Innovative research on cyborg insects shows that swarms of remotely controlled cockroaches can survive underwater with the help of specially designed diving suits, potentially paving the way for exploration on Mars.
Hirotaka Sato and his team at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have successfully demonstrated that hissing cockroaches (Glomphadrina Portentosa) can be remotely controlled through electrical implants in their sensory organs. Their research in 2021 showcased the feasibility, while 2024 saw a breakthrough with a swarm of 20 cooperating insects.
The primary goal was to create biological robots with infrared sensors to assist in search and rescue operations following natural disasters. Cockroaches offer effective locomotion, built-in reflexes, and the potential for energy efficiency, making them ideal candidates for such tasks.
Despite their versatility, the researchers faced challenges with the insects’ ability to explore flooded environments, common during disasters. To overcome this, they developed an aquatic suit enabling underwater operations.
Cockroaches breathe through spiracles located in their abdomen and thorax. The team created a waterproof suit using 3D printed resin, safeguarding the abdominal spiracles from water. A small hose connects the suit to the thoracic spiracle, allowing oxygen absorption.
Instead of traditional scuba gear, the suit uses a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and manganese dioxide, producing oxygen through a chemical reaction that the cockroaches can utilize.
While wearing the suit, the cockroaches were capable of submerging up to 50 centimeters for three hours, demonstrating resilience and health after the experiment.
The suit enabled the cyborg insects to swim naturally, achieving a forward speed of 87.5 millimeters per second on land, and just slightly slower at 78.4 millimeters underwater.
Sato envisions that this technology could aid search and rescue missions and possibly one day be adapted for extraterrestrial environments where oxygen is scarce, such as Mars.
The research team plans to further test the cockroach suits under severe conditions found in space, including extreme temperatures, vacuum, and radiation. However, concerns regarding contamination with Earth-based microorganisms remain a hurdle for potential space missions.
According to Alan Winfield, a professor at the University of the West of England, the applications for underwater-cyborg bio-robots extend to environmental monitoring and other crucial tasks.
While small robots struggle with battery life, cockroaches can operate efficiently for extended periods without the need for refueling, highlighting the advantages of biological systems over mechanical ones.
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On Tuesday, Apple unveiled the iPhone 17 series, showcasing familiar enhancements such as a sleeker design, an upgraded display, and a camera boasting a 4x optical zoom. If you’re fed up with your old phone or simply looking for an upgrade, the new model might be precisely what you need to kickstart a photography journey, reconnect with old friends, or even assist in emergencies.
Don’t feel compelled to upgrade. The standout feature of the iPhone 17, iOS 26, is already available for older devices at no cost. Simple software updates, minor adjustments, and affordable accessories can refresh your old iPhone. This is the way forward.
Explore New Camera Lenses
iPhone 15 Pro equipped with Moment Macro Lens.
While the iPhone 17 series may have enhanced cameras, the capabilities of existing iPhone cameras can be amplified with external lenses. I recommend checking out the Moment T Series Lens. They offer various options, including 1.33x Anamorphic for cinematic videos, 75mm macro for superior macro quality, and 58mm telephoto lens which doubles your current camera’s zoom.
Pairing these lenses with the Moment app provides enhanced control over focus, exposure, and more. If you aim to diversify your current iPhone camera’s capabilities, these Moment lenses are an excellent choice. Along with compatible cases and the necessary $5 drop-in lens mount, you can upgrade your photography gear for far less than the $1,099 price tag of the iPhone 17 Pro.
Invest in a New Case
iPhone 16 Pro.
New cases can entirely rejuvenate your old iPhone. Not only does it alter its appearance, but it can also introduce new functionalities.
For instance, consider the Torus Case for a handy magnetic kickstand while on the go. It proves especially useful for watching movies in cramped airplane seats without the hassle of holding your phone. If you’re a chronic texter, a Blackberry-style Click Keyboard Case might suit you well. For a sleeker option, I recommend the Leather Case or the Sports Case. If protection isn’t your priority and you prefer to make a statement, consider a skin from Cape India or dbrand, which offers stunning options including psychedelic and political designs.
A New Screen Protector Wouldn’t Hurt
Screen protectors gradually degrade, and you might not notice when they begin to lose their shine or accumulate scratches over time. If a thorough cleaning with rubbing alcohol and a paper towel doesn’t restore their clarity, it’s probably time for a replacement. I suggest the Nomad Screen Protector for its high quality and ease of installation.
The included installation kit makes it easy to set up without creating air bubbles—a common issue with many other brands. After four months of use, I can confidently say it has held up well, providing a smooth experience without added resistance between the screen and fingers.
Install iOS 26
iPhone 15 Pro running iOS 26.
iOS 26 represents Apple’s most significant software update yet; iPhones from the 2019 iPhone 11 onward can download and operate it for free starting September 15th. It’s highly recommended. The refreshed “Liquid Glass” aesthetic will rejuvenate your device and extend to Apple apps like messaging and camera.
I tested the iOS 26 preview on my “old” iPhone 15 Pro a few weeks back and found it commendable. Apple revamped the Photos app to utilize the full screen for media display. The new camera app layout is user-friendly, and web browsing in Safari has become more effortless.
Conduct a Quick Tune-up
If your current iPhone seems sluggish, a few quick checks and adjustments can address many problems.
Activate Adaptive Power Mode for iOS 26. This feature is helpful if your battery drains unexpectedly fast. The system will automatically calibrate performance when your iPhone experiences unusual usage and prolonged activities, including dimming the screen. Go to [Settings] > [Battery] > [Power Mode] > turn on Adaptive Power Mode.
Customize Your Home Screen. You may be bored with your old home screen layout. Give it a refresh by incorporating widget stacks, organizing apps into folders, changing the wallpaper, and refining your notification center to transform your experience.
Clean the USB-C Port. Charging ports often gather dust and debris over time, which can lead to loose connections or overheating. To clean it, Apple suggests using a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. For stubborn dirt, a toothpick can be useful, but avoid anything too sharp that might damage the port.
Your Old iPhone is Perfectly Fine
Many new iPhone owners, particularly those with the iPhone 16 series, have not seen substantial improvements compared to the iPhone 17. Following the tips above can give your current device a fresh appearance, saving you significant money in the process.
For additional insights into worthwhile products:
Prakhar Khanna is a freelance consumer technology journalist featured in Forbes, CNET, Gizmodo, and other leading outlets. He covers technology’s intersection with everyday life and was part of the judging panel for the prestigious CES 2025 Innovation Award. When he isn’t reading or writing, he is always seeking additional opportunities for napping throughout the day.
Analyzing breath patterns can be crucial for diagnosing and treating numerous health issues
Milan Jovic/Getty Images
Forget about facial recognition—innovative methods for identification may be on the horizon. Researchers have unveiled the concept of “respiratory fingerprints,” a distinctive breathing pattern that could transform the approach to diagnosing and managing various health conditions, including obesity and depression.
The breakthrough is credited to Timna Soroka at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. Together with her team, they designed wearable devices capable of capturing the minute details of our breathing patterns.
“This research is exciting,” says Torben Noto from OSMO in New York, an AI company focused on enhancing computer sensory perception, who was not part of the study. “It tackles many persistent inquiries regarding the relationship between respiratory signals and health, as well as mental well-being.”
The notion that breath patterns can reveal health information isn’t new; clues to this relationship date back to the 1950s. Yet, previous studies were limited to data from hospital patients because no wearable devices existed that could record nasal breathing while allowing people to move freely.
To overcome this limitation, Soroka and her colleagues developed a wearable device, which was tested by 97 participants who wore it around the clock. The team trained an algorithm to detect a unique set of 24 breathing metrics, ranging from the volume of air inhaled to the speed of breathing. Remarkably, the algorithm achieved nearly 97% accuracy in identifying participants, and their unique breathing signature remained consistent over a two-year follow-up period.
However, don’t expect to use this device for banking transactions just yet, warns Norm Sobel from the Weizmann Institute. The primary aim is not biometric authentication, but to extract invaluable health insights.
For instance, a person’s body mass index (BMI) can be estimated using specific nasal cycle parameters, which involve a rhythmic pattern of airflow between nostrils. This cycle is controlled by the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems—the former prepares the body for “fight or flight,” while the latter calms the body. “By assessing nostril airflow, we effectively gauge sympathetic arousal, which seems to correlate with BMI,” explains Sobel.
This leads to intriguing inquiries, Sobel notes: Could breathing patterns influence weight rather than weight changes altering breath? “If that’s the case, we might discover a breathing pattern that promotes weight loss, at which point we’ll all retire to an island,” he quips.
The respiratory data also indicated a link between breathing characteristics and levels of anxiety and depression. For example, individuals experiencing higher depressive symptoms exhibited faster inhalation rates.
The research team is currently exploring whether these breathing patterns actively contribute to these symptoms and if they can be used to diagnose widespread mental health disorders.
“Imagine a future where each patient owns a nasal airflow monitoring device that not only tracks treatment progress but also offers feedback and predicts outcomes for various disorders,” says Noto. The device measures 24 distinct breathing metrics. It also enables users to notice deviations from their normal breathing patterns. “This could have a profound effect on public health,” adds Noto.
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