Tech

  1. Tech

    Did Facebook put Instagram profits ahead of teen safety?

    Former employee said Facebook (now Meta) ignored its own research on Instagram risks to teens’ mental health. We look at the issues and what you can do.

    By Kathiann Kowalski
  2. Brain

    Ask the experts: How to create a top-notch science fair project

    Five finalists in the Broadcom MASTERS middle-school competition reveal how they created nationally competitive projects.

    By JoAnna Wendel
  3. Tech

    Will you learn better from reading on screen or on paper?

    Some studies find students don’t learn as well by reading on screens as from paper. But that's not always true. Here’s how to make the most of reading in either format.

    By Avery Elizabeth Hurt
  4. Tech

    A sense of touch could upgrade virtual reality, prosthetics and more

    Scientists and engineers are trying to add touch to online shopping, virtual doctor appointments and artificial limbs.

    By Kathiann Kowalski
  5. Tech

    Synthetic trees could tap underground water in arid areas

    They also could also help coastal residents mine fresh water from salty sources.

    By Sid Perkins
  6. Brain

    Scientists Say: Haptic

    Haptic is an adjective used to describe things related to our sense of touch.

    By Maria Temming
  7. Tech

    Tiny swimming robots may help clean up a microplastics mess

    Big problem, tiny solution. Researchers in the Czech Republic have designed swimming robots that can help collect and break down microplastics.

    By Stephen Ornes
  8. Tech

    Let’s learn about artificial intelligence

    Computers are getting smarter all the time. At some tasks, they can even outsmart people.

    By Maria Temming
  9. Tech

    Headphones or earmuffs could replace needles in some disease testing

    A new system that uses earmuffs to collect gases coming out the skin could help doctors diagnose a variety of diseases, scientists say.

    By Sid Perkins
  10. Earth

    Stores and malls buy into ponds and rain gardens for flood control

    An extra bonus: These rainy-day ponds clean up that dirty water running off parking lots.

    By Bethany Brookshire
  11. Chemistry

    New glue offers to turn any small walking robot into Spider-Man

    To climb walls, robot feet need to alternately stick and let go. A novel adhesive can do that. Its stickiness is controlled by electric fields.

    By Shi En Kim
  12. Tech

    Sleep-friendlier lighting is on the way

    Chemists have created a new glowing material for LEDs. It should lessen how much near-bedtime lighting impairs your ability to nod off.

    By Manasee Wagh