Humans
How to invent a language — like that of Avatar’s Na’vi
Linguists can choose to follow, mix or break the rules of real-world languages to create interesting fictional ones.
Science & Society
More Stories in Science & Society
- Animals
Birds are singing longer, thanks to light pollution
In light-polluted areas, birds spend an average of 50 minutes more per day singing. It’s unclear how that extra time might hurt or help the birds.
- Artificial Intelligence
5 things to remember when talking to a chatbot
When using ChatGPT or other chatbots, remember your voice matters and watch out for flattery and hallucinations. And for important advice, ask real people.
- Humans
This linguist has invented over 20 languages
Margaret Ransdell-Green draws on her expertise in linguistics and music to create new, fictional languages — and sings in them, too.
- Science & Society
Behold the world’s weirdest library — which might save your life
This bizarre collection of “standard reference materials” help ensure the safety of waterways, buildings, medicines, foods and much more.
- Artificial Intelligence
AI shouldn’t be trusted with your mental health, teen finds
Her research suggests that ChatGPT and similar AI systems are not suitable replacements for human therapists.
- Animals
Horses became gentle and easy to ride thanks to two gene mutations
Horse breeders altered two genes by targeting certain traits in horses. One made the animals tamer. Another made their backs sturdy enough to carry riders.
- Psychology
Connections at school could limit bullying’s harm to mental health
Recently bullied teens with a strong sense of connectedness at school reported fewer signs of depression than those without it, a new study finds.
- Archaeology
Knotted strands of 500-year-old hair tell a surprising story
Used in a device called a khipu, the hair reveals the owner’s simple diet. Those data now suggest that in Incan society, even some commoners kept records.
- Physics
New theory may at last explain a swamp’s ghostly will-o’-the-wisps
Chemists have spotted tiny zaps of electricity moving between “swamp-gas” bubbles. Could they ignite methane gas to glow as dancing blue flames?
