Six science fiction novels you should be reading

This year's crop of Arthur C. Clarke award hopefuls will grip you and not let go
via Six science fiction novels you should be reading

Mystery ancient human ancestor found in Australasian family tree

A genome analysis suggests that Asian and Pacific human populations share a single origin and their ancestors might have bred with Homo erectus
via Mystery ancient human ancestor found in Australasian family tree

What will be the role of humans in a world of intelligent robots? | Letters

Further automation of the retail sector raises issues far beyond the needless luxuries of choice, convenience and speed of delivery (Amazon to test drone deliveries in British skies, 27 July). I wonder if the “demand” for stuff to be delivered by robot to our door within 30 minutes of ordering really exists – is modern satisfaction really that shallow? But in an increasingly automated society, where are the wages to buy these goods going to come from?

While Brexit showed that politicians were detached from the anger of the dispossessed of this country, where are they on the automation of yet more of the jobs that so many people depend on? It seems they are keen to race headlong into a very misty future.

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via What will be the role of humans in a world of intelligent robots? | Letters

Old planets always get too hot or cold for life in the end

Searching for alien life on planets orbiting older stars may be fruitless - they nearly always lose their liquid water with time
via Old planets always get too hot or cold for life in the end

Neanderthal skulls and brains may have developed just like ours

The way that skull shape changed as Neanderthals grew up suggests that they were just as smart as us, although it's still a contentious finding
via Neanderthal skulls and brains may have developed just like ours

How drones are learning to find their own way in the world

From delivering pizzas to tracking whales, we have high hopes for drones. Here are three advances that will help them live up to the buzz
via How drones are learning to find their own way in the world

We’re on the cusp of a gene editing revolution, are we ready?

Beware the backlash, if fast-moving technologies for editing rogue genes outpace public acceptance
via We’re on the cusp of a gene editing revolution, are we ready?