ScientistPankaj: Thousands of U.S. Cities Could Become Virtual Ghost Towns by 2100

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Thousands of U.S. Cities Could Become Virtual Ghost Towns by 2100

Sponsored by

January 12, 2024

Sociology

Thousands of U.S. Cities Could Become Virtual Ghost Towns by 2100

These projected findings about depopulation in U.S. cities are shaped by a multitude of factors, including the decline of industry, lower birth rates and the impacts of climate change

By Rachel Nuwer

Behavior

Sludge Videos Are Taking Over TikTok--And People's Mind

"Sludge content" is a type of viral video that features multiple clips playing simultaneously on a screen. Experts unpack what it may be doing to the brain

By Anna Mattson

Planetary Science

NASA's Troubled Mars Sample Mission Has Scientists Seeing Red

NASA's Mars Sample Return program is the agency's highest priority in planetary science, but projected multibillion-dollar overruns have some calling the plan a "dumpster fire"

By Leonard David

Archaeology

Ancient Amazon Civilization Developed Unique Form of 'Garden Urbanism'

Traces of an ancient civilization that had a unique urban infrastructure with cities set amid fields have been rediscovered in the Amazon

By Kiona N. Smith

Sponsor Content Provided by Weizmann Institute of Science

Growing Tissue and Hope

Prof. Jacob Hanna of the Weizmann Institute of Science has grown synthetic embryo models outside the womb. His research could one day make it possible to grow organs for transplantation.

Medicine

First-Ever Biorobotic Heart Helps Scientists Study Cardiac Function

A model heart made from living tissue fused with robotic muscles could help researchers see how the organ works on the inside

By Payal Dhar

Behavior

It Turns Out We Were Born To Groove

The evolution of beat perception likely unfolded gradually among primates, reaching its pinnacle in humans

By Henkjan Honing,The MIT Press Reader

Genetics

Ancient DNA Reveals Origins of Multiple Sclerosis in Europe

A huge cache of ancient genomes spanning tens of thousands of years reveals the roots of traits in modern Europeans

By Sara Reardon,Nature magazine

Paleontology

What Killed the Largest Known Ape Species Ever?

The massive ancient ape Gigantopithecus blacki disappeared in a mystery that scientists are eager to crack

By Meghan Bartels

Planetary Science

Uranus and Neptune Have Similar Hues, New Study Shows

A new analysis finds that images from Voyager 2's close encounter with Neptune show the planet as being far too blue

By Sharmila Kuthunur,SPACE.com

Epidemiology

What to Know about the New COVID Variant JN.1

A new variant of the COVID-causing virus SARS-CoV-2 is behind the latest surge in infections this winter, but it doesn't appear to cause more severe disease

By Julie Appleby,KFF Health News

Mathematics

Simple Math Creates Infinite and Bizarre Automorphic Numbers

Squaring numbers can have surprising consequences

By Manon Bischoff

Space Exploration

Private U.S. Lunar Lander Suffers 'Critical' Anomaly after Launch

Astrobotic's Peregrine lander was meant to be the first commercial spacecraft to operate on the surface of the moon. Instead it may not reach lunar orbit at all

By Michael Greshko

Neuroscience

Advances in Mind-Decoding Technologies Raise Hopes (and Worries)

Devices that connect brains to computers are increasingly sophisticated. Can the nascent neurorights movement keep pace?

By Fletcher Reveley,Undark

BRING SCIENCE HOME

How Warm Is Sweet Enough?

Just the right taste—and temperature? Learn about how our bodies sense flavor with this tasty activity! Credit: George Retseck

Have you ever tasted a piece of warm apple pie or a cup of hot chocolate milk—and then had them after they cooled? Maybe you even prefer to have these treats at room temperature. Why is this? Can flavor change even when you are not adding ingredients? Try this activity and discover how temperature influences flavor!