Origins

From election denial to QAnon, the origins of our age of misinformation too often go unexamined. That’s too bad, because unraveling the roots of one popular conspiracy theory—of a “deep state”—might reveal something important about the cynicism now infecting U.S politics.In the U.S., the idea of a deep state cabal of unelected officials secretively pulling the strings of American government, is widely believed. One 2018 poll even claimed that a majority of American voters place credence in the theory. This is no fringe…

Encased inside some of the oldest rocks on Earth are previously overlooked nanocrystals that tell a story about how life might have emerged.Earth scientists at the University of Western Australia and the University of Cambridge say their findings could explain why phosphorus became a major building block of life and how molecules first clicked together to form primitive RNA at hydrothermal vents on the seafloor.They examined 3.5-billion-year-old rocks from the Pilbara region of Western Australia under a transmission…

Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League is out now for players who purchase the game's more expensive edition which includes, among other perks, a few days of early access. That means some DC Comics fans are well on their way to weighing the merits of Rocksteady's first post-Batman game, even as it's still set in the Arkhamverse. But according to one early scene in the game, Rocksteady still doesn't consider WB Montreal's Batman: Arkham Origins to be part of that story universe.Please note this story…

Researchers established the world’s largest gene bank of ancient human DNA, analyzing remains from up to 34,000 years ago to trace the spread of genes and diseases. Key findings include the historical introduction of multiple sclerosis risk genes into Europe and the genetic origins of neurodegenerative diseases. This study, offering new insights into disease evolution and treatment, marks a significant advance in understanding the interplay between ancient genetics and modern health.Researchers have created the world’s…

Public domain/Public domain/CC BY-SA 3.0/Image by Author/Public domainAn exploration of the Weak Law of Large Numbers and the Central Limit Theorem through the long lens of historyIn my previous article, I introduced you to the Central Limit Theorem. We disassembled its definition, looked at its applications, and watched it do its magic in a simulation.I ended that article with a philosophical question asked by a famous 17th century mathematician about how nature behaves when confronted with a large collection of…

Fabelmans star Gabriel LaBelle will play the legendary producer in SNL 1975 The Fabelmans star Gabriel LaBelle is set to play Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels in an upcoming SNL origins movie, according to a report from Deadline. SNL 1975, written and directed by Jason Reitman, is based on behind-the-scenes accounts of the long-running comedy show’s debut night. Per the outlet, the screenplay itself is based on extensive interviews with SNL cast and crew. Reitman co-wrote the…

Posted in: Comics, Comics Publishers, Current News, Dark Horse Comics | Tagged: critical role, Jody HouserCritical Role: Vox Machina Origins gets its fourth comic book volume from Dark Horse Comics kicking off in May by Jody Houser and Noah Hayes.Article Summary New 'Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins IV' releases in May from Dark Horse Comics. Matthew Mercer and cast consult on the comic, with Jody Houser as writer. Artwork by Noah Hayes with Diana Sousa's colors and Ariana Maher's letters. Comic…

Hot springs may have served as a catalyst for the origins of life on Earth billions of years ago, a new study has suggested. The study, which is featured in Nature Communications Earth & Environment, suggests that primordial hot springs could have helped produce life from key molecules found within them.To learn more about this, researchers at Newcastle University looked at how the earliest known life on Earth emerged from geological materials more than 3.5 billion years ago. To study this, they mixed…

The prehistory of the Vox Machina gang continues to be written, as Jody Houser returns to the best-selling Vox Machina Origins series for volume IV. This time around the writer is joined by new artist Noah Hayes, as well as returning colorist and letterer Diana Sousa and Ariana Maher — and, as always, consultation from Matt Mercer and the rest of the Critical Role crew. “I’m excited to head back to Exandria and continue the adventure alongside Vox Machina,” Houser told Polygon via email. “The stakes have never been…

Researchers at Newcastle University have made significant progress in understanding life’s origins on Earth by simulating ancient hydrothermal vent conditions. This led to the creation of key organic molecules, potentially forming the earliest cell membranes. Their findings, crucial for comprehending life’s early development, also hint at the possibility of life’s genesis under icy moons’ surfaces in our solar system.Newcastle University scientists, supported by the UK’s Natural Environmental Research Council, have been…