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'Life': A comic book for the blind

Philipp Meyer, a design student at the University of Applied Sciences in Potsdam, Germany, created a story that's as graphically simplified as possible, and realized that it was equally explorable to both the sighted and the blind. Thus was born "Life," a simple tale told using only circles of varying textures to describe a single life cycle.

Updated:June 7, 2013Caption:James MartinPhoto:Philipp Meyer

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A bioengineered vein

For the first time in the U.S., surgeons have successfully transplanted a bioengineered blood vessel into the arm of a patient -- a possible stepping stone toward more complex human-engineered organs such as livers or eyes, and potentially a more immediate boon for kidney dialysis patients and perhaps even people with heart disease.

Updated:June 7, 2013Caption:James MartinPhoto:Duke University

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Final assembly on 787-9 Dreamliner

The newest member of the Dreamliner family -- billed as a "super-efficient jet" -- will be longer than its predecessor and is expected to be delivered in early 2014.

The 787-9 features a fuselage that is 20 feet longer than its predecessor, allowing it to carry 40 extra passengers an additional 300 miles while consuming 20 percent less fuel than similar sized airplanes, Boeing said.

Updated:June 7, 2013Caption:James MartinPhoto:Boeing

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A real-life version of Springfield

Pop by Moe's Tavern for a quick pre-lunch Duff, perambulate on over to Krusty Burger, then swing by the Kwik-E-Mart at the real-life version of "The Simpsons" hometown of Springfield at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla.

Updated:June 7, 2013Caption:James MartinPhoto:Krusty Burger image

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New material for 3D printing

Shapeways has unveiled a new, elastic material for 3D printing, called Elasto Plastic, that can be used for projects that are a little more on the flexible side.

This strong material is also squishy and flexible, which means it can be used where a more rigid material won't work — one example Shapeways showed was shoes, and another was furniture joints.

Updated:June 7, 2013Caption:James MartinPhoto:Shapeways

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Street-legal bumper car

A 1984 Dodge Colt transformed to look like a giant amusement park-style bumper car ticked down its final hours at auction on eBay this week.

The base of the unusual vehicle is a 1984 Dodge Colt 1.6-liter turbo. The exterior has been customized from fiberglass to make it look like the outside of a big, red bumper car. It even has the pole sticking out the back that would make the electrical connection in a real bumper car.

Updated:June 7, 2013Caption:James MartinPhoto:bumpercarguy

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Giant DSLR seat

Tired of standing in your retro darkroom all day? Take a break and park your personal bipod on a wooden stool that looks just like a reflex lens.

Updated:June 7, 2013Caption:James MartinPhoto:Monoculo

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China's Shenzhou X spacecraft

The spacecraft Shenzhou X is seen aboard the Long March 2F launch vehicle at the launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on June 3, 2013 in Jiuquan, China.

China will launch the Shenzhou X spacecraft in the middle of June. The spacecraft will carry three astronauts to visit the Tiangong-1 space module.

Updated:June 7, 2013Caption:James MartinPhoto:ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images

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