Will AI ever be able to be more creative than humans?
Strict mathematical limits are placed on the supposed “creativity” of artificial intelligence (AI), according to a study published Nov. 11 in the Journal of Creative Behavior. David Cropley, Professor of Engineering Innovation at the University of South Australia and sole author of the study, found that the limits of AI’s capabilities lie between the amateur […]
Trees in Panama’s tropical forests are growing longer roots in the face of drought
When hit by drought, Panama’s tropical forests have a “relief strategy” that sends roots deep underground to adapt to water shortages, a new study has found. But scientists warn that this may not be enough to save people from the ravages of climate change. Tropical forests are home to more than half of the world’s […]
January’s ‘Wolf Supermoon’: How to watch the full moon rise with Jupiter this weekend
Saturday, January 3rd will be the first full moon of 2026. This full moon, known as the Wolf Moon, becomes full at 5:02 a.m. ET and is best seen rising in the eastern sky at dusk later that day. Also, since it will be a “supermoon,” it will appear brighter and larger than usual. According […]
Full Moons 2026: When will all 13 moons (including the Blue Moon and Blood Moon) appear next year?
When is the next full moon? January’s full moon, known as the Wolf Moon, will rise on Saturday, January 3rd, making it the second highest full moon of the year. The moon will be full at exactly 5:03 a.m. ET and will remain bright and full on Friday (January 2) and Sunday (January 4). The […]
From gene therapy breakthroughs to preventable disease outbreaks: Health trends shaping 2026
Medicine stands on the precipice of an exciting new era. We are closer than ever to achieving functional treatments for once intractable diseases, including HIV. Stem cell therapy is repairing invisible damage and stabilizing failing hearts. New cancer treatments are expected to extend patients’ lives and reduce the likelihood that the disease will return. And […]
Centuries-old ‘trophy head’ discovered in Peru reveals it survived to adulthood despite birth defects
Centuries ago, the heads of decapitated people in Peru were turned into “trophies.” Now, a careful look at this trophy head reveals that it survived into early adulthood despite potentially problematic birth defects. Beth Scafidi, assistant professor of anthropology and heritage studies at the University of California, Merced, writes in a new study that based […]
Myanmar’s big earthquake was very smooth and efficient – and it leaves lessons for ‘big earthquakes’
The fault that struck Myanmar in March tore through hundreds of miles of the earth’s surface, highly efficient in transferring energy from deep underground to the surface. In many earthquakes, the underground moves more than the surface. But the earthquake on the Sagaing Fault was different, a new study shows, because it moved the surface […]
Diagnostic dilemma: A rare condition leaves a man with ‘scales’ on his hands every time he washes them.
Patient: Male in his 20s living in China Symptoms: A man visited a hospital dermatology department after experiencing various symptoms for about three years. When the man soaked his hands in water, such as when washing his hands, the skin on the back of his hands became thicker, more wrinkled, and white bumps and tumors […]
Enough fresh water is lost from the continent each year to meet the needs of 280 million people. Here’s how to deal with this.
Earth’s continents are drying out at an alarming rate. Now, a new report paints the most detailed picture yet of where and why fresh water is being lost, and outlines exactly how countries can address the problem. Continental aridity is the long-term decrease in available fresh water across large tracts of land. This is caused […]
Did the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone really set off an ecological cascade?
Over the past 30 years, Yellowstone National Park has experienced an ecological cascade. As the elk population declined, aspen and willow trees flourished. This has increased beaver numbers and created new habitat for fish and birds. This change was largely due to the reintroduction of wolves into the park, which as predators helped keep elk […]