Seven Must-Read Stories (Week Ending December 6, 2013)

Another chance to catch the most interesting, and important, articles from the previous week on MIT Technology Review.

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December 6, 2013

An Artificial Hand with Real Feelings
A new nerve interface can simulate a sense of touch from 20 spots on a prosthetic hand.
Colored Plastic Doubles Solar Cell Power
Using plastic to absorb light could lower the cost of solar power.
How to Burst the “Filter Bubble” That Protects Us from Opposing Views
Computer scientists have discovered a way to number-crunch an individual’s own preferences to recommend content from others with opposing views. The goal? To burst the “filter bubble” that surrounds us with people we like and content we agree with.
Separating Hype from Reality on Amazon’s Drones
Amazon says it wants to offer 30-minute drone delivery. But companies actually working on the technology outline the limitations.
Why Is Google Buying So Many Robot Startups?
Forget robotic product delivery. As usual for Google, I suspect it’s all about the data.
A Pill Filled with Bacteria Instead of Drugs
Delivering healthy bacteria in a pill could help patients harboring out-of-balance microbial communities.
Diagnosis for Healthcare.gov: Unrealistic Technology Expectations
The website for the Affordable Care Act was doomed by an inordinately complex setup that tried to link disparate databases in real time.

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