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Mar 26, 2022

U.K. Unveils Plans for the Longest Network of Drone Superhighways in the World

Posted by in category: drones

The longest drone corridor in the world could be built in the U.K., linking multiple cities across the country and representing the most ambitious British transport project since the railway network in the 18th century.

Mar 26, 2022

Engage! Webb Telescope prepares to unlock the secrets of galactic evolution

Posted by in categories: environmental, evolution, space

The first galaxies in the universe are a mystery to us — but that could soon change.


The cosmos has come a long way (pun intended). But the most fantastic story of all time isn’t fully understood — especially the early chapters, ‘written’ in history during the first two to three hundred million years of the universe’s 13.8 billion-year existence.

The James Webb Space Telescope could be the key. The observatory can look about three times as far back in time than the iconic Hubble. The Webb will detect infrared wavelengths long enough to pierce through the dense smog of all the light and dust that sits between Earth and the furthest galactic posts, revealing information about the ancient universe where these wavelengths began their journey through space billions of years ago.

Continue reading “Engage! Webb Telescope prepares to unlock the secrets of galactic evolution” »

Mar 26, 2022

Robot peels banana with deep learning

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

Researchers in Japan have developed a new machine learning system for a two-armed robot – enabling it to identify, pick up, and peel a banana.


Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a new machine learning system for a two-armed robot – enabling it to identify, pick up, and peel a banana.

The manipulation of deformable objects, like soft fruits, is problematic for robots, because of difficulties in object modelling and a lack of knowledge about the type of force and dexterity needed.

Continue reading “Robot peels banana with deep learning” »

Mar 26, 2022

How to clean solar panels without water

Posted by in categories: solar power, sustainability

Dust that accumulates on solar panels is a major problem, but washing the panels uses huge amounts of water. MIT engineers have now developed a waterless cleaning method to remove dust on solar installations in water-limited regions, improving overall efficiency.

Mar 26, 2022

Have a protein you want inhibited? New software can design a blocker

Posted by in category: futurism

The software takes a protein’s structure and designs proteins that stick to it.

Mar 26, 2022

The Speed of Sound on Mars Is Strangely Different, Scientists Reveal

Posted by in categories: futurism, space

Scientists have confirmed the speed of sound on Mars, using equipment on the Perseverance rover to study the red planet’s atmosphere, which is very different to Earth’s.

What they discovered could have some strange consequences for communication between future Martians.

The findings suggest that trying to talk in Mars’ atmosphere might produce a weird effect, since higher-pitched sound seems to travel faster than bass notes. Not that we’d try, since Mars’ atmosphere is unbreathable, but it’s certainly fun to think about!

Mar 26, 2022

Israeli lab says it has made safe a powerful — but toxic — cancer treatment

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

The research has been snapped up by pharmaceutical giant Teva, and according to the lead author could mean an ‘arsenal of new drugs’.

Mar 26, 2022

New discovery on the sun has captured scientists’ attention

Posted by in category: space

The next chance to see the northern lights may be coming soon after astronomers spotted a large object on the surface of the sun.

Mar 26, 2022

Rejoice! The Webb Telescope Has Released Yet Another Selfie

Posted by in category: space travel

The James Webb Telescope is now aligned and ready for action — which, in the case of this social media-famous spacecraft, includes taking selfies.

Mar 26, 2022

SpaceX’s Latest Spacecraft Officially Has a Name

Posted by in category: space travel

First, there was Endeavor. Then there was Resilience and Endurance.

Now, the fourth SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, sending the fourth operational crew to the International Space Station, has a name as well.

“FREEDOM!!” NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren, commander of the upcoming mission dubbed Crew-4, tweeted enthusiastically. “Crew-4 will fly to the International Space Station in a new Dragon capsule named ‘Freedom.’”.