Geckos can climb walls and hang from ceilings with ease. They do this without using any adhesive or fine hair, instead relying on their incredibly complex feet. These little creatures can grip flat surfaces and even support their entire bodies with only one toe. What if scientists could recreate these feet for use in robotics?
Controlling lightning using lasers
Humans have been using lightning rods to protect buildings and people from the devastating power of lightning for hundreds of years. But we still can’t defend things like airplanes and boats. Scientists are now trying a new technology to guide lightning to a safe place — and even to trigger lighting at will.
How they de-aged Harrison Ford for 'Indiana Jones' 5
The trailer for “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” is out and it’s turning a lot of heads. There are short glimpses of a young Harrison Ford, and it’s not archival footage. It’s actually a whole new CGI technology created just for this movie. But how does it work?
How trail designers build good hikes
When you go on a hike, the trail might seem like something organic — like it’s always been there and no one person planned how it would look. The reality is that creating hiking trails takes an entire team of planners and builders. And if they do their jobs right, it will feel like they were never there.
The future of particle accelerators
Particle accelerators have been in the news a lot in the last few years. The most famous one is the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. In this video, take a science deep dive into how particle accelerators will advance in the coming years and how that will play a role in the larger world of science.
Explaining the pickleball phenomenon
Pickleball has been called the “fastest growing sport in America” and it’s easy to see why. Throughout the pandemic, the sport moved out of retirement homes and into the mainstream. Now famous athletes like Lebron James have started their own league and millions of people are playing every day. What’s the history behind this sport and why has it become so popular?
How Spotify determines your personal music taste
Spotify is one of the world’s largest music streaming services with almost a quarter billion active users. And if you have ever used Spotify, you know it is impressive how well the app can get to know your music preferences. How does this software work? Through extremely complex math, of course.
How video games can make us smarter
You may have heard the old adage, “Video games will rot your brain.” While this may be true if you are continuously playing a mindless mobile game, it turns out scientists believe some aspects of video games can actually help us become more social and better problem solvers — and even help positively develop a child’s mind. But how?
Why do we find things cute?
Why do we find certain animals and other things adorable? There’s a complex science behind cuteness and how it affects our behavior and emotion. From baby animals to round, chubby faces, uncovering the evolutionary and psychological reasons why we find certain things cute is astounding.
Using Rubik's Cubes to create stunning art
Meet 16-year-old Daniella Chaim, a talented artist who uses Rubik’s Cubes to create incredible works of art. From portraits to abstract designs, Daniella’s unique approach to art is impressive and inspiring.
The strongest magnets ever made by humans
Magnets can lift heavy objects and create strong electrical fields. They are truly a marvel of modern science and technology. But how strong can they get? Get ready to be amazed by the strength and capabilities of the strongest magnets humans have ever made.
The rise and fall of Circuit City
Circuit City, the once-dominant electronics retailer, really struggled to keep up with the rapid changes in the industry. From its humble beginnings in the 1950s to its eventual bankruptcy in the late 2000s, this is the story of Circuit City’s decline and fall.
How Switzerland became a giant bunker
Switzerland has long been known as a neutral country. They stayed out of World War II and the Cold War. But how did they remain protected, especially when Axis powers surrounded them? It turns out they just kept digging.
Genius way to get back at package thieves
Every year, one YouTuber takes it upon himself to fight back against porch pirates. He creates an incredibly complex device disguised as an actual package that not only sprays the would-be criminal with super-fine glitter but also invades their space with a ton of foul-smelling spray. This year he took it one step further.
Science video: How machines learn
Artificial intelligence seems to be all around us nowadays. AI can help you pick a movie to watch, make companies more money and even write a college essay. But how does AI learn? It’s all about teaching bots to teach other bots.
Why the US stores millions of oil barrels in caves
Seventy miles outside of Houston, there is a giant concrete facility. Deep beneath this facility lies a network of caverns filled with oil. This is part of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve. So, how did this plan come to be and how does it play a role in global economics?
Will we live on Mars someday?
Humans have long looked up in space and thought about how we could live among the stars one day. Right now, life on Mars would require a ton of equipment and shelter to protect us from the harsh environment. But what if we could make Mars more like Earth? How would we even do that? The answer is lasers!
In search of the darkest thing on Earth
What does it mean for something to be the color black? Simply put, it’s when light cannot be reflected by an object. You might be surprised to learn that scientists have been searching for ways to create the blackest black in the world. It turns out super black paints can change the science world.
Why the Ringling Brothers operated a secret spy agency
When you think of the Ringling Brothers, you probably think of trapeze artists, fire breathers and tigers jumping through hoops. Spies probably don’t come to mind. But in fact, there was a time when the company synonymous with the circus ran its own spy agency. The reason they did it is truly shocking.
Tech Refresh: Spot deepfakes, repair warning, best family plans
Wait until January to buy TVs, workout gear, winter clothes and home goods. Here’s why. Plus, TikTok live streams are getting out of control, best Christmas gifts under $50, cheapest family plans, be careful getting your phone or computer repaired and a new way to recognize fake images and videos.