An article in The New York Times revealed a recent secret Pentagon program to investigate UFOs. But science suggests they are best explained by optical illusions such as "solar…

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“The idea is: If we can’t bring real-world cannabis into the lab, let’s bring the lab to the people.”

(Lancaster University) A drug developed for diabetes could be used to treat Alzheimer’s after scientists found it ‘significantly reversed memory loss’ in mice through a triple method of action.This is the first time that a triple receptor drug has been used which acts in multiple ways to protect the brain from degeneration. It combines three growth factors. Problems with growth factor signalling have been shown to be impaired in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.

It’s been a grim year

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Hello, and welcome to a special Saturday edition of Navigator!

It’s the end of 2017—the year of news alerts. The world has changed in profound ways; and the more uncertain it becomes, the more I find myself searching for comfort in memories of home. But like I mentioned in the last edition of this newsletter, it’s jarring to then come back and realize that home is no longer as you remember it.

My fondest memories are of Delhi’s famously crisp winters; Diwali, steaming pots of chai, high beams cutt…

One year, so much science. Here’s the third of three spectacular, but less widely seen images from the near and far universe

— Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

Deep dives into brain science, pain science, bad science, and biased science.

One year, so much science. Here’s the second of three spectacular, but less widely seen images from the near and far universe

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Before we present this week’s Weekend Reads, a question: Do you enjoy our weekly roundup? If so, would you consider a year-end tax-deductible donation to support it?  The week at Retraction Watch featured an image so nice, it was used eight times, a co-author who forgot he’d used a figure elsewhere, and the 19th retraction […]

The post Weekend Reads: A plagiarism fighter who plagiarizes; too much ado about reproducibility?; how scientists should be judged appeared first on Retr…

One year, so much science. Here’s the first of three spectacular, but less widely seen, images from the near and far universe

— Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

How can you measure time without using a stopwatch? You could use the movement of the Sun across the sky, watch a pendulum swing, or burn some very special string. Keep on reading to find out how it…

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AI could save medicine up to $100 billion a year, if we can only figure out how to apply it.

Ponder living on Mars in this Martian mashup as we explore “The Martian,” food and sports on Mars, and more. With Neil Tyson, Bill Nye, Mike Massimino, Buzz Aldrin, Andy Weir, Mary Roach, John Oliver, Eugene Mirman, Chuck Nice, Gary O’Reilly and many others.
NOTE: StarTalk All-Access subscribers can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/all-access/life-on-mars-mashup/

Deciding to stop smoking is one of the most common, beneficial and difficult New Year’s resolutions. Smoking reminders are abundant, nicotine withdrawal is difficult and the resolution process itself is flawed.

The exhibit at the AMNH is a new and totally fresh look at our sensory systems, with demonstrations that you won’t see elsewhere

— Read more on ScientificAmerican.com

The early start of the outbreaks, which usually see a peak in February, has to do with the low efficacy of the vaccine and possibly the cold temperatures gripping much of the country.

Cities resisted Donald Trump immediately.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio became a vocal public opponent. As protesters gathered in airports in response to Trump’s original travel ban, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto put himself front and center. And urban communities across the country started organizing themselves—reverse engineering Tea Party tactics to oppose Trump’s agenda in Washington. For many cities, the election of Trump was a signal that it was their moment to rise.

As the months rolled…