Saturday, December 15, 2012

Most fascinating science news of the week (Dec 15, 2012)

Here are some of the most fascinating science news stories of the week:


CU-Boulder team develops swarm of pingpong ball-sized robots
University of Colorado Boulder Assistant Professor Nikolaus Correll likes to think in multiples. If one robot can accomplish a singular task, think how much more could be accomplished if you had hundreds of them. Read more: http://www.colorado.edu/news/releases/2012/12/14/cu-boulder-team-develops-swarm-pingpong-ball-sized-robots


Astronomers discover 'missing link' of black holes 
The discovery of a bingeing black hole in our nearest neighbouring galaxy, Andromeda, has shed new light on some of the brightest X-ray sources seen in other galaxies, according to new work co-authored by astronomers from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research's Curtin University node. Read more: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-12/icfr-ad121112.php\


UCLA engineers develop new energy-efficient computer memory using magnetic materials
By using electric voltage instead of a flowing electric current, researchers from UCLA's Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have made major improvements to an ultra-fast, high-capacity class of computer memory known as magnetoresistive random access memory, or MRAM. Read more: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-12/uoc--ued121412.php  


Stretchable electronics
Electronic devices become smaller, lighter, faster and more powerful with each passing year. Currently, however, electronics such as cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc., are rigid. But what if they could be made bendable or stretchy? Read more: http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2013/dec/stretchable-electronics-121112.html  


Dolphin hearing system component found in insects
A hearing system component thought to be unique in toothed whales like dolphins has been discovered in insects, following research involving the University of Strathclyde. Read more: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-12/uos-dhs121312.php