The EDGE: ScienceDaily Technology Headlines -- for Monday, December 19, 2011

ScienceDaily Technology Headlines

for Monday, December 19, 2011

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Novel device removes heavy metals from water (December 18, 2011) -- Engineers have developed a system that cleanly and efficiently removes trace heavy metals from water. In experiments, the researchers showed the system reduced cadmium, copper, and nickel concentrations, returning contaminated water to near or below federally acceptable standards. The technique is scalable and has viable commercial applications, especially in the environmental remediation and metal recovery fields. ... > full story

Protecting confidential data with math (December 18, 2011) -- With the computerization of databases in healthcare, forensics, telecommunications, and other fields, ensuring security for such databases has become increasingly important. Researchers have now analyzed a new security-control model for statistical databases. ... > full story

Meteorite shockwaves trigger dust avalanches on Mars (December 17, 2011) -- Dust avalanches around impact craters on Mars appear to be the result of the shock wave preceding the actual impact, according to a new study. Small impacts might therefore be more important in shaping the Martian surface than previously thought. ... > full story

Functionalized graphene oxide plays part in next-generation oil-well drilling fluids (December 17, 2011) -- Graphene's star is rising as a material that could become essential to efficient, environmentally sound oil production. Researchers are taking advantage of graphene's outstanding strength, light weight and solubility to enhance fluids used to drill oil wells. ... > full story

Detecting the 'heartbeat' of smallest black hole candidate (December 16, 2011) -- Astronomers have identified a candidate for the smallest-known black hole using data from NASA's Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). The evidence comes from a specific type of X-ray pattern, nicknamed a "heartbeat" because of its resemblance to an electrocardiogram. The pattern until now has been recorded in only one other black hole system. ... > full story

Twisting molecules by brute force: A top-down approach (December 16, 2011) -- Researchers have found they can use a macroscopic brute force to impose and induce a twist in an otherwise non-chiral molecule. ... > full story

Discovery of a 'dark state' could mean a brighter future for solar energy (December 16, 2011) -- The efficiency of conventional solar cells could be significantly increased, according to new research on the mechanisms of solar energy conversion. ... > full story

'Fantastic voyage' through the body, with precision control (December 16, 2011) -- Scientists have devised a method to guide endoscopic "capsules" on a more precise course through the small intestine to detect difficult-to-diagnose tumors or wounds, or allow for biopsies or drug delivery. The ability to manipulate the capsule, he says, will not only lead to better diagnosis capabilities, but a less invasive and quicker procedure as well. ... > full story

How granular materials become solid: Discovery may be boon to engineers, manufacturers (December 16, 2011) -- What is it is that makes granular materials change from a flowing loose state to a "jammed," or solid, state? Researchers can now explain how granular materials are transformed when force is applied at a particular angle, a process known as shearing. ... > full story

Tool detects patterns hidden in vast data sets (December 16, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a tool that can tackle large data sets in a way that no other software program can. Part of a suite of statistical tools called MINE, it can tease out multiple patterns hidden in health information, statistics amassed from a season of major league baseball, data on the changing bacterial landscape of the gut, and more. ... > full story

Lead levels in drinking water spike when copper and lead pipes joined: Levels linked to galvanic corrosion, disinfectants, pH (December 16, 2011) -- Lead pipes once used routinely in municipal water distribution systems are a well-recognized source of dangerous lead contamination, but new research suggests that the partial replacement of these pipes can make the problem worse. The research shows that joining old lead pipes with new copper lines using brass fittings spurs galvanic corrosion that can dramatically increase the amount of lead released into drinking water supplies. ... > full story

New research could lead to enhanced MRI scans (December 16, 2011) -- New research could lead to enhanced MRI scans, producing brighter and more precise images, and potentially allowing the detection of cancerous cells before they cause health problems. ... > full story

First low-mass star detected in globular cluster (December 16, 2011) -- Even the most powerful high-tech telescopes are barely able to record remote low-mass and thus faint stars. Astrophysicists have now detected a low-mass star in globular cluster M22 for the first time through microlensing. The result indicates that the overall mass of globular clusters might well be explained without enigmatic dark matter. ... > full story

Biofuel research boosted by discovery of how cyanobacteria make energy (December 15, 2011) -- Research expected to help scientists to discover new ways of genetically engineering bacteria to manufacture biofuels overturns a generally accepted 44-year-old assumption about how certain kinds of bacteria make energy and synthesize cell materials. With this better understanding of how cyanobacteria make energy, it might be possible to genetically engineer a cyanobacterial strain to synthesize 1,3-butanediol -- an organic compound that is the precursor for making not only biofuels but also plastics. ... > full story

'Smart Connector' could save millions in lost revenue (December 15, 2011) -- Researchers have developed the Smart Connector, a new sensor that once installed in the connecting units of coaxial cables can provide information about equipment damage and pinpoint the exact location through self-diagnosing technologies -- some of the most advanced in the field today. ... > full story

Young star rebels against its parent cloud (December 15, 2011) -- Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 has captured this image of a giant cloud of hydrogen gas illuminated by a bright young star. The image shows how violent the end stages of the star-formation process can be, with the young object shaking up its stellar nursery. ... > full story

Scientists find microbes in lava tube living in conditions like those on Mars (December 15, 2011) -- A team of scientists from Oregon has collected microbes from ice within a lava tube in the Cascade Mountains and found that they thrive in cold, Mars-like conditions. They have characteristics that would make the microbes capable of living in the subsurface of Mars and other planetary bodies. ... > full story

New method for enhancing thermal conductivity could cool computer chips, lasers and other devices (December 15, 2011) -- Engineers have discovered a surprising new way to increase a material's thermal conductivity that provides a new tool for managing thermal effects in computers, lasers and a number of other powered devices. ... > full story

Cotton fabric cleans itself when exposed to ordinary sunlight (December 15, 2011) -- Imagine jeans, sweats or socks that clean and deodorize themselves when hung on a clothesline in the sun or draped on a balcony railing. Scientists are reporting development of a new cotton fabric that does clean itself of stains and bacteria when exposed to ordinary sunlight. ... > full story

Inspired by insect cuticle, scientists develop material that's tough and strong (December 15, 2011) -- Researchers have developed "Shrilk," a new material that replicates the exceptional strength, toughness, and versatility of one of nature's more extraordinary substances -- insect cuticle. ... > full story

'Green routing' can cut car emissions without significantly slowing travel time (December 15, 2011) -- The path of least emissions may not always be the fastest way to drive somewhere. But according to new research, it's possible for drivers to cut their tailpipe emissions without significantly slowing travel time. ... > full story

New test could help track down and prosecute terrorists who use nerve gas and other agents (December 15, 2011) -- Scientists are reporting development of a first-of-its-kind technology that could help law enforcement officials trace the residues from terrorist attacks involving nerve gas and other chemical agents back to the companies or other sources where the perpetrators obtained ingredients for the agent. The technique could eventually help track down perpetrators of chemical attacks. ... > full story

Disaster looms for gas cloud falling into Milky Way's central black hole (December 15, 2011) -- Astronomers have observed a cloud of gas several times the mass of Earth approaching the 4.3 million solar-mass black hole at the center of the Milky Way, and calculate that it will not survive the encounter. Astronomers calculate that by 2013, the cloud will be shredded and heated, emitting X-rays. The violent event provides a unique opportunity to record a black hole disruption until now only theorized. ... > full story

Largest ever gas mix caught in ultra-freeze trap (December 15, 2011) -- A team of scientists have made it easier to study atomic or subatomic-scale properties of the building blocks of matter (which also include protons, neutrons and electrons) known as fermions by slowing down the movement of a large quantity of gaseous atoms at ultra-low temperature. ... > full story

Engineering cartilage replacements (December 15, 2011) -- Self-assembling sheets of mesenchymal stem cells permeated with tiny beads filled with growth factor formed thicker, stiffer cartilage than previous tissue engineering methods, researchers have found. This step toward implantable replacement cartilage, holds promise for damaged joints, ears and noses. ... > full story

Ramping up wind energy research (December 15, 2011) -- As the percentage of wind energy contributing to the power grid continues to increase, the variable nature of wind can make it difficult to keep the generation and the load balanced. But recent work may help this balance through a project that alerts control room operators of wind conditions and energy forecasts so they can make well-informed scheduling decisions. This is especially important during extreme events, such as ramps, when there is a sharp increase or decrease in the wind speed over a short period of time, which leads to a large rise or fall in the amount of power generated. ... > full story

Scientists develop new technology to detect deep sea gas leaks (December 15, 2011) -- A new ultra-sensitive technology which can monitor leaks from underwater gas pipelines has been developed by scientists in the UK. ... > full story

Society may get stuck with the bill for expensive higher education (December 15, 2011) -- The rising cost of a college education and limited access to financial aid may create a less productive workforce and steeper wealth inequity, according to a study by North American economists. ... > full story

Working to change bridge fabrication and inspection practices (December 15, 2011) -- Civil and environmental engineers are concerned about the size of bridges, especially when it relates to how materials will perform in structures where failures might lead to catastrophes. As today’s engineers investigate the rebuilding of much of the infrastructure, they are using much improved materials and analysis tools. ... > full story

Glow of recognition: New detectors could provide easy visual identification of toxins or pathogens (December 14, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a new way of revealing the presence of specific chemicals -- whether toxins, disease markers, pathogens or explosives. The system visually signals the presence of a target chemical by emitting a fluorescent glow. ... > full story

Do consumers prefer brands that appear on their Facebook pages? (December 14, 2011) -- You are likely to identify with a brand that advertises alongside your personal information on a Facebook page (especially if you have high self-esteem), according to a new study. The same ad will have less impact if you view it on a stranger's page. ... > full story

Microneedle sensors may allow real-time monitoring of body chemistry (December 14, 2011) -- Researchers have developed new technology that uses microneedles to allow doctors to detect real-time chemical changes in the body -- and to continuously do so for an extended period of time. ... > full story

Sharpening the lines: Advance could lead to smaller features in the quest for more compact, faster microchips (December 14, 2011) -- The microchip revolution has seen a steady shrinking of features on silicon chips, packing in more transistors and wires to boost chips' speed and data capacity. But in recent years, the technologies behind these chips have begun to bump up against fundamental limits, such as the wavelengths of light used for critical steps in chip manufacturing. Now, a new technique offers a way to break through one of these limits, possibly enabling further leaps in the computational power packed into a tiny sliver of silicon. ... > full story

Early research on cellphone conversations likely overestimated crash risk, study suggests (December 14, 2011) -- A new study suggests that two influential early studies of cellphone use and crash risk may have overestimated the relative risk of conversation on cellphones while driving. ... > full story

'Supernova of a generation' shows its stuff: Astronomers determine how brightest and closest stellar explosion in 25 years happened (December 14, 2011) -- It was the brightest and closest stellar explosion seen from Earth in 25 years, dazzling professional and backyard astronomers alike. Now, thanks to this rare discovery -- which some have called the "supernova of a generation" -- astronomers have the most detailed picture yet of how this kind of explosion happens. ... > full story

Simple test to help diagnose bowel and pancreatic cancer could save thousands of lives (December 14, 2011) -- A simple online calculator could offer family GPs a powerful new tool in tackling two of the most deadly forms of cancer, say researchers. ... > full story

Preparing for future human exploration, RAD measures radiation on journey to Mars (December 14, 2011) -- The Radiation Assessment Detector, the first instrument on NASA's next rover mission to Mars to begin science operations, was powered up and began collecting data Dec. 6, almost 2 weeks ahead of schedule. RAD is the only instrument scheduled to collect science data on the journey to Mars. The instrument is measuring the energetic particles inside the spacecraft to characterize the radiation environment an astronaut would experience on a future human mission to the Red Planet. ... > full story

Artificially enhanced athletes (December 14, 2011) -- Superstar swimmers and certain comic book superheroes have something unusual in common -- when they wear special suits, they gain phenomenal abilities. A first-of-its-kind study shows how now-banned technical swimsuits artificially enhanced athlete performance in 2009. ... > full story

Small reactors could figure into US energy future (December 14, 2011) -- A new study concludes that small modular reactors may hold the key to the future of U.S. nuclear power generation. ... > full story

New path to flex and stretch electronics: Artificial electronic skin device capable of detecting and responding to touch (December 14, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a promising new inexpensive technique for fabricating large-scale flexible and stretchable backplanes using semiconductor-enriched carbon nanotube solutions. To demonstrate the utility of their carbon nanotube backplanes, the researchers constructed an artificial electronic skin device capable of detecting and responding to touch. ... > full story

Nanoparticles help researcher deliver steroids to retina (December 14, 2011) -- Hitching a ride into the retina on nanoparticles called dendrimers offers a new way to treat age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. ... > full story

Using many instruments to track a comet (December 14, 2011) -- In 16 years of data observations, the Solar Heliophysics Observatory (SOHO) -- a joint European Space Agency and NASA mission -- made an unexpected claim for fame: the sighting of new comets at an alarming rate. SOHO has spotted over 2100 comets, most of which are from what's known as the Kreutz family, which graze the solar atmosphere where they usually evaporate completely. ... > full story

Tycho's star shines in gamma rays, NASA's Fermi shows (December 14, 2011) -- In early November 1572, observers on Earth witnessed the appearance of a "new star" in the constellation Cassiopeia, an event now recognized as the brightest naked-eye supernova in more than 400 years. It's often called "Tycho's supernova" after the great Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, who gained renown for his extensive study of the object. Now, years of data collected by NASA's Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope reveal that the shattered star's remains shine in high-energy gamma rays. ... > full story

High-energy physicists set record for network data transfer (December 14, 2011) -- Researchers have set a new world record for data transfer, helping to usher in the next generation of high-speed network technology. They transferred data in opposite directions at a combined rate of 186 gigabits per second (Gbps) in a wide-area network circuit. The rate is equivalent to moving two million gigabytes per day, fast enough to transfer nearly 100,000 full Blu-ray disks -- each with a complete movie and all the extras -- in a day. ... > full story

NASA developing comet harpoon for sample return (December 14, 2011) -- The best way to grab a sample of a rotating comet that is racing through the inner solar system at up to 150,000 miles per hour while spewing chunks of ice, rock and dust may be to avoid the risky business of landing on it. Instead, researchers want to send a spacecraft to rendezvous with a comet, then fire a harpoon to rapidly acquire samples from specific locations with surgical precision while hovering above the target. Using this "standoff" technique would allow samples to be collected even from areas that are much too rugged or dangerous to permit the landing and safe operation of a spacecraft. ... > full story

First electronic optical fibers with hydrogenated amorphous silicon are developed (December 14, 2011) -- A new chemical technique for depositing a non-crystalline form of silicon into the long, ultra-thin pores of optical fibers is the first of its kind to use high-pressure chemistry for making well-developed films and wires of this particular kind of silicon semiconductor. The research will help scientists to make more-efficient and more-flexible optical fibers. ... > full story

Closest Type Ia supernova in decades solves a cosmic mystery (December 14, 2011) -- Even as the "supernova of a generation" came into view in backyards across the northern hemisphere last August, physicists and astronomers who had caught its earliest moments were developing a surprising and much clearer picture of what happens during a titanic Type Ia explosion. Now they have announced the closest, most detailed look ever at one of the universe's brightest "standard candles," the celestial mileposts that led to the discovery of dark energy. ... > full story

Early black holes grew big eating cold, fast food (December 13, 2011) -- Researchers have discovered what caused the rapid growth of early supermassive black holes -- a steady diet of cold, fast food. Computer simulations show that thin streams of cold gas flow uncontrolled into the center of the first black holes, causing them to grow faster than anything else in the universe. ... > full story