51¶¯Âþ

Features

Explore the most exciting new ideas and emerging concepts in science, health, technology and the environment with 51¶¯Âþ’s exclusive in-depth articles, interviews and long reads.
Droplet in water depicting emergence

Physics

Emergence: The mysterious concept that holds the key to consciousness

A better understanding of emergent phenomena like the wetness of water, where the properties of a system can't be explained by those of its constituent parts, could unravel some big mysteries

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PRJWHE Nutrition facts label on box of crackers - USA

Health

The weird truth about calories and why food labels get them so wrong

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MORCAMBE, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 22: Despite inclement weather pensioners raise a happy smile as they perform the famously British dance of comedians Morcambe and Wise next to a statue of Eric Morcambe, at Morcambe Bayon June 22, 2006, in Morcambe, England. Confidence & Happiness specialist, 51¶¯Âþ Cliff Arnall from the University of Cardiff has identified June 23, 2006 as being the happiest day of the year. His calculations were based on outdoor activity, nature, social interaction, childhood summers, positive memories, temperature and holidays. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Health

Ageing is inevitable, but we may soon treat it like any other disease

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Quantum particles, quantum computer, galaxy-like ; Shutterstock ID 2194720327; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Physics

How we could discover quantum gravity without rebuilding space-time

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Life

Why the origins of life remain a mystery – and how we will crack it

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Humans

What is longtermism and why do its critics think it is dangerous?

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Website of ChatGPT 4 on a smartphone. AI chatbot on OpenAI website. Afyonkarahisar, Turkey - April 3, 2023.; Shutterstock ID 2284532473; purchase_order: -; job: -; client: -; other: -

Technology

What is the AI alignment problem and how can it be solved?

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Digital generated image of low poly net structured transparent data brain made out of golden wires with glowing blue edges against purple background.

Mind

Why the mind-body connection is vital to understanding consciousness

Features

A front view of a young brunette woman carrying two bags of garden waste that is to be composted and reused. She is working on a community space garden in Hexham in the North East of England with a group of friends.

Humans

The mental tricks you can use in your lifelong pursuit of happiness

Features

Flowers petals and leaves forming brain shape inside male's head silhouette made out of grass on yellow background.

Health

Why the causes of poor mental health may share a common root

The neat picture we once had about the causes of mental illness has turned out to be wrong, but we are building an understanding of a new single underlying factor

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Physics

Why symmetry is so fundamental to our understanding of the universe

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Physics

Why virtual particles don’t exist but do explain reality – for now

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Physics

To create a wormhole that doesn't collapse, you need exotic matter

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Earth

These bizarre lights in the sky hint at a way to predict earthquakes

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