SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " rio " 40,788 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
'Crush' explores how gravity shapes life as we know it
James Riordan’s new book will help readers wrap their heads around this mysterious, fundamental force of nature.
MLB rumors: Orioles re-sign Zach Eflin, Tigers 'lukewarm' on Alex Bregman
Here are your hot stove rumors for Monday, Dec. 29
ACA subsidy cuts to hit Texas border counties the hardest
In the Rio Grande Valley, 98% of ACA enrollees received an advanced premium tax credit that lowered their monthly payments. Those subsidies will decrease Jan. 1.
Starmer v Starmer: why is the former human rights lawyer so cautious about defending human rights? – from The Audio Long Read
Many of his supporters hoped the prime minister would restore the UK’s commitment to international law. Yet Labour’s record over the past year has been curiously mixedBy Daniel Trilling. Read by Simon Darwen
Streaming Music To Cassette
In almost every measurable way, a lossless digital audio file is superior to any analog media. This doesn’t mean that analog audio isn’t valuable though; plenty of people appreciate the…
NFL playoff picture: Patriots clinch AFC East title; Steelers-Ravens set for winner-take-all showdown
2025 IN REVIEW: Many businesses open, some close in Wilkes-Barre
During the first 11 months of 2025, total downtown foot traffic in Wilkes-Barre was up by 2.1% compared to the same period in 2024, and up by 6.5% compared to the same period in 2022, according to Diamond City Partnership Executive Director Larry Newman.
Pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted US political parties because they were 'in charge,' memo says
The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest that he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen. He also said he wanted to target the country’s p...
Pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted US political parties because they were 'in charge,' memo says
The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest that he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen
Pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted US political parties because they were 'in charge,' memo says
The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S.
NFL Week 17 grades: Steelers get 'D' for choking, Patriots perfect vs. Jets
Here are the grades for every team that has played in Week 17.
The Guardian view on the new space race: humanity risks exporting its old politics to the moon
Editorial: Over the holiday period, the Guardian leader column is looking ahead at the themes of 2026. Today we look skyward, where a new lunar contest mirrors humanity’s struggle to live within planetary limits
NFL Week 17 Live Updates, Scores: Colts-Jaguars, Jets-Patriots, Seahawks-Panthers, More
There's plenty of high-stakes football on Sunday. Here are all the top moments and highlights from Sunday's games.
Jim Cramer on International Business Machines: “It’s Still Cheap”
International Business Machines Corporation (NYSE:IBM) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer discussed along with macroeconomic conditions. Cramer called the company stock cheap despite a noteworthy run, as he stated: “I also asked if some of the legacy tech giants, like Cisco and IBM, could continue the better performance they’ve been putting up, and I’m […]
Will TGL build off the momentum of debut season?
The first TGL season had drama, surprises and stars, but is it here to stay or will the curiosity factor fade for fans?
Photos show the luxurious, heavily fortified presidential jets world leaders use for official travel
The US president flies on Air Force One. World leaders in other countries also have their own official aircraft.
Patriots Wire staff predictions for Patriots-Jets Week 17 game
The Patriots Wire staff make their final predictions for Sunday's Week 17 game between the Patriots and Jets.
"If Mario Starts To Show Up On PlayStation, That's The Apocalypse, Right?" - Ex-PlayStation Boss Thinks Console Exclusives Are Still Important
"If you do exclusives you can push every lever to 11 in that platform"
Texas A&M-CC hosts Nicholls after Kenembeni's 21-point showing
Nicholls visits the Texas A&M-CC Islanders after Marie Kenembeni scored 21 points in the Colonels' 70-47 victory over the Houston Christian Huskies
Youngstown State visits Leonard and Cleveland State
Cleveland State plays the Youngstown State Penguins after Jada Leonard scored 25 points in Cleveland State's 82-45 win against the Puerto Rico-Bayamon Cowgirls
Our top picks of 3D scanners and 3D printers all have discounts in the 2025 holiday sales
Professional-grade scanning and printing technology just got seriously affordable in these end of year deals.
Here Are Japan's Best-Selling Switch and Switch 2 eShop Games For 2025
Mario Kart World and Pokémon top the list
Blender 5.0 Benchmarks Since Blender 3.0 For CPU Rendering Performance
As part of the many different year-end benchmarks on Phoronix, over the holidays I was curious about how far the Blender 3D modeling software's performance has evolved over the past few years
I Can't Stop Gawking at Samsung's New Wi-Fi Speaker
Samsung has uncovered its 2026 audio products which include new soundbars and those Wi-Fi speakers.
Samsung will debut two new wireless speakers at CES 2026
Designer Erwan Bouroullec adds his aesthetic to Samsung
Raptors look to regain consistency vs. Warriors
The Toronto Raptors need to use their five-game homestand that opens Sunday afternoon against the Golden State Warriors to regain the consistency they have been missing.
Previewing the New York Jets’ opposition: New England Patriots
The Jets are home to take on the New England Patriots on Sunday
McKinstry's Home Furnishings, Beaver Dam's Oldest Business, to Close After 167 Years
(BEAVER DAM) McKinstry’s Home Furnishings, the oldest business in Beaver Dam and the oldest family-owned home furnishings store in Wisconsin, is announcing plans to close ... Read more
6 Patriots to watch against the Jets on Sunday
The Patriots will visit their division rivals at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Fighting a health insurance denial? Here are some tips to help.
Denials can be appealed, but nearly half of insured adults who received a prior authorization denial in the past two years reported the appeals process was either somewhat or very difficult.
WVIA 2025 YEAR IN REVIEW: Government, Politics, Immigration
What do Nasario Damian Contreras, Matt McGloin, Rob Bresnahan, Paige Cognetti and Thomas Trotta have in common? Read on to learn why they mattered to Northeast Pennsylvania audiences in 2025.
Anonymous money fuels $5 million in attacks on Georgia's Lt. Gov. Burt Jones
A mysterious group called Georgians for Integrity has spent around $5 million on television ads, mailers and texts attacking Lt. Gov. Burt Jones since November
Anonymous money fuels $5 million in attacks on Georgia's Lt. Gov. Burt Jones
A mysterious group called Georgians for Integrity has spent around $5 million on television ads, mailers and texts attacking Lt. Gov. Burt Jones since November.
2025 EDGE awards, top 10 games of the year
The latest issue of EDGE has been released, and as is tradition for the final issue of the year, it includes various awards plus a list of the top ten games of the year. Various Nintendo-related representation is included for both. While Hades 2 was actually chosen as the best Nintendo game, Donkey Kong Bananza was one of the five...
Yankees news: Doval and Rosario updates
The Yankees are confident in Camilo Doval, Amed Rosario; Spencer Jones is the prospect to watch; weird but true for 2025
Bay Cliff Health Camp finds new Executive Director
Monet Borione will take over for Clare Lutgen starting at the end of the year.
Slumping Buccaneers still control playoff fate when they visit Dolphins
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can still save their season and clinch another division title
Seahawks announce captains for Week 17 game vs Panthers
We have a trio of repeat captains for Week 17
Anthony Davis 'likely to miss a few games' after leaving Mavericks-Warriors Christmas game with right groin spasms
How to Watch Jets vs. Patriots: Time, TV Channel and Live Stream
Learn which TV channel or how to live stream the NFL Week 17 New York Jets and New England Patriots game, Sunday, Dec. 28.
The Guardian view on adapting to the climate crisis: it demands political honesty about extreme weather
Editorial: Over the holiday period, the Guardian leader column is looking ahead at the themes of 2026. Today we look at how the struggle to adapt to a dangerously warming world has become a test of global justice
Made for More Health: Knowing when it's more than a cold
In this Made for More Health segment, Dr. Diaz Martinez explains how to recognize when a simple cold may signal something more serious.
Billionaire Warren Buffett Had An 'Unconventional' Marriage That Lasted 52 Years. The Trio Even Sent Out Signed Christmas Cards—'Everybody Was Happy'
Warren Buffett is one of those rare billionaires everyone feels like they know. He still lives in the same modest Omaha home he bought in 1958. He eats McDonald's and drinks Cherry Coke like lunch is a personal investment strategy. In a world full of private jets and vast estates, his choices are weirdly relatable — almost comforting. But even familiar figures can have unsuspected personal chapters, and Buffett's love life is one that defies tidy labels. In 1952, Buffett married Susan Thompson,
A new superconductor breaks rules physicists thought were fixed
A shiny gray crystal called platinum-bismuth-two hides an electronic world unlike anything scientists have seen before. Researchers discovered that only the crystal’s outer surfaces become superconducting—allowing electrons to flow with zero resistance—while the interior remains ordinary metal. Even stranger, the electrons on the surface pair up in a highly unusual pattern that breaks all known rules of superconductivity.
Mysterious State of Matter Discovered Flowing Inside Earth's Core
The 'superionic phase' is real.
Take your best shot at Kamin Science Center's new Sports360 exhibit
Kamin Science Center’s new Sports360 exhibit covers childhood curiosity in sports from sideline to sideline, with simulators that allow visitors...
NBA Insider reunites Klay Thompson with Warriors in proposed deal
The hypothetical eight-team trade would send Jonathan Kuminga to the Jazz.
Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Tallies 16 points off bench
Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Tallies 16 points off bench
Warriors exhibit quick recovery from Draymond-Steve Kerr spat in Christmas win vs. Mavericks
The Golden State Warriors showed no ill effect after Monday's spat between Draymond Green and coach Steve Kerr.
Orioles get new update on Ranger Suarez's free agency
Baltimore could use more pitching.
Popular painkiller offers little relief, raises serious health risks, study finds
A widely prescribed opioid painkiller showed limited effectiveness and increased risk of negative effects in a new analysis published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine.
Tribe prioritizes doing business with Cherokees
The Cherokee Nation offers bidding preference to more than 1,000 certified Native-owned businesses through its Tribal Employment Rights Office, more commonly known as TERO.
The 8 miracles in football history 🪄
Sometimes, when everything seems decided, miracles happen to offer us matches with completely crazy scenarios. Just like those that occur in Christmas movies, OneFootball has ranked the best football ...
Patriots rooting guide for NFL Week 17: Christmas edition
Who Patriots fans should be rooting for in Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season.
The Guardian view on May 2026 elections: a new political geography is coming into view across Britain
Editorial: Over the holiday period, the Guardian leader column is looking ahead at the themes of 2026. Today we look at the impact of devolution on growing volatility of party political allegiance
Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods are officially engaged!
After five years together, the couple announced their engagement today, sharing photos at the Overstory rooftop bar in New York
Bears power rankings roundup: Where Chicago lands in Week 17
Week 17 is here and the Chicago Bears have clinched a playoff berth. Here's a glimpse at where they land among various power rankings.
NFL best bets for Week 17: Model's top picks for Jets-Patriots, Browns-Steelers, Colts-Jaguars at DraftKings
SportsLine's proven computer model has identified it's top NFL picks for Week 17 divisional rivalry matchups at DraftKings
The seed vaults that could save humanity
These genetic libraries plan for worse-case scenarios.
This popular painkiller may do more harm than good
Tramadol, a popular opioid often seen as a “safer” painkiller, may not live up to its reputation. A large analysis of clinical trials found that while it does reduce chronic pain, the relief is modest—so small that many patients likely wouldn’t notice much real-world benefit. At the same time, tramadol was linked to a significantly higher risk of serious side effects, especially heart-related problems like chest pain and heart failure, along with common issues such as nausea, dizziness, and sleepiness.
Florentino Pérez: “We continue to work towards new triumphs”
Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez sent his best wishes in the club’s usual Christmas round-up. Pérez was joined by Xabi Alonso, Dani Carvajal, Fede Valverde, Sergio Scariolo, Sergio Llull, Edy Tavares, Pau Quesada, Misa and Teresa. “From Real Madrid, we want to accompany you during these special holidays, and we send you our best wishes for […]
'Heathers' actress looks back at the notorious album cover she did at age 14
'Heather's star Lisanne Falk opens up about appearing on the controversial album cover of Foreigner's 'Head Games' when she was 14: 'I was not super savvy.'
Nintendo bringing back various icons for 2025 releases
Nintendo has announced a new promotion for Switch Online in which it’s bringing back a series of icons that were released throughout the year. Eight games will be featured in total. Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2, F-Zero 99, Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star-Crossed World, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Kirby...
Patriots Clinching Scenarios For Week 17
The New England Patriots have already clinched a spot in the playoffs, but they can clinch the AFC East in Week 17. Clinching the division would guarantee a home playoff game. The Patriots can clinch in two ways, but not with a loss. They can clinch the division with a win and a Buffalo Bills […]
Steve Kerr, Draymond Green apologized for mid-game blowup, Warriors coach says; Kerr appreciates beauty in the struggle of 'fading dynasty'
Warriors coach Steve Kerr honestly acknowledges the team's grim reality as a 'fading dynasty'
Steve Kerr shared an honest outlook on the Golden State Warriors' reality as a "fading dynasty."
I interviewed some of the top longevity experts in 2025: 4 healthy habits they all have in common—'it's so important to get your body moving'
Implement these four daily behaviors that longevity experts prioritize to increase your chances of living longer, in good health.
Snadragon X Elite Laptop Performance On Linux Ends 2025 Disappointing
As part of my various end-of-year benchmarking comparison articles for looking at the performance evolution of Linux is a fresh look at the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite laptop experience when using Ubuntu 25.10 with the latest X1E Concept packages, which includes taking the X1 Elite optimized kernel to the latest Linux 6.18 stable series.
NFL facing possible nightmare playoff scenario in Week 17 that could kill the drama in final week of season
The NFL definitely doesn't want this to happen
'60 Minutes' segment on Trump immigration policy accidentally airs online
The segment featured interviews with migrants sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison under President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. The segment was removed from Canada's Global Television Network but still appeared on its app.
California vs. Hawaii prediction, odds, spread, time: 2025 Hawaii Bowl picks from proven model
SportsLine's model reveals its Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs. Cal Golden Bears best bets for the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl on Wednesday
8 roster ties between Patriots, Jets ahead of Week 17
The ex-Patriots and ex-Jets in the fold for Sunday.
Maridea Wealth launches Tax & Business Services unit
Maridea Wealth has announced the launch of its dedicated Tax & Business Services unit with the acquisition of Hyperion Accounting Group.
Knights take out frustrations on Sharks, 7-2
A five-goal first period set the tone for a rout that ended Vegas' three-game losing streak.
Vikings claim former Colts backup QB off waivers
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Minnesota Vikings have claimed recently waived Indianapolis Colts backup quarterback Brett Rypien off waivers, with starter J.J. McCarthy (hand) already out this week: Before this past Monday’s primetime game, the Colts waived Rypien, who had previously been signed to the active roster a week prior to serve as […]
Hawaii vs. Cal prediction, odds, time: 2025 Hawaii Bowl picks from proven model
SportsLine's model reveals its Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs. Cal Golden Bears best bets for the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl on Wednesday
Nevada Upgrades Business Licensing via ‘Orion’
Work on the new portal began in 2023, with the next phase scheduled for 2026. Nevada joins other states in setting up such portals for a variety of tasks, including accessing services such as unemployment benefits.
Pro-Palestine prisoners pause hunger strike as their health deteriorates
Qesser Zuhrah and Amu Gib, on remand at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, had refused food for almost 50 days in protest at the ban on Palestine Action
College business storylines I’m tracking heading into 2026
College Football Playoff expansion is just one of a few storylines worth tracking heading into the New Year during a chaotic period for the enterprise.
Samsung Developing 'Wide Fold' With iPhone Fold-Like Design Ahead of Apple's 2026 Launch
Samsung is working on a new foldable smartphone that's wider and shorter than the models that it's released before, according to Korean news site ETNews. The "Wide Fold" will compete with Apple's iPhone Fold that's set to launch in September 2026. Samsung's existing Galaxy Z Fold7 display is 6.5 inches when closed, and 8 inches when open, with a 21:9 aspect ratio when folded and a 20:18 aspect ratio when open. Samsung has used a similar size for its prior Z Fold devices.
Love’s factoring business gets bigger, buying trio of companies
Love’s is adding to its factoring business with the acquisition of three companies.
Love’s factoring business gets bigger, buying trio of companies
Love’s is adding to its factoring business with the acquisition of three companies. The post Love’s factoring business gets bigger, buying trio of companies appeared first on FreightWaves.
Boston reports 114% surge in flu cases; Children most affected
Flu-related emergency department visits also increased 44% in that same period of time.
Orioles stories of the year: Baltimore’s 2025 power outage
A steep drop in home runs and extra-base hits sunk the O’s offense in 2025. Is there hope for a turn around in 2026?
Nine mental-health tips for a happier 2026
Regardless of any resolutions you may have for 2026, one thing is for sure: Everyone wants to have a happy new year.While losing weight or saving money may be great goals, the most straightforward path to happiness is caring for your mental and emotional health. A robust body of research shows that simple cognitive and behavioral strategies can reliably boost happiness and reduce stress – and they’re generally free and accessible to all.These strategies don’t have to be super time-consuming, but they do require intention: They only work if you do them.Here, psychologist Valentina Ogaryan, PhD, clinical director of the Simms/Mann UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology, shares her top tips for cultivating more calm, centeredness and happiness in the new year (or anytime):Make time for playPlay isn’t just for kids, and it’s far from frivolous. The National Institute for Play says engaging in silliness, fun and just-for-pleasure activities reduces stress and increases optimism and resilience. A recent review also found that play improves mental health.“Adults can benefit from play as much as children,” Dr. Ogaryan says, “not just as a reward, but something that helps regulate.”So go ahead and dance with your dog, build something with Legos, tell a joke, sing karaoke or do anything else that feels like fun. Don’t worry about being productive, just enjoy yourself. And, if you can, opt for more analog play, Dr. Ogaryan suggests, as a respite from our ever-more-digital world. Move your bodyWhether you dance, ski, do yoga, play pickleball, ride a bike, roller-skate, hike or lift weights, physical movement benefits overall happiness and well-being. A 2018 review study of more than 1.2 million adults in the U.S. found that doing any kind of exercise was “significantly and meaningfully associated” with better self-reported mental health.The sweet spot was 45 minutes of movement three to five times a week, but even short bursts of physical activity can boost brain health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“Movement helps support mood and regulate the nervous system,” Dr. Ogaryan says.Plus: exercise can improve sleep quality, and sleep is essential for mental health.Prioritize sleep“Sleep plays a major role in managing stress,” Dr. Ogaryan says. Research shows that lack of sufficient sleep increases the risk of various diseases, including depression.While stress can interfere with sleep, practicing good sleep hygiene can make logging ZZ’s easier. That means maintaining a consistent bedtime; keeping the bedroom cool, dark and quiet; and avoiding social media, news and stimulating shows before bed.Consume lessWe live in a consumer culture, inundated by endless streams of content and advertising everywhere we go, which makes it easy to get overstimulated.“Something really helpful for stress reduction is to simply consume less,” Dr. Ogaryan says – less news, less social media, less information, less noise, less screen time. “It’s about reducing the input,” she says.Consider setting a maximum number of news articles per day, for example, or a time limit on scrolling. Maybe even go device free for an afternoon or a whole day.Practice present-moment awarenessWith so much coming at us all the time, focusing on the here and now can make life feel more manageable, Dr. Ogaryan says: “When everything feels super overwhelming, when everything feels larger than life, let’s make our world a little bit smaller for that moment in time.”She suggests taking things one day, or even one hour, at a time. Ask yourself: What’s my next right action? Release the need to know how everything turns out and liberate yourself from having to handle everything right now. Let the future take care of itself and just focus on the current moment. Then the next one. Have a daily anchorFrom work to the daily commute to family and life responsibilities, our days can feel jam-packed. Dr. Ogaryan recommends creating a centering daily anchor that can fit into even the busiest day.Maybe it’s a 10-minute walk during your lunch break or mindfully enjoying your coffee in the morning. Let your anchor adapt to your needs each day, she says, but be intentional about using that time to ground yourself and calm your nervous system. You might even say to yourself, “I choose this walk to help me become centered,” or “My day already feels stressful, so I’m going to take the next 10 minutes to enjoy this cup of coffee, feel the warm mug in my hand and just be present.” Having an anchor won’t erase the busy-ness from your day, but it will allow you to approach it more calmly.Be kind to yourselfMost of us have a harsh inner critic in our heads who works overtime. But that critical voice only increases our stress, triggering the same fight-or-flight response as caustic words from another person.To feel happier, we need to replace that inner critic with a kinder, more compassionate voice, Dr. Ogaryan says. Studies show that self-compassion is a source of eudaimonic happiness – the kind of happiness associated with purpose and meaning in life.While our knee-jerk reaction may be to self-criticize – “How could you let it get to this point? You didn’t manage your time well and now the project is going to be late. You’re so inept.” – we fare better mentally by treating ourselves with kindness, like we would a friend. That might sound like, “You’ve got a lot on your plate, but you are capable and you’ll get it done. I believe in you.”We may think that speaking kindly to ourselves means letting ourselves off the hook, so we end up becoming lazy do-nothings. But research shows the opposite: People who are self-compassionate are more likely to try harder in the face of failure and ultimately reach their goals.You can thank your inner critic for its good intentions, but resolve to talk to yourself in a kind, compassionate voice.Connect with othersHumans are social animals built for connection. Stress can be isolating and cause us to withdraw, but connecting with others is a salve for the psyche, Dr. Ogaryan says.“We know that not all relationships are always easy, but if we can think about intentional, nourishing connection – even in really small doses – it could really help center us,” she says.Take a moment to laugh with your colleagues, hug your pet, have a conversation with a friend or smile at the barista making your coffee. A study found that even tiny interactions with casual acquaintances and strangers decreases loneliness and improves happiness and well-being.Seek supportIf you try these practices and happiness remains elusive, or if you can’t access the wherewithal to follow these tips, seek support from your physician or a therapist. Mental health conditions are among the most common health issues in the U.S. and around the world – more prevalent than diabetes or heart disease. One in five people in the U.S. experiences a mental illness each year, with depression and anxiety the most common, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.“We can all think about these tips,” Dr. Ogaryan says. “But it’s important to recognize if you’ve done everything you can and you’re still really struggling, it’s really important to seek help.”
The disunity of science is a feature, not a bug
Mathematical models wield miraculous power, but mistaking them for reality has trapped science in a destructive quest for a “Theory of Everything.” Physicist and philosopher Ragner Fjelland argues that this leads to bloated, Frankenstein theories kept alive by clumsy, ad-hoc amendments, which reduce rather than boost science’s power. Fjelland calls for a radical shift in our attitude: we must reorientate towards creating entirely new theories, celebrating rather than lamenting disunity and diversity in science. Science, from the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century to the present day, has more or less developed in a “reductionist” way. The fundamental assumption is that all sciences may be ordered in a hierarchy that can be represented as an upside-down pyramid. At the top we find the human sciences, and at the bottom physics. Strong (or “ontological”) reductionism maintains that all theories at one level can be completely reduced to the lower level, all the way down to theories of atoms and elementary particles, or whatever is “at the bottom.” In the end, all diversity in the world can be unified in one fundamental theory. Hence it is called a final theory, or a Theory of Everything.One of the central figures in developing the idea of a Theory of Everything is the Dutch theoretical physicist Gerard 't Hooft, who received a Nobel Prize in physics in 1999 for his work. He emphasizes the non-empirical status of the theory:There exists no closely resembling alternative theory. This means that any slight change brought about in the rules would make the theory unlikely or inelegant. The theory will be a "package deal": take it, or leave it. This should hold both for the local laws and for the boundary conditions.This endeavor is not new. On the contrary, it goes all the way back to the birth of Western philosophy 2,500 years ago. The Babylonians made regular astronomical observations during a period of 600 years, from 747 BCE until 150 ACE. They developed mathematical techniques to predict astronomical phenomena, but they made no attempts at explaining them. However, the Greeks developed models, both material and theoretical, to explain the observed phenomena.The best example is Plato’s late dialogue Timaeus. Here he introduces a divine craftsman, the Demiurge, who has constructed the universe according to an original plan. Plato seems to have thought that the original plan is what is actually real, while the material world is merely an imperfect realization of it. He therefore does not, in the Timaeus, reconstruct the material universe, but the original plan, which can then be used to explain the material universe.Plato’s aim in producing a theoretical model is to reconstruct the original plan. That is what he carries out in Timaeus—and some modern physicists have embarked on the same project. For example, Einstein’s basic attitude is reflected in the title of Abraham Pais’ biography: “Subtle is the Lord...,” echoing Einstein’s comment, “Subtle is the Lord, but malicious He is not.” In an interview Einstein compared our situation to a child who enters a huge library. The child knows that someone has written the books, but he does not know the languages in which they are written. He suspects that there is a mysterious order, but he does not know what it is.___“We have all been working in what Husserl called the Galilean style; that is, we have all been making abstract mathematical models of the universe to which at least the physicists give a higher degree of reality than they accord the ordinary world of sensation.”Steven Weinberg, Nobel Prize in Physics (1979)___This Platonist view is contrary to a widespread impression of science, symbolized by the picture of the “father” of modern science, Galileo Galilei, with his telescope. According to this impression, Galileo liberated himself from the dominating metaphysics of his day—basically Aristotelian philosophy—and constructed a telescope that he directed towards the sky, showing that Jupiter has four moons. He also performed experiments with bronze balls rolling down inclined planes and found the law of freely falling bodies.However, in other cases Galileo emphasized the unreliability of our senses. It is easy to see why. He defended Copernicus’ heliocentric hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, we are not at rest at the center of the universe, but moving at a tremendous speed through space. Why don’t we observe this motion? Galileo praises Copernicus because “with reason as his guide he resolutely continued to affirm what sensible experience seemed to contradict.” In other places he directly refers to Plato. SUGGESTED VIEWING The quest for a final theory With Michio Kaku Galileo’s Platonism goes back to his early writings. In The Assayer, published as early as 1623, Galileo compared the universe to a grand book that is written in the language of mathematics, and “its characters are triangles, circles, and other geometric figures without which it is humanly impossible to understand a single word of it.” Therefore, things that cannot be described by mathematics—for example, colors, smells and odors—are not real. They are merely subjective.This division into subjective and objective, advocated by Galileo and his younger contemporary René Descartes, is normally associated with a mechanistic world view, which is regarded as the opposite of Platonism. When we reduce something to, for example, molecules and atoms, we move “downwards.” In contrast, the Platonist moves “upwards,” to abstract entities. However, it only shows that when we address fundamental questions, we should be careful in applying everyday spatial metaphors like “up” and “down.”___Nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world.___The endeavor of finding a Theory of Everything has been heavily criticized. In 2006, the theoretical physicist Lee Smolin published “The Crisis in Fundamental Physics.” He argued that one of the most fundamental principles of science is that we should only regard theories as scientific if we have the possibility to show that they are false by experiments. Although he did not refer to Karl Popper, other critics have referred to Popper and argued that a theory is not scientific if it cannot be falsified (see for example Ellis & Silk 2014).These were not the first physicists to be anti-reductionists. In 1972, the journal Science published an article by the physicist Philip Anderson with the title “More Is Different.” This is the kind of article a scientist would normally write only after he has won a Nobel Prize. However, Anderson won the Nobel Prize for physics five years later, in 1977. The article is amazing, not primarily because it argues in favor of anti-reductionism in general, but because it argues for anti-reductionism within physics itself. Anderson’s conclusion was:At each stage entirely new laws, concepts, and generalizations are necessary, requiring inspiration and creativity to just as great a degree as in the previous one. Psychology is not applied biology, nor is biology applied chemistry.We may say that Plato started the “unity of science movement,” based on Euclidean geometry as the model of all knowledge. A distinguishing mark of geometry is that all possible constructions can be reduced to a few fundamental principles. We have to acknowledge that this approach has limitations. In general, we can easily model technological systems. In addition, we may construct simplified and idealized models that capture important aspects of systems, from various perspectives and for various purposes. But nature is complex, and we cannot in general construct mathematical models that adequately describe the world. In a complex system, each level has its distinct, emergent, properties that are characteristic of this level. Therefore, a complex system should be investigated at different levels and from different perspectives. Instead of exclusively pursuing a scientific ideal based on the unity of science, we should acknowledge the diversity—or even the disunity—of science.
Ukrainian troops say 'droid' with .50-cal gun fought off Russians for 45 days
It's one of the first times that Ukrainian troops have said they used a ground drone to replace humans in holding the line for an extended period.
Curiosity Blog, Sols 4750-4762: See You on the Other Side of the Sun
Written by Lucy Thompson, Planetary Scientist and APXS team member, University of New Brunswick, Canada
U.S. signs new health deals with 9 African countries that mirror Trump's priorities
Annual U.S. health funding to the nine countries has dropped 49% compared with 2024, while the nations must increase domestic spending and meet political conditions.
Bus journey times being 'killed by congestion' in cities
The industry warns that traffic jams are slowing average bus speeds and are calling for more priority measures for buses.
US signs new health deals with 9 African countries that mirror Trump's priorities
The U.S. government has signed health deals with at least nine African countries. These new deals reflect the Trump administration's priorities and its focus on mutual benefits.
US Signs New Health Deals With 9 African Countries That Mirror Trump's Priorities
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The U.S. government has signed health deals with at least nine African countries, part of its new approach to global health funding, with agreements that reflect the Trump administration’s interests and priorities and are geared toward providing less aid and more mutual ...
Safety panel says NASA should have taken Starliner incident more seriously
This particular anomaly deserves to be right up front and center for quite some time."
US business equipment borrowings down more than 4% y/y in November, ELFA says
U.S. companies borrowed 4.4% less to finance equipment investments in November compared with the same period a year earlier, the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) said on Monday.
Maridea Wealth Launches Tax & Business Services Unit With Strategic Acquisition of Hyperion Accounting Group
BROOKLYN, N.Y., December 22, 2025--Maridea Wealth ("Maridea") today announced the launch of its dedicated Tax & Business Services unit, marking a major expansion of the firm’s mission to provide clients with a comprehensive, integrated financial-services platform. As part of this initiative, Maridea is acquiring Hyperion Accounting Group, led by David Papotta, who will join as Director of Tax & Business Services.
Governors’ Health Priorities in 2025
Through emergency response, behavioral health investments, maternal health protections, nutrition innovations, rural health transformation, and workforce development, Governors have demonstrated that effective governance requires evidence-based policymaking, cross-agency coordination, and sustained political will. Governors confronted complex challenges with innovative solutions grounded in evidence and adapted to local contexts. As highlighted at the 2025 Health and Human Services Policy Advisors Institute, states […]