Science and Technology

“Smart soil” grows 138% bigger crops using 40% less water

Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a “smart soil” that can keep plants better hydrated and provide a controlled release of nutrients. In tests it drastically improved crop growth while using far less water.

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Ancient giant armadillo bones reveal oldest human life in America

Well-preserved bones of a two-tonne glyptodont revealed cut marks indicative of stone tools, suggesting that human hunter-gatherers had settled in the Americas around 21,000 years ago – some 5,000 years before people were thought to have arrived.

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China plans to deflect near-Earth asteroid in 2030

China is looking to get into the planetary defense business. A new paper by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) confirms that in 2030, the country plans to conduct a test mission to deflect a small asteroid from its current course.

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Loopy cache multitool stashes bits to double up utility

Carabiner-type multitools with integrated bit drivers may be a dime a dozen, but the new EH4 distinguishes itself in one important way. It provides storage space for three double-ended bits, offering users a total of six onboard bit options.

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Massive Australia-to-Singapore clean energy cable gets green light

The world's largest renewable energy and transmission project has received key approval from government officials. The Australia-Asia Power Link project will send Australian solar power to Singapore via 4,300 kilometer-long undersea cables.

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World’s first dual-tower solar thermal plant boosts efficiency by 24%

Two 650-foot-tall towers have risen in China's Gansu Province. Combined with an array of 30,000 mirrors arranged in concentric circles, the new facility is expected to generate over 1.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity every year.

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First Titanic dive since Titan disaster launches this month

The first expedition to the Titanic since last year's Titan submersible disaster that killed five people is on its way. The goal is to make the most detailed imaging survey yet of the historic wreck to ascertain how the sea environment is affecting it.

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Dungeons & Dragons: Roll for better mental health

Playing the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons with others has a positive impact on mental health, according to a new study. The researchers say the game should be used as a therapeutic tool as part of a holistic approach to mental health.

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Our brains take naps while we’re awake – and wake when we’re asleep

For the first time, scientists have found that a tiny region of our brain shuts down to take micro-naps while we're awake. These same areas 'flicker' awake while we're asleep. This could offer pivotal insights into diseases linked to sleep dysregulation.

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Multitool crams two blades and 11 other tools into slim titanium body

Why stuff 13 tools into your pocket if you can just carry one tool with 13 functions? That's the thinking behind the Orioners Z1 titanium multitool, which is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign.

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