Technology & Innovation — March 10, 2011

Take Your Idea, Break It in Half

The most surprising and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every week, for free.

What good is Wi-Fi on a plane that’s always two hours late? Or a lavishly decorated room with an uncomfortable bed? Many entrepreneurs pay a price for enacting too ambitious of an idea without focusing on the essentials first.

The most surprising and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every week, for free.

Three different 3D protein structures are displayed on a light grid-patterned background, each occupying a separate quadrant in the image.

Health

Gaming cancer: How video games and citizen science could help cure disease

By inviting players to tackle real scientific problems, games can offer a hand in solving medicine’s toughest challenges.

Painting of a man with red hair and a mustache wearing a white cap, resting his head on his hand, set against a swirling blue background with touches of van Gogh yellow paint highlighting the scene.

Books

Why did Van Gogh eat yellow paint? The troubled obsession behind the masterpieces.

In “Human History on Drugs,” Sam Kelly explores what the research can tell us about one of history’s most brilliant — and troubled — artists.

A human skull and bone rest beside colorful flowers and sheet music in a detailed memento mori still life composition.

Smart Skills

Why memento mori is the ultimate life hack

A mid-flight scare reveals how embracing death can bring purpose and meaning to everyday life.

Microscopic view of green cyanobacteria chains forming spiral and linear patterns against a dark background, highlighting their role within the microbiome.

Books

Why your microbiome may matter more than DNA for your lifelong health

In “The Microbiome Master Key,” Brett and Jessica Finlay argue that we need to stop waging war on all germs and start working with the microbes that make us who we are.

Infographic displays spacecraft names and missions around the Sun, planets, and moons, illustrating the current and planned science fleet exploring the Solar System.

Starts With A Bang

American science to soon face its largest brain drain in history

Over the first half of 2025, the US has cut science as never before. This disaster for American science may be a gift to the rest of the world.

Up Next

Guest Thinkers

More details on the Kamoamoa Fissure eruption at Kilauea (with new video)

The new fissure (see top left) that began erupting last weekend after the draining events at Pu`u O`o and Halema`uma`u appears to have more longevity than the last similar fissure […]