SciTech

An archive to spark your imagination...

- 'Millipede' small scale MEMS prototype shown at CeBIT - Thousands of extremely fine tips "write" tiny pits representing individual bits into a thin film of highly specific polymer. The principle is comparable with the old punch cards, but now with structural dimensions in the nanometer scale and the ability to erase data and rewrite the medium. (Click on link for complete article).

- Software learns to translate by reading up - Translation software that develops an understanding of languages by scanning through thousands of previously translated documents has been released by US researchers. (Click on link for complete article).

- Brain-controlled 'robo-arm' hope - Scientists in the US have created a robotic arm that can be controlled by thought alone. (Click on link for complete article).

- New proof that man has caused global warming - The strongest evidence yet that global warming has been triggered by human activity has emerged from a major study of rising temperatures in the world’s oceans. (Click on link for complete article).

- New Robots Walk Like Humans - In what could be described as one small step for a robot, but a giant leap for robot-kind, a trio of humanoid machines were introduced Thursday, each with the ability to walk in a human-like manner. (Click on link for complete article).

- The Five-Billion-Star Hotel - Need to get away from it all? Popular Science presents an exclusive tour of CSS Skywalker, an orbital resort that’s a lot closer to reality than you might think. (Click on link for complete article).

- Exploding Microcapsules Target Tumors - Tiny "smart bombs" have been developed that could one day deliver chemotherapy directly to tumors while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. (Click on link for complete article).

- Should You Be Tagged? - In his book, 1984, George Orwell predicted a time when ordinary people had no secrets from the government. Headed by Big Brother, the Party saw all and knew all, because they could track a person’s every move with two-way TVs called telescreens. (Click on link for complete article).

- Artificial Kidney Shows Promise - An artificial kidney that uses biological cells has shown promise in an early human trial, bringing a fully implantable device for treating renal failure one step closer. (Click on link for complete article).

- Paralysed man sends e-mail by thought - A pill-sized brain chip has allowed a quadriplegic man to check e-mail and play computer games using his thoughts. (Click on link for complete article).

- FDA Warns Consumers of the Dangers of Using Decorative Contact Lenses Without Proper Professional Involvement - This Halloween season, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is again warning consumers about the serious risks of using decorative contact lenses distributed without appropriate involvement by an eye care professional. These decorative lenses can cause permanent eye injury and may potentially lead to blindness. (Click on link for complete article).

- Robot makers say World Cup will be theirs by 2050 - THE footballers of tomorrow will have the midfield guile of Zinedine Zidane, the finishing ability of Andriy Shevchenko and the staying power of Roy Keane. (Click on link for complete article).