Scientists may soon be able to treat autism with CRISPR gene editing
Researchers have shown how CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing can be used to edit out some of the genetic traits commonly associated with autism. While it’s so far been demonstrated only on mice, it raises the possibility of revolutionizing autism treatment for millions of people around the world.
Space-age toothbrush promises to clean your gnashers in 30 seconds flat
What kind of a person has four minutes a day to dedicate to brushing their teeth? Certainly no-one we know. That's why we're excited about Chiiz, a so-called sonic tooth cleaner which promises to shine your gnashers up real nice in just 30 seconds. Here's how to get your hands on it.
Future pain-free microneedles could be inspired by mosquitos
If you receive a painless injection courtesy of a new microneedle in the near future, you may owe a debt of gratitude to the mosquito. The reason? Because everyone’s least favorite insect is the inspiration behind new work carried out by researchers at Ohio State University.
Spit-checking mouthguard can tell if athletes are tired or mentally drained
Working with flexible hybrid electronics group NextFlex and UC San Diego, Xerox’s legendary PARC development lab has created a smart mouthguard which can detect early signs of dehydration, exhaustion and mental engagement levels, based on nothing more than a sample of your saliva.
Why leaky taps make that ‘plink’ noise — and what we can do about it
Thanks to high-speed cameras and sensitive microphones, scientists from the U.K.'s University of Cambridge have an explanation for why leaking taps make that dreaded 'plink' sound when they drip -- and what we can do to stop it. Aside from replacing our old taps, that is!
Techy sports we will all be watching in the (not-too-distant) future
Science fiction has kind of gotten our hopes up about the future of sport. While we've not yet got a real version of Star Wars' Podracing, that doesn't mean there aren't some impressive high tech sports out there. Here are our picks for the ones we think are going to be everywhere in a few years.
Super absorbent wound dressing will swell up to save soldiers’ lives in combat
According to the U.S. Army, around 80-90 percent of potentially survivable deaths among American soldiers on the battlefield happen as the result of uncontrolled bleeding. This next-gen wound dressing, able to absorb up to 800 percent of its material weight in liquid, could help.
Inhalable nutrients offer an alternative to energy drinks and supplements
Wish you could vape yourself healthy? A new startup named Nutriair has created a series of inhalable nutrients, which enter the body through micro-aerosolization. According to its creators, the results are a one-stop-shop for nutrients which could replace other supplements.
Portable microphone system transcribes multi-person conversations in real time
A new multi-microphone system called SpeakSee can accurately transcribe conversations for Deaf users, rendering everyday chat between groups of people as a multi-person script. Here's how it works, and why it could turn out to be an incredibly valuable tool for its users.
Like a vice principal in the sky, this A.I. spots fights before they happen
Get ready for the future of surveillance! Researchers from the U.K. and India have developed a new drone-based surveillance system, which uses A.I.-equipped drones as flying smart security cameras to keep an eye (or several) on large gatherings of people. Here's how it works.
New electronic skin allows bionic limbs to feel pain — and that’s a good thing
Bionic prostheses have evolved by leaps and bounds. One thing that most of them can't do, however, is let their wearers feel pain. That's changing thanks to researchers at Johns Hopkins University -- and, despite what you might think, that could turn out to be a positive step forward.
No more needles? Diabetics could one day treat themselves with a cup of coffee
For diabetics, keeping their illness under control by regulating their blood sugar level is a 24/7 job. But, thanks to Swiss researchers, one day it could be as simple as having a cup of coffee. Here's how it works -- and why Nespresso is good, but hot chocolate is not so effective.
In the future, potholes could be repaired by asphalt-printing drones
Driving on roads covered in potholes is no fun. Researchers from the U.K. think one solution might involve drones that are able to fly to the site of an impending pothole and 3D print some new asphalt. Sound like the most over-engineered solution around? Not necessarily.
The creator of Internet Explorer wants to read your mind with a bracelet
The idea of controlling a computer with your thoughts sounds like the ultimate way of interfacing with machines. A New York startup called CTRL-Labs has created a device to make that a reality. And, no, it doesn't involve drilling a hole in your head to implant a chip in your brain.
Watch this Japanese ‘dragon’ drone slither through the air like a flying snake
Drones are awesome, but there are only so many conventional quadcopters you can see before you start to get a bit jaded. That's where a new drone from Japan's University of Tokyo comes into play -- courtesy of an awesome flying robot designed to look like a dragon.
This remote control robot promises to destroy a tank from three miles away
Estonian defense company Milrem has teamed up with a missile manufacturer to create an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) sporting up to four anti-tank missiles capable of penetrating 39.3 inches of hardened steel armor plating. Oh, you can add a robot arm or .50 caliber machine gun if needed.
Scientists think a form of bacteria could help make Mars hospitable to humans
From how we’re going to get there to what we’re going to eat once we arrive, there are plenty of angles to consider when it comes to potentially colonizing Mars. Perhaps the biggest one of all, however, is how exactly we’re going to breathe there? The new properties of a particular bacteria might help.
Here’s a real version of that endlessly spinning top from ‘Inception’
Remember how Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in Inception uses a spinning top to work out whether he’s awake or dreaming? Some people just created a similar top for real -- and it's won a Guinness World Record for spinning more than 27 hours. Here's how you can get one of your one.
SmokeBot robot can see things human firefighters can’t in smoke-filled rooms
Created by researchers in Sweden, SmokeBot is a firefighting robot designed to see and navigate in smoky areas. It could one day be used by firefighters to help assist in instances such as search-and-rescue missions. Here's how it works, and how it could one day save your life.
Could thermal-imaging sensors help make self-driving cars safer?
Thermal imaging company FLIR Systems thinks that one way to make autonomous vehicles safer would be to give them the ability to use thermal reading tech to better deal with challenging lighting and weather conditions. And they're doing their bit to help change things. Here's how.
Meet the Italian composer who conducts the world’s biggest all-robot orchestra
For his next album, Italian electronic music producer Leonardo Barbadoro is skipping synthesizers for robots capable of playing real instruments, ranging from piano to percussion. Here's why he's decided to shake up electronic music production in favor of a new approach.
After 70 years, a working Dick Tracy two-way watch radio is finally available
Created by brothers Nick and Charlie Mathis, the Dick Tracy Watch not only looks like the timepiece featured in the comics -- it actually works, too. That’s thanks to an integrated Bluetooth module, microphone and speaker, allowing you to make and receive calls from a paired smartphone.
Make it so! 8 ‘Star Trek’ technologies that actually exist now (sort of)
For the past half-century, across hundreds of TV episodes, multiple spinoffs, and more than dozen movies, 'Star Trek' has offered us a tantalizing glimpse of the future. Here are eight examples of amazing 'Trek' technologies which now exist, to some extent, in the real world.
Chinese search giant Baidu creates an open-source A.I. for detecting cancer
Chinese search giant Baidu has developed an A.I. algorithm which can help doctors to more accurately diagnose breast cancer. In tests, it can outperform both human pathologists and the previous best algorithms for carrying this out. And did we mention they're open-sourcing it, too?
Here’s what art looks like in 2018: Spheres that react to your presence
Zoological is an art project created by the group Random International. It involves a fleet of autonomous flying spheres, which flock together like a group of birds, while keeping an eye on nearby humans. Depending on their mood, they can stay away or choose to follow you.
Who needs a nurse? This robot can extract and analyze your blood
Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a blood-drawing robot that’s designed for inserting intravenous needles into people’s arms with the purpose of drawing and analyzing blood samples. Here's how it works, and what it could mean for medicine's most common procedure.
Here’s who’s going to win the World Cup, according to A.I.
With the FIFA World Cup kicking off in Russia, San Francisco-based tech firm Unanimous A.I. has used its considerable artificial intelligence expertise to predict the outcome of the entire 32-team tournament. Here's who should expect to win. Well, according to swarm A.I., at least.
This diving system lets you stay submerged for 2 hours, no tank needed
Do you want a diving system that bridges the gap between scuba diving and snorkeling, minus the limitations of both? If so, a new Kickstarter product -- letting you stay underwater for up to two hours -- could be for you. Here's what you need to know about the Supa Huka.
Spider silk microcapsules could deliver vaccines to help battle cancer
Researchers from Switzerland’s University of Geneva demonstrated how microcapsules made of spider silk could be used to deliver life-saving vaccines direct to your immune cells as a way of fighting cancerous tumors. Here is why spider silk turns out to work so well.
Scientists have mapped the genome of the most common cancer among younger men
Researchers from the University of North Carolina's Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have successfully mapped the genome of testicular cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer among young men ages 15 to 44. It's part of a larger project to sequence the genome of every cancer.
VR experience re-creates the Anne Frank House as it looked during WWII
The Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam is launching a VR tour of the Anne Frank House, where the famous diarist and her family hid from the Nazis during World War II. The launch of the virtual reality tour was timed to coincide with what would have been Anne’s 89th birthday.
Half taxidermy, half robot: Why UC Davis built this crazy realistic robo-bird
Researchers at the University of California, Davis are building taxidermy bird robots on wheels, designed to discover more about the mating habits of the survival-challenged sage grouse. They're part of a long-running research project which dates all the way back to 2003.
Fisker bets its self-driving shuttles will ferry future commuters
Fisker has announced that is working on an autonomous vehicle called the Orbit, a driverless shuttle that will soon ferry commuters around. Fisker teamed up with Protean to equip the Orbit with in-wheel electric motors, a layout that maximizes interior space. The first prototypes will begin testing in late 2018.
New ‘smart’ Rubik’s Cube tracks your stats, lets you race against other people
Whether you're a fresh-faced newbie or a grizzled gaming veteran, this connected Rubik's Cube has something to offer you. For new players, there's progress tracking and tutorials on an accompanying app. For experts, there are global leaderboards and competitions. Welcome to GoCube.