Nostalgia Successfully Relieves Physical Pain
Images of people, places, or objects intended to invoke feelings of nostalgia can relieve physical pain, according to new research.
Debriefs
Exploring Venus in a Manta Ray Inspired Spacecraft
A new spacecraft inspired by the manta ray and designed to surf the clouds of Venus has received a second round of funding from NASA.
If You’re Impatient or Take More Risks, You’re More Likely to Become a Criminal
New research in criminal psychology reveals that people with character traits of impatience and risk-taking are more likely to commit crimes.
Researchers Control Venus Flytrap with Artificial Neurons
Swedish researchers have developed organic artificial neurons, aka nerve cells, capable of communicating directly with a biological system.
Could Brain Implants Offer a Cure for Blindness?
A new study suggests that brain implants may be the next step in curing blindness, which affects thousands of individuals.
Can AI’s Machine Learning Process Actually be Unbiased?
AI's machine learning process has shown biases due to faulty training data. New research from MIT suggests these biases can be overcome.
Perseverance Rover Spots Artificial Object on Mars
Further Review Confirms Object is Discarded Rover Drill Bit
Further Review Confirms Object is Discarded Rover Drill Bit
NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover has photographed something or the red planet’s surface that is clearly not natural.
Russian Government Threatens Media To Accept Alternate Reality of Ukrainian Invasion
Russia’s federal communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, demanded that media outlets in the country not describe Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine as an “assault, invasion, or declaration of war.” Outlets who failed to comply with the order, including not deleting previous news...
Science Suggests a Solution to the Mystery of Schizophrenia
New research has found a possible protein that could cause schizophrenia, giving hope for effective schizophrenia treatment options.
Cannabis Shows Promising Results for Treating PTSD
A clinical trial conducted by Soroka University Medical Center has shown promising results in treating PTSD with cannabis.
Tatooine-Like Exoplanet Confirmed
Discovery Expected to Aid the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
Discovery Expected to Aid the Search for Extraterrestrial Life
Astronomers have confirmed an exoplanet orbiting two suns similar to Luke Skywalker’s fictional home Tatooine in the 1977 movie Star Wars.
The More Weed, the More Likely You’ll Bleed
Research from the Ottawa Hospital shows a significant rise in emergency hospital visits, implying a change for the cannabis retail market.
Watch eVTOL Air Taxi Transition Mid-Flight
A new video from eVTOL designer Autoflight shows their Prosperity I vehicle transition from vertical takeoff to horizontal flight in mid-air.
NASA Rocket Ready to Chase Pulsating Aurora
NASA is readying the launch of a new rocket that will try to figure out what causes one aspect of the aurora borealis to pulsate.
Does Your Brain Replay Your “Best Life” When You Die?
A new study says your brain may be “active and coordinated” during your time of death, potentially replaying the highlights of your life. Furthermore, the same research indicates the brain may be pre-programmed to orchestrate the whole after-death recall ordeal....
Jurassic Bark: Evidence for Dinosaur Respiratory Infections
A new study from Ohio University has the first fossil to show evidence of a dinosaur respiratory infection.
Don’t Run Forrest: How Climate Change is Affecting Endurance Athletes
New research shows that climate change may even impact endurance athletes, and could lead to more injuries.
Light Sail Could Reach Proxima Centauri in 20 Years
Researchers have proposed a light sail design that should be able to survive the stresses of an interstellar voyage.
An Increase in Technology Dependence May be Natural, Says a Tech Expert
Average screen time has risen significantly in the wake of COVID-19, but this could only be the beginning of technology dependence.
Solar Power Without Direct Sunlight? This Researcher Says It’s Possible
An engineering student from the Philippines has created a solar panel that doesn’t require direct sunlight to generate power.
Maybe It’s Your Tone: How Dogs Recognize Their Owners
A new study from Hungary shows that dogs use just the voice of their owner to process owner recognition and find their owner.
Will The Olympics’ Newest Narc be a Drug-Sniffing A.I.?
The Olympics have had a long history of athletic doping occurring, but a new AI system could put a stop to that happening.
Meth Use Really Does Make You Insane
Researchers See Five-Fold Increase in Psychosis with Regular Use
Researchers See Five-Fold Increase in Psychosis with Regular Use
New research indicates that the illicit use of amphetamines like meth can cause a five-fold increase in psychosis.
Seeing Red: Science Shows Mosquitos are More Attracted to Specific Colors Than Others
A new study shows that mosquitos are attracted to certain colors, increasing mosquito bites for those who wear these colors.
“Kill Switch” Successfully Inserted into Genetically Engineered Organisms
A “kill-switch” which causes genetically engineered organisms to self-destruct has been successfully inserted into a custom-made microbe.
Evidence of Habitable Zone Planet Found Lurking in Orbit Around White Dwarf
Researchers studying a white dwarf star say they have detected signs of a possible planet orbiting within the star’s habitable zone.
New Planet Found Orbiting Proxima Centauri
Scientists have detected signs of a third planet orbiting Proxima Centauri, which is Earth’s closest stellar neighbor.
Many Prefer VR to In-Person Therapy, New Research Shows
New research indicates virtual reality mediated therapy could be better in some cases than one-on-one sessions.
Apple is Using Artificial Intelligence and Music to Win the Music App Arms Race
Apple Inc. has recently acquired AI Music, a company using artificial intelligence and music to boost listener numbers.
This Real-Life Transformer Robot Can Drive, and Fly
Researchers have created a real-life transformer robot that can change from a driving vehicle to a flying one, and then back again.
Fusion Reactor Breakthrough Readies Stage for ITER
Researchers have produced the largest energy output from any fusion reactor to date using the exact type of fuel used by the sun.
Scientists May Have Found the Elusive Chemical Connection Between Food and Sex
From grapes and bananas to “popping cherries” and “buttering muffins,” food has long been associated with sex. This association may be biological in nature, as research has found that this relationship is not just unique to humans. But finding the...
Tech Talk Reviews HALO Infinite & The Pattern
In the latest edition of The Debrief’s Tech Talk, resident techno-nerds Mr. Stefan Gearhart (aka the camp counselor, because he was actually a camp counselor, because who would lie about that), and his trusted fellow host Dr. Josh Rutledge (who...
Origins of Life on Earth May Be Extraterrestrial After All
Researchers have shown that amino acids can form peptides, the building blocks of life, in space, potentially explaining the origin of life.
Birds with Big Brains Best at Resisting Climate Change
New research shows that birds with big brains are better at resisting climate change-induced shrinking than birds with smaller brains. Such loss of body volume has become prevalent across most bird species over the last 40 years, a phenomenon nearly...
A New Surgical Duct Tape Could Save Thousands of Lives
Engineers from MIT believe that they've created an effective surgical duct tape that can seal wounds and help the recovery process.
Underwater Breathing Crops Could Help in the Fight Against World Hunger
Researchers at Nagoya University believe that plants have special root structures that can help them with underwater breathing.
Your Office May Have Better Air Quality Than Your Home Does, New Research Says
Masks are more popular than ever thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. While individuals are still figuring out ways to make masks properly fit without ear pain, others are concerned with air quality, and hopeful that masks can make a difference....
Scientists Make Cannabis Without Growing the Plant
Technology May Also Help Feed and Medicate Future Space Colonists
Technology May Also Help Feed and Medicate Future Space Colonists
BioHarvest Sciences has announced the successful production of 22 pounds of fully viable cannabis biomass without actually growing the plant.
China Reveals Its Newest Plans for Space Dominance
In a newly issued white paper, China has charted out the next five years of its space program's ambitious goals.
Science Just Validated These Mask Hacks That Work for Better Comfort
Social media has propagated several mask hacks. Now, a new study from the University of Cambridge has tested them to see if they work.
Oversized Animal Weapons May Actually Be a Big Bluff
Oversized animal weapons may not indicate better fighters but instead may show the animal is cheating to appear more threatening.
Can Artificial Leaves Help Lessen the Impact of Climate Change?
Artificial leaves may be able to help offset climate change and reduce the need for fossil fuels by producing clean sources of energy.
Does Math Drive Camouflage Patterns in Animals?
New research from the University of Geneva suggests that the camouflage patterns of ocellated lizards may mimic a mathematical model.
New Research Could Make Small Quantum Computers a Bigger Part of Our Future
New research underway at MIT is paving the way toward smaller, more practical components for quantum computers.
In the Search for E.T., Moon Size Matters
New research indicates that the size of Earth’s moon relative to the size of the planet may have been key to the development of life.
New “Impossible” Plastic is Stronger than Steel
Researchers at MIT have created a new type of two-dimensional plastic that is stronger than steel or even bulletproof glass.
Can Virtual Restaurants Actually be Successful?
Virtual restaurants may be the next new trend thanks to bitcoin and the COVID-19 pandemic causing social isolation.
The Cost of Coffee Will Continue to Climb Due to Climate Change
With climate change shrinking the areas where the Arabica coffee plant can grow, the price of coffee is steadily increasing.
Virtual Reality Avatars are Becoming More Lifelike, Spelling Trouble for Fake News
A new study shows that using AI algorithms can create more lifelike virtual reality avatars, making it harder to find what is real.