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Dry fibrillar adhesives allow gecko-like robots to climb smooth, vertical surfaces. The NanoRobotics Lab created a synthetic version of the gecko’s toes, consisting of microscopic fibers with special tips that allow them to stick to surfaces.

NanoRobotics Lab models robots after nature

The NanoRobotics Lab at Carnegie Mellon is creating robots that mimic animals' abilities. One of their most prominent examples is a gecko-like robot that can climb smooth glass walls.

Alcohol Flush Reaction, commonly called “Asian glow,” is caused by a genetic mutation. Those affected are deficient in acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which breaks down certain compounds in alcoholic beverages.

Health Talk: Alcohol Flush Reaction

Learn the chemistry behind Alcohol Flush Reaction, a genetic disorder commonly known as Asian glow.

Computer worms like Conficker take advantage of computer vulnerabilities. With weak password protection, computer worms can easily navigate through the computer to replicate itself and infect other files.

How Things Work: Computer worms

Learn how computer worms infect computers, using a specific example called Conficker.

SciTech Briefs

Google is going to become an internet service provider, providing people with an internet connection over 100 times the national average speed.

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January 23, 2012

December 5, 2011