The EDGE: ScienceDaily Technology Headlines -- for Friday, June 15, 2012

ScienceDaily Technology Headlines

for Friday, June 15, 2012

Welcome to another edition of ScienceDaily's email newsletter. You can change your subscription options or unsubscribe at any time.

Engineers perfecting carbon nanotubes for highly energy-efficient computing (June 14, 2012) -- Carbon nanotubes represent a significant departure from traditional silicon technologies and offer a promising path to solving the challenge of energy efficiency in computer circuits, but they aren't without challenges. Now, engineers have found ways around the challenges to produce the first full-wafer digital logic structures based on carbon nanotubes. ... > full story

Switchable nano magnets may revolutionize data storage: Magnetism of individual molecules switched (June 14, 2012) -- Using individual molecules instead of electronic or magnetic memory cells would revolutionize data storage technology, as molecular memories could be thousand-fold smaller. Scientists have now taken a big step toward developing such molecular data storage. ... > full story

Optical displays from water and air (June 14, 2012) -- For many years, scientists have been pursuing ways to mimic the perplexing capability of the lotus leaf to repel water. Lotus leaves hate water so much that droplets effortlessly roll off the surface, keeping it clean from dirt. Now an international team of researchers have come up with an entirely new concept of writing and displaying information on surfaces using simply water. They exploit the unique way a trapped layer of air behaves on a lotus-inspired dual-structured water-repelling surface immersed under water. ... > full story

Theory on metastasis goes beyond metaphor to mathematics (June 14, 2012) -- A unifying theory on the causes of cancer metastases has been proposed. Using the metaphorical hypothesis of "seed" and "soil" -- that cancer is the seed and the soil is the site of metastasis -- researchers fault the metaphor's utility by saying that just how the seeds are "sown" in the soil is still a big question to which there have been no metaphorical or practical answers. ... > full story

A trick of perspective: Chance alignment mimics a cosmic collision (June 14, 2012) -- The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has produced a highly detailed image of a pair of overlapping galaxies called NGC 3314. While the two galaxies look as if they are in the midst of a collision, this is in fact a trick of perspective: the two just happen to appear in the same direction from our vantage point. ... > full story

Cassini sees tropical lakes on Saturn's moon Titan (June 14, 2012) -- NASA's Cassini spacecraft has spied long-standing methane lakes, or puddles, in the "tropics" of Saturn's moon Titan. One of the tropical lakes appears to be about half the size of Utah's Great Salt Lake, with a depth of at least 3 feet (1 meter). The result, which is a new analysis of Cassini data, is unexpected because models had assumed the long-standing bodies of liquid would only exist at the poles. ... > full story

New discoveries with language learning robots (June 14, 2012) -- Robots can develop basic language skills through interaction with a human, according to new results. ... > full story

'No-sleep energy bugs' drain smartphone batteries (June 13, 2012) -- Researchers have proposed a method to automatically detect a new class of software glitches in smartphones called "no-sleep energy bugs," which can entirely drain batteries while the phones are not in use. ... > full story

Increased use of hand held devices may call for new photo guidelines (June 13, 2012) -- Viewing Facebook and Flickr photos on a smart phone are becoming common practice. But according to a recently published study, pictures on the small screen often appear distorted. Vision scientists found that perceptual distortions occur because picture takers do not take their viewing distance into account. ... > full story

Got mass? Scientists observe electrons become both heavy and speedy (June 13, 2012) -- Scientists have shown how electrons moving in certain solids can behave as though they are a thousand times more massive than free electrons, yet at the same time act as speedy superconductors. ... > full story

Self-assembling nanocubes for next generation antennas and lenses (June 13, 2012) -- Researchers have developed a technique that enables metallic nanocrystals to self-assemble into larger, complex materials for next-generation antennas and lenses. The metal nanocrystals are cube-shaped and, like bricks or Tetris blocks, spontaneously organize themselves into larger-scale structures with precise orientations relative to one another. ... > full story

'Extremely little' telescope discovers pair of odd planets (June 13, 2012) -- Though the KELT North telescope in southern Arizona carries a lens no more powerful than a high-end digital camera, it's just revealed the existence of two very unusual faraway planets. ... > full story

Clarity begins at exome: Sequencing protein-making part of genome can change diagnosis and patient care (June 13, 2012) -- The new technology of exome sequencing is not only a promising method for identifying disease-causing genes, but may also improve diagnoses and guide individual patient care. ... > full story

Small planets don't need 'heavy metal' stars to form (June 13, 2012) -- The formation of small worlds like Earth previously was thought to occur mostly around stars rich in heavy elements such as iron and silicon. However, new ground-based observations, combined with data collected by NASA's Kepler space telescope, show small planets form around stars with a wide range of heavy element content and suggest they may be widespread in our galaxy. ... > full story

Scientists synthesize first genetically evolved semiconductor material (June 13, 2012) -- In the not-too-distant future, scientists may be able to use DNA to grow their own specialized materials, thanks to the concept of directed evolution. Scientists have, for the first time, used genetic engineering and molecular evolution to develop the enzymatic synthesis of a semiconductor. ... > full story

Alien Earths could form earlier than expected (June 13, 2012) -- Previous studies have shown that Jupiter-sized gas giants tend to form around stars containing more heavy elements than the sun. However, new research found that planets smaller than Neptune are located around a wide variety of stars, including those with fewer heavy elements than the sun. As a result, rocky worlds like Earth could have formed earlier than expected in the universe's history. ... > full story

Ancient effect harnessed to produce electricity from waste heat (June 13, 2012) -- A phenomenon first observed by an ancient Greek philosopher 2,300 years ago has become the basis for a new device designed to harvest the enormous amounts of energy wasted as heat each year to produce electricity. It is the first-of-its-kind "pyroelectric nanogenerator." ... > full story

NASA's NuSTAR mission lifts off (June 13, 2012) -- NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) launched into the morning skies over the central Pacific Ocean at 9 a.m. PDT (noon EDT) Wednesday, beginning its mission to unveil secrets of buried black holes and other exotic objects. ... > full story

Northeast Passage soon free from ice again? (June 13, 2012) -- The Northeast Passage, the sea route along the North coast of Russia, is expected to be free of ice early again this summer. The forecast was made by sea ice physicists based on a series of measurement flights over the Laptev Sea, a marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean. ... > full story

New energy source for future medical implants: Sugar (June 13, 2012) -- An implantable fuel cell could power neural prosthetics that help patients regain control of limbs. Engineers have developed a fuel cell that runs on the same sugar that powers human cells: glucose. This glucose fuel cell could be used to drive highly efficient brain implants of the future, which could help paralyzed patients move their arms and legs again. ... > full story

Green fuel from carbon dioxide (June 13, 2012) -- Scientists agree that carbon dioxide has an effect on global warming as a greenhouse gas, but we still pump tons and tons of it into the atmosphere every day. Scientists have now developed a new system for producing methanol that uses CO2 and hydrogen. Methanol can, for example, be used as an environmentally friendly alternative for gasoline. The goal of the scientists is to harness the power of CO2 on a large scale and integrate it into the utilization cycle as a sustainable form of energy production. ... > full story

Nanoparticles found in moon glass bubbles explain weird lunar soil behavior (June 13, 2012) -- Using synchrotron-based nano tomography, scientists have found a highly porous network of alien-looking glassy particles inside unbroken bubbles of glass in a sample of lunar soil. ... > full story

Robotic assistants may adapt to humans in the factory (June 13, 2012) -- In today's manufacturing plants, the division of labor between humans and robots is quite clear, but according experts, the factory floor of the future may host humans and robots working side by side, each helping the other in common tasks. ... > full story

Videogamers no better at talking while driving (June 13, 2012) -- No matter how much time you've spent training your brain to multitask by playing "Call of Duty," you're probably no better at talking on the phone while driving than anybody else, according to a new study. ... > full story

No evidence for 'knots' in space: Theories of primordial universe predict existence of knots in space (June 13, 2012) -- Theories of the primordial universe predict the existence of knots in the fabric of space -- known as cosmic textures -- which could be identified by looking at light from the cosmic microwave background, the relic radiation left over from the Big Bang. Astronomers have performed the first search for textures on the full sky, finding no evidence for such knots in space. ... > full story

Little mighty creature of the ocean inspires strong new material for medical implants and armour (June 13, 2012) -- A scientist may be onto an ocean of discovery because of his research into a little sea creature called the mantis shrimp. The research is likely to lead to making ceramics -- today's preferred material for medical implants and military body armour -- many times stronger. The mantis shrimp's can shatter aquarium glass and crab shells alike. ... > full story

Nonlinear optics: Now in the terahertz range (June 13, 2012) -- Researchers have recently reported on the direct observation of a nonlinear-optical effect, occurring in the regime of single-cycle pulse of light at terahertz (THz) frequencies. They used a doped semiconductor as an efficient nonlinear medium, where the THz-range optical nonlinearity arises from the response of free-electron plasma to THz electric fields. ... > full story

Toddler spatial knowledge boosts understanding of numbers (June 13, 2012) -- Children who are skilled in understanding how shapes fit together to make recognizable objects also have an advantage when it comes to learning the number line and solving math problems. The work is further evidence of the value of providing young children with early opportunities in spatial learning, which helps them mentally manipulate objects. ... > full story

GPS technology improves weather forecasting (June 13, 2012) -- The satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS) technology that guides modern in-car navigation systems is now being used to improve weather forecasts. ... > full story

Spotting ultrafine loops in the sun's corona (June 12, 2012) -- A key to understanding the dynamics of the sun and what causes the great solar explosions there relies on deciphering how material, heat and energy swirl across the sun's surface and rise into the upper atmosphere, or corona. Scientists have for the first time observed a new facet of the system: Especially narrow loops of solar material scattered on the sun's surface, which are connected to higher lying, wider loops. ... > full story

Engineers conceive disc replacement to treat chronic low back pain (June 12, 2012) -- A new biomedical device to surgically treat chronic back pain – an artificial spinal disc that duplicates the natural motion of the spine – has been developed. ... > full story

Protein residues kiss, don't tell: Genomes reveal contacts, scientists refine methods for protein-folding prediction (June 12, 2012) -- Researchers have created a computational tool to help predict how proteins fold by finding amino acid pairs that are distant in sequence but change together. Protein interactions offer clues to the treatment of disease, including cancer. ... > full story

Potential Iceland eruption could pump acid into European airspace (June 12, 2012) -- A modern recurrence of an extraordinary type of volcanic eruption in Iceland could inject large quantities of hazardous gases into North Atlantic and European flight corridors, potentially for months at a time, a new study suggests. Using computer simulations, researchers are investigating the likely atmospheric effects if a "flood lava" eruption took place in Iceland today. ... > full story

Illnesses in children's hospital prompts discovery of contaminated alcohol pads (June 12, 2012) -- A small cluster of unusual illnesses at a children's hospital prompted an investigation that swiftly identified alcohol prep pads contaminated with Bacillus cereus bacteria, according to a new report. ... > full story

Quantum computers could help search engines keep up with the Internet's growth (June 12, 2012) -- With the web constantly expanding, researchers have proposed – and demonstrated the feasibility – of using quantum computers to run Google's page ranking algorithm faster. ... > full story

Tiny ‘speed bump’ device could sort cancer cells (June 12, 2012) -- Engineers have found an easy way to sort microscopic particles and bits of biological matter, including circulating tumor cells. ... > full story

Avatars may help children with social anxiety overcome fears (June 12, 2012) -- Researchers want to find out if practice conversations with avatars help children overcome social anxiety as much as the "gold standard" -- real conversations with socially comfortable peers. If successful, the study could provide a much more feasible way for clinicians around the country to help children overcome their fears. ... > full story

A 'dirt cheap' magnetic field sensor from 'plastic paint' (June 12, 2012) -- Physicists have developed an inexpensive, highly accurate magnetic field sensor for scientific and possibly consumer uses based on a “spintronic” organic thin-film semiconductor that basically is “plastic paint.” ... > full story

Making music with real stars: Kepler Telescope star data creates musical melody (June 12, 2012) -- Using star data from the Kepler Space Telescope, researchers have developed sounds that will be used in a song later this summer for a national recording artist. ... > full story

Potential carbon capture role for new CO2-absorbing material (June 12, 2012) -- A novel porous material that has unique carbon dioxide retention properties has just been developed. ... > full story

Radiation-resistant circuits from mechanical parts (June 12, 2012) -- Engineers have designed microscopic mechanical devices that withstand intense radiation and heat, so they can be used in circuits for robots and computers exposed to radiation in space, damaged nuclear power plants or nuclear attack. ... > full story

Europeans to build world’s biggest eye on the sky: Largest optical/infrared telescope (June 11, 2012) -- The European Southern Observatory is to build the largest optical/infrared telescope in the world. At its meeting in Garching June 11, the ESO Council approved the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) Programme, pending confirmation of four so-called ad referendum votes. The E-ELT will start operations early in the next decade. ... > full story

NASA Mars rover team aims for landing closer to prime science site (June 11, 2012) -- NASA has narrowed the target for its most advanced Mars rover, Curiosity, which will land on the Red Planet in August. The car-sized rover will arrive closer to its ultimate destination for science operations, but also closer to the foot of a mountain slope that poses a landing hazard. ... > full story

NuSTAR to drop from plane and rocket into space (June 11, 2012) -- NASA's NuSTAR mission is scheduled to launch from Kwajalein Atoll in the central Pacific Ocean on June 13, no earlier than 8:30 a.m. PDT (11:30 a.m. EDT). The observatory, which will hunt for black holes and other exotic objects using specialized X-ray eyes, will be launched from a Pegasus XL rocket carried by an Orbital Science Corporation L-1011 "Stargazer" plane. The plane will take off from Kwajalein Atoll an hour before launch, flying out over the Pacific Ocean. ... > full story

Black hole growth found to be out of sync (June 11, 2012) -- New evidence from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory challenges prevailing ideas about how black holes grow in the centers of galaxies. Astronomers long have thought that a supermassive black hole and the bulge of stars at the center of its host galaxy grow at the same rate -- the bigger the bulge, the bigger the black hole. However, a new study of Chandra data has revealed two nearby galaxies with supermassive black holes that are growing faster than the galaxies themselves. ... > full story

Highest-energy light from a solar flare ever detected (June 11, 2012) -- During a powerful solar blast on March 7, NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope detected the highest-energy light ever associated with an eruption on the sun. The discovery heralds Fermi's new role as a solar observatory, a powerful new tool for understanding solar outbursts during the sun's maximum period of activity. ... > full story

New evidence supports theory of extraterrestrial impact (June 11, 2012) -- Scientists have discovered melt-glass material in a thin layer of sedimentary rock in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Syria. According to the researchers, the material -- which dates back nearly 13,000 years -- was formed at temperatures of 1,700 to 2,200 degrees Celsius (3,100 to 3,600 degrees Fahrenheit), and is the result of a cosmic body impacting Earth. ... > full story

Workings behind promising inexpensive catalyst revealed (June 11, 2012) -- A newly developed carbon nanotube material could help lower the cost of fuel cells, catalytic converters and similar energy-related technologies by delivering a substitute for expensive platinum catalysts. ... > full story