Latest Insights & Analysis

Stay updated with the latest public health research, commentary, and field notes from our editorial team.

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The New Techno-Eschatology: AGI and Secular Religion

March 25, 2025 · 5 min read

Some techies today fear hell—not from a god, but from a computer.  Human beings have a habit of wrapping up big unknowns in familiar stories. Even in our high-tech, secular age, the quest to create Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) often comes with a kind of religious or end-of-the-world fervor. Some communities of self-described rationalists speak […]

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Psychology

Understanding Suicidal Ideation in South Korea’s Elderly

In South Korea, the elderly population faces particularly high rates of suicide, making it a significant public health concern. To tackle this issue, researchers are exploring innovative ways to predict and understand suicidal thoughts among older individuals. A recent study has utilized advanced machine learning techniques to identify key factors contributing to suicidal ideation, aiming […]

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Psychology

Emails or Direct Mail? Which Works Best?

Imagine you’re walking to your mailbox, and among the usual bills and flyers, you find a colorful brochure from your favorite beauty store. Later, while checking your emails, you see a message from the same store. Which one grabs your attention more? This simple scenario is at the heart of an intriguing research study that […]

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Geology

Catching Hidden Faults

Belt conveyors are a staple in industries ranging from manufacturing to mining. These machines efficiently move large quantities of materials over long distances. However, the conveyor’s numerous rollers are prone to faults, leading to costly breakdowns and even dangerous situations. Recently, researchers have explored an innovative solution to this problem using thermal infrared imaging. This […]

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Exploration

Come Up Screaming

Warning: This article has a pretty graphic image. The Mysterious Case of the Screaming Mummy When most people think of mummies, they picture serene, almost peaceful faces wrapped in linen. However, the “Screaming Mummy” of Cairo presents a different, eerie image: a face frozen in what appears to be an eternal scream. This unusual mummy, […]

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Society

The Mystery of Vanishing Surnames

Have you ever wondered if your surname could disappear? It sounds like the stuff of fiction, but it’s a real phenomenon. Since 1901, about 200,000 surnames have vanished from England and Wales. This fascinating topic was first explored in depth in the 19th century by Sir Francis Galton and Reverend Henry Watson, who developed a […]

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Announcements

Next Week in Science, August 2, 2024

Did you know I am writing this from the beach? Just finishing up a relaxing* time with 10 adults and 11 children. Here’s what’s coming up next week! (in additional to a ton of championship Track and Field!) Explore and Learn with Science: Dive into groundbreaking research and inspiring stories with ‘This Week in Science’! […]

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Psychology

The Journey of Prosthetic Rehabilitation

Losing a limb is a life-altering event, but with the right prosthetic and support, people can regain independence and a sense of normalcy. Understanding what recovery truly means for those with prosthetic limbs is crucial. A recent study published in PLoS ONE sheds light on this by developing the ECLIPSE model—a framework that identifies the […]

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Environment

Predicting the Next Invasive Species

When you think of invasive species, you might picture vines choking out local plants or animals disrupting local ecosystems. But how do these invasive species make their way to new areas, and can we predict which species might be next? Thanks to a new, advanced tool for assessing the risk of biological invasions, researchers are […]

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Environment

Why We Care About Some Fish More Than Others

Ever wonder why some fish get all the attention while others remain under the radar? Maybe not? Or maybe it’s something you only think about when a story about fish fraud shows up. A recent study explored this question by analyzing human interest in 2408 species of reef fish. The findings revealed intriguing insights into […]

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