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Bills starter usage may hinge on one midweek update
Latest Bills updates: Allen improving, injuries lingering, and McDermott keeping snap counts open for the Jets finale.
Brookfield to Start Cloud Business to Lower Cost of AI
Private-equity firm Brookfield is starting its own cloud business, going up against tech giants like Amazon by arguing it can bring down the costs of developing AI. The firm, which has long invested in infrastructure and energy, is becoming the first major investment firm to try to lease chips ...
New health laws to take effect Jan. 1 in Maryland
New laws taking effect Jan. 1, 2026, are aimed at improving health care in Maryland.
4 Ways Your Apple TV Is Changing In 2026
A new Apple TV 4K could offer faster RAM and CPU, a more powerful chip, and improved connectivity if Apple delivers this upgraded model in 2026.
Scene Calendar: Flying Pig Parade, Camellia Show, 'French Moderns'
A comprehensive list of Gainesville-area entertainment events.
Six ways to improve the taste of your glass of champagne, according to science
From the best way to hold your glass while pouring, to choosing your glass shape and deciding when to drink it.
Mexico’s year in review: The 10 biggest business and economics stories of 2025
2025 was a year of mixed fortunes for the Mexican economy. Here are the 10 events and indicators that will help you get the full picture.
Sports
Your go-to source for comprehensive sports coverage. Get the latest updates, scores, and stories from the world of sports at Shaw Local Sports.
Utah to get $195 million to improve rural health care, innovate
Critics say the grant doesn’t make up for Medicaid cuts, but they welcome the money and the focus on innovation
College football transfer portal prices: Position‑by‑position ranges surge
A compressed Jan. 2–16 window is fueling fast moves and bigger deals. Here's what each position costs this cycle
Year in Review: ECU Health celebrates 2025 achievements
ECU Health continued its mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina in 2025. Learn more in this Year in Review.
Attacks against Hortmans, Hoffmans continue to weigh on Minnesota politics
Minnesota is still grappling with the shootings of two state lawmakers and their spouses in June 2025. MPR News politics reporter Dana Ferguson joined Minnesota Now to talk about the tragedy and its lasting mark on the legislature.
San Jose businesses seek economic strength in numbers
San Jose’s local businesses have faced a whirlwind of economic shocks in recent years. A growing number of small business owners want to find their footing by banding together through the formation of new business improvement districts.
Trying to improve your health and wellness in 2026? Keep it simple
Be cautious of health and wellness fads. There are no magic fixes.
2026 Predictions: Apple Will Reverse Its AI Slump
As AI has completely consumed the tech industry, Apple has held back from the colossal investments in the technology its peers have been making. Wall Street, pundits and media outlets have criticized and chronicled Apple’s stumbles and seeming lack of urgency in the AI arms race.Thatincludesus. ...
NFL playoff picture: Falcons force Rams to sweat out securing No. 5 seed, improve Panthers' shot at NFC South crown
Iowa wins $209M federal grant to expand, improve rural health care
Iowa gets $209 million to improve rural health care by expanding access, recruiting more professionals and tackling cancer prevention.
Samsung Welcomes Galaxy A17 5G and Galaxy Tab A11+ to the Galaxy Ecosystem
Galaxy A17 5G and Galaxy Tab A11+ deliver innovative experiences for every kind of user — from improved displays and new features to stand out cameras
Falcons – Rams recap: Getting it right under the bright lights
Atlanta made it interesting—too interesting—but pull off an impressive primetime win against the Rams.
Colorado gets $200 million from the feds in rural health care “Hunger Games”
Colorado will receive $200 million in 2026 from the feds to improve rural health care, part of a fund created by the "big, beautiful" bill.
Workplace Medicine: Building health and business together | LMH Health
LMH Health Workplace Medicine is redefining occupational medicine in Lawrence and beyond. With a focus on communication, relationships and comprehensive care, we help keep employees safe, healthy and thriving.
New issue: Don't count the calories | BBC Science Focus Magazine
January’s long nights, howling winds and unending drizzle that constitute a British winter all seem to scream: stay indoors, get under a blanket and stay very still. But every year, I reach January and the same conclusion as millions of others: it’s time for change. Christmas is what does it. There’s only so much indulgence the body can take. It starts on the 24th when, if you’re lucky, work’s finished and the fridge is full. Over the next seven days, I’ll feast like a Tudor monarch, picking at carcasses, stabbing at cheese and washing it all down with a bit of port (well, someone’s got to finish it). But by New Year’s Day I’ve had enough. Meaningful, lasting change isn’t easy. The science says so. Sure, a fitness influencer will scream at you until they’re Christmas-ham-pink in the face that losing weight is JUST SIMPLE MATHS: burn more calories than you consume, and you’ll lose weight. But your genes, biology and chemistry don’t work like a calculator. There’s more to it. So we’re here to help you construct bite-sized changes that will add up to significant improvements in your health and wellbeing this year.
Improving under new coach, Miami opens ACC slate vs. Pitt
Jai Lucas will have a second debut in his inaugural season as the Miami Hurricanes' head coach.
US allots at least $147 million per state for rural health in 2026
The Trump administration will award between $147 million and $281 million to each U.S. state in 2026 under a new rural health transformation program aimed at improving access to care and the quality of services, a senior White House aide said on Monday.
The Biggest Footwear Business Issues That Grabbed Headlines in 2025
From tariffs and trade policy to sourcing and supply chain, plus AI and inflation, shoe firms had their hands full juggling a host of issues in 2025.
Dealmakers: The drivers of political compromise
Join the Brookings Institution on January 12 for a discussion on compromise and its role in democratic policymaking.
Research expenditures ranking underscores ASU’s dramatic growth in high-impact science
Arizona State University has surpassed $1 billion in annual research funding for the first time, placing the university among the top 4% of research institutions nationwide, according to the latest National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development, or HERD, survey.The milestone is a testament to ASU’s success at transforming research dollars into tangible benefits for people — from improved health care to safer communities to more powerful computer chips and more.
Trying to improve your health and wellness in 2026? Keep it simple
The new year is a time when many try to start new good habits and commit to improving health and wellness.
Trying to improve your health and wellness in 2026? Keep it simple
If you want to improve your health in 2026, experts say keep it simple. Be cautious of health and wellness fads.
Trying to improve your health and wellness in 2026? Keep it simple
If you want to improve your health in 2026, experts say keep it simple.
Encore: Bridging Distances with AI and Telemedicine, and Destigmatizing Mental Health for Health Care Workers
As we close out 2025, we’re excited to share highlights from two impactful episodes of the Advancing Health podcast that sparked dialogue around improving health care in America.
ND awarded $199M for Rural Health Transformation Program to strengthen care in rural communities | North Dakota Office of the Governor
Gov. Kelly Armstrong announced that North Dakota has been awarded $199 million from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to support the first year of a statewide Rural Health Transformation Program. The funding will strengthen rural health care by improving access, quality and health outcomes for North Dakotans in rural communities over the next five years.
Call this 49ers’ stunning, surprising season what it is, ‘Mission: Improbable’
After a dozen San Francisco 49ers wins, with Sunday’s see-saw victory over the Bears perhaps their most memorable yet, the Niners could earn a flight-free playoffs on Saturday. Whodathunkit?
Tea or coffee: One leaves a stronger imprint on your bones
Tea and coffee are two of the most popular drinks in the world – daily rituals linked to culture, comfort, and productivity. Now scientists have new insights into how each affects bone health, especially the risk of osteoporosis.
Veterans Health Make-a-thon advances innovative solutions
The 2025 Veterans Health Make-a-thon advances innovative solutions from VA teams and partners to improve care.
Housing market expected to offer little relief for buyers in 2026 despite modest improvements ahead
The U.S. housing market is expected to show modest improvement in 2026, with mortgage rates dropping slightly and home sales increasing 2%.
Video Ways to improve your mental health in 2026
Mental health expert Kurt Schmidt discusses ways to combat loneliness during the holidays and beyond.
Fedora Continued At The Forefront Of Upstream Linux Innovations In 2025
Fedora Linux this year continued in punctually shipping the very latest upstream Linux innovations from the freshest Wayland components to Linux kernel features and continuing to leverage other improvements in the open-source world.
Business corridor in Jersey Shore town to get $960,000 makeover
The proposed improvements in Ventnor target a corridor that serves as a primary gateway for visitors into the city, according to the city’s statement on Monday.
How will RI be different in 2050? Prognosis for improving health care
Rhode Island’s health care system faces many challenges. Can the state overcome them by 2050?
Soak it up: everything science taught us about health and wellness in 2025
Do hot baths improve endurance? Will creatine bolster your brain power? Does pickle juice prevent cramp? Here’s what we learned about living well this year
Soak it up: everything science taught us about health and wellness in 2025
Do hot baths improve endurance? Will creatine bolster your brain power? Does pickle juice prevent cramp? Here’s what we learned about living well this year
Kosovo Votes in Election Aimed at Breaking Political Deadlock
Kosovo will vote in an election aimed at breaking months of political stalemate that left the economy in limbo and stymied efforts to improve ties with allies and resolve tension with the Serbian minority.
Denver Broncos are your 2025 AFC West Champions
The Denver Broncos are your 2025 AFC West Champions for the first time since 2015. On Christmas Night, the Denver Broncos defeated the Kansas City Chiefs and improved to 13-3 on the year and set themselves up with a chance to clinch the AFC West on Saturday with a Chargers loss. Well, the Texans took […]
HarfBuzz 12.3 Released - Nice Performance Improvements To This Text Shaping Engine
HarfBuzz 12.3 was just released for ending out 2025 with some nice performance improvements to this widely-used text shaping engine
AI is getting better and better at generating faces — but you can train to spot the fakes
Even the most skilled face recognizers are duped by AI-generated faces, a new study finds. But they can improve with training.
Sean Payton Joins Bill Belichick In Impressive NFL Coaching Club
The Best New Tech and Business Podcasts 2025
Quantity is so often the enemy of quality, a truth made plainly apparent across podcast feeds these days: Everyone and their cousin—or, rather, everyone and their Series B investor—is trying to do a lengthy chat show, seated behind high-end video cameras and the same set of Shure mics that Joe ...
Conversations bridge Public Health and MAHA
Leaders in public health and MAHA have different views on how to improve Americans' health and often talk past each other. A new podcast helps them talk directly.
Bang for your buck: the best affordable watches of 2025
Affordable is subjective, of course, but here's a list of watches from 2025 that are both budget-friendly and extremely impressive.
Jalen Smith's 2nd diving TD grab wins Rate Bowl as Minnesota denies New Mexico first 10-win season since 1982
The Gophers improved to 7-0 in bowl games under P.J. Fleck.
Jalen Smith's second diving TD grab wins Rate Bowl as Minnesota denies New Mexico first 10-win season since 1982
The Gophers improved to 7-0 in bowl games under P.J. Fleck.
Call Your Grandparents This Holiday Season—for Their Health
Call Your Grandparents This Holiday Season—For Their Health: Everyday conversations across generations may boost older adults’ sense of purpose
Fake Science Is Growing Faster Than Legitimate Research, New Study Warns
New research reveals organized networks linking paper mills, intermediaries, and compromised academic journals
A Healthy Gut Could Improve Mental Health
New research explores the gut-brain connection, suggesting that improving gut health may enhance mental well-being.
2025 Trucker of the Year finalists: Three independents push business forward
It's due time to celebrate what's been a year full of inspiring stories of triumph over adversity for Overdrive's Trucker of the Year contenders. Big congrats to all 10 competitors in the field, and especially this year's finalists, three independents at the top of their owner-operator business game.
Huntsville Nightlife Businesses Launch Unified Safety Initiative While Navigating Privacy Questions
Huntsville City Councilwoman Michelle Watkins joined local club and restaurant owners to announce a coordinated, business-led effort to improve safety across
Israeli scientists say tiny organisms can revamp their own RNA to survive extreme heat
Using a novel method, Weizmann Institute of Science researchers map 16 types of simultaneous changes in dozens of samples; findings can lead to improved RNA-based medical technologies
Bowl game schedule today: Previewing the three college football bowls on Dec. 26
Three bowl matchups comprise the college football schedule for the final Friday of the year. We break down each of the contests on Dec. 26.
This week in science: Swearing, bird bills and the pandemic, and whale breath samples
Emily Kwong and Berly McCoy of NPR's Short Wave talk about why swearing might improve physical performance, how birds' bills changed during the pandemic and why scientists are sampling whale breath.
Five takeaways from Cowboys-Commanders: Taking care of business on Christmas
The Cowboys improved to 3-3 on Christmas Day games with the 30-23 victory over the Commanders in Washington.
Galaxy Z TriFold suffers horrific defeat in durability test; there's just more to break
Unlike its less impressive successor, the Galaxy Z TriFold just can’t stand up to the same sort of bend abuse...
Beverly D'Angelo admits scandalous 'Christmas Vacation' hand gesture was improvised
'Christmas Vacation' actress Beverly D'Angelo has admitted that the scandalous hand gesture she performed on Chevy Chase in the classic holiday movie was improvised in one take: 'You can't do that.'
Mexico’s year in review: The 10 biggest news and politics stories of 2025
As we did at the end of 2023 and 2024, Mexico News Daily looked back at the past 12 months and selected 10 news and politics stories that we believe were among the biggest of 2025.
A surprising brain cleanup reduced epileptic seizures and restored memory
A new study suggests temporal lobe epilepsy may be linked to early aging of certain brain cells. When researchers removed these aging cells in mice, seizures dropped, memory improved, and some animals avoided epilepsy altogether. The treatment used drugs already known to science, raising the possibility of quicker translation to people. The results offer new hope for patients who do not respond to existing medications.
Oceans are supercharging hurricanes past Category 5
Deep ocean hot spots packed with heat are making the strongest hurricanes and typhoons more likely—and more dangerous. These regions, especially near the Philippines and the Caribbean, are expanding as climate change warms ocean waters far below the surface. As a result, storms powerful enough to exceed Category 5 are appearing more often, with over half occurring in just the past decade. Researchers say recognizing a new “Category 6” could improve public awareness and disaster planning.
With Native NVMe Driver, NVMe SSDs Deliver Double-Digit Gains In Random Read/Write On Windows 11
Some users have gained drastic improvements in SSD performance on Windows 11 after using the NVMe driver from Windows Server 2025.
Gibbon awarded $500K grant for downtown revitalization, business upgrades
Gibbon has been awarded nearly $500,000 in Community Block Grant Funding to revitalize its downtown area and develop a new comprehensive plan with assistance fr
Health System Barriers, Treatment Disparities Prolong gMG Diagnosis
Patients with generalized myasthenia gravis face significant barriers to diagnosis, creating the need for improved patient–health care interactions.
Samsung's latest Odyssey gaming monitor has a 32-inch 6K screen with glasses-free 3D
Ahead of CES 2026, Samsung has unveiled a number of impressive gaming monitors including a couple of "world's first" models.
The Most Beautiful Science of the Year
The Most Beautiful Science of the Year: Insights from Nautilus in 2025
Georgia health officials map out $1.4 billion plan for new federal rural health funds
State officials have introduced a $1.4 billion plan to improve rural health outcomes over the next five years under the federal Rural Health Transformation Program created as part of this summer’s budget reconciliation bill. In a 96-page application, officials from the state’s Department of Community Health requested funds to improve access to primary and specialty […]
Experts who once backed 'shaken baby' science now fight to free imprisoned caregivers
A growing number of medical experts and law enforcement officials are reversing testimony that put parents behind bars. But they face an uphill battle.
Dismissing politics as ‘dirty’ is self-defeating
If we turn our backs on politics, we reject an essential way to improve our communities and our nation.
Public Health Informatics Specialist
📊 DATA MEETS PUBLIC HEALTH! 📊Northern Nevada Public Health is seeking a PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATICS SPECIALIST to turn data into life-saving insights! 💡 $78,936/yr + excellent benefits & NV PERS retirement! 📍 Reno, NV | Perfect for you if you have: Bachelor’s in computer science/data sciences and 2+ years health informatics experience; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience ✅ Skills in SQL, R, Python, Power BI desired | Ready to start the new year using your tech skills to improve public health outcomes? This role combines cutting-edge data analysis with meaningful community impact! 🚀 You’ll analyze health data, support disease surveillance, and help shape public health decisions that protect our community! 🌟👉 Apply now: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washoecounty ⏰ Application Deadline: January 30! #HealthInformatics #HealthStatistics #DataScience #PublicHealth #WashoeCounty #TechJobs #RenoJobs
WHO updated recommendations on HIV clinical management: recommendations for a public health approach
This document provides an overview of the updated World Health Organization recommendations for HIV clinical management, which focus on optimizing antiretroviral therapy, preventing vertical transmission, and enhancing tuberculosis prevention among individuals with HIV. These updates are intended to support global initiatives aimed at ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Key changes include the introduction of new antiretroviral drugs and regimens, revised postnatal prophylaxis and breastfeeding guidelines for managing infants at risk of vertical transmission, and the endorsement of shorter tuberculosis preventive treatments to improve efficacy and adherence. The recommendations are designed to simplify and advance HIV care, promote equity, and contribute to improved health outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with HIV. The updated guidance will be incorporated into the forthcoming revision of the antiretroviral therapy chapter within the Consolidated Guidelines on HIV Prevention, Testing, Treatment, Service Delivery, and Monitoring: Recommendations for a Public Health Approach.
This tiny peptide could help stop brain damage after injury
A four–amino acid peptide called CAQK has shown powerful brain-protective effects in animal models of traumatic brain injury. Delivered through a standard IV, it zeroes in on injured brain tissue, calming inflammation and reducing cell death while improving recovery. The peptide worked in both mice and pigs, whose brains are closer to humans in structure. Researchers are now preparing to move toward early human clinical trials.
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.”
Avid weightlifter leverages exercise science interest into impactful research
Years ago, Wil King took the intellectual approach to improving his physique.
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.
2 culinary legends explain how to improve your baking — and your mental health
During a recent event at WBUR's CitySpace, renowned chefs Joanne Chang and Dorie Greenspan convinced me that even I could whip up beautiful holiday treats. And more surprising still, they said it might be good for me to do so.
LG Display’s new 240 Hz RGB stripe OLED panel could fix one of OLED’s biggest monitor issues
LG Display is set to showcase the world’s first 240 Hz OLED panel with an RGB stripe pixel structure at CES 2026. The new 27-inch 4K display arranges its red, green, and blue subpixels in a straight line and drops the white subpixel to help improve text clarity and color accuracy.
With two games to go, 49ers keep bid to win NFC West, top playoff seed alive
Bruised, battered yet bouncing back, the 49ers did more than beat the Colts — they improved their shot at winning the division and the NFC’s No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
Health Ministry tightens oversight as demand for sperm donations surges
Health Ministry updates sperm bank rules as demand rises and fewer people donate, capping families per donor at 12, tightening genetic screening, and new import standards to improve safe donations.
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.
Persona 3 Reload for Nintendo Switch 2 Performance Update Released
Atlus has released the Version 1.0.3 update for the Switch 2 edition of Persona 3 Reload bringing performance improvements to the game
Google Home App Gets 5 Sweet Improvements
The Google Home app continues to see improvements everyone week so with a new update from Google rolling out today. Google pushed out a new changelog, saying that there are big... #Gemini #GoogleHome
Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith jabs Miami over 2002 national title ahead of CFP meeting
Ohio State can improve to 2-0 against the Hurricanes in postseason matchups with a victory in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals
Gemini for Home camera updates improve Familiar Face, animal detection, more
The latest Gemini for Home updates are focused on camera improvements for Nest and other compatible devices.
Pearl of the Week: Behavioral health integration pays off
Learn how integrating behavioral health into primary care improves access, outcomes, and value-based performance.
UConn Health Cancer Center Named State Partner in Comprehensive Cancer Control Program
UConn Health’s Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center partnering with Connecticut Department of Public Health in the Connecticut Cancer Partnership.
The art of the hook: How Simon Squibb redefines influence
British entrepreneur Simon Squibb made his fortune — then amassed legions of followers by giving away sharp business advice for free.
Top 10 business & market articles of 2025
FleetOwner's top market articles, where major closures and consolidations reflected the industry's hard times this year.
New One UI 8.5 beta for the Galaxy S25 lineup is out!
Samsung has released the second official One UI 8.5 beta update for the Galaxy S25 lineup, bringing various fixes and improvements.
Iryna’s Law aims to improve public safety — but it may deepen jail and health care strains
North Carolina sheriffs say stricter pretrial release rules could test capacity, staffing and county budgets.
CBS correspondent accuses Bari Weiss of 'political' move in pulling '60 Minutes' piece
A '60 Minutes' story on the imprisonment of Venezuelan deportees was scheduled to air Sunday.