Erica, who has a beautiful face and speaks with a synthesised voice, is one of the most advanced and autonomous androids in the world. The human-like robot was created in Japan in 2014 and was developed to be capable of conversational interaction. Since then, a total of four models have been engineered. She is unable to walk, but, in the summer of 2017, Erica (short for Erato Intelligent Conversational Android) was given an upgrade so she could move her arms, along with her head, neck and...

US paralympic athletic champion Lex Gillette holds the long jump world record. But while his athletic abilities put him at the top of his sport, he often struggles with common tasks most people take for granted. Gillette has been blind since age 8, and navigating a grocery store would be "one of those things where a lot of times the stores will have a customer service area, so I would go to that desk that would require me to have a specific list of items," he says. "There are those times...

The devastating effects of climate change are everywhere. Now, the fight to save the planet is taking an innovative turn. What if scientists could offset dangerous greenhouse gas levels by capturing CO2 from the atmosphere and putting it to use? This episode looks at two project that aim to capture CO2 and convert it into useable products. The first would combine basalt and CO2. Basalt is naturally highly reactive with CO2; when the two meet, they undergo a series of exchanges that culminate...

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The vaquita is the world’s smallest cetacean, a miniature porpoise with what some describe as cartoonlike features, and dark smudges around its eyes. The marine mammal lives only in the fertile waters of the Mexico’s Gulf of California. The problem: it shares its habitat with the totoaba, a fish coveted by wealthy Chinese who believe it has mystical medicinal powers. The vaquita are trapped in illegal gillnets set for the totoaba. In this episode, TechKnow looks at the various efforts to...

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Coral reefs are the 'rain forests of the sea', prized for their beauty and resources the world over. They are also one of the earth's most vulnerable ecosystems threatened by climate change. And no place better symbolises their importance and their plight than Australia's Great Barrier Reef. TechKnow's Marita Davison traveled to Queensland to explore the scientific efforts to save one of the world's most iconic ecosystems. The Great Barrier Reef covers 345,000 square kilometres, roughly the...

The latest World Health Organization data indicates that 1.9 billion people worldwide are overweight, with 600 million considered obese. Sugar, in the form of processed, high-in-sugar foods are largely to blame. Scientists around the world are making a desperate plea to stop an epidemic of obesity. But now, new research goes beyond fat to reveal a risk that could be even greater. TechKnow explores the science of sugar at the Department of Molecular Bioscience School at the University of...

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From space, the Earth is a big blue planet covered 70 percent in water. However, a closer look reveals that only two and a half percent of that is fresh water, with only one percent being easily accessible to keep our 6.8 billion inhabitants alive and well. On TechKnow, we explore the possible solutions to address water scarcity through science, and explore the effect these new initiatives could have in the larger agricultural areas around the world. We also explore technological...

Exploring the correlation between sugar intake and heart disease in young adults. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

Looking at solutions for water scarcity from fog catching nets to water efficient washing machines. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

In this episode of TechKnow, we explore the regions where people enjoy a longer life of good health, regions known as Blue zones. Acciaroli is one such region. It is part of what is known as the Cilento Coast of Italy, situated 140 km south of Naples. It has a high concentration of centenarians living there. According to researchers from Rome's Sapienza University and the University of California, San Diego, one in every 60 of its residents is at least 90 years old. This Mediterranean...

In this episode of TechKnow, we look into the science of immunotherapy, which involves tricking the body’s immune system into attacking cancerous tumours. Donated T-cells are given an extra gene to make them target specific leukemia cells along with other genes which are disabled to stop them attacking their host. We also explore a promising cancer drug called Pembrolizumab. This drug make the tumour visible to the T-cells. More from TechKnow on: Twitter - https://Twitter.com/AJTechKnow...

Studying the genes and lifestyles of centenarians. The results may offer answers to living longer and fighting diseases. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/

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Taste and smell are two of the five senses that work in tandem to create a singular sensory sensation. In this episode of TechKnow, we examine new research into the psychology of taste and smell and how past memories can instantly be remembered with just a whiff. We also look at how memorable flavours are created to support a $25bn global taste industry. More from TechKnow on: Twitter - https://Twitter.com/AJTechKnow Website - http://aljazeera.com/TechKnow Subscribe to AJE on YouTube -...

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The frustration of a synthetic voice is a reality for many who can only speak through computers. Now, researchers are creating sounds that capture individual personalities and preserving a voice for those facing a cruel loss. For those in need, new voice technologies offer the sweet sounds of success. - Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe - Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish - Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera - Check our website:...

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The business of bones has been booming since 1997 when Chicago's field museum spent $7.6m on a Tyrannosaurus Rex named Sue. Since then, dinosaurs have become largely coveted darlings of the rich, which has spurred a growing number of fossil or dinosaur hunters. Does anyone have the right to privately own a dinosaur? Should natural history be bought and sold like fine art? The stakes are high, the prices are even higher, so TechKnow decided to travel to London, Los Angeles and Copenhagen to...

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As high demand for rhino horn continues to fuel illegal poaching, TechKnow investigates how science is fighting back. One of the latest and controversial strategies to stop the use of Rhino comes from a US bio-tech start-up in San Francisco called Pembient. Their 3D printer techniques will help manufacture horns that will eventually "pass" as the real deal. The company hopes to flood the market with fake rhino horn in order to stop the demand for the genuine product. Can fake rhino horn...