Christopher Plain, Author at The Debrief

This Star Trek-Style ‘Tractor Beam’ Allows Objects to be Moved Using Metamaterials and Sound Waves

Christopher Plain·December 13, 2022

Researchers studying acoustic levitation have devised a method using metamaterials that lets them manipulate objects of any shape and size without actually touching them.

U.S. Department of Energy to Make Major Fusion Energy Announcement This Week: Here’s What We Know

Christopher Plain·December 12, 2022

Scientists from the Nuclear Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories (LLNL) have achieved a major milestone in fusion energy as the energy needed to cause the reaction was less than the energy produced.

Physics Thinktank Proposes Method for Detecting Extraterrestrial Spacecraft Using Gravitational Waves

Christopher Plain·December 9, 2022

The research team behind the first physical warp drive has partnered with an associate dean of physics from Carnegie-Mellon University to detect extraterrestrial spacecraft using gravitational waves.

Cannabis Use May Offer Wide-Ranging Benefits for Bipolar Disorder

Christopher Plain·December 7, 2022

According to new research, people suffering from the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder may see significant benefits from regular cannabis use.

Japan’s Space Agency Successfully Completes First Flight of Steam-Powered Spacecraft

Christopher Plain·December 6, 2022

Japan’s Space Agency JAXA has reported the first successful flight of a steam-powered spacecraft named EQUULEUS beyond low earth orbit.

Black Hole Simulated in the Lab Suddenly Starts Glowing, Potentially Pointing to a Unified Theory of Gravity

Christopher Plain·December 2, 2022

A team of European physicists simulated a "glowing" black hole in the lab, which they say might help confirm one famous physicist's theory.

Extraterrestrial Minerals Never Before Seen on Earth Discovered in Meteorite

Extraterrestrial Minerals Discovered in Meteorite Have Never Been Seen on Earth

Christopher Plain·November 30, 2022

Researchers from the University of Alberta say they have found two minerals hiding inside a recently fallen meteorite that have never been found before on earth.

Star Trek is Motivating This Team of Scientists to Build a Working Warp Drive Spacecraft

Creating a warp bubble is only a part of the project, and mastering nuclear fusion is the larger prize.

Christopher Plain·November 28, 2022

Dr. Greg Hodgin, founder of ZC Inc., discusses his love of Star Trek and how he and his company is planning to build the world's first warp drive spacecraft.

New Measurements of Gravity Suggest Theory Proposed by Albert Einstein Could Be Wrong

Christopher Plain·November 23, 2022

A new study that used measurements of cosmic phenomena suggests the theory of gravity proposed by Albert Einstein may actually be wrong.

Brain-Machine Interface Allows Wheelchair to Navigate a Cluttered Room With ‘Mind Control’

Christopher Plain·November 21, 2022

A new Brain Machine Interface (BMI) allows tetraplegic people to drive their wheelchairs using only the power of mind control.

Controversial Theory of Consciousness Challenged by New Study Involving Mysterious Brain Region

Christopher Plain·November 15, 2022

New research seems to show that a popular theory of consciousness centered on a region of the brain known as the claustrum is likely wrong.

Inception: How Scientists Are Treating Reoccurring Nightmares by Injecting Sounds into Dreams

Christopher Plain·November 10, 2022

In a scene right out of the blockbuster movie Inception, Swiss researchers have discovered a method for treating people with reoccurring nightmares by injecting positively associated sounds into their dreams.

MIT Researchers ‘Use The Force’ to Engineer Structures at the Nano-Scale

Christopher Plain·November 8, 2022

A research team from MIT has figured out how to use the forces of nature to manipulate nano-scale structures, potentially revolutionizing the fabrication of computer chips, lasers, LEDs, and a number of other devices.

These Are the Top Four Theories That Could Bring Us Closer to Faster-Than-Light Travel

Christopher Plain·November 3, 2022

The speculative science of faster-than-light travel is still a dark art, so can these theories turn science fiction into science fact?

Solar Flares Might Actually Increase Habitability of Trappist-1 Exoplanets

Christopher Plain·October 27, 2022

A new study claims solar flares may actually make the planets in Trappist-1's habitability zone even more habitable than first thought. Teams using the James Webb Space Telescope are planning to search those same planets for chemical traces of extraterrestrial life, called 'biosignatures,' in their atmospheres.

‘Barbaric‘ Bacteria Could Survive on Mars for 280 Million Years, Increasing Chances of Current Life

Christopher Plain·October 25, 2022

Researchers show a particularly hearty strain of bacteria known as “Conan the Bacterium” could survive buried on Mars for 280 million years.

Air Force and Northrop Grumman Finally Ready to Reveal B-21 Raider… Sort Of

Christopher Plain·October 24, 2022

After seven-plus years, the United States Air Force and Northrop Grumman are finally ready to reveal their sixth-generation B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber.

Army Research Office and MIT Create Entirely New Memory Material

Christopher Plain·October 20, 2022

MIT researchers supported by the Army Research Office have developed an entirely new kind of memory material. And unlike other memory materials, which are made almost exclusively out of metal, this revolutionary new material is made from ceramic, offering numerous advantages over metals.

Was Neil DeGrasse Tyson Right About the Survivability of Top Gun Maverick’s Hypersonic Ejection?

Christopher Plain·October 19, 2022

Analysis shows that the hypersonic ejection by Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick is survivable. Kind of.

Researchers Teach a Dish of Brain Cells to Play Pong: Watch the Video!

"It touches on the fundamental aspects of not only what it means to be human but what it means to be alive."

Christopher Plain·October 12, 2022

A team of Australian researchers says they have taught a Petri dish filled with human and mouse brain cells to play the classic 1970s video game Pong

A new study shows that action video games and learning may be strongly correlated, improving reading comprehension.

Study Says Multiplayer War Video Games Have Caused Some Children to Pass Out, or Even Die

Christopher Plain·October 11, 2022

Certain types of video games are believed to cause children with undiagnosed heart conditions to pass out, and in some cases even die, according to new research.

Skyscrapers in 2100: Award Winning Architect and Visionary Vanessa Keith Peeks into the Future.

Christopher Plain·September 29, 2022

Award-winning architect and futurist Vanessa Keith joins host Chrissy Newton to discuss the future of urban planning and skyscrapers while painting the picture of a potentially brighter future.

Water on Mars? New Evidence for Liquid Water Beneath the Red Planet’s Polar Ice Caps

Christopher Plain·September 29, 2022

A brand new study significantly strengthens the case for lakes of liquid water beneath the polar ice caps of Mars.

Bullets of Light: U.S. Army Will Soon Deploy its Stryker Combat Laser

Christopher Plain·September 29, 2022

After years of testing and development, the U.S. Army is finally ready to deploy a Stryker-mounted combat laser.

Analysis Increases Chances of Discovering Extraterrestrial Life in the Oceans of Enceladus

Christopher Plain·September 28, 2022

New research on Saturn’s moon Enceladus shows there is a good chance that life may exist in its subsurface oceans.

Lockheed Martin Delivers DOD the Most Powerful Combat Laser Ever Built

Christopher Plain·September 22, 2022

Lockheed Martin has provided the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) with what they say is the most powerful combat laser ever built.

Experts Say Extraterrestrial Water Has Been Found Inside This UK Meteorite

Christopher Plain·September 21, 2022

A recently fallen meteorite containing water that is undeniably extraterrestrial has been found for the first time in the U.K.

Physicists Prove You Can Make Something out of Nothing by Simulating Cosmic Physics

Christopher Plain·September 19, 2022

A team of physicists has proven a 70-yr old quantum theory that says something can be created out of literally nothing

100-Foot Wireless Transmission of Electricity Achieved With Lasers in Breakthrough Study

Christopher Plain·September 15, 2022

South Korean researchers have successfully transmitted electricity nearly 100 feet through the air using lasers.

Star Trek-Style Biofinder Could Be a Secret Weapon in the Search for ET

Christopher Plain·September 13, 2022

Researchers say their newly developed "Biofinder" tool could help astrobiologists in the search for extraterrestrial life.

New System Allows Lip-Reading Through Masks Using Wi-Fi and Radio Frequencies

Christopher Plain·September 9, 2022

Researchers have revealed a system that uses radio frequency (RF) and Wi-Fi signals for Lip-reading when the speaker is wearing a mask.

Astronomers Just Discovered a Pair of New Potentially Habitable Planets

Christopher Plain·September 8, 2022

Scientists from the University of Birmingham say they have discovered a pair of potentially habitable planets outside of our solar system.

Researchers Bust the Myth That Cannabis Users Are Lazy

Christopher Plain·September 6, 2022

Researchers studying potentially harmful effects on regular cannabis users say they have busted the lazy stoner myth.

How to Survive a Nuclear War: Study Reveals the Safest Places to Wait Out the Conflict

Christopher Plain·August 18, 2022

New research indicates that Australia and New Zealand are the two best places on Earth to survive a nuclear war.

Canadian Researcher Chris Rutkowski Talks UFOs on ‘Rebelliously Curious’

From Pilot Encounters to Crash Retrievals, Chris Tells All

Christopher Plain·August 16, 2022

Canadian UFO researcher Chris Rutkowski says his UFO journey began when he intercepted a call to his univerity's astronomy department.

Did Scientists Just Prove the Existence of a Mirror Universe?

Christopher Plain·August 10, 2022

Researchers trying to explain cosmic expansion say they have found an elegant and simple solution: the existence of a mirror universe.

Habitable Zone Super-Earth Found Just 37 Light Years Away

Christopher Plain·August 9, 2022

Japanese researchers say they have spotted a “super-earth” exoplanet orbiting within the star's habitable zone a mere 37 light years away.

In a ‘Shocking’ New Discovery, Scientists Say They Have Solved a Lightning Mystery

Christopher Plain·August 5, 2022

Scientists say they have solved a long-standing mystery why lightning strikes over land are more frequent and often stronger than over sea.

This Curvy Quantum Physics Discovery Could Revolutionize Our Understanding of Reality

Christopher Plain·August 3, 2022

A recent discovery in the field of quantum physics by researchers at Purdue University has opened the doorway to a whole new way of looking at our physical reality.

Artemis-I: NASA Has Its Eyes on the Moon as it Preps For Future Mars Missions

Christopher Plain·July 22, 2022

NASA's Artemis-I mission has set a trio of possible dates for the space agency's first official launch to the Moon in 50 years.

Mysterious “String” Spotted by Mars Rover Suddenly Disappears

Christopher Plain·July 21, 2022

A piece of string-like material photographed on Mars by the Perseverance Rover just last week has suddenly disappeared.

The U.S. Air Force is Gearing Up For Action With Its New Fighter-Mounted Lasers

Christopher Plain·July 20, 2022

After years of testing and development, the United States Air Force has received its first delivery of fully functional, fighter-mounted lasers.

Deep Learning “Ice Breaker” Missile Finally Revealed

Christopher Plain·July 15, 2022

Air, land, and sea-launch-able, the fully autonomous, AI-controlled missile known as the Ice Breaker has finally been revealed.

Death by Space Junk? Concerning Report Warns That the Risk is Higher Than You Think

Christopher Plain·July 13, 2022

A new report says that there is a six to 10 percent chance space junk will seriously injure or kill someone on Earth in the next decade.

Will Future Spacecraft Use ‘Jaws’ Bacteria to Make Rocket Fuel?

Christopher Plain·July 11, 2022

Researchers say they have successfully used everyday bacteria to create the key ingredient for rocket fuel.

Researchers Were Stunned by What They Recently Found Deep Under Antarctica

Christopher Plain·June 22, 2022

Researchers in Antarctica were shocked to find a thriving community of crab-like creatures living under the ice.

What?! Are Video Games Actually Making Kids Smarter?

Christopher Plain·June 20, 2022

A recently published study seems to indicate that children who play more video games become smarter over time.

Mach Nine Stargazer Spaceplane is Finally Revealed

Company CEO Promises One Hour Flight Time to Anywhere in the World

Christopher Plain·June 17, 2022

Aviation startup Venus Aerospace has finally revealed new animation and key specifications of its Stargazer spaceplane.

Air Force War Games Match Lasers & Kinetic Weapons

Christopher Plain·June 9, 2022

The U.S. Air Force is running war game simulations putting cutting-edge fighter-mounted lasers and kinetic energy weapons systems to the test

Coffee Alters Brain Connectivity to Make You Smarter

Christopher Plain·June 3, 2022

Coffee improves the functional connectivity within the human brain, making it operate at a higher level of efficiency, new research says.