OpenAI Upgrades Its Smartest AI Model With Improved Reasoning Skills

A day after Google announced its first model capable of reasoning over problems, OpenAI has upped the stakes with an improved version of its own.

This Tropical Virus Is Spreading Out of the Amazon to the US and Europe

Oropouche virus has posed little threat outside South America in the past, but land-use change, the climate crisis, and international travel all appear to be spreading this insect-borne disease to new places.

2024 Was the Year the Bottom Fell Out of the Games Industry

From layoffs to the return of Gamergate, video games—and the people who make and play them—had a rough year.

Music Can Thrive in the AI Era

It’s past time we applauded the creative skills of LLMs—and it might make us appreciate humans more too.

To Improve Your Gut Microbiome, Spend More Time in Nature

Microbes found in green spaces can transfer into your body, increasing bacterial diversity and potentially boosting the strength of the immune system.

A Spacecraft Is About to Fly Into the Sun’s Atmosphere for the First Time

On Christmas Eve, NASA’s fastest-moving probe will come closer than ever to the surface of the sun.

Mystery Drone Sightings Lead to FAA Ban Despite No Detected Threats

Plus: Google’s U-turn on creepy “fingerprint” tracking, the LockBit ransomware gang’s teased comeback, and a potential US ban on the most popular routers in America.

How to Manage Food Anxiety Over the Holidays

The festive period can be stressful, particularly for those who struggle with food anxiety, weight concerns, or an eating disorder. Here are some tips for navigating an intense time of year.

December Wildfires Are Now a Thing

Expect more fires like the fast-moving one in Malibu, scientists say.

Amazon Warehouse Workers Across US Strike Ahead of Holiday Rush

Thousands of workers are striking, as picket lines formed outside seven Amazon distribution centers from New York to California Thursday morning.