Leslie Katz

Contributor|Science

I'm a journalist with particular expertise in the arts, popular science, health, religion and spirituality. As the former culture editor at news and technology website CNET, I led a team that tracked movies, TV shows, online trends and science—from space and robotics to climate,

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413 viewsJun 15, 2024

Every Year, 17 Million Flying Insects Crowd Through This Narrow Mountain Pass

A new study spotlights the astounding number and variety of the winged Pyrenees travelers, many of whom aid ecosystems by pollinating and combatting crop-damaging pests.

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6,265 viewsJun 13, 2024

AI Photo Contest Winner Disqualified Because It’s Real

The photographer submitted the photo in the AI category to prove that human-generated art hasn’t lost its impact in a world of algorithms.

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6,471 viewsJun 7, 2024

Rock Art Of 130-Foot Snake Could Be World’s Biggest Prehistoric Drawing

Scientists believe massive snakes etched into stone along the Orinoco River in South America at least 2,000 years ago served a distinct and surprising purpose.

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1,348 viewsJun 5, 2024

Robotic Extra Thumb Supercharges Your Hand, And Your Productivity

A controllable extra thumb out of Cambridge University boosts hand capability and could benefit both those with disabilities and those who want more dexterity.

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1,415 viewsJun 4, 2024

Dazzling New Blue Ant Discovered In Remote Indian Forest

Scientists on an expedition to explore biodiversity in the Siang Valley come across an ant unlike anything they'd ever seen.

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12,708 viewsJun 3, 2024

World’s First AI Beauty Pageant Names 10 Finalists

The top Miss AI contenders promote health and wellness products and represent causes including ocean conservation and LGBTQ+ acceptance.

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2,002 viewsMay 15, 2024

Google Sends Artists Down AI Rabbit Hole To Reimagine ‘Alice In Wonderland’

Google Labs asked artists to create their own versions of original "Alice in Wonderland" illustrations using AI. You've never seen Lewis Carroll's classic quite like this.

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1,462 viewsMay 12, 2024

AI Meets Art At Runway Film Festival. Watch The Surreal, Stunning Winners

The grand prize winner of the 2024 AI Film Festival doesn't think he won for clever use of AI tools, but because jurors resonated with storytelling by passionate humans.

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1,485 viewsMay 9, 2024

Apple Apologizes For ‘Tone Deaf’ New iPad Pro Ad That Sparked Backlash

"We missed the mark," Apple says in response to the controversy over its "Crush" ad that shows a hydraulic press destroying musical instruments and other creative tools.

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3,466 viewsMay 8, 2024

Snips Of Beethoven’s Hair Reveal New Clues About His Deafness And Other Ills

Scientific analysis of two authenticated locks of Ludwig van Beethoven's hair show the composer had lead poisoning, but not at levels high enough to kill him.