Subscribe

The Digital Frontier

A data center with rows of servers and neatly organized cables in red and blue on both sides of a central aisle.

The Digital Frontier

Advancements in 20th century medicine reshaped society and made good health an expectation, not an exception. Now, 21st century breakthroughs may end disease, reverse aging, and restore sight and hearing — perhaps sooner than we think.
Featured
Two people trek across a dry, open desert landscape marked by sparse vegetation under a partly cloudy sky, illustrating the challenges of water scarcity. In the distance, mountains stand as silent observers to this arid expanse.
AI
The West needs more water. This Nobel winner may have the answer.
Paul Migrom has an Emmy, a Nobel, and a successful company. There’s one more big problem on the to-do list.
A police cap is covered with binary code on a bright yellow background.
Police spend 40% of their time on paperwork. Can AI help?
Axon’s AI innovations promise to free officers from desks, but not without questions of ethics. CEO Rick Smith addresses concerns and community trust:
An e-reader displaying text is propped up against a stack of hardcover books.
Books
How the Internet Archive’s “Free Digital Library” fell to the “fair use” test
More
A man in a plaid shirt stands in front of an air traffic control monitor.
AI
Aerospace engineer explains why AI can’t replace air traffic controllers
For everyone’s safety, humans are likely to remain a necessary central component of air traffic control for a long time to come.
A close up of a red blood cell, highlighting its structure and shape.
Biology
The untapped potential of stem cells in menstrual blood
Stem cells found in menstrual blood could unlock new therapies and diagnostic tests, some researchers argue.
electron beam welding being employed on a metal tube
Clean Energy
How electron beams could jumpstart the nuclear industry
Electron beam welding could accelerate manufacturing of small modular reactors, helping make nuclear power a part of our clean energy future.
A man is holding a laptop with a thermal sensor on it.
Prosthetics
Man feels hot and cold again with prosthetic hand breakthrough
Researchers have built a device that helps users feel temperature through a prosthetic arm. A new study shows it works with high accuracy.
A person's hands typing on a keyboard. The scene is illuminated with a green light.
AI
Nvidia’s free tool lets you create your own chatbot right on your PC
Nvidia’s Chat with RTX tool lets you create a custom chatbot that runs locally on your PC and can answer questions about your personal files.
A man working on an old typewriter in a workshop, showcasing his trust in traditional methods of communication.
AI
How does studying 500 years of the printing press help us tackle the era of AI?
For around 500 years, the printed word shaped our education and culture. What lessons can we learn from it in the new age of AI?
A close up of a brain with blue lights on it.
Neuroscience
Evidence that gamma rhythm stimulation can treat neurological disorders is emerging
Researchers survey the therapeutic potential of noninvasive sensory, electrical, or magnetic stimulation of gamma brain rhythms.
A woman is working with one of NASA's space robots as it builds a structure
Aerospace
NASA tests autonomous space robots for off-world construction
NASA is developing autonomous space robots to build shelters, solar arrays, and more on the moon and Mars.
A Hyundai logo available for purchase on Amazon.
Cars
This is the year you can finally buy a car on Amazon
A vibrant red sand dune in the desert with a blue sky
Climate Crisis
Mega solar farms could make it rain in deserts
A new study suggests that gigantic solar farms could be used to create “heat islands” that make rain locally.
A group of galaxies in a starry sky.
Astronomy
Astronomers spot 18 black holes gobbling up nearby stars
Scientists have identified 18 new tidal disruption events (TDEs) — when a nearby star is tidally drawn into a black hole and ripped apart.
A man in a spacesuit with a red helmet designed by Sora.
AI
OpenAI’s text-to-video AI, Sora, is futurism come to life
Sora will let anyone transform their ideas directly into video and the implications are breathtaking.
A woman wearing a VR headset sitting on a couch.
AR
Why Apple won’t call the Vision Pro “virtual reality”
Apple has forbidden developers from using “VR,” “AR,” or “MR” to describe their Vision Pro apps. That’s a mistake.
A person is typing on a computer keyboard, reminiscing about their best gaming moments.
Video Games
From besting Tetris AI to epic speedruns – inside gaming’s most thrilling feats
Gaming embraces design elements that promote social connection, creativity, a sense of autonomy – and, ultimately, the sheer joy of mastery.
stylized grains of rice colored blue and red
Food
Korean scientists grow beef inside of rice
By growing cow cells inside rice, Korean researchers boosted its protein content by 8%, without substantially increasing its cost.
Aerospace
T-Minus: SpaceX launches PACE, new ocean moon discovered, and more
Freethink’s weekly countdown of the biggest space news, featuring the launch of PACE, the discovery of Mimas’ ocean, and more.
An old black and white photo of a man with a red smoke grenade.
Series| Hard Reset Podcast
Hard Reset Podcast: Wildfires | Episode #12
Wildfire season length, frequency, and burn area have increased in the past few decades. To combat this, scientists are combining supercomputer technology with indigenous prescribed burn practices.
A glowing green plant is illuminated against a black background, creating a mesmerizing scene.
Genetics
Bioluminescent plants don’t exist in nature — but you can buy one for $29
Biotech firm Light Bio is selling gene-edited bioluminescent plants that glow green in the dark for just $29.
Microscope view of human skin treated with a short interfering RNA (siRNA) drug
Medicine
New pharma supergroup aims to tackle skin disorders
Six biotech companies just merged to form Alys Pharmaceuticals with the goal of developing new treatments for skin disorders.
A young black man with anxiety, holding his head in distress.
Mental Health
​Why is anxiety spiking in young people but not older adults?
Anxiety among adults 18 to 25 nearly doubled in that time period, but remained stable for adults 50 and older.
Subscribe to the newsletter