Text-generating AIs such as ChatGPT can be used to hide encrypted messages inside fake conversations, which could help people living under oppressive regimes communicate secretly ​Text-generating AIs such as ChatGPT can be used to hide encrypted messages inside fake conversations, which could help people living under oppressive regimes communicate secretly Text-generating AIs such as ChatGPT can …

Chatbots can hide secret messages in seemingly normal conversations Read More »

Rather than a volcanic winter, the Toba eruption 74,000 years ago resulted in several years of warm and dry weather, geochemical evidence from India suggests ​Rather than a volcanic winter, the Toba eruption 74,000 years ago resulted in several years of warm and dry weather, geochemical evidence from India suggests Rather than a volcanic winter, the …

Ancient supervolcano eruption had surprisingly mild impact on climate Read More »

Hackers may be able to garble the output of programs running on quantum computers, leaving other people with unknowingly incorrect results – but thankfully, there is a fix ​Hackers may be able to garble the output of programs running on quantum computers, leaving other people with unknowingly incorrect results – but thankfully, there is a …

Hackers could ‘vandalise’ quantum computers without people noticing Read More »

A black hole bomb – an idea first proposed in 1969 – has now been realised in the lab as a toy model made from a rotating cylinder and magnetic coils. Studying the bomb could help us better understand real black holes. ​A black hole bomb – an idea first proposed in 1969 – has …

First ever ‘black hole bomb’ created in the lab Read More »

An Austrian site occupied by humans from around 24,000 to 20,000 years ago documents a switch towards hunting reindeer for their fur, which may have helped people to endure harsh winters during the last glacial period ​An Austrian site occupied by humans from around 24,000 to 20,000 years ago documents a switch towards hunting reindeer …

Ancient camp shows how humans adapted to extreme cold in Europe Read More »

A carnivorous caterpillar species camouflages itself with dead insects so it can live safely alongside spiders, stalking their webs and stealing their prey ​A carnivorous caterpillar species camouflages itself with dead insects so it can live safely alongside spiders, stalking their webs and stealing their prey A carnivorous caterpillar species camouflages itself with dead insects so …

‘Bone collector’ caterpillar wears dead insect body parts as disguise Read More »

“Today, I am announcing my decision to step down as Director of the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), effective today. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the Director of NSF for the last five years. I believe I have done all I can… ​”Today, I am announcing my decision to step …

Statement by Director Sethuraman Panchanathan on his departure Read More »

Last week astronomers reported hints of biological activity on a distant planet, but a re-analysis of their data suggests the claimed molecules may not be there at all ​Last week astronomers reported hints of biological activity on a distant planet, but a re-analysis of their data suggests the claimed molecules may not be there at …

Signs of alien life on exoplanet K2-18b may just be statistical noise Read More »