Technology & Innovation — July 11, 2018

This 17-year-old could be the first human on Mars in 2033

When asked if she’ll be ready for the 2033 mission, she replied, “Definitely.”

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Alyssa Carson is a name people will remember. She’s currently training to be one of the first people to go to Mars, specifically to build a colony there in a planned 2033 mission.

So grateful for the past few days to be doing final frontier space suit egress testing out of an Orion capsule. Thankful to the amazing team and everyone involved! Can’t wait till next time

A post shared by Alyssa Carson (@nasablueberry) on Apr 16, 2018 at 9:06am PDT

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The image features the phrase "an excerpt from" on a red background next to the book cover of "Playful" by Cas Holman with Lydia Denworth, highlighting insights from play research.

Books

More than a game: How play helps wire our social brains

In this excerpt from “Playful,” Cas Holman surveys the research that brought the neuroscience of play into the mainstream.

A close-up of a spotted nudibranch with translucent, pointed cerata on a brown underwater branch against a black background, inviting reflection on the intricate nature of consciousness in marine life.

Books

What sea slugs can teach us about the nature of consciousness

In this excerpt from “One Hand Clapping,” Nikolay Kukushkin makes the case that neurons reveal how memory, meaning, and even consciousness emerge from the same biological roots in humans, sea slugs, and beyond.