Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Ester Lázaro Lázaro, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC)

One night, upon returning to the cave that his tribe calls home, the monkey-humanoid Moon-Watcher finds a strange crystal object, a kind of monolith that fascinates him at first, but then quickly loses his interest when he discovers that it is not edible. Soon after, the true purpose of the monolith is revealed to be none other than penetrating the minds of our ancestors to induce new abilities that, over time, will cause the development of an intelligence capable of creating new technology.

Many readers will recognise this scene from the novel 2001, A Space Odyssey, by Arthur C. Clarke, and the film of the same name, directed by Stanley Kubrick. It almost goes without saying that the crystal monolith in question is the work of an extraterrestrial civilisation that observes life on other planets and “experiments” on them to encourage the development of intelligence in as many parts of the cosmos as possible.

Seeking simple answers to complex questions

Understanding how we, as a species, came to be intelligent is one of the great enigmas of evolutionary study. Small mutations, followed by a process of natural selection to choose the most advantageous, seems too slow a process for structures as complex as the human nervous system or brain to emerge. It is this very complexity that allows millions of neurons to communicate with each other, resulting in the emergence of qualities such as the ability to respond voluntarily to environmental stimuli, or to ask questions about the very nature of humankind and the universe.

Nowadays, we know that there are evolutionary mechanisms that have lead to great leaps in terms of complexity, but that does not stop people from turning to non-human forces – Gods, extraterrestrials, spiritual energies – to explain things that are difficult to comprehend.

This has always been the case, in all human cultures. A classic example would be attributing atmospheric events – thunder, lightning, floods – to the wrath of God. These ideas came about before humans had ever left the ground, so it is no surprise that we turned our eyes even higher – to extraterrestrials – to explain other phenomena that we could only observe once travelling at high altitudes became part of our daily lives.

The allure of the unknown

The possibility that we might have been visited by beings from other worlds has always fascinated us. The element of mystery, of the unknown, only makes it more interesting.

Any phenomenon is made all the more enticing when it seems it is being covered up or hidden for secretive reasons. The attractiveness of conspiracies often leads people towards ideas which have no scientific basis, such as the belief that the Earth is flat, that humans never set foot on the Moon, or that vaccines can control our behaviour.

Even though these ideas have repeatedly been shown to be untrue, their rapid dissemination through social media, using simple, blunt language that appeals to emotion over logic, makes them very powerful weapons.

The supposed “proof” of alien visits to our planet ranges from specific Bible passages to ancient stone carvings portraying creatures or objects that may appear to be aliens or spacecraft. The latter often take the form of flying saucers.

However, we cannot forget that humans have always created imaginary creatures that resemble them and attributed them with magical powers. When imagining Gods, humans have given them a human appearance, and almost always imagined them as living in the sky.

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When we look at these representations through modern eyes, we associate them with extraterrestrial beings or structures, when in fact they could be referring to a range of different things.

When unproven stories become larger than life

Recently, in the United States Congress, UFOs (currently known as UAPs: “Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena”) are back in the limelight. This is because a former air force intelligence official has made claims that the Pentagon is in possession of remains of extraterrestrial craft and “non-human biological matter”. The claims have been backed up by the testimony of a retired navy commander and a former navy pilot.

What we can be certain of is that the more we explore our skies, the more likely it is that we will encounter phenomena that we cannot explain. However, this does not mean that they are extraterrestrial. Past experience has shown us that most of these events can be attributed to optical illusions, spy or weather balloons, space junk, or even satellites that we ourselves have made.

In Spain, UFOs were a hot topic between the 1960s and the 1980s. In this era, everyone knew someone who was convinced that they had seen a UFO. This even reached the point where an exoplanet, called Ummo, was made up. It was populated by a more advanced civilisation than ours who made contact with people on Earth. In the letters these aliens supposedly sent, the ‘Ummites’ explained concepts such as genetics and cell structure.

The truth is that nowadays, reading some of these letters can be quite amusing. The story of the planet of Ummo was ultimately proved to be a monumental hoax, a fact later admitted by its own creator.

The Ummo hoax was even linked to the creation of a paedophile ring, which should make us reflect on the harmful consequences that the spread of fabricated news stories can have.

Can we deny the possibility that intelligent alien civilisations exist?

The answer, of course, is no. The universe is immense, and it is more than likely that circumstances similar to those which led to the appearance of life on Earth have been repeated on other planets. But there is a huge distance (literally and figuratively) between acknowledging the existence of these creatures and considering the possibility that they might have visited us.

Exoplanets, also known as extrasolar planets, are extremely far away, and we are limited by the speed of light which, as proven by Einstein, is the maximum possible speed at which anything can travel. Therefore, the journey to even a “nearby” exoplanet would take thousands of years. Maybe a civilisation more advanced than ours could find a way to do it faster, but not to the point of it being something easy or commonplace.

In any case, if the remains of alien life or spacecraft are stored away somewhere, why are they not being shown to us? Scientists would jump at the chance to analyse this organic matter to find out how it is structured, how it metabolises energy, or what molecules it uses to store genetic information.

Until there is proof, this is not a question of science, but rather, of stories. Stories can be very entertaining, but these kinds of stories do not help us to build a more accurate or helpful view of the world.

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Ester Lázaro Lázaro, Investigadora Científica de los Organismos Públicos de Investigación. Especializada en evolución de virus, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC)

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The science section of our news blog STM Daily News provides readers with captivating and up-to-date information on the latest scientific discoveries, breakthroughs, and innovations across various fields. We offer engaging and accessible content, ensuring that readers with different levels of scientific knowledge can stay informed. Whether it’s exploring advancements in medicine, astronomy, technology, or environmental sciences, our science section strives to shed light on the intriguing world of scientific exploration and its profound impact on our daily lives. From thought-provoking articles to informative interviews with experts in the field, STM Daily News Science offers a harmonious blend of factual reporting, analysis, and exploration, making it a go-to source for science enthusiasts and curious minds alike. https://stmdailynews.com/category/science/

Little Woodrow’s Opens 2026 Turtle Racing Season Across Texas

Little Woodrow’s is bringing back one of its most recognizable Thursday night traditions with the launch of its 2026 turtle racing season, this year under a new retro sci-fi-inspired theme called TurtleVerse. The season officially began March 5 and runs weekly through Nov. 19 at participating locations in Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock, Austin and, later this spring, Frisco.

The long-running event, which started in Midtown Houston nearly two decades ago, has grown into a signature piece of the Texas neighborhood bar chain’s identity. This year’s TurtleVerse concept adds a comic-book-style multiverse angle to the races, pairing the usual crowd energy with themed branding and a lineup of turtles carrying names like Turtle Swift, Shellvester Stallone and Timothée Shellamet.

Woody’s Brands President Ray Risley said the company wanted to build on one of Little Woodrow’s most popular traditions by leaning into both nostalgia and humor. In addition to the themed races, the company is also introducing a new Turtle Journey loyalty program, allowing guests to check in, earn points and redeem rewards throughout the season.

Little Woodrow’s said races begin at 7 or 8 p.m., depending on location. Fans can find schedules, turtle bios and loyalty program details at Little Woodrow’s website.

Related Links

• Little Woodrow’s Turtle Racing
• Woody’s Brands

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Source: Woody’s Brands via PRNewswire

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(Feature Impact) From beach escapes to international adventures, travel is still a top priority for millions of Americans, particularly during the warm-weather seasons. However, in light of evolving global events – and the changing travel advisories that often accompany them – preparation and awareness are key.

Travel planning should be exciting, and being a prepared traveler ensures you can focus on making memories rather than managing surprises. That means doing your homework before you go, remaining cautious and aware while you’re there and being ready to respond should the unexpected happen.

As you pack your bags, the experts at ALG Vacations recommend taking proactive steps like these to stay informed, protected and confident no matter where your adventures take you.

Research Your Destination

Familiarize yourself with local customs, transportation options and any travel advisories tied to your destination, which often vary by region, not country. If you’re heading abroad, consider enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) offered by the U.S. State Department. The free service provides real-time, destination-specific updates about health, weather, safety and security, and makes it easier to contact you in case of an emergency.

Consult with a Travel Advisor

One of the most effective safety measures is working with a professional travel advisor. Advisors monitor travel advisories in real time, understand geographic nuances and regional differences within destinations and can provide verified information directly from destination partners. If plans need to change, your advisor can recommend alternatives and help manage rebooking options.

Consider Travel Insurance

Preparation also means protecting your investment. Unexpected events – from flight cancellations and changes in advisory level to medical emergencies and weather delays – can happen at any time. Travel insurance adds an extra layer of protection, helping cover eligible expenses and providing peace of mind. If you elect coverage, review policy options carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered by your plan.

Share Your Plans with Someone at Home

Before departing, provide a trusted friend or family member with copies of your itinerary, lodging information and contact details. This ensures someone knows where you are and how to reach you in case of an emergency, flight disruption or unexpected change in plans.

To find more tips, or to connect with a travel advisor and benefit from personalized expert guidance on your spring excursion, visit TravelAdvisorsGetYouThere.com.

Frequently Asked Questions About Safe Travel to Mexico

Many of Mexico’s popular beach destinations – including Cancun, Riviera Maya, Costa Mujeres and Tulum – are operating as normal and welcoming visitors under a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution advisory, which encourages travelers to remain aware of their surroundings and follow standard safety precautions, but does not discourage travel.

Stay informed of changes to advisory levels through official updates from the U.S. Embassy and the STEP program and consider these questions frequently asked to ALG Vacations travel advisors when planning your trip.

• Is it safe to travel to Mexico right now?
  Travelers should follow the U.S. State Department’s official guidance. If visiting a destination in Mexico under the Level 2 advisory, which is a common advisory level globally that also applies to destinations such as France and Italy, exercise standard travel precautions.
• Has the Puerto Vallarta shelter-in-place order been lifted?
  Yes, the shelter-in-place guidance affecting Puerto Vallarta has been lifted. However, travelers
  should regularly monitor official sources for updates or changes.
• Are Cancun, Riviera Maya, Costa Mujeres or Tulum experiencing disruptions?
  Airports in Cancun, Cozumel and Tulum are operating normally. Hotels, cruise ports and tourism services are also fully operational.
• Are Los Cabos operations impacted?
  Los Cabos tourism operations remain fully operational, including airport activity, ground transportation and hotel and resort operations.
• What are some alternative destinations?
  For those who may be exploring alternative plans, consider these popular spring destinations both domestically and abroad:

• Caribbean destinations including Jamaica and the Dominican Republic
• U.S. warm-weather destinations like Hawaii and Florida
• European island destinations such as Mallorca, Spain or Corfu, Greece

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

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