http://discovermagazine.com Science, Technology, and The Future http://discovermagazine.com/2009/oct/06-brain-like-chip-may-solve-computers-big-problem-energy http://discovermagazine.com/2009/oct/06-brain-like-chip-may-solve-computers-big-problem-energy Kwabena Boahen is working to create a computer that will fulfill his boyhood vision—a new kind of computer, based not on the regimented order of traditional silicon chips but on the organized chaos of the human brain. Designing this machine will mean rejecting everything that we have learned over the past 50 years about building computers. But it might be exactly what we need to keep the information revolution going for another 50. The human brain runs on only about 20 watts of power, equal to the dim light behind the pickle jar in your refrigerator. By contrast, the computer on your desk consumes a million times as much energy per calculation. If you wanted to build a robot with a processor as smart as the human brain, it would require 10 to 20 megawatts of electricity. “Ten megawatts is a small hydroelectric plant,” Boahen says dismissively. “We should work on miniaturizing hydroelectric plants so we can put them on the backs of robots.” You would encounter similar problems if you tried to build a medical implant to replace just 1 percent of the neurons in the brain, for use in stroke patients. That implant would consume as much electricity as 200 households and dissipate as much heat as the engine in a Porsche Boxster. “Energy efficiency isn’t just a matter of elegance. It fundamentally limits what we can do with computers,” Boahen says. Despite the amazing progress in electronics technology—today’s transistors are 1/100,000 the size that they were a half century ago, and computer chips are 10 million times faster—we still have not made meaningful progress on the energy front. And if we do not, we can forget about truly intelligent humanlike machines and all the other dreams of radically more powerful computers. Douglas Fox http://discovermagazine.com/2009/oct/06-brain-like-chip-may-solve-computers-big-problem-energy/key_image Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:10:00 -0600 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:10:00 -0600 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/oct/26-the-man-who-discovered-what-killed-the-dinosaurs http://discovermagazine.com/2009/oct/26-the-man-who-discovered-what-killed-the-dinosaurs Walter Alvarez has been credited with many geologic findings—including the precise time and cause of the death of dinosaurs. Here, he offers tales from his career as a truth-teller with rocks. Pamela Weintraub; photography by Misha Gravenor http://discovermagazine.com/2009/oct/26-the-man-who-discovered-what-killed-the-dinosaurs/key_image Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:55:00 -0500 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:55:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/oct/19-who-killed-all-those-honeybees-we-did http://discovermagazine.com/2009/oct/19-who-killed-all-those-honeybees-we-did The great bee die-off is not such a mystery after all: Industrial agriculture has stressed our pollinators to the breaking point. Morgan E. Peck http://discovermagazine.com/2009/oct/19-who-killed-all-those-honeybees-we-did/key_image Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:35:00 -0500 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:35:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/sep/17-field-notes-stalking-fish-in-name-of-science http://discovermagazine.com/2009/sep/17-field-notes-stalking-fish-in-name-of-science An exhaustive new marine census is tracking everything that swims in the sea, one fish at a time. Dava Sobel http://discovermagazine.com/2009/sep/17-field-notes-stalking-fish-in-name-of-science/key_image Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:00:00 -0500 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 16:00:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/oct/15-how-invaders-break-through-brain.s-great-wall http://discovermagazine.com/2009/oct/15-how-invaders-break-through-brain.s-great-wall Some bacteria pierce the imposing blood-brain barrier by breaking links in the chain; sneakier ones do it by fooling the guard cells. Megan Talkington http://discovermagazine.com/2009/oct/15-how-invaders-break-through-brain.s-great-wall/key_image Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0500 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/sep/15-numbers-microbes-tiny-genome-70-trillion-your-body http://discovermagazine.com/2009/sep/15-numbers-microbes-tiny-genome-70-trillion-your-body Jeremy Jacquot http://discovermagazine.com/2009/sep/15-numbers-microbes-tiny-genome-70-trillion-your-body/key_image Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:55:00 -0500 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:55:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/sep/13-giant-analysis-agrees-fossils-are-telling-truth http://discovermagazine.com/2009/sep/13-giant-analysis-agrees-fossils-are-telling-truth Ancient bones from many animals lying in a big jumble are more easily put in context than you might think. Amy Barth http://discovermagazine.com/2009/sep/13-giant-analysis-agrees-fossils-are-telling-truth/key_image Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:55:00 -0500 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:55:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/sep/16-jane-goodall-on-the-lazarus-effect http://discovermagazine.com/2009/sep/16-jane-goodall-on-the-lazarus-effect Rediscovery of a long-lost species sends a message of hope about second chances for all of us. Goodall relates two beautiful examples: the tiny Caspian horse and the Lord Howe Island phasmid (it's a bug). Jane Goodall http://discovermagazine.com/2009/sep/16-jane-goodall-on-the-lazarus-effect/key_image Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:40:00 -0500 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:40:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jul-aug/26-set-ct-scanner-kill-look-inside-some-fossils http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jul-aug/26-set-ct-scanner-kill-look-inside-some-fossils Penetrating chunks of amber and ancient rock, powerful new imaging machines render 3-D portraits of fossil creatures concealed for millions of years. Amy Barth http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jul-aug/26-set-ct-scanner-kill-look-inside-some-fossils/key_image Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:45:00 -0500 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:45:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jul-aug/11-discover-interview-thanks-evolution-building-material-dna http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jul-aug/11-discover-interview-thanks-evolution-building-material-dna Electronic computers are great at what they do. But to accomplish really complicated physical tasks—like building an insect—Erik Winfree says you have to grow them from DNA. Stephen Cass; photography by Spencer Lowell http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jul-aug/11-discover-interview-thanks-evolution-building-material-dna/key_image Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:30:00 -0500 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:30:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jul-aug/05-earth.s-aliens-light-up-live-deep http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jul-aug/05-earth.s-aliens-light-up-live-deep Marine biologist Edie Widder's underwater spy camera is an underwater SETI, finally giving humans a chance to see the freaky world of deep-ocean bioluminescent animals. Jane Bosveld http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jul-aug/05-earth.s-aliens-light-up-live-deep/key_image Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:45:00 -0500 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:45:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jul-aug/22-why-ghost-hunters-is-best-science-show-on-tv http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jul-aug/22-why-ghost-hunters-is-best-science-show-on-tv No matter how silly and misguided, Ghost Hunters captures an element of science that Numb3rs, House, and even Mythbusters miss. Bruno Maddox http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jul-aug/22-why-ghost-hunters-is-best-science-show-on-tv/key_image Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:05:00 -0500 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:05:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/18-the-science-of-obamas-fly-swatting http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/18-the-science-of-obamas-fly-swatting When Obama swatted a fly on national television, the media went wild. So how exactly did the president overcome the fly's impressive perceptual strengths? Through a combination of strategy, quick reflexes, and an evolutionary advantage. Allison Bond http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/18-the-science-of-obamas-fly-swatting/key_image Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:55:00 -0500 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:55:00 -0500 Web Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/05-questions-from-fossils-in-rocks-to-stadium-rock http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/05-questions-from-fossils-in-rocks-to-stadium-rock Gregory Erickson studies the life cycles of dinosaurs and teaches concert-like classes. Andrew Grant http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/05-questions-from-fossils-in-rocks-to-stadium-rock/key_image Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:00:00 -0500 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:00:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/04-game-theory-meets-darwin http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/04-game-theory-meets-darwin A computer simulation correctly predicts that ravens should have evolved a behavior called "gang foraging." How did researchers see this behavior? They tracked ravens by implanting carcasses with different-colored beads that the birds ingested and later coughed up. Andrew Grant http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/04-game-theory-meets-darwin/key_image Fri, 22 May 2009 12:40:00 -0500 Fri, 22 May 2009 12:40:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/04-a-shad-situation http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/04-a-shad-situation The population of American shad rebounded in the 1990s but is again on the wane. Darlene Cavalier http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/04-a-shad-situation/key_image Sun, 17 May 2009 10:10:00 -0500 Sun, 17 May 2009 10:10:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/11-a-scientists-guide-to-finding-alien-life http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/11-a-scientists-guide-to-finding-alien-life A variety of new findings point to the "habitable zones" where we're likely to find extraterrestrials. Adam Frank http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/11-a-scientists-guide-to-finding-alien-life/key_image Mon, 11 May 2009 07:35:00 -0500 Mon, 11 May 2009 07:35:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/06-what-is-this-stony-bloody-battlefield http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/06-what-is-this-stony-bloody-battlefield Hint: It's related to the rose and can put the "white" back in your pearly whites. Andrew Grant http://discovermagazine.com/2009/jun/06-what-is-this-stony-bloody-battlefield/key_image Wed, 06 May 2009 11:05:00 -0500 Wed, 06 May 2009 11:05:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/04-can-giant-robots-successfully-mine-the-mile-deep-seafloor http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/04-can-giant-robots-successfully-mine-the-mile-deep-seafloor Nautilus Minerals bet $266 million on being able to extract valuable minerals through underwater mining. After they seemingly overcame the engineering challenge, it's the economic collapse that threatens the long-held dream. Robert Kunzig http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/04-can-giant-robots-successfully-mine-the-mile-deep-seafloor/key_image Mon, 04 May 2009 11:20:00 -0500 Mon, 04 May 2009 11:20:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/01-the-biocentric-universe-life-creates-time-space-cosmos http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/01-the-biocentric-universe-life-creates-time-space-cosmos Stem-cell guru Robert Lanza presents a radical new view of the universe and everything in it. Robert Lanza and Bob Berman http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/01-the-biocentric-universe-life-creates-time-space-cosmos/key_image Fri, 01 May 2009 20:50:00 -0500 Fri, 01 May 2009 20:50:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/25-what-is-this-piece-of-rainbow-rock http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/25-what-is-this-piece-of-rainbow-rock Hint: To forensic technicians it's a valuable timer; to medical doctors it's a defense against infection. Andrew Grant http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/25-what-is-this-piece-of-rainbow-rock/key_image Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:05:00 -0500 Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:05:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/12-birds-used-big-brains-outlast-dinosaurs http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/12-birds-used-big-brains-outlast-dinosaurs The ancestors of modern birds seemed to have sophisticated hearing—and perhaps other sharp faculties, as well. Emily Anthes http://discovermagazine.com/2009/may/12-birds-used-big-brains-outlast-dinosaurs/key_image Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:55:00 -0500 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 23:55:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/06-diamonds-are-geologist.s-best-friend http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/06-diamonds-are-geologist.s-best-friend Tiny carbon spheres hidden under rock and ice may be telltales of cataclysmic comet strikes. Andrew Grant http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/06-diamonds-are-geologist.s-best-friend/key_image Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:25:00 -0500 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:25:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/30-strange-forests-that-drink-eat-fog http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/30-strange-forests-that-drink-eat-fog Researchers have discovered that fog, originating offshore from some of the richest ocean waters on the planet, arrives in fog forests around the world bearing essential fertilizing nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and sulfur. Michael Tennesen http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/30-strange-forests-that-drink-eat-fog/key_image Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:40:00 -0500 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:40:00 -0500 Print Article http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/27-jack-horner.s-plan-bring-dinosaurs-back-to-life http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/27-jack-horner.s-plan-bring-dinosaurs-back-to-life The trick is to run the tape of evolution over again: to intervene in the development of a chicken embryo, for instance, to reverse evolution, rolling back the clock to manifest earlier patterns of gene expression. But why stop at one developmental process? Why not grow an entire dinosaur from a bird egg? Jack Horner and James Gorman http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/27-jack-horner.s-plan-bring-dinosaurs-back-to-life/key_image Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:40:00 -0500 Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:40:00 -0500 Print Article