A mysterious neurological disease known as “the laughing death” was killing women and children in Papua New Guinea in the 1950s. Autopsies revealed tiny holes in the victims’ brains, leading scientists to discover the role of infectious proteins, or prions, in the disease. Neurovirologist Michel Brahic’s new book, “The Power of Prions,” delves into the…
research on The Soothsayer / page 29
A team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize potato farming. By understanding the genetic mechanism that controls nitrogen management in potatoes, scientists may be able to develop varieties that require less fertilizer, saving farmers money and reducing the environmental impact of potato cultivation. Forecast for 6 months: Within the next six…
Vampire bats have been found to metabolize their food in a unique way, using amino acids from their recent blood meals as a primary source of energy. This discovery challenges our understanding of mammalian physiology and may have implications for our understanding of other mammals that rely on blood or protein-rich diets. Researchers have been…
Researchers have discovered that artificially enhanced smiles can influence romantic feelings, raising questions about the ethical use of face-altering technology. A study found that when two people’s smiles were boosted, they reported higher levels of attraction. This has sparked concerns about the impact of digital transformations on social interactions. Forecast for 6 months: Expect a…
Researchers have made a breakthrough in aviation with the development of a new airplane design that mimics the unique features of bird wings. The innovative design, which features a series of lightweight flaps that deploy passively, has shown significant improvements in lift, drag, and stall prevention. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the aviation…
OpenAI’s ChatGPT Search has been released, but it still has a long way to go before it can replace Google. While it excels at answering long, written-out research questions, it struggles with short queries, which are the most common type of search. This means that ChatGPT Search and other AI products are not replacing Google…
Wiz, a cloud security startup, turned down a $23 billion offer from Alphabet, opting to pursue a $100 billion opportunity in the cloud security space. This decision has sparked interest in the tech world, with many speculating about the future of cloud security and AI. The news also highlights the growing importance of AI in…
The notion of a midlife crisis is being reevaluated by scientists, who are now focusing on the growing mental health crisis among adolescents. Researchers are questioning the validity of the U-curve theory, which suggests that happiness plummets in midlife before rebounding. Instead, they are finding that happiness trends vary across different cultures and age groups,…
A new phone app has been shown to increase the frequency of lucid dreams, allowing users to become aware of their dreams and potentially gain insight into the nature of consciousness. Researchers at Northwestern University tested the app and found that it was effective in inducing lucid dreams in users. The app uses sound cues…
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has hinted at an improved, “agentic” version of the company’s Alexa assistant, which could take actions on a user’s behalf. The new Alexa, code-named “Remarkable Alexa,” is expected to be released in 2025 and will reportedly cost $5 to $10 per month. The assistant will be powered by Anthropic’s generative AI…
