The Latest from Big Think

Text reading "The Latest" in a large, serif font on a light background.
A dark nebula with dimming T Tauri stars nestled among dust and gas. The nebula casts a shadowy silhouette against a backdrop of numerous smaller stars in space.
It's the ultimate game of cosmic "cover up," as the dimming occurs when a circumbinary disk from a nearby star passes in front of T Tauri North.
Chemical structures over an image of a planet with a dark background, resembling a scientific illustration of molecular compounds in space exploration.
Life might be more common across the Universe than the "Hard Steps Model" suggests.
The golden statue of Athena stands prominently in a replica of the Parthenon interior, steeped in mythology. She holds a shield and a small figure, while the spacious setting boasts large columns and high ceilings.
An interview with renowned mythologist Martin Shaw about persona, presence, and how to spend life's finite time.
Illustration of the periodic table with a human silhouette reveals how heaviest elements shape us. Elements are color-coded, depicting the percentage composition of the body: 73% oxygen, 16.5% carbon, 9.5% hydrogen, and 1% others.
Matter is made up largely of atoms, where atomic nuclei can contain up to 100 protons or more. But how were the heaviest elements made?
A group of people watches a large wildfire at night, with flames lighting up the sky in the background.
Effective leadership requires long-term strategy — not tactical reactions.
Collage of a man speaking, an electricity pylon, and the title "The Nightcrawler" on a graphic background, hinting at the integration of next-gen AI.
Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.
CMB polarization Planck
Cosmic inflation, proposed back in 1980, is a theory that precedes and sets up the hot Big Bang. After thorough testing, is it still valid?
Map showing regions in Europe and North Africa. Two parts labeled 'a' and 'b' highlight areas with IQ deficit contours. Several crosses are marked on the map.
The Roman Empire at one point emitted roughly 3,600 tons of lead dust per year, causing “widespread cognitive decline.”
A dense star field with various galaxies and cosmic bodies scattered, showcasing a vibrant and colorful view of space. Among them, an isolated galaxy grows in brilliance, capturing the imagination with its distant allure.
Scientists just viewed one of the tiniest, most isolated, lowest-mass galaxies ever found with JWST. Despite all odds, it's still growing.
Person sleeping with EEG cap and sensors on face, covered with a purple blanket.
"The amount of interest is enormous," says anesthesiologist Boris Heifets. "People are dropping in and coming out of the woodwork, trying to understand how to do this."
An open magazine displays a snapshot of AI efficiency: on the left page, a person types diligently on a laptop, while the right page showcases an abstract blue and white digital design, symbolizing the seamless integration of technology and human creativity.
Philosopher and author Christopher DiCarlo outlines the key areas where AI continues to reshape the labor landscape.
Open book on a grid background, left page with a blue sticky note saying "You can do it!!", while the right page features an orange-tinted photo of a woman resting her chin on her hand. Remember to be genuine and avoid carewashing in your motivations.
Your teams need authentic caregiving, not an insincere plan to merely check all of the well-being boxes.
A group of satellite dishes under a starry sky, capturing celestial signals from star birth.
New telescopes, radio dishes, and gravitational wave detectors are needed for next-generation science. Will the USA lead the way?
Collage depicting a cargo ship at sea, a hand recycling a bottle, two workers inspecting a blueprint under the framework of SURF, and clouds in the sky.
An authentic career strategy built around sustainability involves embedding these key principles into all jobs, argues Marilyn Waite.
Three images of the Ring Nebula reveal its true shape: visible light (left), infrared (center), and a composite with contour lines (right) showcasing different details of the nebula's intricate structure.
The Ring Nebula, a bright, circular planetary nebula, is created by a dying Sun-like star. After centuries, we finally know its true shape.
An aerial view of a topographic map showing labeled features: Dam, Ballcourt, E-Group, and Houses, with varying elevation and terrain details.
Dubbed "Valeriana" by researchers, the city of 50,000 peaked around 800 AD before being swallowed by the jungle.
A collage of images shows microscopic views with arrows and lines depicting movement and velocity, displayed on a color scale, with a scale marker indicating 20 micrometers.
Motility was suggested as a promising "biosignature" as early as the 1960s, but the technology was insufficient — until now.
A lifelong single with short hair sits alone on a park bench at night, facing away. Bushes and dim lighting surround the scene.
People who've never been partnered tend to be less extraverted, less conscientious, and more neurotic.
JWST MIRI NIRCam SMACS 0723
Since mid-2022, JWST has been showing us how the Universe grows up, from planets to galaxies and more. So, what's its biggest find of all?
An abstract geometric pattern of spirals and interlocking squares in white on a black grid background evokes the elegant precision often found at the intersection of mathematics and science.
Physicist Don Lincoln explains why mathematics is a powerful tool for scientific modeling, but is not a science itself.