Robbie Gonzalez, Author at Gizmodo

Physicists explain controversial finding of faster-than-light particles

Yesterday, CERN physicists shocked the world with news of a scientific finding that could revolutionize the field of physics. The researchers claim to have observed what many had believed to be impossible: subatomic particles called neutrinos moving faster than the speed of light. https://gizmodo.com/scientific-breakthrough-physicists-at-cern-have-record-5842947 This morning, lead researcher Dario Autiero addressed a standing-room-only auditorium in…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

More evidence that there’s no such thing as too much bubble wrap

Have you ever wondered how much bubble wrap you’d need to envelop yourself in to survive a 60-meter fall? Oh, what am I saying — of course you have. But I bet you’ve never actually sat down and worked through the physics to arrive at thoroughly reasoned answer. That’s where Wired’s Rhett Allain comes in.…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

A Haunting Photograph of the Fall Equinox From Space

The September equinox occurred this morning at 5:05 am EDT, marking the official start of Fall for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. Twice a year, during the latter halves of March and September, every person on Earth experiences the effects of an equinox in the form of a 12-hour day followed by a…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

The Pursuit of Personal Flight

The photo you’re looking at is of Swiss pilot Yvess Rossy, aka “Jetman,” piloting a jet-powered, six-foot-wide, carbon-fiber wing of his own invention. Rossy’s personal jet craft is considered by many to represent the pinnacle of humanity’s endeavors to achieve personal flight — the ultimate realization of a dream that has driven human innovation for…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

NASA’s massive derelict satellite will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere tomorrow afternoon

After a couple weeks of uncertainty, NASA has announced that its bus-sized Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) will fall to Earth tomorrow afternoon, Eastern daylight time. https://gizmodo.com/massive-nasa-satellite-will-be-making-reentry-somewher-5838124 According to agency officials, the 6.5-ton satellite is one of the largest to make an uncontrolled re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere in over 30 years. Aerospace engineers from Analytical…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

Scientific breakthrough: Physicists at CERN have recorded particles moving faster than light

Looks like Einstein may have been wrong — An international team of scientists at CERN has recorded neutrino particles traveling faster than the speed of light. According to Reuters: Antonio Ereditato, who works at the CERN particle physics center on the Franco-Swiss border, told Reuters that measurements over three years showed the neutrinos moving 60…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

An algorithm that makes robots appear more human

When you’re a robot, a new motion-planning algorithm can mean the difference between waving your arms around like an inflatable tube man and reaching for a coffee mug like you’re supposed to. Case in point: this PR2 robot. The video up top demonstrates how much more efficiently the PR2 plots trajectories through space when guided…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

Build an app for NASA!

If you’ve ever been inspired to develop a phone or tablet app that addresses issues of climate change, the global economy, or space exploration, listen up. NASA has just announced its Space Apps Challenge, an international, open source—based app competition the Agency hopes will leverage data and new technology to create practical applications that benefit…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

This beetle larva tricks its predator into becoming prey

The predator-prey relationship between frogs and beetles seems like it would be pretty obvious doesn’t it? Frog spots beetle, frog stealthily approaches beetle, frog eats beetle. Done, done and done. But it turns out that the relationship between amphibians (like frogs and toads) and the larvae of ground beetles is one of nature’s rare examples…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

A stunning, luminescent view of the Milky Way Galaxy from the Himalayas

With all the light pollution that most of us encounter on a nightly basis, it can be easy to forget why we call our galaxy “The Milky Way.” Fortunately for us, there are photographers like Anton Jankovoy who trek to remote regions of Nepal at elevations of 8,000 meters to capture images like the one…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

Avast, mateys: It turns out “pirate talk” is based on lies propagated by Disney

Hey everyone, we need to talk. There’s really no easy way to put this, so I’ll just give it to you straight. Disney lied to us; pirates almost definitely didn’t talk like, well, pirates — at least not like the salty dogs and scalawags in Hollywood that we’re all familiar with. “There isn’t much in…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

Exposure to air pollution can increase your risk of heart attack within hours

Air pollution is pretty nasty stuff. It’s terrible for the environment, it can affect your memory, and it can wreak havoc on your respiratory system. https://gizmodo.com/is-air-pollution-destroying-your-memory-5819028 While many studies have pointed to the long-term effects of air pollution on heart health, few have examined the transient risks of pollution-exposure. Now, a team of UK researchers…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

Why does it cost $20,000 a year to subscribe to a science journal?

If you’ve ever wanted to read more about a science article here on io9, and clicked through to the original journal article to read more, chances are you’ve been met by a subscription page (like the one up top) that asks you to either log in or fork over a grip of cash to read…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

We could soon use lasers to sniff out roadside bombs

For soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, the most dangerous threat comes not in the form of a bullet, but a bomb. According to NATO, improvised explosive devices (IEDs for short) account for over half of all deaths among coalition soldiers. Now, researchers have developed an advanced new bomb detection technique that uses lasers no more…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

Embark on a flyover of giant asteroid Vesta from the perspective of NASA’s Dawn spacecraft

Feast your eyes on some of the latest vistas of Vesta, the second-most massive object in our solar system’s main asteroid belt. The recently released video takes us on an overhead tour of the giant asteroid from the perspective of NASA’s Dawn spacecraft, which is scheduled to continue gathering images of Vesta over the coming…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

The Scientific Explanations Behind Near-Death Experiences

The light at the end of the tunnel. An out-of-body experience. Your life flashing before your eyes. According to Scientific American’s Charles Q. Choi, 3% of Americans have had a near-death experience; now scientists are beginning to unravel the biological roots of these experiences. Choi writes: Near-death experiences are often thought of as mystical phenomena,…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

The Shark Immunity Factor that Could Save Your Life

Scientists have known for some time that dogfish sharks, like the one pictured up top, naturally produce a broad-spectrum antibiotic called squalamine in their livers. Now, new research into the cellular function of squalamine reveals how it also confers a broad-spectrum antiviral benefit for the shark — one we humans could benefit from, as well.…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

Online gamers have managed to solve a decade-old scientific puzzle. In three weeks.

What if, instead of tallying up head-shots in Team Fortress 2, you could channel your gaming skills towards helping scientists find treatments to diseases like HIV/AIDS? Well, it turns out you can. In fact, it’s already been done. In diseases like HIV, enzymes known as retroviral proteases play a key role in a virus’s ability…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

Recently discovered species of raptor validates the fears of anyone who ever watched Jurassic Park

One of the most recognizable characteristics of raptor dinosaurs — the clever, pack-hunting carnivores immortalized in the Jurassic Park movie series — is the enormous, scythe-like talon located on the second digit of each of their feet. But the true function of this intimidating anatomical feature has puzzled paleontologists for years. Now, by examining the…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

Are humans too noisy for the rest of the world?

You’ve heard the question before. “If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” But here’s something else to consider: how come nobody ever asks what the trees can hear? The new question we’re dealing with is this: can you pick a spot in…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

Robbie Gonzalez

Physicists explain controversial finding of faster-than-light particles

More evidence that there’s no such thing as too much bubble wrap

A Haunting Photograph of the Fall Equinox From Space

The Pursuit of Personal Flight

NASA’s massive derelict satellite will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere tomorrow afternoon

Scientific breakthrough: Physicists at CERN have recorded particles moving faster than light

An algorithm that makes robots appear more human

Build an app for NASA!

This beetle larva tricks its predator into becoming prey

A stunning, luminescent view of the Milky Way Galaxy from the Himalayas

Avast, mateys: It turns out “pirate talk” is based on lies propagated by Disney

Exposure to air pollution can increase your risk of heart attack within hours

Why does it cost $20,000 a year to subscribe to a science journal?

We could soon use lasers to sniff out roadside bombs

Embark on a flyover of giant asteroid Vesta from the perspective of NASA’s Dawn spacecraft

The Scientific Explanations Behind Near-Death Experiences

The Shark Immunity Factor that Could Save Your Life

Online gamers have managed to solve a decade-old scientific puzzle. In three weeks.

Recently discovered species of raptor validates the fears of anyone who ever watched Jurassic Park

Are humans too noisy for the rest of the world?

Up to $1,550 Off on pCloud: Pay Once, Protect Data Forever for World Backup Day

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia Adds ‘Succulent Chinese Meal’ Guy

Feds Sniffing Around Polymarket After Suspicious Bets

DJI Osmo 360 Review: The Best 360 Camera for the DJI-Pilled

Don’t Get Too Attached to Any AI App

‘Paradise’ Writer Teases What’s Coming in Season 3 After That Huge Twist

Trump’s New White House App Is Mildly Concerning and Weird for a Lot of Reasons

Bloodsucking Ticks Can Survive Inside Your Home Longer Than You Might Think

The Best New Toys of March 2026

Judge Denies Liking LinkedIn Post Critical of Elon Musk But Reassigns His Cases Anyway

Aqara Smart Lock U400 Review: Hands-free Unlocking at Its Best

MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ Review: A Solid 2-in-1 Laptop With Some Glaring Flaws

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life

Nothing Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: Which Pair of ANC Wireless Headphones Wins?

Asus ROG’s Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds Might Be Better Than Wearing a Headset

Nintendo’s Talking Flower Is Annoying as Hell. I Love It

Level Lock Pro Review: As Good as a Secret Smart Lock Gets