Science & Technology Archives - The World from PRX

A daily public radio broadcast program and podcast from PRX and WGBH, hosted by Marco Werman

Europe wants to attract American scientists

In the wake of federal funding cuts that threaten scientists’ jobs in the US, programs have emerged across Europe to attract those worried American scientists. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports from a university in southern France where incoming Americans are referred to as “scientific refugees.” The post Europe wants to attract American scientists appeared first on The World from PRX.

09-01
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These YouTube streamers have turned the stress of travel into a game

Especially these days, traveling can be chaotic. Now, a trio of American YouTubers has devised a fun way to make it all less stressful through a video series that turns travel chaos into a competition. The post These YouTube streamers have turned the stress of travel into a game appeared first on The World from PRX.

08-18
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An AI that speaks the languages of Latin America

Latam-GPT, a Chilean-led artificial intelligence project, promises to center Latin American languages and cultures. The post An AI that speaks the languages of Latin America appeared first on The World from PRX.

08-15
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Meet the ‘Kyles’ — North Korea’s secret IT warriors

Dina Temple-Raston, the host of the "Click Here" podcast from Recorded Future News and PRX, reports on North Korean workers applying for remote IT jobs around the world. The post Meet the ‘Kyles’ — North Korea’s secret IT warriors appeared first on The World from PRX.

08-13
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How Brazil became one of the epicenters of cybercrime

Almost 1 in 4 Brazilians have been victims of cybercrime, making the country number one in the world for phishing via WhatsApp. The post How Brazil became one of the epicenters of cybercrime appeared first on The World from PRX.

08-05
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Estonia serves as a digital pioneer for European governments

Ben Bathke from our partners DW, Deutsche Welle, reports on what European nations can learn from Estonia's digital government services. The post Estonia serves as a digital pioneer for European governments appeared first on The World from PRX.

07-31
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In one of the world’s most secular countries, some Gen Z Christians are finding faith again — but not at church

The Netherlands, which was once a religious country, saw a dramatic decline in religiosity after WWII. Recently though, there’s been a small but significant increase in people turning to faith. One reason is efforts made by Gen Z — but not through traditional churches. The post In one of the world’s most secular countries, some Gen Z Christians are finding faith again — but not at church appeared first on The World from PRX.

07-24
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Amid rising heat, Paris expands a network of pipes to keep cool

As record-breaking heat hits parts of Europe, France is trying to adapt. Paris is now expanding its district cooling system. The World's Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Raphaelle Nayral, the head of the company operating the network about the initiative. The post Amid rising heat, Paris expands a network of pipes to keep cool appeared first on The World from PRX.

06-30
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Trump administration cuts funding to Barcelona library over DEI policies

The Trump administration has made it a priority to eliminate DEI programs across the United States and even overseas. It’s put some private companies on notice and warned businesses working with US embassies and consulates to renounce their inclusion policies. But many of these groups are resisting and fighting back. The post Trump administration cuts funding to Barcelona library over DEI policies appeared first on The World from PRX.

06-27
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Here’s what to know about the new COVID variant ‘razor blade throat’

Cases of the recently identified Covid-19 variant NB 1.8.1. are rising. Some have dubbed the variant "razor blade throat" for one of its notably painful symptoms. The World Health Organization says it's monitoring the variant. The World's Marco Werman spoke to Michael Mina, an epidemiologist and immunologist based in Boston. The post Here’s what to know about the new COVID variant ‘razor blade throat’ appeared first on The World from PRX.

06-25
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A bizarre crimewave is taking place in the French capital

In France, 25 people were recently charged over a series of kidnappings and attempted abductions. The post A bizarre crimewave is taking place in the French capital appeared first on The World from PRX.

06-25
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Hot nights are worsening India’s heat crisis. But low-tech solutions show some promise.

Summer is in full swing in India, and many cities are experiencing scorching heat, fueled in part by climate change. And in India's bustling cities, as the sun sets and the worst of the day's heat subsides, a sinister threat emerges: high nighttime temperatures. But some low-tech solutions may help address the problem.  The post Hot nights are worsening India’s heat crisis. But low-tech solutions show some promise. appeared first on The World from PRX.

05-20
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Ontario approves $15 billion plan to build small modular nuclear reactors

As part of The Big Fix series, Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Chris Bataille, a fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, about the state of small modular nuclear technology and Ontario's plans to construct four of these new reactors. The post Ontario approves $15 billion plan to build small modular nuclear reactors appeared first on The World from PRX.

05-20
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A Soviet spacecraft is expected to make a crash landing on Earth this week. But nobody knows where — yet.

A Soviet spacecraft is expected to come hurtling back to Earth after being stuck in orbit for more than 50 years. The Kosmos 482 probe was intended to reach Venus, however, it never got to its destination. Instead, it’s been circling Earth since 1972, and gradually descending. The post A Soviet spacecraft is expected to make a crash landing on Earth this week. But nobody knows where — yet. appeared first on The World from PRX.

05-05
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Spain tests AI-based speed limit system

Spain is testing new artificial intelligence technology that will change the speed limit based on weather conditions, traffic, time of day and road conditions. The government hopes the system will help alleviate gridlock and increase safety on one of the country's busiest highways. The post Spain tests AI-based speed limit system appeared first on The World from PRX.

05-01
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A new global study allows dogs to ‘talk’ to their owners by pressing buttons that say human words

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, owners have been training their dogs to “tell” them what they want by mashing buttons with their paws to express words in various human languages. A UCSD study began to explore the practice further and now includes participants in dozens of countries around the world. The post A new global study allows dogs to ‘talk’ to their owners by pressing buttons that say human words appeared first on The World from PRX.

04-25
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Can robots fall in love? A sci-fi musical from South Korea is now a hit on Broadway.

“Maybe Happy Ending” is an intimate science fiction story that has been performed many times in Seoul, South Korea. Now, its adapted version is playing on Broadway. The story, about a pair of robots, sheds light on the human condition in this digital age. The post Can robots fall in love? A sci-fi musical from South Korea is now a hit on Broadway. appeared first on The World from PRX.

02-26
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Earth homes make a comeback in a Colombian town

Colombian architects are turning to older building techniques to reduce the carbon emissions associated with construction. The post Earth homes make a comeback in a Colombian town appeared first on The World from PRX.

02-18
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WhatsApp identifies dozens of users hacked by Paragon spyware company

WhatsApp, used by millions of people around the world, says its users were hacked by the Paragon Solutions spyware company. The World's Host Marco Werman speaks with John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, about the continuing threat of sophisticated spyware. The post WhatsApp identifies dozens of users hacked by Paragon spyware company appeared first on The World from PRX.

02-06
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Kremlin’s internet crackdown is taking on YouTube

In Russia, the Kremlin has been steadily cracking down on the internet. Surveillance and censorship have increased, especially since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin has cut off access to many of the most popular websites and apps. The latest target is YouTube. The post Kremlin’s internet crackdown is taking on YouTube appeared first on The World from PRX.

01-31
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