The war on drugs has had its share of ups and downs. On one hand, there seems to be a lightening of the regulations around the country when it comes to marijuana, something that is seen by some as a victory to allow law enforcement to focus on more dangerous drugs while others see it as a step in the wrong direction. On the other hand, we’ve seen a sharp increase in the use of synthetic drugs, particularly by teens. Since 2008, synthetic drugs such as K2 (synthetic marijuana), Smiles (a synthetic hallucinogen and stimulant), and bath salts (a common product that some use as a hallucinogen and stimulant)…

If you’re reading this now on and you don’t believe that internet addiction isn’t real, chances are you’re in denial. That doesn’t mean that you have it, but you likely know someone who spends more time online than they do in the “real” world. It’s okay. If it’s you that has it, you’re not alone. The internet can be a wonderful place. It keeps us engaged and informed. It presents portions of the world that we would never have been able to see otherwise and lets us meet and interact with people who we never would have known. Communication, information sharing, expression of opinions, the speed of news,…

At the Royal London Children’s Hospital, the children who must be there are treated to amazing technology to make their stay more enjoyable. Called “Woodland Wiggle”, it is designed to encourage children to be more active while at the hospital. Check out the adorable pictures and video below. * * * Via: BitRebels…

How can you tell if your spy planes and satellites need corrective eye wear? You have them read an optometry chart, of course. The only difference is that instead of reading letters and capital E’s pointed in different directions, they have to discern the patterns scattered around the Gobi Desert and other locations. The image above found on Google Maps is one of many being discovered by people of the web since they were first spotted in 2011. Here are some of the others that have been located so far. Like a huge puzzle: They can be round as well. … or square.  …

We’ve seen some of the amazing things that 3D printers can do, but most of them are more for folly and enjoyment rather than practical use. The future of 3D printers is bright, but today they’re good for launching Stephen Colbert’s head into space and not a lot more. Or are they? There have been other examples of how 3D printing technology can be used for practical purposes, but the video below is the most touching and truly amazing use that we’ve seen so far. In it, young Emma was born with arthrogryposis, a disability that would have made it impossible for her to move her arms. Thanks to a combination…

One of the biggest risks with drugs such as antibiotics that chemically attack bacteria and other harmful organisms is that a tolerance or immunity can be developed over time. There are also side-effects that can debilitate patients treated chemically. IBM hopes to have solved both issues through nanotechnology by developing “ninja polymers” that attack deadly bacteria such as Staphylococcus physically rather than chemically. When in the bloodstream or in contact with water, these polymers self-assemble into microscopic structures that target bacteria based upon their electrostatic…

Technology and science often move faster than the money and logistics required to implement it. Such is the case with malaria, a parasitic disease that causes high fevers, shaking chills, flu-like symptoms, anemia, and eventual death. There has been a treatment available since 1989 but the disease spreads faster than the drug can be distributed. Is there a vaccine around the corner that can stop this killer once and for all? According to research performed by the World Health Organization and Assay Depot, there just might be. It’s still in the final stages of clinical trials, but Mosquirix is…

At some point, the sheer oddity of Japanese technological solutions to various problems will stop surprising us. That day may have come as the latest addition to the long list of creative Japanese problem-solving tech involves a bear pillow, snoring, and a smaller bear glove that monitors blood oxygen levels. Dr. Kabe from Waseda University’s Kabe Lab created the Jukusui-Kun (Deep Sleep), a robot bear that uses internal microphones to monitor for snoring. As you’ll see in the video below, snoring sounds makes the bear’s hand move towards the face and brush it with a cotton cloth to compel the…

We often take the ability to see inside the human body for granted, and why wouldn’t we? X-ray technology is well over a century old. But imagine you live in a time where science isn’t really sure what an atom is and the discovery of electrons is merely a glimmer in some frisky physicists’ eyes, and you begin to appreciate just how insanely intelligent some of these scientists had to be to harness and comprehensively describe the X-ray in its early days. Oh and there was also the fact that they completely revolutionized modern medicine with a discovery matched only by the discovery of antibiotics…

In the 21st century, most people are aware that there are little creatures living in or on everything that we touch, eat, and breath. Microbes are a fact of life that many ignore simply because we can’t do a lot about it. We try to stay clean, use antibacterial soap, and wash things that come in contact with food, but what about our beds? Again, it’s something that we ignore. A recent study by SleepBetter took a look at pillows and mattress pads that are being used by college students across the US. Bacteria, yeast, fungus – yep, they’re all there. While nobody is suggesting that we bleach our beds every…