JJ Nitro

14 March 2008, for Nature Network Boston

Imagine a remote, rocky island with a huge chemical plant that extracts acid from the ocean, pours it onto the island’s rocks, and lets the runoff drain into the ocean.

It might sound at first like some mad scientist’s scheme. But it’s actually a serious plan by Harvard researchers for pulling carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas, out of the air.

13 March 2008, for National Geographic News

Dams and reservoirs have stored so much water over the past several decades that they have masked surging sea levels, a new study says.

But dam building has slowed, meaning sea levels could rise more quickly than researchers predicted in a 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report.

10 March 2008, for National Geographic News

Tsunamis like the the one that devastated ancient Alexandria in A.D. 365 may hit the Mediterranean relatively often, a new study argues.

Scientists say they have pinpointed the geological fault—off the coast of the Greek island of Crete—that likely slipped during a huge quake and caused the ancient tsunami.

10 March 2008, for New Scientist

A machine that controls a novice's drumstick to help them learn how to play could be the first of a string of robotic musical teachers.

The device has also been found to cut the time it takes to pick up new rhythms, according to a study.

7 March 2008, for New Scientist

Memory made from tiny islands of semiconductor – known as quantum dots – could fill a gap left by today's computer memory, allowing storage that is fast as well as long lasting.

Researchers have shown they can write information into quantum dot memory in just nanoseconds.

6 March 2008, for New Scientist

The skin of sea cucumbers was the inspiration for a new material that can change dramatically from rigid to floppy when soaked in water.

5 March 2008, for New Scientist

Climate researchers can now physically experience the complex data on their maps using a computer system that lets them "feel" wind speeds and other weather features using a joystick that simulates touching objects.

A trial of the system shows that it can help people understand how the climate works better than purely visual maps.

4 March 2008, for New Scientist

A new snake-like robot can replicate a trick of real snakes, pushing off obstacles it encounters to move forwards.

A virtual double of the robot that accurately predicts its real life behaviour has also been developed, something not achieved for a realistic snake robot before.

4 March 2008, for Technology Review

It may be the world's tiniest Etch-a-Sketch.

Researchers have demonstrated a new technique that could be used to create rewritable logic circuits and denser computer memory.

19 February 2008, for New Scientist

Sticky bandages inspired by geckos' feet could soon be used to seal wounds and close surgeon's cuts.

Since the bandages would dissolve harmlessly within the body, they could also replace stitches and sutures.