The EDGE: ScienceDaily Technology Headlines -- for Friday, December 23, 2011

ScienceDaily Technology Headlines

for Friday, December 23, 2011

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Chemists solve an 84-year-old theory on how molecules move energy after light absorption (December 22, 2011) -- The same principle that causes figure skaters to spin faster as they draw their arms into their bodies has now been used by researchers to understand how molecules move energy around following the absorption of light. Scientists now demonstrate for the first time the effect is real and also suggests how scientists could use it to control and predict chemical reaction pathways in general. ... > full story

Computer vision research: Do you see what I see? (December 22, 2011) -- A question confronting neuroscientists and computer vision researchers alike is how objects can be identified by simply "looking" at an image. But teaching a computer to "know" what it's looking at is far harder. Scientists have now modeled human brain structure to develop better programming approaches for computer object identification. ... > full story

First ever direct measurement of Earth's rotation (December 22, 2011) -- Scientists have just plotted changes in Earth's axis through laboratory measurements. To do this, they constructed the world's most stable ring laser. Previously, scientists were only able to track shifts in the axis indirectly by monitoring fixed objects in space. Capturing these shifts is crucial for navigation systems. ... > full story

New particle at Large Hadron Collider discovered by ATLAS Experiment (December 22, 2011) -- Researchers have made the first clear observation of a new particle at the Large Hadron Collider. The particle, the chi b(3P), is a new way of combining a beauty quark and its antiquark so that they bind together. Like the more famous Higgs particle, the chi b(3P) is a boson. However, whereas the Higgs is not made up of smaller particles, the chi b(3P) combines two very heavy objects via the same 'strong force' which holds the atomic nucleus together. ... > full story

Astronomers discover rare galaxy at dawn of time (December 22, 2011) -- Astronomers have discovered that one of the most distant galaxies known is churning out stars at a shockingly high rate. The blob-shaped galaxy, called GN-108036, is the brightest galaxy found to date at such great distances and is 12.9 billion light-years away. ... > full story

Quantum cats are hard to see: Researchers explain the difficulty of detecting quantum effects (December 22, 2011) -- Researchers can explain why we don't usually see the physical effects of quantum mechanics. ... > full story

Paint-on solar cells developed (December 22, 2011) -- Imagine if the next coat of paint you put on the outside of your home generates electricity from light -- electricity that can be used to power the appliances and equipment on the inside. Scientists have just created an inexpensive "solar paint" that uses semiconducting nanoparticles to produce energy. ... > full story

Boron nanoribbons reveal surprising thermal properties in bundles (December 21, 2011) -- Researchers looking at the thermal conductivity of bundles boron nanoribbons have found that they have unusually high heat-transfer capabilities. Contrary to past experiments with similar nanomaterial bundles, the study shows that the thermal conductivity of a bundle of boron nanoribbons can be significantly higher than that a single nanoribbon. Experimental results indicate that the geometry of the ribbons is responsible for the higher conductivity and point to potential method for creating a thermal switch. ... > full story

Astronomers discover deep-fried planets: Two Earth-sized planets around dying star that has passed the red giant stage (December 21, 2011) -- Two Earth-sized planets have been discovered around a dying star that has passed the red giant stage. The discovery marks the first known case of planets surviving being engulfed by their parent star and may shed new light on the destiny of stellar and planetary systems, including our solar system. ... > full story

New method significantly reduces production costs of fuel cells (December 21, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a new and significantly cheaper method of manufacturing fuel cells. A noble metal nanoparticle catalyst for fuel cells is prepared using atomic layer deposition. ... > full story

Self-healing electronics could work longer and reduce waste (December 21, 2011) -- Engineers have developed a self-healing system that restores electrical conductivity to a cracked circuit in less time than it takes to blink. As a crack propagates, microcapsules filled with liquid metal break open and the liquid fills the gap, restoring electrical flow. The technology is especially attractive for applications where repair is impossible, such as a battery, or finding the source of a failure is difficult, such as an air- or spacecraft. ... > full story

Single cell endoscope: Researchers use nanophotonics for optical look inside living cells (December 21, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a nanowire endoscope that can provide high-resolution optical images of the interior of a single living cell, or precisely deliver genes, proteins, therapeutic drugs or other cargo without injuring or damaging the cell. ... > full story

New evidence for complex molecules on Pluto's surface (December 21, 2011) -- Astronomers have discovered a strong ultraviolet-wavelength absorber on Pluto's surface, providing new evidence that points to the possibility of complex hydrocarbon and/or nitrile molecules lying on the surface. ... > full story

New device for rapid, mobile detection of brain injury (December 21, 2011) -- Scientists have created a handheld device capable of quickly detecting brain injuries such as hematomas. The prototype for the hematoma detection device is based on the concept of using instrumental motion as a signal in near-infrared imaging. ... > full story

NASA's Dawn spacecraft obtains first low altitude images of Vesta (December 21, 2011) -- NASA's Dawn spacecraft has sent back the first images of the giant asteroid Vesta from its low-altitude mapping orbit. The images, obtained by the framing camera, show the stippled and lumpy surface in detail never seen before, piquing the curiosity of scientists who are studying Vesta for clues about the solar system's early history. ... > full story

Almost noiseless nanomechanical microwave amplifier (December 20, 2011) -- Physicists have shown how a nanomechanical oscillator can be used for detection and amplification of feeble radio waves or microwaves. A measurement using such a tiny device, resembling a miniaturized guitar string, can be performed with the least possible disturbance. ... > full story

Towards artificial photosynthesis for solar hydrogen generation: Algal protein gives boost to electrochemical water splitting (December 20, 2011) -- Water splitting in photo-electrochemical cells to yield hydrogen is a promising way to sustainable fuels. Scientists have now made major progress in developing highly efficient electrodes – made of an algal protein, thus mimicking a central step in natural photosynthesis. ... > full story

The role of Internet pharmacies in prescription drug abuse (December 20, 2011) -- Efforts to halt the growing abuse of prescription drugs must include addressing the availability of these drugs on the Internet and increasing physician awareness of the dangers posed by Internet pharmacies, according to experts. ... > full story

First Earth-size planets beyond our solar system: Smallest exoplanets ever confirmed around a star like our sun (December 20, 2011) -- NASA's Kepler mission has discovered the first Earth-size planets orbiting a sun-like star outside our solar system. The planets, called Kepler-20e and Kepler-20f, are too close to their star to be in the so-called habitable zone where liquid water could exist on a planet's surface, but they are the smallest exoplanets ever confirmed around a star like our sun. The discovery marks the next important milestone in the ultimate search for planets like Earth. The new planets are thought to be rocky. Kepler-20e is slightly smaller than Venus, measuring 0.87 times the radius of Earth. Kepler-20f is slightly larger than Earth, measuring 1.03 times its radius. Both planets reside in a five-planet system called Kepler-20, approximately 1,000 light-years away in the constellation Lyra. ... > full story

Quantum computing has applications in magnetic imaging (December 20, 2011) -- Quantum computing -- considered the powerhouse of computational tasks -- may have applications in areas outside of pure electronics, according to experts. ... > full story

Living 'neon signs' composed of millions of glowing bacteria (December 20, 2011) -- In an example of life imitating art, biologists and bioengineers have created a living neon sign composed of millions of bacterial cells that periodically fluoresce in unison like blinking light bulbs. ... > full story

Research could improve laser-manufacturing technique (December 20, 2011) -- Engineers have discovered details about the behavior of ultrafast laser pulses that may lead to new applications in manufacturing, diagnostics and other research. ... > full story

Researchers measure nanometer scale temperature (December 20, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a new kind of electro-thermal nanoprobe that can independently control voltage and temperature at a nanometer-scale point contact. It can also measure the temperature-dependent voltage at a nanometer-scale point contact. ... > full story

Ultra-compact dwarf galaxies are bright star clusters (December 19, 2011) -- A new statistical study sheds light on the so-called 'ultra-compact dwarf galaxies' (UCDs). A team of astronomers has investigated how many of these UCDs exist in nearby galaxy clusters and groups. They show that the properties of UCDs match those of bright star clusters. ... > full story

Chemicals and biofuel from wood biomass (December 19, 2011) -- A new method makes it possible to use microbes to produce butanol suitable for biofuel and other industrial chemicals from wood biomass. Butanol is particularly suited as a transport fuel because it is not water soluble and has higher energy content than ethanol. ... > full story

Researchers demonstrate new DNA detection technique (December 19, 2011) -- Researchers have demonstrated a novel DNA detection method that could prove suitable for many real-world applications. ... > full story

A galaxy blooming with new stars (December 19, 2011) -- The VLT Survey Telescope (VST) has captured the beauty of the nearby spiral galaxy NGC 253. The new portrait is probably the most detailed wide-field view of this object and its surroundings ever taken. ... > full story

Research on solubility yields promise for pharmaceutical, other industries (December 19, 2011) -- A method for increasing solubility (the ability of one substance to dissolve into another), developed by a graduate student has yielded promising commercial benefits for industry, particularly in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and agriculture. ... > full story

Voltage increases up to 25 percent observed in closely packed nanowires (December 19, 2011) -- Unexpected voltage increases of up to 25 percent in two barely separated nanowires means that designers of next-generation telephones, handheld computers, batteries, and certain solar arrays may need to make allowance for such surprise boosts. ... > full story

Computing: Improving security in the cloud (December 19, 2011) -- New encryption research may lead to improved data security, even for operations performed on remote servers. ... > full story

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