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Solar plane takes off for flight around the world
The introduction of new technologies is often speeded up through adventurers who with their daring attempts spark the imagination that fuels development. Charles Lindbergh made the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Now two Swiss pilots hope to encourage the replacement of “old Read More...
Beijing has found a way to get more people reading books
Books seem to have lost their appeal. Who would want to sit down with a book on our daily commute if our smart phones bring us gossip and games? In Beijing, subway riders are now being seduced to pick up a book without doing away their phones. A simple scan of a QR code inside the train car gives Read More...
Wildlife is returning in cities
Over a hundred years ago, famous naturalist William Henry Hudson thought it “exceedingly rare” that raptors would ever return to the city. Ever since, cities have gotten more densely populated. Yet, ecologists are starting to discover that the modern city has become a natural habitat for many Read More...
Eat some peanuts, it boosts your heart
It has been thought for long that peanuts can be wholesome. After all, peanuts contain a list of healthy nutrients, including vitamins B3, B11 and E. Now, a newly released, impressively big international study concludes that eating peanuts may reduce your chances of cardiovascular disease and Read More...
A road map to a world without fossil fuels in 2050
We know we have to move from our dependence on fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. And despite the well-funded fossil fuel lobby, we also know that it can be done now, with existing technology and within current government budgets. Arbtech is a UK agency that provides ecological surveys. They Read More...
US government policy works: Kids are eating more fruit at schools
The US government manages to encourage schoolchildren to eat in a healthier way. Research shows that kids eat more fruit at school, and throw away less food. Childhood obesity is a major problem, and the government introduced guidelines for school meals in 2012: more vegetables, more fruit, fewer Read More...
Tree with 3D-printed leaves captures energy from sun and wind
What would nature do? Scientists at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland were curious about it, and created a tree with leaves of ultrathin 3D-printed solar cells. The leaves do not only store solar energy, but they also harvest kinetic energy from wind and temperature changes in the Read More...
Supporting mindfulness with neuroscience and technology
Inspiring story in Fast Company of an entrepreneur who used the latest neuroscience to support people with their mindfulness practice. Ariel Garten’s InterAxon created a headband called Muse that in conjunction with an app—Calm—increases focus and reduces stress. Users report that their Read More...
Humans are getting smarter
Global IQs are rising, an average of 20 points in the last 50 years. While there is some debate about the relevancy of IQ tests—they don’t factor in social constructs that can impact the score—generally they are regarded as accurate measures of intelligence. The IQ scores of most people are Read More...
Red wine and grapes improves memory
The health benefits of wine have been widely reported on. Now adding to that list is that consuming grapes and red wine naturally improves your memory. Scientists have discovered antioxidants in grapes and red wine that—also peanuts—have a positive impact on the hippocampus, the area of the Read More...