreme heat and humidity, fueled by El Niño, have caused an explosion in mosquito populations, turning the city into a breeding ground for diseases like West Nile virus. This article explores the mechanism behind this 'living hell' and why understanding the interplay between climate, water management, and insect biology is crucial for public health.

October 12, 2026 at 10:19 AM CDT
A 14th-century illustration from an Italian manuscript of the Vulgate Cycle's The Quest for the Holy Grail.
Anonymous Unknown author · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Interesting Things

Unlocking Logic: The Mind-Bending Riddle of the Round Table

A mathematical riddle based on statements about relative ages at round tables, exploring the limits of logical deduction and the nature of truth within structured systems.

October 12, 2026 at 8:39 AM CDT