Tech

Computing

You can fight back against cyberattacks

Cyberattacks have cut power to a major city and delayed the delivery of medicine. Find out how experts combat such attacks and how to protect yourself.

Physics

Heat signatures help track down old and still deadly land mines

A new technique for locating land mines uses infrared cameras on drones. The novel technology uses temperature differences to find camouflaged mines before anyone might accidentally step on them.

Computing

These scientists help rescue ‘broken’ digital art

Computer-based art is more fragile than you might think. Fortunately, computer science offers new ways to restore these digital creations.

Physics

It took a ‘virtual’ telescope to actually picture a black hole

Here’s how scientists connected eight observatories across the world to create one Earth-sized telescope. This is what it took to create an image of a black hole.

Chemistry

Shape-shifting chemical is key to new solar battery

Storing solar energy is a challenge. A new, shape-shifting molecule may provide a solution.

Chemistry

Smartphone app helps researchers track art ‘acne’

Metal soaps can form damaging blisters on the surface of oil paintings. Scientists are tracking these “breakouts” to protect priceless art.

Computing

Rise of the botnets

Botnets are armies of connected, infected computers that attack websites and other online businesses. Some scientists have found ways to use connected computers for good, too.

Fossils

This robot shows how an ancient creature might have walked

Scientists used fossils, footprints, a computer models and a life-sized walking robot to find out how an ancient creature moved.

Materials Science

A self-cleaning glass keeps itself spotless underwater

Microscopic pancake-like structures keep dirt and oil from sticking to the surface of this self-cleaning glass.

Computing

This bionic mushroom makes electricity

What do you get when you combine fungi, graphene, 3-D printing and photosynthetic bacteria? A mushroom that makes electricity.

Materials Science

This bandage uses electrical zaps to heal wounds faster

Scientists have invented a bandage that helps wounds heal faster by zapping them with electricity. The patient’s own motions power this device.

Tech

This grid moves energy, but not always reliably

The grid that brings you electricity faces a host of threats. Engineers are at work to make it more reliable and nimble.