The small-size vibration-driven generator using magnetostriction effect. A Japanese university researcher developed a small-size vibration-driven generator that measures approximately 2 x 3 x 12mm and can output a power of 1.56mW with a vibration of 357Hz. The energy density of the generator, which was developed by Toshiyuki Ueno, associate professor at Kanazawa University, is about 22mW/cm3. It is... 

An artist’s concept of a lake on Titan, “the only place in our solar system beyond Earth known to have liquid on its surface. NASA is holding a press conference on Thursday “to discuss an astrobiology finding.” Are they going to announce that they’ve found evidence of extraterrestrial life? Blogger Jason Kottke took a look at NASA’s press release, which touts “an... 

NASA will hold a news conference to discuss an astrobiology finding that will impact the search for evidence of extraterrestrial life. The news conference will be held at 2 p.m. EST on Thursday, Dec. 2 at the NASA Headquarters auditorium. The live broadcast of the conference will be available at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv . Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution and future of... 

Researchers at Edinburgh University’s department of psychology report that there is a biological mechanism underpinning the loyalty that a person feels to their social group. The study investigated whether people are hard-wired to show bias to people of their own religion, ethnicity and race, or whether loyalties depend more on context. This work adds to an extensive body of previous research... 

Jem Stansfield travels to the Solar Furnace Research Facility in Southern France. He witnesses the incredible power generated by highly concentrated sunlight. Sunlight, focused intensely enough that it can (and does) burn any material on earth. Just how hot does it get in that ring of fire sunshine? Over 6,300 degrees Fahrenheit.  Read More »

You thought Dubai and Shanghai had the craziest, most futuristic architecture in the planet. Sorry Taiwan, you and your Taiwan Tower—a 984-foot (300 meter) high structure with mechanized observation platforms that float using helium and propellers—win. Originally conceptualized by Romanian architect Stefan Dorin, the tower will be the tallest building in Taichung, Taiwan. At its base, the tower... 

This artist's impression shows HIP 13044 b, an exoplanet orbiting a star that entered our galaxy, the Milky Way, from another galaxy. European astronomers say they have discovered the first planet that comes from a galaxy outside the Milky Way, according to research released in the United States. A hot, gaseous and fast-spinning planet has been found orbiting a dying star on the edge of the Milky... 

Photo released by CERN on Thursday, Nov 18, 2010 shows an image taken by the ALPHA annihilation detector showing untrapped antihydrogen atoms annihilating on the inner surface of the ALPHA trap. The events are concentrated at the electrode radius of about 22.3 mm. Scientists at the world’s biggest physics lab said they have achieved a breakthrough in the hunt for antimatter. An international... 

Most people have heard the saying, “you are what you eat.” A report from a World Health Authority says people might need to eat according to who they are. Could a person’s genetic background play a key role in which foods are good for them and which ones aren’t? The question has been researched since a published report by the World Health Organization. The report investigated... 

How well a person performs in a coalition is partly hereditary, according to a recent study. British researchers found that how successfully an individual operates in a group is as much down to having the right genetic make-up as it is to having common cultural ties with fellow group members. After assessing nearly 1000 pairs of adult twins, researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that strong... 

According to a report on trade site MCV, two “big-name digital retailers” for the PC market are staring down the barrel of financial ruin, while two major British retailers are reportedly considering a ban on games that include Steam integration. “Publishers don’t give a sh**, they don’t care what happens to the customer. Which is the crucial point, because Steam do,”... 

Inspired: The Roman army pen knife, a precursor to today's popular Swiss Army accessory The world’s first Swiss Army knife’ has been revealed – made 1,800 years before its modern counterpart. An intricately designed Roman implement, which dates back to 200AD, it is made from silver but has an iron blade. It features a spoon, fork as well as a retractable spike, spatula and small... 

Even the most law-abiding driver might feel a shiver down the spine when spotting this speed camera at the roadside. For as well as detecting speeding, it is packed with gizmos that check number plates to make sure insurance and tax are up to date. It also measures the distance between vehicles to spot tailgating and takes pictures of the inside of the car – to make sure you are wearing a seat belt. The... 

The iconic American motorcycle brand, Harley-Davidson, has announced plans to build an assembly plant in India. Harley-Davidson, the iconic American motorcycle brand with a cult-like following, has announced it has chosen to build its second assembly plant ever outside the United States in India. The “complete knock down” plant or CKD is expected to be up and running in the northern Indian... 

Panasonic Corporation and Tesla Motors today announced that Panasonic has invested $30 million in Tesla. The investment was made through the purchase of Tesla common stock in a private placement at a price of $21.15 per share. The investment builds upon a multi-year collaboration of the two companies to accelerate the market expansion of the electric vehicle. Panasonic is the world’s leading...