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Earthworms after rain (2019)
What’s really happening when we see earthworms on a soggy sidewalk? It's probably not what you think.
Topics /
Science & Space
The most popular blog posts about science & space on Hacker News. 399 posts.
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Health effects of the use of non-sugar sweeteners: a review and meta-analysis
Non-sugar sweeteners have been developed as an alternative to sugars and are widely used both as an ingredient in pre-packaged foods and beverages and added to food and beverages directly by the consumer.
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Why dark and light is complicated in photographs
Choices in photographic tone reproduction
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An extrasolar world covered in water?
With the help of instruments designed partly in Canada, a team of Université de Montréal astronomers have discovered an exoplanet that could be completely covered in water.
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Solar-powered system offers a route to inexpensive desalination
MIT researchers developed a desalination system that is more efficient and less expensive than previous methods. In addition to providing fresh water, the process could be used to treat contaminated wastewater or generate steam for sterilizing medical instruments, all without requiring a power source other than…
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New theory proposes ‘forgetting’ is a form of learning
The scientists behind the new theory suggest that rather than being a bug, forgetting may be a functional feature of the brain, allowing it to interact dynamically with the environment to enhance decision-making.
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Once in a Lifetime
Here is what might possibly be my single favorite song in the world:
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Study: Electroshock therapy more successful for depression than ketamine
Therapeutic technique, portrayed unfavorably in films and TV shows, shows consistently better results with treatment-resistant depression
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Humanity’s broken risk perception is reversing global progress
Human activity and behaviour is contributing to an increasing number of disasters across the world, putting millions of lives and every social and economic gain in danger, warns a new UN report.
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Aerodynamics of Gravel Bikes
Aerodynamics are an important factor in gravel racing and riding. Gravel racing speeds are high—the fastest riders in the 200-mile Unbound average 20 mph (32 km/h) across the Flint Hills of Kansas. And many gravel races can be extremely windy. Optimizing the aerodynamics of a…
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What caused the hallucinations of the Oracle of Delphi?
Why did the oracle of Delphi go into a trance state? Does it have anything to do with ethylene?
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Futurist prediction methods and accuracy
I've been reading a lot of predictions from people who are looking to understand what problems humanity will face 10-50 years out (and sometimes longer) in order to work in areas that will be instrumental for the future and wondering how accurate these predictions of the future are. The timeframe of predictions that…
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The James Webb Space Telescope – making 300 points of failure reliable
The JWST must perform a bewildering array of tasks — unfurling panels, mirrors and more — how can engineers trust telescope’s reliability?
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Once seen as fleeting, a new solar tech proves its lasting power
Princeton Engineering researchers have developed the first perovskite solar cell with a 30-year lifespan. The new device is the first of its kind to rival the performance of silicon-based solar cells. A pioneering new test method will help industry develop consumer-friendly products.
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The history of the end of poverty has just begun
The decline of global poverty is one of the most important achievements in history, but the end of poverty is still very far away.
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Reducing the risk of nuclear war should be a key concern of our generation
The consequences of nuclear war would be devastating. Much more should – and can – be done to reduce the risk that humanity will ever fight such a war
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High-intensity exercise, some new news
Several months I noticed something interesting (to me!) about my heart rate, and I thought about blogging about it…but I didn’t feel like it would be interesting (to you!) so I’ve been hesitant. But then the NYT published something that is kinda related and I thought OK, what the hell, maybe it’s time for an update…
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Gaia sees strange stars in most detailed Milky Way survey to date
Today, ESA’s Gaia mission releases its new treasure trove of data about our home galaxy. Astronomers describe strange ‘starquakes’, stellar DNA, asymmetric motions and other fascinating insights in this most detailed Milky Way survey to date.
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Why does anything exist?
Why does anything exist? Why is there something rather than nothing? Would it not have been easier for there to be nothing at all?
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When volcanoes go bang, submarine cables do what?
Guest Post: Insights and lessons from Tonga in the last five weeks.
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Ctcctcggcgggcacgtag is unique to both SARS-CoV-2 and Moderna's 2015/2016 patents
Using BLAST is easy. I'm going to show you how easy and how to prove that SARS-Cov-2 is man-made
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Sugar not so nice for your child’s brain development
New research shows how high consumption of sugar affects learning, memory.
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Corrected identification of object about to hit the moon
Note : I keep getting questions that cause me to realize I should explain something else, or that I explained something poorly. Click here for a list of recent changes. Last modified 2015 Mar 05 16:00 UTC. Here's the original story about this object .
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Speculoos-2c: A new potentially habitable earth
University of Liège researchers discover a new planetary system around a particularly small and cool star.