Researchers have genetically engineered trees that will be easier to break down to produce paper and biofuel, a breakthrough that will mean using fewer chemicals, less energy and creating fewer environmental pollutants. "One of the largest impediments for the pulp and paper industry as well as the emerging biofuel industry is a polymer found in... Continue Reading →

Tens of thousands marched in cities across Australia on Sunday to protest the policies of Prime Minister Tony Abbott following the recent release of his administration's austerity budget. The 2014 federal budget has been slammed for measures that critics charge will devastate Australia's poor, including huge cuts to unemployment and welfare benefits, education, and health... Continue Reading →

Instead of taking a pill a day, what if you could take one pill that lasted 16 years? That's the premise for a new project funded by the Gates Foundation, which looks at innovative ways to deliver drugs into the body. A single smart capsule could release drugs into a patient's body over the span... Continue Reading →

Researchers from the George Washington University have managed to switch consciousness on and off in an epileptic woman by stimulating a single region of the brain with electrical impulses. While this is a single case study, it provides an exciting insight into the neural mechanisms behind consciousness, a subject of great interest that is poorly... Continue Reading →

In 2011, researchers at the MIT Media Lab debuted Place Pulse, a website that served as a kind of "hot or not" for cities. Given two Google Street View images culled from a select few cities including New York City and Boston, the site asked users to click on the one that seemed safer, more... Continue Reading →

The Firefly is an electric bike you attach to a manual wheelchair.It uses 4 self-locking ball-joints for quick and easy attachment.By attaching the Firefly your manual wheelchair becomes an electric wheelchair, thereby allowing for greater range and speed.The Firefly is designed primarily for use outdoors and has a maximum reach of 30 km. It runs... Continue Reading →

Pope Francis has launched a scathing attack on the global economic system, warning it is near collapse because of a 'throwaway culture' of greed and the 'atrocity' of youth unemployment. The Roman Catholic leader openly blasted the 'idolatrous' economy for disregarding the young, which he says has led to shocking levels of youth unemployment and... Continue Reading →

Hong Kong braced for protests on Tuesday, which organisers expect will draw at least 500,000 people, potentially making it the region's largest demonstration in recent history. The scale of the protests reflects frustration at Beijing's plans to choose Hong Kong's next chief executive. Nearly 800,000 residents – more than a fifth of the city's electorate... Continue Reading →

In Germany, high tech has come to airport parking. Last week, Düsseldorf airport (DUS) introduced robot valets to take the hassle out of parking for travelers. Travelers can leave their cars at the arrival level of the ParkingPLUS structure. As they leave, they confirm on a touch-screen that no one is in the car. The... Continue Reading →

While African nations Ghana and Cameroon were involved in high-profile money disputes over their World Cup participation, Algeria have announced that they're planning on putting their World Cup cash to good use. Algeria won over a lot of new fans with a spirited World Cup that saw them advance into the round of 16 for... Continue Reading →