The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species. Climate, weather, and natural resources that affect human survival and economic activity.
By Lulu Chang
In the epitomizing blackness of space, few natural phenomena can compete with the darkness of black holes. After all, with their inexorable gravitational pull, nothing, not even light, can be seen … right? Well, mostly. Last week, for the first time ever, scientists observed visible light emanating from beside a black hole with nothing more than a 20 cm. telescope. Continue reading SCIENTISTS JUST SAW LIGHT COMING FROM AROUND A BLACK HOLE FOR THE FIRST TIME
The big question about biohacking is, what is it? That’s a question my editors and my friends all asked me as I prepared a story for the PBS NewsHour on this new biology term. And when I answered them, they still didn’t quite get it. So I’ll try again, with some help from the folks I talked to in recent weeks.
Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. Many of us bought our beloved “pets” at pet shops, had guinea pigs, and kept beautiful birds in cages. We wore wool and silk, ate McDonald’s burgers, and fished. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights?
Continue reading Why Animal Rights?
The field of artificial intelligence and robotics has experienced the first scientifically provable self aware robot. This is worlds worst nightmare.. or is it? In this video you’ll learn all about how this was achieved, what the real implications of what went down, and then we’ll answer some further questions.
Continue reading Are We Approaching Robotic Consciousnesses?
The practice of smudging dates back to prehistoric times, and is still very much in use today worldwide for cleansing everything from dwellings to human spirits. However recent research has shed light on the popularity of this activity, revealing that burning certain plant matter actually clears harmful bacteria.
Continue reading THE SCIENCE BEHIND SMUDGING: WHAT REALLY HAPPENS WHEN WE BURN SAGE
Steps you can take at home to reduce your impact on global warming
Dear EarthTalk: How can I measure—and then improve—my overall “carbon footprint?” What are the major areas of one’s daily life that one measures?
— Andy Fusco, Passaic, NJ
With global warming dominating so many headlines today, it’s no surprise that many of us are looking to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases our activities produce.
Theo Jansen’s “Strandbeest” sculptures are more like a species of artificial animals than a work of art. Their movements are incredibly life-like. Meaning “beach animals” in Dutch, Jansen’s creations move with the wind and are made with plastic tubes and lemonade bottles. In the future, he wants to equip them with artificial intelligence, so they know to avoid the water and not drown.
Continue reading Theo Jansen’s ‘Strandbeest’ sculptures live on the beach