World

  1. EDITOR'S PICK
  2. SCIENCE

Xenolinguistics: The Key To Understanding Alien Language

Key Takeaway: In the 2016 sci-fi film “Arrival,” humanity faces the challenge of deciphering an alien language composed of circular, palindromic symbols. AI research, known as “emergent communication,” allows researchers to study language formation within a controlled environment, mimicking how linguistic structures could emerge from scratch. AI agents, or digital “beings,” evolve ways to describe […]
  1. EDITOR'S PICK
  2. SCIENCE

The Hidden World Inside Cells

Key Takeaway: Scientists have discovered that some organelles function perfectly without a membrane, introducing a new class called biomolecular condensates. These membraneless organelles create unique biochemical compartments within cells, attracting specific proteins and RNA molecules. Currently, scientists have identified around 30 different types of biomolecular condensates, compared to just over a dozen traditional, membrane-bound organelles. […]
  1. BUSINESS & ECONOMICS
  2. EDITOR'S PICK

The Flawed Theory Behind Why Nations Prosper

Key Takeaway: Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson were awarded the 2024 Nobel Memorial Prize in economics for their book Why Nations Fail, which argued that countries succeed when they adopt inclusive institutions like democracy, while extractive institutions stifle growth by concentrating power and wealth in elites. However, their theory has faced criticism for […]
  1. EDITOR'S PICK
  2. PHILOSOPHY
  3. PSYCHOLOGY

How To Manage Existential Anxiety In The Age Of Constant Crises

Key Takeaway: In a world filled with crises, existential anxiety is a growing concern. This anxiety often manifests as mental distress, with the brain responding with stress hormones. Doomscrolling, a cycle of anxiety, can intensify feelings of helplessness and vulnerability to conspiracy theories. To manage this, stress-reduction exercises, emotional and social connections, and problem-solving can […]
  1. BUSINESS & ECONOMICS
  2. EDITOR'S PICK
  3. TECHNOLOGY

The A.I. Energy Dilemma

Key Takeaway: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries but also causing significant environmental costs. As AI systems require vast computational power, they increase greenhouse gas emissions, making it difficult for companies like Google to achieve net-zero goals by 2030. As traditional energy sources struggle with intermittency, tech leaders are exploring nuclear power, particularly nuclear fusion, […]
  1. EDITOR'S PICK
  2. TECHNOLOGY

The Everyday Risks Of Being Hacked

Key Takeaway: Hackers exploit everyday habits, such as giving personal information in stores or connecting to unsecured networks, to steal personal information and steal login credentials. These actions can be exploited by phishing and email-delivered malware, which are the leading cyberattack vectors. To protect oneself, individuals should use VPNs, use anti-phishing systems, and take basic […]
  1. EDITOR'S PICK
  2. SOCIOLOGY

Extreme Weather Conspiracy Theories: What Is Really Happening?

Key Takeaway: Hurricane Milton in Florida sparked a rise in extreme weather conspiracy theories, which often arise after catastrophic events. These theories aim to explain significant events by attributing them to the secret actions of powerful groups. However, these theories often require a plausible group capable of executing the secretive actions they propose. People embrace […]

Recently Published

Are Animals Making Art?

Key Takeaway: Animals, including birds and whales, have been questioned about their artistic abilities. Some argue that art is about emotion, representation, or intention, while others believe it comes from reinforcement. However, not all animal creations are considered art. Some, like Humpback whales and Pigcasso, are trained to express their creativity, while others, like puffer […]
Written by

Top Picks

How Human Networks Planted The Seeds Of Civilisation

Key Takeaway: Researchers have used mathematical models to simulate the spread of farming, focusing on human contact as the driving force. They adapted predator-prey models to simulate the overlap of farming and foraging communities. The study found that direct human contact, whether friendly or hostile, played a central role in the expansion of farming. Small-scale […]
Written by

Is Big Tech Killing Free Speech or Saving It?

Key Takeaway: President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship” accused the previous administration of stifling free expression by working with social media companies to curb misinformation and label misleading content. However, recent research suggests that less regulation can actually make the internet a less free place for speech, […]
Written by

How The Brain Learns

Key Takeaway: Recent research published in Science has revealed that the brain uses multiple learning mechanisms simultaneously, revealing the complexity behind brain wiring. Neurons communicate through electric signals called synapses, which form complex networks of connections that transmit information. The traditional theory of synaptic plasticity assumes uniformity between neurons, but the new study found that […]
Written by

Did We Just Discover Life On A Distant Planet?

Key Takeaway: A new study published in Nature Astronomy claims that the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has detected atmospheric signals on K2-18b, a distant world 124 light-years from Earth. The researchers found traces of molecules often associated with biological activity on Earth, including dimethyl sulphide (DMS). The scientists are 99.7% confident in the presence […]
Written by

Trending

How China Is Transforming Its Economy Through Learning

I highly recommend reading the McKinsey Global Institute’s new report, “Reskilling China: Transforming The World’s Largest Workforce Into Lifelong Learners”, which focuses on the country’s biggest employment challenge, re-training its workforce and the adoption of practices such as lifelong learning to address the growing digital transformation of its productive fabric. How to transform the country […]
Written by

Join our Newsletter

Get our monthly recap with the latest news, articles and resources.

Login

Welcome to Empirics
We are glad you have decided to join our mission of gathering the collective knowledge of Asia!
Join Empirics