Tech

Computing

AI can predict which criminals may break laws again better than humans

Computer algorithms are better than people at forecasting recidivism, at least in some situations, a new study finds.

Tech

The U.S. power grid desperately needs upgrades to handle climate change

The climate is changing faster than the U.S. power grid is adapting. Smarter grids and smaller grids could help.

Physics

A quantum strategy could verify the solutions to unsolvable problems — in theory

A quantum technique for verifying solutions to difficult problems could apply to an “unbelievably huge” class of puzzles.

Archaeology

A 3-D printed vocal tract lets an ancient mummy speak from beyond the grave

A re-created version of a mummy’s vocal tract reveals what this ancient Egyptian might have sounded like.

Life

‘PigeonBot’ is the first robot that can bend its wings like a real bird

Insights into the joint movements and feather surface structures that help birds control their wing shape could help robotic flyers move more deftly.

Quantum Physics

Google claimed quantum supremacy in 2019 — and sparked controversy

Google’s quantum computer outperformed the most powerful supercomputer on a task, the company reported. But some scientists aren’t fully convinced.

Space

China stuck its moon landing this year. Others weren’t as lucky

Fifty years after Apollo 11 landed on the moon, Earth’s sidekick is getting renewed attention from space agencies around the world.

Space

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx must avoid ‘Mount Doom’ to return a sample of the asteroid Bennu

The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft finally has a target spot for sample collection, called Nightingale, on the asteroid Bennu.

Space

NASA’s Parker probe has spotted the Geminid meteor showers’ source

For the first time, we’ve spotted the trail of space debris responsible for the Geminid meteor shower.

Archaeology

An AI found a hidden Nazca Line in Peru showing a humanoid figure

An artificial intelligence program designed to go through massive datasets for hints of ancient geoglyphs called Nazca Lines has discovered a new one.

Tech

A tiny switch could redirect light between computer chips in mere nanoseconds

Microscopic switches that ferry information using light, not electric current, could help create better, faster electronics.

Artificial Intelligence

A will to survive might take AI to the next level

Neuroscientists argue that the biological principle of homeostasis will lead to improved, “feeling” robots.