Biology: Microbiology Computer Science: General Mathematics: Modeling Offbeat: Computers and Math Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

First computational reconstruction of a virus in its biological entirety      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A researcher has created a computer reconstruction of a virus, including its complete native genome. Although other researchers have created similar reconstructions, this is believed to be the first to replicate the exact chemical and 3D structure of a 'live' virus.

Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Squid tissues and chemistry combine for versatile hydrogels      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The natural abilities of squid tissues and the creativity of chemists combine to take hydrogel research in new directions.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Computer Science: General Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

'Smart' walking stick could help visually impaired with groceries, finding a seat      (via sciencedaily.com) 

For people who are blind or visually impaired, finding the right products in a crowded grocery store can be difficult without help. A team of computer scientists is trying to change that.

Biology: Microbiology Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Parasitic mites' biting rate may drive transmission of Deformed wing virus in honey bees      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Varroa destructor is an ectoparasitic mite that can cause European honey bee colonies to collapse by spreading Deformed wing virus as they feed. A study suggests a relatively small number of mites can contribute to a large number of infected bees.

Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

How to push, wiggle, or drill an object through sand      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers developed a faster and simpler way to model the forces needed to push, wiggle, and drill an object through soft, granular material in real-time. The methods could help engineers drive a rover over Martian soil, anchor a ship in rough seas, and walk a robot through sand and mud.

Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: Dinosaurs Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: General
Published

Researchers uncover 92 fossil nests belonging to some of India's largest dinosaurs      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The discovery of more than 250 fossilized eggs reveals intimate details about the lives of titanosaurs in the Indian subcontinent, according to a new study.

Anthropology: General Archaeology: General Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: Fossils
Published

Mummified crocodiles provide insights into mummy-making over time      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Crocodiles were mummified in a unique way at the Egyptian site of Qubbat al-Hawa during the 5th Century BC, according to a new study.

Engineering: Robotics Research Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Microelectronics give researchers a remote control for biological robots      (via sciencedaily.com) 

First, they walked. Then, they saw the light. Now, miniature biological robots have gained a new trick: remote control. The hybrid 'eBiobots' are the first to combine soft materials, living muscle and microelectronics, said researchers.

Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: Plants and Animals
Published

Blowing bubbles among echidna's tricks to beat the heat      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Research into how echidnas might respond to a warming climate has found clever techniques used by the animal to cope with heat, including blowing bubbles to wet its nose tip, with the moisture then evaporating and cooling its blood.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Physics: Acoustics and Ultrasound
Published

A precision arm for miniature robots      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Until now, microscopic robotic systems have had to make do without arms. Now researchers have developed an ultrasonically actuated glass needle that can be attached to a robotic arm. This lets them pump and mix minuscule amounts of liquid and trap particles.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Feathered robotic wing paves way for flapping drones      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Birds fly more efficiently by folding their wings during the upstroke, according to a recent study. The results could mean that wing-folding is the next step in increasing the propulsive and aerodynamic efficiency of flapping drones.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Words prove their worth as teaching tools for robots      (via sciencedaily.com) 

What is the best way to teach a robot? Sometimes it may simply be to speak to it clearly. Researchers found that human-language descriptions of tools can accelerate the learning of a simulated robotic arm lifting and using a variety of tools.

Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

The physical intelligence of ant and robot collectives      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers took inspiration from ants to design a team of relatively simple robots that can work collectively to perform complex tasks using only a few basic parameters.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research Mathematics: Modeling
Published

Should we tax robots?      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A small tax on robots, as well as on trade generally, will help reduce income inequality in the U.S., according to economists.

Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

New software based on Artificial Intelligence helps to interpret complex data      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Experimental data is often not only highly dimensional, but also noisy and full of artefacts. This makes it difficult to interpret the data. Now a team has designed software that uses self-learning neural networks to compress the data in a smart way and reconstruct a low-noise version in the next step. This enables it to recognize correlations that would otherwise not be discernible. The software has now been successfully used in photon diagnostics at the FLASH free electron laser at DESY. But it is suitable for very different applications in science.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

New winged robot can land like a bird      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a method that allows a flapping-wing robot to land autonomously on a horizontal perch using a claw-like mechanism. The innovation could significantly expand the scope of robot-assisted tasks.

Energy: Batteries Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Designing better battery electrolytes      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists give the lay of the land in the quest for electrolytes that could enable revolutionary battery chemistries.

Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Researchers develop wireless, ultrathin 'Skin VR' to provide a vivid, 'personalized' touch experience in the virtual world      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Enhancing the virtual experience with the touch sensation has become a hot topic, but today's haptic devices remain typically bulky and tangled with wires. Researchers have now developed an advanced wireless haptic interface system, called WeTac, worn on the hand, which has soft, ultrathin soft features, and collects personalized tactile sensation data to provide a vivid touch experience in the metaverse.

Computer Science: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

New robot does 'the worm' when temperature changes      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new gelatinous robot that crawls, powered by nothing more than temperature change and clever design, brings 'a kind of intelligence' to the field of soft robotics.

Engineering: Robotics Research
Published

Molecular shape-shifting      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Structures made out of building blocks can shift their shape and autonomously self-organize to a new configuration. The physicists revealed this mechanism which may be used to actively manipulate molecular organization. A seed of the novel desired configuration is sufficient to trigger reorganization. This principle can be applied on to biological building blocks which are constantly recycled to form new structures in living systems.