Get lost: MIT’s self-driving car takes on unmarked roads
A team of computer scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory have developed a self-driving system that’s designed to successfully navigate unpaved roads by using basic GPS data and sensors technology.
How A.I. and a prehistoric creature could help predict animal behavior
In a recent study, researchers used a machine learning algorithm to identify the subtleties of Hydra behavior. With one of the simplest nervous system on Earth, Hydra give scientists a basic sample to study how neural activity relates to physical activity.
Float like a botterfly: This robotic punching bag will dodge your blows
BotBoxer claims to be the first robotic punching bag designed to simulate a real opponent. Unlike your conventional punching bag, BotBoxer can “see,” “feel,” and “react.” It can dodge your punches, nonverbally taunt you, and maybe even train you into becoming a better boxer.
Technology makes our lives easier, but is it at the cost of our humanity?
In a new book called Re-Engineer Humanity, Evan Selinger, professor of philosophy at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and Brett Frischmann, professor of law at Villanova University, argue that technology is causing humans to behave like mere machines.
New startup promises ‘world’s first’ CRISPR-powered disease detection
A startup called Mammoth Biosciences promises to offer unprecedented disease diagnostics, using CRISPR to detect biomarkers associated with any disease. The startup has branded itself as the world’s first CRISPR-powered diagnostic platform, offering high-tech disease detection via at-home tests.
A new system could bring life-sized holograms to a meeting near you
Researchers recently unveiled the TeleHuman 2, a system they’re boasting as the “first truly holographic video conferencing system.” It's designed to bring video conferences to life, enabling people to pick up on the subtle body language that is often essential to communication.
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.
A.I. outperforms astronomers, predicts whether exoplanets will survive
At its core, the search for exoplanets is the search for habitable exoplanets and AI may now help make that hunt easier. Using machine learning algorithms, the researchers were able to calculate how well exoplanets could survive in stable orbits, outperforming scientists who made a career out of stuff like this.
Graphene-reinforced concrete offers a stronger, more durable option
In a recent study, researchers describe how the composite material, fortified by graphene, is at least two times as strong and four times more water-resistant than conventional concrete and could make future construction more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Rock stars wear them, and so should you: A review of earplugs for concertgoers
We tried out a range of universal earplugs designed specifically for musicians and live music listeners, including a few different approaches manufacturers take to attenuate dBs without distorting sounds. Here’s our non-exhaustive look at a few earplug options for live music.
3D-printed wearable monitors gastrointestinal activity, if you can stomach it
Engineers at the University of California, San Diego have developed a stomach-based wearable that can monitor a patient’s GI activity from the comfort of their homes. The system records electrical activity in the stomach over a 24-hour period, using a 3D-printed portable box hooked up to ten electrodes.
Bots, not humans, tweet majority of links to popular websites, research says
Bots account for two-thirds of tweets that link to popular websites, according to the report, and have a tendency to share for adult content, sports, and news with particular vigor.
Meet the HoneyBot, a decoy robot designed to trick hackers
Developed by engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology, the HoneyBot is a four-wheeled decoy robot designed to bait hackers, and then fool them into thinking they’ve successfully exploited a functional factory machine.
Scientists mimic odd leaf structure for potential use in cleaning up oil spills
To tackle some of today’s most pressing man-made tragedies, a team of researchers hasnow turned to the leaves of a floating fern, which have strange eggbeater-shaped protrusions.
The ‘fog harp’ pulls water out of thin air, could help drought-prone communities
By taking advantage of parallel wire arrays that line up like the string of a harp, engineers have designed a device that may be able to extract three times as much water from fog as previous tools.
Tooth-mounted sensors track your diet and health from inside your mouth
These wireless sensors are designed to monitor health and dietary habits, relaying data about sugar, salt, and alcohol intake to a wearer’s mobile device.
Sketchfab challenged people to ‘remix’ ancient art, and the results are amazing
Given a treasure trove of downloadable cultural heritage models — from ancient castles to dinosaur skulls and hellenistic statues — digital artists were asked to reimagine these artifacts and remix them with contemporary aesthetics.
Beer made with gene-edited yeast provides hoppy taste without the hops
Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, have developed new strains of yeast that can instill a hoppy flavor without the need for hops.
MIT’s ocean-exploring robotic fish takes a test swim through a Fiji reef
Engineers at MIT have developed a soft robotic fish named SoFi, which they say can get closer to real fish by imitating their behavior.
Drug testing could get a boost from MIT’s ‘body on a chip’
The "body on a chip" is made up of a microfluid medium that connects tissues engineered from up to ten different organs, allowing it to mimic mechanisms of the human body for weeks on end.
Fold it, stretch it, grip it! An origami-inspired arm gives drones grip
Inspired by origami, the innovative robotic arm can be folded for transport and self-assemble into a rigid appendage when it’s needed for use.
The barbers of the future may offer a trim, shampoo, and graphene infusion
Scientists from Northwestern University have found yet another possible application for the atom-thick “wonder material” graphene — as a hair dye.
In new breakthrough, CRISPR tools target RNA to tackle dementia
Researchers have identified a new family of CRISPR enzymes that target RNA instead of DNA, and they used the tool to address protein imbalance in cells isolated from a person suffering from dementia.
New tariffs pushed on foreign washing machines and solar panels
New tariffs pushed by the Trump administration will be contested by Swedish washing machine maker Electrolux.
Social media is flooded with illegal wildlife trade but A.I. can help
Researchers at the University of Helsinki’s Digital Geography Lab are using social media and A.I. to identify and stop illegal wildlife trade.
Cross a John Deere with a Roomba, and you get this crop-monitoring robot
TerraSentia is a four-wheeled farm robot that boasts a variety of sensors that can monitor and transmit crop data in real time.
A coat of diamonds could make implants more biocompatible
Engineers have devised a way to better coerce the body into accept implants, with a strategy that includes 3D-printing diamond coated devices.
Scientists propose a counterintuitive way to avoid in-flight lightning strikes
A new strategy would see planes intentionally increase their electrical charge and fly right through the threatening storms to avoid lightning strikes.
From poop to power: How farms could double as energy production plants
The proposed a new technology can convert manure into natural gas with the potential to heat homes, power factories, and supplement diesel fuel.
Underwater swarms and sonar-bombing drones: Meet the deep-sea Xprize finalists
Nine finalists have been announced for the Shell Ocean Discovery Xprize, a three-year competition to map the deep seafloor using autonomous technology.
Superbugs may meet their match in this bacteria-busting molecule
Scientists have created a synthetic molecule capable of killing five types of superbugs with limited side effects. Their hope is that this molecule can be used to create antimicrobial drugs capable of treating antibiotic-resistant infections.
