From Silent Dialogues to Vivid Memories – Here’s How the Science of Inner Experience Could Transform Gaming

How could gaming go deeper into inner experience? Here’s one example. Many people report having a silent, internal conversation with themselves for much of the time. Our research has shown that inner speech comes in several different forms and has varied functions in thinking, planning and emotion regulation. But when inner speech is depicted in video games, it tends to lack the qualities and variety.

Thousands of Children Got Tested for Lead With Faulty Devices: What Parents Should Know

A company that makes tests for lead poisoning has agreed to resolve criminal charges that it concealed for years a malfunction that resulted in inaccurately low results. While many of the fault-prone devices were used from 2013 to 2017, some were being recalled as late as 2021. The Justice Department said the malfunction produced inaccurate results for “potentially tens of thousands” of children and other patients.

How Memories Are Made – And Preserved

Although working memory has very limited capacity – at any given time, it can accommodate just four to seven pieces of information – it is essential for normal human functioning and represents what Spitzer calls a ‘superpower’.

Why Does It Feel So Cold in the UK Right Now – And When Will It Warm Up?

london streets

It won’t come as a surprise that temperatures have been well below average this week, especially in eastern areas of the UK where they’ve stayed stubbornly in single digits. The atmospheric observatory at the University of Reading indicates the average daily maximum temperature for April so far is 14.4°C – that’s 0.4°C above average.

How to Filter out PFAS and Forever Chemicals From Water

PFAS

Chemists invented PFAS in the 1930s to make life easier: Nonstick pans, waterproof clothing, grease-resistant food packaging and stain-resistant carpet were all made possible by PFAS. But in recent years, the growing number of health risks found to be connected to these chemicals has become increasingly alarming.

Bolsonaro Supporters Invade the Brazilian Congress

Brasilia – January 8, 2023 – Thousands of the right-wing former president Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters have invaded the Brazilian National Congress building. The manifestation happens one week after the left-wing leader Luiz Inácio Lula da

Electronic Arts Servers Are Reportedly Down

EA

August 9, 2022 – Users have reported problems of connection and access to Electronic Arts (EA) servers. Apparently, the company is witnessing a serious outage that is causing issues such as loss of connection, failed

Tech Firms Are Making Computer Chips With Human Cells – Is It Ethical?

Although the name and scenario are fictional, this is a question we have to confront now. In December 2021, Melbourne-based Cortical Labs grew groups of neurons (brain cells) that were incorporated into a computer chip. The resulting hybrid chip works because both brains and neurons share a common language: electricity.

The War in Ukraine Ruins Russia’s Academic Ties With the West

russian academy of science

Russia has dissolved academic connections with the West through legislation on so-called “foreign agents” and “undesirable organizations.” The government ramped up scrutiny of foreign funding and outlawed dozens of Western think tanks, charities, and universities that previously had worked in Russia.

The Ruins of Democracy

The original idea of ruling on behalf of The People and by their will has evolved through time, and piles of values and mechanisms have been stuffed into its edifice. However, the stuffing has been

Russia Blocks Tor, Accusing It of Enabling Illegal Content

Russia has decided to block the Tor network, accusing it of facilitating the access to illegal content. Tor is short for The Onion Router. It is a free global service aiming to conceal users’ locations and traffic; allowing them to avoid lawful and unlawful monitoring.

63% Of Workers Who File an EEOC Discrimination Complaint Lose Their Jobs

We found that at least 63% of workers who filed a complaint eventually lost their job. And about 40% of workers reporting experiencing employer retaliation, such as verbal abuse or being passed over for work opportunities like training or promotion, for filing a claim. At 46%, employer retaliation was most common for sex discrimination cases.

Sticky Baseballs: Explaining the Physics of the Latest Scandal in MLB

Cheating in baseball is as old as the game itself, and pitchers’ modifying the ball’s surface is part of that long history. Adding to the lore of cheating is a new scandal involving pitchers who may be applying sticky substances to the baseball – what players refer to as “sticky stuff” – to baseballs.

If a Satellite Falls on Your House, Space Law Protects You

According to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and 1972 Liability Convention – both adopted by the United Nations – this would be a government-to-government issue. The treaties declare that states are internationally responsible and liable for any damage caused by a spacecraft

The First Mobile Phone Call Was 75 Years Ago

The first mobile phone service, for 80-pound telephones installed in cars, was demonstrated on June 17, 1946, 75 years ago. The service was only available in major cities and highway corridors and was aimed at companies rather than individuals.

Turkey Discovers a $1.2 Billion Gold Mine

The discovery has an estimated market value of $1.2 Billion. It has been announced on Thursday June 10, 2021 by Mustafa Varank, the Industry and Technology Minister. Koza Altin was seized in 2015 along with the other companies of the Koza-Ipek group by the Turkish authorities.

German Chancellor Candidate Vows to Increase Military Spending

Armin Laschet, the conservative German candidate running for chancellor, said that Germany must increase its military spending. In 2021, it has increased again by 3.2% to US$63.8 Billion; but it’s still below NATO’s target of 2% of GDP. To meet that target, Germany’s military spending has to increase to at least US$66 Billion.

Rest to Time Travel

time travel

Imagine that as you are sitting on your lawn chair, a rocket will be passing by at about 86 % the speed of light. Let us take it a step further and consider that you have a laser based clock consisting of a rod with parallel mirrors and, whenever fired, it would take the laser one second to travel to the top mirror, reflect off of it, and travel back to the bottom mirror.

Vitamin K: A Little-Known but Noteworthy Nutrient

Kale Salad Rich in Vitamin K

Most people know about vitamins A, B, C, D and/or E, but vitamin K slips under the nutritional radar. Yet it is essential for life because it’s required for blood to clot normally. Now scientists are now realizing there is more to know about this less appreciated nutrient.

Japan to Build Wooden Satellites to Avoid Space Junk

Sumotomo Forestry Wooden Satellites Project

Sumitomo Forestry, a Japanese wood processing company, has started developing wooden satellites, in partnership with Kyoto University. The project is proposed as a solution to the space junk problem. Thus, end-of-life wooden satellites would fully burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere without leaving any harmful debris.

U.S. Department of Justice Sues Yale University for Race Discrimination

Yale University Dining Hall

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) sued Yale University for the alleged discrimination against White and Asian applicants. The lawsuit was filed on Thursday October 9, 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. It accuses Yale University of illegally considering the race of the candidates in its admission decisions.