science
Topics and developments in science and medicine, presented by Futurism.
Can Better Data Head Off Environmental Disasters?
Do you live within 200 yards of an oil or gas pipe? More than 60% of Americans do, but no one—not public agencies, not commercial customers, and not even the energy companies that own the pipes—could tell you exactly where defects in those pipes are. As that infrastructure ages far beyond its intended lifespan, the costs of maintaining and servicing pipelines pose a $68 billion headache for the industry and a ticking time bomb for the public.
By Rob Salkowitz7 years ago in Futurism
Science Fiction: Science as Craft
Writing is a craft. We talk of crafting a story, and of wordsmiths who forge metaphors from the white heat of their imaginations. The creation of fiction, therefore, involves a process akin to that of making art. This process involves the mind constructing a fabrication which will more clearly define our reality, or even go beyond our understanding of what reality is.
By Nadia Davidson7 years ago in Futurism
Sir Hans Sloane, Magic Mirrors and the British Museum
The British Museum collection began with the intellectual curiosity of an Irish doctor called Sir Hans Sloane. He began collecting when he was working in Jamaica, as a physician to the governor. He returned to London in 1689 and continued collecting. He was a very wealthy and successful doctor. His patients included the diarist Samuel Pepys and Queen Anne. Soon his house in Bloomsbury Place was overflowing with ‘plants, fossils, minerals, zoological, anatomical and pathological specimens, antiquities …prints, drawings and coins, books and manuscripts.’ His collecting got so out of control that he had to buy the house next door. When that house was full he moved to a new house in Chelsea!
By Christine Alford7 years ago in Futurism
Exoplanet Update: NASA Releases New Kepler Data
NASA released the latest data from the Kepler space telescope project. A total of 219 objects were identified as new planet candidates. More significantly, 10 of those were determined to be possible Earth-like exoplanets which orbit their star at a distance called the habitable zone, where water could exist in a liquid state.
By Anya Wassenberg7 years ago in Futurism
The Inner Realm
“The law of attraction works universally on every plane of action, and we attract whatever we desire or expect. If we desire one thing and expect another, we become like houses divided against themselves, which are quickly brought to desolation. Determine resolutely to expect only what you desire, then you will attract only what you wish for.”- Ralph Trine.
By Alva v.Harzi7 years ago in Futurism
Killing Clones
For a heart-stopping second, I feel my foot slip and I stumble dangerously close to the cliff's edge. I turn just fast enough to see the knife flying towards my face and I dodge it as best as I can. It misses my vital features but still cuts deeply into the flesh of my cheek before clattering to the ground. I feel warm blood dripping down my chin.
By Iris Sinclair7 years ago in Futurism
How Is Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory Identified?
Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (abbreviation HSAM) is an extremely rare kind of memory that enables a person to easily retrieve details of every day of their life (or since they were young children). In my case they’re from every day since I was little over a week old.
By Rebecca Sharrock7 years ago in Futurism
Spontaneous, Terrifying, Destructive, and Deadly – Ten Worst Forest Fires In U.S. History
Wildfire generates intense winds and can leap firebreaks, streams, roads and other natural and man-made obstacles. A large fire frequently creates hurricane force winds of more than 120 miles per hour. The intense wind sucks the moisture from all the material in its path, preparing the now tinder dry combustibles to burn more readily.
By Marlene Affeld7 years ago in Futurism