Tech

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We summarize the week's science breakthroughs every Thursday.

  1. Tech

    Sheath helps ‘aqua-hamster’ survive underwater

    Scientists hoped a membrane invented in 1964 would let submarines pull air from seawater.

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  2. Science & Society

    Asteroids closer to home may get us to Mars

    NASA should abandon its attempt to bring a space rock into lunar orbit and instead scrutinize ones already whizzing by Earth, one scientist argues.

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  3. Tech

    New microscope gives clear view inside cells

    By splitting beams of light, a new microscopy technique can capture activity inside a cell.

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  4. Science & Society

    E-commerce sites personalize search results to maximize profits

    Travel and retail websites alter search results depending on whether consumers use smartphones or particular web browsers.

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  5. Planetary Science

    ‘Mars Rover Curiosity’ chronicles robot’s journey

    Engineer Rob Manning recounts the decade of victories and setbacks that preceded Curiosity’s landing on Mars.

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  6. Computing

    Computer program reveals artists’ influences

    The algorithm can figure out a particular painting’s style — whether it’s abstract, impressionist or Baroque, for example — and tease out possible connections among artists.

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  7. Animals

    Rattlesnakes tutor robot on dune climbing

    Snakes sidewinding up sand inspire design improvements for robots navigating treacherous slopes.

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  8. Tech

    Microscopy techniques win Nobel Prize in chemistry

    The award goes to three scientists who developed fluorescence microscopy, which allows researchers to see single molecules just a billionth of a meter across.

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  9. Materials Science

    Blue LEDs win Nobel Prize in physics

    Light-emitting diodes have led to more energy-efficient bulbs that are elbowing out incandescents.

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  10. Animals

    Videos hint at why tree bats may die at wind turbines

    Using heat-sensitive cameras, scientists were able to watch how tree bats interact with wind turbines and determine what behaviors may lead to their deaths.

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  11. Tech

    Solar cell powers water-to-hydrogen conversion

    High efficiency could make perovskite solar cells useful for generating environmentally friendly fuel.

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  12. Science & Society

    Syria’s World Heritage Sites severely damaged by war

    Satellite images reveal that five of the country’s six World Heritage Sites have suffered damage and some structures have been completely destroyed.

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