Biotech
Human history has been all but defined by death and disease, plague and pandemic. Advancements in 20th century medicine changed all of that. Now advancements in 21st century medicine promise to go even further. Could we bring about an end to disease? Reverse aging? Give hearing to the deaf and sight to the blind? The answer may be yes. And soon.
Featured
Ancient Olympians wouldn’t qualify for today’s Games
Across history, the human body has been reshaped by discipline, medicine, and now technology — each era redefining peak performance.
Why AI gets stuck in infinite loops — but conscious minds don’t
Anil Seth suggests the difference is that living beings are rooted in time and entropy, a grounding that may be essential for consciousness.
We purged worms from our bodies — and may have made ourselves sick
Biotech labs are mining worm chemistry to design medicines that calm the immune system without the risks of live infection.
Psychedelics & Mental Health
Inside a neuroscientist’s quest to cure coma
Thousands of Americans are trapped in disorders of consciousness. Neuroscientist Daniel Toker is searching for a way out.
Pac-Man turned 45 today. The surgeon general once warned that playing it could make kids violent.
Officials’ warnings about the impact of video games on kids were never proven true. They may be making the same mistake with social media.
Flexible brain implant takes major leap forward
The FDA’s clearance of Precision Neuroscience’s flexible electrode array pushes the startup ahead in the race to BCI commercialization.
Biohacking
Three founders look to the future at Freethink’s inaugural Great Progression event
The tech community came together for the launch of the Great Progression event series, curated by Peter Leyden and produced by Freethink.
We’re able to create new creatures through gene editing. What’s stopping us?
The question isn’t whether we can sculpt new life. The question is what comes next.
This conservationist is trying to bring extinct species back to life
Ryan Phelan, co-founder of Revive & Restore, talks about the future of conservation at Freethink’s Great Progression event.
Ray Kurzweil explains how AI makes radical life extension possible
Life expectancy gains in developed countries have slowed in recent decades, but AI may be poised to transform medicine as we know it.
Vaccines
Personalized cancer vaccines are having a moment
Personalized cancer vaccines were a recurring theme at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in 2024.
The threat of avian flu — and what we can do to stop it
Avian flu is infecting cows on US dairy farms, and now a person has caught it — but new research could help us avoid a bird flu pandemic.
One shot recreates younger immune systems, in mice
An antibody treatment designed to revitalize an aging immune system delivers “surprising” results in elderly mice.
More
Across America, libraries are fighting the coronavirus
Communities are using every resource available to fight the coronavirus. Across the country, libraries are using their resources and staff to join the battle.
Why scientists are turning the coronavirus’ structure into music
MIT scientists have translated a key part of the coronavirus’ structure into music — and the song could help researchers find a way to stop the virus.
Apple and Google join forces on coronavirus tracking project
Apple and Google are collaborating on a coronavirus tracking project they hope will eliminate the privacy concerns surrounding contact-tracing apps.
It's safe to order takeout during the coronavirus pandemic. here's why.
Many experts agree that you can safely order takeout during the coronavirus pandemic — you just need to follow these steps.
Mobile decontamination units could extend supply of PPE
To extend the supply of PPE at hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic, a team of engineers transformed a shipping container into a decontamination unit.
Learning from disaster: An interview with Bryan Walsh
Human history is dotted with pandemics. We spoke with “End Times” author Bryan Walsh on how we can learn from them for the future.
Ford revs up production of coronavirus ventilators
Ford has promised to deliver 50,000 ventilators in 100 days. Here’s how they can do it.
Hackers leak thousands of coronavirus research papers
Potentially life-saving medical research is often hidden behind expensive paywalls, limiting access for those in the developing world. So one modern-day Robin Hood illegally downloaded and shared over 5,000 coronavirus research papers on Reddit.
Vaccine factories, a promising new treatment, and more COVID-19 updates
In our weekly news roundup, we take you inside the fight against COVID-19 to explore the solutions on the frontlines of an unprecedented global response.
Converting shipping containers into ICUs for coronavirus patients
The CURA project aims to address the shortage of room in ICUs for coronavirus patients by creating new units out of shipping containers.
Antiviral pill shows promise as treatment for coronavirus
The oral antiviral drug EIDD-2801 has emerged as a promising treatment for coronavirus, performing well in the lab and in mouse studies.
Ventilators, vaccines, and drag queens
We believe the news doesn’t have to be depressing. In fact, it should inspire people to build a better world. Watch the first episode of our new series, Progress Report.
New coronavirus test could check one million people daily
BillionToOne has announced the creation of a coronavirus test it says would allow the U.S. to check more than one million people for COVID-19 daily.
Scientists analyze sewage to track coronavirus infections
Scientists are attempting to track coronavirus infections by analyzing sewage for signs of the virus’ genetic material.
Plasma from coronavirus survivors helps sick patients recover
Two studies in China found that plasma from coronavirus survivors helps patients with severe cases of COVID-19 recover within days of treatment.
Contact-tracing apps could help end coronavirus lockdown
A new University of Oxford study found that contact-tracing apps could help bring the coronavirus pandemic to an end without violating citizens’ rights.
Your new sex ed teacher is a chatbot
This chatbot is filling in gaps in sex education by talking with teens to answer awkward questions about topics like health, sexuality, and identity.
Bill Gates is spending billions to produce 7 coronavirus vaccines
The Gates Foundation is building factories to manufacture seven promising coronavirus vaccines to prepare for mass production if any prove effective.
Group coronavirus testing helps make most of limited kits
Researchers across the globe are testing the efficacy of group coronavirus testing — using one kit for multiple patients — with promising results.
Can green light therapy cure chronic pain?
Scientists are finding that exposure to the color green, also known as green light therapy, could provide natural chronic pain relief.
Special Collection
Collection
The Science of Death
Explore the journey from life to death and beyond. Near-death experiences, death doulas, digital immortality, and more – join us for a thoughtful exploration of one life’s most intriguing and inevitable phenomena with stories from the frontlines of death.
Get inspired with the most innovative stories shaping the world around us.