HEADLINES ARCHIVE
Electric School Buses Motor Ahead in Pilot Project
School buses are one of the largest mass transit segments in the country, carrying more than twice the number of passengers as the entire U.S. transit and rail sectors.
AI Program Names Boston the New Amazon HQ2
Which U.S. city will win the big prize in the Amazon HQ2 competition? Wells Fargo bank’s artificial intelligence system says Boston will be the winner.
Researchers Hack Off-the-Shelf Devices to Show Vulnerabilities
In a demonstration of how vulnerable everyday, off-the-shelf smart devices are, cyber researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) disassembled devices such as baby monitors and home security cameras to reveal the security issues underlying the devices.
Researchers Discover that Flash Floods Carry Significiant Amount of Microplastics from Rivers to the Sea
While looking at the impact of microplastics on U.K. waterways over the course of several years, researchers from the University of Manchester discovered that flash floods had carried a significant amount of microplastics from rivers and streams to the ocean.
China Challenges U.S. for Innovation Lead, Researchers Say
In terms of R&D intensity, China is approaching the U.S. -- but remains behind. However, in terms of patent applications, China has overtaken the U.S., according to researchers.
Norway Using Underwater Drones to Help Clean Its Fjords
On the surface, the Oslo Fjord in Norway seems beautiful and picturesque, yet look below the surface and you’ll see that the water is teeming with garbage thanks to a government -- one of the few in the world -- that allows for the offshore dumping of waste into its fjords.
Software Designed to Prevent Both Food Waste and Hunger
Hoping to both reduce the amount of food that goes wasted each year in the United States and to combat the issue of hunger, a computer science expert and systems analyst from Iowa State University’s Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology has developed software that could help.
Engineers Develop More Efficient and Durable Material for Insulation
Engineers from the University of Maryland have developed a material to compete with Styrofoam™ and other insulation materials that is lighter, more durable and environmentally friendly.
Scientists Develop Inexpensive Device to Test Drinking Water for Arsenic
With World Health Organization estimates of around 140 million people having to drink water containing unsafe levels of arsenic, scientists from UCL and Imperial College London have created an affordable and easy-to-use arsenic sensor.
Krill: A Potential Weapon in Ocean Plastics Battle
With an estimated eight million tons of plastic finding its way into our oceans each year — threatening marine ecosystems and killing marine life — one researcher may have inadvertently discovered a potential weapon to combat the threat of ocean plastic pollution.
'Creepy' Laughter Coming from Alexa
Imagine being in the midst of a conversation with a friend or on the verge of falling asleep when suddenly laughter emerges, unprompted, from your voice-activated assistant. This has been the reality for a number of Amazon Echo and Echo Dot users who have been detailing their experiences all over the internet in recent weeks.
A Smartphone Case That Can Check Blood Pressure is in Development
Checking your blood pressure in the future could be as simple as touching a smartphone case, according to developers who have been working on such a device.
Singapore Inks $262m Rail Upgrade Deal
The contract covers the supply of 19 automated people mover cars, the retrofit of 13 existing cars and the delivery of a signaling system upgrade.
How Your Smartphone Adds to Global Carbon Emissions
Data centers and smartphones will be the most damaging information and communications technologies to the environment in terms of global carbon footprint by 2040.
Tech Companies Join Forces to Combat Wildlife Trafficking
Hoping to “collectively reduce wildlife trafficking across platforms by 80 percent by 2020,” 21 tech companies have joined forces to create The Global Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online.
Google Maps Street View Adds 11 Disney Parks
Want a Disney vacation without the cost or the long lines, all from the comfort of your own home? Google Maps Street View makes this vision a (virtual) reality with the recent addition of 11 Disney parks.
Germany Mulls Air Pollution Toll
Instead of banning older diesel vehicles in certain zones throughout German cities as was recently proposed, European Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc believes that charging a toll to each driver based on their vehicle’s emissions would better combat air pollution.
Watch: LEGO to Launch Sustainable, Plant-based Plastic Bricks
Plant-based plastic sourced from sugarcane will be used in the manufacturing of leaves, bushes and trees for LEGO sets.
Fighting 'Microfiber' Pollution Begins in the Laundry Room
As concerns for microbead (the tiny plastic particles found in many a household product) pollution mount, environmental scientists are now turning their attention to another pollutant that is likely following in the microbead’s footsteps straight into the ocean.
Driving While Talking on Cell Phone Still Hazardous
While it is no secret that driving while talking on the phone is a distraction that can lead to accidents and other driving mishaps, researchers analyzing recent studies on the topic believe that the updated data provides even more compelling evidence of the dangers, and thus a platform, for governments looking to enact legislation to restrict drivers’ cell phone use.