Metal Tipped Fig Wasp

Along with everything else on this planet, fruit have evolved over the years. They have developed thick skins that prevent insects and such from eating them. Scientists have discovered that there is a parasitic fig wasp that actually contains a needle-like appendage that is thinner than a human hair and works like a drill to pierce this skin. The scientists believe that their secret may be the zinc tip to this 'drill'. It is also able to bend with ease and not fracture, but stay hard at the same time. This discovery may lead to future innovations of needles, drills, and even surgeon's equipment.
http://dailydigestnews.com/2014/05/parasitic-wasp-taps-fruit-with-metal-drill-bit/

Looking For Alien Life

After speaking with some researchers, it has been announced on an optimistic note that there is a good possibility of discovering alien life within the next 25 years. There are many different methods being used in the ever-expanding search, all of which are at least attempted by these researchers. They talk of even some nearby moons and planets on which life may one day be sustainable. Scientists are also looking for any kind of signals from outer-space including but not limited to radio, infrared, or optical waves. Each of the 4 billion stars in our galaxy average to about 1.6 planets each, and it is estimated that about every one out of five of those could be Earth-cousins. It will be interesting to see how this research progresses.
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2014/0528/Will-we-meet-aliens-in-the-near-future-video

Discount the Search

Recently is has been released to the press from the search agency of the Malaysian Airline that the pings originally heard most likely did not come from the black box of the plane. They say that it very well may just have been coming from one of the search ships in that area. It will probably be a few months before any private search parties begin to scour the area, and it may be up to a year before the mass searches start. There isn't much that can be done for the lonely families in the meantime. This realization of faulty searching is extremely unfortunate for all of those who are patiently waiting for any news on the missing ones.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/29/world/asia/malaysia-missing-plane/

Comb Jelly

A recent study has been released with evidence relating to the regenerative capabilities of the comb jellyfish. The comb jelly is believed to have evolved differently from all other known species of the Earth. They are able to regenerate and repair neural tissues, something humans could only dream of doing. That dream may one day become a reality as scientists research more into these simple creatures. Scientists say that some nasty diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's may be curable using this alien technique, but it is just a matter of time until they figure it out.
http://dailydigestnews.com/2014/05/comb-jelly-shocks-researchers-with-insights-in-treating-alzheimers-and-parkinsons/

Spider-Inspired Robot

A new species of spider was recently found in the deserts of Morocco. What's unique about this species is the fact that it cartwheels down and even back up the sand dunes. It can jump as well, and even do backflips. These kind of locomotive skills have never really been seen before in animals, causing scientists to look further into the flic-flac spider. A robot was actually created with similar design to the spider, which moves by walking or somersaulting. Scientists say that these kind of robots may be used for agriculture, the ocean floor, or even on Mars.
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2014/05/06/new-species-spiders-animals-weird-environment-science-flic-flac/

Vehicle-2-Vehicle Communications

Although cars that can talk seems like a crazy idea at first, it actually might be a common concept that arises in the next few years in the United States. The idea is that each vehicle will be equipped with communications equipment that will allow your car to send data consisting of your speed and position as frequent as ten times per second. One situation that this might help with could be if you were about to pull through a green light intersection, and another vehicle blew the red light. Your vehicle would tell you to stop, and you would, preventing that accident. It is estimated that up to 81% of all automobile crashes could be prevented from using this system, which would hugely impact society in a positive manner. This technology could eventually lead to vehicles communicating with traffic lights, street lights, signs, and other things allowing warnings of hazards or congested routes ahead of time.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2014/0205/Cars-that-talk-could-make-driving-safer

Glass That Will Bend, But Not Break

Researchers have discovered a new way to make glass that may change and benefit all of society today. This glass was inspired by seashells. The scientists studied the inside of mollusk shells, specifically the coating like nacre or mother of pearl. It is extremely tough, looking like a bunch of minuscule tablets fit together like Lego blocks. In order to make the glass, scientists use lasers to carve mini networks of cracks into the weaker interior of nacre. These cracks were prevented from getting larger by being filled with polyurethane, but the scientists reported that the substance was actually just a precaution and not a necessity. This substance is 200 times stronger than regular glass, and if dropped will only bend and not break. The group of researchers think that the glass is extremely practical, economical, and could be made on a large scale. It could potentially replace all of the glass we know today.

http://guardianlv.com/2014/01/new-kind-of-glass-will-bend-but-does-not-break/