Grand Seiko Kodo with world-first combination of high-accuracy devices

Grand Seiko has released its first mechanical complication watch, the Kodo Constant-force Tourbillon, which is the first timepiece to combine a tourbillon and a constant-force mechanism into a single axis for greater stability and accuracy.

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Study suggests causal link between insomnia and high blood sugar

Does insomnia directly increase a person’s blood sugar? A new study suggests it does, and proposes treating insomnia in diabetic patients could lead to significant improvements in their disease symptoms.

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Sun-powered water filter excels at killing pathogens

There are many parts of the world in which fresh water may be plentiful, but it's also full of harmful microbes. An experimental new filter is able to purify such water for drinking, and it's powered solely by sunlight.

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Hydrus packs autonomous ocean exploration tech into a much smaller package

While AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles) are invaluable for gathering oceanographic data, they also tend to be fairly large and very expensive. The Hydrus offers a much smaller, less costly alternative, which still packs a lot of punch.

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Common material stores and releases waste heat energy on demand

Researchers in Japan have shown that a common material is excellent at storing and releasing heat, which could be useful for recycling industrial waste heat. The material exchanges water with the air, allowing it to quickly absorb or release heat.

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IPCC report leaves door ajar to prevent worst impacts of climate change

The last chapter in a trio of reports from the UN's top climate scientists has landed, with the authors noting some reasons for optimism, mounting an argument that the window is still open for meaningful action to limit warming to around 1.5 °C.

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Ascend Dynamics presents its Skypak V1 electric jetpack

Wisconsin's Ascend Dynamics has been flight-testing an 80-lb (36-kg) electric jetpack device with 12 coaxial rotors and an aluminum trellis frame. The company hopes to raise enough cash to build a powerful carbon fiber version for production.

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siRNA therapy shows promise for reducing genetic heart disease risk

In phase 1 trials, an RNA gene therapy has shown promise for reducing levels of a lipoprotein associated with a high risk of heart disease. The treatment could help fight a form of the disease that can’t currently be treated through lifestyle changes.

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“Hibernating” battery for seasonal storage releases energy when heated

A team at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has demonstrated a type of "hibernating" battery that can preserve its energy for months at a time and release it on demand when heated up, ticking some important boxes for renewable energy storage.

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Spot goes to Pompeii: Why a robot dog is patrolling ancient ruins

Boston Dynamics’ robot dog Spot has been tasked with a new job - patrolling the ancient ruins of Pompeii. The robot will be used to inspect the site for safety issues and record structural changes over time to better manage the historic ruins.

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