this tiny insect pest met its end in a volcanic lake 90 million years ago
Thrips are tiny insects – their sizes range between 0.5mm and 15mm in length and…
What our reaction to Adolescence tells us about our fear of boys, sex and the internet
News feeds have been flooded with reactions to Adolescence, Netflix’s newest viral hit. Released in…
What is reinforcement learning? An AI researcher explains a key method of teaching machines – and how it relates to training your dog
Understanding intelligence and creating intelligent machines are grand scientific challenges of our times. The ability…
Jets from powerful black holes can point astronomers toward where − and where not − to look for life in the universe
One of the most powerful objects in the universe is a radio quasar – a…
why AI systems need different rules for different roles
“I’m really not sure what to do anymore. I don’t have anyone I can talk…
social media is driving men’s use of steroids. Here’s how to mitigate the risks
Men have cared about their appearance throughout the centuries, and ideals of masculinity and “manliness”…
Why AI can’t take over creative writing
In 1948, the founder of information theory, Claude Shannon, proposed modelling language in terms of…
Why do dogs love to play with trash?
Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question…
Taiwan’s latest computer chip has serious implications for technology – and the island’s security
On April 1, 2025, the Taiwanese manufacturer TSMC introduced the world’s most advanced microchip: the…
how we used AI to trace the evolution of bacteria on Earth
There are roughly a trillion species of microorganisms on Earth – the vast majority of…