Accessibility links
Technology Latest technology news and breakthroughs in technology, science, and industry. Download the NPR Technology podcast and Technology RSS feed.

Technology

Hackers Teach Computers To Tell Healthy And Sick Brain Cells Apart

The Allen Institute for Brain Science hosted its first BigNeuron Hackathon in Beijing earlier this month. Similar events are planned for the U.S. and U.K. Courtesy of Allen Institute for Brain Science hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of Allen Institute for Brain Science

Shots - Health News

Hackers Teach Computers To Tell Healthy And Sick Brain Cells Apart

Scientists are still better than computers at assessing a neuron's health by looking at its shape. But an effort that includes an international series of hackathons could help speed the process.

Hackers Teach Computers To Tell Healthy And Sick Brain Cells Apart

Listen · 2:41
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/396586398/396637006" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
If Drones Make You Nervous, Think Of Them As Flying Donkeys

It's a drone delivery! This copter is ferrying medicine from a pharmacy to the headquarters of Deutsche Post in Bonn, Germany, part of a test of drone capabilities. Andreas Rentz/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Goats and Soda

If Drones Make You Nervous, Think Of Them As Flying Donkeys

In Africa, where there aren't always roads from Point A to Point B, drones could take critical medicines to remote spots. But the airborne vehicles make people uneasy for lots of reasons.

With 'Single-Stream' Recycling, Convenience Comes At A Cost

At Resource Management's materials recovery facility, workers pull plastic bags, other trash and large pieces of cardboard off the conveyor belts before the mixed single-stream recyclables enter the sorting machines. Véronique LaCapra/St. Louis Public Radio hide caption

toggle caption
Véronique LaCapra/St. Louis Public Radio

Business

With 'Single-Stream' Recycling, Convenience Comes At A Cost

St. Louis Public Radio

Many Americans now have access to a commingled recycling system, which lets users mix plastic, glass, paper and metal together in one bin. It's much easier, but not nearly as efficient.

With 'Single-Stream' Recycling, Convenience Comes At A Cost

Listen · 3:36
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/396319000/396505374" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
After Snowden, The NSA Faces Recruitment Challenge

Not many students have the cutting-edge cybersecurity skills the NSA needs, recruiters say. And these days industry is paying top dollar for talent. Brooks Kraft/Corbis hide caption

toggle caption
Brooks Kraft/Corbis

National Security

After Snowden, The NSA Faces Recruitment Challenge

To keep its code-breaking prowess, the National Security Agency must recruit scores of the brightest students in math and computer science each year. The Snowden revelations are hurting those efforts.

After Snowden, The NSA Faces Recruitment Challenge

Listen · 5:56
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/395829446/396505324" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Bringing Internet To The Far Corners Of The Earth

Google is doing test flights of its balloons carrying Internet routers around the world. Last June, a balloon was released at the airport in Teresina, Brazil. Google hide caption

toggle caption
Google

All Tech Considered

Bringing Internet To The Far Corners Of The Earth

About 5 billion people are mostly or entirely disconnected from the Internet. So to capitalize on this opportunity, Google and Facebook have begun high-profile campaigns to connect the unconnected.

Bringing Internet To The Far Corners Of The Earth

Listen · 5:26
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/396391960/396405088" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Though Most Americans Are Wired, Seniors Lack Internet Access In U.S.

While the U.S. is pretty well connected, there are still 20 million people who aren't online. Lee Rainie of Pew Research describes who they are and why that matters.

Though Most Americans Are Wired, Seniors Lack Internet Access In U.S.

Listen · 2:04
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/396405026/396405027" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Did That Restaurant Pass Its Health Inspection? Now Yelp Will Tell You

A health inspection grade is posted outside a Manhattan eatery. In several cities, Yelp users can now find out how a restaurant scored on its health inspection well before they walk through the door. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Salt

Did That Restaurant Pass Its Health Inspection? Now Yelp Will Tell You

You might not see health inspection information until you're opening a restaurant's door. But if you're in San Francisco and some other cities, you'll see it when you check out an eatery's Yelp page.

Jeff Mogil: How Can Playing A Game Make You More Empathetic?

Research finds playing a collaborative video game like Rock Band makes you more comfortable with strangers. Paul Sakuma/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Paul Sakuma/AP

TED Radio Hour

Jeff Mogil: How Can Playing A Game Make You More Empathetic?

Why is it so hard to feel empathy for strangers? Because we're stressed by them, says neuroscientist Jeff Mogil. His research suggests one way to reduce that stress: play Rock Band together.

How Can Playing A Game Make You More Empathetic?

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/395039920/395589200" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Police Departments Open Up 'Safe Lots' For Craigslist Transactions

The Hartford Police Department is one of a number of police departments across the country that are offering up their parking lots as "safe zones" for Craigslist transactions. Courtesy of the Hartford Police Department hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of the Hartford Police Department

National

Police Departments Open Up 'Safe Lots' For Craigslist Transactions

Connecticut Public Radio

Several crimes around the U.S. have been tied to the website's in-person transactions. So police departments are offering up their parking lots to provide a secure space for buying and selling stuff.

Police Departments Open Up 'Safe Lots' For Craigslist Transactions

Listen · 2:32
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/395586863/395698516" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

App Helps Syrian Refugees Adapt To Life Away From Home

A Syrian refugee has developed a phone app and website to help refugees get information on services and seek other help in their long journeys in limbo.

App Helps Syrian Refugees Adapt To Life Away From Home

Listen · 3:17
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/395355117/395355118" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript