US Senior Science Reporter

Peter Hess is the US Senior Science Reporter for DailyMail.com. He covers topics including biology, wildlife, neuroscience, space, and medicine. Peter previously wrote about autism research at Spectrum, a trade publication for scientists. While there, he won Silver in the Individual Profile category from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) for his story 'In deep water with Gul Dolen.' His work has also appeared in Popular Science, The Washington Post, Vice, New Scientist, and Inverse. Peter has a master's degree in journalism from New York University's Science, Health, and Environmental Reporting Program.

Coverage: Science Fossil Fuels Solar System Fossil Fuels

MOST RECENT ARTICLES FROM PETER HESS

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Scientists watch orangutan treat its own wound with medicinal plant for the first time

02/05/24 03:03

A male orangutan in his mid 30s named Rakus chewed up leaves and smeared them on a wound, which healed quickly and completely. It's the first time scientists ever saw this behavior. The plant he used, called Akar Kuning, has been used by people to treat various ailments, but never before had they seen an ape use it, especially not like this....read

Why climate change ISN'T going to end the world and why we need to stop obsessing about net-zero, according to Cambridge University professor
01/05/24 05:37
Professor Mike Hulme argues that 'climatism' is an ideology that places too much importance on stopping climate change, when there are other more pressing issues that face humanity.
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Rare type of dwarfism could hold the key to a longer life, scientists claim
30/04/24 09:30
Laron syndrome is a genetic mutation that causes dwarfism, but according to new research, it also protects people against heart disease. Previous work showed they don't get cancer.
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How to ensure your iPhone alarm goes off - after users complain app isn't waking them up for work or school
30/04/24 05:47
Some users have complained that their iPhone alarm is not going off, making them miss appointments. Here is how you can check the settings for your phone and make sure the alarm goes off.
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Bird flu causes blindness in cats that drank milk from infected cows at Texas dairy farm - sparking fears the virus is evolving
30/04/24 04:20
Cats who drank milk from cows infected with H5N1 bird flu became extremely sick within a day, and some died within three days. They had lesions in their brains (top left), as well as heart and lungs.
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Charlotte the virgin stingray's caretakers release two similar updates in same week - fueling conspiracy theories among fans
29/04/24 10:07
Fans of Charlotte the virgin stingray noticed that her aquarium posted two similar updates three days apart, setting off a new barrage of conspiracy theories and accusations of funny business.
Here's what has New Yorkers more stressed than the rest, according to a Senior Director at the American Psychological Association
29/04/24 08:21
New Yorkers feel more stress about money, the economy, family responsibilities, and job stability than the average American. And for many adults, these factors have gotten worse over time.
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Florida dolphin dies of 'mutated' bird flu that is 18 TIMES more resistant to drug treatment
29/04/24 04:16
A bottlenose dolphin in Florida was found dead, after wildlife officials reported it acting strangely. A postmortem exam showed that the animal was infected with bird flu, the first known case.
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NASA pauses $16 billion Hubble space telescope that pinned down age of the universe due to 'glitch'
26/04/24 09:45
The Hubble Space Telescope has paused operations because of a mechanical issue. One of its gyroscopes, which stabilizes the craft, has been sending back faulty readings.
Meteorologists reveal 10 US states are at higher wildfire risk
26/04/24 06:26
The National Weather Service warned of increased fire risk for Delaware, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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Google invests $75M to teach one million Americans how to use AI
26/04/24 06:05
Google is donating $75 million and releasing a course to teach people how to use artificial intelligence tools. One week earlier, the company rolled back protections for contract workers.
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Meteorologists reveal 10 US states are set for higher-than-usual wildfires in 2024 ... is YOUR town at risk?
26/04/24 03:41
The National Weather Service warned of increased fire risk for Delaware, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
US military tests new weapon to defend against 'space-enabled' attacks
26/04/24 02:52
The US Space Force announced it has tested a new device called the Remote Modular Terminal, which can jam signals from enemy satellites to block attacks involving space-based equipment.
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US military tests new weapon to prepare for 'space-enabled' attacks on the US - as Russia and China lead the star wars nuke race
26/04/24 02:07
The US Space Force announced it has tested a new device called the Remote Modular Terminal, which can jam signals from enemy satellites to block attacks involving space-based equipment.
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Scientists reveal how long YOU should walk to boost brain power
25/04/24 05:37
Scientists have found that walking for just a short time can boost your brain power. Sitting for 20 minutes (left) results in much less brain activity than walking for 20 minutes (right).
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Toxic chemicals used in laptops, baby seats and smartphones can easily pass through human skin and leach into bloodstream, scientists show for first time
24/04/24 09:51
Scientists found that flameproofing chemicals called PBDEs, found in everyday products, can permeate the skin and make their way into the bloodstream, where they cause health problems.
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Chimps are now eating disease-ridden bat feces as over-farming wipes out food sources in Africa... and experts warn it could start next pandemic
24/04/24 05:45
Chimpanzees in Uganda have been eating virus-filled bat dung ever since their preferred food source was destroyed by tobacco farmers. Scientists fear this could be how the next major pandemic starts.
- 65 comments
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CyberTRASH? Owner claims to have found MORE flaws with new EV - days after Tesla recalled 4,000 for issue with the accelerator pedal
23/04/24 10:13
A Cybertruck owner shared photos of his vehicle's gear selector hanging by a wire. A former Tesla engineer told DailyMail.com that this issue will keep happening, due to an engineering flaw in the vehicle design.
Tucker Carlson rejects Darwin's theory of evolution: 'No evidence'
23/04/24 07:55
On The Joe Rogan Experience, former Fox news commentator Tucker Carlson said there is 'no evidence' to support Darwin's theory of evolution. But he misstated what a theory actually is.
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Tucker Carlson says there is 'no evidence' for Darwin's theory of evolution - and even his friend and boss Elon Musk says he doesn't agree
23/04/24 05:54
On The Joe Rogan Experience, former Fox news commentator Tucker Carlson said there is 'no evidence' to support Darwin's theory of evolution. But he misstated what a theory actually is.
NASA finds traces of gas that could be a sign of life near mars crater
23/04/24 02:37
NASA's Curiosity Rover detected a steady stream of methane coming from Gale Crater, and scientists now think they know why this stream came out when the rover rolled over certain places on Mars.
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Closer to finding aliens on Mars? NASA finds traces of gas that could be a sign of life near a crater on the Red Planet
22/04/24 09:30
NASA's Curiosity Rover detected a steady stream of methane coming from Gale Crater, and scientists now think they know why this stream came out when the rover rolled over certain places on Mars.
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Jawdropping discovery: Remains of extinct human species that died thousands of years ago found in kitchen floor tiles
19/04/24 09:25
A Redditor found what looked like a human jawbone embedded in the tiles of his parents' home. Multiple experts confirmed that it likely belonged to an ancient human ancestor, Homo erectus.
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Plastic industry is heating up Earth's atmosphere TWICE as fast as the global airline industry, study claims
19/04/24 04:49
Plastic waste gets lots of attention, but producing plastics actually produces more planet-heating greenhouse gases than the airline industry and coal-fired powerplants - notoriously bad sources.
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Elon Musk responds to Cybertruck delivery delays
18/04/24 07:05
Tesla customers are complaining that their Cybertruck deliveries have been canceled with no warning and little explanation, as some have been told the problem involves the accelerator.
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Elon Musk confirms Tesla Cybertruck deliveries have been delayed due to potentially fatal fault: 'We are just being very cautious'
18/04/24 05:16
Tesla customers are complaining that their Cybertruck deliveries have been canceled with no warning and little explanation, as some have been told the problem involves the accelerator.
Boston Dynamics reveals new robot after retiring legendary humanoid
18/04/24 10:31
Boston Dynamics has announced today that it plans to sell the new version of its humanoid Atlas robot to manufacturers. The old version starred in viral videos, but it never sold.
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Meet Atlas 2.0! Boston Dynamics reveals new robot after retiring legendary humanoid - as terrified viewers claim it 'looks like something out of The Exorcist'
17/04/24 09:50
Boston Dynamics has announced today that it plans to sell the new version of its humanoid Atlas robot to manufacturers. The old version starred in viral videos, but it never sold.
Microplastics are now found in BRAINS and gallstones
17/04/24 05:34
Microplastics have been found in the brains and gallstones of mice, according to a pair of new studies. Experts warn that microplastics are most likely never going away, remaining in our bodies.
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Scientists find 'vampire' bacteria that has a thirst for HUMAN blood
16/04/24 08:14
Bacteria like E. coli and salmonella can home in on blood, a process called 'bacterial vampirism.' In people with IBD who have small cuts in the gut, these bacteria can easily find their way into the blood.
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NASA says Mars samples that may contain signs of life are STUCK on Red Planet... as it calls on private sector's help retrieving them
16/04/24 05:41
NASA announced it needs help bringing rock samples back from Mars that Perseverance Rover had collected in its search for signs of life. The existing plan is 'too expensive' and would take 'too long.'
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Ex-TikTok workers claim they were told to send US user data to Beijing
16/04/24 03:55
TikTok shared extensive user data with Chinese-based parent company ByteDance, a new investigation claims, even after TikTok said it had cut most ties with ByteDance, raising privacy concerns.
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Ex-TikTok employees claim they were ordered to routinely send American user data to Beijing - as company battles all-out ban in the US
16/04/24 03:10
TikTok shared extensive user data with Chinese-based parent company ByteDance, a new investigation claims, even after TikTok said it had cut most ties with ByteDance, raising privacy concerns.
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Charlotte the virgin stingray is growing something besides just babies, her caretakers reveal
15/04/24 05:32
Charlotte the stingray, who apparently became pregnant without a male, has begun growing a new barb after dropping hers in February. This is a sign that she's in good health, said her caretakers.
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A jaguar savaging an alligator, adorable yawning bats and a VERY human orangutan are among winners of Sony's 2024 world photo awards
12/04/24 09:27
Sony and the World Photography Organisation announced the winners of their 2024 photography awards. Winners in the Natural World & Wildlife category captured tender and brutal moments.
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Dam flaws could spark drinking water crisis for over 30M Americans
12/04/24 06:15
The pipes in Glen Canyon Dam that release water from Lake Powell to feed Lake Mead are too damaged to function, officials said. There will be no spring release, threatening water supply.
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More than 30m Americans could face drinking water crisis as officials find major flaws in US dam
12/04/24 04:16
The pipes in Glen Canyon Dam that release water from Lake Powell to feed Lake Mead are too damaged to function, officials said. There will be no spring release, threatening water supply.
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Inside the Cold War-era nuclear bunker built below West Virginia hotel
11/04/24 07:21
The Greenbrier Hotel, 250 miles from Washington DC, conceals a massive bunker where US politicians would seek shelter during a nuclear attack. It was decommissioned in 1992.
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Inside the Cold War-era nuclear bunker built 700ft below luxury hotel in West Virginia that can fit every member of Congress inside
11/04/24 05:20
The Greenbrier Hotel, 250 miles from Washington DC, conceals a massive bunker where US politicians would seek shelter during a nuclear attack. It was decommissioned in 1992.
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iPhone users claim Apple's latest iOS update is making devices 'unusable'... but here is how YOU can fix it at home
10/04/24 09:35
Apple recently pushed out iOS 17.4.1 'over the air,' meaning it downloads automatically. Some iPhone owners are finding that it made their phones crash or freeze. Fortunately there is a fix.
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Study finds California is poised for a major earthquake this year
10/04/24 06:21
The Parkfield section of the San Andreas Fault, located in central California, gave off distinct sounds in the six weeks leading up to an earthquake in 2004. It's not doing them now, though.
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California is poised for major earthquake THIS YEAR - says new study tracking San Andreas Fault activity
10/04/24 05:50
The Parkfield section of the San Andreas Fault, located in central California, gave off distinct sounds in the six weeks leading up to an earthquake in 2004. It's not doing them now, though.
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New Yorker gives hilarious reaction to being underwhelmed by solar eclipse
09/04/24 08:31
A New York City man rated Monday's eclipse a lackluster 3 out of 5 stars, calling it 'overhyped' and a 'waste of time.' He praised the publicity team that had created such hype, while also cursing the hype.
EPA to crack down on toxic emissions from 200 US chemical plants
09/04/24 07:55
New EPA rules will require chemical plants like Denka's to cut emissions of cancer-causing chemicals, a decade after communities raised the alarm about skyrocketing rates of cancer.
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More than 200 US chemical plants must reduce toxic emissions under new EPA rule - after Louisiana town becomes 'cancer cluster' from rubber facility polluting air for decades
09/04/24 06:50
New EPA rules will require chemical plants like Denka's to cut emissions of cancer-causing chemicals, a decade after communities raised the alarm about skyrocketing rates of cancer.
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Report: Surf board-shaped UFO filmed speeding around the moon
09/04/24 02:37
Over the weekend, NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) caught sight of something that gave space agency officials pause. It looked like a surfboard: long, narrow, and flat.
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Surf board-shaped UFO filmed speeding around the moon by NASA's lunar orbiter
09/04/24 01:48
NASA's lunar orbit was investigating the moon when it captured a surf board-shaped UFO whizz by the surface. Photos showed a long, narrow, and apparently flat object in a few shots.
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North Carolina aquarium releases update about Charlotte the virgin stingray's pregnancy after experts feared her babies could have died
08/04/24 09:16
The North Carolina aquarium where Charlotte the virgin stingray lives has announced that she and her babies are healthy, amid weeks of speculation from the public that something's amiss.
How YOU can capture professional photos of the solar eclipse using your phone
08/04/24 05:05
Since phones may amplify the light, it is still not safe to view the eclipse through a phone camera. Experts recommend the same filters that protect our eyes during eclipse viewing, to ensure a good photo.
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How to tell if YOUR solar eclipse glasses are safe as fakes flood Amazon - experts warn regular sunglasses could leave your retinas SCORCHED
08/04/24 04:02
In 2017 Donald Trump dismissed expert advice and snuck a peek at the solar eclipse. But it can burn your retinas to view an eclipse without proper eclipse glasses. Here's how to tell if yours are.
Texas grandfather, 105, who has witnessed TWELVE solar eclipses reveals why lucky number 13 was best one yet
08/04/24 01:44
LaVerne Biser and his late wife Marion saw their first solar eclipse together on July 20, 1963. Now, the retired mechanical engineer and amateur astronomer is prepping to view his 13th.
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Climate change could make cicadas come out sooner - as the US braces for the first DOUBLE-BROOD event since 1803
06/04/24 03:28
Warmer temperatures from climate change may cause cicadas to emerge sooner, scientists say. The insects could also migrate farther north and even interbreed with other populations during 2024's mega event.
What would happen if a Taiwan-style 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit NYC?
05/04/24 08:17
New York City was unscathed after Friday's earthquake, but if it was hit by one like that which hit Taiwan this week, the results would be catastrophe, including building collapses.
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Expert reveals the devastation that would be unleashed if a Taiwan-style 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit NYC - after East Coast was rattled by a 'baby quake'
05/04/24 07:59
New York City was unscathed after Friday's earthquake, but if it was hit by one like that which hit Taiwan this week, the results would be catastrophe, including building collapses.
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NASA's 'Armageddon' mission backfires! DART asteroid deflection test created a cloud of giant boulders that are set to crash into Mars
04/04/24 08:31
NASA's spacecraft DART created a massive trail of dust and debris when it struck the asteroid Dimorphos in 2022. New research from Italian astronomers says these rocks could hit Mars.
Archaeologists investigate claims of giant skeletons in Nevada caves
04/04/24 04:24
In 1911 miners stumbled upon a cave containing the remains of giant humans, as well as worn out sandals measuring over 15 inches in length. But other historians are skeptical of the findings.
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Stunned archaeologists probe claims of giant skeletons in Nevada caves where they found a 15-inch sandal that had been worn down as well as massive handprints across the walls
03/04/24 09:32
In 1911 miners stumbled upon a cave containing the remains of giant humans, as well as worn out sandals measuring over 15 inches in length. But other historians are skeptical of the findings.
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The 7 bridges in the US that are at risk of a Baltimore-like disaster
01/04/24 07:47
All seven bridges supported by vulnerable concrete island towers, called 'piers.' Baltimore's Francis Scott Key was destroyed by a mega-ship collision with a pier
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The 7 bridges in the US that are at risk of a Baltimore-like disaster: Including the Golden Gate and Verrazzano
01/04/24 07:31
All seven bridges supported by vulnerable concrete island towers, called 'piers.' Baltimore's Francis Scott Key was destroyed by a mega-ship collision with a pier
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'People are dropping dead for a reason': Residents of Texas town that has become cancer hotspot speaks out as EPA finds dangerous levels of toxic chemicals in soil and water
30/03/24 12:43
Locals in the Texas community of Kashmere Gardens knew for a long time that something was wrong as residents died of cancer. Now EPA testing revealed toxic chemicals in soil and water.
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Psychologists explain science behind getting the 'ick' - why are our brains programmed to be cringed out by things opposite sex do?
29/03/24 06:40
'The ick' can be a psychological warning that we are in danger, a trigger of disgust to keep us from getting sick. But sometimes the ick is about petty things, or things we can get used to over time.
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Conservatives launch new probe into Canada's lab leak scandal: National security failure saw Chinese scientists send Ebola in the mail to Wuhan and spy on top research hub
28/03/24 08:55
About a month after a bombshell 600-page report showed how Chinese scientists in a Winnipeg lab shared secret materials with China, Canadian MPs opened a new inquiry into the incident.
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Anti-aging elixir could be hiding in 'indestructible' tardigrades, say scientists who found microscopic creature's proteins slow cell damage
28/03/24 04:23
Tardigrades are tiny animals that can enter a hibernation state to survive hard times. Scientists found the proteins enabling this process can also slow down and protect human cells.
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Officials urge public to destroy spongy egg masses across the US to avoid infestation of lanternflies in May
27/03/24 09:54
Millions of spotted lanternflies will soon emerge from their eggs and feast upon crops in 17 US states. To lessen the effects, agriculture officials urge Americans to destroy the egg masses on sight.
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Bridges across the US that suffered same fate as Francis Scott Key in Baltimore - as several states launch safety projects to shore up infrastructure
27/03/24 08:40
On Tuesday the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore crumbled into the water after being struck by a ship, much like bridges in Georgia, Kentucky, and Oklahoma, which met the same fate.
Engineers blame $3m structural 'flaw' for Baltimore bridge collapsing
27/03/24 10:45
No bridge can withstand millions of pound of force from a strike, as with the cargo ship that hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge. But structures can help protect it. Unfortunately none were in place.
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Engineers blame $3m structural 'flaw' for Baltimore's Francis Scott Key bridge collapsing - and tens of thousands of bridges across US could also have fault
26/03/24 09:54
No bridge can withstand millions of pound of force from a strike, as with the cargo ship that hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge. But structures can help protect it. Unfortunately none were in place.
Tesla app tracks driver's every move down to the music they're listening to
26/03/24 03:44
A man claims abusive men are benefitting from a Tesla app by accessing information about where the cars are being driven by their partners.
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Most polluted US cities REVEALED in new study - and Los Angeles and New York don't even make the top 10
25/03/24 11:04
Many of the most polluted cities in 2023 were choked by Canadian wildfires, inflating their numbers. But others suffer a common American scourge: Interstate highways running through them.
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Tesla anti-adultery feature! EV owner who is cheating on his wife warns other two-timers that car tracks your location and passengers in the vehicle
25/03/24 05:23
A man warned other would-be cheating Tesla owners that the car's app can clue in a spouse about unexpected trips and unannounced passengers, making it a risky vehicle to use for adultery.
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Declassified reports reveal the animals sacrificed to brain-computer interface science long before Elon Musk's Neuralink team killed over 1,500 animals developing its brain chips
23/03/24 11:14
Elon Musk's Neuralink announced this week that its first volunteer could control a computer with his brain. It comes after years of brain chips in beetles, cats, monkeys, and sharks.
Woman pays $50,000 for TWO clones of her late cat created by Texas biotech company that uses dead pet's DNA to create a genetic twin
22/03/24 06:24
A Canadian woman lost her beloved cat, Bear, two years ago, but spent $50,000 to recreate her dead pet as two kittens that are genetic twins of Bear.
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New GHOST SHARK species with a sex organ on its 'massive head' is discovered more than 2,000 feet below the surface near Thailand
22/03/24 04:09
Scientists have corrected the record and announced that they discovered a new species of ghost shark off the coast of Thailand. Previously misidentified as a longspine chimaera, the fish is something new.
Discovery of 12,000-year-old preserved human brains could change what we know about the organ
21/03/24 10:25
Alexandra L. Morton-Hayward and her team at the University of Oxford combed through archives of ancient brains and found they aren't as uncommon as many archaeologists suspected.
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The brain chip pioneers who paved the way for Elon Musk's Neuralink: Brave patients have been getting devices implanted in their skulls SINCE 2006
21/03/24 08:43
Elon Musk announced early results from human trials of Neuralink this week, but it is not the first brain chip. Here are the stories of five other people who received brain-computer interfaces first.
California killer whales' violent hunting techniques like tail slapping and headbutting are revealed by scientists who studied mysterious group of predators for 16 years
20/03/24 08:55
Scientists observed killer whales for 16 years to learn their habits. The marine predators rammed prey with their heads (top right) and launched prey into the air (bottom right), before eating them (left).
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Bill Gates-founded energy company set to construct $3 billion nuclear power plant in Wyoming that could be operational by 2030
20/03/24 04:03
Bill Gates-founded nuclear power company TerraPower announced plans to begin building a sodium-cooled reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming, this June, and that it could be functioning by 2030.
Meet Lily, the Frenchie of the future: Breeders trying to save the French bulldog by weeding out its major health defects have raised first 'innately healthy' dog - with an elongated snout, body and tail!
19/03/24 09:05
French bulldogs are like cartoon characters, with short legs and backs, and squished faces. But the Frenchie of the future will sport a longer snout, spine, tail, and legs to avoid common ailments.
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Fascinating origin of Southern accents and what makes them different from the rest of the nation, according to linguists
19/03/24 05:40
The two main types of Southern American accent are the inland, spoken by Matthew McConnaughey and Woody Harrelson, and the coastal, as heard from Reese Witherspoon and Walton Goggins.
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AI scandal rocks academia as nearly 200 studies are found to have been partly generated by ChatGPT
19/03/24 01:45
Scientists are submitting AI-written papers that bear telltale signs of having been produced by ChatGPT: the phrase 'As of my last knowledge update.' It is the latest in a trend of scientific fraud.
- 46 comments
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