New Atlas

Environment Audio available

Cloud study shows how planes can significantly boost rainfall in their path

Michael Irving February 3, 2019

Aircraft have been known to mess with the clouds as they pass through or over them. A new study has found that planes could be boosting rainfall and snowfall by up to 10 times, and examined the microphysics behind it.

A new study shows how planes can affect clouds, boosting rainfall up to 10 times in ...

Medical

Study suggests breastfeeding can stifle drug-resistant bacteria in babies

Nick Lavars October 17, 2018

Superbugs are evolving to outfox even our very best medicines, presenting a real and emerging danger to humans in every corner of the globe. A new study has explored how they develop in newborns in particular, and how a mother’s breastmilk might help fend them off.

New research suggests breastfeeding infants can help limit their levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their bellies

Architecture

Underground art museum bulges beneath the surface of Helsinki

Nick Lavars August 28, 2018

A revitalization of Lasipalatsi Square in central Helsinki has given rise to a peculiar set of pimple-like domes protruding from its surface. The undulating public space is certainly eye-catching enough, but beneath hides a contemporary new art museum it's hoped will draw a crowd in its own right.

Lasipalatsi Square has undergone a €50 million (US$58 million) renovation

Science

RNA-based vaccines could replace traditional pesticides

David Szondy April 6, 2018

Scientists from the University of Helsinki and CNRS are working on new ways to produce RNA-based vaccines that target specific pests without damaging the host plants or relying on potentially toxic pesticides to protect food crops.

RNA vaccines could provide protection from pests without the use of pesticides

Environment

Climate study claims dramatic reduction in periglacial zones is now inevitable

Nick Lavars September 12, 2017

Scientists surveying the state of the world's periglacial zones report that the days for such regions may be numbered. The team now expects climate change to severely diminish these cold regions by halfway through the century, no matter what course of action we take in the meantime.

Intense soil frost churning at Kilpisjärvi, northwestern Finland, at 800 meters above sea level

Mobile Technology

Finger-drawn lines could replace PINs on mobile devices

Ben Coxworth June 5, 2014

Researchers are working on a possible alternative to typed passcodes. They've discovered that passwords consisting of hand gestures used to draw free-form lines on a smartphone or tablet screen are much more difficult for "shoulder surfers" to copy after seeing.

A squiggly line like this may be more secure than your PIN

Space

ESA develops "snap-proof" space tether

David Szondy April 1, 2013

This month, the University of Helsinki and ESA will test a new space tether that has less chance of snapping under the stresses of operating in orbit.

Scanning electron microscope image of a strand of the new solar sail tehther (Image: ESA/Henri Seppänen)

Science

New software turns sleep patterns into music

Adam Williams September 12, 2012

Finland-based computer scientists have developed new software for automatically composing music from sleep measurements.

Computer scientists in Finland have developed new software which composes music from sleep measurements (Photo: Shutterstock)

Science

Multitouch gesture controlled microscope - the 'iPad on steroids'

Steven Hondrogiannis March 27, 2011

Finnish researchers have created a giant touch and gesture controlled microscope.