science

Topics and developments in science and medicine, presented by Futurism.

Unnatural Philosophy?
Thank goodness today's natural philosophers have their fancy tools at hand when it comes to proving their theories and letting us know just what's what. Imagine the embarrassment of say, Aristotle, were he to be resurrected and held accountable for some of his ideas about the nature of things; notably his belief that the world was composed of four elements — Earth, Air, Fire and Water, as you all well know.
By Kevin McClintock9 years ago in Futurism
On-Demand Spaceship Parts from Pink Goop?
One of the most fascinating technologies to be birthed out of the turn of the millennium is additive, or 3D, printing. And like many other scientific discoveries and inventions, it doesn’t take a ton of imagination to see how something like that might be useful in space. In fact, I would argue that in order for something like a colony/generation ship to be successful, it would absolutely need to have the ability to manufacture new parts on the spot.
By C. A. Wilke9 years ago in Futurism
What is Consciousness?. Top Story - August 2017.
Perhaps one of the strangest mysteries of the universe is the question of how we became cognizant creatures. Being conscious is one of the bare-bone requirements of being alive, and yet, we still don't understand how it all came to be.
By Sarah McDaniel9 years ago in Futurism
Nanotechnology
"Why can't we write all the 24 volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica on the head of a pin?" This question raised by the great scientist Richard Feynman became the cradle for a revolutionary idea — the technology of the future — nanotechnology. It is the study and control of matter at the nano scale, rearranging atoms and molecules. Nanotechnology has made marvelous contributions in many diverse fields, ranging from computer science to medical science. Nanotechnology is a wonderful new technology in which scientists rearrange atoms and molecules of matter to nano specifications. Or, to put it differently, the use and control of tiny matter is called nanotechnology. The time matter is referred to as nano particles. These particles are measured in nano meters. Matter at the nano scale has different properties from the same matter in bulk form. In modern times, nanotechnology has become increasingly important. It has many uses from developing sports equipment to medical applications and is a faster, cheaper, and a better technology for use in many applications.
By sharan r9 years ago in Futurism
India in Space
Their beginning was humble, and they had no achievements to boast about. Not even a good laboratory . But, this dream team, had a great vision for India.
By sharan r9 years ago in Futurism
Origin of Life
When I was just a little kid, I was convinced that life popped up from just about anything, especially things that were rotting. It wasn't long before a discarded apple core turned into a cloud of tiny flies. A little dirt from the park across the street yielded all kinds of worms after sitting in a jar of water. Yep, life was just a force of Nature.
By Arthur M.9 years ago in Futurism
Doomsday Asteroid 2012 TC4: What NASA Isn't Telling Us
On October 12, 2017, Asteroid 2012 TC4 will make a near-Earth orbital pass and, according to NASA, it could come as close as 4,200 miles. Why is that worrisome?
By Reid Moore9 years ago in Futurism
Ancient Waterworld? New Evidence That Venus May Have Once Had Oceans
Venus is one of the most inhospitable places in the solar system where the temperature at the surface can melt lead and the atmospheric pressure is crushing. It is not a world where scientists expect to ever find life, but the evidence continues to grow that it may not have always been that way. As recently as several hundred million years ago (in geological terms), Venus may have had oceans, according to new research. What is now a searing hot hellhole was perhaps once very wet, and, just possibly, had conditions suitable for life.
By Paul Scott Anderson9 years ago in Futurism
Intelligence: Reshaping The Human Brain
The brain is the very center of our humanity, personality, and sense of being, yet we know almost nothing about its massive complexity. With the help of advanced technology, scientists have been able to map and analyze the brain down the individual neurons that determine our every thought and function; however, intelligence, with its companions consciousness and memory has remained hidden despite everything.
By Justin Gignac9 years ago in Futurism
New Human
Genetic manipulation is always an interesting topic. From synthesizing chromosomes and basic organisms to creating chimera and plain not-so-old fashioned gene therapy, biomolecular science has made significant strides. Many TV shows, movies, and books depict life after advanced genetic manipulation and, for the most part, it’s bad news. With each new progression in this particular scientific arena, the topic of genetic manipulation rises in the media and in our minds. Or mine, at least. And Dave’s. Isn’t that right, Dave? Of course it is.
By RJ Plant9 years ago in Futurism
Meet the Sea Scorpion
Deep beneath the Devonian ocean lurked the largest arthropod to have ever lived: the eurypterid. Sporting a javelin lancet serrated with venom teeth tipping a heavily armored tail, the enormous sea scorpion did not live in fear. The rise of the eurypterid heralded the first true great predator of our planet. The colossal beast reigned over the waters of the world long before the first foot fell upon land, enduring for great ages uncontested by any organism dominant and supreme. Surely in a world aeons from mammalian ancestors, overrun with fishes tenderly armored with leather bodies did no creature contest the capital horror present.
By Eliander Black9 years ago in Futurism
What Exactly is the Point of HSAM Research?
In the year 2000, a woman named Jill Price approached Dr. James McGaugh at the University of California, Irvine. She expressed that she had an unusual memory in which she would involuntarily relive her past all the time, and had great difficulty with letting go of her recollections. Dr. McGaugh was very interested in what Price was saying and was willing to gather a team of researchers to study her memory.
By Rebecca Sharrock9 years ago in Futurism