technology Archives

Webb Spies a “Super-Earth,” an Ancient Surprise in the Pyrenees, and the “Cyclops” of Our Evolutionary Past

Micah Hanks·May 5, 2026

This week from The Debrief, scientists have successfully characterized several surface features on a nearby "Super-Earth," along with other recent discoveries in science and technology.

Violinists Wore Robot Exoskeletons While Performing Duets—New Research Reveals a Fascinating ‘Extrasensory’ Result

Marie Nicola·April 17, 2026

Robot exoskeletons improved physical coordination between musicians through transmitted touch, a recent study's findings reveal.

Webb Spots an Odd Ancient Signal, an 800-Year-Old Solar Storm, and Robot Dogs on Mars

Micah Hanks·April 14, 2026

This week, the Webb Telescope spots an unusual signal, China's ancient astronomers are vindicated, and robotic dogs could be headed to Mars.

Huge Stone Structures in Quebec, the Discovery of a “Space Laser,” and the U.S. Army’s New “Super-Foam”

Micah Hanks·March 10, 2026

This week, ancient stone structures in Canada, a "space laser," and the U.S. Army's "super-foam" are in the news, along with the latest developments in the U.S. campaign in Iran.

Pentagon Unveils New Reverse Engineering Effort to Leverage Legacy Technologies for Which “Data No Longer Exists”

Micah Hanks·February 10, 2026

The Pentagon has announced a new reverse-engineering initiative to prolong the use of obsolete defense technologies.

Are AI Systems Truly Conscious? This Researcher Says Humanity May Never Know—and Explains Why That Matters

MJ Banias·December 22, 2025

What if we simply cannot know whether an artificial intelligence is conscious, and what if that uncertainty itself is the real danger?

Colossal Structures Within the Earth, DARPA’s New Deep-Space Network, and Genetically Engineered Fungi for Food

Micah Hanks·November 25, 2025

This week, we examine colossal structures deep within the Earth, DARPA's new deep-space network for tracking tiny spacecraft, and a new genetically modified source of plant-based protein.

cannabis zero-gravity alien civilizations

An Unexpected Discovery in Cannabis Science, Clues to Where Aliens Are Hiding, and Blasting Brain Cells with Lasers

Micah Hanks·September 16, 2025

This week, The Debrief reports on scientists breaking new ground across fields from neuroscience to space exploration and beyond.

Bending it like Beckham: Soccer’s New Upstart Artificial Intelligence Tool Could Change Sports Forever

Austin Burgess·September 8, 2025

Researchers have developed an AI-based method to make complex tracking data for sports like soccer more accessible.

Building Safe AI Is Harder and More Urgent Than Our Leaders Realize—a Philosopher Explains Why

Michael Glawson, Ph.D.·August 31, 2025

Michael Glawson, Ph.D., argues that now is the time to eliminate the "blind spots" in the quickening development of artificial intelligence, before it's too late.

Cancel Concrete: This Innovative New “Living” Building Material Eats Carbon Dioxide

MJ Banias·July 7, 2025

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new living building material that pulls carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air.

Death of the Podcast Host? AI-Generated Podcasts Stir Debate Over the Future of Science Communication

Chrissy Newton·June 28, 2025

A study reports the first use of artificial intelligence to generate podcasts based on research papers produced by the academic community.

“It Seems Like Science Fiction”: Researchers Unleash Breakthrough Tracking Technology Using Environmental DNA

Micah Hanks·June 3, 2025

Scientists have revealed a novel means of tracking everything from wildlife to the presence of illicit substances using DNA that is readily detectable in the environment.

Breakthrough Prize 2025: What to Know About the Awards Dubbed ‘Oscars of Science’

Chrissy Newton·April 7, 2025

The 11th annual Breakthrough Prize recently honored pioneering researchers alongside Hollywood icons in a star-studded ceremony in Santa Monica.

DARPA Wants to Build Giant Space Structures Using Living Organisms

MJ Banias·March 15, 2025

DARPA wants space structures that are grown rather than built, and the building blocks for these new structures are living organisms.

A Billion-Year-Old Life-Giving Mystery

This week on The Debrief Weekly Report...

MJ Banias·March 11, 2025

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna and Stephanie spelunk into a billion-year-old crater and discuss new theories regarding life on Earth. They then plow a quick news story regarding autonomous farming, and handle a great story about robotic arms being controlled by the mind.

When Brains Turn to Glass

This week on The Debrief Weekly Report...

MJ Banias·March 4, 2025

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna and Stephanie exercise their little grey cells as they turn to glass in the fires of Mount Vesuvius.

Digital Detox: Doing This With Your Smartphone Can Significantly Boost Mental Health, New Study Finds

Tim McMillan·February 20, 2025

New research shows how blocking mobile internet can significantly boost one's mental health, focus, and well-being.

AI Governance Through ‘Equity by Design’ is Needed to Protect Marginalized Communities, Expert Warns

Chrissy Newton·February 11, 2025

Experts are calling for the implementation of a framework for AI equality to help elevate the voices of communities that could become lost amid a shifting digital landscape.

Could Microbial Movement Help Scientists Unlock the Mystery of Life on Mars?

Ryan Whalen·February 7, 2025

Chemotaxis, a process for chemically inducing movement in an organism, may be a crucial tool in the search for extraterrestrial life, German researchers say.

New Robotics Inspired by Shrimp and Fleas Use Rubbery Materials to Generate Incredible Power

Ryan Whalen·January 31, 2025

Shrimp and fleas inspire the latest generation of robotics, using soft, rubbery materials to generate powerful motion.

This Nimble New Drone Can Easily Track Humans Moving Through Dense Terrain

Ryan Whalen·January 29, 2025

The new SUPER drone can follow a person jogging through the woods, avoid thin obstacles like power lines, and exceed 20 meters per second.

Stretchable Organic Solar Cells Could Power the Future of Wearable Technology

Ryan Whalen·January 24, 2025

A new stretchable organic solar cell may offer the efficient power source needed for the next generation of wearable devices, according to a team of international researchers.

MIT Unveils New Robot Insect, Paving the Way Toward the Rise of Robotic Pollinators

Ryan Whalen·January 18, 2025

Move over bees, MIT researchers have developed a robot bug for artificial pollination to underpin an entirely indoor farm of the future.

Robotic Exoskeleton Could Soon Help Pianists Overcome the “Ceiling Effect”

Chrissy Newton·January 17, 2025

An innovative exoskeleton could help musicians overcome the "ceiling effect," a natural leveling-off of skills following extensive practice.

Proximity Ferroelectricity Could Unlock The “Next Generation Of Opto-Electronic Materials” For Data Storage

Ryan Whalen·January 13, 2025

Proximity ferroelectricity unlocks new materials for data storage and wireless communications in new Penn State research, which is crucial as AI demands stretch computing supply chains.

Korean Scientists Reveal Futuristic New ‘WeaRo’ Exoskeleton For Industrial Use

Ryan Whalen·January 10, 2025

Korean scientists have unveiled a manual labor exoskeleton they call WeaRo, paving the way for safer robot assisted work.

Excitons Demonstrate Exciting Quantum Mysteries With Potential For Revolutionary Computing Power

Ryan Whalen·January 10, 2025

The unpredictable quantum world just got stranger thanks to Brown University physicists' discovery of unexpected behavior in particles called fractional excitons.

Carbon-Capturing Construction Materials Could Help in the Fight Against Climate Change

Ryan Whalen·January 10, 2025

New carbon-capturing building materials could help reduce the effects of climate change, according to new research.

‘Dead Internet Theory’ Looms as Meta Unveils Plans to Flood Facebook and Instagram with AI ‘Users’

Ryan Whalen·December 31, 2024

Dead Internet Theory seemingly comes true as Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta reveals a plan to stock its social media platforms with fake AI users.

Magnetizing Laser Unveiled by MIT Physicists Could Radically Change Data Storage

Ryan Whalen·December 23, 2024

MIT scientists have developed a groundbreaking magnetizing laser in new research that could have significant ramifications for highly efficient and resilient data storage solutions.

Breakthrough Color Technology Based On Peacock Feathers Could Coat Your Next Car

Ryan Whalen·December 16, 2024

For thousands of years, humans have used pigmented paints, dyes, and inks that absorb light to create color, but now, a Japanese researcher is pioneering a radical new way of applying reflective color technology to 3D objects.

Scientists Uncover New Way to Generate Green Hydrogen Energy From Water And Sunlight

Ryan Whalen·December 6, 2024

Japanese researchers have developed an innovative method that utilizes sunlight to split water into green hydrogen fuel, effectively leveraging two of humankind's oldest energy sources while helping combat climate change.

China Introduces New Cardless System That Allows Payments With a Swipe of the Hand

Chrissy Newton·November 30, 2024

China has taken a step into the future with a new cardless method of payment that requires little more than a hand swipe.

Study Reveals Online Content Moderators Can Easily Become Victims of Misinformation

Ryan Whalen·November 22, 2024

Online content moderators may be susceptible to misinformation due to an "illusory truth effect," new research shows.

Revolutionary New Device Harnesses Body Motion to Power Electronics

Chrissy Newton·November 21, 2024

Researchers have developed a new technology that harnesses the power of movement to generate electricity from vibration, charging a laptop or smartphone battery while you're on the go.

Scientists Defy Conventional Physics By Revealing That a Laser Beam Can Cast a Shadow

Tim McMillan·November 15, 2024

Researchers create a visible shadow using only a laser beam, an achievement that seemingly defies conventional physics.

Do Jedi Mice Carry Very Tiny Lightsabers?

This week on The Debrief Weekly Report...

MJ Banias·October 24, 2024

On this week's episode, Kenna and Stephanie ask whether mice are actually Jedi in disguise, and explore the Red Planet's icy mysteries.

Lucid Dreaming Breakthrough: Startup Claims First-Ever Two-Way Dream Communication

Chrissy Newton·October 8, 2024

REMspace, a California-based neurotech startup, claims to have achieved the first two-way communication between individuals during lucid dreaming.

Solar-Powered Technology Turns Seawater into Fresh Water, Offering Hope for Global Water Crisis

Chrissy Newton·October 8, 2024

A newly developed Canadian technology could help revolutionize access to clean water for over 4 billion people.

Meals on Heels

This week on The Debrief Weekly Report...

MJ Banias·October 3, 2024

On this week's episode, Kenna and Stephanie run around the sea floor with a fish that has evolved to taste with its feet. They then veg out and discuss some vertical farming innovations, and how Germany wants to fuel its country one balcony at a time.