Features
In-depth analysis and opinion from the worlds of science and emerging technology.
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Robots got their name 100 years ago today
When the first production of Karel Čapek's play R.U.R. opened on January 25, 1921, it not only gave a name to the cybernetic machines that were just beginning to emerge, it shaped our perception of what a robot is and the potential dangers they pose. -
What kind of digital hoarder are you? Study identifies 4 distinct types
How often do you clear out old photos on your phone or tidy up your email inbox? You just may be a digital hoarder, and researchers from Northumbria University have identified four distinct types. -
A new frontier: The year in space, 2020
It's been remarkable year for space exploration, marked by a line up of ambitious new interplanetary missions, industry firsts, and the reemergence of the US in the field of human spaceflight. -
The best sci-fi/fantasy TV and film coming in 2021
The next 12 months promise a huge assortment of treats for fans of science fiction. Here are our picks for the most anticipated upcoming projects, from fresh TV adaptations of classic stories to a long-awaited new cinematic entry in a classic sci-fi franchise. -
The world's most powerful cars: 1,000-horsepower minimum
A live, updated list of the most powerful cars on the market today, covering all production cars claiming more than 1,000 horsepower. -
The Walther PPK, the classic spy gun that changed the game
In 1930, a new pistol went on sale that would revolutionize the firearms world. The Walther PPK helped introduce a number of technical features that quickly migrated throughout the industry to make it the most copied gun in the world. -
The Mozart Effect: Study affirms classical music reduces epileptic seizures
A new review has examined a dozen studies into the effect of Mozart’s music on epilepsy, finding the classical music may reduce the frequency of seizures. It rekindles an old pseudoscientific idea that listening to Mozart can make you smarter. -
The ups and downs of vertical cinema
Is it time to turn your TV on its side and embrace the future? Or is vertical video just a passing trend, fundamentally unsuited to how we want to watch things? -
Mulan vs. Tenet: The two films facing off for the future of cinema
Two very different $200-million-dollar films. Two release strategies. Two pathways to the future. The theatrical film industry has been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and a pair of films could determine the fate of the definitive popular entertainment medium of the past century.