A type of volcanic glass, perlite is frequently used as building insulation or a potting soil additive. According to a new study, though, it also works quite well at killing malaria-causing mosquitos.

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Researchers at MIT have developed a new algorithm that takes stock of ocean conditions to determine in real-time where stranded items and people are likely to appear, which could give the efficiency of search and rescue operations a big boost.

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In order to gauge the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, authorities typically monitor the numbers of specific mosquito types that are known to carry those illnesses. A new system makes it possible to do so remotely, and thus more effectively.

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If you were heading into a burning building, you'd probably want someone else to know your location within it at all times. German scientists have developed a system that's said to serve that purpose, for use by firefighters and other rescue workers.

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Remember back when carabiners were designed solely for hanging one thing from another? Nope, us neither. Now, a new multi-purpose 'biner is claimed to help users get out of crashed vehicles.

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When two interlocking parts of a product are joined together in a factory, they typically make a satisfying "click" sound. By listening for such noises, a newly-developed system can detect when faults have occurred on robotic assembly lines.

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Although seawalls certainly do protect coastal communities from storm surge waves, those walls can be unsightly, and restrict access to the water. A proposed new system gets around those problems, by doubling as a canopy when not serving storm duty.

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