Mercury Flyby Maps New Territory
The results from the Messenger spacecraft’s third and final flyby of Mercury are finally in and cover ground never before mapped. But they leave scientists wanting more. NASA’s orbiter swung around Mercury on Sept. 29, 2009 to get a gravitational boost before settling into orbit in March 2011. The snapshots it took as it flew…
Smithsonian’s Spacesuits: Number One On The Runway
The iconic NASA spacesuit didn’t show up in astronauts’ closets fully formed. Here, a small sampling of the many precursors held with reverence at the Smithsonian Museum. Above, left to right: Mark IV, B.F. Goodrich; Mark II – Model “O”, B.F. Goodrich, 1956; Mark V – Modified, B.F. Goodrich, 1968; Mark II – Model “R”,…
Human Trials Next for Darpa’s Mind-Controlled Artificial Arm
Pentagon-backed scientists are getting ready to test thought-controlled prosthetic arms on human subjects, by rewiring their brains to fully integrate the artificial limbs. Already in recent years, we’ve seen very lifelike artificial arms, monkeys nibbling bananas with mind-controlled robotic limbs, and even humans whose muscle fibers have been wired to prosthetic devices. But this is…
Terahertz Detectors Could See Through Your Clothes From a Mile Away
Someone may soon be able to tell what types material are in your pockets from tens, and possibly thousands, of feet away. Using terahertz remote sensing, detectors could see through walls, clothing and packaging materials and immediately identify the unique terahertz waves of the materials contained inside, such as explosives or drugs. Until now, detecting…
Magnetic Nanoparticles Can Remotely Control Worms
Using magnetic nanoparticles, scientists have found a way to remotely control neurons and affect animal behavior. The nanoparticles, which are targeted to attach to cell membranes, heat up when exposed to a magnetic field. Researchers have demonstrated that the heat can open calcium ion channels in cells, activate neurons and even cause C. elegans worms…
