Tech
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Neuroscience
This colorful web is the most complete look yet at a fruit fly’s brain cells
Scientists compiled 21 million images to craft the highest-resolution view yet of the fruit fly brain.
- Animals
New ‘Poké Ball’ robot catches deep-sea critters without harming them
A machine that gently catches and releases animals underwater could help researchers take a more detailed census of the deep sea.
- Computing
Solving problems by computer just got a lot faster
A new computer program sifts through all possible solutions to find the best answer to a given problem far faster than other algorithms.
- Health & Medicine
Scared of heights? This new VR therapy could help
Virtual reality may be good training ground for facing your fears in real life.
- Particle Physics
50 years ago, neutrinos ghosted scientists
In the last half-century, neutrino detectors have spotted particles cast out by the sun, supernova 1987A and a supermassive black hole.
- Particle Physics
Readers ask about proton pressure, wearable tech and more
Readers had questions about the pressure inside a proton, wearable tech safety and the effects of global warming on insects.
- Materials Science
Designer diamonds could one day help build a quantum internet
A new design in artificial diamonds stores and releases quantum information better than others.
- Astronomy
NASA’s Parker probe is about to get up close and personal with the sun
The Parker Solar Probe is about to make a historic voyage to touch the sun.
- Tech
50 years ago, a Japanese scientist dreamed up a rocket-propelled train
50 years ago, a Japanese engineer tried rocket boosters on a train. Today, high-speed trains propelled by superconducting magnets are being tested.
- Astronomy
Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft arrives at the asteroid Ryugu
The Hayabusa2 spacecraft says “hello” to near-Earth asteroid Ryugu.
- Tech
With this new system, robots can ‘read’ your mind
Giving robots instructions via brain waves and hand gestures could help the machines operate more safely and efficiently.
- Earth
Underwater fiber-optic cables could moonlight as earthquake sensors
The seafloor cables that ferry internet traffic across oceans may soon find another use: detecting underwater earthquakes.
