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The sudden eruption at White Island was short-lived but produced an ash plume that rose several kilometres above the vent. GNZ Science

Why White Island erupted and why there was no warning

Five people have died and several remain unaccounted for after a sudden volcanic eruption on Whakaari/White Island off the east coast of New Zealand.
The team used CRISPR on human embryos in a bid to render them resistant to HIV infection. But instead, they generated different mutations, about which we know nothing. SHUTTERSTOCK

China’s failed gene-edited baby experiment proves we’re not ready for human embryo modification

A number of things may have gone wrong when researchers edited Chinese twins Lulu and Nana’s genome. Either way, the failed experiment is a cautionary tale for us all.
The electromagnetic spectrum we can access with current technologies is completely occupied. This means experts have to think of creative ways to meet our rocketing demands for data. NASA Johnson/Flickr

We’re using lasers and toaster-sized satellites to beam information faster through space

Free space optical communication will allow the same connectivity in space we already have on Earth. And this will provide benefits across a number of sectors.
Even though passcode options include swipe patterns and long passwords, many users still use easy 4-digit PINs. This is because people are often lulled into a false sense of security when they use fingerprint login. SHUTTERSTOCK

Fingerprint login should be a secure defence for our data, but most of us don’t use it properly

While the data from a fingerprint is very hard to retrieve, cybercriminals can get around biometric technology in various ways. And having a weak passcode is like giving them a hall pass.
Working out where Aboriginal remains came from will in take researchers from several disciplines working together. Michael Westaway

Returning to country: we should use genetics, geology and more to repatriate Aboriginal remains

It’s not always easy to work out where Aboriginal remains came from, but science can help.
The game’s players are able to customise their own storyline, which can then be ‘featured’ and shared with other players. The catch is, there’s more than 12 million creators - and the content isn’t exactly well-regulated. STEFANY LUNA DE LINZY / Shutterstock.com

Episode – Choose Your Story: the inappropriate game your kids have probably played

The mobile game has been downloaded more than 50 million times. If you have kids, they’ve probably played it. But it’s more problematic than most people realise.
No, a DNA swab can’t tell you if you’re gay, or likely to be obese, or depressed. And it can be damaging to believe so. Shutterstock

‘Gay gene’ testing apps aren’t just misleading – they’re dangerous

Genetic apps claim to reveal fundamental insights about your health, well-being, and even intellect. But it’s not just spurious science - believing these traits are genetic can have harmful consequences.
While still new, Tesla’s electric cybertruck has not performed as well is its predecessor, the 2016 Model 3, which got 200,000 orders within a day of being unveiled. Christophe Gateau/AAP

Tesla’s Blade Runner-inspired pickup truck kind of flopped. Here’s why

Elon Musk’s latest venture has been met with confusion and ridicule. But drawing inspiration from science fiction for new technology should go beyond simplistic futurist fantasies.
If you’ve ever put wet wood on to a fire, you may have noticed it makes a lot more noise than dry wood. Shutterstock

Curious Kids: why does wood crackle in a fire?

Water and sap inside the wood make mini explosions as they turn into gas and burst out. That’s why damp wood makes the noisiest fires.