Bendable concrete and other CO2-infused cement mixes could dramatically cut global emissions
Researchers are developing ways to lock captured CO2 into cement. It could help rebuild America’s crumbling infrastructure and deal with climate change at the same time.
Feb. 14, 2021 • ~9 min
Intense scrutiny of Chinese-born researchers in the US threatens innovation
The recent arrest of a Chinese-born scientist at MIT raises questions about the value of international science collaboration and its impact on the American innovation system.
Jan. 26, 2021 • ~10 min
We need hard science, not software, to power our post-pandemic recovery
The Fourth Industrial Revolution failed to deliver; it's time that we put our faith once again in hard science.
Jan. 19, 2021 • ~8 min
How explainable artificial intelligence can help humans innovate
AI algorithms can solve hard problems and learn incredible tasks, but they can't explain how they do these things. If researchers can build explainable AI, it could lead to a flood of new knowledge.
Jan. 13, 2021 • ~7 min
The top scientific breakthrough for 2020 was understanding SARS-CoV-2 and how it causes COVID-19 – and then developing multiple vaccines
The development of multiple vaccines against the virus that causes COVID-19 has been hailed as the breakthrough of 2020. But there were many more supporting discoveries that made this possible.
Dec. 17, 2020 • ~11 min
The iconic American inventor is still a white male – and that's an obstacle to race and gender inclusion
The story of the invention in America typically features larger-than-life caricatures of white men like Thomas Edison while largely ignoring the contributions of women and people of color.
Dec. 8, 2020 • ~9 min
Curved origami offers a creative route to making robots and other mechanical devices
Curved origami isn't just elegant art. It's also a versatile way to vary the amount of force applied by robots and other machines.
Nov. 18, 2020 • ~5 min
Smart concrete could pave the way for high-tech, cost-effective roads
What if roads and bridges could signal structural problems that need repair?
Nov. 12, 2020 • ~8 min
Want to teach kids about nature? Insects can help
Insects are plentiful and inexpensive. Even when children aren't attending school in person, they can learn from the encounters they have with insects outside.
Oct. 29, 2020 • ~5 min
Health insurers are starting to roll back coverage for telehealth – even though demand is way up due to COVID-19
Widely adopted in the US when pandemic precautions kept people home, telehealth faces a challenge as insurance coverage changes, right when its popularity had surged.
Oct. 27, 2020 • ~8 min
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