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Oxford scientists have created “soft” robots that think with their bodies, not their brains — moving, sensing, and even coordinating on their own without any electronics or programming. Imagine a robot that doesn’t need a brain, battery, or computer to move — one that’s completely powered by air. Sounds impossible, right? But a research team led by the University of Oxford has turned that idea into reality. In a groundbreaking study published in Advanced Materials , scientists revealed a new class of soft robots that operate using nothing but air pressure — no wires, no circuits, no code. These air-driven “fluidic robots” can perform complex, rhythmic movements and even synchronize with each other automatically , just like living creatures do. The result is a step toward a new generation of intelligent machines that don’t rely on processors or algorithms — instead, their design and materials themselves give rise to smart behavior. Professor Antonio Forte , who leads the Robot...

Imagine a world where people who have lost their sense of touch could feel the warmth of the sun again—or even sense things human skin never could, like magnetic fields or distant vibrations. This might sound like science fiction, but researchers at the University of Connecticut and the University of Toronto are turning it into reality. In a groundbreaking study published in Advanced Materials , they introduced a new kind of artificial skin that can detect pressure, temperature, sound, and even magnetic fields—all thanks to the power of iron oxide nanoparticles . This new “smart skin” doesn’t just aim to restore sensation for burn victims or amputees—it could eventually enhance human senses far beyond their natural limits. The Breakthrough: Giving Artificial Skin the Power to Feel Our skin is the body’s largest organ and one of its most important sensory tools. It lets us sense pressure, pain, heat, cold, and texture—information that keeps us safe and connected to the world. B...

For years, we’ve been told that using our phones before bed is one of the worst things we can do for our sleep. From “blue light ruins your melatonin” to “doomscrolling keeps your brain awake,” it’s been treated as bedtime’s biggest enemy. But according to new research, the story may not be as simple—or as scary—as we thought. A recent study from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and Université Laval has challenged this long-standing belief, suggesting that using your phone at night might not harm your sleep as much as previously claimed . In fact, for many adults, it may not make a difference at all. Published in the journal Sleep Health , the study surveyed more than 1,000 adults across Canada , uncovering surprising insights about how modern screen habits relate to our sleep health. And the findings could reshape how we think about bedtime screen time altogether. A Modern Habit: Phones in Bed Are Here to Stay Let’s be honest—our phones are part of our daily lives, right u...

Imagine a material that can change its shape just like magic. A material that can be flat one moment and three-dimensional the next. Something that could fold into a flower, transform into a face, or become part of a soft robot that moves like a living creature. This is not science fiction anymore. Scientists at Rice University have developed a special shape-shifting material known as a liquid crystal elastomer that can switch between complex shapes when heated and cooled. This discovery is extremely promising for fields like soft robotics , where machines are designed to move more like animals than rigid metal robots. It also has potential uses in biomedical technology , including medical implants, devices that change shape inside the body, and even assistive technology for visually impaired individuals. The research team, led by materials scientist Professor Rafael Verduzco and graduate student Morgan Barnes , published their work in the journal Soft Matter . Their findings could...

Black holes are among the most mysterious objects in the universe. They are regions where gravity is so strong that nothing—not even light—can escape. Because of this, we cannot directly see what lies inside a black hole. However, theoretical physics allows scientists to ask deeper questions: If we combine Einstein’s theory of gravity with quantum mechanics, what should the inside of a black hole look like? A recent study published in Physical Review Letters has explored exactly this puzzle. The research focuses on two black holes that are entangled , meaning they are linked through the strange rules of quantum mechanics. The scientists behind the study mathematically mapped out what the interior of such paired black holes would look like. Their surprising discovery suggests that instead of a smooth, tunnel-like wormhole connecting the black holes, the interior resembles a long, bumpy, caterpillar-like structure . This structure has been named the "Einstein-Rosen Caterpillar...

For decades, millions of people have searched for an easy, reliable, and safe way to reverse baldness. Lotions, pills, special shampoos, laser combs, and even surgeries have been tried—with mixed results. But a new invention from engineers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison may signal the beginning of a completely new approach. Imagine putting on an ordinary-looking hat that uses gentle, low-frequency electric pulses to wake up sleeping hair follicles. No pain. No surgeries. No pills. No complicated gadgets. Just a simple, comfortable hat that works automatically while you go about your day. This may sound like science fiction, but according to the researchers behind it, this technology is very real—and it might soon be tested in humans. In this article, we explore how this “electric hat” works, why engineers believe it could be a practical solution, and what makes it different from today’s common hair-growth treatments. The Breakthrough: Reversing Baldness With Electricity ...

The future of vision is upon us — blink twice and your contact lens will zoom in for you. Imagine being able to zoom in on distant objects just by blinking your eyes — no cameras, no binoculars, no gadgets to carry. This once science-fiction dream is quickly becoming reality, thanks to a team of engineering scientists led by Joe Ford from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) . The team has successfully developed a contact lens that zooms when you blink twice , marking a revolutionary step in how humans might one day enhance their natural vision. It’s a futuristic concept that feels straight out of a spy movie — and yet, it’s already being tested in the lab. How Does It Work? At the core of this invention lies a fascinating field of research called electrooculography — a technique that measures the electrical signals produced by eye movements . Every time you move your eyes up, down, left, or right, or even when you blink, your eyes generate small electrical impulses k...