Science

3 physicists win Nobel for theoretical research into phases of matter
One half of the prize went to David J. Thouless; the other half was shared by F. Duncan M. Haldane and J. Michael Kosterlitz. They used math to explain the odd behavior of unusual states of matter.
Brain game claims fail a big scientific test
When a team of researchers evaluated the scientific literature on brain games, they found little evidence that the products improve memory or thinking in real-world tasks.
FDA approves the first automated insulin system for Type 1 diabetes
The new system joins a continuous glucose monitor with an insulin pump, which work together to keep blood sugar from going too high or too low. That will make it safer to sleep through the night.
Forget self-driving cars. Self-driving chairs have arrived
Nissan unveiled the ProPilot chair, a high-tech self-driving seat that the automaker says makes waiting in line "easy and fun" by using technology designed for semi-autonomous cars.
Phone emergency alerts will begin including links, phone numbers
Regulators have voted to expand cellphone alerts to 360 characters from the previous cutoff at 90 and to begin including clickable URLs and phone numbers over the next year or so. But no photos yet.
Our robot overlords are now delivering pizza, and cooking it on the go
A Silicon Valley startup wants to use technology to solve the pizza paradox. It's a food that's meant to be delivered but never tastes quite as good upon arrival.
Rosetta crashes into comet, bringing historic mission to end
The Rosetta spacecraft has been orbiting the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko comet for two years. Now it's lost contact with Earth forever.
Hey Minnesota, northern lights may put on a show Thursday, Friday night
A geomagnetic storm may deliver a potentially awesome northern lights display the next couple of nights. If skies are clear, Thursday night's viewing across Minnesota could be something.
The Upper Midwest electrical grid is more susceptible than other parts of the country to solar storms that can trigger blackouts or damage equipment on the electrical grid, a researcher tells MPR News.
If jets of water vapor are indeed erupting from Europa, a spacecraft could potentially fly through them and analyze their chemistry. The moon is believed to have a vast subterranean, saltwater ocean.