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.
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.
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.
Mysterious Hidden Layer Discovered Beneath Rembrandt’s ‘The Night Watch’
Researchers studying Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" say they have uncovered a mysterious, previously hidden layer underneath the painting.
NASA Identifies 17 Potentially Habitable Earth-Sized Icy Worlds, Including Two Cosmic Nearby Neighbors
A team of NASA researchers says they have identified 17 potentially habitable icy worlds including two that are cosmically nearby, which may have subsurface oceans teeming with extraterrestrial life.
31,000-Year-Old Artifacts Reveal Use of Advanced Projectile Weapon Millennia Earlier Than Previously Thought
31,000-year-old artifacts reveal that stone age Europeans were using advanced weapons thousands of years before previously believed.
Physicists Hope to Finally Resolve Whether Gravity is Quantum by Levitating Micro Diamonds
New experiments to determine whether or not gravity is quantum in nature will involve levitating micro diamonds in a vacuum.
The First and Only Exomoons Ever Discovered Orbiting Distant Planets May Be Something Else Entirely
Astronomers studying the first and only two exomoons ever discovered outside our solar system say deeper investigations now reveal they don't exist.
NASA Funded Experiments Show Detecting Signs of Life in Water Ejected from Enceladus is Viable
Experiments funded by NASA show that sending a probe to Enceladus to search for extraterrestrial life is viable.
The U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research is Aiming to Track and Identify Unresolved Resident Space Objects
The U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research is funding an effort to track and characterize unresolved resident space objects.
NASA Readying Radioisotope-Powered Spacecraft Fueled by Plutonium-238 to Explore the Deepest Reaches of Space
Following the receipt of plutonium-238 from the DOE, NASA says they are planning deep space missions powered by radioisotope generators.
Cornell Researchers Say New Wind and Solar Power Projects Could Profit from Bitcoin Mining
Researchers say Bitcoin mining, which is often targeted by environmental activists, could actually help new wind and solar power projects.
‘Magical’ Properties of Devil’s Church Cave, Used by Shamans and Healers For Centuries, Linked to Site’s Rare Acoustics
Researchers studying the supposed magical properties of Devil's Church cave in Finland say a resonance phenomenon may explain these beliefs.
‘First Ever’ Experiments to Measure Theoretical ‘Quantum Flickering’ in an Empty Vacuum Slated for 2024
A consortium of German researchers aiming to be the first to measure quantum flickering directly say that their potentially groundbreaking experiments are finally ready to take place sometime in 2024.
Astronomers Baffled By Mysterious Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Ray Coming from Nearly Empty Void in Space
An international team of researchers says they have detected an ultra-high energy cosmic ray originating from a nearly empty void in space.
DARPA Funding ‘Game Changing’, High-Speed VTOL Aurora X-Plane
DARPA has signed an agreement with Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences to develop the SPRINT high-speed VTOL Aurora X-Plane.
Archaeologists Find 3000-Year-Old Tablet Written in a Mysterious, Unknown Language
Archaeologists working at the ancient site of Hattusa in Turkey have discovered a 3,000-year-old tablet written in a mysterious language that modern experts have never seen before.
Scientists Studying Psychic Channeling Discover a “Complex Phenomenon That Deserves More Serious Study”
Scientists researching claims of psychic channeling say they found a complex phenomenon that deserves more serious study.
NASA Funding Development of “Game-Changing” Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines
NASA is funding researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington for the development of rotating detonation rocket engines.
Department of Energy Constructing First-Ever Electron-Ion Collider to Explore the Building Blocks of Matter
The United States Department of Energy is Joining Forces with France's equivalent agency to build the first-ever Electron-Ion Collider.
EXCLUSIVE: The ‘Impossible’ Quantum Drive That Defies Known Laws of Physics was Just Launched into Space
An experimental form of electric propulsion known as the Quantum Drive that seemingly defies the known laws of physics was just launched into space.
Mysterious Drawing of an African Lion Found in Ancient Puerto Rican Cave, Where There Are No Lions
Researchers studying Puerto Rico's first human occupation have found a mysterious drawing of an African lion inside an ancient cave.
European Satellite Spots Mysterious Glow Coming From Mars
A mysterious glow coming from Mars was recently spotted by a European Space Agency satellite studying the red planet's atmosphere.
Regular Cannabis Use Increases Feelings of Empathy, New Study Says
A new study involving questionnaires and brain scans claims that regular cannabis use increase feelings of empathy.
Massive Indonesian Pyramid with ‘Hidden Chambers’ Was Likely Built Before the Dawn of Civilization, New Research Reveals
New research reveals the Indonesian megalithic site of Gunung Padang was built thousands of years before the dawn of human civilization.
Physicists Achieve the Impossible by Controlling the ‘Chaotic Behavior’ of Light
Physicists say they have accomplished the seemingly impossible by successfully controlling the chaotic behavior of light.