Heading for the great outdoors? Don't forget the Yurt

Heading for the great outdoors? Don't forget the Yurt: "Youngsters who trek off into the back of beyond tend not to concern themselves too much with comfort. As you get older though, and perhaps have kids in tow, you may find that your camping needs undergo some modification."

Mosquito inspires near-painless hypodermic needle

Mosquito inspires near-painless hypodermic needle: "Mosquitoes are perhaps useful for something after all, besides feeding frogs. Along with his colleagues at Osaka's Kansai University, mechanical engineer Seiji Aoyagi has created an almost pain-free hypodermic needle that is based on a mosquito's proboscis. Perhaps surprisingly, the needle's patient-friendliness comes from the fact that its outer surface is jagged, not smooth."

Nikon adds to entry-level line of D-SLRs with new D5100

Nikon adds to entry-level line of D-SLRs with new D5100: "Nikon has announced the latest addition to its entry-level D-SLR lineup in the form of the new D5100. The D5100 boasts the same 23.3 x 15.6 mm CMOS sensor, 16.2-megpixel resolution and ISO range of 100–6400 (expandable to 25,600) as Nikon's D7000, plus a new Night Vision mode that can shoot up to a staggering 102,400 ISO."

Experimental direct solar steam generation power plant opens in Spain

Experimental direct solar steam generation power plant opens in Spain: "When most of us think of sunlight being used to generate power, we likely picture photovoltaic cells. Concentrated solar power plants however, use lenses or mirrors to heat fluid – such as synthetic oil – which in turn is used to generate high-pressure steam to drive a conventional turbine."

Ready for your close-up? It's a microscope for the iPhone

Ready for your close-up? It's a microscope for the iPhone: "It's all very well and good that iPhones can give you directions, let you surf the web, and do about a thousand other things, but what if you want to get a close look at something really tiny?"

Software tool allows programs to run faster without sacrificing security

Software tool allows programs to run faster without sacrificing security: "Protecting computer systems from malicious attack using complex software solutions is a constant, but necessary, struggle. As threats become more sophisticated, the technology used to fight them off can impact more and more on system perform"

Air New Zealand’s “cuddle class” seating gets off the ground

Air New Zealand’s “cuddle class” seating gets off the ground: "Anyone who has taken a long haul flight will know that getting some shut eye during the flight can be a bit of a challenge at the best of times. Dealing with crying babies or restless children is only compounded by being crammed into seats that become more and more uncomfortable as the hours go by."

Jet aircraft-inspired Chevrolet Mi-ray roadster concept

Jet aircraft-inspired Chevrolet Mi-ray roadster concept: "With General Motors last year announcing its intention to roll out Chevrolet across Korea, this year's Seoul Motor Show has seen the unveiling of a slick hybrid roadster concept developed by the GM Advanced Design Studio in Seoul to celebrate Chevrolet's 100-year heritage and showcase future design possibilities for the brand."

'Flying chameleon' simulates future flying wing aircraft

'Flying chameleon' simulates future flying wing aircraft: "'Flying wing' designs that offer reduced weight and drag when compared to traditional 'tube with wings and a tail' designs are theoretically the most efficient aircraft configuration. However, true flying wings are inherently unstable and difficult to control."

After 12 years and over 3.5 billion miles traveled, it's farewell to Stardust

After 12 years and over 3.5 billion miles traveled, it's farewell to Stardust: "NASA's comet trekking spacecraft Stardust has officially ended operations. Stardust sent its last transmission to Earth on March 24 having traveled an incredible 3.54 billion miles (5.69 billion kilometers) over a 12 year period to become 'NASA's most traveled comet hunter.'"

Single-shot, thumb-operated Palm Pistol set for 2011 release

Single-shot, thumb-operated Palm Pistol set for 2011 release: "The use of firearms for self-defense is a divisive issue, with weapons, especially concealable ones, being easily misappropriated for wrong-doing. While we're reluctant to suggest adding more guns to the equation, the newly developed single-shot Palm Pistol does have some worthwhile qualities as a defensive weapon for non-aggressors."

Foremay announces solid state drive smaller than a quarter coin

Foremay announces solid state drive smaller than a quarter coin: "Californian SSD manufacturer Foremay has announced a new addition to its OC177 storage family. Despite being smaller than a U.S. quarter coin, the company's first disk-on-chip (DOC) solution will be available in capacities up to 64GB, supporting both standard IDE or SATA host interface, in addition to complying with ATA-7 specifications."