Prioritizing CIS Controls for effective cybersecurity across organizations

In this Help Net Security interview, Randy Marchany, CISO at Virginia Tech, discusses the challenges and strategies associated with implementing CIS Controls in organizations of varying sizes. Marchany explores the importance of securing top-level mana… Continue reading Prioritizing CIS Controls for effective cybersecurity across organizations

Ancient tech boosts tape’s adhesive strength, but leaves it easy to peel

Ordinarily, adhesive tape either boasts a strong hold or is easy to remove. Drawing inspiration from an ancient paper-cutting technique, however, scientists have now devised a method of combining both qualities in existing types of tape.Continue Readin… Continue reading Ancient tech boosts tape’s adhesive strength, but leaves it easy to peel

Earth’s earliest mass extinction uncovered in fossil record

Scientists believe that the Earth is currently in the midst of its sixth major extinction event, but a new study suggests that’s not the case – it may actually be the seventh. Scientists have found evidence of a previously unknown mass extinction event… Continue reading Earth’s earliest mass extinction uncovered in fossil record

UV upcycling treatment could help polystyrene recyclers break even

The idea of upcycling plastic waste into even more valuable products is a meritorious one, but some forms of the material lend themselves to this process better than others. Polystyrene lays at the more problematic end of the spectrum, but a team of Vi… Continue reading UV upcycling treatment could help polystyrene recyclers break even

Electronic glove senses objects and sucks onto them like an octopus

Us humans aren’t so good at grasping things underwater, but new research reveals how nature could lend us a helping hand. Scientists have developed a glove specifically for these purposes that takes its design cues from an octopus, featuring rubber suc… Continue reading Electronic glove senses objects and sucks onto them like an octopus

Mighty morphing melting metal robot switches from driving to flying drone

Most robots are designed for a specific job, and aren’t very adaptable. But engineers at Virginia Tech have now developed a soft robot that can morph into a range of shapes, such as driving, flying or swimming robots, thanks to a rubber skin full of a … Continue reading Mighty morphing melting metal robot switches from driving to flying drone

Anti-scarring medication causes collagen-forming cells to “dance”

Not only are surgical scars unsightly in many cases, but their limited elasticity can also reduce the patient’s range of motion. There may be new hope, though, as a recent study has shed light on how a therapeutic peptide could drastically reduce such … Continue reading Anti-scarring medication causes collagen-forming cells to “dance”

Self-healing electronic material withstands stretching and jabbing

Although they’re malleable and adaptable, soft robots and flexible electronics also aren’t as protected as their rigid-shelled counterparts, so they’re more likely to get ripped or punctured. A new stretchable, self-healing conductive material was desi… Continue reading Self-healing electronic material withstands stretching and jabbing

Mangrove roots inspire efficient “synthetic tree” water purifier

Solar stills can be a very useful way to produce drinking water from dirty or salty water, but there’s plenty of room for improvements in efficiency. Now, engineers at Virginia Tech have developed a “synthetic tree” inspired by mangroves, that mimics t… Continue reading Mangrove roots inspire efficient “synthetic tree” water purifier