Water World: Dwarf Planet Ceres Was Once Covered by an Ocean
A new study, published in Nature Astronomy, suggests that Ceres is far icier than once thought and may have once been a muddy ocean world.
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry
Forget Electronics: Here Come “Orbitronics”
New research into “Orbitronics” can help make electronic devices of the future more environmentally friendly.
New Research into Horseback Riding Complicates a 5,000-Year-Old Human Skeletal Mystery
Can horseback riding change the very structure of your skeleton? New research seems to complicate our understanding of how horses impacted early human skeletons.
Meals on Heels: These Fish Have Evolved to Taste with their Feet
In two new studies, researchers reveal that the sea robin, a fish with legs, uses them to detect prey buried in the seafloor.
People With Different Political Ideologies Have Slightly Different Brain Structures, Scientists Reveal
New findings reveal differences in the brains of certain political ideologies and their counterparts on the opposite end of the political spectrum.
Millions Could Qualify for Psilocybin Therapy: Study Predicts Massive Demand if FDA Approves Depression Therapy
A new study from Emory University has provided early estimates on the potential demand for innovative psilocybin therapy.
Slippery Situation: Japanese Eels Have Evolved the Ability to Escape a Predator’s Stomach After Being Eaten
Researchers have captured evidence of juvenile Japanese eels, known as Anguilla japonica, escaping from the stomachs of their fish predators.
No Laughing Matter: Medical Clowns Help Hospitalized Kids Recover Faster from Illness
A recent study found that medical clowns can significantly reduce the length of hospital stays for children with pneumonia.
This Special Quantum Neural Network Can “See” Optical Illusions Just Like Humans Can
A quantum neural network capable of perceiving optical illusions similar to the human brain has been developed, according to newly published research.
NASA is Building an Autonomous Robot Fleet to Explore Beneath the Uncharted Arctic Ice Caps
NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab is building autonomous robots to go deep under the arctic ice to measure rising water temperatures.
43% of FDA-Approved AI-based Medical Devices Are Trained Using Fake Patient Data
Close to half of the AI devices authorized for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are trained without using clinical data from actual patients, according to new findings by an international team of researchers.
New Research Reveals Space Flight is Altering the Gut Microbiome in Mice Aboard the ISS
Researchers have discovered significant changes occurred in the gut microbiome of mice aboard the International Space Station.
Bird Flu Beyond Birds: Scientists Reveal Expanding Threat After Virus’s Species Jump
Scientists work to understand how Bird Flu is infecting dairy cattle and other species, and what it means for humans.
These Electric Bandages Can Heal Wounds 30% Faster Than Normal Varieties, Accelerating Recovery Rates
Researchers have created new water-powered electric bandages that accelerate the healing of chronic wounds.
Poisons in the Pages? New Research Shows Victorian-Era Books Could Poison Readers
Researchers have found that brightly colored books dating back to the Victorian era could contain poison in their pages.
Hacking Wireless Bicycle Brakes Could be a Big Issue for Races like the Tour de France
Bicycles in races like the Tour de France are using wireless braking systems, making them vulnerable to hacks and other cybersecurity issues.
Awesome Super-Sized Nano Transparent Screen Uses Nanoparticles to Adjust to Its Environment
A new 100-inch Nano Transparent Screen (NTS) has been developed that can change its transparency depending on its environment.
In the Era of “Fast Fashion,” New Research Reveals the Environmental Toll of Trendiness
New research reveals that "fast fashion" has a waste problem, and it's outpacing recycling efforts.
New Research is Challenging Past Views and Stereotypes About “Computer Geeks”
Researchers from the University of Reading and King's College London say they are finding what constitutes the ideal “computer whiz” student among young people.
Biorepository on the Moon Could Preserve Genetic Material From Endangered Species, Researchers Say
An international team of scientists has proposed a unique idea to protect the Earth's endangered species: a biorepository on the Moon.
New Clues to 3,500-Year-Old “Screaming Woman” Mummy Mystery Unearthed by Scientists
Scientists are searching for answers to what caused the mysterious death of an Egyptian mummy known as the "Screaming Woman" nearly 3,500 years ago.
Researchers Reveal the Secret Ingredient That Causes Volcanoes to Make Precious Sapphires
Researchers from Heidelberg University have discovered the secret ingredient that allows some volcanoes to make sapphires.
U.S. Democrats and Republicans Agree on Key Issues, Research Reveals. So Why Are We Still So Polarized?
New research reveals that U.S. Republicans and Democrats agree on more than they realize. So why do we remain so polarized?
Bad News, Car Lovers: New Research Suggests “New Car Smell” Might Be More Harmful Than We Thought.
Bad news car lovers: new research suggests that “new car smell” can actually be emitted at toxic levels, particularly on hot days.
Could Genetic Breeding Reduce Mosquito Populations?
New studies by researchers at Virginia Tech shows promise for safer methods of controlling and reducing mosquito populations.
Could Pulsars Be Used to Identify Dark Matter?
Physicists are trying to use pulsars, a sort of “ticking” neutron star, to detect unknown mass concentrations that could be dark matter.
AI Can Boost Creativity, Making Stories More Engaging and Enjoyable
New research suggests generative AI can boost an author’s creativity by suggested changes that would make a story more engaging to its target audience.
NASA’s CURIE Mission Launches to Investigate Mysterious Radio Waves from the Sun
NASA has launched the CubeSat Radio Interferometry Experiment, or CURIE, to investigate the mysterious origins of radio waves from the Sun.
Clues to Exoplanet Formation Unveiled in Smelly New Astronomical Discovery
A multi-university team of researchers has recently identified a crucial compound in the atmosphere of exoplanet HD 189733 b.
These Ancient Fossils Are Revealing New Clues to Post-Dinosaur Plant Evolution
New research is revealing how the extinction of the dinosaurs helped shaped the evolution of ancient grape species.
Return of the Monoliths: I Visited One of the Recent Monolith Sites. It Wasn’t What I Expected
Mysterious monoliths are appearing around the world again. We sent The Debrief's Kenna Castleberry into the field to investigate.
Time Crystals Could be the Circuit Boards of Future Quantum Computers
Researchers say that time crystals could one day become a core component in the construction of quantum computers.
Yes, Sea Dragons are Real… and Right Now Several of Them Are Hatching
While “sea dragons” may sound like mythical and monstrous oceanic creatures, real seadragons are less mysterious but equally fascinating.
Scientists Discover Stress-Tolerant Moss That Could One Day Be a Crop on Mars
Scientists have identified a plant that could be a crop on Mars thanks to its ability to withstand harsh environments.
Astronauts are Using NASA’s High-Tech Laser Relay System to Send…Pet Photos?
NASA astronauts are transmitting imagery of their pets over a first-of-its-kind end-to-end, two-way laser relay system.
A New Low-Noise Laser System Could Further Advance LiDAR Technology
Scientists have developed a smaller and quieter laser that could potentially advance LiDAR capabilities and other technologies.
Quantum Simulations Reveal New Insights into Behavior of Neutrinos Fueling Supernovas
New research is revealing key insights into the role mysterious neutrinos play in fueling supernovae.
Is Your Brain Data Safe? Recent Lawsuit Examines Rights to Brain Privacy
Chile's Supreme Court has issued the first lawsuit over privacy rights involving brain activity.
“Gendered” AI Partner Boosts Participation and Productivity From Women in Team Projects
Cornell researchers found that women team members tended to participate more when an AI partner also sounded female.
Deep in the Unexplored Ocean, a New Squid Species Has Been Found Carrying Giant Eggs
A new species of deep ocean squid carrying giant luminous eggs has been discovered by researchers.
Missing Wreckage of Explorer Ernest Shackleton’s Final Ship Has Been Located
Explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Quest, which he used to make his last voyage, has now been discovered off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.
First Wooden Satellite Breaks New Ground in Sustainable Space Exploration. Are Wooden Space Shelters Next?
Researchers at Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry have unveiled the world’s first wooden satellite, breaking new ground in space technology.
The Evolution of Star Wars Lore
SUBSCRIBE TO ‘THE DEBRIEF WEEKLY REPORT’: APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY In the fourth bonus episode of the DWR, Steph and Kenna...
The War Waged Over Memories
On this week's episode, Kenna and Steph discuss how false memories are becoming more prevalent in the age of disinformation.
A Neanderthal Skull Puzzle?
On today’s episode, Kenna and Stephanie stare into the eyes of an ancient Neanderthal, explore who she was, and how scientists were able to reconstruct her face.
Tweets of the Mind: Neuralink’s Mental Miracle
On today’s episode, Kenna and Stephanie explore the power of the mind, and the recent news that a man 'tweeted' using Neuralink technology.
O For a Muse of Fire
On today’s episode, Kenna and Stephanie get all Shakespearean discussing a mysterious document written by William Shakespeare's sister.
Cuttlefish Ink is Used for More Than Just Evading Predators: It’s Part of Their Bizarre Mating Rituals
The first reported use of ink by cuttlefish in their mating rituals contradicts previous ideas about its primary use as a defense mechanism.
New Study Suggests Octopuses Have Individual Differences When It Comes to Problem Solving
Researchers have discovered that octopuses have individualized differences when solving a task instead of mimicking behaviors from each other.
To Pew or Not to Pew, That is the Question
On today’s episode, the team travels deep into the Amazon rainforest in search of a hidden and elusive 2,500 year old civilization.