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Live interactions with robots increase their perceived human likeness![]() Washington DC (SPX) May 15, 2017 Most human interactions with robots come from behind a screen. Whether it's fiction or a real-life interaction, rarely are we put face to face with a robot. This poses a significant barrier when we look towards a future where robots will be part of our everyday lives. How do we break down this barrier? A recent study by researchers at the University of Koblenz-Landau, University of Wurzburg, and Arts Electronica Futurelab, found that people who watched live interactions with a robot were more like ... read more  | 
 
Robotic 'exoskeleton' prevents elderly falls: studyParis (AFP) May 11, 2017 Scientists unveiled a lightweight, robotic, outer "skeleton" Thursday that can detect when someone loses their balance, correct their gait, and prevent their fall. ... more  
3-D-printed 'bionic skin' could give robots the sense of touchMinneapolis MN (SPX) May 11, 2017 Engineering researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a revolutionary process for 3D printing stretchable electronic sensory devices that could give robots the ability to feel their ... more  
Chefs, robotics engineers, sailboat racers team up to tackle lionfish problemWashington (UPI) May 9, 2017 Lionfish populations are rapidly expanding along the East Coast of the United States and in the Caribbean, decimating native species and depleting the ecological diversity surrounding already vulnerable coral reefs. ... more  
Amazon's new Alexa speaker has a screen tooWashington (AFP) May 9, 2017 Amazon on Tuesday unveiled the latest member of its family of devices powered by its Alexa digital assistant - this one with a touchscreen. ... more  | 
 
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| Previous Issues | May 16 | May 15 | May 12 | May 11 | May 10 | 
 
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US Air Force Space Shuttle X-37B Finally UnmaskedSydney, Australia (SPX) May 08, 2017 The mysterious X-37B has ended its fourth mission, and for the first time on this flight, it has been officially unmasked. Gliding swiftly to a daylight landing at the Kennedy Space Centre after 718 ... more  
Computers learn to understand humans better by modelling themHelsinki, Finland (SPX) May 04, 2017 Computers are able to learn to explain the behavior of individuals by tracking their glances and movements. Researchers from Aalto University, University of Birmingham and University of Oslo p ... more  
Your future surgery may use an automated, robotic drillSalt Lake City UT (SPX) May 02, 2017 A computer-driven automated drill, similar to those used to machine auto parts, could play a pivotal role in future surgical procedures. The new machine can make one type of complex cranial surgery ... more  
The rise of automated artWashington DC (SPX) Apr 27, 2017 In 1968, sociologist Jean Baudrillard wrote on automatism that "contained within it is the dream of a dominated world [...] that serves an inert and dreamy humanity." With the growing popularity of ... more  
Synthetic two-sided gecko's foot could enable underwater roboticsWashington DC (SPX) Apr 27, 2017 Geckos are well known for effortlessly scrambling up walls and upside down across ceilings. Even in slippery rain forests, the lizards maintain their grip. Now scientists have created a double-sided ... more  
Service Academies Swarm Challenge Live-Fly Competition BeginsWashington DC (SPX) Apr 26, 2017 Small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other robots have become increasingly affordable, capable, and available to both the U.S. military and adversaries alike. Enabling UAVs and similar assets t ... more  | 
![]() Orbital cargo ship arrives at space station  
Human prejudices sneak into artificial intelligence systemsPrinceton NJ (SPX) Apr 19, 2017 In debates over the future of artificial intelligence, many experts think of the new systems as coldly logical and objectively rational. But in a new study, researchers have demonstrated how machine ... more  
Brane Craft Proposal Awarded Phase 2 by NASAEl Segundo CA (SPX) Apr 12, 2017 NASA has awarded Dr. Siegfried Janson of The Aerospace Corporation (Aerospace) with the 2017 NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase II grant award, worth approximately $500,000, for further ... more  
NASA Invests in 22 Visionary Exploration ConceptsPasadena CA (JPL) Apr 10, 2017 A mechanical rover inspired by a Dutch artist. A weather balloon that recharges its batteries in the clouds of Venus. These are just two of the five ideas that originated at NASA's Jet Propulsion La ... more  
Lockheed Martin gets license for military exoskeleton techWashington (UPI) Apr 11, 2017 Lockheed Martin announced plans to explore the military exoskeleton market after licensing bionic augmentation technology from B-Temia. ... more  | 
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 Dallas TX (SPX) May 11, 2017  
Airbus has launched its U.S. base and operations of a new commercial drone start-up, named Airbus Aerial, at the AUVSI Xponential tradeshow and conference in Dallas. With bases both in the U.S. and in Europe, Airbus Aerial's initial business will focus on developing new imagery services. These services will leverage the best software and aerospace technology from across the globe to offer action ... more London (AFP) May 16, 2017UK prison moves to stop drone deliveries of contraband  Taurene, Latvia (AFP) May 12, 2017Latvian daredevil in 'drone-diving' world first  Washington DC (UPI) May 11, 2017U.S. Army awards contract for extended range drone  | 
 Washington (AFP) May 16, 2017  
 Researchers from Hewlett-Packard Enterprise on Tuesday unveiled what they claimed was a breakthrough in computing with a new machine capable of handling vast amounts of data at supercomputing speeds. 
The prototype named simple "the Machine" uses a new approach to computer architecture which the company says can be adapted for a range of Big Data applications, handling tasks at thousands of t ... more Washington DC (SPX) May 16, 2017Inverse designing spontaneously self-assembling materials  Friedrichshafen, Germany (SPX) May 16, 2017"Airbus Friedrichshafen: new satellite hub lays groundwork for the future"  Houston TX (SPX) May 17, 2017'Hot' electrons don't mind the gap  | 
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 Lexington KY (SPX) May 15, 2017  
It's a material world, and an extremely versatile one at that, considering its most basic building blocks - atoms - can be connected together to form different structures that retain the same composition. 
Diamond and graphite, for example, are but two of the many polymorphs of carbon, meaning that both have the same chemical composition and differ only in the manner in which their atoms ar ... moreOrganic electronics: Semiconductors as decal stickers Refrigerator for quantum computers discovered  Seoul, South Korea (SPX) May 12, 2017Model for multivalley polaritons  | 
 Johannesburg (AFP) May 13, 2017  
 South Africa will relaunch plans to build nuclear power plants by signing new agreements with several countries, Energy Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said Saturday. 
A court in Cape Town last month ruled the government had failed to allow adequate public consultation for preliminary agreements with Russia, South Korea and the United States for the construction of eight reactors. 
Struggling to ... more Los Angeles (AFP) May 10, 2017Tunnel collapse at US nuclear site raises safety concerns  Los Angeles (AFP) May 10, 2017Tunnel collapses at US nuke site, no radiation leak  Washington DC (UPI) May 8, 2017Plutonium research to aid nuclear cleanup techniques  | 
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 Washington (AFP) May 12, 2017  
 The Pentagon said Friday it played no part in an unusual deal in which Islamic State jihadists were allowed to leave a key town in Syria - only for some of them to be killed anyway. 
The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces had independently cut a deal with the jihadists that let a group of about 70 of them leave Tabqa, an important city by a dam near the IS stronghold of Raqa. 
But as soon ... more Hong Kong (AFP) May 11, 2017Dramatic terror drill ahead of China visit  Copenhagen (AFP) May 9, 2017Turkey to play role in Raqa fight: Mattis  Copenhagen (AFP) May 9, 2017Anti-IS coalition meets in Denmark to assess campaign  | 
 Sydney (AFP) May 11, 2017  
 A major Australian power grid operator was Thursday partially leased to a local-foreign consortium in a multi-billion-dollar deal, ending an international chase for electricity assets being privatised to raise funds for infrastructure projects. 
Australia's largest state New South Wales has sought to privatise three large power assets - TransGrid, Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy - but faced ro ... more  (UPI) May 10, 2017Poland central to EU energy diversification strategy  Washington (UPI) May 9, 2017Myanmar recovery linked to development of electrical grid  Washington (UPI) Apr 10, 2017U.S. emissions generally lower last year  | 
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 Trieste, Italy (SPX) May 15, 2017  
Another step forward towards superconductivity at room temperature: an experiment at the cutting edge of condensed matter physics and materials science has revealed that the dream of more efficient energy usage can turn into reality. 
An international collaboration, led by the scientists of Italy's International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Trieste, Universita Cattolica di Brescia ... more Kent UK (SPX) May 15, 2017Harnessing geometric frustration to tune batteries for greater power  Washington DC (UPI) May 15, 2017Mini heat engine could power tomorrow's tiny machines  Washington DC (UPI) May 11, 2017No batteries necessary, new medical implant derives energy from the human body  | 
 Beijing (XNA) May 12, 2017  
While it remains unclear exactly how long China's first lunar explorers will spend on the surface, the country is already planning for longer stays. 
Eight Chinese volunteers will live in "Yuegong-1," a simulated space "cabin" in Beijing for the next year, strengthening China's knowledge and technical know-how, and helping the country's scientists understand exactly what will be required fo ... more Beijing (AFP) May 11, 2017China tests 'Lunar Palace' as it eyes moon mission  Beijing (XNA) May 01, 2017China to conduct several manned space flights around 2020  Beijing (Sputnik) May 01, 2017Reach for the Stars: China Plans to Ramp Up Space Flight Activity  | 
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 Houston TX (SPX) May 17, 2017  
While preparing for the 200th spacewalk on the International Space Station, the crew members in orbit performed the latest harvest of vegetables grown in space. NASA astronaut Jack Fischer collected the latest crop of Tokyo Bekana Chinese cabbage for the Veg-03 investigation. 
Some of this was consumed at meal-time, and the rest sealed for analysis back on Earth. Understanding how plants re ... more Miami (AFP) May 12, 2017'Awesomesauce,' proclaims US astronaut on historic spacewalk  Copenhagen, Denmark (SPX) May 15, 2017Six-legged livestock - sustainable food production  Houston TX (SPX) May 09, 2017External commercial ISS platform starts second mission  | 
 Pasadena CA (JPL) May 12, 2017  
Opportunity has arrived at the top of "Perseverance Valley" on the rim of Endeavour Crater. 
The next step on Sol 4720 (May 4, 2017), was a short approach of 39 feet (12 meters) to the northern end of the "spillway" that overtops into Perseverance. From this vantage point, the rover has been engaged in multiple-sol collection of extensive Panoramic Camera (Pancam) panoramas all around the r ... more Providence RI (SPX) May 12, 2017Ancient Mars impacts created tornado-like winds that scoured surface  Washington DC (SPX) May 17, 2017How hard did it rain on Mars  Pasadena CA (JPL) May 16, 2017Mars Rover Opportunity Begins Study of Valley's Origin  | 
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 Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand (Sputnik) May 17, 2017  
Rocket Lab, the aerospace company whose mission is to create rocket launch platforms that are lightweight and efficient, will begin test flights of their signature Electron small-launch vehicle on May 21. 
The launch will occur at the company's launch site on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand. "We are all incredibly excited to get to this point," said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck  ... more New Delhi (Sputnik) May 17, 2017ISRO to Launch GSLV Mark III, Its Heaviest Rocket Soon  Moscow (Sputnik) May 17, 2017Washington Still Has No Engine to Replace Russian-Made RD-180  Seoul (AFP) May 15, 2017N. Korea's 'new missile' has unprecedented range: experts  | 
 Hanoi (AFP) May 15, 2017  
 Vietnam arrested another activist on Monday for organising protests over mass fish deaths caused by pollution from a steel plant, the same day a lawmaker resigned over the environmental scandal. 
Taiwanese steel firm Formosa was blamed for pollution last year which killed tonnes of fish, including rare species, and decimated livelihoods in coastal fishing communities in central Vietnam. 
T ... more Miami (AFP) May 15, 2017Plastic trash chokes remote South Pacific island  Antofagasta, Chile (AFP) May 15, 2017Mining brings Chile city riches -- and fear of cancer  Paris (AFP) May 15, 2017'Excess' car pollution killed 38,000 in 2015: study  | 
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 San Francisco (AFP) May 12, 2017  
 A federal judge has asked for a criminal justice review in the case brought by Alphabet self-driving car unit Waymo accusing Uber of stealing its technology. 
Judge William Alsup, in an order posted late Thursday, said he was referring the case to the Justice Department "for investigation of possible theft of trade secrets." 
Alsup said he made the recommendation "based on the evidentiary  ... more Washington DC  (UPI) May 10, 2017South Korea building world's largest test site for self-driving cars  Washington (AFP) May 11, 2017Judge blesses $1 bn compensation deal in VW diesel case  Chicago IL (SPX) May 12, 2017Experiments show that a few self-driving cars can dramatically improve traffic flow  | 
 Berkeley CA (SPX) May 16, 2017  
Combining speed with incredible precision, a team of researchers has developed a way to print a nanoscale imaging probe onto the tip of a glass fiber as thin as a human hair, accelerating the production of the promising new device from several per month to several per day. 
The high-throughput fabrication technique opens the door for the widespread adoption of this and other nano-optical st ... more Upton, NY (SPX) May 02, 2017Scientists set record resolution for drawing at the one-nanometer length scale  Osaka, Japan (SPX) May 04, 2017X-ray microscope optics resolve 50-nm features while eliminating chromatic aberrations  Helsinki, Finland (SPX) Apr 27, 2017Self-assembled nanostructures can be selectively controlled  | 
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 Washington (AFP) May 16, 2017  
 Researchers from Hewlett-Packard Enterprise on Tuesday unveiled what they claimed was a breakthrough in computing with a new machine capable of handling vast amounts of data at supercomputing speeds. 
The prototype named simple "the Machine" uses a new approach to computer architecture which the company says can be adapted for a range of Big Data applications, handling tasks at thousands of t ... more Washington DC (SPX) May 16, 2017Inverse designing spontaneously self-assembling materials  Friedrichshafen, Germany (SPX) May 16, 2017"Airbus Friedrichshafen: new satellite hub lays groundwork for the future"  Houston TX (SPX) May 17, 2017'Hot' electrons don't mind the gap  | 
 Brasilia (AFP) May 16, 2017  
 Brazilian police said Tuesday they have uncovered a ring that imported Chinese fish illegally adulterated to be heavier and as such, worth more when resold. 
Investigators from the agriculture ministry in the southern state of Santa Catarina found local businesses selling adulterated pollock, hake and other imported species, police said in a statement. 
The fish had been injected with "wat ... more Paris (ESA) May 17, 2017Novel use of satnav saves precious water  Dublin, Ireland (SPX) May 11, 2017Tillage farming damaging earthworm populations  Zurich (AFP) May 5, 2017Syngenta shareholders accept ChemChina offer  | 
 
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