Articles by Andrea Alfano
Scientists Build A Computer That Works More Like The Human Brain
'Memcomputers,' a type of computer that functions using a method similar to our brains' working memory, have existed in theory for years. Now, scientists have finally built one that actually works.
This Week In Space: Explosions In Our Sky And Our Sun
It was a rough week for space research in light of the failure of SpaceX's latest mission, but there were still wonders to be found in the night sky and our sun. Plus, the arts and sciences collided with the announcement of plans to send fine art to the moon for the first time.
These Tiny Liquid Metal Motors Could Provide A Simple Source Of Hydrogen Power
In addition to being fun to watch as they zip around a petri dish, these tiny metal motors could one day contribute to the production of hydrogen power for cars and other machines. The motors are 'self-powered' because the hydrogen bubbles coming out of the rear propel them forward.
Crumpled Paper Resembles Folds In Brains Due To Universal Scaling Law
The same physical law that controls the way a sheet of paper folds when you crumple it up also dictates the folding of the tissues in your brain. The folding in the brain affects how quickly it can process information.
Seahorse’s Strangely Square Tail Could Help Engineers Build Better Robots
Tough yet bendy, the tail of a seahorse has a combination of properties that are very useful robots as well as for sea creatures. New research shows that the key to this desirable design is the square bony plates that give a seahorse’s tail its structure.
Simple Sniff Test May Accurately Detect Autism In Children
People tend to take a deep whiff of pleasant smells like baked goods and avoid breathing through the nose around the stench of body odor or public bathrooms. But a new study suggests that children with autism don’t make this automatic sniff adjustment.
Science Images Of The Week: Psychedelic Skin, Chaotic Terrain On Mars, And More
From the hot vents of the deep sea to the frigid surface of Mars, there were some amazing sights in the world of science this week.
Diving Bio-Robots Being Deployed To Give Indian Ocean A Much-Needed Checkup
Little is known about the inner workings of the Indian Ocean. So, scientists at CSIRO are sending in a swarm of specialized diving robots to report on the ocean’s health.
Podmasters: 5 Great History Podcasts You Should Be Listening To Now
Al Letson gives a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the podcast that he hosts, called State of the Re:Union.
Birds Have Their Own Version Of The Word, Research Shows
Singing is a well-known and beloved bird behavior, but researchers want to know what our feathered friends are actually saying. They found that specific sounds made by the chestnut-crowned babbler have specific meanings, similar to human use of words.
Is The Leap Second More Trouble Than It’s Worth?
Every so often, people around the world work to accommodate an extra second on a particular day so that our atomic clock doesn’t speed ahead of the solar clock. But all of the time, expense and headaches that go along with this "leap second" have many questioning whether it’s worth the effort.
Ultrasonic Fingerprinting Technology Goes Beyond Skin-Deep To Improve Smartphone Security
The iPhone 6’s fingerprint sensor can be fooled with a printed image of a fingerprint. But a new ultrasonic fingerprint sensor goes beyond skin-deep security.
How This Solar Flare May Have Disrupted Your GPS Signals
Intense bursts of radiation on the sun are so powerful that they can actually cause what are known as radio blackouts on Earth. These can affect GPS and other long-distance communication signals.
Tamper-Resistant Pill Dispenser Uses Fingerprinting To Prevent Prescription Drug Abuse
Prescription drug abuse and misuse is an enormous problem in America. A tamper-resistant pill dispenser that dishes out the exact amount of pills prescribed by a doctor when shown the appropriate fingerprint could help cut down on overdoses.
Watch Supersmall Self-Assembling Bloodstream Bots Deliver Drugs Directly Where Needed
Pills and shots are old-school methods of drug delivery. They've served us well in the past, but supersmall bloodstream bots are poised to revolutionize the way we administer medicine.
HoloLens Is Going To Space As Sidekick In A Joint Project By NASA And Microsoft
Microsoft’s new augmented reality technology, HoloLens, is useful for much more than playing video games. The company teamed up with NASA to bring the technology aboard the International Space Station to aid astronauts.
American Patients Want To Chat With Their Doctors Over Facebook or Email
A national survey of pharmacy customers found that many American patients want more online resources for managing their health. Yet, many still don’t use the resources on physicians’ websites that are available to them.
Science Images Of The Week: Silver-Haired Ants, A Robotic Roach, And More
This week’s science images include a robot-like ant (the Saharan silver ant, shown above) and a roach-like robot. Plus the echoes of X-rays, volcanoes on Venus, and other incredible images.
Freaky 'Smile' Of A Half-Billion-Year-Old Worm Settles Mystery
For decades, scientists literally couldn’t make heads or tails of the worm Hallucigenia. However, the discovery of teeth has finally provided a definitive answer.
Virtual Reality Therapy Tested As A Treatment For Alcoholism
Researchers used virtual reality to condition alcoholics to better control their cravings. The study was small, but the results suggest that the therapy was able to accomplish this by actually changing the patients' brain activity.
Most Colorful Color Display Yet Eliminates Need For Backlight
Researchers at the mobile technology company Qualcomm have developed a new type of display that harnesses ambient light instead of relying on backlighting. The technology boosts color-producing capabilities while cutting down on power demands, compared with current displays.
Evidence For Medical Marijuana Effectiveness Good For Some Diseases, Lacking For Others
A large review of nearly 80 randomized control trials found ‘moderate-quality’ evidence that cannabinoids, the main active ingredients in marijuana, are effective in treating certain ailments. For other diseases, the review turned up only ‘lower-quality’ evidence.
Roach-inspired Robot Scuttles Through Clutter With Ease
Adding a cockroach-like outer shell to the design of a small robot improved its ability to negotiate obstacles. Similar robots could one day aid search and rescue operations.
Hi-Tech Headband May Help Relieve Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms
Treating advanced cases of Parkinson’s disease often involves implanting devices within the patient’s brain. Now, a team of students is developing a specialized headband that could provide similar treatment without the need for surgery.
Same Technique Owls Use For Silent Flight Could Make Wind Turbines Quieter
Noise complaints are a major problem facing wind turbines, yet owls are able to glide through the air nearly silently. Engineers are turning to these birds for design inspiration.
Even In Best-Case Scenario, Humans Are Still Causing A Mass Extinction, Study Concludes
For years, scientists have been telling us that we’re in the middle of the Earth’s sixth mass extinction, and critics have argued that they were overestimating the rate of extinction. So researchers used best-case-scenario numbers to come to an even more compelling conclusion.
Making Next-Generation Lithium-ion Batteries That Won’t Burst Into Flames
Next-generation lithium batteries are much lighter and more efficient than those currently used in consumer electronics, but they are even more prone to fires than current models. Now, researchers have come up with a design that could make them safer.
Science Images Of The Week: The Brightest Galaxy Ever Seen, An Adorable Octopus, And More
From the distant universe to the deep sea, science brought us some amazing and even adorable images this week.
Electrically Conductive 3D Printer Ink Made From Wood
This tiny chair was printed using ink made of cellulose, the primary component of wood. Researchers have also managed to make the ‘wood’ ink electrically conductive by adding carbon nanotubes.
NASA Satellites Enable Updates Of Coral Reef Maps Darwin Made Over A Century Ago
Until recently, maps of the world’s coral reefs had hardly changed from those Darwin made in the 19th century. Now, NASA satellites are making it possible to map reefs with a new level of detail.
