New research supports the theory that ocean temperature increases in ‘hurricane nurseries’ are largely caused by human actions such as atmospheric pollution. Higher temperatures mean a higher number of big hurricances and other storms will occur – according to to one of the researchers, “we’re performing an uncontrolled experiment by burning fossil fuels and releasing greenhouse gases.” Of course, if you believe the scientists are making it all up or deluding themselves, there’s no cause for alarm. But I for one wouldn’t want to be investing in beachfront property at the moment.

More robotic developments from Japan, where Hitachi have been upgrading their EMIEW servitor bot to make it more viable for use in situations where humans will be present. To that end, they’ve given it a whole bundle of proximity detection gadgets like distance sensors and lasers, and added some control software that will enable the EMIEW to make predictions of where nearby people are heading, and adjust its own course to compensate. Early days yet, though – the bot can navigate “an 8-meter long course along with 4 people walking at normal speeds”, but it’ll be no good at bringing your drinks across a nightclub dancefloor…

As if you weren’t sick of (or completely immune to) targeted advertising on the internet, the next place it could crop up is on the walls. A UK university is testing a prototype ad screen in a corridor – the screen identifies passers-by via the Bluetooth signals from their mobile devices, and then software agents hold a bidding war in microseconds to decide who gets to display their content. The system will be able to differentiate between different people to ensure no-one sees the same ad twice. I think we just found another good reason to keep the Bluetooth on your phone switched off when you’re not using it.

We’ve been promised electronic books since before I was born, but the last year or so has finally seen a number of examples of viable technologies appear. A lot of big names are in the running, seeing a great market opportunity waiting to be exploited, and the latest team to enter the race are Amazon – Engadget managed to snatch an FCC document (now removed) that lays out the spec with pictures. It looks pretty ugly, to be honest, but if it’ll do the job it’s sure to sell – to the early adopters, at least. No word on price or launch date as yet.

Infectious biohazards seem to be unstoppable – horror stories of stubborn drug resistant infections picked up during a hospital visit are becoming more frequent. The trouble is that it’s currently very hard to tell whether or not a surface has been cleaned thoroughly of all such nasties. But a new idea in development could provide a versatile and simple tool – a biodegradable napkin, impregnated with antibodies to major bacteria and viruses that are designed to change colour in the presence of their enemies. One swift wipe of a surface could indicate the presence of pathogens without the need for extensive training. Ideal for the third world, or even battlefield surgeries, for example.