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Penguins prospect selected for Team USA’s World Junior team
Will Horcoff, the Penguins’ 24th overall selection in the First Round of the 2025 NHL Draft, will compete for Team USA for the tournament, which runs from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Minneapolis.
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
Fan involved in sideline incident with Steelers' DK Metcalf 'remains under review' by NFL
I made Ina Garten's famous brownie pudding. The decadent dessert is perfect for the holidays.
Ina Garten first made her brownie pudding in 2008, but it has recently found new life on TikTok. The decadent dessert is perfect for the holidays.
I've been to all 50 states. These 4 cities are surprisingly underrated and incredibly fun to visit.
After traveling to all 50 states across the US, some of my favorite American cities to visit have surprised me, from Boise to Milwaukee to Cleveland.
Cowboys-Commanders Preview
This is not exactly what the NFL and Netflix had in mind when they thought they would be getting big-name quarterbacks Jayden Daniels vs. Dak Prescott and a high-stakes matchup of NFC East rivals Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys in the Christmas Day spotlight.
Expert shares top NFL money line parlays for favorites and underdogs in Week 17
SportsLine expert Jeff Hochman breaks down his top money line parlays for favorites and underdogs for Week 17 of the NFL season
Inside a Bronx housing model that could grow under Mamdani’s administration
The developments integrate housing, food access, health care and education.
Democratic-led states sue HHS over proposal targeting hospitals that offer transgender care to minors
Eighteen Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging a new Trump administration policy seeking to bar transgender care for minors at federally-funded hospitals.
Week 17 NFL QB Power Rankings: Purdy back in top 10, Christmas QBs underwhelming
Evaluating the NFL's 32 starting signal-callers entering the penultimate week of the 2025 season.
When Does the VA Cover Care at Non-VA Facilities?
Understanding community care, emergency coverage and urgent care rules under the VA MISSION Act.
'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.
Man accused of robbing customers, employees at gunpoint inside Eastpointe business
Authorities said a suspect pulled out a gun, forced customers and employees at an Eastpointe business to the ground, and stole their money.
Breakthrough Listen Searched Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS For Technosignatures During Its Closest Approach To Earth
The team found nine "events" that they investigated further. Meanwhile, another team looked at the "non-gravitational" acceleration of the comet, finally pinning down a better estimate of its size.
Best Data Visualization of 2025: Sportico’s Charts of the Year
Check out Sportico's best data viz of 2025, covering the biggest sports business stories of the year.
Minnesota Gophers in the NFL Week 16
The Giants #27 took a fumble recovery 27 yards to the house against the Vikings on Sunday
21 Nintendo Switch Games Are Yours For $1 in 99% Discount, Save $300
This Nintendo Switch bundle will see you bag 21 games for almost nothing, consider it free
Stigma Is the Enemy of Science and Human Progress
History shows we often dismiss what we don’t yet understand. Here’s why stigmatizing today’s uncomfortable questions may be holding humanity back.
AI supercharges scientific output while quality slips
AI writing tools are supercharging scientific productivity, with researchers posting up to 50% more papers after adopting them. The biggest beneficiaries are scientists who don’t speak English as a first language, potentially shifting global centers of research power. But there’s a downside: many AI-polished papers fail to deliver real scientific value. This growing gap between slick writing and meaningful results is complicating peer review, funding decisions, and research oversight.
8 roster ties between Patriots, Jets ahead of Week 17
The ex-Patriots and ex-Jets in the fold for Sunday.
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Joby ramps up for 2026, its target year for commercial service launch; looking at businesses that closed in 2025
In her weekly look at local business, Jessica M. Pasko reports on where Joby Aviation stands ahead of what's poised to be a big year for the Santa Cruz-based company, reviews closures around the county and highlights names and dates to know.
The nation’s cartoonists look back on the year that was.
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's a look back on the past year through the eyes of the cartoonists. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
Google One is offering 50% off its 2TB storage and AI Pro plans right now
Only for new users, but there's a workaround.
Our 7 Best Science TikToks You Need to Watch Right Now
On TikTok and other short-form video platforms, Scientific American explored the underground labs of Greenland, brand-new colors and the perfect way to make eggs
Texas comptroller GOP primary attracts big money from donors with business before the agency
One candidate received about $1 million within an eight-day span from the head of a Dallas tax firm — and 72 of his employees — that helps corporations secure tax breaks under comptroller-run programs.
The Velo Best Innovations of 2025: From E-bikes to Valve Cores
From the radical Also TM-B e-bike to a new standard for tire valves, these are the six technologies that pushed the boundaries of cycling in 2025.
How Trump’s attacks on ‘climate alarmism’ have already transformed U.S. science
Experts say the cuts to the federal workforce and climate science funding could cause decades of loss in human knowledge and discovery.
The 10 Most Compelling Sports Stories of 2025
From the Oklahoma City Thunder’s dominance to multisport gambling scandals to a truly epic World Series, this year has been quite a ride.
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 […]
BP to Sell Majority Stake in Castrol Business for $6 Billion
The UK oil giant will divest a 65% stake, retaining the remaining interest via a joint venture, it said Wednesday. BP is shedding assets to reduce debt and turn around years of lagging performance that put the company in the crosshairs of activist shareholder Elliott Investment Management. It kicked off the sale process for Castrol back in February, when then-Chief Executive Officer Murray Auchincloss unveiled a strategic reset, promising to refocus on oil and gas, slash costs and reduce debt.
Golden Knights' Braeden Bowman: Registers two assists in win
Golden Knights' Braeden Bowman: Registers two assists in win
Richmond startup Ohm Health launches first product: a humming, glowing "breathing lamp"
The company, founded by Temperpack cofounder James McGoff, recently began taking pre-orders for its “breathing lamp,” which allows customers to practice breathing in rhythm with the hum and glow of the light.
Mavericks' Anthony Davis: Drops 31 in win
Mavericks' Anthony Davis: Drops 31 in win
Brinc Drones CEO on Business Outlook
Blake Resnick, Founder and CEO of Brinc Drones, discusses his outlook for business growth and opportunities as the US Federal Communications Commission moves to block foreign-made drones and critical components for unmanned aircraft systems. He speaks with Annabelle Droulers and Avril Hong on "Bloomberg: The Asia Trade". (Source: Bloomberg)
Spurs cruise past Thunder ahead of Christmas rematch, now account for 2 of OKC's 4 losses on the season
The now 26-4 Thunder have lost twice to the Spurs. And they'll run it back again on Christmas.
Bart Story Dies: Veteran Entertainment Research Executive Was 63
Bart Story, a veteran entertainment research executive best known for his work at MarketCast and SAG-AFTRA, has died. He was 63. Story died on December 23, 2025, in Los Angeles from complications related to metastatic urothelial carcinoma. The executive spent more than three decades helping studios and streamers better understand audiences. Since 2003, he served …
US judge rejects business group's challenge to Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee
A federal judge on Tuesday rejected a challenge by the largest U.S. business lobby group to President Donald Trump's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers, saying it fell under his broad powers to regulate immigration.
Broncos vs. Chiefs 2025 Prediction, Odds, Picks
Preview the Week 17 matchup between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs with predictions, odds, over/under, spread, betting lines and more.
Medicare opens door to covering blockbuster drugs for weight loss
Some Medicare enrollees may soon be able to access super-popular drugs for obesity under a voluntary model program, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Tuesday. Eligible beneficiaries will only have to pay $50 a month.
US signs health agreements with African nations, warns against nonperformance
The U.S. signed four new global health memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Botswana, and Ethiopia, which total nearly $2.3 billion in funding, the State Department said on Tuesday.
Advancing the America First Global Health Strategy Through Landmark Bilateral Global Health MOUs - United States Department of State
On December 22 and 23, the United States signed four additional new, landmark global health Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Botswana, and Ethiopia, reinforcing U.S. leadership that delivers measurable results for the American people and puts America First by directly countering global infectious disease threats and reducing foreign dependence on U.S. taxpayers. […]
Hong Kong firms hoping new southbound travel scheme will drive more business
Social media users are selling driving courses to Guangdong car owners while local companies are offering perks to attract business.
We are living in a golden age of species discovery
The search for life on Earth is speeding up, not slowing down. Scientists are now identifying more than 16,000 new species each year, revealing far more biodiversity than expected across animals, plants, fungi, and beyond. Many species remain undiscovered, especially insects and microbes, and future advances could unlock millions more. Each new find also opens doors to conservation and medical breakthroughs.
This new 3D chip could break AI’s biggest bottleneck
Researchers have created a new kind of 3D computer chip that stacks memory and computing elements vertically, dramatically speeding up how data moves inside the chip. Unlike traditional flat designs, this approach avoids the traffic jams that limit today’s AI hardware. The prototype already beats comparable chips by several times, with future versions expected to go much further. Just as important, it was manufactured entirely in a U.S. foundry, showing the technology is ready for real-world production.
The Science (and Pseudoscience) of Everyday Life
Everyday life is full of small behaviors we treat as moral choices, scientific truths, or acts of civic virtue—often without much reflection. From abandoned shopping carts to climate guilt over pet ownership, from misplaced faith in statistical “significance” to misunderstandings of animal behavior, these examples reveal how intuition, habit, and oversimplified science shape what we believe.
Analysis: Extreme redactions undercut Epstein files release
Rather than settling matters, the government’s release of the Epstein files has had the opposite effect.
Bengals Dominate Dolphins, 45-21 in Miami: OBI podcast
The Bengals had a big bounce-back win against the Dolphins on Sunday.
Galaxy Z TriFold is probably durable enough, hinge gives way after 150,000 folds in torture test [Video]
Samsung’s brand new Galaxy Z TriFold form factor has arrived and, of course, one of the big questions around it...
City of Gautier signs off on entertainment contract extension for The Sound Amphitheater
On Tuesday, the Gautier City Council unanimously approved an extension for the entertainment contract for The Sound Amphitheater.
Plant science with a twist
From morning glories spiraling up fence posts to grape vines corkscrewing through arbors, twisted growth is a problem-solving tool found throughout the plant kingdom. Roots “do the twist” all the time, skewing hard right or left to avoid rocks and other debris. Scientists have long known that mutations in certain genes affecting microtubules in plants can cause plants to grow in a twisting manner.
Nicki Minaj’s Embrace of Trump-Era Politics Has Fans Asking Questions
The Trinidad and Tobago-born hip-hop artist's motives are under scrutiny.
Heat's Terry Rozier files motion to dismiss charges in federal sports betting case
Rozier previously pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges
Have a 3D Printer? You Can Make Your Own iPhone Fold Dummy
Apple is working on a foldable iPhone that's set to come out in September 2026, and rumors suggest that it will have a display that's around 5.4 inches when closed and 7.6 inches when open. Exact measurements vary based on rumors, but one 3D designer has created a mockup based on what we've heard so far. On MakerWorld, a user named Subsy has uploaded a 1:1 iPhone Fold replica (via Macworld), which can be 3D printed to give you a rough idea of the size of the upcoming foldable iPhone.
Science funding was hit in 2025. What does that mean for the future? : Consider This from NPR
2025 was a hard year for science. The Trump administration upended federal funding for all kinds of scientific pursuits, slashing budgets across agencies like NASA, NIH and NOAA. NPR's Rob Stein and Katia Riddle spoke to scientists and officials who worry that those cuts could cause the United States to lose its competitive edge as a global hub for research and innovation, and steer future generations away from careers in science. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Michael Levitt, with audio engineering by Zo vanGinhoven. It was edited by Sarah Handel, Scott Hensley and Amina Khan. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.
Scientists Found the Deepest Known Arctic Vent—and It's Teeming With Life
The deepest recorded cold Arctic vent is a living surprise, researchers say.
Christmas 2025 entertainment roundup: 'Marty Supreme,' NFL Christmas...
This episode of Yap Session is all about the Holidays! From must watch Christmas movies to Snoop Dogg’s NFL Christmas halftime show to the highly anticipated release of “Marty...
Fantasy Football Championship-Round Tips: Advice to help you secure the trophy in Week 17
Martinis, seafood, and a plastic cup: See some of the zanier expenses at the center of JPMorgan's latest dispute with Charlie Javice
JPMorgan no longer wants to pay Charlie Javice's legal bills. Inside the latest dispute between the bank and the startup founder convicted of fraud.
RAM Prices Are So Bad, PC Builders Are Telling Consumers to BYO Memory
Hopefully you have a few sticks of DDR5 lying around.
<i>D CEO</i> Editors’ Picks: Our Favorite Business Stories of 2025
From investigative reports to surprising profiles of under-the-radar innovators, these are the stories that stood out in the past year.
Strengthening its mid-Florida presence, Moss acquires Ellison Construction
'We found a partner that values culture, collaboration and the community as much as we do.'
Texas' Historically Underutilized Business program undergoes major changes
Thousands of Texas small businesses that were part of the HUB program no longer qualify.
One big question: What was the biggest challenge of 2025 for Louisiana businesses?
We asked four experts from different corners of the state with different backgrounds: What was the single biggest challenge for business in 2025?
A Daring Scene on Broadway This Season Has Audiences Talking, in More Ways Than One
NEW YORK (AP) — On any given evening as the lights come up on Act 2 of “Liberation,” Bess Wohl's intergenerational Broadway play about a women’s consciousness-raising group, you can hear supportive cheers of “Whoo!” and “Yeah!” — and sometimes, a round of applause. All before a single word has been ...
Sharks Sports & Entertainment's 2025 Holiday Assist
The San Jose Sharks partnered with Family Giving Tree for their Holiday Assist program this season, including a $30,000 Community Assist Grant from the Sharks Foundation.
Sharks Sports & Entertainment's 2025 Holiday Assist
The San Jose Sharks partnered with Family Giving Tree for their Holiday Assist program this season, including a $30,000 Community Assist Grant from the Sharks Foundation.
Duke Health nurse charged with additional sex crimes after third victim comes forward, police say
Jomil Tugado faces three felony counts each of sexual contact/penetration under the pretext of medical treatment and sex acts by a government or private institution employee. He also has three misdemeanor charges of sexual battery.
VIDEO: The future of health education in North Dakota
UND President Armacost talks with Dean Marjorie Jenkins about UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences initiatives for 2026 and beyond
The Thunder's chance at the NBA wins record appears to be slipping away
OKC (26-3) has lost two of three and has the hardest schedule remaining in the league
Year in review 2025: A year of accomplishments, milestones for Vanderbilt Health
The following is a roundup of the news that made headlines at Vanderbilt Health in 2025.
Lemon Slice nabs $10.5M from YC and Matrix to build out its digital avatar tech
Digital avatar generation company Lemon Slice is working to add a video layer to AI chatbots with a new diffusion model that can create digital avatars from a single image.
FanDuel SN channels could be sold as broadcaster scrambles for funds
If a sale falls through, Main Street Sports Group could ultimately be shut down following the current NBA and NHL seasons.
College football transfer portal: Georgia's Kirby Smart sounds off ahead of CFP
Georgia coach Kirby Smart is no fan of college football's new 'announcement' era
Chargers Daily Links: Tuesday Open Thread
Your source for all Chargers and NFL news from around the web.
Cash rules everything around sports: The K-shaped economy widened gaps between haves, have-nots in 2025
What did we learn in 2025? The K is coming for sports, and we’re not just talking strikeouts.
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?
From less business with primes to a better-funded Army network: 2025 review
In 2025, the Army experienced some of its biggest changes in decades, and with this came new programs and new attitudes toward acquisition at large.
Battlefield 6 players suspect AI cosmetics have been snuck into the game, despite EA saying that wouldn't happen
Battlefield 6 players have found what they believe to be an generative AI sticker in the game, causing outrage.
In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week
A selection of some of the most striking sports photographs taken around the world over the past seven days.
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.
My health care costs are going up. So I made a video series figuring out why and who's to blame.
No one is more motivated to understand this topic than a 26-year-old journalist with a marketplace plan.
Dodgers' Offseason Work Gets High Grades At This Point
While Los Angeles has just added Edwin Díaz to help its bullpen, that move alone has ballclub in top category in new article.
Vermont Department of Mental Health offers free training for clinicians to address problem gambling issues
When Vermont legalized sports betting, it allocated funds to address problem gambling issues. The Department of Mental Health is now expanding those services.
Companies collecting pennies on the dollar in market to recoup some tariff costs
Some U.S. companies are hedging their bets on the Supreme Court case against President Donald Trump's sweeping emergency tariffs by selling their rights to collect potential government refunds of the taxes to outside investors.
UNC Health's new CEO takes the helm amid "acute headwinds" in health care
This comes amid looming Medicaid cuts, a drop in research funding, expansion statewide and the uncertain future of a children's hospital.
Looking Back on 2025’s Most Memorable Political Style Moments
From our first glimpse at Rama Duwaji’s first-lady look to the stink over men in pink, fashion found its way into the political discourse in more ways than one this year.
Managing the politics of a holiday get-together
We live in a polarized nation, and sometimes, those varying political beliefs and opinions make their way to the holiday dinner table. It can be awkward and uncomfortable. So, how can we bring it all back together and appreciate one another’s company? WEMU’s John Stockwell went looking for answers and, as you’ll hear, found a number of them.
IFLScience The Big Questions: Can Magic Be Used As A Tool In Science?
What do cybercrime, the placebo effect, and driving have in common? They can all be better understood with a bit of magic.
Central Indiana's Top 10 stories of 2025, from sports to Trump
The year in sports brought unlikely rises and dramatic falls. The year in politics shook Indiana's foundations. Here are the Top 10 stories of 2025.
Video: Why Scientists Are Performing Brain Surgery on Monarchs
Scientists in Texas are studying monarch butterflies to understand how they navigate thousands of miles, possibly by sensing Earth’s magnetic field. Alexa Robles-Gil explains how researchers are examining the butterflies’ brains to find answers.
'Fragmented' Microsoft tools undercut efficiency at Amazon and Whole Foods, internal Deloitte review found
Whole Foods' use of Microsoft 365 apps remained disconnected from Amazon, leading to inefficiencies and security concerns, a Deloitte review found.
'The ambition around the club feels different now'
Ethan Ampadu was immense, setting the tempo from the back and leading like a proper captain, calm in possession but aggressive when it mattered. The atmosphere lifted every time he stepped in to break up play. The free transfer signing of Dominic Calvert-Lewin already looks inspired.
The politics of the pause: 6 things to know about Trump administration’s suspension of offshore wind
The administration’s decision highlights a growing state-federal conflict over energy policy. It could also rebound by prompting more solar in rural Virginia.
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.
HARMAN To Acquire ZF’s ADAS Business
Secures HARMAN’s strategic foundations in ADAS and centralized automotive electronics platforms to define the fast-growing SDV market