EvoMouse turns your digits digital

EvoMouse turns your digits digital

With the plethora of mouse alternatives available or in development you'd be forgiven for thinking the humble computer mouse was some kind of torturous device inflicted upon computer users. But despite challengers such as the trackball, theWOW-PEN Joy, the ErgoSlider Plus, the Orbita Mouse and the AirMouse – just to name a few – the mouse has maintained its dominance while remaining largely unchanged since its unveiling in 1968.

Banana peels can be used to purify water

Banana peels can be used to purify water

The skin of a banana has been used to great comic effects in numerous slapstick routines for many years. It's also good for the skin and is a traditional cure for warts. You can polish shoes and silver with it. You can make wine with it and it's even been known to find itself being dried, wrapped in paper and smoked. Now, research published in the journal of the American Chemical Society claims that mashed up peel can remove heavy metals from river water.

Map provides near-real-time updates on Japan aftershocks

Map provides near-real-time updates on Japan aftershocks

Almost incomprehensible as the devastation from last Friday's earthquake and tsunami in Japan has been, scientists warn that more aftershocks are on their way. In order to get all the information on current seismic activity in one place, researchers at Texas Tech University's Center for Geospatial Technologies have developed an online, publicly-accessible world map that displays data on disturbances worldwide, almost as soon as they have occurred.

Fling - a joystick for your iPad

Fling - a joystick for your iPad

Although it's pretty impressive how the screen content of an iPad can be manipulated entirely by touchscreen, one need look no farther than the popularity of Bluetooth keypads to see that sometimes users want separate physical controls.

Stealth introduces rugged All-in-One panel PCs

Stealth introduces rugged All-in-One panel PCs

Stealth Computer has taken some of its rugged industrial PC know-how and developed an all-in-one solution for interactive kiosks, outdoor computing, or marine, aviation, security and industrial environments.

Researchers develop first molecular piston capable of self-assembly

Researchers develop first molecular piston capable of self-assembly

Just like a regular-sized device requires a regular-sized motor to operate, a nanodevice likewise requires a molecular-scale motor. In some cases, that motor takes the form of a piston, and building a piston that's just a few nanometers long ... well, it's pretty hard. It can and has been done, but it's an extremely fiddly process.

Human muscle tissue could be grown from sea creatures' whiskers

Human muscle tissue could be grown from sea creatures' whiskers: "Academics from the University of Manchester have developed a process of creating working human muscle tissue from sea squirts. The research holds promise for the engineering of muscles, ligaments and nerves from cellulose which is usually found in plants and is the main component of paper and plant based textiles such as cotton and linen."

U-2 reconnaissance aircraft to aid Japan in earthquake and tsunami relief efforts

U-2 reconnaissance aircraft to aid Japan in earthquake and tsunami relief efforts: "As Japan, and indeed the world, struggles to comprehend the devastation resulting from the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck on March 11, countries around the world have rushed to offer support in a number of ways."

Wearable scanner opens new pathways in the study of brain function

Wearable scanner opens new pathways in the study of brain function: "Scientists from the US Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a new miniature, wearable Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner which enables the simultaneous study of brain function and behavior in animals. PET scans are much like Computed Tomography (CT) scans and have helped uncover the molecular underpinnings of conditions like drug addiction, brain diseases such as dementia and they have been used in the medical imaging of cancers."

New form of computer memory uses 100 times less power

New form of computer memory uses 100 times less power: "Researchers from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of the University of Illinois have developed a new low-power digital memory which uses much less power and is faster than other solutions currently available."

Deliver-E Trike quietly takes on uneven ground

Deliver-E Trike quietly takes on uneven ground: "When those of us who live in urban areas picture letter carriers – or posties, or mailmen/women – we usually think of them as people who deliver the mail by foot. The fact is, however, letter carriers in much of the world use small motorcycles to make their deliveries."

BMW's 2011 bicycle range includes M division designed Carbon Racer

BMW's 2011 bicycle range includes M division designed Carbon Racer

While it might be better known for vehicles of the motorized variety, for over 60 years BMW has also been manufacturing a range of high-end bicycles. The company's new 2011 range provides something for everyone – or at least everyone with a well stocked wallet – with a Cruise Bike, Touring Bike and a couple of mountain bikes.