Researchers predict that if more energy-efficient measures are not put into place soon, Bitcoin mining will push us over the recommended global temperature limit in as early as 11 years.Ten years ago, the Bitcoin concept seemed too good to be true to the general public. Many couldn't believe that such ...
November 5, 2018 | 3 mins read
Two hundred and twenty-six years ago in London, Robert Barker paused, set his brush down, and wiped the sweat off his brow. The Irish painter took a step backwards to admire his own work. One step was not enough, though. He took one more step, and another, and another.A ...
October 10, 2018 | 4 mins read
It's a concept straight out of a science fiction novel: skins that can wrap around any inanimate object, transforming it into a robot that can help you conquer the world, make you a cup of coffee, or even just run around in circles aimlessly for your amusement.Led by Rebecca ...
September 25, 2018 | 2 mins read
Ever seen those tiny flies hovering annoyingly around your food, your drinks, or even your face? Notice how difficult it is to catch or swat them?These fruit flies are particularly adept at making swift turns mid-flight, allowing them to avoid incoming threats with ease. And with the help of ...
September 14, 2018 | 2 mins read
In terms of innovativeness, ingenuity, and sheer resourcefulness, Filipinos can easily give everyone else in the world a run for their money. From turning janitor fish skin into usable leather to making toys out of flip-flops, we can speedily make the most out of any given situation.Sadly, we tend ...
September 3, 2018 | 5 mins read
From under the sea to outer space, the art of paper folding continues to inspire scientists, as origami principles are applied in exploration technology.Sciencemag.org recently reported about the prototype “fish grabber” developed by researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University. Upon command, the ...
July 20, 2018 | 2 mins read
Admit it: At least one point in your life, you dreamed of being a superhero. Perhaps you wore a DIY cape to emulate Superman, practiced the signature leaping and web-shooting gestures of Spider-Man, or even just stood in front of a mirror to do Iron Man’s open-palm repulsor pose....
July 10, 2018 | 5 mins read
Manny Pacquiao, Lea Salonga, Pia Wurtzbach: These are but a few of the names that come to mind when we are asked about the Philippines' contributions to the international scene.We tend to value our celebrities tremendously. For many of us, they offer an escape from the harsh realities we ...
June 26, 2018 | 6 mins read
If you receive a message from your friend via Facebook with an attachment labelled 'video_xxxx.zip', do not click it.If the name of the file weren't already enough to tip you off, here's what it really is. Digmine is a cryptocurrency-mining malware that, once accessed via your desktop ...
December 27, 2017 | 2 mins read
When Chinese entrepreneur Jack Ma visited the Philippines last month, he did not mince words about the country's internet speed. Calling it "no good," Ma, who founded e-commerce site Alibaba, emphasized the importance of a fast and reliable internet connection.Fortunately, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) took ...
November 22, 2017 | 2 mins read
Not all scientists started their quest for knowledge looking like Albert Einstein. They weren’t wearing lab coats, spewing theorems and equations, or wielding flasks and beakers when they started.Most of them were just precocious little boys and girls with an insatiable thirst for knowledge about the natural world ...
October 10, 2017 | 4 mins read
The Internet of Things (IoT) is indeed a promising concept. We've seen how it can translate what used to be mere science fiction into reality, and the practical possibilities are certainly exciting, if not endless. However, it also comes with a host of issues and challenges that still require solving. ...
September 27, 2017 | 3 mins read
What if your refrigerator could tell when you're already running out of food AND notify your phone to order more? What if your watch could instruct your television to turn itself off right before bedtime? Or what if your car could receive advance warnings about road hazards and tell you ...
September 20, 2017 | 3 mins read
It could be any minimalist’s dream: One identification (ID) for seamless transactions with all public and private agencies.Or it could be any private citizen’s nightmare: all your personal data conveniently packaged in a single ID -- one that could easily fall into the hands of unscrupulous people....
September 17, 2017 | 4 mins read
Do you own a tablet or smartphone and live with your mother? Chances are you’ve already heard her complain about your supposed "excessive" gadget use.“Kaka-computer mo yan!” It’s both an accusation and a warning, often blurted out by any well-meaning mother at the first signs of discomfort ...
September 9, 2017 | 3 mins read
Earlier today, a story made the rounds across various news sites and tech blogs that made the internet groan in agony. Reports claimed that Google will stop supporting Google Drive, the popular cloud storage service, come December this year. Furthermore, some of these articles claimed that Google Drive will be ...
September 8, 2017 | 2 mins read
Thinking of picking up your smartphone to play Everwing? This study might make you think again.A recent study coming out of the University of Texas' McCombs School of Business says that as long as your smartphone is within reach, it can actually reduce your cognitive power significantly.McCombs Assistant ...
August 22, 2017 | 2 mins read
If a recent study from the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters is any indication, humanity has hit yet another snag in its journey towards using solar panels to harness renewable energy: air pollution. How air pollution inhibits solar panels' energy output Led by Duke University's Michael Bergin, the researchers ...
July 31, 2017 | 2 mins read