Technology & Innovation

To celebrate 10 years of images from the European Space Agency’s Mars Express orbiter, the German Aerospace Center has compiled a video that gives sweeping digital views of the planet’s landscape.

Next month, the first of nine episodes of “Sheriff Callie’s Wild West” will air exclusively on the Watch Disney Junior app and a related Web site. It’s a blatant attempt to grab the growing audience of tablet-using kids ages 2-7.

For two years, researchers tracked over a million Facebook adults who were married or “in a relationship.” Among many findings, they learned that the more mutual friends a couple had, the more likely it was that they’d break up.

The company has begun a three-month trial of Wikipedia Zero in Kenya. It works exclusively via SMS and is designed to reach the millions of people who have mobile phones but no Internet access.

A recent report shows that bikes outsold new cars in 27 European Union member countries last year. While it’s tempting to cite the economic crisis as a reason, some predict that it may be a sign of greater change.

A study claims that, compared to the current donation system, offering donors $10,000 for their kidney would improve health outcomes and, consequently, lower costs.

Unagi Travel specializes in taking stuffed animals on excursions to various locations and landmarks. The service has proved beneficial for humans who can’t travel themselves due to illness or other reasons.

Dutch designer Dave Hakkens admits he doesn’t know how it would work, but his idea of Phonebloks — easily-replaced parts that fit together “like Legos” to create a customized phone — has gained considerable attention.

A new study finds that the area’s dry season is three weeks longer than it was 30 years ago, and predicts it could extend longer than what was forecast by last month’s intergovernmental climate change report.

Working with Caltech and MinecraftEdu, Google has released a mod for the popular world-building game that provides insights into quantum behavior.

Next month, the University of Wisconsin will begin accepting applications for degree programs that give students three months of “all you can eat” access to online courses and allow them to earn their degrees by taking competency tests.

In addition, the government ordered local networks to provide more “morality-building” documentaries and news shows.

Lucha Libro is a literary version of the popular Mexican wrestling event. In this case, the luchadores are aspiring writers who have five minutes to come up with a short story in front of a live audience.

This isn’t an historical document: The Global Slavery Index describes conditions happening today for nearly 30 million people who are being held illegally against their will.

A pending launch has supporters excited about a possible Asian space race and opponents concerned about more pressing needs here on Earth.

People who seek out — or, in the case of this Technical University of Munich study, act out — positions of power tend to gain more resolve to pursue their goals than those who don’t.

In the case of one new brand, add black to the label and highlight “high-protein” instead of “low-fat.” It’s one of several new and existing products that are designed to attract an increasing number of “manfluencers.”

Critics decry them for their effects on urban planning and traffic management, but a sociologist says they promote stronger community cohesion in an era when knowing one’s neighbors is becoming less common.

A study from Cologne University reveals that unconscious memorization of brand names as they appear on a screen may be disrupted by the act of chewing popcorn.

Zeoform can be made from plants or reclaimed waste and molded into any shape. The Australia-based company wants to license its technology in hopes that others can improve on it.

Researchers at the University of Buffalo recently tested a submerged Internet network that uses sound waves to transmit data. They envision a host of applications, including oceanographic data collection and tsunami warning.

Unlike a traditional pacemaker, which requires surgical insertion and involves hooking up lead wires, the Nanostim device is installed via a catheter and attaches directly to the heart muscle.

A report suggests that by 2030, nearly 325 million people could be living in the countries expected to be the most affected by natural hazards. In response, focus should be placed on disaster prevention, not just disaster relief.

A new startup, Flirtey, plans to roll out its service next year, which they say will represent “the first use of fully automated commercial zones for package delivery in the world.”

Executives for the country’s only major coffee chain says the multinational company’s planned entry into their market should help entice more Colombians to try coffee drinks.

The move is in response to allegations that the US government spied on online and phone communications in the country. One expert says it should work for domestic traffic, but international transactions will require more attention.

At least three days a week, sets of employees at UCLA Health participate in a short “Bruin Break” with dance music and easy workout moves. It’s part of a growing nationwide initiative to incorporate more movement into the work day.

Researchers at the Netherlands’ Leyden Academy on Vitality and Aging admit to being “baffled” by the findings of a study that focused on citizens in 19 developed countries, including the US.

Thailand’s capital has long been a dangerous and unfriendly environment for cyclists. However, various public and private efforts are resulting in a slow increase on city roads.

A petition garnered 120,000 signatures, which is more than enough to merit a government vote, possibly before the end of this year. If it passes, it will apply to every member of the working adult population.