Science: What Geeks are talking about from Wired Magazine

The Independence Day: Resurgence Spaceship Has Its Own Gravity

In the trailer for Independence Day: Resurgence, the alien spacecraft seems to gravitationally lift some buildings. What kind of mass would it have to have to do this? The post TheIndependence Day: Resurgence Spaceship Has Its Own Gravity appeared first on WIRED.

Insect Stings: Why Do They Ouch So Bad?

Justin Schmidt is a connoisseur of insect stings. The post Insect Stings: Why Do They Ouch So Bad? appeared first on WIRED.

Does Monsanto’s Roundup Herbicide Cause Cancer or Not? The Controversy, Explained

The WHO managed to inject even more confusion into an already confusing question: whether glyphosate, the common weed killer also known as Roundup, causes cancer. The post Does Monsanto’s Roundup Herbicide Cause Cancer or Not? The Controversy, Explained appeared first on WIRED.

A Chemical Reaction Revolutionized Farming 100 Years Ago. Now It Needs to Go

Making fertilizers requires the use of natural gas…for now. The post A Chemical Reaction Revolutionized Farming 100 Years Ago. Now It Needs to Go appeared first on WIRED.

A New Earthquake Swarm Is Rocking Oregon’s Mt. Hood

Hood has joined St. Helens in a reminder that the Cascades are full of potentially active volcanoes. The post A New Earthquake Swarm Is Rocking Oregon’s Mt. Hood appeared first on WIRED.

Physics Says Hollywood Shrank the Angry Birds for Their Leading Roles

In a previous analysis of the Angry Birds game, I found the size of the birds to be quite large. How big are the birds in the Angry Birds Movie? The post Physics Says Hollywood Shrank the Angry Birds for Their Leading Roles appeared first on WIRED.

Absurd Creatures: The Vicious Fish With a Strike Like You Wouldn’t Believe

The frogfish is a deceptively vicious hunter that strikes in just 1/6,000th of a second. Check out this week’s episode of Absurd Creatures to learn more! The post Absurd Creatures: The Vicious Fish With a Strike Like You Wouldn’t Believe appeared first on WIRED.

Inside EurekAlert, the News Hub That Shapes the Science You Read

Launched twenty years ago this week, EurekAlert has tracked, and in some ways shaped, the way science is covered in the digital era. The post Inside EurekAlert, the News Hub That Shapes the Science You Read appeared first on WIRED.

The Devils Hole Pupfish Just Can’t Catch a Break

Last month, three wasted dudebros decided it would be a good idea to go offroading into one of the most important conservation sites in the country. The post The Devils Hole Pupfish Just Can’t Catch a Break appeared first on WIRED.

Meet Janna Levin, the Chillest Astrophysicist Alive

The astrophysicist, conceptual writer and host of standing-room-only scientific soirees at a repurposed factory in Brooklyn sees science as a powerful force in culture. The post Meet Janna Levin, the Chillest Astrophysicist Alive appeared first on WIRED.

The Underwater Archaeologist Who Surfaced Not One, But Two Ancient Egyptian Cities

Franck Goddio left his job at the UN to pursue his passion for underwater archaeology and discovered lost Egyptian cities in the muck of Alexandria harbor. The post The Underwater Archaeologist Who Surfaced Not One, But Two Ancient Egyptian Cities appeared first on WIRED.

Thanks El Niño, But California’s Drought Is Probably Forever

Even if you can’t define a drought, you should by now know exactly what one looks like: California. The post Thanks El Niño, But California’s Drought Is Probably Forever appeared first on WIRED.

JPL’s New Director on the Future of Mars Exploration

Michael Watkins talks about JPL’s role in NASA’s Journey to Mars. The post JPL’s New Director on the Future of Mars Exploration appeared first on WIRED.

NASA Jet Propulsion Lab’s New Chief Has Plans for Space Robots

NASA’s new JPL boss talks about the future of space robots. The post NASA Jet Propulsion Lab’s New Chief Has Plans for Space Robots appeared first on WIRED.

Give Dwarf Planet 2007 OR10 the Real Name It Deserves Already

Thanks to the Kepler space telescope and the Herschel observatory, scientists finally have enough data to get inspired. The post Give Dwarf Planet 2007 OR10 the Real Name It Deserves Already appeared first on WIRED.

Geology Is Breaking Apart Over When the Americas Came Together

3.5 million years ago, Panama collided with South America, cutting off ocean circulation between the Pacific and the Caribbean. Or did it? The post Geology Is Breaking Apart Over When the Americas Came Together appeared first on WIRED.

Go Ahead, Connect an Inductor and Capacitor and See What Happens

What happens when you connect a charged capacitor to an inductor? You get an oscillating circuit. Here’s how it all works. The post Go Ahead, Connect an Inductor and Capacitor and See What Happens appeared first on WIRED.

This? Oh It’s Nothing. Just a Terrifying Robotic Mermaid

Of all the designs to choose from for a remotely operated underwater vehicle, you might think a humanoid would be the silliest to land on. The post This? Oh It’s Nothing. Just a Terrifying Robotic Mermaid appeared first on WIRED.

A Bizarre New Model for How Hawaii Got Its Curve

Think you know about hotspots, hotshot? Well, think again! The post A Bizarre New Model for How Hawaii Got Its Curve appeared first on WIRED.

Thinking About Psychic Powers Helps Us Think About Science

I’m not claiming that we know everything. But we know some things, and those are enough to rule out other things, including bending spoons with your mind. The post Thinking About Psychic Powers Helps Us Think About Science appeared first on WIRED.

That Long-Lost Mayan City a Teen Found Isn’t Lost … or a City

The supposed pyramid in satellite is more likely an abandoned field. The post That Long-Lost Mayan City a Teen Found Isn’t Lost … or a City appeared first on WIRED.

NASA’s Kepler Just Doubled the Number of Known Exoplanets

Representatives from the US space agency announced that data from the Kepler planet hunting mission confirms 1,284 new exoplanets. The post NASA’s Kepler Just Doubled the Number of Known Exoplanets appeared first on WIRED.

Satellites Are Keeping a Close Eye on Remote Eruptions

Two remote volcanoes had eruptions over the last week. Meanwhile, things heated up in Chile and cooled down in New Zealand. The post Satellites Are Keeping a Close Eye on Remote Eruptions appeared first on WIRED.

No, Jose Ramirez’s Helmet Doesn’t Defy the Laws of Physics

In this clip, José Ramírez kicks his helmet as it falls off his head. The helmet appears to both fly backwards and land on second base. Here’s how it works. The post No, Jose Ramirez’s Helmet Doesn’t Defy the Laws of Physics appeared first on WIRED.

Only Robots Can Visit Deep-Sea Vents. Now You Can—In Glorious VR!

Deep-sea mining outfits are itching to exploit black smoker vents, which are loaded with precious metals like copper. An ROV is recording it for posterity. The post Only Robots Can Visit Deep-Sea Vents. Now You Can—In Glorious VR! appeared first on WIRED.

Before and After the Insane Fort McMurray Fire, From 350 Miles Above Earth

A pair of satellites give first responders a view of the fire’s devastation. The post Before and After the Insane Fort McMurray Fire, From 350 Miles Above Earth appeared first onWIRED.

A Reboot of the Legendary Physics Site ArXiv Could Shape Open Science

The open source physics site arXiv is turning 25, and it’s going to get a makeover. But what does that mean for its principles of data transparency? The post A Reboot of the Legendary Physics Site ArXiv Could Shape Open Science appeared first on WIRED.

Maybe You’re Not an Atheist–Maybe You’re a Naturalist Like Sean Carroll

What happens when a CalTech theoretical physicist examines what it means to be human, whether God exists, and what happens after you die? The post Maybe You’re Not an Atheist–Maybe You’re a Naturalist Like Sean Carroll appeared first on WIRED.

Absurd Creatures: Hail Hydra, the Incredible, Maybe-Immortal Animal

The hydra’s got kind of a jellyfish thing going on, with tentacles it uses to snag prey. But it can live a really, really long time. The post Absurd Creatures: Hail Hydra, the Incredible, Maybe-Immortal Animal appeared first on WIRED.

They Don’t Call Colorado the Mother of Rivers for Nothin’, Folks

Among the many nicknames Coloradans have for their state, “the mother of rivers” is particularly apt. The post They Don’t Call Colorado the Mother of Rivers for Nothin’, Folksappeared first on WIRED.

Tiny Tests Probe for Dark Matter and Other Exotic Physics

Experiments that can fit on a tabletop are probing the nature of dark matter and dark energy and searching for evidence of extra dimensions. The post Tiny Tests Probe for Dark Matter and Other Exotic Physics appeared first on WIRED.

You Can Livestream Mercury as It Crosses the Sun

The Transit of Mercury is a relatively rare astronomical event, and this time around you can stream it. The post You Can Livestream Mercury as It Crosses the Sun appeared first onWIRED.

Space Photos of the Week: Greenland and the Amazing Technicolor Coastline

Space photos of the week, May 1–7, 2016. The post Space Photos of the Week: Greenland and the Amazing Technicolor Coastline appeared first on WIRED.

Oh, Good Morning, Sleep Science. Welcome to the 21st Century

A new study uses a jet lag-hacking smartphone app to collect data from thousands of people around the world. The post Oh, Good Morning, Sleep Science. Welcome to the 21st Century appeared first on WIRED.

Wanna Win the Kentucky Derby? Get Your Horse Born on January 1

How horse breeders use science (and a magic light) to make sure thoroughbred foals are born as early in the year as possible. The post Wanna Win the Kentucky Derby? Get Your Horse Born on January 1 appeared first on WIRED.

The US: E-Cigs Very Bad! The UK: E-Cigs OK! All of Us: Huh?

Public health officials in the US and UK have different priorities for dealing with e-cigarettes. The post The US: E-Cigs Very Bad! The UK: E-Cigs OK! All of Us: Huh? appeared first on WIRED.

SpaceX Landed a Freaking Rocket on a Robot Boat in the Dark

Say it again. Say it louder! The post SpaceX Landed a Freaking Rocket on a Robot Boat in the Dark appeared first on WIRED.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Will Fail Its Way to Being a Master Lander

SpaceX is going to try another barge landing. Let’s hope they succeed, but give it up for them even if they fail. The post SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Will Fail Its Way to Being a Master Lander appeared first on WIRED.

Mount St. Helens Is Recharging Its Magma Stores, Setting Off Earthquake Swarms

Mount St. Helens in Washington may have been quiet at the surface since 2008, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t recharging for the next one. The post Mount St. Helens Is Recharging Its Magma Stores, Setting Off Earthquake Swarms appeared first on WIRED.

The Mysteries of Chickpea Water, a Magical Substitute for Eggs (No, Really)

Labs have spent years trying to recreate the complexity of eggs, scoop by powdery scoop. Little did they know their answer was in a can of chickpeas. The post The Mysteries of Chickpea Water, a Magical Substitute for Eggs (No, Really) appeared first on WIRED.

Whoa: A Tesla Coil Can Zap Nanotubes Into Long Nanowires

Researchers at Rice University have found a new method for assembling carbon nanotubes into wires using high electric fields produced by a Tesla coil. The post Whoa: A Tesla Coil Can Zap Nanotubes Into Long Nanowires appeared first on WIRED.

The Insane Challenges of Fighting Alberta’s Inferno

Fort McMurray is a city in what firefighters call the Wildland Urban Interface, a crazy complex landscape for firefighters. The post The Insane Challenges of Fighting Alberta’s Inferno appeared first on WIRED.

An Autonomous Robot Won’t Replace Your Surgeon Anytime Soon

Robots are coming for jobs in hospitals. Which ones will they take over first? The post An Autonomous Robot Won’t Replace Your Surgeon Anytime Soon appeared first on WIRED.