Dubai's Meydan One will boast world's tallest residential tower, largest dancing fountain and longest indoor ski slope

By Stu Robarts - August 11, 20156 Pictures

Dubai's Meydan One will feature leisure, residential and hospitality destinations

Dubai does not do things by half, and a recently-announced development is a good example of that. Meydan One will be a 3,671,000 sq m (39,514,000 sq ft) mixed-use destination. It will boast the world’s tallest residential tower, a cutting-edge mall and the world’s longest indoor ski slope.

— SPACE

New study tracks the death of our Universe

By Anthony Wood - August 11, 20151 Picture

The GAMA study is the most comprehensive energy output survey of the Universe to date

A new study has measured 200,000 galaxies in an effort to chart the rate at which our Universe is outputting energy, and effectively dying. The study is part of the larger Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) project, a comprehensive spectroscopic survey seeking to create a model of energy production by the Universe, both in the present day and in times past.

— SCIENCE

Temperature-controlled hydrogel can walk

By Lakshmi Sandhana - August 11, 20152 Pictures

The new hydrogel can expand and contract without taking in or losing water

Scientists have developed a new hydrogel that stretches and contracts just like an artificial muscle. The team created an L-shaped object made out of the hydrogel and immersed it in a water bath. When the water’s temperature was varied, it slowly "walked" forward.

Frank Gehry reportedly redeveloping Los Angeles River

By Adam Williams

Frank Gehry aims to turn the L.A. River into a system that could store and even treat storm water for use (Credit: US Army Cops of Engineers Los Angeles/Jay Field)

According to the Los Angeles Times, Canadian-born architect and L.A. resident Frank Gehry is to significantly redevelop the L.A. River system. The changes will primarily focus on turning the river into a water reclamation system, in addition to increasing public access to the area.

— COLLECTIBLES

Pebble Beach preview: 135 "million dollar cars" set for auction

By Mike Hanlon - August 11, 2015710 Pictures

Monterey Car Week is where the big money comes out to play in the collectible car market. There are more million dollar cars sold here than anywhere else, and this year the record books look certain to hit yet another high water mark with 135 cars with estimates running into seven figures set to cross the block during this week's auctions.

— MUSIC

Jumbo and Shorty plug up guitar's soundhole for improved tone

By Paul Ridden - August 11, 20155 Pictures

The Shorty sound processor and wood diaphragm

Players wanting to change the sound or timbre of an acoustic guitar, or just clear up any nasty tone issues or feedback, can look to digital processing or post-production for help. But Keeler Sound's Performer Series sound processors for nylon and steel string instruments make use of pipes and ports for the promise of an as-the-music-happens "perfectly balanced tone." Swapping out a unit's diaphragm, or not using one at all, will also alter the tone of the guitar.

GIZMAG STORE

Pre-Order: SKEYE Mini Drone with HD Camera For 34% Off

You can pre-order the SKEYE Mini now for $64.99, with free US shipping when the drone is released next month

You would expect any big drone to offer auto-stabilization and a built-in HD camera, but the SKEYE Mini fits both inside a palm-sized package. Gizmag Store is currently taking pre-orders at 34% off the regular price.

— MARINE

Paul Allen recovers bell from HMS Hood

By David Szondy - August 11, 201512 Pictures

The bell of HMS Hood recovered after 74 years

One of the great tragedies of the Second World War has been remembered with Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Paul G Allen recovering the bell from the British battlecruiser HMS Hood, which was sunk in battle 74 years ago by Hitler’s flagship Bismarck. The brass ship's bell was recovered from a mile and a half (2.4 km) down in the Denmark Straits by a remote operated submersible (ROV) controlled from Allen's private yacht M/Y Octopus.

— MOTORCYCLES REVIEW

Video Review: Ducati Scrambler is a real charmer with an attitude

By Loz Blain - August 11, 201527 Pictures

The Ducati Scrambler is a very stylish bike in any company

At US$8,600 in America, it's easy to see why the brand new Ducati Scrambler line has been a massive sales success. It's charming to look at, painfully retro-fashionable and totally approachable. It would also be incredibly easy to ride if it wasn't for the over-aggressive throttle mapping. It harks back to a time before motorcycles were separated into road, dirt and sports categories, when one bike had to do the lot, and Loz found it a lovely experience on our short road test.

— ARCHITECTURE

Origami-inspired military shelter said to cut energy use by 70 percent

By Nick Lavars - August 10, 20154 Pictures

A new type of rigid military shelter developed at the University of Notre Dame is said to cut energy use in the field by 70 percent

The ancient art of origami has inspired all kinds of modern technological endeavors, from drones to bridges to batteries and low-cost emergency housing. The latest project to join the fold comes from US-based engineers who have developed a deployable shelter that can be shipped on a standard military pallet, improving the quality of life for soldiers while cutting energy consumption in the process.