Researchers have developed an evidence-based approach to designing ex situ collections that effectively preserve a target species’ genetic diversity, which can be tailored for conservation of any tree species. This will allow for efficient, targeted seed collecting efforts, including number of populations to sample, the appropriate number of seeds to collect from each tree, and best choice of populations to target in a species’ range.
Mysteries of deep soil carbon unravelled
Huge amounts of carbon are stored in deep soil. Scientists uncover the conditions that will cause that carbon to stay underground or be emitted into the atmosphere as climate-destabilizing carbon dioxide.
Virus may help combat fire ants, but caution is needed
A specific virus changes dietary behavior of fire ants, leading researchers to rethink control methods for the invasive species.
What catches our eye
Our unconscious gaze is controlled by an automatic selection process computed by a neural network in the brain. Details of this computation have now been studied and could soon become relevant for robotic implementations.
Breakthrough opens door to smartphone powered $100 ultrasound machine
Engineers have developed a new ultrasound transducer, or probe, that could dramatically lower the cost of ultrasound scanners to as little as $100. Their patent-pending innovation — no bigger than a Band-Aid — is portable, wearable and can be powered by a smartphone.
Watch Moritz Simon Geist’s Sonic Robots Play Thumping Techno Music in His Video for ‘Entropy’
The German musician builds robots that make sound, then orchestrates them to create unique and funky dance tracks.
Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a disappointing conclusion to a thrilling trilogy
As Mission Impossible: Fallout has decisively proven, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to a formula if it’s good and you know how to build on it. Tomb Raider had a great formula: its electrifying 2013 reboot was a bold, tight reinvention of Lara Croft’s adventures for modern times, while 2015’s sequel Rise of the Tomb Raider expanded on the idea and upped the action movie excess.
The problem with Shadow of the Tomb Raider, the third game in the reboot trilogy, isn’t just that it’s formulaic. It plays as well as ever, the pacing is spot-on, and it’s often extremely beautiful. But without any substantial upgrades to the action, anything to escalate the drama, or any way of generating genuine emotional resonance, it ends up feeling…
T-Mobile touts improved LTE coverage across 36 states, Puerto Rico – CNET
The carrier says its 600 MHz Extended Range LTE network also lays the foundation for nationwide 5G coverage in 2020.
Volvo idles new SC plant over Hurricane Florence fears – Roadshow
The Swedish automaker’s new Charleston plant has only been building cars for a couple of weeks.
Why an Army of Small Companies Is Defending The Sprint/T-Mobile Merger
Mobile Virtual Network Operators, which serve largely low-income users, have little to gain from the Sprint/T-Mobile merger. They’re advocating for it because of a secret agenda: fear of the new telecom overlords.