• Technology

    The Massive Ordnance Penetrator Will Be the Largest Non-Nuclear Bomb Ever

    By Dan Smith Posted on 8.3.2009 25 Comments

    The Pentagon is trying to speed up the deployment of an ultra-large bunker-busting bomb, which would constitute the largest non-nuclear bomb the U.S. has ever used. The Massive Ordnance Penetrator, or MOP, is a 30,000-pound bomb that would dive deeper than any previous bomb, and could be strapped to B-2 or B-52 bombers by July of 2010.

    8.3.2009 at 04:54pm - Comment by celebrayden

    Legions of CHUDs cower in fear.

  • Science

    For the First Time, Scientists Photograph Memories Being Formed

    By Dan Smith Posted on 6.26.2009 4 Comments

    Scientists have achieved a new milestone in brain imaging: we have seen a memory in the process of being formed. Using brain cells from a lowly sea slug, which actually makes a good model for our brains, images were captured of proteins forming between the neurons. These proteins distinguish the memory as a long-term one rather than short-term, as the proteins solidify the memory in the neurons. This process had been suspected but not visualized until now.

    6.27.2009 at 09:12am - Comment by celebrayden

    You're a sea slug

  • Science

    Your Next House Could Come Out of a Printer

    By Dan Smith Posted on 6.24.2009 17 Comments

    3-D printing may soon expand beyond the small scale. In 2010, the world's largest 3-D printer will build the Radiolaria Pavilion, a 10-meter-tall structure in Pontedera, Italy. Made out of sandstone, the building will be printed one 5-10mm layered sheet at a time.

    6.24.2009 at 01:38pm - Comment by celebrayden

    I can't wait to recycle my house!

  • Technology

    NASA's New Sports Drink Replenishes Electrolytes In and Out Of Orbit

    By Dan Smith Posted on 6.5.2009 12 Comments

    Who do you trust with your thirst mutilating needs, an athlete or a rocket scientist? Well, NASA is hoping that you’re sick of watching basketball players hock sports drinks. Instead, they're hoping you'll turn to their new product, The Right Stuff, for all your extreme hydration needs. It's got what astronauts crave.

    6.5.2009 at 03:52pm - Comment by celebrayden

    tang was a marketing marvel; i mean, who doesn't like a little tang? but the right stuff? a bit too cheeky, methinks

  • Science

    Yeast, What is it Good For? (Absolutely Something)

    By Posted on 6.19.2008 2 Comments

    You know that humans have used yeast for thousands of years for baking and brewing, but did you know that it’s also prized for its applications in medical research? The metabolic processes of yeast cells are similar to mammal cells, and since yeast reproduces quickly, experimental results can be obtained much faster than they would using animals. Yeast’s rapid reaction time has allowed scientists to put all sorts of research in fast-forward, with the aim of efficiently developing new disease treatments.

    6.19.2008 at 04:09pm - Comment by celebrayden

    These scientists have obviously never dealt with an infection of the yeast variety, or they would have hung up their silly white hats a long time ago. Wait, that's chefs. Never mind.

  • Science

    The Hidden Talents of the Lowly Sea Cucumber

    By Posted on 4.14.2008 2 Comments

    Though its one of the most perfectly named living things on this planet, the sea cucumber, on first glance, isn't among the most exciting aquatic species. Distantly related to starfish and sea urchins, the sea cucumber in appearance lacks the brio and allure of its cousins, and except for a few variations among subspecies, the general body plan of the cucumber basically resembles a large, leathery sausage crawling along the ocean floor. Yum.

    3.28.2008 at 12:02pm - Comment by celebrayden

    I'm not really a big cucumber fan. But the sea variety seems to hold great promise for our species. Who would have thought such a squishy little bottom dweller would hold so much juicy medical potential? You've obviously done your homework on this little ocean sausage. Thanks for the links.



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December 2009: Best of What's New

In our December issue, Popular Science names the 100 best innovations of the year: bombproof wallpaper, self-parking cars, the fastest helicopter, and 97 more. Plus inventor profiles and videos.

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