INSIGHT: Robot helps keep birds away from planes

A robotic bird of prey that convincingly mimics the flight of a real peregrine falcon has been developed to help tackle the problem of bird strikes at airports.

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Robot falcon puts the frighteners on nuisance birds

A robotic bird of prey that mimics the flight of a real peregrine falcon has been developed by a spin-off company from the University of Twente to help tackle the problem of bird strikes at airports. Matthew Stock reports.

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Ecstasy therapy may help service veterans suffering PTSD

Combining intensive psychotherapy with a pure form of the party drug ecstasy is safe and could aid recovery in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to the findings of a study in military veterans. Edward Baran reports.

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Arabic-speaking robot could replace teachers, says researcher

A researcher at a Saudi university has designed an Arabic-speaking robot, and believes the robots could replace faculty members in the future. Stuart McDill reports.

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In China, a race to supply surveillance tech

A recent police equipment fair in Beijing offers a peek into the race to supply Chinese security forces with technology to monitor and punish behavior that runs against the ruling Communist Party. As Reuters' Pei Li explains, companies are racing to outdo each others' abilities to track people.

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Flu fighters: electric guitar made from doctors' tongue depressors

Amateur musician Maciej Walaszek built a working electric guitar from wooden tongue depressors, normally used by doctors to examine patients' mouths and throats. Edward Baran reports.

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DNA sequencing helping fight TB in Madagascar

An international team of scientists and doctors are using a hand held DNA sequencer in the fight against tuberculosis in remote parts of Madagascar. Stuart McDill reports.

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Gravity energy generator could revolutionise renewables

Dutch inventor Janjaap Ruijssenaars has built a gravity energy generator that harnesses the force of gravity to produce a new kind of renewable energy. Matthew Stock reports.

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Why Amazon's Alexa will pray with you

The Church of England has set itself up on Amazon's virtual assistant, Alexa. The device can can now pray, but also offers practical info as the church bids to combat falling numbers of worshipers.

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Japanese scientists make booze from trees

For centuries, trees have provided mankind with daily necessities such as paper and rubber, now, scientists in Japan have discovered a new use for trees: making booze. Stuart McDill reports.

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