… Read More → "Young scientist and her awesome human-hand-heat-powered flashlight"

… Read More → "T8, the bio inspired 3D printed spider octopod robot (Video)"

Using small pieces of human liver that were grown from stem cells, a team led by researchers at Japan’s Yokohama City University was able to significantly restore liver function in mice through only a simple transplant — and they hope to eventually use the same method to save human lives. The team took tiny, lab-grown “liver buds” and inserted them into mice, where within … Read More → "Lab-grown human cells used to recreate liver functions, hope to replace the organ donor"

Along with their writhing tentacles, octopi and squid sport another interesting feature – they swim not by swishing a tail, but by expelling a jet of water. This allows them to move very quickly and quietly. Scientists from Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation have now copied this system, in a propulsion system that could ultimately find use in boats, recreational watercraft, or submarines.

The miniature prototype system consists … Read More → "Octopus inspires silent propulsion system for boats and subs"

Formerly known as P4 and P5, Pluto’s tiniest moons now have official names: Kerberos and Styx.

The names were among the top three selected by voters during a two-week polling period; they have just been approved by the International Astronomical Union’s official nomenclature committee.

Thus, from this day forward, the two tiniest of rocks orbiting the overgrown-snowball-formerly-known-as-a-planet … Read More → "The people have spoken, and Pluto’s tiny moons have names"

You’d think a paint named “mummy brown” would be the product of good marketing. In fact, it dates back to the 16th century, when actual mummies were ground up and sold as paint. On Hyperallergic today, Allison Meier takes a look at the surprisingly riveting history of extinct pigments…</ … Read More → "Paint made from people: The fascinating history behind extinct colors"

Designer Amy Radcliffe has created a “smell camera” that turns photography into “scent-ography.” Based on technology known as “Headspace Capture,” and developed for the perfume industry, her device captures odors rather than images.

Radcliffe’s device is officially titled Madeleine and is described as being an “analogue odour camera.” The reference to a camera is a fitting one, as photographs are an obvious and essential way of recording and retaining memories, with specific moments … Read More → "Madeleine “smell camera” records odors for the future"

The age of the cyborgs is upon us. In almost every walk of life there exist implants or wearable gadgets that either aid or enhance the human experience. The binoculars of tomorrow will be in your contact lenses. Headphones will be implanted in your ears. And now there’s a company working on enhancing your competitive edge when it comes to gaming.

Foc.us has developed a headset it claims will “ … Read More → "Overclock (or damage) your brain for the love of the game"

After more than 20 years in the making and FDA approval in February, the Argus II bionic eye is finally here. Well, almost. Developer Second Sight says it has selected clinical centers in 12 U.S. markets where it will begin rolling out the groundbreaking technology later this year.

The Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System, which was approved in February to treat adults 25 and older with severe … Read More → "World’s first approved bionic eye to launch in U.S."

What is Instagram for if not bragging oh so subtly about the stuff you’re doing. It’s true for rich kids on fancy vacations, and apparently, it’s true for the Transportation Safety Administration, which has been posting images of the absurd stuff passengers are trying to carry on planes every day.
via < … Read More → "TSA is Instagramming the crazy stuff it confiscates at checkpoints"