A team of US and UK scientists have invented a portable scanner that may be useful in the hunt for life on Mars. And it sounds a whole lot like a Star Trek tricorder: it uses a beam of ultraviolet laser light and detects fluorescence from organic molecules, so it works remotely and doesn't damage samples. Under simulated-Mars conditions, they've used it to detect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (found on comets, thought to be building-blocks of life) in masses as small as 1.5 micrograms. Plus they think the tech could be adapted to be rugged and fitted onto a future Mars rover. Just wait for the handheld version, and for an astronaut to start going "widdlywee..." as they stomp around Mars. [Eurekalert via IO9]

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Designer Stefan Dukaczewski's sneakers join the line of wearable Wi-Fi detectors next to the T-shirt and wristwatch, winning the title of strangest so far. Based on Nike Dunk shoes, the prototype—dubbed A Step in the Right Direction—has an 802.11 detector under the flap on the left shoe, with a discrete three-LED display system. As you tromp along the street a pressure sensor in the heel turns it on, and Wi-Fi signals detected within 150 feet light the LEDs. So you could wander around in a "warmer... colder" manner peering at your toes, until you find the best signal. We suspect this'd lead to many cricked necks, but at least you'd be able to avoid doggy-do on your mission to "borrow" someone's Wi-Fi. [ASRD via Talk2MyShirt]

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KDDI research labs in Japan has developed a new system for detecting pirated material on the internet automagically. By detecting whether the footage was shot on an amateur or professional camera, what method was used to encode it, and things of that nature, they claim they can detect illegal material with a 98% success rate.

From what I can tell, all it does to determine if something is pirated is to see if it was produced "professionally," which seems as a really crappy litmus test for piracy. I mean, people put professional video online all the time with complete legitimacy. Nonetheless, I'm sure we'll see something like this hitting YouTube sooner rather than later. At which point everyone will head over to DailyMotion or Vimeo or whatever other site will be too lazy to implement this technology. Check the press release after the jump.

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The Cobra XRS R9G GPS Radar detector is available now. Why would you want a GPS-enabled radar connector? Besides beeping when you go too fast, it also has an index of police red light cameras and speed traps. [PRNewswire]

A company named Inscentinel Ltd. has developed Vapour Detection Instrumentation with the promise of detecting explosives, cancer, drugs and basically anything you'd like to smell. And for this advanced olfactory detection, Inscentinel is deploying the world's most advanced techniques—trained bee tongue.

The company literally trains bees as a police force might train dogs. Using Pavlovian principles, the bees are given a food reward when they sniff, let's say, cocaine. Over time, the bees are conditioned to stick out their tongues in hunger over the smell of this substance.

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This might look like a normal, albeit outdated, landline phone, but it hides a whole lot more than that behind its unassuming exterior. It actually contains a motion detector that'll give you a call and allow you to listen in on whatever's happening in the room. It's perfect for listening in on, uh, robbers. Yes, that's it, robbers. [Product Page via Product Dose]

Z-Wave home automation tech continues to expand, and now HomeSeer adds to the mix with its HSM100 Multi-Sensor that knows when the lights are on, what the temperature is, and whether anything is moving in the room. Then, it can control four other Z-Wave devices over a 30-foot range with any combination of that data. For instance, if the temperature is above 80°, it's dark and the device senses someone in the room, it can turn on the lights and lower the temperature automagically. If it's connected to Z-Wave light and thermostat controls, that is. Imagine hooking up everything in your home with these Z-Wave devices, where blinds raise and lower with the sun or temperature, lights only turn on when you need them, and the temperature and tunes are carefully regulated throughout the house. Amble into your home theater, bellow out something like "let the festivities begin," and your smart house responds. The HSM100 doesn't have voice control, but with Z-Wave, that and a whole lot more can be arranged. Home Seer isn't the only one is the Z-Wave game, and also on board are more than a hundred manufacturers, including heavyweights such as Leviton, Monster Cable, as well as Cooper, Intermatic and ACT. The HSM100 Z-Wave Multi-sensor will be available this month for $99.95. Product Page [HomeSeer, via eHomeUpgrade]

In the world of the incongruous pairing, Embotec's mouse 'n' counterfeit money detector is up there with the best of them. And it doesn't just work on KFC vouchers, you know... Aimed at gas stations, convenience stores and the like, the EM-D275 will be available in Korea from next month onwards. And if this gadget was a celebrity, I reckon it would be Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones. Money detector mouse 'EM-D275' identifying counterfeit bills [Aving USA]

At first we thought this was a lighting detector (for photographers), but upon closer inspection we realized it was a lightning detector. You know, the type that tells you if there's lightning. The thing has a convenient belt clip and tells you whether lightning's 20-40 miles away, 12-24 miles away, 6-12 miles away, or less than 6 miles way.

We're not sure how well this works, but it's probably more useful than relying on your own eyesight to tell you whether Storm's coming. Yes, we're talking about the X-Men character. She's very angry. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Strikealert via Gizmodude]