Technology, Innovation & Outdoor News

Steadier skyscrapers evolving from cheap, abundant primitive material

July 23, 2026 | Malcolm Azania
Traditional hydraulic dampers that protect buildings from winds and earthquakes can fail at extreme temperatures, and are costly and extremely inconvenient to repair or replace. New sand dampers could solve all of those problems.

Extra-wide tiny house puts a terrace up top and sleeps five inside

July 22, 2026 | Adam Williams
Though it only has a compact footprint, this tiny house expands its living area significantly with a rooftop terrace. Inside, it features a space-saving layout that's packed with storage and sleeps five.

Sinkholes saved these endangered trees – then trapped them there

July 23, 2026 | Bronwyn Thompson
Huge sinkholes in nature have traditionally been viewed as a win for biodiversity, protecting plants that would otherwise be exposed to environmental stressors above ground. However, a new genetic study indicates they are an evolutionary death trap.

Top Stories

Rather than encompass the "toolbox in your pocket" nature of the typical multitool, the all-new Leatherman Adapter is designed to serve as a secondary companion, the perfect partner-in-crime for a more fully loaded pocket EDC like the Arc.
With help from a transforming floor plan, the Bürstner Habiton X delivers longitudinal sleeping accommodations within a rugged, compact footprint. It's the perfect all-wheel drive camper van for off-road adventure.
A Swedish device that mimics the human heart to turn ocean swells into electricity has just cleared a hurdle that's kept wave power sidelined for decades: it passed the strictest safety test in the marine energy industry.
Anthbot's M9 is a surprisingly adept mower, mastering lawns of up to a quarter of an acre for a fraction of the price of its famous competitors. And, importantly, it's incredibly easy to use, making it a great option for those new to home-robot life.
The new Aboard T4 smart trailer looks to squeeze all the motorized convenience and glamping comfort for which the high-tech RV vanguard has become known into a much smaller than average base price. Whether it's successful remains to be seen.
I love a multitool as much as the next person, but some of them really aim to do too much for my liking – especially when I'm within city limits. The Dual packs three tools that'll actually come in handy on the daily, and it looks elegant too.

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Health and Science news from our sister site: Refractor
An individual’s testosterone levels aren’t fixed – they swing by the hour and the season. And while testosterone is biologically useful, it isn’t the measure of a man; real strength is not something that can be delivered by a hormone shot.
A newly described single-celled protist can metamorphose into much larger “supergiants” that shift their shape, alter their movement, and begin hunting and eating their own genetically identical relatives.
Following studies suggesting sleep disruptions may put us at greater risk of heart attack and stroke, a new investigation has found evidence of a jump in retinal vascular diseases in the wake of daylight saving changes.
While cost-of-living pressures have an impact on consumer behavior, one business appears to be booming: the vasectomy industry. And spearheading the societal shift are young men, who are driving the increase in those choosing to get the snip.
Skincare's next big leap may come from harnessing the skin's own immune defenses. Researchers say understanding how immune cells regulate inflammation and repair could transform treatments for acne, eczema, psoriasis and healthy aging.
Some brains seem to defy Alzheimer's. This phenomenon, known as cognitive resilience, is one of the most intriguing puzzles in neuroscience today.

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Editor's Picks

Nobody really enjoys seeing power lines, but maybe they could be turned from an eyesore into a local point of pride. Such is the thinking behind this creative project that transforms power line pylons into huge animal sculptures.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries has pulled the covers off perhaps the most outrageous concept vehicle we've ever seen. The Corleo is a two-seater quadruped robot you steer with your body, capable of picking its way through rough terrain thanks to AI vision.
Shoei has just launched the GT-Air 3 Smart, the world’s first moto helmet to feature fully integrated augmented reality thanks to a partnership with EyeLights, which specializes in head-up displays and Bluetooth audio kits.
As it heads out of the solar system never to return, the deep space probe Voyager 1 is headed for yet another cosmic milestone. In late 2026, it will become the first spacecraft to travel so far that a radio signal from Earth takes 24 hours, or one light day, to reach it.
Construction on the new world's tallest skyscraper is rapidly approaching a major milestone. Saudi Arabia's JEC Tower is racing towards 100 floors, making it another step closer to achieving its projected 2028 completion date.
What does US$21,000 get you in automotive terms? Kia Soul, Chevrolet Trax, Nissan Versa, Hyundai Venue … You see a trend there, right? None of those cars is electric, and none of them are flagships by any stretch. The bZ7 is all that and more!
While cutting back on salt intake has long been a mainstay in treating high blood pressure, new research suggests that upping potassium intake might have a greater effect. It might be time to stock up on bananas, apricots, and sweet potatoes.
Britain's DragonFire laser weapon upped the ante on November 20 at the Ministry of Defence's Hebrides Range in Scotland when the high-powered, solid-state laser for the Royal Navy shot down drones flying at 351 knots (404 mph, 650 km/h).