
The Camera Will See You Now: New Tech Takes Wildlife Vitals from Afar
Measuring zoo animals’ heart and breathing rates from a distance keeps them—and humans—safe

The Camera Will See You Now: New Tech Takes Wildlife Vitals from Afar
Measuring zoo animals’ heart and breathing rates from a distance keeps them—and humans—safe

Transistor Boom Begins after Engineers Abandon Cat Whiskers
Originally published in August 1951


Pricey Storm-Surge Barriers May Be Worth It
Failing to protect our coasts from sea-level rise would cost vastly more

Kilometers of “Dark Cable” Form the Newest Seismic Sensors
Fiber-optic cables stretching below cities, through glaciers and along the seafloor could record earthquakes and more

Hackers Could Shut Down Satellites—or Turn Them into Weapons
The use of off-the-shelf components means bad actors can easily look for vulnerabilities

Parlor Trick Keeps Monorails on Track
Originally published in January 1914

Cool Butterfly Effect: Insect Equipment Could Inspire Heat-Radiating Tech
Butterfly wings contain complex thermodynamic structures that can teach us to make efficient—and colorful—cooling materials

Steam Locomotives Make Subway Air Sweet and Pleasant
Originally published in May 1862

Slaughterhouse Designed to Dump Waste into River
Originally published in August 1866

Bombs Dropped from Zeppelins Are Highly Accurate
Originally published in May 1914

How Quickly Can Iran Make a Nuclear Bomb?
With an international deal in serious jeopardy, Iran is not racing to build nuclear weapons—but its capabilities are growing

Like Taxicabs, New Airplanes Will Need Roofs
Originally published in January 1912