Features Archives

These 7 “Star Trek” Technologies May Soon Become Reality

Star Trek inspires us to look forward, so let's do just that.

Christopher Plain·August 24, 2021

7 "Star Trek" inventions that could quickly become reality, and will let humans one day boldly go where we've never gone before.

Impact at Popigai: Earth’s Most Unusual Crater Documents an Epic Ancient Cataclysm

Micah Hanks·August 23, 2021

The Popigai crater, a 100-km-wide impact area in Siberia, documents events from long ago that caused one of the greatest periods of change in Earth's long history.

Here Is What You Need to Know About UFOs According to the AIAA Aviation Conference

Chris Plain Takes a Deep Dive into the Top 5 Takeaways about UFOs and Flight Safety

Christopher Plain·August 20, 2021

Many recurring themes emerged during the UFO panel at the AIAA Aviation conference, so here are 'The Debrief's Top 5 Takeaways.'

World’s Largest Association of Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineers Joins Call for Scientific Inquiry of UFOs

Pilot encounters, the need for more data, and public safety headline UAP session at Annual AIAA Conference

Christopher Plain·August 19, 2021

The AIAA hosted a panel on UFOs to talk about flight safety and the fact that the scientific community should look into the phenomenon.

Mysterious Asteroid Phaethon is Challenging What We Understand About Comets

Micah Hanks·August 18, 2021

A recent study proposes that the key to a mystery surrounding comet-like asteroid Phaethon could be a salty one.

Cutting Edge SpaceX Rockets May Be Reusable, But The Nazis Built Them First

The Bachem Ba 349 Natter was Nazi Germany's secret rocket powered intercepter.

Graeme Rendall·August 17, 2021

The rocket vertical take-off Natter convinced the Allies that the Nazis broke the laws of physics towards the end of World War II.

The FAA Finally Admits it Documents Reports of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena

Micah Hanks·August 13, 2021

The FAA has now confirmed that it documents UFO reports, in contrast with the agency's history of avoiding involvement with the subject.

These Two Future Mars Missions Could Prove Life Thrives on the Red Planet

Christopher Plain·August 13, 2021

Dr. Ryuki Hyodo explains the MSR and MMX missions, and how their search for past and present signs of life on Mars have the potential to alter the course of human history.

Marijuana Can Induce Feelings of “Oceanic Boundlessness” Similar to Psychedelics, New Research Suggests

Tim McMillan·August 12, 2021

New research suggests Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC – the psychoactive ingredient most commonly found in marijuana – can induce feelings of oneness with the greater universe, often referred to by psychologists as “oceanic boundlessness.” The phrase initially coined by French author...

UFOs: Shifting the Narrative from Threat to Science

What stands in the way of the scientific community’s taking on the challenge of discovering if any UFOs are extraterrestrial?

Leslie Kean·August 11, 2021

What stands in the way of the scientific community’s taking on the challenge of discovering if any UFOs are extraterrestrial?

NASA Looking For People Willing To Spend a Year Living in Simulated Martian Habitat

Tim McMillan·August 10, 2021

NASA has announced it's currently looking for people who would be willing to spend a year living in a simulated Martian habitat.

When the World Runs out of Water, Will This Inventor Save Us?

After six years in ‘stealth mode,’ this new water-generating technology is finally being revealed.

Christopher Plain·August 9, 2021

As countries scramble to avoid looming water shortages, one inventor says his new device can create thousands of gallons of water a day.

New Study Says Infant Mice Dream About Their Future World. Do We?

Liam Stewart·August 6, 2021

Infant mice and other mammals may be already dreaming of the world they are about to be born into before their eyes even open.

Animal Life On Earth Emerged Far Earlier Than Previously Believed

Jazz Shaw·August 6, 2021

A new study has revealed the existence of sponges as early as 890 million years ago, making them the oldest known animal life on Earth.

Researchers Use Acoustic Levitation to Create a “Tractor Beam” of Sound

Christopher Plain·August 5, 2021

Researchers with Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a "tractor beam" using sound waves to manipulate objects without actually coming into contact with them.

Earthquake Swarms Rocking Yellowstone May Help Explain a Longstanding Park Mystery

Micah Hanks·August 5, 2021

USGS data on recent earthquake swarms at Yellowstone may strengthen the case for a seismic theory behind the origin of one of the park’s most enduring mysteries.

The 5 Sci-Fi Tech Developments That Make Tomorrow’s Supersoldiers Totally Badass

Science fiction author S.T. Campitelli weighs in on the future of supersoldier technology

S.T. Campitelli·August 4, 2021

Supersoldiers are a common sight in sci-fi, but some very real tech developments may be changing science fiction into science fact.

Could a Human Interface Lead to the Creation of Empathic Virtual Reality?

B.K. Bass·August 2, 2021

Can virtual reality allow a human interface via simulations that create realistic experiences, complete with real emotions?

Famous Chef Julia Child Developed ‘Shark Repellent’ For the Navy

Harrison Kass·August 2, 2021

Famous Chef Julia Child was known for bringing French cuisine to America, but she also helped the Navy and the OSS develop shark repellent.

F-22 Raptor To Be Removed From Action by 2030, USAF Reveals

Candy Chan·July 30, 2021

The USAF is planning on taking the F-22 Raptor out of its lineup by 2030, despite being its premier and second-newest fighter jet.

Childhood’s End?: India’s Population Control Policy and Our Sterile Future

Candy Chan·July 30, 2021

Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, has proposed legislation to implement a two-child policy and voluntary sterilization program.

Climate Change May Be Weakening Earth’s Vital Signs, New Study Says

Liam Stewart·July 29, 2021

While the history of human-caused climate change is relatively short given the Earth’s lifespan, it has also been occurring for longer than many may realize.

Forget Extraterrestrials: What if UFOs Were Piloted by Dolphins?

Crazy? Perhaps... but hear me out.

Jazz Shaw·July 29, 2021

While many scientists downplay the idea of extraterrestrials visiting Earth, looking at a seemingly crazy alternative hypothesis makes for an interesting thought experiment.

Meet The Sci-Fi Authors Trying to Democratize Book Publishing Through NFTs

Brothers Ehsan and Shakil Ahmad are selling their latest book alongside the digital art it inspired in an attempt to shake up book publishing.

Christopher Plain·July 28, 2021

A pair of sci-fi authors ventured bravely into the world of NFT publishing, selling their book and visual art in a purely 21st century way.

Pentagon Report Is Helping Prime Australia for Possible Future UAP Studies

A little more skittish to cover the topic, Australia may be getting comfortable with UFOs.

Violeta Matijević Bagia·July 28, 2021

A recent government report on UAP resulted in increased media attention, and individuals of high standing taking more interest in the topic.

Curiosity Rover Finds That Signs of Martian Life May Have Been Erased

Liam Stewart·July 27, 2021

Researchers studied Martian materials collected by Curiosity, leading them to believe that proof of Martian life may have been wiped from existence.

Our Cosmic Neighbors: Is There Alien Technology in Our Solar System?

Scientists Have Been Searching for Signs of Alien Technology in Our Solar System for A Decade

Christopher Plain·July 26, 2021

Scientists have been hunting for ET in our solar system for a decade, and new efforts may prove aliens are hanging out in our cosmic backyard.

As Fish Stocks Continue to Be Depleted, What is the Future of Fishing?

AI and smart boats will create a sustainable future for fishing, but only if we update a tired and wasteful industry.

Coty Perry·July 23, 2021

Scientists predict we will deplete our fishing stocks by 2050, which begs a big question: What is the future of fishing?

America’s Secret Bat Bomb: Dropping Exploding Bats on Japan To Win the Second World War

It Actually Worked.

Harrison Kass·July 22, 2021

“Couldn’t millions of bats be fitted with incendiary bombs and dropped from planes?" With those typed words, the US developed the "Bat Bomb."

Neutron Stars are Full of Mountain Ranges That You Can Barely See

Little Stars with Little Mountains. Sounds Cute Until One Gets To Close to the Earth and Rips You Apart Molecule by Molecule...

Liam Stewart·July 20, 2021

New research has shown that the mountains on neutron stars may not be very mountainous at all, only being a fraction of a millimeter in size.

Universal Translators: Going Beyond the Meaning of Words

Phillip Knight Scott·July 19, 2021

Universal translators allow for seamless communication between alien species in science fiction. What happens when they break?

Ancient Plagues and New Evidence That Prepared Humanity for Today’s COVID Crisis

Candy Chan·July 19, 2021

A new study reveals that the Black Death had spread much farther than previously thought. Could it be that ancient plagues taught us lessons?

This Surprising Discovery May Hold the Key to Unraveling Wormholes

Liam Stewart·July 16, 2021

It may be only a matter of time before technology is able to confirm yet another exciting and mysterious aspect of our universe: the potential existence of wormholes.

Is Russia Trolling America’s UFO Interest While Teasing a New Mystery Aircraft?

Tim McMillan·July 15, 2021

In a cryptic tweet, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) appeared to troll the United States over its renewed interest in UFOs – or as the Department of Defense now terms them, “Unidentified Aerial Phenomena,”- while simultaneously teasing the upcoming reveal...

Report Urges U.S. Space Force to Begin Preparing for Space Military Action

Liam Stewart·July 14, 2021

A report urges the United States Space Force to prepare for action in space, which may become the next point of global military interest.

Power at Your Fingertips: New Wearable Technology Powers Devices with Sweat

Candy Chan·July 14, 2021

This new wearable technology is able to generate power even when users are asleep, taking the idea of "power napping" to a whole new level.

The US Army’s Cavalry Could Have Been Camels, But Congress Got In The Way

Horses Are Ok, but Camels Are Better.

Harrison Kass·July 13, 2021

The US Army had a Camel Corps, and it was successful. However, Congress and the Confederacy got in the way, and the US got stuck with horses.

Through a Child’s Eyes: “Backward Masking” Reveals What Babies See That We Can’t

Christopher Plain·July 12, 2021

Japanese researchers were led to a surprising conclusion about infants during recent experiments with a process known as "backward masking."

Incredible New Nanotech Material Can Produce Clean Energy Inside Your Body

Micah Hanks·July 12, 2021

This new nanotech material may allow the body to produce its own clean energy, used to power devices implanted within the body.

Rise of the Supercentenarians: Record-Breaking Ages May Occur This Century

Micah Hanks·July 7, 2021

Are supercentenarians on the rise? A new study examines the likelihood that medical advances and other developments in the sciences could contribute to longer lifespans by the year 2100.

Getting Around Conflicts with FTL Travel in Science Fiction

A Guest Post by author R. S. Penney and his ideas surrounding Warp and Interstellar Communication

R. S. Penney·July 6, 2021

FTL: if you want to write a space-opera, it’s pretty much a necessity. That’s why it’s such a bummer that warp is basically impossible.

The US Military spent the 1950s developing “Flying Platforms”

From Flying Shoes to the VZ-1 Pawnee.

Harrison Kass·July 2, 2021

The VZ-1 Pawnee "flying platform" was an idea that, upon reflection, seems silly. However, the US Army thought it was the future of warfare.

Four Reasons Why China’s New Space Station Will Outpace the ISS

Candy Chan·July 1, 2021

In April, China launched the first module of its new space station. Here are 4 things you should know about Tiangong and how it rivals the ISS.

Remembering Tunguska: A Mystery Explosion that Baffles The CIA Over a Century Later

Theories Continue to Run Wild As Scientists Try to Explain the 15 Megaton Blast That Shook Sibera

Ryan Sprague·July 1, 2021

Several theories have been brought forward to explain it, but the Tunguska event remains a mystery over a hundred years later.

Meet the Man Building an Anti-Gravity Device, and the Alien God That Inspired Him

Pushed by the Frontiers of Science, The Debrief's Chris Plain Falls Down The Rabbit Hole With The Man Trying To Detect Warp Signatures and Defy Gravity

Christopher Plain·June 29, 2021

Anti-gravity, alien gods, UFOs and the frontiers of science. Genius and madness are separated by a fine line, meet the guy who crosses it.

Detailed Analysis of the Government’s Report on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena

Tim McMillan·June 27, 2021

The Debrief has analyzed the Government's recent report on unidentified aerial phenomena with significant takeaways and predictions about what comes next.

Devices of Unknown Origin Part III: “Mr. Secretary, We Don’t Know”

Tim McMillan·June 25, 2021

In 1969, when the Condon Committee issued its final report condemning the subject of UFOs, Ray Mabus was getting ready to embark on a stint as a surface warfare officer in the U.S. Navy. Only 21-years-old at the time, it’s...

Devices of Unknown Origin Part II: Interlopers Over the Atlantic

Tim McMillan·June 24, 2021

Ryan Graves’ rapid-fire New England accent is contrasted by an unfeigned pensiveness, conveying he’s the type of person who is both attentively calm under pressure yet not afraid to pull the trigger. Square jawed with perfectly placed dirty blonde hair...

Devices of Unknown Origin Part I: Mystery in the Caribbean

Tim McMillan·June 23, 2021

On October 31, 1968, the University of Colorado submitted its final report on the Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects. After 18-months of scrutiny, the ad-hoc commission led by physicist Edward Condon said, “careful consideration of the record as it...

The Top 5 Craziest Things Humans Have Done to Tardigrades

Whether we crash them into the Moon or shoot them from guns, humans are trying to become more like those cute 'water bears.'

Liam Stewart·June 22, 2021

Here are the top 5 insane things we have subjected Tardigrades to for science. Tough little bears can survive anything, well, almost...