Deciphering encrypted messages from centuries past is a painstaking process. But linguists and computer scientists are starting to automate it, with some sensational results ​Deciphering encrypted messages from centuries past is a painstaking process. But linguists and computer scientists are starting to automate it, with some sensational results Deciphering encrypted messages from centuries past is a …

How scientists are cracking historical codes to reveal lost secrets Read More »

The satellite internet services provided by SpaceX Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb or Amazon Kuiper will come with a carbon footprint much higher than that associated with land-based alternatives ​The satellite internet services provided by SpaceX Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb or Amazon Kuiper will come with a carbon footprint much higher than that associated with land-based alternatives The satellite …

Starlink carbon footprint up to 30 times size of land-based internet Read More »

Artificial intelligence has generated recognisable images of things like shoes and T-shirts on a small quantum computer. They aren’t great, but the method could scale up to more powerful machines ​Artificial intelligence has generated recognisable images of things like shoes and T-shirts on a small quantum computer. They aren’t great, but the method could scale …

Quantum AI image generator is no match for ones on ordinary computers Read More »

A sophisticated algorithm enables a robotic hand to rotate Rubik’s cubes and other objects in three axes, with potential applications on automated manufacturing lines ​A sophisticated algorithm enables a robotic hand to rotate Rubik’s cubes and other objects in three axes, with potential applications on automated manufacturing lines A sophisticated algorithm enables a robotic hand to …

Robotic hand has the dexterity to handle tricky objects with care Read More »

The mRNA technique used in covid-19 vaccines recruits our bodies to make their own medicines. That could revolutionise treatments for all manner of conditions – and make personalised therapies cheaper and easier ​The mRNA technique used in covid-19 vaccines recruits our bodies to make their own medicines. That could revolutionise treatments for all manner of …

How mRNA is transforming the way we treat illnesses from flu to cancer Read More »

Some of the components in quantum computers must be reset between operations, slowing down calculations, but tiny refrigerators could speed things up ​Some of the components in quantum computers must be reset between operations, slowing down calculations, but tiny refrigerators could speed things up Some of the components in quantum computers must be reset between operations, …

Adding nanofridges to quantum computers could make them run faster Read More »

Particles that are too small to be assembled into materials with conventional methods can be bound together with DNA molecules – the result is clumps of unusually strong and stiff material ​Particles that are too small to be assembled into materials with conventional methods can be bound together with DNA molecules – the result is …

Hollow nanoparticles linked by DNA make unusually strong materials Read More »

Using waste plastic to produce a combination of hydrogen and graphene could make it profitable and greener to generate hydrogen as a fuel ​Using waste plastic to produce a combination of hydrogen and graphene could make it profitable and greener to generate hydrogen as a fuel Using waste plastic to produce a combination of hydrogen and …

Waste plastic can be recycled into hydrogen fuel and graphene Read More »

A kind of computer memory made from the semiconductor scandium aluminium nitride withstands extreme heat in tests, making it potentially useful for space missions ​A kind of computer memory made from the semiconductor scandium aluminium nitride withstands extreme heat in tests, making it potentially useful for space missions A kind of computer memory made from the …

Super-heatproof computer memory survives temperatures over 500°C Read More »

Communities in North America and New Zealand are working on teaching algorithms to understand Indigenous languages. But what happens when corporations get involved, asks Annalee Newitz  ​Communities in North America and New Zealand are working on teaching algorithms to understand Indigenous languages. But what happens when corporations get involved, asks Annalee Newitz  Communities in North America …

How artificial intelligence is helping keep Indigenous languages alive Read More »