Brandon A. Weber
Big Think
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Past articles by Brandon:
New study: Microplastics found in all beached dolphins, whales, and seals
Scientists studied the bodies of dolphins, whales, and seals that washed ashore in the United Kingdom. Every single one of them had microplastics in them. (Microplastics are defined as smaller than 5 millimeters, or about 0.20 inches. → Read More
Serendipity: 7 inventions by mistake
There are times when a researcher, scientist, or just a common, everyday tinkerer makes something that wasn't quite what he or she had in mind… and it turns a mistake into a useful, real invention, sometimes ubiquitous across the world. → Read More
Millions of Americans are sleep deprived — and it's literally killing us
A lack of sleep is frequently seen as something that people simply need to "power through" in order to get things done, or cope with events happening in their lives, work demands, etc.Recent studies, however, makes it more clear: This is a public health crisis. → Read More
The top 6 medical inventions during the Civil War
There were several things newly invented during the Civil War that became keys to saving lives, as well as taking them. Because such a devastating and massive war usually generates rapid advancement along medical fronts, inventions and new discoveries came fast and furious during those four years. → Read More
The top 6 medical inventions during the Civil War
There were several things newly invented during the Civil War that became keys to saving lives, as well as taking them. Because such a devastating and massive war usually generates rapid advancement along medical fronts, inventions and new discoveries came fast and furious during those four years. → Read More
Cannabis may boost perceptual reasoning in teenage brains, researchers say
Occasional cannabis use by teenagers can actually expand the structure of certain regions of the brain, a study recently published in the Journal of Neuroscience illustrates. → Read More
Cannabis may boost perceptual reasoning in teenage brains, researchers say
Occasional cannabis use by teenagers can actually expand the structure of certain regions of the brain, a study recently published in the Journal of Neuroscience illustrates. → Read More
No Planet B can 'ever' be made as comfortable as Earth, says British astronomer Martin Rees
In a time of ever-worsening climate change, fixing Earth should be our priority. → Read More
Exercise produces irisin — irisin might prevent Alzheimer’s, researchers say
Irisin, a hormone in the human body that is generated by muscle tissue and is carried throughout the body in the bloodstream, can play a part in Alzheimer's onset and effects. Currently researchers say that supplements containing the hormone, or exercising, which prompts its creation, may prevent Alzheimer's. → Read More
Study: The effect of ‘uncivil’ comments on authors, publications
In a study published by Taylor Francis Online, and written by Kathleen Searles, Sophie Spencer and Adaobi Duru, it's quite clear that abusive and "uncivil" comments (like "UR a commie lib and you eat babies — go die") negatively affect perception of both a publication and its authors, regardless of gender. → Read More
MIT scientists propose giant laser beacon to attract alien attention
MIT scientist has published plan to attract attention of alien civilizations with powerful laser beacon, a porch light for planet Earth. bright light could broadcast human existence to aliens up to 20,000 light years away. James Clark grad student wrote the paper. How to find extraterrestrial life? Let them find us. → Read More
One big problem of landing on Mars? Fuel to go back to Earth.
Astronauts who travel to Mars will need fuel to get back home. This said, NASA scientists are currently making robots that will make methane on Mars, from the planet's dirt, to create fuel. → Read More
200 Google workers will walk out on Thursday over sexual misconduct handling
200 google workers will walk out on Thursday to protest sexual misconduct that was poorly handled by Google. Andy Rubin was accused and verified of sexual misconduct in 2014 and let go with a $90-million package, praise, and new investment in his future projects. Women's Walk at Google. → Read More
Someone sent actual bombs to Clintons, Obamas, George Soros, and CNN
It's a little scary out there, folks. → Read More
Raising minimum wage to $15 an hour reduces costly turnovers, new study finds
A new study suggests experienced workers have seen benefits from Seattle's minimum pay increase. The new data also suggests though there are less new entries into Seattle's workforce, companies have experienced a noticeable reduction in costly turnovers. → Read More
Sandra Day O’Connor, first woman on U.S. Supreme Court, has dementia
Sandra Day O’Connor, first woman on U.S. Supreme Court, has announced she has dementia, most likely Alzheimer's disease. She will withdraw from public life, but will share her thoughts while she is still cogent. An incredibly sad announcement for a brilliant woman. → Read More
Mount Vesuvius eruption boiled people's blood, made skulls explode
New research on the remains of people who perished in Mount Vesuvius eruption suggests the extreme heat instantly killed them via boiling their blood and vaporizing their soft tissues. → Read More
The Pine Island Glacier is about to calve again. Here's the scoop.
Just a year after it calved an iceberg 4.5 times the size of Manhattan, the Pine Island Glacier on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is poised to calve another, this time double the size. It's a climate change disaster that is contributing to rising sea levels and atmospheric CO2 released from glacier. → Read More
On global warming, we have 12 years until the point of no return
UN IPCC report issues a dire warning: We have 12 years left until the point of no return on climate change. An increase of 1.5 degrees C or 2.7 degrees F will be catastrophic to life as we know it. What can you do about climate change? Our politicians must act. Paris agreement. Paris accord. → Read More
Meteorite used as doorstop for decades worth $100,000
A 4-billion-year-old meteorite that landed on a farm near Grand Rapids is valued at $100,000. → Read More