Origami-inspired artificial muscles can lift 1,000 times their body weight
These new artificial muscles are capable of lifting 1,000 times their own body weight, giving a huge boost in strength to soft robots.
Don’t sweat it: Scientists propose perspiration-based authentication
A research team at the University at Albany, has proposed a novel use for sweat — as a biomarker to better secure our devices.
Secret agent fish? Robot infiltrates aquatic schools, influences their behavior
Researchers have developed an aquatic robot that can infiltrate schools of zebrafish, going so far as to influence their activities
Ingenious new sewage treatment system generates electricity and clean water
The NEWgenerator generates energy while cleaning wastewater, simultaneously providing a power and sanitation solution.
Tell me where it hurts: MIT app diagnoses car issues by listening, analyzing sounds
An MIT app uses a phone's microphone and accelerometers to detect problems by listening to a car's sounds and vibrations.
Lava tubes on Mars could provide shelter for streets and towns, study says
Using high-resolution satellite data, researchers have found that lava tubes could provide space for homes, streets, and even communities.
Bio-inspired robot can snap itself upright when it’s upside down
Researchers have turned to nature to design a bio-inspired robot can turn itself upright if it ends up on its backside.
A microneedle skin patch could help melt fat right off of us
The microneedle skin patch deliver a fat-shrinking drug to specific regions that are a bit more thick than desired.
World’s ‘greenest green’ could make ultra high-definition displays even sharper
Chemical engineers at ETH Zurich have created the world’s greenest green, which may improve color quality in ultra high-definition displays.
Part of a disembodied lung just arrived at the International Space Station
ISS astronauts will attempt to grow a lung, which researchers will use to study how lung tissue is affected by longterm spaceflight
Genetically altered ants let scientists sniff out role of smell in the colony
Mutant ants have been engineered by scientists from two separate universities and luckily they’re not poised to take over the world.
Scientists blend organs, add strong soap, and create new bioactive material
The bioactive material may be used in to more effectively heal wounds or boost hormone production in young cancer patients.
MIT algorithm learns to understand emotions and sarcasm through emojis
Researchers at MIT have developed an artificial intelligence system that understands emotion and sarcasm after being trained on emojis.
Regenerative medicine method turns skin cells into any other cell type
A new device transforms skin cells into practically any other cell type, to repair and restore injured or aging tissue in the body.
Human prefer faulty robots to flawless ones — but why?
A new study suggests that people prefer faulty robots over flawless ones, even when they’re intended to be functional.
Water-repellent cicada wings inspire creation of next-gen materials
Engineers at the University of Illinois want to uncover the secrets of cicada wings to design water-proof surfaces.
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.
Cambridge study finds that celebrity Twitter accounts act like bots
A new study out of the University of Cambridge finds that celebrity Twitter display bot-like behavior, particularly in tweet volume.
Balloon release during eclipse will examine potential for life on Mars
By sending bacteria to the upper part of Earth's stratosphere, scientists will be able to test what a Mars-like environment does to life.
Your next phone could charge in milliseconds with Drexel’s battery breakthrough
Mxene, a nanomaterial engineered by researchers at Drexel University, could pave the way for batteries that recharge in tens of milliseconds.
1990s blockbusters taught an artificial intelligence how to spot handguns
Researchers at the University of Granada have used deep learning to train an algorithm to identify handguns from video in real time.
3D-printed robot designed to take biopsies in an MRI scanner
A small, 3D-printed robot developed by researchers at the University of Twente may offer a revolutionary new tool in breast cancer biopsies.
Scorpion-milking robot helps safely extract venom to aid in research
The specially designed scorpion venom-milking robot is lightweight and portable, so it can be used in the field.
First, lab-grown reptile skin — next, mutant ninja turtles?
Scientists have engineered reptile skin, the first time skin from a non-mammal was successfully grown in the lab.
Sea anemone genes could spur advancements in regenerative medicine
A new finding by a research team studying sea anemone genes could have major implications in the field of regenerative medicine.
New app gets rescuers to cardiac arrest victim three minutes ahead of ambulance
A new smartphone app is helping bring aid to victims of cardiac arrest three minutes before professional first responders arrive.
Breast cancer diagnoses may be immediate with this new scanning device
A new "bowl" device will combine lasers and ultrasound to make breast cancer diagnoses easier and less painful.
Scientists to deploy ‘SnotBots’ to capture and analyze whale blow
SnotBots are custom-built, remote-controlled drones are designed to hover over pods of whales and capture snot shot out of their blowholes.
Virtual reality can make a trip to the dentist visit less painful, study says
In a new study, patients reported less pain and anxiety during dentists visits while experiencing a VR walk on the beach.
Space oddity: Flatworm sent into orbit returns to Earth with an extra head
Scientists sent two sets of flatworms to the ISS. When they returned, researchers realized space can do freaky things to flatworms.
If you need an extra hand (or two), these wearable limbs can help you out
Dubbed MetaLimbs, the device is controlled with a user's feet and knees, enabling them to move its arms around and even grasp objects.
Dragonflies are being genetically engineered into cybernetic drones
The DragonflEye project wants to develop more sophisticated technology that may usher in an evolution for cybernetic insects.
Stressed out? Science says a heartbeat-mimicking wearable can calm you down
A wearable that beats like a heart could help you relax in stressful situations, according to a new study from the University of London.
Designer virus carries cancer genes, tells immune system to attack tumor
Developed by Swiss scientists, these designer viruses stimulate the immune system, causing it to target tumors with killer cells.