They are the architectural epitome of the English character. But the thatched cottage, a beloved feature of small villages, is under threat, conservationists warn. A combination of wet summers, outdated machinery, the war in Ukraine and Brexit has led to skyrocketing costs for straw production. These factors, combined with the shortage of skilled thatchers, are … Read more
Negev Petroglyphs of Animals. Credit: Laura Rabbachin, INTK, Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna The Negev Desert in southern Israel is known for its unique rock art. Since at least the third millennium BCE, hunters, herders, and traders roaming the Negev have left thousands of engravings (petroglyphs) on the rocks. These figures are usually carved into … Read more
Thousands of satellites are currently in low Earth orbit, and some will eventually become defunct and fall back into our planet’s atmosphere. When they reenter the atmosphere, satellites leave behind a trail of chemicals that eat away at the ozone layer. A new study warns that the growing number of internet satellites have contributed to … Read more
When the sun bursts onto the surface, scientists watch closely to see if the impact of solar particles heads toward Earth and could disable our technology. Now a new satellite will enable unprecedented, 24-hour observations of our host star, allowing earlier detection, better predictions and advanced warnings of solar storms heading toward Earth. The National … Read more
NASA and Boeing executives knew before launch that their Starliner rocket was leaking, but believed it was too small to pose a threat — as two astronauts are now stuck on the International Space Station because of the problem, new reports say. Officials found a helium leak on the troubled Starliner before its June 5 … Read more
Deshnee Naidoo has spent her career climbing the ladder in the mining industry and finds the change in attitudes towards women “phenomenal”. But lately, the former head of Vale Base Metals, a nickel and cobalt producer, has noticed a worrying reaction. When candidates from diverse backgrounds secure jobs, some men in the industry have taken … Read more
Astronauts who make the round trip to Mars may be rewarded with a unique badge of honor in the form of “cosmic kidney disease,” which is a lot less fun than it sounds. According to new research, the conditions experienced by interplanetary travelers can radically alter the structure and function of the kidneys, with long-term … Read more
Communications companies such as Starlink plan to launch tens of thousands of satellites into orbit over the next decade. The growing shower is already causing problems for astronomers, but recent research has raised another question: What happens when they come down? When these satellites reach the end of their lifespan, they will fall into the … Read more
Meredith Whittaker practices what she preaches. As chair of the Signal Foundation, she is a powerful voice advocating for privacy for all. But she doesn’t just spout empty words. In 2018, she entered the public eye as one of the organizers of the Google strikes, mobilizing 20,000 of the search giant’s employees in a dual … Read more
Unlock the Editor’s Digest for free Roula Khalaf, editor of the FT, selects her favorite stories in this weekly newsletter. This year’s Cannes Lions festival aims to restore humor to advertising, but at the heart of a new category celebrating witty work lies a broader unease about the creative future of an industry rapidly adopting … Read more