[ weird things ] | science
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the scientific reason why greed makes literally everything worse
# science

the scientific reason why greed makes literally everything worse

New research into the psychological roots of greed shows that greed may mean access to more money and luxuries, but at the cost of damaging literally everything else.

wowt explains: the ins and outs of time travel
# science

wowt explains: the ins and outs of time travel

Is time travel possible? What would happen if you did it? How would you do it? The answers to these questions are surprisingly complicated and weird.

is the earth’s core really about to stop spinning? absolutely not.
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is the earth’s core really about to stop spinning? absolutely not.

According to the news, our planet’s core has stopped spinning and will soon reverse. What’s really happening is a lot less exciting, but still pretty neat.

contrary to popular belief, citizen science is alive and well
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contrary to popular belief, citizen science is alive and well

Despite what cranks, frauds, and their fans will tell you, scientists do listen to amateurs with good ideas, as two recent news stories demonstrate.

why science says that suburbs are mind-numbing boredom generators
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why science says that suburbs are mind-numbing boredom generators

Suburbs have long been the subject of consternation and ire from activists and urban planners, and research seems to agree with their critiques.

why math says there’s no such thing as a true meritocracy
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why math says there’s no such thing as a true meritocracy

According to pundits and politicians, we live in a world where talent and reward go hand in hand. But basic statistics says that’s simply not possible.

did fusion really achieve net gain, and if so, what happens next?
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did fusion really achieve net gain, and if so, what happens next?

After decades of promises, fusion research finally yielded the breakthrough we’ve all been waiting to see. Sort of. And there’s a lot of work still to do.

can we prevent a pandemic by creating one in a lab?
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can we prevent a pandemic by creating one in a lab?

Controversial new research offers us a chance to create tools to fight pandemics before they start. But can it really live up to its hype? And is it safe?

can we really bring extinct species back to life? and is it a good idea?
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can we really bring extinct species back to life? and is it a good idea?

Bioengineering company Colossal wants to bring back the wooly mammoth and the thylacine. But could they actually do it? And most importantly, should they?

how governments are using babies’ genes to investigate their parents
# science

how governments are using babies’ genes to investigate their parents

Police are starting to use newborns’ blood samples in criminal investigations involving their parents, alarming privacy advocates and legal scholars.

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