Bookmarks (1219)

Although interchangeable-bit hex wrenches aren't that hard to use, there's always room for improvement … right? The designers of the Switch Hex T seem to think so, as their wrench features a carousel-like multi-bit rotating head.Continue ReadingCategory: Good Thinking, LifestyleTags: Kickstarter, Wrench, Tools, bike tools

With autonomous vehicles already rolling on public roads, researchers from the University of Nottingham in the UK have used a camouflaged driver to look at how pedestrians react to visual cues from oncoming cars without a human at the wheel.Continue ReadingCategory: Automotive, TransportTags: University of Nottingham, Autonomous Vehicles, Visual, Communications

Longtime readers may recall the Blooming Bamboo flood-resistant home by H&P Architects. A decade later, the Vietnamese firm has produced a somewhat similar prototype bamboo floating dwelling envisioned for river-based populations under threat from climate change, especially those living on and around Vietnam's Mekong Delta.Continue ReadingCategory: Architecture, LifestyleTags: Building and Construction, House, Bamboo, Floating, Vietnam

Japanese motorcycle company Kawasaki has rode into the electric mobility space with three new models – sadly not the Ninja BEV previewed at last year's EICMA expo, but with the launch of the Noslisu series electric tilting three-wheelers on its home turf.Continue ReadingCategory: Urban Transport, TransportTags: Kawasaki, Trike, Tricycle, Pedal-assisted, ebikes, cargo bike

A "bi-sensory" treatment combining precisely timed sound and touch has shown impressive results in reducing people's experience of tinnitus, a common and debilitating form of hearing damage that presents as an incessant ringing sound in the ears.Continue ReadingCategory: Medical, ScienceTags: Hearing, tinnitus, University of Michigan

If evolutionary biologists are the detectives of the natural world’s past mysteries, then the phylogenic tree is their version of a cork board of crime-scene suspects linked together with red string and thumbtacks.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, ScienceTags: Insect, University of New South Wales, Pollen, Beetle, Insect, Evolution, Bees, Plants

Traffic is among the biggest sources of air pollution, but what if the very roads they drive on could help clear the air? Engineers in Korea have now demonstrated that photocatalytic concrete can help reduce pollution in tunnels.Continue ReadingCategory: Materials, ScienceTags: Concrete, Environment, Environmentally-friendly, Pollution, Light, Ammonia, korea, Building and Construction, Tunnel

Until now, we’ve only detected gravitational waves originating in binary systems, from the merger of black holes or neutron stars. But researchers from Northwestern University have potentially discovered a new non-binary source of gravitational waves: the debris ‘cocoon’ that forms around a dying massive star.Continue ReadingCategory: Space, ScienceTags: gravitational waves, LIGO, Supernova, Northwestern University

It’s no secret that we’re not all equal when it comes to skills in – or the inclination to spend time in – the kitchen. It’s one of the key drivers behind the push to use new AI developments to shape the future of the home and commercial kitchen. (That and the obvious windfall that would come from it.)Continue ReadingCategory: TechnologyTags: Artificial Intelligence, Machine...

Researchers have successfully stimulated hair growth in mice using microRNA to genetically manipulate hair follicle stem cells, meaning that balding pate may one day be sporting a mane of luscious locks.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: Hair, Baldness, MicroRNA, Nanoparticles, Northwestern University

Monégasque aerial photography and drone show company McClic has successfully test-flown its MC One personal eVTOL, a simple but nice-looking coaxial octacopter with a pilot's seat on top. Anyone can fly it, given about 10 minutes' training.Continue ReadingCategory: Aircraft, TransportTags: Personal Flight, Electric Aircraft, Personal eVTOLs, eVTOL, Manned multirotors

Scientists have discovered evidence of what may be the world’s oldest known human burial. The team argues that several Homo naledi remains, dating back about 300,000 years, show signs of having been intentionally buried in a chamber deliberately marked with symbols, suggesting complex funerary behavior. But other scientists aren’t so sure.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: Human, Evolution, Fossils, National Geographic, South Africa, Cave, World's Oldest

Aerospace startup Polaris Raumflugzeuge has been awarded a contract by the German government's Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) (Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support) to develop and fly a revolutionary Linear AeroSpike (LAS) engine that replaces the conventional rocket nozzle with a curving wall-shaped plug.Continue ReadingCategory: Space, ScienceTags: Rocket

Bruder makes some of the most rugged-but-luxurious off-road camper trailers in the world, and despite what might seem to outsiders as prohibitively expensive pricing, the company shows no signs at all of slowing down. In late 2021, it topped its lineup with an all-new flagship called the EXP-8, and now it's squeezed the all-new EXP-7 just below the 8 and above its original staple,...

As if Mondays weren’t bad enough: the weekend’s over, and, for many of us, it’s back to work. Now, according to research presented at this year’s British Cardiovascular Society Conference, the most life-threatening type of heart attack is more likely to occur on a Monday than any other day of the week.Continue ReadingCategory: Medical, ScienceTags: Heart attack, Heart, ECG, Circadian Rhythms

After months of speculation, Apple has finally announced its house-brand augmented reality system. Known as Apple Vision Pro, the setup is described as being the company's first "spatial computer."Continue ReadingCategory: Virtual Reality, TechnologyTags: Apple, Augmented Reality

Today at its Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple has announced what it says are the most powerful Macs ever made. One is the revamped Mac Pro, while the other is the latest and greatest take on the Mac Studio.Continue ReadingCategory: Computers, TechnologyTags: Apple, Mac Pro, Computers

Although the MacBook Air has long played second fiddle to the better-spec'd Pro model, it's certainly no slouch. That's particularly true of the new 15-inch MacBook Air, which Apple has just announced at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference.Continue ReadingCategory: Computers, TechnologyTags: Apple, MacBook Air, Laptop

It's certainly not uncommon for backpackers to carry a rain poncho, hammock, shelter and groundsheet. The Nomad Cape is aimed at lightening their load, by combining all four pieces of gear in one unit.Continue ReadingCategory: Outdoors, LifestyleTags: Kickstarter, Camping, Tent, Rain, Transformable

Back in March, Shenzhen's JMGO launched a successful crowdfunding effort for a 4K smart projector that was mounted on an adjustable "gimbal-like" stand. Now the N1 Ultra is being joined by two other models to make up the new N1 series.Continue ReadingCategory: Home Entertainment, TechnologyTags: Projectors, Laser TV, Android TV

The Gurdau Winery was only completed recently but the project has already taken its place among the vineyards remarkably well. As its lush green roof continues to mature, it will almost vanish into the hills in rural Czech Republic.Continue ReadingCategory: Architecture, LifestyleTags: Building and Construction, Green Roofs, Wine, sustainable design

Like Fender's Parallel Universe guitars, the Squier Paranormal series explores bizarre model combinations and "what if?" oddities, but at more budget-friendly price points. The latest release includes a 12-string Jazzmaster, a Strat with Gibson appointments and a re-imagined first guitar.Continue ReadingCategory: Music, TechnologyTags: Fender, Fender Stratocaster, Fender Telecaster, Bass guitar, Guitar

Infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar may be long gone, however he’s still wreaking havoc on his native Colombia thanks to his thriving hippos.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, ScienceTags: Cocaine, Colombia, Ecosystem, Environmental, Biodiversity

Of the four fundamental forces of physics, gravity is the one we’re most familiar with in everyday life, but it’s also the only one that can’t currently be explained by quantum physics. Now scientists have outlined a plan to look for signs of quantum gravity out in the cosmos by listening in to the 'ringing' of colliding black holes.Continue ReadingCategory: Physics, ScienceTags: Black hole,...

A Caltech team is celebrating the world's first space-based wireless power transmission, and the first time detectable levels of power have been beamed down to Earth. The Space Solar Power Project (SSPP) aims to unlock huge orbital clean energy resources.Continue ReadingCategory: Energy, ScienceTags: Caltech, Wireless Power Transmission, Orbit, Solar Power

Researchers have created a new magnetically controlled capsule that can be ‘driven’ around the stomach using joysticks to take images of areas of interest. It's unlike other pill cams that rely on the gut's natural motility and gravity to get around.Continue ReadingCategory: Medical, ScienceTags: The George Washington University

A team of researchers led by Ohio University Professor of Physics Saw Wai Hla has captured the first X-ray "image" of a single atom, allowing scientists to study materials and their chemical states with greater resolution than ever before.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: Physics, X-ray

Taking a plot point from the 1990 Sean Connery thriller The Hunt for Red October, DARPA is working on a super-silent submarine drive that has no moving parts and provides propulsion through the water using magnets and electricity.Continue ReadingCategory: Military, TechnologyTags: DARPA, Submarine, Electromagnetic, Marine, Magnetic field

A new clinical trial has found that a common eye drop is a safe and effective way to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children. The finding may provide an easier way of treating the condition, which is expected to affect about 50% of the world’s population by 2050 and can lead to visual impairment later in life.Continue ReadingCategory: Medical, ScienceTags: Eye, Children, Contact...

Strength and flexibility are two opposites that usually need to be balanced in steel. But now engineers at Purdue University and Sandia National Labs have developed a new treatment that can be applied to steel alloys to make them both stronger and more ductile at the same time, which could have a range of uses in energy and aerospace.Continue ReadingCategory: Materials, ScienceTags: Steel, new...

A new study using microparticle therapy to boost the number of ‘good’ immune cells has reversed the nerve cell damage in mice with multiple sclerosis-like symptoms and cured more than a third. The finding has the potential to lead to new treatments for not only multiple sclerosis but other autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes.Continue ReadingCategory: Medical, ScienceTags: Multiple Sclerosis, Nerves, The Immune System,...

Since the ID. Buzz's debut as a concept so many years ago, the most anticipated part of the new electric Microbus – at least for North Americans – has been its return to the continent from which new Volkswagen vans and camper vans disappeared 20 years ago. Americans waited patiently while the adorably retro electric van launched in Europe, but now it's their time....

Canadian manufacturer ARGO builds some of the most rugged, ready-for-any-terrain vehicles on Earth, and it's not planning on stopping anytime soon. On the tip of a multi-vehicle offensive meant to fill in some specific off-roading gaps in the commercial market, the company is launching the all-new Sasquatch XTX, a high-riding amphibious swamp machine with 71-in tires and a full pickup bed for unlimited utility.Continue...

Searching for human bodies or other submerged items can be dangerous for divers due to factors such as strong currents, deep waters and low visibility. That's where the Tethys One underwater drone comes in, as it's designed to do the job itself.Continue ReadingCategory: Drones, TechnologyTags: ETH Zurich, Underwater, Remote Control

Most wound dressings simply cover the injury and perhaps also kill harmful bacteria. The PAINT system goes much further, as it incorporates a pen that could one day allow doctors to paint a gelatinous healing ink right into wounds.Continue ReadingCategory: Medical, ScienceTags: American Chemical Society, Nanjing University, Healing, Wound

Robotic versions of flying insects hold a lot of promise for numerous applications, but controlling their yaw axis while in flight has proven challenging. A new bee robot, however, addresses that problem with a clever design.Continue ReadingCategory: Drones, TechnologyTags: MAV, Biomimicry, Flight, Washington State University

Decades ago the astronomy world was taken aback by the discovery of strange vertical filaments of light spiking out from our galaxy's central black hole. Now, the astronomer responsible for that finding has spotted more filaments, only these are oriented horizontally and have some other significant – and puzzling – differences.Continue ReadingCategory: Space, ScienceTags: Telescope, Northwestern University, Black hole, Galaxy, Supermassive black hole, Astronomy

This latest tiny house by Baluchon is just as small as we've come to expect from the French firm, measuring only 6 m (20 ft)in length. However, the company has managed to squeeze in a flexible interior layout, including sleeping space for up to five people and two separate work areas.Continue ReadingCategory: Tiny Houses, LifestyleTags: Building and Construction, Tiny Footprint, Micro-House, House, Home, Baluchon

Back in the mid-2000s, Motorola scored a massive global hit with a high-style flip-phone called the Razr. The fashion icon was revived for the smartphone age in 2019, and now the company has out-flipped the competition with the Razr Plus.Continue ReadingCategory: Mobile Technology, TechnologyTags: Motorola, smartphones, Motorola RAZR

There's precious little human dignity in economy airline travel to begin with; why not go all the way? The HypNap TruRest offers you the opportunity to attempt sleep with your face mashed into a padded cradle, and arrive red, wrinkly and refreshed.Continue ReadingCategory: Aircraft, TransportTags: Sleeping, Airlines, Sleep, Kickstarter

Knocking down a wall – or walls – to create an open-plan living space can be expensive and not very environmentally friendly. With the development of moveable wooden partition walls that can be positioned right where you want them, ‘knocking through’ may become a thing of the past.Continue ReadingCategory: Materials, ScienceTags: Wood, sustainable design, Environmentally-friendly, University of Cambridge

With Apple dropping hints that its much-awaited AR/VR headset will drop at next week's WWDC event, Meta has attempted to steal its rival's thunder. The new Meta Quest 3 is smaller, much more powerful than its predecessor, and designed for next-level augmented reality.Continue ReadingCategory: Virtual Reality, TechnologyTags: Meta (company), Oculus Quest, Virtual Reality, Apple, Augmented Reality

We’re all told that to live longer, we must exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep, maintain an optimal weight, not smoke, and manage stress. But why do some people naturally make it to the ripe old age of 100 while remaining healthy? A new study may have an answer to that question, and the bottom line is that it has to...

In a world first, scientists from 24 countries have mapped the DNA of more than 233 different primate species, more than quadrupling the existing genetic data, providing crucial new insights into disease-causing genetic mutations in humans.Continue ReadingCategory: Biology, ScienceTags: DNA, Baylor College of Medicine, Artificial Intelligence, Genetics, Genome, Disease, Machine Learning

A pull-behind motorcycle trailer quite unlike the average, the Pasq ADV1 is a trail chaser built to support unforgettable three-wheel adventures. Its single 17-in wheel combines with a proprietary trapezoid hinge to ensure the trailer maneuvers around corners and twists with ease while riding like a rigid extension of the bike at higher speeds. The ADV1 is the ultimate companion for an adventure bike...

A new study has found that consuming a widely available artificial sweetener produces a chemical that is damaging to DNA. The findings raise concerns about whether the sweetener is a contributing factor to a number of health problems.Continue ReadingCategory: Health & Wellbeing, LifestyleTags: DNA, Artificial, Sugar, North Carolina State University

Roshel Smart Armored Vehicles has rolled out its Senator Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) armored fighting vehicle at the CANSEC show in Ottawa. Based on the Ford F-550 pickup truck, it's been specially modified to withstand mine blasts and ballistic rounds.Continue ReadingCategory: Military, TechnologyTags: Ford, Armored Cars

Farmers around the world regularly burn post-harvest crop waste, producing a significant amount of greenhouse gases and air pollution in the process. A new portable system, however, can be brought to farms to convert that waste into useful products.Continue ReadingCategory: Environment, ScienceTags: University of British Columbia, Agri-waste, Biomass, Portable

In an effort to keep livestock safe from coyotes while not harming the predators themselves, researchers carried out a study involving a remote-controlled vehicle equipped with powerful lights. The solution worked, hinting at a future in which robot ranch hands could work night patrol.Continue ReadingCategory: Robotics, TechnologyTags: Farming, Autonomous Vehicles, Conservation, Wildlife, Animals

Honda has announced a new addition to its side-by-side UTV lineup. The new Talon 1000R-4 Fox Live Valve is wider and longer than the standard four-seat 1000R-4 to add more off-road capability in rough terrain.Continue ReadingCategory: Automotive, TransportTags: ATV, utv, Honda, Off-road