Plot twist: How giving old graveyards new life as parks can improve our cities
Old graveyards are a forgotten land asset that can find new life as urban parks in crowded cities. As the density of our cities increases, efficient use of urban land becomes paramount. In particular, land for urban parks becomes more important and h.....»»
These are the lasting things that Half-Life 2 gave us, besides headcrabs and crowbars
Beyond the game itself (which rocks), Half-Life 2 had a big impact on PC gaming. It's Half-Life 2 week at Ars Technica! This Saturday, November 16, is the 20th anniversary of th.....»»
Award-winning dataset aids in earthquake liquefaction research
No one knows exactly when or where an earthquake will strike. But computer simulations are helping scientists and engineers improve predictions for liquefaction—a sometimes deadly earthquake effect where the soil loses its stiffness, thus toppling.....»»
Can AI improve plant-based meats? Using mechanical testing and machine learning to mimic the sensory experience
Cutting back on animal protein in our diets can save on resources and greenhouse gas emissions. But convincing meat-loving consumers to switch up their menu is a challenge. Looking at this problem from a mechanical engineering angle, Stanford enginee.....»»
Antarctic bacteria show promise as biocontrol agents for combating banana wilt
A recent study conducted by scientists at ESPOL has unveiled the biotechnological potential of microorganisms from Antarctica. In this remote continent, where life thrives under extreme conditions, researchers isolated 77 microbial strains from 162 c.....»»
Scientific breakthrough could make X-ray scans safer by reducing radiation
X-rays have fundamentally revolutionized healthcare, giving us views of the human body and even almost impossible views of atoms. However, the radiation involved in X-rays … The post Scientific breakthrough could make X-ray scans safer by reduc.....»»
5 of the biggest TV shows coming next week to HBO, Paramount+, Hulu, and Netflix
From stories about an elderly man finding a new purpose in life to the machinations of oil barons as well as a spinoff of the … The post 5 of the biggest TV shows coming next week to HBO, Paramount+, Hulu, and Netflix appeared first on BGR......»»
tvOS 18 added a new Apple TV 4K setting that’s been a no-brainer upgrade
tvOS might be one of the hardest platforms for Apple to iterate upon. There’s only so much you can do to improve the TV experience, right? But tvOS 18 has proven that adage wrong by offering several great new features—including a key Enhance Dial.....»»
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Arecibo Message
On the 50th anniversary of the “Arecibo message,” we present a reflection on humankind’s first attempt to send a transmission to intelligent life in the cosmos......»»
Curly-Tailed Cats Communicate with an ‘Accent’
A genetic mutation makes some cats’ tail curl over their back, giving them something akin to an accent when they communicate with other kitties.....»»
I played Half-Life 2 for the first time this year—here’s how it went
Wake up and smell the ashes, Ms. Washenko. It's Half-Life 2 week at Ars Technica! This Saturday, November 16, is the 20th anniversary of the release of Half-Life 2—a game of.....»»
K-12 Maker Lab at MIT Helps Get Maker Projects in Your Classroom
“How is this making to learn and not just making stuff?” Maker projects can engage students and improve learning experiences in K-12 academic classes. Integrating open-ended, hands-on, creative activities with cool tools in an academic classroom.....»»
How to Design a Real-Life Hot Wheels Loop
You should absolutely not build this thing. But it’s still fun to think through the physics......»»
Shanghai, Tokyo, New York, Houston spew most greenhouse gas of world cities
Cities in Asia and the United States emit the most heat-trapping gas that feeds climate change, with Shanghai the most polluting, according to new data that combines observations and artificial intelligence......»»
3 underrated shows on Peacock you need to watch in November 2024
Get ready for thrills, comedy, and real-life drama in the three underrated shows on Peacock that you need to watch in November......»»
What Bird Flu in Wastewater Means for California and Beyond
Wastewater in several Californian cities, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, recently tested positive for bird flu. But understanding disease risk and exposure to humans isn’t so straightforward.....»»
Astrology Was an Important Science for Medieval People
In medieval times, astrology was considered a serious science, a branch of astronomy. Curator Larisa Grollemond of the Getty Museum, walks us through the medieval zodiac and how someone’s sign decided their day-to-day life......»»
Half-Life 2 pushed Steam on the gaming masses… and the masses pushed back
Back in 2004, many players saw Valve’s new platform as nothing but “fancy DRM.” It's Half-Life 2 week at Ars Technica! This Saturday, November 16, is the 20th anniversary of.....»»
Research looks to see how hidden costs of Social Security claiming takes toll on widows
The timing of filing for Social Security benefits is one of the most important decisions senior Americans must make. But few think about the implications filing early or late in life has on widowed spouses, a segment of society that represents nearly.....»»
Q&A: Holobiont biology, a new concept for exploring how microbiome shapes evolution of visible life
Microorganisms—bacteria, viruses and other tiny life forms—may drive biological variation in visible life as much, if not more, than genetic mutations, creating new lineages and even new species of animals and plants, according to Seth Bordenstei.....»»
New study examines how extraterrestrial civilizations could become "stellivores"
One of the most challenging aspects of astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) is anticipating what life and extraterrestrial civilizations will look like. Invariably, we have only one example of a planet that supports li.....»»