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.

Optimism’s linked to a healthier heart

Being positive when things are going wrong can be a struggle, but a new study suggests it’s seriously worth a try. According to new research from the University of Illinois, there’s a significant link between optimism and good heart health. Rosalba Hernandez and her team looked at data from more than 5100 adults of different…

iPhone separation causes psychological problems, researchers say

In a study that sounds like it was sponsored by Apple (although it apparently wasn’t), researchers have found that iPhone users being without their beloved devices causes psychological, physiological, and cognitive issues. Russell Clayton and Glenn Leshner from the University of Missouri recruited subjects for what they told them was an experiment to test a…

CES 2015: The Internet of Things is dangerous, warns U.S goverment

Most of the presentations about the Internet of Things at CES this week have been full of enthusiasm, extolling the different ways it can enrich our lives (and make them easier). The U.S government, however, is a bit more cautious in its optimism. Edith Ramirez, chairwoman of the Federal Trade Commission, gave a CES address…

CES 2015: Could Osterhout’s smart glasses be more popular than Google Glass?

They’ve built their business making military goggles, but at CES this year, Osterhout Design Group showed off a new smart glasses prototype aimed at the consumer market. Based on Wayfarer sunglasses, the AR Smart Glasses design is undeniably cooler than Google Glass’ business-chic aesthetic. They’re also designed to be light to wear, if a little…

CES 2015: Cubelets are a cute way for kids to learn robotics

Robots can perform brain surgery and make friends with penguins, so why wouldn’t children want to learn how to build them? To make that task a little easier, Modular Robotics is showing off a new product at this year’s conference. Called Cubelets, it consists of interactive, interlocking, robotic blocks with distinctive functions that respond differently…

CES 2015: Siemens’ easyTek™ is the smart hearing aid you can control via app

Tech innovations aren’t just about making life more fun, but improving people’s quality of life. And Siemens’ smart hearing aids, which they’ve just introduced at CES, are going to make the world more accessible for many people who are deaf or have hearing loss. The new easyTek™ aids are more like sophisticated wearables than traditional…

CES 2015: New report confirms millennials prefer streaming content to watching TV

Make sure you’re sitting down when you’re reading this, as otherwise you might faint from surprise. A new study presented at CES has confirmed that millennials like streaming video more than traditional TV. I don’t believe it! Oh wait, I do, and it’s not surprising at all. But it’s still interesting to see it in…

CES 2015: BonBonBear is the world’s first graphene thermometer

It’s clearly the time for smart temperature-taking tech for children at this year’s CES. Not to be outdone by VivaLnk’s teddy-themed eSkin Thermometer, which has an embedded NFC chip, Linktop Technology is debuting the BonBonBear. The China-based wearables company has developed what it says is the world’s first cloud thermometer to be made from graphene,…

CES 2015: StandStand is the standing desk you can take anywhere

After raising $118,544 (of a $15,000 goal) on Kickstarter last year, it’s fair to say that a lot of people are into the idea of being able to use a standing desk wherever they go. As you know if you’ve been alive and sentient in the last couple of years, sitting down all day has…