Changespotting: Sniffer plants could be our saviour

Plants could one day replace sniffer dogs in tracking down bombs. Photo / Thinkstock

Colorado State University is researching the use of plants as bomb detectors in airports and other public centres. One particular plant will blanch white if it detects the presence of TNT in the air. If perfected, the plants could be as sensitive as a sniffer dog to trace chemicals.

The tropical zebrafish is intriguing medical researchers in Britain with its ability to repair its own cardiac muscle. And the British Heart Foundation hopes to raise £50 million over the next five years for funding studies of regenerative medicine, including learning more about this striped sea-dweller.

A research and development facility called QinetiQ in Massachusetts has unveiled a prototype for a vehicle that will not run if it senses its driver is intoxicated. The system is called The Driver Alcohol Detection Systems for Safety; sober drivers should not experience any delays when starting up a car that has the system in place.

Here's a clip of an invasive advertising strategy by Alfa Romeo. The company used a robotic sandwich board, with no respect for personal space, that tirelessly pursues shoppers through a mall in Belgium.