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?

First locally transmitted Zika case confirmed in continental US

Four people have been infected with the virus from mosquitoes in Florida, near Miami. It's the first time that Zika has been spread in the US by local mosquitoes, rather than by travel
via First locally transmitted Zika case confirmed in continental US

Video Friday: Artificial Evolution, Legged Machines, and Delivery Robots in Silicon Valley

Your weekly selection of awesome robot videos
via Video Friday: Artificial Evolution, Legged Machines, and Delivery Robots in Silicon Valley

Ocean-cleaning sea bins will gobble up plastic waste to recycle

Bins designed to suck up debris floating on the sea are in the final stages of testing, shame they won’t make it to Rio in time to clean up dirty waters at the Olympics
via Ocean-cleaning sea bins will gobble up plastic waste to recycle

Now you see me: true invisibility cloak impossible to build

New calculations say an invisibility cloak would only work for a tiny sliver of light, and would make all other wavelengths grow brighter
via Now you see me: true invisibility cloak impossible to build

Why Hinkley Point is a nuclear folly of Titanic proportions

The French firm EDF has approved plans for a massive nuclear reactor in the UK, but the UK government is hesitating. Let’s hope it scuppers the project, says Michael Le Page
via Why Hinkley Point is a nuclear folly of Titanic proportions

How robot swarms are learning to find what we lose at sea

As we perfect wireless underwater communication, robots will criss-cross the abyss finding everything from lost planes to chemical leaks
via How robot swarms are learning to find what we lose at sea

Autoimmune diseases may be side effect of a strong immune system

We finally have evidence from human studies that disorders like lupus could be a by-product of being well protected against other diseases
via Autoimmune diseases may be side effect of a strong immune system

Feedback: Why the UK will be in a pickle this summer

Plus karmic justice sought for crystal thief, attack of the mall drones, what tree huggers are up to, the animal that smells of cheap cologne, and more
via Feedback: Why the UK will be in a pickle this summer

Smarter every day: Increasing intelligence changed how we see IQ

Identical twins raised apart have similar IQ – so intelligence is all about genes? Not so, said James Flynn. His latest book picks apart nature and nurture
via Smarter every day: Increasing intelligence changed how we see IQ

Deep-sea ecosystems still under threat despite UN protection

Some of the world's most hidden but precious places are still not being adequately protected from fishing trawlers, despite 10 years of UN resolutions to protect them
via Deep-sea ecosystems still under threat despite UN protection

Inbreeding has destroyed the English bulldog’s genetic diversity

Decades of extreme selection and inbreeding mean there is little genetic variation left to save the English bulldog from its many severe health problems
via Inbreeding has destroyed the English bulldog’s genetic diversity

Winograd Schema Challenge Results: AI Common Sense Still a Problem, For Now

A Turing Test alternative, the Winograd Schema Challenge aims to determine how well AI handles common sense reasoning
via Winograd Schema Challenge Results: AI Common Sense Still a Problem, For Now

Bacteria made to turn sewage into clean water – and electricity

A self-powered waste water treatment plant using microbes has just passed its biggest test, bringing household-level water recycling a step closer
via Bacteria made to turn sewage into clean water – and electricity