Is TikTok to blame for the recent spike in teenage Tourettes?
New research has uncovered a ‘parallel pandemic’ of unexplained tics in young people, the sudden onset of which is likely to do with their social media use. It’s no surprise that the pandemic – bringing global devastation, millions of deaths, economic strife, and unprecedented curbs on social interaction – has...
Current in Science
Major solar storms could cause a global ‘internet apocalypse’
Every 100 years or so, normally harmless electromagnetic particles from the sun conjure a major solar storm. With the potential to damage electrical grids and undersea cables, scientists are concerned the next may cause a global ‘internet apocalypse’. In 2021, seeing Wi-Fi signal drop off in the lower corner of...
Astroscale satellite successfully removes space debris in first demo
Unveiled back in March, Astroscale developed a magnetic satellite capable of removing debris orbiting our planet. This week it has successfully completed its first outer space demo. This week, scientists hit a major milestone in the aim of removing space junk from our atmosphere. Back in March, we covered a story...
New Zealand startup uses microbes to recycle gold from e-waste
Mint Innovation is a New Zealand cleantech company that uses a clever combination of biology and chemistry to extract precious metals from our ever-growing e-waste. Ever stopped to think about e-waste? The likelihood is you have a drawer at home full of old phone chargers, flat batteries, and that one wire...
NASA trials human expeditions to Mars through 3D printed experiment
The space agency is paying volunteers to spend a year living within a 3D printed Martian habitat in Texas. Here, they will conduct VR spacewalks and simulated problems to test the feasibility of attempting the real thing. Between the chaos caused by Covid-19 and the constant flow of demoralising climate...
First human flight for Bezos’ Blue Origin a success
Jeff Bezos was on board the first human flight for his space company Blue Origin today, which reached higher altitudes than Richard Branson’s efforts just last week. I wonder if CEO entrepreneur Jeff Bezos ever envisioned himself being launched into the heavens via a rocket built by his own...
Can chemical upcycling solve the plastic waste crisis?
Scientists have discovered a way to transform plastic bottles into vanillin, the compound which gives vanilla its aroma and taste. Is it an innovative solution to plastic pollution, or just a headline-grabbing experiment? I’m sure you’ve heard about plenty of innovative recycling techniques, from tasteful art displays to quirky paper Coca Cola bottles. One which you probably haven’t heard of, however, is a newly developed process that can turn...
‘Cyber seeds’ may one day grow our vehicles and medical devices
A ‘cyber seed’ capable of growing manmade structures has been developed by researchers, though it will be some years before we’re using them. Want to hear the most farfetched, yet scientifically feasible story ever? Researchers have managed to create a ‘cyber seed’ composed of hundreds of pieces of digitally encoded information, which will algorithmically grow into any pre-set design. Granted, it sounds mental, but the science is solid. Mysteriously developed by...
Rocket mining robot built to collect water from the Moon’s crust
Aerospace manufacturer Masten Space Systems has built a roaming rover capable of mining water from the moon’s crust using rocket blasts. We’re reportedly closer to achieving one of NASA Artemis’ key goals - establishing a human presence on the Moon within the next three years. Case in point, with the staggering costs of shipping supplies from Earth, how will NASA create a water network on the lunar surface for drinking,...
Exclusive – How Ann Makosinski exemplifies an industrious generation
Ann Makosinski is innovative, entrepreneurial, and eager to build a better planet – all traits of a multitalented Gen Zer who’s striving to prove that science and art go hand in hand. Canadian inventor Ann Makosinski had something of an unusual childhood. Daughter of a father born in Poland during WW2 and mother from a tiny town in the Philippines, she recalls their parenting style as ‘unique,’ guided by a shared...
