Misinformation thrives on outrage, study finds

Misinformation travels far and fast online, and according to new research published in Science, outrage is the fuel behind its spread. By examining millions of social media interactions, researchers found that misinformation sources consistently provoke more outrage than credible news,…

Not just heat death: Here are five ways the Universe could end

If you’re having trouble sleeping at night, have you tried to induce total existential dread by contemplating the end of the entire Universe? If not, here’s a rundown of five ideas exploring how “all there is” might become “nothing at…

U.S. teen tobacco use has hit a record low

Tobacco products are attracting fewer U.S. teen and tween users than at any other time in the last 25 years. The latest numbers come from the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey, or NYTS. It collected data from January to May…

US splits world into three tiers for AI chip access

On Monday, the US government announced a new round of regulations on global AI chip exports, dividing the world into roughly three tiers of access. The rules create quotas for about 120 countries and allow unrestricted access for 18 close…

Explainer: What is the internet?

Buzz! Your smart watch alerts you of a new social media post from a friend. She just shared a video of her dog jumping in mud. You comment:   You probably don’t think at all about how that video got…

Scientists Say: Aphantasia

Aphantasia (noun, “Ay-fan-TAYZ-yah”) Aphantasia is a condition where people do not visualize, or “see,” images in their minds. Instead, they think using words, numbers or ideas. Aphantasia is not a disability. It’s just a different way of processing information and…