Seven Must-Read Stories (Week ending September 12, 2015)

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

September 11, 2015

Peter Thiel Backs Biotech “Unicorn” Fighting Cancer Stem Cells
Are stem cells at the root of common cancers? A startup named Stemcentrx thinks so.
Why NASA Wants Microsoft’s HoloLens in Space
The rocket carrying two HoloLens headsets to the International Space Station blew up in June, and NASA is planning another launch.
Meltdown-Proof Nuclear Reactors Get a Safety Check in Europe
Researchers say they could build a prototype of a molten-salt reactor, a safer, cleaner option for nuclear power, in 10 years.
Allegations of Dirty Tricks as Effort to “Rescue” Bitcoin Falters
A debate over the future of Bitcoin seems to be getting ugly – some people say their computers are being attacked to suppress their preferred changes.
AI Software Goes Up Against Fourth Graders on Science Tests
Making AI software take real school exams might accelerate progress toward machines with common sense.
Smart Mouthguard Monitors Your Saliva and Your Health
Researchers demonstrate a wearable system for tracking chemicals in saliva that may correspond to fatigue and other health issues.
How Machine Vision Is About to Change the Fashion World
The way fashion shows influence street-chic outfits has long been debated. Now a machine vision system that can track how fashions spread through society is providing the first hard evidence.