Watch as engineers 3D print a bionic eye prototype
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have 3D printed a prototype for a synthetic eyeball, equipped with photodetectors that allow the device to pick up on light. The prototype could help usher in more advanced devices for visually impaired people.
Algorithm outperforms humans at spotting fake news
Researchers have created an A.I. system that can tell the difference between real and fake news — often with better success rates than its human counterparts. Such a system may help social media platforms and search engines filter out articles meant to misinform.
Women may be immune to brain damage from cosmic rays, study finds
In a recent paper in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, researchers show that female mice are immune to the cognitive damage that results from simulated space radiation. The study may pave the way toward treating this hazardous consequence of space travel.
Art-inspired face blurring can obscure identity without losing humanity
Researchers have developed an AI-generated anonymity system that “paints” over video frames, using inspiration from masters like Picasso and Van Gogh to reimagine a person’s appearance. The goal is to minimize outer resemblance but maintain fidelity to a subject’s inner character.
Scientists try to trick brains of amputees with phantom limb syndrome
New research out of École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland might help some amputees better mesh what they see with what they feel. In a recently published paper, the researchers show how an amputee’s brain can be tricked into believing that a prosthetic hand belongs to their own body.
Lyd is a battery-powered, ‘no-spill’ bottle that is activated by your lips
Lyd is a battery-powered bottle that’s something like a sippy cup for adults. Its no-spill solution is a specialized lid that uses an algorithm to detect when your lips are on the bottle. If you’re the type of grownup who constantly spills beverages on yourself, this may be perfect for you.
A treasure trove of 3D scientific specimens is now free to see online
Thanks to the California Academy of Sciences, you can access more than 700 scientific specimens and artifacts from its world-class collection via the online 3D and virtual reality platform Sketchfab. The collection includes items like an assortment of rare bones, Navajo bracelets, and intricate basketry.
‘Rogue medicine in a bathtub’: 4 experts on the vice and virtue of pharma hacking
A biohacker, pharmahacker, and two bioethicists walk into a bar. We ordered them a metaphorical round and had a chat about the risks and rewards of DIY medicine — from unsanctioned gene therapy to medication made on the kitchen counter.
By studying patient data, A.I. can limit toxicity in cancer treatment
In a bid to improve quality of life for cancer patients, a team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have turned to machine learning to help avoid toxicity from cancer medications. The researchers are specifically targeting glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer.
‘There’s Waldo’ robot will find Waldo long before you can
There’s Waldo is the brain child of Matt Reed, a creative technologist at the creative agency Redpepper. Reed and his colleagues built the bot out of a uArm Swift Pro that’s controlled by a Raspberry Pi computer. Facial recognition software helps spot the character in under 4.5 seconds.
Don’t bug out: Spider-like microbots will get under your skin … in a good way
Researchers have created multifunctional microbots using to a new fabrication process that lets them build millimeter-scale machines with micrometer-scale features. To demonstrate their breakthrough, they created a transparent spider bot modeled off of the brilliant Australian peacock spider.
Soft robotic hand gives scientists new grip on deep sea life
A team of roboticists and marine biologists from Harvard University have created a sampling device that’s soft and flexible for grabbing fragile organisms. What’s more, the device can be 3D printed on the fly so that researchers can make modifications to suit different organisms while out in the field.
Gene-edited silkworms spin out spider silk, could lead to mass production
Researchers have shown that genetically engineered silkworms can produce higher yields of spider silk. By using the gene editing tool TALEN, researchers replaced a one of the silkworms’ normal genes with that of the golden orb-web spider.
This high-tech water gun makes your old Super Soaker look like a fossil
The Spyra One is a next generation water cannon that shoots single rounds up to 30 feet. It features a sleek design, bright colors, and digital display to show how much ammo is remaining. A Kickstarter campaign to fund the project has exploded.
Scientists pinpoint exoplanets where life could bloom like here on Earth
New research suggests that the likelihood that life will develop on an Earth-like planet is closely connected with the light given off by its host star. The findings help pin down candidate planets, while weeding out those less likely to host life.
A series of solar flares disrupted hurricane relief efforts in 2017
Just as Hurricane Irma battered the Caribbean in early September, a series of solar flares erupted from the sun and caused emergency radio communications to go offline for hours. The NOAA reported an eight-hour loss of high-frequency radio used by ham radio operators and other emergency bands.
MIT’s bizarre mask can control your mood, make you feel aroused or anxious
Using a respiration sensor placed under the nose and bone conduction headphones near the ears, the device allows a wearer to hear her own breathing through slightly altered auditory feedback. In a pair of pilot studies, this feedback caused wearers to feel more stressed and more sexually aroused.
How ‘speed breeding’ could supercharge farming to save us from starvation
A team of scientists recently published a paper detailing a new plant breeding technique that could revolutionize the way we grow crops -- so we got in touch with them to hear more.
The winning photographs from the 2018 Drone Awards will make you drool
The 2018 Drone Awards showcases some of the best aerial photography around. From scenes depicting the perils of climate change to abstract art and images of our built environment, the more than 4,400 submissions from 101 countries, the Drone Awards has selected seven winners.
Before ‘plantscrapers’ can grow food in the city, they’ll need to grow money
With the right infrastructure, major cities around the world may someday grow a fraction of their produce in towering “plantscrapers,” hybrid buildings that combine vertical farms with residential or business spaces.
We asked Bill Nye about his plan to save Earth from civilization-ending asteroids
An asteroid impact event is unlikely — but the consequence would be catastrophic. As As CEO of The Planetary Society, Bill Nye, the fun-loving science guy spearheaded a recent Kickstarter campaign called Kick Asteroid! with the aim to raise money and raise awareness about these outer space threats.
These ‘tentacular’ jellyfish lamps bring the deep sea to the surface
In the tradition of bio-inspiration, a German designer named Max Jürgensen in a labor of love has created a stunning lamp that mimics the appearance and movement of jellyfish. The Jellyfish Motion Lights, now being crowdfunded, are part lamp, part installation, and completely captivating.
Can a gadget save you from the distraction of gadgets? We tried Foci
Foci is a biometric wearable that looks a lot like a bluetooth earpiece that you wear on your waist. Using tiny sensors and a machine learning algorithm to monitor your breathing patterns, Foci helps identify your cognitive state and keep your mind on track if it begins to wander.
The UN and Yale unite to build a ‘smart’ tiny house for the future
In an effort to create more sustainable and affordable housing for future populations, the United Nations and Yale University recently teamed together and created the Ecological Living Module, a roughly 240-square-foot tiny house, which they designed to test ways to minimize water and natural resources.
Smartphone app promises to guide you to the perfect selfie
A team of computer scientists have created an algorithm and a smartphone app that guides users to the perfect selfie.
This spider robot moves around to keep the plant on its head alive
Inspired by a dead sunflower, the founder of the robotics company Vincross modified his company's spider-like robot so that it could care for plants — moving to the sun and monitoring water levels. Calling the project "Sharing Human Technology with Plants," his goal was to test the limitations of nature.
Beat the heat with this super-cool personal air conditioning unit
Taking the form of a 7-Eleven Big Gulp cup, the Airwirl is actually a personal AC device that is small enough to fit in a cup holder and big enough to pack a punch of hot or cool air into your face, providing much-needed relief when temperatures reach certain extremes.
These living solar cells make energy, even in bad weather
Researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) have demonstrated how solar cells made of living organisms can generate energy even with limited sunlight. Known as “biogenic” solar cells, these cells could offer an alternative to synthetic cells currently used in conventional solar panels
MIT’s Cheetah 3 robot doesn’t need sight to navigate stairs
By developing the Cheetah 3 to get around without cameras, its engineers hope to create a robot that can “feel” its way through a room, no matter how dark an environment may be. In the real world, this ability could make the robot suited for reconnaissance and search and rescue missions.
Futuristic bandage can monitor wounds and deliver drug treatment
Researchers have developed a smart bandage that's capable of monitoring a wound and delivering periodical drug treatments. It could someday help transform medical treatment, enabling a doctor to more closely monitor her patient’s condition, while more actively treating the condition.
New satellite tools give scientists fresh insights into evergreens on Earth
Environmental scientists have new tools for monitoring the health of northern evergreens — and they are orbiting tens of thousands of miles above Earth.
Who controls the tech inside us? Budding biohackers are shaping ‘cyborg law’
We live in a society of cyborgs. This newfound technological power and vulnerability may need a whole new set of laws and regulations aimed at protecting individuals (their data and enhancements) in a society of heightened surveillance and digitization.
Police used facial recognition software to identify the Capital Gazette shooter
After capturing the Capital Gazette shooting suspect, authorities had trouble figuring out his identity. To determine who he was, Maryland police had to employ some very sophisticated tactics.
CRISPR could one day help conservationists save our ocean’s coral
In a recent study by an international team, scientists demonstrated for the first time that the groundbreaking gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 can be successfully used on coral. The breakthrough suggests that CRISPR could offer a boost for conservationists trying to save these ancient animals.