Technology
Smartphone-Based Imaging System Spots Nanoscale Objects
New research shows how mobile devices can identify single viruses, maybe single molecules
Computing2326 articles archived since 1845
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
Technology
The Reading Brain in the Digital Age: Why Paper Still Beats Screens
E-readers and tablets are becoming more popular as such technologies improve, but reading on paper still has its advantages
Mind & Brain
Software Firm Claims Breakthrough in Computer Vision Will Lead to Better AI
New brain-mimicking artificial intelligence software can read security images called CAPTCHAS as well as people do, its developer says--but scientists are skeptical
Technology
Qualcomm: Microsoft's Surface 2 Can't Compare to Nokia's Windows Tablet
The Nokia Lumia 2520 runs Windows RT and uses a Qualcomm processor
Technology
A “Futurehunter” Examines the Dangers of Stock Trading at the Speed of Light [Excerpt]
Highly automated systems for buying and selling promise big returns for the fastest traders, but such systems cannot always be controlled
Technology
Inside the Incriminating Hands-Free Texting Study
How we study hands-free technologies makes all the difference
Space & Physics
Dark Sky Meter
Measure the night sky (and light pollution) via an iOS app, and contribute your readings to a global map
Technology
Apple Releases OS X Mavericks for Free
Company tout its extended battery life, tabs, and tags, while demonstrating new features in Safari, Maps and iBooks
The Sciences
Tablet Computers Help Children in Remote Villages Learn to Read
Children in rural Ethiopia are teaching themselves to read with Android tablets
Engineering
What Should a Robot Look Like?
A robot’s appearance should depend on the work it does but never fall into the “uncanny valley” and come across as creepy
