51¶¯Âþ

2023 news review

Read 51¶¯Âþ’s selection of the biggest science and technology news stories of 2023
Time series of flame tests on different cottons

Technology

Flame-resistant variety of cotton could cut need for toxic retardants

White cotton can normally only be made fire resistant by adding toxic flame retardants, but a new form could enable us to make inherently non-flammable cotton fabrics

51¶¯Âþ

small group of people meditating on the beach. doing yoga when the sun rising.

Humans

Why We Meditate review: A convincing argument for regular meditation

Culture

THE LAST OF US takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.

Humans

The Last of Us review: An excellent example of fungal horror

Culture

Girl eating chocolate

Chemistry

Chocolate with a low-fat centre could still feel luxurious to eat

51¶¯Âþ

Golden tree growing from the old book, Education and knowledge concept. Flat lay.; Shutterstock ID 2105839085; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Humans

Why it is important to explore the outer limits of knowledge

Leader

Attention Span review: A welcome injection of evidence

Technology

Attention Span review: A welcome injection of evidence

Culture

Women writing equations on a board

Society

Men predicted to outnumber women in physics until the year 2158

51¶¯Âþ

A person looking at a paper

Technology

US government lab is using GPT-3 to analyse research papers

51¶¯Âþ

White Noise review: Did this adaptation of a postmodern novel succeed?

Humans

White Noise review: Did this adaptation of a postmodern novel succeed?

Books & Arts

Science needs to work with the arts to reach all who could benefit

Health

Science needs to work with the arts to reach all who could benefit

Science is key to addressing global health challenges, but if its advances are to be implemented then researchers must work hand in glove with the arts, says Danielle Olsen

Comment

Humans

Awe review: Neglected feeling of awe could help battle climate change

Culture

Life

Parasites review: A fascinating tour of supremely successful invaders

Culture

Comment

Wildcat review: Come for cute animals, stay for nuanced psychology

Culture

Humans

The best popular science books out in 2023

Culture

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