This cracker that survived the sinking of the Titanic will be on the block October 24 as part of an auction of rare Titanic, Hindenburg and related memorabilia. The cracker was recovered by James Fenwick, a passenger of the SS Carpathia that helped hundreds of Titanic survivors who had escaped the sinking ships on lifeboats. It’s estimated that this unusual souvenir will sell for as much as US$18,000.
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Recently presented at an academic conference in Australia, the research, led by marine scientist Ulrike Siebeck, builds on Siebeck’s own prior investigation into the damselfish’s ability to recognize the shape of ultraviolet patterns that distinguish one fish species from another. A 2010 experiment found that the damselfish relied on its ultraviolet (UV) sight to determine which particular species of fish was intruding on its territory, and thereby whether or not that particular fish’s presence … Read More → "Damselfish can recognize each other’s faces using UV vision"

Researchers from the Florida Atlantic University have developed a new type of soft bionic finger that can move like the ones on your hand. In order to come up with the most authentic-looking design, they downloaded a CAD model of the human digit and used a 3D printer to create squishy inner and outer molds. Inside, they placed two actuators made of shape memory alloys (SMA), which can “remember” and return to their … Read More → "3D printed bionic finger hints at life-like prosthetics"

Aerial drones are widely utilized for mapping, with the maps that they create subsequently being used by us humans. In an experiment recently conducted at the ETH Zurich research institute, however, a drone mapped a room so that a quadrupedal robot could then make its way through. Such research could pave the way for completely robotic missions in real-world settings.
via Gizmag

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According to the Associated Press, the Russian Academy of Sciences’ space food division is thinking of adding burgers in tubes to the astronauts’ menu. The idea came from Burger King Russia—not from the cosmonauts themselves, who are reportedly used to space fare like borscht, cottage cheese, and caviar.

While the Russian Academy of Sciences is “not opposed to [the] possibility” of on-flight fast food, Alexander Agureyev, who oversees catering … Read More → "Russian astronauts might someday “enjoy” Burger King in space"

Technology companies know they have a gender and diversity problem in their work force, and they are finally taking steps to try to fix it. But where are those new employees going to come from if women and minority students aren’t opting to study computer science or engineering?

Figuring out why people who choose not to do something don’t in … Read More → "What really keeps women out of tech"

Researchers funded by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering at Tufts University, and their collaborators, are the first to develop a 3D model to mimic human bone marrow that has successfully created blood platelets outside a human body. 

Platelets, which are generated from giant blood marrow cells called megakaryoctyes, are necessary for blood to clot, and have been found to have a role … Read More → "3D bone marrow model made from biosilk generates blood platelets"

Chipotle has enlisted a 3D printing company to fight the scourge of overstuffed tortillas.

3D printing startup Voodoo Manufacturing is working with Chipotle to develop a new serving spoon that will help burrito builders dole out a standardized amount of beans, rice, guacamole, and Sofritas, which means you’ll have a harder time convincing Chipotle employees … Read More → "If your Chipotle burrito looks smaller soon, blame 3D printing"

Three British companies have created a device to deter drones from entering sensitive areas by freezing them in mid-flight.

The Anti-UAV Defense System (Auds) works by covertly jamming a drone’s signal, making it unresponsive.

After this disruption, the operator is likely to retrieve the drone believing that it has malfunctioned.

The system joins a host of recently announced technologies which can blast larger drones out of the sky.
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Simon Singh, science writer and Sense About Science trustee, is auctioning his Second World War cipher machine to raise money for the AllTrials campaign and Good Thinking.

The M-209 is a portable mechanical cipher machine (about the size of a lunchbox) that was used by the US military during WW2 and the Korean War.
via AllTrials

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