Tech

  1. Artificial Intelligence

    The brain of a tiny worm inspired a new type of AI

    A liquid neural network mimics how neurons interact in the brain of a worm. This type of AI can better adapt to new situations.

    By Kathryn Hulick
  2. Tech

    New system uses evaporation to greatly cool artificial turf

    It relies on rainwater that gets stored below a field of plastic "grass." The design also limits how much rain — and pollution — will run off artificial turf.

    By Laura Allen
  3. Tech

    Want to spot a deepfake? Focus on the eyes  

    A technique from astronomy could help detect deepfakes by spotting unrealistic reflections in the eyes of AI-generated images.

    By Ananya
  4. Health & Medicine

    Python fangs inspired a fix for shoulder injuries common in sports

    Curved teeth could grip fragile shoulder tendons without tearing, making rotator-cuff repairs stronger and more likely to last. 

    By Claire Yuan
  5. Tech

    Did builders of Egypt’s first pyramid use a water-powered elevator?

    A controversial study suggests that ancient people might have used one to hoist the stones used to assemble into King Djoser’s pyramid.

    By Bruce Bower
  6. Climate

    Stashing more CO2 in the ocean could slow climate change

    More research is needed on ways to safely remove some CO2 from the water to make room for more — such as by seaweed farming and iron fertilization.

    By Carolyn Gramling
  7. Tech

    Robotics might someday give us an extra hand

    We could control a bonus limb with the movements of our diaphragm.

    By Payal Dhar
  8. Tech

    Lasers help put the cork on spilled oil

    Treating cork with lasers made the material able to quickly sponge up oil while repelling water, scientists in China and Israel found.

    By Stephen Ornes
  9. Tech

    Laser-based tech can identify illegal elephant ivory

    Most elephant ivory is illegal to sell. Ivory from extinct mammoths isn’t. They look similar, but lasers can tell the difference to help catch poachers.

    By Stephen Ornes
  10. Tech

    Where are the flying cars? 

    Flying cars are a common sci-fi trope, and engineers have the technology to make them. So where are they?

    By Helen Bradshaw
  11. Materials Science

    Scientists Say: Superconductor

    At cold enough temperatures, these materials can conduct electricity with no resistance.

    By Katie Grace Carpenter
  12. Artificial Intelligence

    Soccer-playing robots show how nimble AI-powered machines can be

    Being controlled by reinforcement learning — a type of AI — helps robots navigate tough terrain. This could bring computer smarts to the real world.

    By Matthew Hutson