Desert Ants Rely on a “Sixth Sense” to Help Them Find Their Way, Study Reveals
Scientists have uncovered new insights into how desert ants use the Earth’s magnetic field to help them find their way.
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry is a freelance science journalist and staff writer at The Debrief. Follow and connect with her on BlueSky or contact her via email at kenna@thedebrief.org.
Electrical Properties of Human Skin are Helping Researchers Unveil New Insights About Our Emotions
Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University are investigating how the electrical properties of human skin can provide insights into emotional states.
This New Quantum Battery doesn’t Need An External Field to Charge
Researchers have unveiled 'quantum batteries' that are far more compact, efficient, and faster-charging than conventional batteries.
Scientists Print Sensors Using E-Tattoos to Measure Brain Activity
Scientists have created a liquid ink that can be printed directly onto a patient’s scalp to monitor brain activity.
Cryptocurrency Scammers Are Trying to Exploit Typos in Your Digital Wallet
Cybersecurity researchers have identified a new cryptocurrency scam that exploits human error to siphon funds from unsuspecting users.
Please Wear Earplugs While Playing the Aztec “Death Whistle”
On this week's episode, Kenna and Stephanie learn to play an ancient Aztec "death whistle" before battling giant "Red Monsters" discovered by astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope.
Teens Using Cannabis Report Increased Psychosis Symptoms
A recent study from Washington University in St. Louis sheds light on the complex relationship between adolescent cannabis use and psychosis.
Hurricane Forecasting Could Soon Get a Major Upgrade with Help from Machine Learning
Researchers have unveiled a new machine-learning approach that could transform the accuracy of hurricane forecasting.
Researchers Name New Snail Species After ‘Lord of the Rings’ Characters
Two newly discovered species of freshwater snails from Brazil have been named after characters from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
Americans Are More Likely to Choose News That Supports Their Beliefs. This New Study Reveals Why.
A new study suggests people often prefer news that aligns with their existing beliefs, a tendency known as “selective exposure.”
Scientists Have Created a New App That Could Help Users Reduce Negative Thoughts
Scientists at Harvard University have developed an app that focuses on breaking cycles of negative thoughts that contribute to depression.
New Research Reveals What’s Happening in Your Brain While You Watch a Movie
New research is providing deeper insights into what's actually happening in our brains when we watch a movie.
New Testament Mystery of the “Miraculous Catch of Fish” May Have Been Solved, Scientists Say
Scientists are now pointing to striking similarities between the “miraculous catch of fish” and a well-known natural phenomenon.
Soon May the “Well-Man” Come
Kenna and Stephanie dive deep into Norse mythology of the "Well-man," and how the extinct Tasmanian Tiger may not be extinct for much longer.
Alcohol Consumption in the Wild? Research Reveals It May Happen More Often than We Realize
Animals may be getting intoxicated on alcohol produced in nature more often than we realize, new research suggests.
Scientists Have Discovered a New Way to Create Superheavy Elements
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory say they have discovered a new way to create superheavy elements.
An Ancient Norse Saga Could Hold the Key to Identifying the “Well-Man”
New research offers clues to the identity of the "Well-man," an enigmatic set of human remains that are described in an ancient Norse saga.
This Drug-Free Patch is Using Electricity to Combat Bacterial Infections
Researchers have developed a skin patch that uses imperceptible electric currents to stop bacterial infections.
Ancient Japanese Paper Art is Helping Researchers Improve Wireless Technology
Researchers looking at the future of wireless technology are drawing inspiration from the ancient Japanese art of kirigami.
Our Sense of Smell is More Sensitive Than Previously Thought, New Research Shows
The human sense of smell has been underestimated, according to new findings that show how nuanced our noses really are at discerning scents.
Advanced Sense of Touch Makes This New Soft Robotic Finger More Successful at Medical Exams
A soft robotic “finger” with an enhanced sense of touch can perform routine doctor visits and find abnormal lumps and other ailments.
This Company is Using De-Extinction Tools to Save Endangered Species
Deextinction company Colossal Biosciences has announced the establishment of the Colossal Foundation, a new nonprofit aimed at applying cutting-edge science.
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.
Kids Love Quantum Physics: An Interview with Chris Ferrie
In this bonus episode of the DWR, Steph and Kenna invite quantum physicist and best-selling author Chris Ferrie on the show to speak about how to explain quantum physics to all audiences, where the media gets quantum wrong, and how quantum influences learners of all ages.
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.