Fires could be extinguished using beams of electricity

Fires could be extinguished using beams of electricity: "It's certainly an established fact that electricity can cause fires, but today a group of Harvard scientists presented their research on the use of electricity for fighting fires. In a presentation at the 241st National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, Dr. Ludovico Cademartiri told of how they used a unique device to shoot beams of electricity at an open flame over one foot tall. Almost immediately, he said, the flame was extinguished."

Biomarker research could lead to finger-prick cancer test

Biomarker research could lead to finger-prick cancer test: "A new interdisciplinary breakthrough could see cancer being diagnosed through a quick finger-prick test. After five years of research, the team of biologists, clinical oncologists, pathologists and information scientists from ETH Zurich, University Hospital Zurich and the Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen have determined a biomarker for prostate cancer – a particular pattern of proteins in the blood that indicate the presence of cancerous disease."

Scientists unveil 'world's first practical artificial leaf'

Scientists unveil 'world's first practical artificial leaf': "Leaves – the kind that grow on trees – create energy from sunlight and water through the process of photosynthesis. For over a decade, scientists have been kicking around the idea of creating an 'artificial leaf.' Such a device would use sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, which could then be stored in a fuel cell and used to create electricity."

Video: A tribute to Space Shuttle Discovery

Video: A tribute to Space Shuttle Discovery: "The final touchdown of space shuttle Discovery at Kennedy Space Center in Florida earlier this month marked the end of a remarkable career for the oldest of the surviving NASA shuttles."

Body Art - Hand Animals | Optical Illusions

Body Art - Hand Animals | Optical Illusions: "These have to be some of the best examples of hand art I’ve ever seen. Great fun to look at for the kids and a real example of how to disguise your hand as an elephant, eagle or tiger. Click the main post for the full set of pictures."

Volvo fits its EV’s with bio-ethanol powered heater

Volvo fits its EV’s with bio-ethanol powered heater: "It's no secret that ambient temperature can have a significant impact on the performance of battery electric vehicles and temperature differences can therefore have a major impact in the range of said EVs."

Video road test: The Zero S electric supermotard

Video road test: The Zero S electric supermotard: "The latest in our series of video road tests is America's leading electric motorcycle: the Zero S, from California's Zero Motorcycles. Seventy-five miles per hour and 60 miles between charges are the big numbers here – but how does that translate to real life use?"

Laptop concept would roll up like a yoga mat

Laptop concept would roll up like a yoga mat: "Notebooks and tablets already offer pretty convenient computing on-the-go solutions, but Germany's Orkin Design proposes rolling up both devices into one ultra-portable package."

Toshiba’s 14-inch USB-powered Mobile Monitor released

Toshiba’s 14-inch USB-powered Mobile Monitor released: "Walk into any graphic or game design studio, trading center or media authoring/editing business and you'll more than likely see some sort of multi-display workstation setup. I too have found that expanding display real estate over more than one screen can be very useful, but when thinking about such things for my notebook, I'm kind of limited to integrated screen-and-a-half or full dual-screen options."

Bikemaker-carmaker collaboration produces the S-Works + McLaren Venge

Bikemaker-carmaker collaboration produces the S-Works + McLaren Venge: "Given that legendary Italian bicycle-maker Colnago has collaborated with Ferrari on limited-edition bikes in the past, it perhaps shouldn't come as a surprise that another bicycle company might also see the technological (and marketing) value of hooking up with a maker of racing and luxury automobiles."

Motorized rehabilitation shoes put elderly on shaky ground to improve balance

Motorized rehabilitation shoes put elderly on shaky ground to improve balance: "Although it might seem counter-intuitive, making it more difficult for older people to walk will actually improve their mobility. Walking on unpredictable and uneven surfaces can improve balance and help reduce risk of falling."

Man-made 'clouds' to shade 2022 World Cup in Qatar?

Man-made 'clouds' to shade 2022 World Cup in Qatar?: "With the World Cup always held in the European off-season in June and July, the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar offers the prospect of players and spectators sweating through the hottest part of the year."