Futurism

Russian scientists: We have a “high chance” of cloning a wooly mammoth

An exquisitely preserved wooly mammoth is currently undergoing an autopsy in Siberia. Some experts believe they’ll be able to extract high quality DNA and cells from the remains which could conceivably be used to clone the extinct mammal. The question now is, should we? Back in May of last year, Russian scientists discovered the remains…

io9 George Dvorsky

This migrane preventing space tiara was just approved by the FDA

Fantastic news for people who suffer regularly from migraine headaches. The FDA has just approved a wearable electrical stimulation device for sales in the United States — a headband that prevents the onset of migraines when worn for just 20 minutes each day. A device like this is definitely long overdue. Some 10% of people…

io9 George Dvorsky

Meet the Teams Who Are Building the World’s First Medical Tricorder

Wouldn’t it be amazing if we all had a personal medical scanning device like Star Trek’s tricorder? Now the Qualcomm Tricorder XPRIZE is hoping to make it happen. We spoke to some contestants to learn how they’re planning to win part of the $10 million in prize money. The grand prize is worth $7 million,…

io9 George Dvorsky

This odd-looking cloaking device could make you invisible to sonar

Controlling the spread of sound and how it bounces off objects is not easy. But by using a few perforated sheets of plastic and a complex algorithm, researchers at Duke University have developed the world’s first 3D acoustic cloaking device. The device escapes acoustic detection by rerouting sound waves in such a way that both…

io9 George Dvorsky

The Biggest Hydroelectric Power Stations Ever Built

Of all the world’s power sources, the most amazing might be the sheer force of water under pressure. Seeking to harness this incredible capacity, humans have built massive structures, monuments to engineering skill and brilliance. Here are the largest hydroelectric power stations of all time. The 7,661 ft (2,335 m) long Three Gorges Dam in…

io9 Vincze Miklós

Watch as scientists “herd” cells with blasts of electricity

Researchers at Berkeley have orchestrated the flow of cell groups by using electrical currents. It’s a tissue engineering breakthrough that could eventually lead to “smart bandages” that use electricity to guide cells during the wound healing process. The process is called galvanotaxis — the use of electricity to direct cell movement. Previous studies have shown…

io9 George Dvorsky

Surgeons reconstructed this man’s face with a 3D printer

A team of surgeons in the UK has used 3D printing to reconstruct one side of a man’s face after a traumatic motorcycle accident in which he broke his cheekbone, nose, jaw, and fractured his skull. Top image: A model of the skull with the printed implants / BBC Using casts taken from the non-injured…

io9 Ria Misra

In the future we could use plants to mine the Earth for us

In the future we might not need humans, or even robots, to go down into the Earth and hack out chunks of metal. With a little work, plants might be able to do the mining for us. Which is good news, because mining for metals is tiring and dangerous for a human body. It requires…

io9 Esther Inglis-Arkell

7 Utopias that Changed the Future

Though “Utopia” means “nowhere,” many real-life societies have been strongly influenced by various concepts of a perfect realm where humans live in harmony with each other. Here are some of the most influential Utopian visions — and how they changed our distinctly non-Utopian world. Sculpture by Cornelia Konrads 1. Heaven Many religions across the world,…

Books & Comics Annalee Newitz

Ping pong match between robot and human looks faked

The highly awaited ping pong match between former champion Timo Boll and KUKA’s AGILUS robot has finally taken place. But after watching the video, it’s blatantly obvious the whole thing was staged. Okay, there’s no denying that KUKA’s KR AGILUS industrial robot is impressive; when it comes to fine motor tasks like sorting small objects…

io9 George Dvorsky

A powerful new virus is infecting computers in Ukraine

It’s called “Snake” and it’s being compared to another alleged state-run virus, Stuxnet. And yes, all evidence points to Russia. According to British-based BAE systems, dozens of computer networks have been infected with the virus, which sometimes goes by the name Ouroboros (named after the serpent in Greek mythology). It works by giving remote attackers…

io9 George Dvorsky

Watch the exact moment a deaf toddler hears for the very first time

A 17-month old deaf toddler named Alex Frederick recently had an experimental device implanted directly into his brainstem — a device that has yet to be approved for children in the United States. This is the exact moment it started to work. It’s called an auditory brainstem implant (ABI) — a surgically implanted electronic device…

io9 George Dvorsky

What is it like to hear color?

NPR is currently running a great radio piece on posthumanism featuring Neil Harbisson, an artist (and the world’s first government-recognized cyborg) who was born color-blind but now “sees” color with an extrasensory device he wears on his head. You can listen to the NPR piece here, but Harbisson’s TED Talk, above, serves as a good…

io9 Robbie Gonzalez

Here’s what American 8th graders think about high tech spying

News channel C-SPAN just announced the winners in its StudentCam competition, where people in grades 6-8 produced short news segments that answered the question, “What’s the most important issue the U.S. Congress should consider in 2014?” Their answer? Government spying. The winning documentary (above) and the second place winner (below) were both about NSA spying…

io9 Annalee Newitz

Scientists Create Genetically Modified Cells That Protect Against HIV

The treatment is considered radical, and the results were drawn from a small scale human trial, but for the first time in medical history, researchers have boosted their patients’ ability to fight HIV by replacing some of their natural immune cells with genetically modified versions. This news comes just one day after doctors announced that…

io9 George Dvorsky

Astoundingly Beautiful Concept Art from The Fifth Element

A number of brilliant artists contributed their unique vision to The Fifth Element, including Gaultier and Moebius. But one of the main influences on the film was Jean-Claude Mezieres, the comics artist whose time-travel comic director Luc Besson is adapting. Check out some of Mezieres’ original Fifth Element concept art right here. Mezieres’ art and…

Movies Charlie Jane Anders

Soon our roads could be made of smart solar panels

How can we turn thousands of miles of ugly asphalt roads into energy-producing powerhouses? By paving them in solar panels. One engineer’s idea of solar Utopia could be a lot more feasible than you’d think. Several years ago, engineer Scott Brusaw was talking to his wife Julie about how to wean ourselves off fossil fuels.…

io9 Annalee Newitz

Craig Venter’s new longevity startup will make “100 the new 60”

Biotechnologist Craig Venter — the first scientist to map the human genome and create synthetic life — now wants to dramatically extend the human lifespan. His new company, Human Longevity Inc., will use both genomics and stem cell therapies to help people stay healthy and vibrant for as long as possible. This news comes seven…

io9 George Dvorsky

This seriously badass exoskeleton can lift well over 200 pounds

Italian engineers have developed a wearable robot that allows operators to to lift up to 110 pounds (50kg) in each extended hand. Developed by Perceptual Robotics Laboratory (Percro) at Pisa’s Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, it could eventually be used for work in factories or to clear debris and rescue survivors in earthquake zones. The “body extender”…

io9 George Dvorsky

Is Earth’s infrared radiation a potential energy source?

At any given moment, our planet bleeds 100 million gigawatts of infrared radiation back into space. Needless to say, converting this wasted heat to a renewable energy source would be a sure-fire game changer. Physicists from Harvard University may have just figured out how to do it. Our Earth, which is heated by the sun,…

io9 George Dvorsky

Russian scientists: We have a “high chance” of cloning a wooly mammoth

This migrane preventing space tiara was just approved by the FDA

Meet the Teams Who Are Building the World’s First Medical Tricorder

This odd-looking cloaking device could make you invisible to sonar

The Biggest Hydroelectric Power Stations Ever Built

Watch as scientists “herd” cells with blasts of electricity

Surgeons reconstructed this man’s face with a 3D printer

In the future we could use plants to mine the Earth for us

7 Utopias that Changed the Future

Ping pong match between robot and human looks faked

A powerful new virus is infecting computers in Ukraine

Watch the exact moment a deaf toddler hears for the very first time

What is it like to hear color?

Here’s what American 8th graders think about high tech spying

Scientists Create Genetically Modified Cells That Protect Against HIV

Astoundingly Beautiful Concept Art from The Fifth Element

Soon our roads could be made of smart solar panels

Craig Venter’s new longevity startup will make “100 the new 60”

This seriously badass exoskeleton can lift well over 200 pounds

Is Earth’s infrared radiation a potential energy source?

Trump Says He’ll Sign Order to Pay TSA

Deadpool Will Deface ‘Magic: The Gathering’ Classics for a New Secret Lair

Apple’s Siri Isn’t Just Going to Use One Chatbot. It’s Going to Use All of Them

Why ‘For All Mankind’ Season 5 Is the Key to the Rest of the Series

ASUS ZenScreen 15.6-Inch Portable Monitor Is Now Cheaper Than Black Friday in Amazon’s Big Spring Sale

Early Wildfires Are Surging Across the US—and Trump’s New Fire Agency Isn’t Ready

INIU Brings Another Power Bank to the Spring Sale as SnapGo Keychain Portable Charger Drops to Its Lowest Price

Attorney Hit With Historic Fine for Citing AI-Generated Cases

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life

Nothing Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: Which Pair of ANC Wireless Headphones Wins?

Asus ROG’s Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds Might Be Better Than Wearing a Headset

Nintendo’s Talking Flower Is Annoying as Hell. I Love It

Level Lock Pro Review: As Good as a Secret Smart Lock Gets

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