The EDGE: ScienceDaily Technology Headlines -- for Wednesday, February 15, 2012

ScienceDaily Technology Headlines

for Wednesday, February 15, 2012

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New nano-material combinations produce leap in infrared technology (February 14, 2012) -- Researchers are using new combinations of nano-materials to produce advances in infrared photodetection technology. ... > full story

Tangled up in DNA: New molecule has potential to help treat genetic diseases and HIV (February 14, 2012) -- Chemists have created a molecule that's so good at tangling itself inside the double helix of a DNA sequence that it can stay there for up to 16 days before the DNA liberates itself, much longer than any other molecule reported. ... > full story

Chemists mimic nature to design better medical tests (February 14, 2012) -- Over their 3.8 billion years of evolution, living organisms have developed countless strategies for monitoring their surroundings. Chemists have adapted some of these strategies to improve the performance of DNA detectors. Their findings may aid efforts to build better medical diagnostics, such as improved HIV or cancer tests. ... > full story

Motherhood 'detrimental' to women's scientific careers, study concludes (February 14, 2012) -- Women with advanced degrees in math-intensive academic fields drop out of fast-track research careers primarily because they want children – not because their performance is devalued or they are shortchanged during interviewing and hiring, according to a new study. ... > full story

Best time for a coffee break? There's an app for that (February 14, 2012) -- Caffeinated drinks such as coffee and soda are the pick-me-ups of choice for many people, but too much caffeine can cause nervousness and sleep problems. Caffeine Zone, a new software app developed by researchers, can help people determine when caffeine may give them a mental boost and when it could hurt their sleep patterns. The software takes information on caffeine use and integrates it with information on the effects of caffeine to produce a graph of how the caffeine will affect the users over time. ... > full story

Shear stiffness and friction mechanics of single-layer graphene measured for the first time (February 14, 2012) -- Researchers have measured and identified for the first time the stress and strain shear modulus and internal friction of graphene sheets. ... > full story

The indiscretions of a champagne bubble paparazzi (February 14, 2012) -- The innermost secrets of champagne bubbles are about to be unveiled by a scientist tackling champagne bubbles from both a physics and a chemistry perspective. To understand what appears to be a harmless phenomenon such as the fizz in champagne, the author studied the role of the carbon dioxide throughout its journey from the bottle to the glass. ... > full story

'Invisibility' cloak could protect buildings from earthquakes (February 14, 2012) -- Mathematicians have developed the theory for a Harry Potter style 'cloaking' device which could protect buildings from earthquakes. Scientists have been working on the theory of invisibility cloaks which, until recently, have been merely the subject of science fiction. In recent times, however, scientists have been getting close to achieving 'cloaking' in a variety of contexts. The new work focuses on the theory of cloaking devices which could eventually help to protect buildings and structures from vibrations and natural disasters such as earthquakes. ... > full story

Globular clusters: Survivors of a 13-billion-year-old massacre (February 14, 2012) -- Our Milky Way galaxy is surrounded by some 200 compact groups of stars, containing up to a million stars each. At 13 billion years of age, these globular clusters are almost as old as the universe itself and were born when the first generations of stars and galaxies formed. Now astronomers have conducted a novel type of computer simulation that looked at how they were born -- and they find that these giant clusters of stars are the only survivors of a 13-billion-year-old massacre that destroyed many of their smaller siblings. ... > full story

Link between sodium, calcium and heartbeat illuminated (February 13, 2012) -- Researchers have revealed, for the first time, one of the molecular mechanisms that regulates the beating of heart cells by controlling the movement of sodium in out of the cells -- and what calcium has to do with it. ... > full story

Brain-imaging technique predicts who will suffer cognitive decline over time (February 13, 2012) -- Scientists have used a brain imaging tool that effectively tracked and predicted cognitive decline over a two-year period. The team had previously developed this tool that can assess the neurological changes associated with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. ... > full story

Radiation treatment generates cancer stem cells from less aggressive breast cancer cells, study suggests (February 13, 2012) -- Breast cancer stem cells are thought to be the sole source of tumor recurrence and are known to be resistant to radiation therapy and don’t respond well to chemotherapy. Researchers report for the first time that radiation treatment -- despite killing half of all tumor cells during every treatment -- transforms other cancer cells into treatment-resistant breast cancer stem cells. Researchers stressed that breast cancer patients should not be alarmed by the study findings and should continue to undergo radiation if recommended by their oncologists. ... > full story

Large Hadron Collider to run at 4 TeV per beam in 2012 (February 13, 2012) -- CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, has announced that the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will run with a beam energy of 4 TeV this year, 0.5 TeV higher than in 2010 and 2011. ... > full story

Lovelorn liars leave linguistic leads (February 13, 2012) -- Online daters intent on fudging their personal information have a big advantage: most people are terrible at identifying a liar. But new research is turning the tables on deceivers using their own words. ... > full story

Unique testbed soon will be in space (February 13, 2012) -- New and improved ways for future space travelers to communicate will be tested on the International Space Station after a launch later this year from Japan. The SCaN Testbed, or Space Communications and Navigation Testbed, was designed and built at NASA's Glenn Research Center over the last three years. ... > full story

Planck all-sky images show cold gas and strange haze in Milky Way galaxy (February 13, 2012) -- New images from the Planck mission show previously undiscovered islands of star formation and a mysterious haze of microwave emissions in our Milky Way galaxy. The views give scientists new treasures to mine and take them closer to understanding the secrets of our galaxy. ... > full story

Engineers create tandem polymer solar cells that set record for energy-conversion (February 13, 2012) -- Researchers in California report that they have significantly enhanced polymer solar cells' performance by building a device with a new "tandem" structure that combines multiple cells with different absorption bands. The device had a certified power-conversion efficiency of 8.62 percent and set a world record in July 2011. After the researchers incorporated a new infrared-absorbing polymer material into the device, the device's architecture proved to be widely applicable and the power-conversion efficiency jumped to 10.6 percent -- a new record -- as certified by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. ... > full story

Molecular carpet: Startling results in synthetic chemistry (February 13, 2012) -- Swiss scientists have created a minor sensation in synthetic chemistry. The team of scientists succeeded for the first time in producing regularly ordered planar polymers that form a kind of 'molecular carpet' on a nanometer scale. ... > full story

Researchers develop method to examine batteries -- from the inside (February 12, 2012) -- Researchers have developed methodology, based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to examine batteries without destroying them. Their technique creates the possibility of improving battery performance and safety by serving as a diagnostic of its internal workings. ... > full story

Putting the squeeze on planets outside our solar system (February 11, 2012) -- Using high-powered lasers, scientists have discovered that molten magnesium silicate undergoes a phase change in the liquid state, abruptly transforming to a more dense liquid with increasing pressure. The research provides insight into planet formation. ... > full story

Finding love has no expiration date: People over 60 are fastest growing demographic in online dating (February 11, 2012) -- People may think that online dating is only for the young, but individuals over the age of 60 are the fastest growing demographic in online dating. However, they may be looking for different qualities in their relationships than their younger counterparts. ... > full story

New method for creating tissue engineering scaffolds (February 10, 2012) -- Researchers have developed a new method for creating scaffolds for tissue engineering applications, providing an alternative that is more flexible and less time-intensive than current technology. ... > full story

Protein libraries in a snap (February 10, 2012) -- One undergraduate student will depart university with not only a degree but also a possible patent for his invention of an efficient way to create protein libraries, an important component of biomolecular research. ... > full story

Numeracy: The educational gift that keeps on giving? (February 10, 2012) -- Cancer risks. Investment alternatives. Calories. Numbers are everywhere in daily life, and they figure into all sorts of decisions. A new article examines how people who are numerate -- that's like literacy, but for numbers -- understand numbers better and process information differently so that they ultimately make more informed decisions. ... > full story

Hovering not hard if you're top-heavy (February 10, 2012) -- Top-heavy structures are more likely to maintain their balance while hovering in the air than are those that bear a lower center of gravity, researchers have found. Their findings are counter to common perceptions that flight stability can be achieved only through a relatively even distribution of weight—and may offer new design principles for hovering aircraft. ... > full story

A mineral way to catalysis? (February 10, 2012) -- Catalytic materials, which lower the energy barriers for chemical reactions, are used in everything from the commercial production of chemicals to catalytic converters in car engines. However, with current catalytic materials becoming increasingly expensive, scientists are exploring viable alternatives. ... > full story

Domestic consumption main contributor to Africa's growing E-waste problem (February 10, 2012) -- A new report sheds light on current recycling practices and on socio-economic characteristics of the E-waste sector in West Africa. In the five countries studied, between 650,000 and 1,000,000 tons of domestic E-waste are generated each year, which need to be managed to protect human health and the environment in the region. ... > full story

Better tooth fillings? Materials that shrink when heated (February 10, 2012) -- New research holds promise for applications ranging from high-precision optical components to tooth fillings. ... > full story

What lies beneath: Mapping hidden nanostructures within materials, and perhaps cells (February 10, 2012) -- A new method to map nanostructures within materials may lead to biological imaging of the internal organization of cells. ... > full story

Accounting for missing meson particles (February 10, 2012) -- Measurements from high-energy collision experiments lead to a better understanding of why meson particles disappear. ... > full story

Electrical engineers build 'no-waste' laser (February 9, 2012) -- Researchers have built the smallest room-temperature nanolaser to date, as well as an even more startling device: a highly efficient, "thresholdless" laser that funnels all its photons into lasing, without any waste. ... > full story

New method makes culture of complex tissue possible in any lab (February 9, 2012) -- Scientists have developed a new method for making scaffolds for culturing tissue in three-dimensional arrangements that mimic those in the body. This advance allows the production of tissue culture scaffolds containing multiple structurally and chemically distinct layers using common laboratory reagents and materials. ... > full story

New integrated building model may improve fish farming operations (February 9, 2012) -- Those who have ventured to turn a vacant barn or garage into an aquaculture business have too often been defeated by high energy and feed costs, building-related woes and serious environmental problems. Now researchers are melding building design, fish ecology and aquaculture engineering techniques into a first-of-its-kind "building-integrated aquaculture" (BIAq) model to offer an affordable, more holistic and sustainable approach to indoor fish production located close to markets and able to succeed even in cold climates. ... > full story

An economic analysis of emerald ash borer management options (February 9, 2012) -- A new study examines several options for managing the emerald ash borer, an invasive insect that is destroying US ash trees. ... > full story

'Dark plasmons' transmit energy (February 9, 2012) -- Microscopic channels of gold nanoparticles have the ability to transmit electromagnetic energy that starts as light and propagates via "dark plasmons," according to researchers. ... > full story

Potential for incorrect relationship identification in new forensic familial searching techniques (February 9, 2012) -- New research suggests that unrelated individuals may be mistakenly identified as genetic family members due to inaccurate genetic assumptions. This is particularly relevant when considering familial searching: a new technique which extends forensic identification to family members of individuals with profiles in offender/arrestee DNA databases. In a new study, researchers show that false familial identification may be more likely for individuals with particular genetic backgrounds; for example, in the USA, those of Asian or Native American descent. ... > full story

Hydrogen from acidic water: Potential low cost alternative to platinum for splitting water (February 9, 2012) -- A technique for creating a new molecule that structurally and chemically replicates the active part of the molybdenite catalyst paves the way for developing catalytic materials that can serve as effective low-cost alternatives to platinum for generating hydrogen gas from water. ... > full story

Chemists harvest light to create 'green' tool for pharmaceuticals (February 9, 2012) -- Researchers have created a new, “green” method for developing medicines. The researchers used energy from a light bulb to create an organic molecule that may be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases. ... > full story

Seismic resistance: Model analyzes shape-memory alloys for use in earthquake-resistant structures (February 9, 2012) -- Recent earthquake damage has exposed the vulnerability of existing structures to strong ground movement. Researchers are now analyzing shape-memory alloys for their potential use in constructing seismic-resistant structures. ... > full story

New battery could lead to cheaper, more efficient solar energy (February 9, 2012) -- Scientists have found that a new type of battery has the potential to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of solar power. ... > full story

Fuel from market waste (February 9, 2012) -- Mushy tomatoes, brown bananas and overripe cherries -- to date, waste from wholesale markets has ended up on the compost heap at best. In future it will be put to better use: Researchers have developed a new facility that ferments this waste to make methane, which can be used to power vehicles. ... > full story

Uploading geotagged digital photos could put kids at risk (February 9, 2012) -- A new study suggests that parents and carers could be putting children at risk if they upload digital photos that are automatically "geotagged" by their camera. ... > full story

New technology platform for molecule-based electronics (February 9, 2012) -- Researchers have developed a new nanotechnology platform for the development of molecule-based electronic components using the wonder material graphene. ... > full story

Storm warning: Financial tsunami heading this way (February 9, 2012) -- Economists have developed a financial market "seismograph" that can measure the interconnections between stock markets across the globe. Their research has the potential to serve as an early warning system and provide measures to manage and mitigate the spread of financial crisis. ... > full story

Nanotube therapy takes aim at breast cancer stem cells (February 9, 2012) -- Researchers have again shown that injecting multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into tumors and heating them with a quick, 30-second laser treatment can kill them. ... > full story

Mars Science Laboratory computer issue resolved (February 9, 2012) -- Engineers have found the root cause of a computer reset that occurred two months ago on NASA's Mars Science Laboratory and have determined how to correct it. ... > full story

Barriers to the use of fingerprint evidence in court is unlocked by statistical model (February 9, 2012) -- Fingerprints that are potential key pieces of evidence in court currently are not being considered due to shortcomings in the way this evidence is reported. Now, a statistical model has been developed that enables the weight of fingerprint evidence to be expressed in quantitative terms, paving the way for its full inclusion in the process of identifying criminals, according to a new report. ... > full story

Piranha vs. Arapaima: Engineers find inspiration for new materials in piranha-proof armor (February 9, 2012) -- It's a matchup worthy of a late-night cable movie: put a school of starving piranha and a 300-pound fish together, and who comes out the winner? The surprising answer -- given the notorious guillotine-like bite of the piranha -- is Brazil's massive Arapaima fish. The secret to Arapaima's success lie in its intricately detailed scales, which could provide "bioinspiration" for engineers looking to develop flexible ceramics. ... > full story