| The toilet, re-imagined: four water-saving designs The centuries-old flush toilet design is getting an overhaul, with an eye toward water and energy conservation. Read the full story The Science of Food Porn If Mason's parody video of food commercials doesn't make you hungry, you might not be a member of the human race. Read the full story Blurry astronaut vision corrected by Superfocus glasses A NASA-sponsored study found that 6-month-long spaceflights were causing a spectrum of eye abnormalities. Superfocus adjustable glasses allows astronauts (and aging earth-dwellers) to set the focus. Read the full story Beijing supercomputer powers flu-virus simulation Landmark research into the flu virus is powered by one of China's growing number of supercomputers. Read the full story Debt crisis unexpectedly delays panda vacation to Paris PARIS -- Financial crisis in the Euro zone preoccupies world leaders leaving two Paris-bound Chinese pandas in limbo Read the full story Chicago, Philadelphia sign up for next-gen transit payment systems Transit authorities in Chicago and Philadelphia signed major contracts this week for next-generation fare payment systems that would allow commuters to use bank cards to pay for rides. Read the full story Startup HzO to unveil 'waterproof' iPod [video] A new "invisible" film can actually make the electronic circuits inside a smartphone waterproof. Read the full story NYC SHoP Architects take modular construction to new heights The Atlantic Yards design and development team reveal plans for what would be the world's tallest pre-fabricated tower. Read the full story Will Sunday's elections boost Spain's economy? MADRID -- With Spain's national elections this Sunday November 20, SmartPlanet offers a brief overview and their impact of the struggling international economy. Read the full story Neutrinos outrace light again The score after the second round - Neutrinos 2, Light 0. CERN scientists get the same baffling, Einstein-busting result in their faster-than-light do-over. Read the full story Ford, Burton Snowboards embrace recycled plastic fabrics The companies are supporting separate initiatives to reincarnate plastic bottles for use as t-shirts, outwear, car seats, carpeting -- and other products. Read the full story A green design 'habitat' made from a company's own waste Behold a new work "habitat," for Bloomberg: structure that provides employees with a space to take a break from their workday, made from bits of reclaimed cardboard and pallets from Bloomberg's own trash bin. Read the full story Scotts Miracle-Gro, U.S. mayors partner for more urban green space What do Scotts Miracle-Gro and 1,210 U.S. mayors have in common? They want to help cities clean up their water. Find out how they're doing it. Read the full story Study ranks top congested freeway corridors in US A new study from the Texas Transportation Institute analyzed traffic data from 328 congested corridors throughout the country to come up with a comprehensive breakdown of the nation's worst offenders. Read the full story Radiation found in rice Japanese gov't deemed 'safe' Japanese authorities have today placed a ban on rice shipments from the Fukushima region after high levels of radiation were detected in the nation's staple crop. Read the full story Panda Power raises $420 million for solar and natural gas projects The power generation development firm is taking a glass half full attitude to its recent fund despite missing its goal by nearly $400 million. Read the full story Solar Insight 2011: How is the U.S. solar market faring? At the Greentech Media Solar Insight conference, executives from the clean-tech industry describe the state of the photovoltaic market in the United States and the outlook going forward. Read the full story Repurpose brings compostable cup to consumers Bed Bath & Beyond will carry cups made out of 'plant materials' (not oil) that have been available to commercial food-service operations since early in 2011. Read the full story In the U.S., fighting the assumption that 'small' means 'feminine' At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Fiat unveils the 500 Abarth, a "masculine" version of its diminutive subcompact. Can it win over male buyers? Read the full story Meet Beijing's first all-electric car, with a hefty price tag BEIJING -- China's first all-electric car goes on sale in China, but would locals prefer a BMW? Read the full story | 
