You know that old saying, “Bad news travels fast?” Well as it turns out, fake news travels even faster. And no, it’s not the Russians’ fault. What if the problem is us? Here’s what researchers at MIT found. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
🤯 Not tech, but super interesting: Researchers found 22,000-year-old vehicle tracks at White Sands National Park. Yes, you read that right, 22,000 years ago. They believe it’s from a travois — a sled made with long sticks and a basket. That’s huge, since we thought transport tools only dated back to 4,000 BC.
400 occupations
Analyzed, and researchers found taxi and ambulance drivers are least likely to die from Alzheimer’s. The reason is interesting. They’re constantly using their brains to navigate, which keeps the hippocampus healthy. That’s the part of the brain tied to memory and spatial skills. And no, using GPS doesn’t count, but folding a map does.
Every fingerprint is unique? Maybe not. Researchers trained an AI to analyze fingerprint shapes, curves and angles. Turns out, prints from different fingers on the same person can actually look super similar. It needs more testing, but think about what this could mean for solving cold cases or even freeing the wrongfully convicted.
8.2 billion
How many people we thought were on Earth. Researchers studied 35 years of data and say we’ve been underestimating rural populations by 53% to 84%. Turns out people are a lot harder to count when they don’t live near a Census office.
SpellRing can translate sign language: This is something. Researchers developed a ring for your thumb, and as you sign, it sends out sound waves. A microphone picks them up, AI analyzes them and gestures become letters on a screen. It’s already 82% to 92% accurate.
🏜️ Lost civilizations? Many are buried beneath sand making them nearly impossible to find. But now, researchers are using incredible SAR technology to send radar waves underground to detect hidden structures. Combine that with AI, and boom, it’s picking up things like 5,000-year-old settlements in Dubai. Amazing. Mummy’s home!
Up to 48%
Seniors are struggling with insomnia. Building muscle might help. Researchers looked at 24 trials with 2,045 folks 60 and over. They found strength and resistance training worked almost twice as well as just doing aerobic exercises. Turns out, mixing the two helped even less. Fun fact: People with insomnia are pretty cool. They’re up for anything.
30 seconds
Time after a distraction ends before drivers refocus. Researchers found glancing at your phone for five seconds really takes your attention off the road for 35. Next time you’re in a car with a younger driver, count to 35 and tell them this fact.
20 minutes
Of dancing is just as good as a gym session or jog. Researchers found shaking your booty can get your heart rate up to a health-enhancing level (paywall link). Need a speaker? Here’s a cool one on sale.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
😨 AI can clone itself now?! Relax. Researchers insist it only happens when instructed by humans. For example, AI could be programmed to clone itself if it senses it’s about to shut down. It’s basically a survival instinct. This is getting pretty scary.
23 seconds
Tests that predict your fall risk. Test 1: Stand heel-to-toe with one foot touching the front of the other. Test 2: Balance on one leg. Brazilian researchers say 10 seconds (the old baseline) isn’t enough. Aim for 23 seconds. Every extra second lowers your risk of a fall in the next six months by 5%.
On the tip of my tongue: Researchers are developing a lickable lollipop that lets you “taste” in virtual reality games. It’s packed with small gel pouches that mix with your saliva to create flavors like salt, sugar, cherry and even milk. (Ew.) An electrical current triggers the flavors, and the voltage controls how much you get. That means game designers can mix and match for custom tastes.
0.5%
Of your brain is plastic. The most common microplastic researchers found in brain tissue samples is polyethylene, the stuff used in single-use bottles and cups. I use mostly glass and metal containers. Scary, dementia patients had 10 times the levels of plastic of a healthy brain.
11% higher
Salary for pretty people. Researchers followed 43,000 MBA grads, and the ones seen as conventionally attractive make more than their homely peers. The disparity was largest in management and consulting and smallest in technical fields, like IT and engineering. I’m still deciding if I should be offended …
3
How many times a week you should snack on baby carrots. Researchers found frequency “significantly increased” skin carotenoids, which are associated with less inflammation and lower risk of heart disease. Crunch on!
📜 Unlocking secrets: AI is decoding ancient texts like burnt Roman scrolls and fragile tablets. A model called Ithaca filled in the blanks with 62% accuracy, compared to 25% for human researchers. Time to learn what ancient folks were Babyloning about.