NASA's Juno Spacecraft Breaks Record As Humanity's Most Distant Solar-Powered Explorer
NASA launched the Juno mission to Jupiter in 2011, and now it has broken the record to become humanity's most distant solar-powered spacecraft. At 7 pm on Wednesday 13th January, Juno's distance from the sun was confirmed at 493 million miles, which is over four times that of Earth (92.96 million miles for reference).
How Much Power Do You Need To Destroy A Planet?
We petitioned for a Death Star to be built this year, and while the plan was turned down, it left us all asking one simple question. What would it take to actually blow up a planet? Scott Manley looked into the science of replicating the Star Wars space station.
High-Tech Smart Glove Translates Sign Language Into Text And Speech
A student from Goldsmiths, University of London has created a 'smart glove' that can translate sign language into text and speech. Designer and media artist Hadeel Ayoub has begun working on upgrading this to real-time translation, but this development is an amazing start.
Robots learn to solve problems faster by playing Minecraft
Minecraft is great for teaching young gamers key skills like problem solving and creativity, but it's not just humans who can learn a something from it. Researchers have used the computer game to teach robots these same skills in a faster, more efficient way.
How are memories created? Study by University of Leicester and UCLA finds out
While we've figured out many aspects of human life through scientific endeavour, one of the most fascinating is still one shrouded in mystery: how does human memory work? How do we create unforgettable episodes of time in our mind, which we are reminded of at certain locations or with certain people?
New prosthetic leg controlled by the mind
Doctors in Europe have unveiled the first viable brain-controlled bionic leg in Copenhagen, working without external computers and working much more like a real leg than ever before.
Planet Earth has a flag now
With shades of Richard Nixon's head opening his speeches with "my fellow Earthicans" on Futurama, the planet now has a new flag we can pledge allegiance to.
Scientists X-ray chocolate to find out how it turns white
Ever left a chocolate bar long enough for it to turn white? While it's harmless, the sweet stuff doesn't look that appetising after it happens. Scientists at Nestle have started work to figure out what's going on at a microscopic level by X-raying chocolate.
Study shows having more sex will not make you happier
The assumption is that having more sex will make you happier, but I'm afraid that isn't the case. According to researchers from Carnegie Mellon University, increased frequency of sexual activity leads to a decline in actually wanting it, meaning enjoyment (and happiness) is reduced.
NASA plans to use a robotic eel to explore one of Jupiter's moons
NASA has begun exploring new ways to explore planets through their Innovative Advanced Concepts program (NIAC). One of these is a robotic eel, which they can use to travel across Jupiter's gas giant of a moon 'Europa.'
Researchers create a leg brace that can power an artificial heart by walking
Artificial organs are an incredible area of innovation, but one thing that's always been a problem is where they get the power to run from? A team of students from Rice University called "Farmers" are developing a leg brace that could generate energy straight to an artificial heart using a modified leg brace with a motor on the joint.
British government backs plans to build Europe's first space port in the UK
The British government have approved plans to build a spaceport in the United Kingdom, set to be fully build and operational by 2018.
Meet The Mars 100: people hoping to spend the rest of their lives on the red planet
One hundred people have been shortlisted by Mars One, out of which four will be the first humans to live on Mars.
DARPA creates tech that lets robots learn from YouTube videos
In another step towards robots becoming self-aware, DARPA and the University of Maryland have created a program which gives them the ability to learn complicated skills using just a playlist of YouTube videos.
Super Mario World AI Listens To Your Advice And Learns How To Play
The red plumber has become self-aware. Mario AI, a project created by students from the University of Tubingen in Germany, makes Nintendo's mascot both aware of his environment and responsive to your advice.
NASA's Kepler Telescope Discovers The Most 'Earth-Like' Planets Ever
Astronomers announced that they have found eight new exoplanets using NASA's Kepler Telescope, two of which are more Earth-like than anything they've ever seen.
'Problem Solver' Beer Designed To Get You Drunk Enough To Make You Better At Your Work
Have you ever noticed a couple of beers can help you feel more creative? University of Illinois Professor Jennifer Wiley has, determining a person's peak of creativity at a blood alcohol level of 0.075, the perfect amount that lowers your ability to overthink during a task without affecting you too much.
NASA Proposes Sending Humans To The Skies Of Venus
NASA scientists have created a study proposing humans go colonise Venus. However, since the surface of the planet has 92 times more pressure than Earth's atmosphere and a temperature of 500 degrees C, we will explore from the safe distance of the clouds using Airships and Cloud Cities.
Double Amputee Makes History By Controlling Two Robotic Arms With His Mind
Colorado man Les Baugh has made history with two bionic arms attached at shoulder level, controlled by his thoughts alone. This makes him the first bilateral amputee in the world to do this.
Artificial skin can give artificial limbs the sense of touch
There have been some amazing advancements in prosthetic limbs, from mind control to 3D printing. But none have been able to feel a sense of touch. That is until now, as a team of American and Korean researchers have developed an artificial material that stretches and senses just like real skin.