Long-fingered aye-ayes have secret ‘thumbs’

Extremely rare lemurs called aye-ayes have long, spidery fingers for spearing grubs. Scientists have just discovered that they have "pseudothumbs," as well.

Tracey Peake-NC State • futurity
Oct. 21, 2019 ~4 min

Typing speed on mobile is catching up to keyboards

A test of mobile typing speed reveals that the gap between mobile and desktop has narrowed. You can try the texting speed assessment for yourself.

ETH Zurich • futurity
Oct. 7, 2019 ~3 min


First video of viruses assembling released

For the first time, Harvard researchers have captured images of individual viruses forming, offering a real-time view into the kinetics of viral assembly.

Leah Burrows • harvard
Oct. 2, 2019 ~5 min

Robotic gripper is gentle enough to handle eggs

A robotic gripper's gentle grasp could make it a safer coworker on an assembly line, say researchers.

Charlotte Hsu-Buffalo • futurity
Sept. 12, 2019 ~3 min

‘E-glove’ gives prosthetic hands human touch and warmth

A new e-glove can help people with prosthetic hands feel pressure and temperature, while also giving prostheses the softness and warmth of real skin.

Chris Adam-Purdue • futurity
Sept. 4, 2019 ~3 min

Weak handgrip may warn of cognitive impairment

"...this is another instance where you're seeing that staying physically active affects your overall health and your cognitive health."

Laura Bailey-Michigan • futurity
Aug. 23, 2019 ~2 min

Nerve transfer restores some hand motion after spine injury

Nerve transfer surgery shows promise in restoring some hand movement for people with tetraplegia after a spinal cord injury.

U. Melbourne • futurity
July 9, 2019 ~6 min

With tweaks, smartwatches know what you do with your hands

With some changes, a standard smartwatch can figure out when a wearer was typing on a keyboard, washing dishes, patting a dog, and more.

Byron Spice-Carnegie Mellon • futurity
May 12, 2019 ~4 min


Spine device trains hands of future physical therapists

The new "SpinalLog" device uses foam and sensors to let physical therapy students practice moving the spine—no patient required.

Holly Bennett-U. Melbourne • futurity
March 21, 2019 ~2 min

Are really tiny tools what make humans special?

The tiny stone tools of our prehistoric ancestors were like the disposable razor blades or paperclips of today—pervasive, easy to make, and easily replaced.

Carol Clark-Emory • futurity
March 19, 2019 ~11 min

/

6