Unusual ‘Platypus Galaxy’ discovered with James Webb Telescope could challenge our understanding of galaxy formation
A new category of cosmic objects called “Platypus galaxies” defies explanation. These nine strange cosmic objects discovered in archival data from the James Webb Space Telescope cannot be easily characterized by their features. Although they are small and compact, they are likely not active supermassive black holes or quasars, massive black holes that shine as […]
This week’s science news: Runaway black holes, human ancestors discovered in Casablanca caves, vaccine schedule cuts
This week’s science news is full of discoveries from the world’s best telescopes, with the James Webb Space Telescope confirming the existence of a runaway supermassive black hole escaping from its host galaxy at 2.2 million miles per hour (3.6 million km per hour). This black hole leaves an astonishing contrail of stars in its […]
Dionysus and his erect penis depicted on a 2,500-year-old bone needle discovered in Sicily
Archaeologists in southern Sicily have discovered an ancient bone tool depicting the god Dionysus and his erect phallus. Intricate workmanship dates the artifacts to the 5th century BC, when the island was a Greek colony. “This needle represents a unique example in the archaeological context of its time,” Daniela Vullo, head of the Cultural and […]
MuddyWater launches RustyWater RAT via spearphishing across Middle East sector
January 10, 2026Ravi LakshmananCyber espionage/malware The Iranian threat actor known as MuddyWater is believed to have engaged in spear-phishing campaigns targeting diplomatic, maritime, financial, and communications institutions in the Middle East using a Rust-based implant known by the codename RustyWater. “The campaign uses icon spoofing and malicious Word documents to deliver a Rust-based implant capable […]
Why doesn’t stomach acid burn through our stomachs?
If you feel like throwing up or have acid reflux, you may feel a burning sensation as the acid escapes into your esophagus. But if stomach acid is strong enough to irritate the lining of your throat, why doesn’t it pass through your stomach? The human stomach has evolved to create and withstand extremely corrosive […]
Europol arrests 34 Spanish Black Ax members for €5.9 million fraud and organized crime
January 10, 2026Ravi LakshmananCybercrime/Financial Crime Europol announced on Friday that it had arrested 34 people in Spain suspected of being members of the international criminal organization Black Ax. As part of an operation carried out by the Spanish National Police in collaboration with the Bavarian Criminal Police and Europol, 28 people were arrested in Seville, […]
I met a lot of weird robots at CES — here are the ones that impressed me the most
CES has always been a celebration of robots, and this year’s event announced a number of significant robotic developments, including the production-ready new debut of Boston Dynamics’ humanoid Atlas. And there are robots on every showroom floor, and bots often serve as great marketing for the companies involved. It’s not always a completely accurate representation […]
Google’s Moonshot spinout SandboxAQ claims former executive is attempting ‘extortion’
A former SandboxAQ executive filed a wrongful termination lawsuit last month containing scandalous allegations against the company’s illustrious CEO Jack Hydary, with the plaintiff himself redacting the most salacious details. The company’s lawyers issued a blistering rebuttal Friday, calling the former employee a “serial liar” and saying his lawsuit “alleges false claims for an unfair […]
China’s ‘artificial solar’ reactor breaks key fusion limit – one step closer to near-limitless clean energy
China’s fusion reactor, dubbed the “artificial sun,” has significantly surpassed the fusion limit by firing plasma beyond its normal operating range, advancing humanity’s slow progress toward near-limitless clean energy. According to a statement released by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Advanced Superconducting Tokamak Experimental Device (EAST) has stabilized plasma, the high-energy fourth state of […]
CES 2026: Follow the best, weirdest, most interesting technology live as this robot and AI-heavy event concludes
This new solid-state EV battery can be fully charged in just 5 minutes We stopped by the exhibit of Donut Lab, a Finnish startup specializing in electric mobility. The company (which takes its name from its flagship product, the donut-shaped in-wheel EV motor) announced at CES the launch of what it calls the first solid-state […]