Engineering Design
- Science & Society
Some scientists want serious research into UFOs. Here’s why
Science grapples with unknown phenomena all the time. Investigating “unidentified flying objects” shouldn't be different, researchers say.
- Space
A massive rogue roaming our galaxy may be a black hole
Alternatively, this unseen wanderer might be a hefty neutron star. Whatever it is, its gravity caused starlight to be warped — and that gave it away.
- Tech
This robotic finger is covered in living human skin
The advance brings super realistic cyborgs one small step closer to reality.
- Tech
Scientists Say: Virtual reality
Virtual reality is an immersive, 3-D artificial environment created by a computer.
- Health & Medicine
Joggers run at an energy-efficient pace, new data show
Fitness trackers and treadmill tests show that a runner’s speed tends to vary little, regardless of the distance they run.
- Space
The first plants ever grown in moon dirt have sprouted
This tiny garden shows farming on the moon may be difficult, although not impossible.
- Tech
A new audio system confuses smart devices that try to eavesdrop
It works by playing soft, calculated sounds to help people protect their privacy from automatic speech-recognition systems.
- Tech
Teens’ new tech would send alerts to reduce preventable deaths
A trio of teen innovations created devices that can speed up the response time to pool accidents, overheating in cars and combat-related injuries.
- Climate
Coastal cities around the world are sinking, satellite data show
Of 99 coastal cities studied, nearly one-third are sinking. This leaves coastal communities increasingly vulnerable to rising seas.
- Physics
A new clock shows how gravity warps time — even over tiny distances
This clock measured how gravity changes the passage of time in different places — even spots just one millimeter apart.
- Physics
Muons reveal the inner worlds of pyramids, volcanoes and more
Tracking these subatomic particles can uncover surprising hidden structures.
- Space
Some of the sun’s iconic coronal loops may be ghostly illusions
Wrinkles in the sun’s outer atmosphere might trick the eye into seeing glowing arches, scientists now report.
