Policy
The Intellectual Property System Is an Impenetrable Maze
The first step toward fixing it is to map it
Computing2335 articles archived since 1845
The Sciences
Finally, a Way to Predict a Wildfire's Behavior in Real Time
Scientists help firefighters battle changing conditions by combining computer fire models and infrared satellite data
Technology
Haiyan-Battered Philippine Cities Struggle to Resurrect Communications
Many Filipinos embraced wireless in response to a history of poor landline service, leaving them with few communications options after the superstorm
Policy
Why Patents and Copyright Protections Are More Important Than Ever
Don’t listen to pundits who say the intellectual property system has outlived its usefulness. It needs to be updated, not abolished
Technology
Will IBM’s Watson Usher in a New Era of Cognitive Computing?
As a platform to help with decision-making, Watson has a lot to learn—which is exactly the point
Technology
NoiseTube
Participate in the collective noise mapping of your city or neighborhood
The Sciences
Natural Particles Confound Climate Scientists and Computer Models
Exactly how much natural aerosols from volcanoes and sea spray cool the climate remains an elusive question
Technology
Neuroelectronics Make Smarter Computer Chips
Computer chips inspired by human neurons can do more with less power
Policy
How to Think about Privacy
Making sense of one of the thorniest issues of the digital age
Technology
Smartphone-Based Imaging System Spots Nanoscale Objects
New research shows how mobile devices can identify single viruses, maybe single molecules
The Sciences
Shazam-Like Dolphin System ID's Their Whistles
A program uses an algorithm to identify dolphin whistles similar to that of the Shazam app, which identifies music from databases by changes in pitch over time. Christopher Intagliata reports...
The Sciences
8 Apps That Turn Citizens into Scientists
These mobile tools help you become a citizen scientist, whether you’re documenting wildlife or measuring the effects of light pollution
Environment
Western Digital Enlists Helium for 6TB Energy-Efficient Drives
Can helium improve the capacity and efficiency of hard drives?
Technology
Could Civilian Drones Become Lethal Projectiles? [Video]
An experiment demonstrates the radio-controlled hijacking of a drone
Technology
Do You Prefer To Read on Paper or Screens? [Poll]
Tell us how paper and digital devices shape your reading habits
Policy
How to Think about Privacy: An Interview with Jaron Lanier
The virtual reality pioneer talks Facebook, the NSA, the limits of big data and the future of our digital selves
Policy
Better Security Measures Are Needed Before Drones Roam the U.S. Airspace
Fleets of unmanned aircraft may soon scan terrain for forest fires and deliver FedEx packages. Yet drones' security flaws allow them to be readily hijacked with simple technologies
Technology
iPad Air Benchmarks Show 80 Percent Speed Bump Over iPad 4
Primate Labs found that the tablet comes close to reaching Apple's promise of doubling the speed of the iPad 4
Health
Why We Must Keep Track of Errors in Electronic Medical Records
Digital medical records can easily go awry, but nobody is tracking the errors
Environment
Hurricane Sandy Animations Could Improve Flood Forecasts
Data from Sandy is improving models that can predict storm surge and pinpoint sites for storm barriers
