Frequently seen being hauled by semi-trucks on the highway or stacked on the decks of cargo ships, these shipping containers are now being used in a different way, as a portal to connect people across the globe and facilitate conversation. Step inside and you can be instantly connected to someone on a different continent, with whom one can talk and share music, thoughts, and ideas. The creator of Portals hopes this technology will help individuals get out of their comfort zones and meet diverse sets of people in order to help embrace differences and break down feelings and narratives of isolation, fear, and hatred.
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Insects
Is Death by Pee Our Next Pesticide?
Insects
Is Death by Pee Our Next Pesticide?
It may not be your number one idea, but having beetles pee themselves to death could be the next pesticide.
It may not be your number one idea, but having beetles pee themselves to death could be the next pesticide.
Neurodiversity
New Google Tool Lets You Experience Synesthesia
Neurodiversity
New Google Tool Lets You Experience Synesthesia
Google’s new online tool lets you experience synesthesia like the abstract artist Vasily Kandinsky, who could hear colors and see sounds.
Google’s new online tool lets you experience synesthesia like the abstract artist Vasily Kandinsky, who could hear colors and see sounds.
Citizen Science
Citizen Scientists Helped NASA Map Our Cosmic Backyard
Citizen Science
Citizen Scientists Helped NASA Map Our Cosmic Backyard
NASA was able to create a highly detailed 3D map of nearby brown dwarfs thanks to the efforts of 150,000 citizen scientists.
NASA was able to create a highly detailed 3D map of nearby brown dwarfs thanks to the efforts of 150,000 citizen scientists.
Robotics
Firefighting Robot Helps Battle Blaze in Los Angeles
Robotics
Firefighting Robot Helps Battle Blaze in Los Angeles
The U.S.’s first firefighting robot helped keep LAFD firefighters safe while they battled a blaze in downtown Los Angeles.
The U.S.’s first firefighting robot helped keep LAFD firefighters safe while they battled a blaze in downtown Los Angeles.
Health
Data Scientists Are Making It Easier to Track COVID-19
Health
Data Scientists Are Making It Easier to Track COVID-19
Teams of computer scientists across the globe are working tirelessly to help track COVID-19 through the use of computer modeling and data dissemination.
Teams of computer scientists across the globe are working tirelessly to help track COVID-19 through the use of computer modeling and data dissemination.
Public Health
Experts Unveil “Breakthrough” Map of Key Coronavirus Protein
Public Health
Experts Unveil “Breakthrough” Map of Key Coronavirus Protein
Scientists have created the first atomic-scale 3D map of 2019-nCoV’s spike protein, the part of the coronavirus that infiltrates human cells.
Scientists have created the first atomic-scale 3D map of 2019-nCoV’s spike protein, the part of the coronavirus that infiltrates human cells.
Through the Looking Glass
Nature is Good for You. What About VR Nature?
Through the Looking Glass
Nature is Good for You. What About VR Nature?
Nature has the power to reduce stress and enhance our moods. Can VR nature experiences be a substitute for physically spending time in the outdoors?
Nature has the power to reduce stress and enhance our moods. Can VR nature experiences be a substitute for physically spending time in the outdoors?
Digital Detectives
Hackers Find Missing People for Fun
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Digital Detectives
Hackers Find Missing People for Fun
This search and rescue expert discovered that many missing people had nobody looking for them. Then he had an idea: what if hackers made a game out of finding missing people through the internet?
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One unfortunate truth that anyone involved in a missing person case quickly learns is that there are more missing people in the world than there are available resources to find them. The first few days after a person goes missing are the most crucial for finding them safe and sound. However, since missing people tend to turn up on their own, these cases are initially given low priority. The exception is if there's a strong...
DIY
The Alzheimer's-Detecting Helmet
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DIY
The Alzheimer's-Detecting Helmet
If we could detect Alzheimer’s earlier, we could treat it better. Two college students designed a device that may be able to do just that.
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If we could detect Alzheimer’s earlier, we could treat it better. Two college students designed a device that may be able to do just that.