The development of a new additive that helps meld incompatible types of plastic together, which holds important implications for recycling, has won the 2017 AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize.

Like birds and other flying animals, the robot uses perching as a way to conserve energy.

The device also improves on previous "wearable" monitors with higher memory performance, courtesy of gold nanoparticles.

An ultra-thin electronic device attaches to the skin like a temporary tattoo and measures heart rate and other vital signs without the bulky electrodes used in current hospital monitoring, reports a new study in the 11 August issue of the journal Science.

The device could also potentially be used as an electronic bandage to speed up healing in wounds, burns, and other skin conditions, and it could even provide touch sense to prosthetic devices such as artificial legs or arms.