For half a century, Roman and Maz Piekarski, two unmarried brothers from England, have dedicated their lives to amassing the world’s largest collection of cuckoo clocks—750 intricately designed, pendulum-driven timepieces that adorn their ‘Cuckooland’ museum. However, as the ticking hands of time advance on their lives, the siblings, aged 71 and 69, Continue reading “Unmarried Brothers Looking for an Heir to Preserve World’s Largest Collection of Cuckoo Clocks” »
In Travis County, just beyond the zoning laws of Austin city, the Community First! Village has emerged as a beacon of hope and compassion in the fight against chronic homelessness. Initially opening its doors to renters in 2019, this tiny home community, operated by the Mobile Loaves & Fishes charity, has been providing a secure haven for formerly homeless individuals. With 100 RVs, 125 micro-houses, and an array of communal facilities, including gardens, workspaces, Continue reading “Texas Tiny Home Community Thrives With 2,000 Neighbours: Easing Homelessness in Austin” »
The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, is generating significant anticipation and excitement due to several remarkable features that set it apart from previous celestial events. In comparison to the 2017 total eclipse that traversed the United States, this year’s spectacle promises to be even more captivating. The duration of totality will be longer, casting a darker shadow over the sky and offering a more dynamic display of the sun’s celestial ballet. Importantly, the 2024 eclipse is expected to be the last major total solar eclipse to cross North America for the next two decades, making it a rare and unmissable event for both casual observers and scientists. Continue reading “Why the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Will Be Such a Big Deal” »
Aussie Tiny Houses has garnered widespread acclaim for its exceptional design and innovative approach to compact living. The Mooloolaba design, in particular, stands out as a masterpiece in the realm of tiny houses, earning the brand international recognition. Renowned for its smart contemporary design, the Mooloolaba strikes a harmonious balance between modern openness and traditional, cozy privacy. The compact version, the Mooloolaba 7.2, is a testament to Continue reading “Smart Contemporary Design Makes This Gorgeous Tiny House Super Comfy” »
In 2009, fuelled by a desire to provide his mother with a comfortable and cost-effective living solution, software engineer Dan Louche undertook the construction of a tiny home for her. Little did he know that this personal project would eventually blossom into a full-fledged business. Drawing on his newfound skills in designing and constructing tiny homes, Continue reading “This Software Engineer Built a Tiny House for His Mom and Then Set Up a Company to Sell the Plans” »
In an innovative effort to address the significant risks associated with falls among the elderly, Suzhou Yidaibao Intelligent Technology Co., a Chinese startup, has developed a groundbreaking solution reminiscent of car airbags. Motivated by the unfortunate experience of witnessing an elderly friend suffer a pelvic bone fracture from a fall in 2014, the team aimed to prevent such incidents and the ensuing period of Continue reading “Wearable Airbags Deploy in Milliseconds To Protect the Elderly From Falls” »
Nestled in the snow-covered landscapes of Jukkasjärvi, Sweden, just 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, the iconic ICEHOTEL has emerged as a breathtaking testament to artistic innovation and engineering prowess. Established in 1989, it is the world’s first and largest hotel constructed entirely from ice. As winter envelopes the Nordic countries, the ICEHOTEL has transformed annually with new sculptures and installations crafted from ice, Continue reading “Sweden’s ICEHOTEL Reopens With Stunning New Ice Sculptures for 2024” »
Minnie Payne’s educational journey is a testament to the idea that learning knows no age limit. Returning to the classroom at the age of 68 after a fulfilling career, Payne defied conventional timelines to achieve her dream of obtaining a college degree. Her determination did not waver, and at the age of 73, she proudly earned her undergraduate degree. Unwilling to rest on her laurels, Payne continued her pursuit of knowledge at the University of Northern Texas, where, at the remarkable age of 90, she made Continue reading “90-Year-Old Becomes Oldest Person to Earn Master’s Degree From University” »
A team led by engineer Feng Guo from Indiana University Bloomington has developed a system called Brainoware, which integrates real human brain tissue with electronics. Brainoware uses brain organoids—three-dimensional mini-brains grown from human pluripotent stem cells—in conjunction with an array of high-density microelectrodes and artificial neural network technology known as reservoir computing. The electrical stimulation transports information into the organoid, where it is processed, and the system produces calculations in the form of neural activity. While slightly less accurate than a pure hardware computer running on artificial intelligence, the research marks an important step in a new kind of computer architecture.
The Brainoware system demonstrates the potential of using real human brain tissue to perform tasks such as speech recognition and math problems. The organoids, while not capable of thought, emotion, or consciousness, provide a more realistic environment for studying brain function compared to traditional artificial neural networks. This approach represents a novel way to advance neuromorphic computing, aiming to replicate the brain’s efficiency by combining biological processes with electronics. While the discoveries this new approach will lead to are significant, ethical considerations are emphasized by researchers, urging the community to examine neuroethical issues surrounding biocomputing systems that incorporate human neural tissue.