We may be going extinct

Plus: China accelerates stealth fighter production to counterbalance US supremacy. Nov 28, 2022 [Blueprint]( [We are heading on a path to extinction](. Cheerful, eh? But don’t worry, it’s not happening just yet. On the other hand, do worry – because unlike all the other mass extinction events (of which we think there have been five), this one is going to be caused by us. Or, more specifically, by the spread of invasive species, habitat destruction, illegal trade, overhunting, as well as pollution, newly emerging illnesses, and… let’s not forget climate change. But before you check out everything you need to know about that, have a closer look behind the scenes at the electric plane manufacturer in [this video](. It’s completely fascinating. Good morning. I’m Alice, an Editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s get started. Last Sunday, Blueprint subscribers had scientists’ opinions on the latest internal combustion engine developments. Don't miss out — [subscribe to IE+]( today to receive exclusive interviews, features, and much more. [Play]VIDEO OF THE DAY [YouTuber gives a behind-the-scenes tour of an electric plane manufacturer.]( [YouTuber gives a behind-the-scenes tour of an electric plane manufacturer.]( They’re not just winging it, you know. [Must Read]MUST READ [All you need to know about the sixth mass extinction event.]( [All you need to know about the sixth mass extinction event.]( The end really is nigh …but not quite yet. And it isn’t the first time either. In fact, [the next mass extinction event]( will (arguably) be the sixth time this has happened since multicellular life first appeared about 500 million years ago. It’s just the way of the world. At least, this is the opinion of most conservation biologists, but it should be noted that as it stands, this is very much a scientific theory. This will be the first time this has happened since the end of the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago though, so it’s not exactly frequent. And the not-so-great thing about this one, is that for the first time, we will be the cause of it. Our negative impacts include the spread of invasive species, habitat destruction, illegal trade, and the overexploitation of species, including overhunting, as well as pollution, newly emerging illnesses, and climate change. Not great. → Humans are producing greenhouse gases at a rate equal to or greater than that released by the Siberian Traps (an ancient volcanic region). As a result, the planet's climate is changing very quickly, triggering terrestrial and marine extinctions. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [Facebook]( [INNOVATION]INNOVATION [China accelerates 'Mighty Dragon' stealth fighter production to counterbalance US supremacy.]( [China accelerates 'Mighty Dragon' stealth fighter production to counterbalance US supremacy.]( Mighty Dragon, [J-20 stealth fighter jet production]( has reportedly gone into overdrive at top-notch manufacturing facilities in China, in a bid to match the U.S.'s air-power technology. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) says it is using “world-class” pulsating production lines to hasten the delivery of its advanced fighter jets, according to Chinese military insiders and defense experts. Furthermore, the serial and running numbers painted on the aircraft at this month's air show in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, suggest this is more than just a theory. They imply that China may have constructed at least 200 J-20s. U.S. deployment of over 100 F-35s to Japan and South Korea in 2017 is claimed to have led to the PLA’s introduction of J-20s. The race is on… [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [SCIENCE]SCIENCE [Wormholes are getting closer to being real: what this means.]( [Wormholes are getting closer to being real: what this means. [premium]]( In science fiction, wormholes are [shortcuts through space and time](. Imagine how handy that would be – it took us 9.5 years to get to Pluto, and our nearest star (not including the Sun) is more than 25 trillion miles away… so a wormhole could really speed things up. Anyway, the current update on the real-as-opposed-to-fictional status of wormholes, is that a team of scientists from the University of Sofia in Bulgaria think they have found a new way of detecting them… in theory. Yes, sadly, still in theory. The thing is (well, one of the things) is that wormholes look just like black holes. And we’re not exactly well versed on all things black hole yet, let alone wormhole. But this team of scientists says its new mathematical model can help us to distinguish between the two, which is a giant leap (for mankind) in the right direction, surely? [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [HEALTH]HEALTH [Researchers explode tumor cells with nanobubbles 2,500 times smaller than a grain of salt.]( [Researchers explode tumor cells with nanobubbles 2,500 times smaller than a grain of salt.]( Researchers have come up with a [new way to destroy cancerous tumors]( …by injecting nanobubbles into the bloodstream, then exploding them. You didn’t see that coming, did you? (Me neither.) The bubbles in question are 2,500 times smaller than a single grain of salt, and work by gathering around the tumor and detonating, once triggered by low-frequency ultrasound waves. The theory has already been successfully tested on a mouse with breast cancer, so it’s looking promising. The researchers hope their new treatment could ultimately replace the surgical removal of tumors in humans, which would be quite something. [READ MORE [Arrow]]( [MAIL & MUSINGS]MAIL & MUSINGS The sixth mass extinction event may be underway. Do you think people will take the necessary action to prevent this? [No, people don’t care]( [Yes, but maybe not quickly enough]( [We will take action]( [I am unsure either way]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS On Saturday, we asked you if you think humankind will ever discover whether there is life on Mars, and 69 percent of you said yes, we are getting closer. 69% Yes, we are already one step closer. 21% It doesn't matter. We should shift our focus onto our planet. 8% Not anytime soon. 2% Nope, we would go extinct till then. [8 best Black Friday laptop deals 2022]( [THINGS WE LOVE]THINGS WE LOVE [image]( [Cuisineart Patio Heater]( [image]( [FOTILE Under Cabinet Range Hood]( [image]( [Woven Paths Electric Fireplace TV Stand]( [image]( [XtremeAir Island Mount Range Hood]( [AND ANOTHER THING]AND ANOTHER THING - [FIFA World Cup in Qatar]( It's 'the hand of God ' vs. the hand of technology. [premium] - [Rats can bop]( their heads to the beat. (Science News) - [Tesla phones an 'alternative']( if Apple and Google 'boot' Twitter, Musk responds. - Bluewalker 3 satellite is [brighter than 99.8 percent]( of visible stars. (New Scientist) - 'Cold hearts': [New Airbus aircraft to be powered by hydrogen]( stored at -253°C. - [Protons may be stretchier]( than physicists had thought. (SN Explores) - LightSail 2 proved flight by light is possible, [now passes the torch to NASA](. [premium] [Subscribe to IE+ today.]( Prepared by Alice Cooke Enjoy Reading? Forward this email to a friend. Was this email forwarded to you? 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