Author: Diane Shipley
Staff Writer Diane is especially interested in high-tech medical advances, weird and interesting uses of science, new gadgets, and the intersection of tech and lifestyle. When not working, she reads the internet, listens to podcasts, watches American TV, and thinks about leaving the house.
Spanish politicians are using WhatsApp to talk to voters
Brits aren’t the only ones with election fever – or having elections in the next few months, at least. Later this year, Spain holds its municipal elections, for city-wide leaders. And one candidate, Borja Gutiérrez Iglesias, who’s the mayor of Brunete, near Madrid, is taking his re-election campaign to the people. In the past, that…
Penguin’s new Little Black Classics site was inspired by the iPod Classic
Penguin Books is launching a new series of books to celebrate its 80th birthday this year. Called Little Black Classics, they'll be available in paperback and on Kindle from 26 February for 80p each. In the meantime, the Little Black Classics site is a great way to find out more about the books in question.…
A U.S restaurant’s editing its sound to make meals less noisy
We’ve all been there: you’re trying to enjoy an intimate meal for two, but the birthday party on the next table is shouting at each other so loudly you can’t hear yourself think, let alone know what the person you’re dining with is talking about. Or you’re having a breakfast meeting, but it's hard to…
Shopping on an empty stomach makes you spend more (!)
Next time you go shopping, you might want to line your stomach first. You’ve probably heard that we tend to spend more money when we go grocery shopping when we’re hungry. It only makes sense that we can’t resist creamy pasta sauces and tubs of Ben & Jerry’s when our stomachs are rumbling. But it…
Facebook’s suspending Native American people’s accounts under its ‘real name’ policy
Facebook’s much-unloved ‘real name’ policy is under fire again. Having upset the LGBTQ community, now Native American people are having their names changed and accounts suspended. As the Guardian reports, Dana Lone Hill, who is Native American, had her account suspended because the company didn’t believe her name was real (!), and she’s not the…
Introji is new emoji for introverts
Despite what some joyless grumps might say, emoji are great/essential. Sure, they don’t have everything (like diversity) but they save a lot of time and energy. I mean, just think how long it would take to say what a smiling poo or dancing twins in a leotard can express with one quick tap. But there…
Aki Inomata makes beautiful 3D printed tiny homes… for crabs
Hermit crabs are born without shells, so they have to keep finding new seashells to cover themselves. Aki Inomata, a Japanese artist, is providing a new solution/art project: 3D printed plastic tiny homes. As Fast Company reports, she’s inspired both by nature and real life architecture. First she creates scans of shells, and then she…
New gold nanotubes can detect and treat cancer
Researchers from the University of Leeds have found that gold nanotubes can help to fight cancer. When people have surgery to remove tumours, the cancer often comes back, which is why chemotherapy and radiation are also used. But those treatments have serious side effects, from severe nausea and hair loss to blistered skin. These tiny…
Shopping app Mallzee is teaming up with Samsung for exclusive offers
Personal shopping app Mallzee has just announced a new partnership with Samsung in the UK and Ireland. Throughout 2015, Mallzee will be available on Galaxy apps and Galaxy gifts, and will be offering exclusive discounts to Samsung customers, the first of which is 20% off at Warehouse. If you’re unfamiliar with Mallzee, the company’s branding…
The Blacksmith Genesis is the first ever compact 3D printer and scanner
This weekend saw the launch of the Blacksmith Genesis, the first ever compact 3D printer that also has scanning capabilities. That means that users will be able to scan an item, edit it on the computer, and then 3D print their own copy. (Yep, it’s a potential copyright nightmare.) It’s made by Singapore-based start-up Blacksmith…
