With the northeast U.S. emerging from yet another snowstorm, California has just recorded its hottest winter ever, with average temperatures 4.4 degrees hotter than the 20th century average. Continue reading… “The cost of California’s drought”
No more math and history: Finland is abandoning subjects at school
Consistently ranking near the top in mathematics, reading, and science in the prestigious PISA rankings (the 2012 list, pdf) by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Finland already has one of the best school education systems in the world. Continue reading… “No more math and history: Finland is abandoning subjects at school”
Tesla to add self-driving ‘autopilot’ mode to Model S
Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently revealed that “in about three months” they will be providing a software update to its Model S fleet that will turn on auto-steering, or “autopilot” as Musk often refers to it. Continue reading… “Tesla to add self-driving ‘autopilot’ mode to Model S”
FAA green lights Amazon for delivery drone testing
Amazon’s delivery drones may be more than just a publicity stunt. The Federal Aviation Administration announced on March 19, that Amazon is receiving an experimental airworthiness certificate. This will allow them to test drone aircraft. Continue reading… “FAA green lights Amazon for delivery drone testing”
Will smart machines make us dumb?
We are now at a crossroads of artificial intelligence: We can design computers that sharpen our wits or we can let our machines turn us into ignoramuses. Continue reading… “Will smart machines make us dumb?”
Rethink Robotics unveils new robot Sawyer
Rethink Robotics has developed a new robot. It is not a new version of their older robot Baxter, but a completely different robot, stuffing all of the adaptive, collaborative technology that makes Baxter unique into a form factor that’s smaller, faster, stronger, and more precise. Continue reading… “Rethink Robotics unveils new robot Sawyer”
High-quality 3D printing of metal parts with open-source algorithms
America Makes, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute that’s focused on helping the U.S. grow capabilities and strength in 3D printing, has recently awarded $540,000 to General Electric and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory(LLNL) for development of open-source algorithms that will improve additive manufacturing (3D printing) of metal parts. Continue reading… “High-quality 3D printing of metal parts with open-source algorithms”
New 3-D printer that grows objects from goo
Crazy as it may sound, but we may already need to start differentiating between “old-fashioned” and modern 3-D printing methods. Continue reading… “New 3-D printer that grows objects from goo”
Medical marijuana for pets
A bill recently proposed in the Nevada state legislature, would grant ailing pets access to medical marijuana. Continue reading… “Medical marijuana for pets”
Print to order custom organs
Stephen and Amelie Trice learned eight years ago that their three-year-old son Troupe needed a new heart. Troupe was diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy, an extremely rare and deadly condition in which the heart is unable to relax between heartbeats. Continue reading… “Print to order custom organs”
Greenwald: iPhone encryption ‘petrified’ NSA
Glenn Greenwald, the writer who first reported on Edward Snowden’s stolen files, says that stronger encryption in Apple’s iPhones and on websites like Facebook has “petrified” the U.S. government because it has made it harder to spy on communications. Continue reading… “Greenwald: iPhone encryption ‘petrified’ NSA”
Craft brewers now have more than 10 percent share of beer market
According to the nonprofit Brewers Association based in Boulder, CO, Craft brewers increased their market share of the American beer industry in 2014. Continue reading… “Craft brewers now have more than 10 percent share of beer market”
