New Atlas

Robotics Audio available

Pile-driving autonomous robot builds walls in the ground

Ben Coxworth April 8, 2019

Driven into the ground, interlocking metal plates known as sheet piles can keep soil from eroding after rainfall, they can serve as retaining walls on slopes, or perform other functions. Installing them is a laborious process, though, which is why scientists have created a robot to do the job.

The Romu robot, seen here inserting sheet piles in the sand

Robotics Audio available

Robotic "particles" swarm together to move towards the light

Michael Irving March 20, 2019

Most robots are usually made to do one particular job, so they’re not very adaptable to new situations. But researchers at MIT, Harvard, Columbia and Cornell Universities have developed particle robots – simple circular devices that can connect to each other magnetically to move and work as a swarm.

A new system of "particle robots" can swarm together to achieve things that individual units can't ...

Medical Audio available

Harvard scientists uncover how poor sleep leads to cardiovascular disease

Michael Irving March 19, 2019

The main risk factors for heart disease are lifestyle choices like a bad diet, smoking, lack of exercise – and poor sleep. That last point has gone relatively unstudied, but new research out of Harvard has found the chemical chain reaction that links disrupted sleep and cardiovascular disease.

Harvard researchers have uncovered the chemical chain reaction that links a lack of sleep to cardiovascular ...

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

How fasting and exercise can supercharge the body's cellular vacuum cleaner

Nick Lavars February 28, 2019

By learning new ways to control the body's natural protein-disposal mechanisms, scientists hope to uncover new treatments for a host of degenerative diseases, and they’ve just discovered some new levers in the form of fluctuating hormone levels triggered by exercise and fasting.

Scientists have discovered that hormonal changes brought on by exercise and fasting can increase the body's ...

Science Audio available

Might medicated nets eliminate malaria in mosquitos?

Ben Coxworth February 28, 2019

Although killing mosquitos is one way of keeping them from spreading malaria, the pests can develop a resistance to insecticides. Scientists from Harvard University are therefore looking at another approach, in which live mosquitos are made malaria-free simply by landing on a treated surface.

Netting covered with atovaquone, or similar medications, could halt the development of malaria-causing parasites within mosquitos

Materials

Lobster-tail membrane could inspire better flexible body armor

Ben Coxworth February 20, 2019

When you think of lobsters and armor, the obvious connection would be their hard shells. An international team of scientists, however, is more interested in the flexible membrane on the underside of the crustaceans' tails. It has a unique structure, which could find uses in human technology.

A pair of lobster tails, with the translucent membrane visible on the underside of the one ...

Science Audio available

Massive Harvard-led genetic twin study homes in on the nature versus nurture debate

Rich Haridy January 14, 2019

A massive new study is uncovering the effects of genes and environment in over 500 different conditions. Targeting over 50,000 twin pairs, the research is the first of its kind to use large-scale data analysis to evaluate the heritability of such a broad range of conditions.

Extensive research has concluded approximately 40 percent of the studied conditions were primarily heritable

Science Audio available

Soft, safe sensor made to measure toddlers' grasp

Ben Coxworth December 27, 2018

When a baby is born premature, it's not uncommon for them to subsequently develop neuromotor and cognitive disabilities. A new Harvard-designed sensor, however, could help doctors catch such problems earlier than ever.

The new sensor incorporates a highly-conductive non-toxic liquid silicone

Robotics Audio available

Harvard's sticky-footed inspection robot can climb through jet engines

Michael Irving December 19, 2018

A Harvard team has developed small, insect-like robots that can climb inside machines to inspect them, saving the trouble of pulling them apart if there’s nothing that needs fixing.

HAMR-E is based on an earlier Harvard robot that can scurry around like bugs and even ...

Medical Audio available

Light-sensitive adhesive may find use in ouch-less band-aids

Ben Coxworth December 17, 2018

We all know how painful ripping off a band-aid can be. It may not be so unpleasant in the not-too-distant future, however, as scientists have created an adhesive that detaches in the presence of ultraviolet light.

Two slabs of hydrogel, joined together using the adhesive, separate easily when exposed to ultraviolet light