Drugs to fix "misfolded" proteins could cure a range of diseases
By Darren Quick
December 9, 2013
3 Comments
Proteins adopt their functional three-dimensional
structure by the folding of a linear chain of amino acids. Gene
mutation can cause this folding process to go awry, resulting in
"misfolded" proteins that are inactive or, in worse cases, exhibit
modified or toxic functionality. This is the cause of a wide range of
diseases, but researchers have developed a technique that fixes these
misfolded proteins, allowing them to perform their intended function,
thereby providing a potential cure for a number of diseases. Read More
Magellan Echo smartwatch hits the ground running
By Nick Lavars
December 12, 2013
While wearable fitness tracking devices have been
with us for some time, the new technologies driving the rise of the smartwatch
are changing the shape of things in this space. Magellan's latest
offering – the Echo Smart Running Watch – is an example of this shift
with it's ability to stream performance statistics from your smartphone
fitness application to your wrist in real-time. Read More
Revolv brings multiple home automation devices together
By Heidi Hoopes
December 12, 2013
Once you start automating your home with
electronic locks, lights, switches, and other components, the list of
apps on your phone suddenly proliferates, and worse, it seems like you
should be able to easily link their behavior together yet can’t. After
all, if you want the lights to turn off when you leave the house,
shouldn’t the thermostat also turn down? The Revolv home automation
system and associated smart phone app aim to simplify all the device
clutter into one centralized control hub and promises easy setup, no
additional support fees, and an evolving lineup of supported devices and
features. Read More
WiTrack system allows for motion tracking through walls
By Ben Coxworth
December 12, 2013
Microsoft's Kinect system is certainly
impressive, but now that we've had a chance to get used to it and start
taking it for granted, it does have one problem – you have to stay
located in front of it. MIT's new WiTrack system, however, can track
users' movements even when those people are in another room. Among other
things, this could allow for video games in which the players run all
over their house. Read More
Drinking hot beverages can be a tricky business.
If you don't want them becoming tepid too quickly, you have to pour them
into your mug while they're still too hot. Even then, you're left with a
relatively short period in which they're "just right." The designers of
the Temperfect mug, however, want to change that. They claim that their
mug can keep your drink at the perfect sipping temperature for hours at
a time, without using any electricity. Read More
Shipping containers have been used to revolutionize housing, and have also given rise to wacky ideas like an extreme sports theme park.
Thanks to a new concept dubbed SOAK, we can add sustainable bathhouse
to the growing list of potential uses for the durable metal boxes. Read More
DrumPants will turn you into a human drum kit
December 12, 2013
These days, turning yourself into a one-man band
is as easy as slipping on a piece of clothing with a built-in sound
board, like Machina's MIDI Controller jacket or the Electronic Drum Machine shirt.
DrumPants on the other hand uses sensor strips and electronics that
attach to the inside of clothing, so you can walk down the street in
your own clothes and play a beat just by rhythmically tapping your own
body. Read More
Archaeology vs. Physics: Conflicting roles for old lead
By Brian Dodson
December 11, 2013
The study of archaeology has long been carried
out using tools from the physics lab. Among these are carbon-14 dating,
thermoluminescence dating, x-ray photography, x-ray fluorescence
elemental analysis, CAT and MRI scanning, ground-penetrating sonar and
radar, and many others. What is less well known is that archaeology has
also made substantial contributions to physics. This is the story of old
lead; why it is important to physics, and what ethical problems it
presents to both sciences. Read More
As we wind down toward the end of another year,
it's time to take a look back at some of the innovations that helped
make 2013 a big year for green car technology. Highly anticipated cars
like the Porsche 918 Spyder and Cadillac ELR
made their debuts, while green concept cars provided a peek at what the
future holds. Our favorite eco-friendly concepts from the past 12
months rethink power technologies, aerodynamics and architecture to push
fuel economies into the triple digits. Read More
Huge reserves of freshwater lie beneath the ocean floor
December 11, 2013
Scientists in Australia have reported the
discovery of huge freshwater reserves preserved in aquifers under the
world's oceans. The water has remained shielded from seawater thanks to
the accumulation of a protective layer of sediment and clay. And it’s
not a local phenomenon. Such reserves are to be found under continental
shelves off Australia, China, North America and South Africa. Read More
Scientists jump the "air gap" with hidden acoustic networks
By Nick Lavars
December 9, 2013
It could be assumed that the most effective way
to safeguard your computer against the threat of cyber attacks would be
to disconnect it from all networks: wireless, LAN, network cards or the
internet. However, research from the Fraunhofer Institute for
Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics (FKIE) has
demonstrated a malware prototype with the ability to jump the "air gap" –
meaning even that once surefire security measure might not be enough to
ensure the protection of your computer. Read More
There was a time when there were only a few
actioncams on the market, made by companies like VIO and Oregon
Scientific. In the past several years, however, the product category has
exploded. GoPro may have led the charge, but it's by no means the only
player on the field. In order to help buyers make a little more sense of
all the choices, here's a side-by-side comparison of eight of today's
more prominent actioncams. Read More
After several decades, you'd think the Mario
franchise would be growing stale. Having started as a few colored pixels
in 1981's Donkey Kong, Mario now leaps through fully-realized
3D worlds presented in HD. Yet somehow Nintendo has managed to squeeze
the same timeless charm that entranced children of the 80s into today's
much more technically-advanced games. Join Gizmag, as we review the
plumber's latest adventure on the Wii U, Super Mario 3D World. Read More
After a build time of only three years and a
budget of US$1 billion, the new Terminal 3 Building at Shenzhen Bao’an
International Airport, designed by Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas,
makes a dramatic architectural statement. This is the first airport
project for the Rome-based architects and one intended to launch them
into the frontline of high-design transport terminals. Read More
When we walk or run, our feet are able to land on
the ground in whatever orientation makes life easiest for our hips,
knees and ankles. When we're on a bike, however, our feet are at least
somewhat held in place against the pedals. This can damage our leg
joints, if they're forced to move in a stressful fashion. Germany's
BioConform is now offering what it claims is a solution, in the form of
its adaptable BIUS1 pedals. Read More
Canon reveals the EOS M2 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera
By Paul Ridden
December 9, 2013
Canon finally entered the mirrorless interchangeable lens camera market in the middle of last year with the EOS M,
which saw the company squeeze some DSLR technology and an APS-C size
sensor into a compact camera-sized body. A smaller and lighter successor
has now been revealed, and it's been named, appropriately enough, the
M2. The pixel count and image processing engine remain the same, but the
new model promises more than twice the autofocus speed of its
predecessor, and now packs built-in Wi-Fi. Read More
Auto dealer accepts Bitcoin payment for purchase of Tesla Model S
By Brian Dodson
December 9, 2013
The value of a thing is what it will bring, or so
says an old financial aphorism. It appears that the value of Bitcoins
earlier in the month was such that 91.4 Bitcoins had the same value as a
used Tesla Model S in Newport Beach, a quiet beach town midway between
LA and San Diego in California. Read More
Third Kind LED lights add otherworldly glow to any skateboard
By C.C. Weiss
December 9, 2013
There are a number of outfits like Light Bohrd
that make LED-lighted skateboards, adding some safety and style to the
deck. But what happens if you like the lights but don't like the boards
themselves? What happens is you look for a Third Kind. The company's new
kit adds colorful LED lights to any skateboard, casting an eerie glow
over the street or park features below. Read More
The maiden flight of e-volo's 18-rotor Volocopter electric aircraft prototype
last month seems to have impressed quite a few people. The company is
claiming a European crowdfunding record after raising €1.2 million in
under four days. Read More Scientists treat disabled rats by "bridging the gap" in their brains
By Ben Coxworth
December 10, 2013
Victims of traumatic brain injuries often lose
the ability to perform certain actions, due to the fact that two or more
regions of their brain are no longer able to communicate with one
another. However, in the same way that a spliced-in wire can circumvent a
broken electrical connection, scientists have recently demonstrated
that an electronic brain-machine-brain interface can restore lost
abilities to brain-damaged rats. The research could lead to the
development of prosthetic devices for treatment of injured humans. Read More
NASA’s Robonaut 2
(R2) isn't half the robot it used to be. On Monday, the space agency
released images and video showing new legs that will be added to the
robot assistant currently working aboard the International Space Station
(ISS). The currently upper-body-only R2 will receive its new limbs
early next year. Read More
Texas lays claim to the world's largest gingerbread house
December 10, 2013
Living up to its reputation of largeness, the
state of Texas has now become home to the world's largest gingerbread
house. Located at the Traditions Golf Club in the city of Bryan, the
larger-than-life gingerbread house measures 39,201.8 cubic feet (1,110.1
cubic meters) and officially holds the new Guinness World Record. This
defeats the record previously held by the Mall of America in
Bloomington, Minnesota, with its 36,600 cubic foot (1,036.4 cubic meter)
gingerbread house. Read More
When you pick up an Android phone or tablet, do
you wish manufacturers would drop their unnecessary custom software
skins? Do you fantasize about a world where more mobile hardware runs
plain ol' vanilla Android ? If so, then Google Play has a couple of
holiday surprises waiting for you, in the form of stock Android-running
Google Play Editions of the LG G Pad 8.3 and Sony Xperia Z Ultra. Read More
Although there are differing
opinions regarding the health benefits of using a fit ball as a seat, a
lot of people swear by it. That said, they don't always do it,
because using a big inflated rubber ball as an office chair just makes
them feel a little too silly. That's why Hungarian company Balance King
has created its normal-looking Active Chair. Read More Hallelujah! Heavenly architecture in the 21st Century
December 10, 2013
Whatever one's particular faith – or indeed, lack
thereof – there's no denying that organized religion has provided the
inspiration and budget for the construction of some mighty impressive
buildings. Gizmag takes a look at five of the most interesting designs
for houses of worship to have recently seen the light. Read More
Microsoft is throwing its hat (or
rather, bra) into the ring, combining with engineers from the University
of Rochester and the University of Southampton to develop a mobile
platform which can infer your current emotional state and provide
just-in-time feedback on when eating is a bad idea. Where do they hide
the apparatus? In a bra. Read More X-Motion system puts autonomous vehicles on the warehouse floor
By Nick Lavars
December 9, 2013
As we continue to see progress made in autonomous driving technology, much of the public's interest has been preoccupied with the prospect of autonomous vehicles hitting the road.
Yet six vehicles currently zipping autonomously around a Samsung
warehouse in Russia's Kaluga region after being fitted with the
"X-MOTION" system show that this technology will also find plenty of
applications off the road. Read More
The chances of life having once existed on Mars
got a boost this week alongside good news for astronauts on any future
expeditions to the Red Planet. Six papers from Curiosity team members
presented to the autumn meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San
Francisco revealed that they had directly dated their first Martian
rock, gave details of an ancient lake where life may once of existed,
and found new evidence about the radiation hazards that explorers and
colonists may one day face. Read More
Batman’s Tumbler is one of the most
recognizable vehicles from the silver screen. But whereas the raw sheet
metal, oversized tires and anti-personnel cannons of the full-sized
Batmobile are all about catching villains, Marc Irvin’s mini-Tumbler
golf cart is geared towards navigating the sand traps and water hazards
of Gotham City. Read MoreScientists treat disabled rats by "bridging the gap" in their brains
By Ben Coxworth
December 10, 2013
Victims of traumatic brain injuries often lose
the ability to perform certain actions, due to the fact that two or more
regions of their brain are no longer able to communicate with one
another. However, in the same way that a spliced-in wire can circumvent a
broken electrical connection, scientists have recently demonstrated
that an electronic brain-machine-brain interface can restore lost
abilities to brain-damaged rats. The research could lead to the
development of prosthetic devices for treatment of injured humans. Read More
NASA’s Robonaut 2
(R2) isn't half the robot it used to be. On Monday, the space agency
released images and video showing new legs that will be added to the
robot assistant currently working aboard the International Space Station
(ISS). The currently upper-body-only R2 will receive its new limbs
early next year. Read More
Texas lays claim to the world's largest gingerbread house
December 10, 2013
Living up to its reputation of largeness, the
state of Texas has now become home to the world's largest gingerbread
house. Located at the Traditions Golf Club in the city of Bryan, the
larger-than-life gingerbread house measures 39,201.8 cubic feet (1,110.1
cubic meters) and officially holds the new Guinness World Record. This
defeats the record previously held by the Mall of America in
Bloomington, Minnesota, with its 36,600 cubic foot (1,036.4 cubic meter)
gingerbread house. Read More
When you pick up an Android phone or tablet, do
you wish manufacturers would drop their unnecessary custom software
skins? Do you fantasize about a world where more mobile hardware runs
plain ol' vanilla Android ? If so, then Google Play has a couple of
holiday surprises waiting for you, in the form of stock Android-running
Google Play Editions of the LG G Pad 8.3 and Sony Xperia Z Ultra. Read More
Although there are differing
opinions regarding the health benefits of using a fit ball as a seat, a
lot of people swear by it. That said, they don't always do it,
because using a big inflated rubber ball as an office chair just makes
them feel a little too silly. That's why Hungarian company Balance King
has created its normal-looking Active Chair. Read More Hallelujah! Heavenly architecture in the 21st Century
December 10, 2013
Whatever one's particular faith – or indeed, lack
thereof – there's no denying that organized religion has provided the
inspiration and budget for the construction of some mighty impressive
buildings. Gizmag takes a look at five of the most interesting designs
for houses of worship to have recently seen the light. Read More
X-Motion system puts autonomous vehicles on the warehouse floor
By Nick Lavars
December 9, 2013
As we continue to see progress made in autonomous driving technology, much of the public's interest has been preoccupied with the prospect of autonomous vehicles hitting the road.
Yet six vehicles currently zipping autonomously around a Samsung
warehouse in Russia's Kaluga region after being fitted with the
"X-MOTION" system show that this technology will also find plenty of
applications off the road. Read More
The chances of life having once existed on Mars
got a boost this week alongside good news for astronauts on any future
expeditions to the Red Planet. Six papers from Curiosity team members
presented to the autumn meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San
Francisco revealed that they had directly dated their first Martian
rock, gave details of an ancient lake where life may once of existed,
and found new evidence about the radiation hazards that explorers and
colonists may one day face. Read More
Batman’s Tumbler is one of the most
recognizable vehicles from the silver screen. But whereas the raw sheet
metal, oversized tires and anti-personnel cannons of the full-sized
Batmobile are all about catching villains, Marc Irvin’s mini-Tumbler
golf cart is geared towards navigating the sand traps and water hazards
of Gotham City. Read MorePA1 Bluetooth speaker banks on being music to crowd's ears
By Paul Ridden
December 11, 2013
Battery-powered Bluetooth speakers are great for
those who like to share their sounds with friends while out and about,
but can't always satisfy when streaming music in the kitchen or living
room. If your wireless audio needs lean more towards semi-permanent
placement than portability, you may find that upmarket looks,
room-filling output and quality audio tend to go hand in hand with a
rather large price tag. This is something that the folks from the Studio
Proper design house in Melbourne, Australia are looking to address with
the PA1 wall-mounted Bluetooth speaker. Read More
There's nothing quite like leaning into a turn on
a motorcycle. That said, there's also nothing quite like wiping out on
one. For people who like the former but are wary of the latter, leaning trikes
were invented. One of the latest to catch our attention is the
snazzy-looking DiamondBack, which may hopefully soon be entering
production. Read More
A coffee machine interacting seamlessly with
different brands of light switches and televisions to form a cohesive
network of functioning devices may sound somewhat far-fetched. Indeed,
the concept of the Internet of Things
brings with it many obstacles in achieving a home full of
interoperating gadgets. In an effort to overcome these hurdles, a
consortium of technology giants has formed the AllSeen Alliance to
fast-track the development of device-to-device communication. Read More
With its striking design and
desirable location – not to mention some high-end sustainable gizmos
thrown in for good measure – Villa Kogelhof in southwestern Netherlands
ticks all the right boxes for a new luxury residential build. Read More Mars One outlines plans to put unmanned lander on Mars in 2018
By David Szondy
December 10, 2013
The nonprofit Mars One
foundation is mainly known for trying to recruit people who really,
really want to go to Mars. That redundant "really" is because it's a
one-way ticket to the Red Planet for life. But now, Mars One is looking
at something a bit less dramatic. On Monday, it was revealed that
Lockheed Martin, and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) have been
selected to carry out concept studies for a Mars lander mission in 2018
as a prelude to colonization. Read More
Genetic differences between "identical" twins discovered
By Darren Quick
December 10, 2013
Although they only account for around three in
every thousand deliveries, monozygotic, or "identical" twins are fertile
fodder for crime writers and cop shows. This isn't surprising
considering that DNA fingerprint testing is not able to genetically
differentiate between the good and evil twin. But now German-based
company Eurofins MWG Operon says it has found a way to do just that.
Read More
After four years of development and months of prototype testing,
Platypus founder Francois Alexandre Bertrand and his team have decided
on the final design for their Platypus underwater exploration vehicle
that will be launched next year. Aside from sporting a more polished
look, the final production version also includes a number of
newly-announced features. Read More
"Coolest" cooler chills, blends and plays music
By C.C. Weiss
December 10, 2013
A good cooler keeps your drinks chilled during a
picnic, backyard BBQ or camping trip. The Coolest not only does that,
but it also mixes up frosty margaritas and plays music for your party.
With the docking grill, it even cooks your food. Its designer hopes to
get the feature-packed cooler to picnics and tailgates next year. Read More
Smarty Ring offers connectivity without lifting a finger
By Nick Lavars
December 10, 2013
Like the idea of technology that wraps around a
body part, displays the time and connects to your smartphone? No, we
aren't talking about a smartwatch, but the "Smarty Ring" which may offer an even more subtle way to stay connected. Read More
Devices like the 3Doodler and SwissPen
literally put 3D printing technology in the hands of consumers, but a
new BioPen developed at the University of Wollongong in Australia is
targeted at more skilled hands. The handheld device is designed to let
surgeons "draw" live cells and growth factors directly onto the site of
an injury to help accelerate the regeneration of functional bone and
cartilage. Read More
If you want to pit the most popular iOS and
Android phones against each other, then you'd snag an iPhone 5s and plop
it down next to a Galaxy S4. But what if you'd rather look at the
phones that best showcase iOS and Android? Then you'd be better off
swapping that GS4 for the latest "pure Google" Nexus phone. Read on, as
Gizmag compares the features and specs of the LG/Google Nexus 5 and
Apple iPhone 5s. Read More
There are any number of cases
promising to protect a smartphone from drops, bumps and scrapes, but an
idea floated by Honda in a video promoting its new line of small cars
adds airbags to the list of potential smartphone protection options.
Read More 
The Cardsharp, designed by Iain Sinclair, is a
nifty, little pocket knife that folds as flat as a card. It's less
weighty and bulky in your pocket than other foldable knives, but
promises cutting power like a scalpel. When we covered the Cardsharp2
back in 2012, it was a stainless steel blade integrated in a
polypropylene body. Now, with the introduction of the Cardsharp4, it's
received a full metal jacket. Read More
Whatever the quantity of
confectionery you manage to consume this holiday season, you're unlikely
to come across a candy-based model of the Tate Modern gallery ...
unless, that is, food artists Caitlin Levin and Henry Hargreaves happen
to slip one of their creations into your stocking. Read More New X-ray tech provides clear view of soft tissues
By Ben Coxworth
December 11, 2013
X-ray machines are all large devices that can
only image hard structures such as bone, unless a contrast-enhancing
solution such as barium is present in the patient ... right? Well, no,
not all of them. A new system developed by researchers at MIT
and Massachusetts General Hospital is small enough to be considered
portable, doesn't expose patients to as much radiation, and can image
soft tissues in minute detail. Read More
DARPA ready to deliver telescope to watch the skies for space debris
By David Szondy
December 11, 2013
In order to dodge something, you need to see it. If that something is space debris
then sometimes the best thing to use is an old-fashioned telescope –
or, in the case of the US Department of Defense, a state-of-the-art
telescope capable of searching an area larger than the United States in
seconds. That’s why DARPA is preparing to deliver the new Space
Surveillance Telescope (SST) to Western Australia, where it will help
track small satellites and space debris orbiting the Earth when it
becomes operational in 2016. Read More
PUSH is a smartphone case with a
small drawer that pops out when the user pushes a button located on the
back. Once closed, the device is designed to lock tight, preventing
cards from falling out in the event that the phone is dropped. Read More 
If you don’t regularly prepare your own food, is
it because of the time involved? Would you make homemade pizza more
often if you could “print”’ it? Barcelona-based Natural Machines aims to
automate many kitchen tasks, but its Foodini food printer resembles a
sleek desktop 3D printer more than any of the appliances already in your
kitchen. And like its 3D-printing cousins, Foodini also lets users add
in a dash of personal customization. Read More
Sena announces Bluetooth actioncam aimed at motorcyclists
By Ben Coxworth
December 11, 2013
If you've heard of Sena, you probably associate it with its wireless motorcycle helmet intercoms.
Now, however, the company is forging into the world of actioncams. The
soon-to-be-released Prism model can be remotely controlled by Bluetooth,
and is designed with motorbike-mounting in mind. Read More
