A team of researchers from the University of Southern California’s Valero Lab built a relatively simple robotic limb that accomplished something simply amazing: The 3-tendon, 2-joint robotic leg taught itself how to move. Yes, autonomous learning via trial and error…. read more >>

For many years, researchers knew that rodents’ squeaks tell a lot about how the animals are feeling. Much like a wagging tail on a dog, certain vocalizations indicate the rodents are happy. Conversely, other vocalizations indicate the rodents are stressed, or even depressed…. read more >>

North American football is the most popular sport in the United States. While popular, it’s also undeniably one of the most violent. For years now, concussions have been a major concern for players. Recent NFL rule changes seem to be having an impact: The NFL recently reported a 29% decrease in… read more >>

An impeccably-preserved fossil discovered in Germany was brought back to life with the help of a CT scan, a 3D-printer, computer simulations, and MATLAB. Well, okay, not exactly back to life. But thanks to researchers from Humboldt University of Berlin and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, technology has the Orobates… read more >>

Once again, science and technology played a major role in some this year’s biggest stories. The Behind the Headlines blog covered many of these by explaining how MATLAB and Simulink were behind the scenes, helping engineers, scientists, and researchers innovate around the world. Here are our top ten stories of… read more >>

Wikipedia may just have to change its definition of an airplane. According to the site, “An airplane or aeroplane (informally plane) is a powered, fixed-wing aircraft that is propelled forward by thrust from a jet engine, propeller or rocket engine.” They may want to rethink the portion that describes how planes… read more >>

Data shows California is warmer and drier than past decades. The effects of the change in climate have proven deadly, as dry vegetation in low humidity provides ample fuels for wildfires…. read more >>

The answer to the above question is the Parker Solar Probe. And the probe is about to to complete its first perihelion, or fly-by of the sun…. read more >>

There is an area the size of Colorado in the Pacific Ocean that has a rather unique claim to fame. Located part way between Hawaii and California, this region is a gathering spot for hundreds of Great White Sharks. Each year, the sharks travel for over a month to this… read more >>

Rainbows typically signify a turn for the better. The storm has ended. The skies are clearing. But when the rainbow scale is used for weather and climate maps, the results can be misleading, and possibly downright dangerous…. read more >>