University of Oslo

Scientists at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) have shown for the first time that it is possible to incorporate DNA analysis into antenatal screening for three serious chromosome disorders, including Down’s syndrome, in a way that is far more accurate, and safer and less stressful for mothers. The new method, called antenatal “reflex DNA

A global internet puzzle that requires advanced computer skills to solve has reopened online. It is the third year running that the mysterious Cicada 3301 has appeared, with no clues as to who is behind the puzzle. Some believe it is a recruitment process for a government spy agency, while others believe it could be

Researchers at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering have demonstrated that deep learning, a powerful form of artificial intelligence, can discern and enhance microscopic details in photos taken by smartphones. The technique improves the resolution and color details of smartphone images so much that they approach the quality of images from laboratory-grade microscopes. The advance could help

When everything we do is recorded and remembered by our technology, what role does memory have? Keeping us human. You’ve already forgotten almost everything that’s ever happened to you. Even immediately after you finish this, you won’t remember everything you read. A sentence might pop into your mind in a few days, remixed with something

Ignition — the process of releasing fusion energy equal to or greater than the amount of energy used to confine the fuel — has long been considered the “holy grail” of inertial confinement fusion science. A key step along the path to ignition is to have “fuel gains” greater than unity, where the energy generated

It is relatively new, and holds great promise With Salmonella-tainted ground turkey sickening more than 100 people and Listeria-contaminated cantaloupes killing 15 this year, the ability to detect outbreaks of food-borne illness and determine their sources has become a top public health priority. A new approach, reported online Oct. 14 in the journal Applied and

Image via CrunchBase A Grand Prize Winner will receive a $500,000 grant   YouTube is hosting an online film festival, and will be sending the top 10 finalists to kick off The 69th Annual Venice Film Festival this August with their films. A Grand Prize Winner will receive a $500,000 grant to produce a new work

The millions of years of natural selection that lies behind the immense biodiversity found on our planet is fertile ground for keeping robotics research rolling … in this case, literally. Some caterpillars in the Crambidae family have the amazing ability to spring into a wheel shape and roll away when it’s time to get out

The golden orb-weaver spider from Tanzania spins such strong webs that Tanzanian fishermen use them for fishing. Their spider silk is more tear-resistant than nylon and four times more elastic than steel, is heat-stable up to 250° C, extremely waterproof and, on top of that, has antibacterial properties. These characteristics also make it attractive from