Breaking: Satellite Failure Scuttles First-of-Its-Kind In-Space Test of Physics-Defying Quantum Drive
The cancellation of the first in-space test of a controversial quantum drive has been announced due to an electrical failure on its host satellite.
Christopher Plain
Christopher Plain is Lead Science Writer at The Debrief. A science fiction and fantasy novelist of many years, you can follow and connect with him on X @plain_fiction, learn about his books at plainfiction.com, or email him directly at christopher@thedebrief.org.
At Long Last, Scientists Have Finally Solved the Mystery of Why Blueberries Are Blue. Seriously.
For the first time in human history, we finally have a scientific explanation for why blueberries are blue.
Harvard Reveals Suspended Animation Drug that “Magically” Mimics Hibernation
Harvard researchers have announced the successful test of a seemingly magical 'suspended animation' drug that could aid trauma survival and organ transplantation.
Saturn’s ‘Death Star’ Moon Mimas is Hiding a Secret Beneath its Icy Shell. Astronomers Now Say It’s ‘a Prime Candidate for Study’
An international research team has announced the discovery of an ocean hidden beneath the surface of Saturn's "Death Star" moon, Mimas.
Look Who’s Clucking! Canadian Researchers Are Using Cutting-Edge Tech to Decode Chicken Chatter
Researcher from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia say they are using advanced technology to successfully create a Star Trek-style universal chicken translator.
Forget Smart Watches. Here Come Smart Earrings
University of Washington researchers have developed a prototype pair of smart earrings that can monitor a wide range of bodily functions.
Exclusive: Morpheus Space Unveils New Thruster That Uses Liquid Metal as a Propellant
Morpheus Space has unveiled their new GO-2 field emission electric propulsion thruster that uses liquid metal as a propellant.
NASA Announces Discovery of a Cosmically Close “Super Earth” Orbiting Within its Star’s Habitable Zone
NASA researchers say they have spotted a Super Earth that is only 137 light years away and orbits within its star's habitable zone.
Focusing Ultrasound Deep into the Human Brain May Revolutionize the Treatment of Pain
Virginia Tech researchers say they have successfully reduced pain and its stress-induced effects by targeting focused ultrasound deep into the human brain.
NASA’s Curiosity Rover Closer to Solving Mystery of Methane Biosignature on Mars, Aiding Search for Life
Researchers are closing in the source of methane gas in the Martian atmosphere, upping the chances of finding signs of life on the red planet.
Mars Rover Spots Mysterious Polygons Hidden Beneath the Red Planet’s Surface
Ground penetrating radar data captured by China's Zhurong Mars rover has revealed the presence of a series of 16 mysterious polygons hidden beneath the planet's surface.
This “Magical” Sensor is Powered Exclusively by Sound and can be Activated with a Single Word
Swiss inventors have created a seemingly magical, patented sensor powered exclusively by sound that could have numerous medical and industrial applications.
Southwest Research Institute’s Supercritical CO2 Power Generation Demo Plant Announces Successful Test-Firing
The Southwest Research Institute has announced the first-ever successful test firing of their potentially revolutionary supercritical CO2 power demo pilot plant.
Homo Sapiens Arriving in Northern Europe Over 45,000 Years Ago Encountered This Enigmatic Human Species
Genetic Analysis of human bones shows Homo sapiens arrived in Northern Europe and encountered this enigmatic human species over 45,000 years ago.
Cutting-Edge Analysis of the Winchcombe Meteorite Confirms Presence of Life-Supporting Organic Compounds
Researchers using a high-resolution electron microscope have confirmed the presence of organic compounds within the Winchcombe meteorite without the use of any chemicals.
First Ever Successful Measurement of Material Aging in Glass Reveals Unexpected Time Reversibility
While making the first-ever direct measurement of material aging, German researchers unexpectedly discover time reversibility in glass.
Starfield, Xbox, and the European Space Agency Are Giving Away a Real-Life Spacesuit
Starfield creator Bethesda Game Studios, Xbox, and the European Space Agency are giving away a customized spacesuit to whoever comes up with the best design.
“Chimera” Metamaterial Achieves Previously Impossible Multi-Terrain Invisibility
A metamaterial that incorporates the camouflaging capabilities of three different animals successfully achieves the first-ever multi-terrain invisibility.
Chances That Odd Soil Samples Collected at Mars’ Jezero Crater Contain Signs of Ancient Life Just Increased Dramatically
New analysis of the subsurface features beneath Mars Jezero crater dramatically increases the chances the Perseverance rover's soil samples contain signs of ancient life.
Department of Energy-Funded Ultrafast Lithium Battery Charges in Just Five Minutes
A team of Cornell University researchers funded by the Department of Energy say they have invented a new lithium battery that can be fully charged in just five minutes.
People Living in the Andes 9,000 Years Ago May Completely Redefine Our Understanding of Hunter-Gatherers
Isotopic analysis reveals people living 9,000-6,500 years ago in the Andes Mountains were not hunter-gatherers as previously believed.
Did This Biomedical Sciences Professor Just Discover the Fountain of Youth?
Researchers specializing in aging and cellular senescence say they may have found a real-life fountain of youth hiding within our own bodies.
Darwin’s Theories About Life on Earth Gain Fresh Support, May Aid the Search for Life on Other Worlds
A new study by researchers from the University of Washington is lending fresh support to Charles Darwin's idea that the origin of life on Earth began in phosphate-rich bodies of water.
UK Ministry of Defense Says High-Powered DragonFire Combat Laser Successfully Downed Aerial Target
The UK Ministry of Defense has announced the first successful downing of an aerial threat using its DragonFire combat laser system.
Sci-Fi Nightmare? These Insect-inspired Micro-Robots are the Smallest, Lightest, and Fastest Ever Built
Like something right out of a science fiction nightmare, Washington State University engineers have created a pair of insect-inspired micro-robots that are the smallest, lightest, and fastest ever built.
Scientists Successfully Trap Individual Krypton Atoms to Create the First-Ever One-Dimensional Gas
For the first time ever, researchers from the University of Nottingham have successfully trapped individual atoms of krypton to create a one-dimensional gas.
Researchers Examine Whether Violent Video Games Numb People to Real-World Violence
A team of international researchers took a closer look at violent video games to see if the adversely affect empathy by numbing players to real-world violence.
Raytheon is Building Two Ultra-High Power Directed Energy Weapons for the U.S. Navy and Air Force
Raytheon has been tasked to design, build, and test a pair of ultra-high powered directed energy weapons for the U.S. Navy and Air Force.
Something ‘Anomalous’ on the Moon’s Surface is Exhibiting ‘Unique’ Magnetic and Reflective Properties
Researchers studying over one million digital photos have found something anomalous on the Moon's surface that exhibits unique magnetic and reflective properties.
Engineers Develop ‘Breakthrough’ Method for Creating Infinitesimally Small Objects Using the Power of Light
Engineers have harnessed the power of light to print metallic nanostructures faster and cheaper than ever before.
Astronomers Baffled by a Mysterious Object in the “Mass Gap” Between Neutron Stars and Black Holes
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute in Germany have spotted an unknown object in the mass gap between neutron stars and black holes.
Northwestern Researchers Invent an Incredible Power-Generating Fuel Cell That Runs on Dirt
Engineers have created an innovative fuel cell that runs on dirt by capitalizing on the novel power-generating capabilities of microbes.
14,000 Years Ago, Ancient Humans Tracked, Hunted and Killed This Massive Land Animal
Mounting evidence indicates that 14,000 years ago ancient humans in Alaska tracked, hunted, and killed this massive land animal.
High Science: Researchers Figure out How Vaping Cannabis Gives You the Munchies
Researchers say they have figured out why vaping cannabis can trigger an increase in appetite often referred to as "the munchies."
U.S. Space Force Orders Advanced Space Simulation Program from Microsoft, But Classification Limits Details
The United States Space Force has charged Microsoft with designing a cutting-edge space simulation program to train Guardians.
2,000-Year-Old Lead Bullet Found in Spain Bears Inscription of This Famous Roman Emperor’s Name
Archaeologist have unearthed a 2,000-year-old lead bullet inscribed with the Latin name for Julius Caesar near the famous Battle of Munda.
Sleep or Die: The Mystery of Why Humans Need Sleep May Have Finally Been Solved
By combining the disciplines of physics and biology, researchers say they may have finally figured out why humans need to sleep.
First Ever Earth-sized Planet Orbiting a Sun-Like Star Has Been Discovered Lurking in Our Solar Back Yard
Astronomers are reporting the first discovery of an Earth-sized planet orbiting a sun-like star, and its only 73 light years away.
2,500-Year-Old Network of ‘Elusive’ Ancient Roads Found Hidden Deep within the Amazon Rainforest
A team of archaeologists say they have discovered a complex network of ancient roads hidden deep within the Amazon.
People Who Watched Others Dislike Eating Vegetables Ended Up Hating Vegetables Too
Watching other people eating vegetables can make you hate vegetables too, according to a recent research study.
Next Generation Blue Light LED Could Promote Sleepiness or Wakefulness on Demand
New blue light operating at a different wavelength could help promote wakefulness and sleepiness at the touch of a button.
Stanford Researchers Successfully Alter Hypnotizability Using Electrical Brain Stimulation
Stanford researchers show that a person's hypnotizability can be changed, at least temporarily, using targeted electrical brain stimulation.
‘Laser Scarecrows’ Are a 21st-Century Solution to an Ancient Problem
Scientist from the University of Florida have created laser scarecrows, offering a 21st-century solution to an ancient problem.
This Life-Supporting Component Enabled One of Humanity’s Earliest Innovations. Now It May Be the Key to Finding Intelligent Extraterrestrials.
New research could redefine our search for intelligent extraterrestrials by focusing on the role of oxygen in the development of technology.
Perception of Time Can Dramatically Alter This Crucial Biological Process, New Study Reveals
Harvard researchers reveal that a person's perception of time may directly affect how fast their wounds may heal.
1,200-Year-Old Artifacts Depicting Cosmogonic Myth of Creation Point to Unknown Pagan Cult
Archeologists have discovered a set of 1,200-year-old belt fittings depicting symbols associated with a cosmogonic myth of creation that may point to an unknown medieval pagan cult.
Forget About OLEDs. The Department of Energy Is Funding the Development of PHOLEDs
Department of Energy-funded research shows phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes or PHOLEDs can last long enough for commercial use.
This One Physical Trait Could Cause Liberals to Vote for Trump, Conservatives for Biden
Research from the University of Toronto has found that this single physical trait could dramatically affect political behavior, including causing liberals to vote for Trump and conservatives for Biden.
Researchers Successfully Demonstrate Star Trek-Style ‘Teleportation’ Without Physically Sending Any Information
A team of researchers report the successful demonstration of Star Trek-style 'teleportation' without sending any actual information between the two parties.
Study: Psychology Professor’s Relationship App Shows 80% Success Rate at Improving Romantic Relationships
A university professor and his former student have developed a smartphone-based relationship app that reportedly helped 80% of participants in a recent study improve their romantic relationships.