Humans in the loop help robots find their way: Computer scientists’ interactive program aids motion planning for environments with obstacles
Just like us, robots can’t see through walls. Sometimes they need a little help to get where they’re going. Engineers at Rice University have developed a method that allows humans to help robots “see” their environments and carry out tasks. The strategy called Bayesian Learning IN the Dark — BLIND, for short — is a […]
New miniature heart could help speed heart disease cures
There’s no safe way to get a close-up view of the human heart as it goes about its work: you can’t just pop it out, take a look, then slot it back in. Scientists have tried different ways to get around this fundamental problem: they’ve hooked up cadaver hearts to machines to make them pump […]
What Are Ways to Reduce Stress? 28 Stress Relaxation Techniques
While you can’t always avoid stressful situations, here are 28 tips and relaxation techniques that can help you manage and reduce stress Chronic stress can be harmful to your health and raise your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and other conditions. While you can’t always avoid stressful situations, here are 28 tips and […]
The ‘equal-opportunity jerk’ defense: Rudeness can obfuscate gender bias
If you’re an “equal-opportunity jerk,” does that mean you can’t also be sexist? New research shows that many people think so — and consider men to be gender blind when they’re rude, condescending, and berating to women and men equally. To highlight the common view that men aren’t deemed sexist when they’re rude to both […]
Soaking up the sun: Artificial photosynthesis promises clean, sustainable source of energy
Humans can do lots of things that plants can’t do. We can walk around, we can talk, we can hear and see and touch. But plants have one major advantage over humans: They can make energy directly from the sun. That process of turning sunlight directly into usable energy — called photosynthesis — may soon […]
10 Realistic Ways To Set Boundaries With Others During The Holidays
Don’t want to make homemade apple pie? Bring a frozen one. Can’t afford the employee gift exchange? Politely opt out. Not willing to spend the night at a relative’s house? Book a hotel stay instead. The holiday season can be stressful with baking, shopping and a million other things cluttering our to-do lists. Not to […]
The evolution of good taste
Does evolution explain why we can’t resist a salty chip? Researchers at NC State University found that differences between the elemental composition of foods and the elemental needs of animals can explain the development of pleasing tastes like salty, umami and sweet. Taste tells us a lot about foods before they are swallowed and digested, […]
Broadband Key to Expanding Telehealth’s Pandemic Gains, Say Experts
Telehealth can’t succeed without expanding access to affordable broadband internet, witnesses told the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on Thursday. But extending the regulatory flexibilities around this access granted under the public health emergency, which are slated to expire when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, is also critical, they said, stressing that the benefits […]
Did You Mean to Drop That Treat? Your Dog Knows
Latest Pet Health News WEDNESDAY, Sept. 1, 2021 (HealthDay News) You probably can’t fool Fido. New research indicates dogs may know whether you mean to withhold a treat or you’re doing so by accident. This suggests dogs have a least one aspect of something known as Theory of Mind — an ability to […]
11 Years Ago I Was Hit By A NYC Subway, And My Life Has Never Been The Same
Let me tell you about a life-changing moment I can’t remember. I went to college in New York City. After graduation, I worked as a paralegal at a law firm, dabbled in real estate sales, and was even a manager for a singer. I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with […]