China’s National Pig Genetic Program announces they’re working on creating pigs that produce more meat while consuming less feed. First off—it’s astounding a National Pig Genetic Program even exists. An official from the National Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources Committee told reporters that China’s pigs are 30% less productive than their overseas counterparts. Because of […]
An Indonesian submarine in the Bali Strait got permission to dive then went dark. There are 53 crew members on board, and estimates suggest they have enough air for three days. The submarine, built in 1977, was performing a military exercise when it lost contact with the mainland. Initial theories are that the submarine dove too […]
Elon Musk’s company Neuralink released a video showing a monkey playing Pong using only his mind. As an incentive for playing the game, the monkey sips a banana smoothie while playing. Neuralink hopes the tech will one day allow paralyzed people to use their phones using their brains alone. The monkey in the video has two devices […]
Scientists have discovered the genetic mutation that causes an entire line of French rabbits to walk on their forelegs. The affected gene causes an issue with the spinal cord that inhibits coordination between the forelegs and hind legs—when the rabbits want to move fast, they have no choice but to perform a handstand. The gene forces […]
A high-speed train filled with people leaving Taipei for a long weekend derailed after hitting a construction vehicle on the tracks. The train’s first four cars absorbed most of the damage, crumpling inside the tunnel. The train had eight cars total. Reports have the total number of passengers as nearly 500—of those, 48 have died and over […]
The backlash started after H&M stated that they won’t buy cotton from Xinjiang because of human rights violations in the area. In response, some of China’s biggest online retailers took the company’s products off their website. Then, H&M’s physical locations were scrubbed—they don’t show up on major ride-hailing apps or map services. Their smartphone app has […]
Shanna Swan, an epidemiologist at the Icahn School of Medicine in New York, thinks so. Her research shows that sperm counts fell nearly 60% between 1973 and 2011. She’s written a book about the implications of her research and says the impending fertility crisis threatens the human species. Her projections suggest sperm counts fall to zero […]
Scientists at the University of Arizona have proposed a new, tamper-proof way of saving genetic material: keep them on the moon. The concept of saving genetic material isn't new. Several seed banks already exist on Earth—the picture above is of one in the arctic ocean. The lunar gene bank just takes the efforts to a whole new […]
A judge in Peru has ruled that Ana Estrada has the right to decide when her life ends. She’s suffered from a disease that attacks her muscles for over three decades. Peru outlaws abortion and same-sex marriage, so the government hotly contested her right to euthanasia from the start. Once she decides to end her life, […]
NASA's Mars Perseverance rover landed on Mars on 2.18.21 after a journey lasting over six months. NASA released the video of its descent, including a view of the parachute attached to the rover. It's a red and white parachute. At first glance, it looks like a random pattern. But hidden inside the colors is a message […]
