We’re one step closer to mag-lev trains and other futuristic goodies. A group of scientists have verified the findings of Chandra Varma, a pioneer in the theory of high-temperature superconductivity, giving his theories a much better grounding and opening the way for further research.

Electronic newspapers have been ‘just round the corner’ for a couple of decades. Wired News acknowledges that fact, but says that they really are just round the corner now. Meanwhile, TechEBlog notices that Epsom Japan have just unveiled what appears to be a flexible ePaper that remembers the image displayed even when turned off.

Scientists from EADS Astrium (based in my home-town, as it happens) have unveiled their autonomous robot-rover contender for the next European Space Agency Mars mission. ‘Bridget’ takes the design concepts of the unlucky Beagle rover and expands on its capabilities – she’s faster, has more data-gathering tools, and has a bunch of sensors included to ensure she doesn’t get lost in the landing process like her predecessor did.

University of Arkansas scientists have developed a type of ‘paper’ made from titanium oxide nanowires, which can be cast into a variety of shapes and forms. The theory is that this could open up a whole new range of filtration methods and pollution management devices, but that’ll be contingent on them getting some investors and industrial partners interested.

The Earth is about to lose a friend it has been close to for nearly seven years. The asteroid 2003 YN107 has been ‘corkscrewing’ around the planet since 1999, but was only discovered in 2003 (and only mentioned publicly last week). Now it’s off into interplanetary space again, but should return in about 60 years for more tag-along action.