ScienceDaily Technology Headlines
for Tuesday, August 3, 2010
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Universal law for material evolution found (August 3, 2010) -- Scientists found that when a material composed of more than one phase is heated, it breaks into smaller pieces and the shape of the interfaces during break-up is universal. ... > full story
Crowd control and traffic problems: Mutually entangled social, economic, and technological systems under investigation (August 3, 2010) -- Just a few days ago, at the Love Parade dance and music festival in Duisburg, Germany, 21 people were trampled to death in a human stampede. Apparently, the responsible decision-makers did not see the problem looming before the event. But couldn’t we foresee at least some of the disasters before they strike? ... > full story
New solar energy conversion process could double solar efficiency of solar cells (August 2, 2010) -- A new process that simultaneously combines the light and heat of solar radiation to generate electricity could offer more than double the efficiency of existing solar cell technology, say the engineers who discovered it and proved that it works. The process, called 'photon enhanced thermionic emission," or PETE, could reduce the costs of solar energy production enough for it to compete with oil as an energy source. ... > full story
Instruments selected for Mars (August 2, 2010) -- ESA and NASA have selected the scientific instruments for their first joint Mars mission. Scheduled for 2016, it will study the chemical makeup of the martian atmosphere, including methane. Discovered in 2003, methane could point to life on the Red Planet. ... > full story
Nano 'pin art': Arrays are step toward mass production of nanowires (August 2, 2010) -- Researchers have cultivated many thousands of nanocrystals in what looks like a pinscreen or "pin art" on silicon, a step toward reliable mass production of semiconductor nanowires for millionths-of-a-meter-scale devices such as sensors and lasers. ... > full story
Unique light-activated membrane acts like a traffic signal for gas (August 2, 2010) -- A newly developed membrane blocks gas from flowing through it when one color of light is shined on its surface, and permits gas to flow through when another color of light is used. It is the first time that scientists have developed a membrane that can be controlled in this way by light. ... > full story
When screen time becomes a pain (August 2, 2010) -- The amount of time teenagers spend in front of TV screens and monitors has been associated with physical complaints. A large study of more than 30,000 Nordic teenagers has shown that TV viewing, computer use and computer gaming (screen time) were consistently associated with back pain and recurrent headaches. ... > full story
Martian dust devil whirls into Opportunity's view (August 2, 2010) -- In its six-and-a-half years on Mars, NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity had never seen a dust devil before this month, despite some systematic searches in past years and the fact that its twin rover, Spirit, has seen dozens of dust devils at its location halfway around the planet. ... > full story
Body of evidence: New fast, reliable method to detect gravesoil (August 2, 2010) -- Finding bodies buried by someone who wanted them to stay undiscovered can be difficult. However a new technique can reliably detect biochemical changes in a decomposing cadaver. ... > full story
'Sea urchin'-shaped nanostructures grown in the lab (August 1, 2010) -- Researchers have succeeded in growing sea-urchin shaped nanostructures from minute balls of polystyrene beads using a simple electrochemical process. The spines of the sea urchin consist of zinc oxide nanowires. The structured surface should help increasing the efficiency of photovoltaic devices. ... > full story
Reading terrorists minds about imminent attack: Brain waves correlate to guilty knowledge in mock terrorism scenarios (August 1, 2010) -- Imagine technology that allows you to get inside the mind of a terrorist to know how, when and where the next attack will occur. That may not be as far-fetched as it sounds. Northwestern brain wave research suggests that if the lab test had been employed in the real world with the same type of outcome, law enforcement officials ultimately may be able to confirm details about an attack that emerges from terrorist chatter. ... > full story
Ultra-strong interaction between light and matter realized: One more step on the path to quantum computers (August 1, 2010) -- Researchers around the world are working on the development of quantum computers that will be vastly superior to present-day computers. The strong coupling of quantum bits with light quanta plays a pivotal role. Researchers have now realized an extremely strong interaction between light and matter that may represent a first step in this direction. ... > full story
Blowing in the wind: Cassini helps with dune whodunit on Saturn's moon Titan (July 31, 2010) -- The answer to the mystery of dune patterns on Saturn's moon Titan did turn out to be blowing in the wind. It just wasn't from the direction many scientists expected. ... > full story
Decontaminating dangerous drywall (July 31, 2010) -- A nanomaterial originally developed to fight toxic waste is now helping reduce debilitating fumes in homes with corrosive drywall. ... > full story
Some like it hot: How to heat a 'nano bathtub' (July 31, 2010) -- Researchers have demonstrated the use of infrared laser light to quickly and precisely heat the water in "nano bathtubs" -- tiny sample containers -- for microscopy studies of the biochemistry of single molecules and nanoparticles. ... > full story
Breaking the language barrier: Language translation devices for US troops tested (July 31, 2010) -- In recent tests evoking visions of the universal translator on "Star Trek," researchers evaluated three two-way, real-time, voice-translation devices designed to improve communications between the US military and non-English speakers in foreign countries. ... > full story
How not to blow up a molecule (July 30, 2010) -- Can single-shot imaging with femtosecond x-ray pulses from powerful new free electron lasers really work, or will the beam damage the sample too quickly? Pulse length is the key. A new study reveals that "frustrated absorption" explains why ultrashort pulses, even if their peak power is greater, do less damage to molecules than longer pulses. ... > full story
Rocks on Mars may provide link to evidence of living organisms roughly 4 billion years ago (July 30, 2010) -- A new paper reveals groundbreaking research on the hydrothermal formation of Clay-Carbonate rocks in the Nili Fossae region of Mars. The findings may provide a link to evidence of living organisms on Mars, roughly 4 billion years ago in the Noachian period. ... > full story
Brown dwarf found orbiting a young sun-like star (July 30, 2010) -- Astronomers have imaged a very young brown dwarf, or failed star, in a tight orbit around a young nearby sun-like star. The discovery is expected to shed light on the early stages of solar system formation. ... > full story
Fluorescent biosensor to aid in drug development (July 30, 2010) -- Scientists have developed a new fluorescent biosensor that could aid in the development of an important class of drugs that target a crucial class of proteins called G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCRs are popular drug targets because of the pivotal role they play in cells' communication circuits responsible for regulating functions critical to health, including circuits involved in heart and lung function, mood, cognition and memory, digestion and the inflammatory response. ... > full story
Best hope for saving Arctic sea ice is cutting soot emissions, say researchers (July 30, 2010) -- Soot from the burning of fossil fuels and solid biofuels contributes far more to global warming than has been thought, according to a new study. But, unlike carbon dioxide, soot lingers only a few weeks in the atmosphere, so cutting emissions could have a significant and rapid impact on the climate. Controlling it may be the only option for saving the Arctic sea ice before it all melts. ... > full story
Graphene exhibits bizarre new behavior well suited to electronic devices (July 30, 2010) -- Graphene, a sheet of pure carbon, has been touted as a possible replacement for silicon-based semiconductors because of its useful electronic properties. Now, physicists have shown that graphene has another unique and amazing property that could make it even more suitable for future electronic devices. When contorted in a specific way it sprouts nanobubbles in which electrons behave as if they are moving in a strong magnetic field. ... > full story
Polarstern expedition: Autonomous underwater vehicle dives under the Arctic ice (July 30, 2010) -- The Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association for the first time sent its Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) on an under-ice mission at about 79° North. The four-metre-long, torpedo shaped underwater vehicle was deployed from the research icebreaker Polarstern under heavy pack ice. The vehicle was subsequently recovered by helicopter. ... > full story
Laboratory in microdrops: Credit card-size microflow system handles thousands of experiments (July 29, 2010) -- Tens of thousands of chemical and biochemical experiments may be conducted daily with the use of a microflow system of the size of a credit card, developed by scientists in Poland. The device has already been tested in research on the effectiveness of antibiotic mixtures. ... > full story
Sensing wind speed with kites (July 29, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a way to use a kite itself to measure wind speed. The instrument consists of a 2-meter-long and 1-meter-wide Rokkaku-type kite. ... > full story
Brilliant star in a colorful neighborhood (July 29, 2010) -- A spectacular new image shows the brilliant and unusual star WR 22 and its colorful surroundings. WR 22 is a very hot and bright star that is shedding its atmosphere into space at a rate many millions of times faster than the Sun. It lies in the outer part of the dramatic Carina Nebula from which it formed. ... > full story
Quantum fractals at the border of magnetism (July 29, 2010) -- Physicists are reporting new results from experiments on the perplexing class of materials that includes high-temperature superconductors. The team reports the unexpected discovery of a simple fractal form of electronic excitations in ultra-low-temperature quantum magnets at the border of magnetism. ... > full story
Planets found in unusually intimate dance around dying star (July 29, 2010) -- Astronomers have found two extrasolar planetary systems with gas giant planets locked in an orbital embrace. In one system -- a planetary pair orbiting the massive, dying star HD 200964, located roughly 223 light-years from Earth -- the intimate dance is closer and tighter than any previously seen. ... > full story
NASA simulates space exploration at remote Arctic crater site (July 29, 2010) -- NASA personnel are among a group of international researchers who are in the Canadian Arctic assessing concepts for future planetary exploration as part of the Haughton-Mars Project, or HMP-2010. Scientists are using the arid, rocky environment of the Haughton Crater on Devon Island, Canada to simulate conditions that might be encountered by explorers on other planetary bodies. The latest edition of the HMP-2010 began July 19 and includes three weeks of crew and mission control activities and robotic testing. ... > full story
Can't place that face? (July 29, 2010) -- Researchers are trying to understand the mechanisms at work in the face area of the brain called the "fusiform gyrus" by combining cognitive psychology with techniques like brain imaging and electrophysiology. This research may help business executives better match names with faces, and can lead to better facial recognition software to identify terrorists or criminals. ... > full story
Quantum phenomenon observed: Atoms form organized structure from unorganized one (July 29, 2010) -- Physicists have experimentally observed a quantum phenomenon, where an arbitrarily weak perturbation causes atoms to build an organized structure from an initially unorganized one. ... > full story
New tool for improving switchgrass (July 29, 2010) -- Scientists have developed a new tool for deciphering the genetics of a native prairie grass being widely studied for its potential as a biofuel. The genetic map of switchgrass is expected to speed up the search for genes that will make the perennial plant a more viable source of bioenergy. ... > full story
Diabetes care: Implanted glucose sensor works for more than a year in animal studies (July 29, 2010) -- Bioengineers have developed an implantable glucose sensor and wireless telemetry system that continuously monitors tissue glucose and transmits the information to an external receiver. A new article describes the use of this glucose-sensing device as an implant in animals for over one year. After human clinical trials and FDA approval, the device may be useful to people with diabetes as an alternative to finger sticking and short-term, needle-like glucose sensors that have to be replaced every three to seven days. ... > full story
Polymer passage takes time: New theory aids researchers studying DNA, protein transport (July 29, 2010) -- Researchers have created a theoretical method to calculate the time it takes long-chain polymers to pass through nano-sized pores in membranes. The researchers studied how membrane pore geometry affects the translocation of long polymers. They say the new method, works for pores of any geometry, whether they're straight, conical or made of joined cylinders of different sizes. ... > full story
Talking touchscreens aid patients (July 29, 2010) -- Multimedia talking touchscreens, housed in computer kiosks at clinics and hospitals, are helping researchers and clinicians at local health care centers enhance patient-centered care for patients with diverse language, literacy and computer skills. ... > full story
Penalty points system driver's license reduces accidents on a temporary basis, Spanish study finds (July 29, 2010) -- Researchers have determined that after the implementation in 2006 of the penalty points system driver's license in Spain, there has been a reduction of 12.6 percent in the number of deaths in highway accidents. However, the effect on fatal accidents lasted only two years. ... > full story
Three-year investigation of military munitions sea disposal site in Hawaii completed (July 29, 2010) -- The University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Ocean Earth Science and Technology completed a three-year long investigation of Sea Disposal Site Hawaii Number 5, a deep-water military munitions disposal site in US coastal waters approximately 5 miles south of Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. This complex investigation required the use of high-resolution sidescan sonar and remotely operated underwater vehicles to locate sea disposed munitions in water as deep as 1,500 feet. ... > full story
Computer game helps nurses master drug calculations (July 29, 2010) -- Drug calculations is a very hard course for many nursing students. A specially made computer game, developed in Norway, is set to help them pass a vitally important exam. ... > full story
Nanomaterials poised for big impact in construction (July 28, 2010) -- Nanomaterials are poised for widespread use in the construction industry, where they can offer significant advantages for a variety of applications ranging from making more durable concrete to self-cleaning windows. But widespread use in building materials comes with potential environmental and health risks when those materials are thrown away. Those are the conclusions of a new study. ... > full story
Nanotechnology for water purification (July 28, 2010) -- Researchers in India are investigating the use of several nanotechnology approaches to water purification. Water purification using nanotechnology exploits nanoscopic materials such as carbon nanotubes and alumina fibers for nanofiltration ... > full story
Novel algorithm cuts the risks of choosing ineffectual team members (July 28, 2010) -- Choosing team members is a risky business whether the field is world-class soccer management or car manufacture. Researchers describe a novel algorithm that can cut the risks associated with choosing ineffectual members and so bolster success in any field involving teamwork. ... > full story
Clean technology in 'hot water' (July 28, 2010) -- What if work performed in space could improve the treatment of household and nuclear waste on Earth? That's what investigators are hoping to do with the results of a fluid physics study in progress on the International Space Station. The experiment, called DECLIC-HTI, is studying supercritical water that could lead to spin-offs in the field of clean technologies for treating waste here on Earth. ... > full story
Artificially controlling water condensation leads to 'room-temperature ice' (July 28, 2010) -- Researchers in Spain have studied the underlying mechanisms of water condensation in the troposphere and found a way to make artificial materials to control water condensation and trigger ice formation at room temperature. ... > full story
First step toward electronic DNA sequencing: Translocation through graphene nanopores (July 28, 2010) -- Researchers have developed a new, carbon-based nanoscale platform to electrically detect single DNA molecules. Using electric fields, the tiny DNA strands are pushed through nanoscale-sized thin pores in a graphene nanopore platform that ultimately may be important for fast electronic sequencing of the four chemical bases of DNA based on their unique electrical signature. ... > full story
Unexplained pattern of cosmic rays discovered (July 28, 2010) -- Researchers saw an unusual pattern when they looked at a "skymap" of the relative intensity of cosmic rays directed toward the Earth's Southern Hemisphere, with an excess of cosmic rays detected in one part of the sky and a deficit in another. A similar lopsidedness, called "anisotropy," has been seen from the Northern Hemisphere by previous experiments, but its source is still a mystery. ... > full story
Fly eye paves the way for manufacturing biomimetic surfaces (July 28, 2010) -- Rows of tiny raised blowfly corneas may be the key to easy manufacturing of biomimetic surfaces, surfaces that mimic the properties of biological tissues, according to researchers. ... > full story
Where do the drugs go? (July 28, 2010) -- Drug delivery inside the body is a complicated process. Compounds travel through a maze of aqueous solutions, lipid membranes, and barriers between the blood and tissues like the brain. New research presents a theoretical model that accurately predicts the hydration free energy (HFE) of a wide variety of organic compounds. ... > full story
Two catalysts made to work together: May lead to pharmaceuticals with less chemical waste (July 28, 2010) -- Much like two children in the back seat of a car, it can be challenging to get two catalysts to cooperate for the greater good. Now chemists have gotten two catalysts to work together -- something easily done by nature but a difficult thing to do in the laboratory. The findings will allow medicinal chemists to invent new reactions and produce valuable bioactive compounds faster with less impact on the environment. ... > full story
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