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Interesting Things

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US judge declines to block transfer of wildlife refuge land to Musk’s SpaceX
Image: The Guardian Science · Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/21/judge-spacex-wildlife-refuge-musk
Interesting Things

Judge Blocks SpaceX Land Transfer to Wildlife Refuge Amidst Legal Fight

A US judge declined to block the transfer of wildlife refuge land in Texas to SpaceX, despite environmental groups' opposition. This decision highlights the tension between private development and conservation goals.

September 22, 2026 at 12:26 PM CDT
Brian Temple, the Europe District Public Affairs chief, delivered his “Science behind the Magic” presentation to several classes May 9 at Aukamm Elementary School in Wiesbaden, Germany. He performed for about 200 student
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District from Wiesbaden, Germany · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Interesting Things

The Science Behind Wealth: Are Rich People Really Worse Behaved?

Delving into the science behind social dynamics reveals surprising connections between wealth and behavior. We explore a study that won an Ig Nobel prize to examine whether wealth influences moral conduct, prompting readers to question our assumptions about class and morality through a lens of genuine curiosity.

September 21, 2026 at 9:56 AM CDT
Math problems
Quinn Dombrowski from Berkeley, USA · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Interesting Things

AI Solves Math Problems: Mathematicians Fear Loss of Human Ingenuity

When OpenAI claims its AI agents have solved monumental math problems, it sparks an existential crisis among mathematicians over intellectual credit and the future role of human ingenuity in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

September 21, 2026 at 8:30 AM CDT
Baby girls’ greater interest in faces offers clue to nature v nurture debate
Image: The Guardian Science · Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/sep/21/baby-girls-boys-interest-faces-nature-nurture
Interesting Things

Baby Girls' Face Focus Hints at Nature vs. Nurture Debate

A study tracking the earliest visual interests of babies reveals a subtle but significant difference in focus between girls and boys when presented with faces versus toys, sparking a deep dive into the nature versus nurture debate surrounding sex differences in early development.

September 21, 2026 at 8:06 AM CDT
Campaign against Climate Change Rally, 4 Nov 2006. On the march from the US Embassy to Trafalgar Square. This is walking down Piccadilly.
Hugh Chevallier · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Interesting Things

Gene Editing and Tree Vaccines: Nature's Fight Against Climate Change

Explore how cutting-edge biotechnology, fueled by public funding, is being deployed to genetically engineer plants and insects, offering powerful new 'precision tools' to help wild species adapt rapidly to the accelerating pressures of climate change and disease.

September 21, 2026 at 6:01 AM CDT
A mannequin with a red-haired wig is displaying a dress embellished with flowers and comprising of different shades of purple. The mannequin is surrounded by mirrors as part of the exhibition.
Image: BBC Entertainment and Arts · Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm0rejq1wqkko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
Interesting Things

Inside the Spaceship Theatre: A 50-Year Costume Exhibition

A costume exhibition at the Royal Exchange Theatre marks fifty years of theatrical history by showcasing costumes and craft from iconic productions. It offers a dazzling look into the theatre's heritage, celebrating the enduring artistry woven into the fabric of Manchester's cultural landscape.

September 21, 2026 at 1:01 AM CDT
BBC Inside Science - The quest for dark matter - BBC Sounds
Image: BBC Science and Environment · Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct9783?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
Interesting Things

Dark Matter Discovery: Redefining Our Understanding of the Universe

Dive into the mind-bending world where physics meets mystery. Discover how scientists are hunting for dark matter—the invisible substance that makes up most of the universe—and explore why this quest to understand the cosmos is one of the biggest discoveries waiting to reshape our reality.

September 20, 2026 at 5:40 PM CDT
‘A map is never neutral’: meet the cartographers who took on centuries of western bias
Image: The Guardian Science · Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/ng-interactive/2026/sep/18/map-cartographers-western-bias-mercator-equal-earth
Interesting Things

A Map is Never Neutral: How Cartographers Redrew the World

Meet the cartographers who wrestled with centuries of Western bias to redraw the map of the world. Discover how a single projection can reveal the hidden politics in geography and why understanding how we see the world is essential for navigating our own.

September 20, 2026 at 12:22 PM CDT
BBC Inside Science - The quest for dark matter - BBC Sounds
Image: BBC Science and Environment · Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct9783?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
Interesting Things

Scientists Hunt for Dark Matter: Unlocking the Universe's Hidden Mass

Dive into the profound mystery of dark matter. Discover how cutting-edge science is hunting for this invisible substance and what its potential discovery means for our understanding of the entire universe, while also examining the tangible consequences of human activity in space.

September 20, 2026 at 11:51 AM CDT
The US air force admitted to deploying weapons in space. Don’t expect the White House to explain why
Image: The Guardian Science · Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/sep/19/space-weapons-white-house-nasa
Interesting Things

Space Weapons Revealed: The New Geopolitical Battle in Orbit

The US air force has admitted to deploying weapons in space, sparking international concern over an emerging space arms race. This story explores what this admission means for global security, the role of deterrence in orbit, and why transparency is so crucial when dealing with the frontier of cosmic power.

September 20, 2026 at 11:16 AM CDT
Reviewboard Interesting Things artwork for Space Junk on the Moon: Who Owns Our Celestial Space?
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Interesting Things

Space Junk on the Moon: Who Owns Our Celestial Space?

The massive scale of planned space launches and associated deals near a Louisiana SpaceX site forces a confrontation with the ethics of space ownership and the environmental cost of orbital debris, prompting readers to wonder about accountability in this new frontier.

September 20, 2026 at 10:48 AM CDT
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Interesting Things

Five Things You May Not Know About Emmy History-Maker Matthew Rhys

Dive into the astonishing, often unseen journey of Emmy history-maker Matthew Rhys—the man who achieved a double acting prize in one night. Discover the surprising mechanisms behind his triumph and why his story offers a profound lesson on resilience, art, and the human capacity to transform immense pressure into breathtaking brilliance.

September 18, 2026 at 4:22 PM CDT
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Interesting Things

How Science Connects Mind, Life, and AI for Deeper Wonder

Dive into the astonishing ways science, biology, and technology are weaving together to reveal the deep, interconnected wonder of existence. We explore the surprising mechanisms behind how our minds process reality, how the physical world operates on cosmic scales, and why understanding these complex systems is the most vital journey for every curious person.

September 18, 2026 at 9:47 AM CDT
Global Soil Order Distribution
Wikimedia Commons · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Interesting Things

Microplastics: The Invisible Trojan Horse Threatening Global Soil Health

Invisible plastic fragments are acting as a Trojan horse, delivering toxins and altering the very chemistry of the soil. A multinational study reveals how this contamination impacts agricultural fields across Europe, posing a direct threat to food security and ecosystem health.

September 18, 2026 at 7:25 AM CDT
a piece of a thermal blanket that they think may have come from my descent stage, the rocket-powered jet pack that set Perseverance down on landing day back in 2021
NASA · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Interesting Things

Space Debris and Moon Impact: A Reckoning for Space Ownership

When nations deploy weapons into space and space debris accumulates, we are witnessing a collision between technological ambition and ethical responsibility. This story explores how the pursuit of power in orbit and the dumping of waste on celestial bodies forces us to redefine what it means to be stewards of the universe.

September 18, 2026 at 12:23 AM CDT
Fast-growing sunspot 1112 is crackling with solar flares. So far, none of the blasts has hurled a substantial CME, or coronal mass ejection, toward Earth. In addition, a vast filament of magnetism is cutting across the s
NASA · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Interesting Things

T. rex Footprints, Solar Flares, and Reading: A Cosmic Connection

A captivating look at the intersection of deep time—from *T. rex* footprints to solar superflares—and the cognitive power of reading, revealing how interconnected the universe and our minds truly are.

September 17, 2026 at 9:44 PM CDT
Space junk punched a new hole in the moon. It’s not ours to abuse | Moriba Jah
Image: The Guardian Science · Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/31/space-junk-moon-hole
Interesting Things

Space Junk Punches Moon: A New Crater Raises Ownership Questions

A piece of space debris, resulting from abandoned rocket stages, has struck the Moon, creating a new crater. This event forces a critical look at the ethics of space exploration and ownership, suggesting that current practices prioritize extraction over stewardship.

September 17, 2026 at 11:34 AM CDT
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Interesting Things

Matthew Rhys: The Surreality of an Emmy Double Win

Discover the surprising journey of Matthew Rhys, the Welsh actor who redefined television history by achieving a historic double Emmy win. Explore how navigating intense creative pressure, personal relationships, and cultural identity forged an achievement that speaks volumes about the power of authentic human expression.

September 16, 2026 at 4:56 PM CDT
The original finding aid described this as: Capture Date: 2/27/1980 Photographer: DONALD HUEBLER Keywords: Larsen Scan
National Aeronautics and Space Administration. John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field. 3/1/1999 · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Interesting Things

NASA Shakeup Risks Future Space Missions Amid Debris Concerns

When NASA reportedly moved engineers out of their labs, raising concerns about future space missions, this story explores the tension between technological ambition and the ethical responsibility of managing space debris, prompting a look at what it means to steward our place in the cosmos.

September 16, 2026 at 1:29 PM CDT
Cells from a mouse's medial prefrontal cortex (blue) and neurons connecting to the dorsal periaqueductal gray area (green).
Cody Siciliano · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Interesting Things

Mice with Human Brain Cells: A Biological Breakthrough

A groundbreaking biological research breakthrough allows scientists to engineer mice with human brain cells, opening unprecedented avenues for studying complex neurological disorders and redefining our understanding of consciousness. This development forces a vital conversation about the ethics of manipulating life and the immense potential for medical advancement.

September 16, 2026 at 11:58 AM CDT
New Orleans, May 2024 - "Human Experience" sign outside of art gallery at Oak & Burdette Streets.
Infrogmation · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Interesting Things

Why We Wonder: Unpacking the Mechanisms Behind Human Experience

A deep dive into the surprising mechanisms linking biological research, lifestyle choices, and public discourse to foster a deeper sense of wonder about human existence, exploring how scientific uncertainty impacts our collective ability to address global challenges.

September 16, 2026 at 10:24 AM CDT
BBC Inside Science - The quest for dark matter - BBC Sounds
Image: BBC Science and Environment · Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct9783?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
Interesting Things

Dark Matter Discovery: How Gravitational Whispers Reveal Cosmic Secrets

Dive into the universe's deepest secrets. Discover how scientists are hunting for dark matter, an invisible force that dictates the structure of reality, and explore the profound implications for our understanding of existence and responsibility in space.

September 16, 2026 at 5:59 AM CDT
Illustration of space debris
Image: BBC Science and Environment · Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmy4zqgk97wlo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
Interesting Things

Space Weapon Deployment Sparks Global Fear and Rivalry

When the US confirmed deploying weapons in orbit, it ignited fears of a rapid space arms race between global powers. This story explores the surprising mechanisms behind this shift—how orbital conflict risks escalating beyond control and what stewardship means when the environment above Earth becomes a potential battlefield.

September 15, 2026 at 3:01 PM CDT
Diagram: Orbit dwell times below 2000 km for debris released in high eccentricity orbit. Radiation pressure effects and lunar and solar gravity perturbations neglected in the calculation or orbit lifetime. For space debr
NASA · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Interesting Things

Stewardship in Space: The Reckoning of Orbital Debris

When we look to the stars for knowledge and innovation, we find a startling paradox: the very act of reaching for the cosmos creates new forms of environmental responsibility. This story dives into how space technology is grappling with the tangible reality of space junk, forcing us to confront deep questions about ownership, stewardship, and the ethics of our ambition in this shared domain.

September 15, 2026 at 10:38 AM CDT