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Researchers from the Vancouver Aquarium and the US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have begun using drones to keep tabs on endangered killer whales off the west coast of the continent. The technology is giving the researchers a fresh perspective on the well-being of the animals, and provides yet another example of how UAVs are giving rise to new means of conservation.

Armed with a custom-built marine hexacopter, the researchers … Read More → "Drones used to monitor behaviour of killer whales"

The illumino project by [io] however, has a relatively short and affordable list of materials for creating your own EEG sensor. It’s even built into a beanie that maps your mental status to a colorful LED pompom! Now that winter is around the corner, this project is perfect for those of us who want to try on the mad scientist’s hat and look awesome … Read More → "Your new winter hat should express your brain waves like a neon sign"

We’ve seen robots star in plays before, but the one in a new production of Franz Kafka’sThe Metamorphosis doesn’t take on a bit role or even a supporting one: it’s the show’s lead actor. While we feel bad for struggling theater performers who can never seem to get a big break, it seems rather fitting for a robot to take center stage for this particular story. … Read More → "Sorry, theater actors: now robots can play leading roles"

The Eye Catcher frame and supporting system was developed by researchers at the Interactive Architecture Lab at the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London. Using a tiny camera hidden behind a pin-sized hole in the piece’s wooden frame, it’s able to track the position of someone walking by and automatically reposition itself so it stays close to them and doesn’t go … Read More → "Art displayed in a frame that follows you around"

There you are, standing on a street corner surrounded by a mob of people waiting for the walk signal. In front of you, a single car gets the green light. Again. For all the talk of smart cities, they can be infuriatingly dumb at times. But imagine if your city could monitor the flow of pedestrians and optimize its traffic signals for walkers, not drivers? That’s exactly what Chicago … Read More → "New smart street corners that will act like a fitbit for the city"

The easiest way to troll a pixel-pushing friend is to ensure you exclusively use Comic Sans for every email, message, and homemade birthday card you send them. Graphic designers hate the font, but the rest of the world still seems to enjoy its sense of whimsy, which is what inspired artist Jesse England to hack a typewriter with the Comic Sans … Read More → "An artist perfectly trolls designers with a comic sans typewriter"

Using a CT scan to create a 3D reconstruction of the patient’s face, Osteo3D printed a replica of the patient’s mouth, complete with lower and upper jaw, the defect and his teeth. With the model able to simulate the movements of the joints and open properly, this negated the difficulties inherent in producing a mold from the patient’s real-life jaw.

Using the 3D-printed replica as a … Read More → "3D printing helps build upper jaw prosthetic for cancer patient"

Jabbing a steel needle into your flesh is not ever going to be fun, per se, but scientists have found a way to make it at least hurt a lot less. The trick is actually fooling your nerve cells with a small device that applies pressure and vibration. Here’s how it works.

Read More → "Vibrating needles could make shots painless by tricking your brain"

These beautiful creations are made of moss. Environmentally friendly and without the lasting property damaging nature of painted graffiti, it’s a great little addition to ones artistic “bag o’ tricks.” Keep it moist and it generally thrives (the “moss only grows on north-facing surfaces” thing is a myth). The ingredients necessary to make such a design are listed below. Find detailed instructions at wikihow. 

< … Read More → "Express yourself in green with Moss Graffiti"