Naturally controversial as faceless robots in the sky, flying drones also have the potential to solve all kinds of challenges that helicopters, satellites and GPS devices haven't been able to tackle. As they get cheaper and more pervasive, creative people from all walks of life are finding novel uses for the aircraft. Even if you are not a game...
Reusable coffee mugs have been gaining traction over the past few years as the responsible choice for java drinkers worldwide. More and more, people are choosing to be greener by avoiding ordering beverages in container they only use only once. And many companies nudge their patrons in this direction by offering discounts on drinks (and food)...
Mobile computing has already changed the way we watch TV, play games and communicate with one another. Now they are revolutionizing medicine. The American company Nanobiosym is offering a tablet called Gene-RADAR that can analyse a drop of blood or saliva to quickly diagnose diseases even before any symptoms are present. Currently in clinical...
Wind and solar power projects have seen major gains in the past few years as the world looks for cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels. In the search for green energy, many other ideas have been proffered, including wave power and algae fuel, two of the more novel options. But for many scientists and researchers, the Next Big Revolution in clean...
Known for years in alternative health havens around the world, kombucha is making its move into the mainstream, showing up with increasing frequency in restaurants and on store shelves. Fans say the drink strengthens immunities, helps digestion and can even prevent cancer. Others claim to just like the taste. Meet kombucha – a fizzy brew made...
If you’ve been to a museum in North America or Europe lately, you may have noticed signs banning those popular selfie sticks. And we are seeing endless media stories linking selfies to an unhealthy self-reverence, creating a backlash against the recent selfie obsession. Because you’re a selfie fanatic yourself, you probably getting a bit...
Fingerprints have long been associated with crime investigations. Now shoeprints are making their way into the crime-fighters toolkit with a new technology that can tell how people walk. Of course, many people share shoe brands and models, but interestingly, individuals can be identified based on the weight distribution that shows in their...
One hallmark of our green-conscious age has been the rapid rise of reusable, cloth grocery bags, sold at checkout counters or brought from home. Some cities have banned single-use plastic bags altogether, which others encourage (or require) stores to charge a few cents for them. Either way, plastic bags and other packaging create obvious issues...
Here's one unintended result of the recent openness regarding gender issues and identity: A trend towards gender-neutral names. Want proof? Just look at envelope-pushing celebrities. While famous people have long been known for giving their children odd or unconventional names, recent naming trends suggest that parents are choosing names that...
Coffee connoisseurship has officially trickled down to the masses. Everyone drinks coffee, it seems, but truly gourmet cup of joe used to be the exclusive domain of a lucky snobby few. Over the past few decades we have witnesses a long-simmering trend that is slowly but surely making connoisseurs of us all. Starbucks, of course, gets the most...