Subscribe now

Scientists monitoring volcanoes in Italy and Iceland no longer need to endure long drives up their sulphurous slopes to take their measurements. A communications link developed by European researchers will transmit readings via WiMAX, a long-range form of Wi-Fi, as soon as a volcano’s activity increases. The data will be given priority over general internet traffic to ensure it gets through.

Computers have already showed their supremacy at draughts and chess, and now it seems they are gearing up to triumph over humans at the board game Go. MoGo, a software program running in parallel on 800 processors, beat professional…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop