ScienceDaily Technology Headlines
for Tuesday, June 26, 2012
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Math formula leads researchers to source of pollution (June 25, 2012) -- The leaking of environmentally damaging pollutants into our waters and atmosphere could soon be counteracted by a simple mathematical algorithm, according to researchers. ... > full story
Mercury mineral evolution tied to Supercontinent assembly over last 3 billion years (June 25, 2012) -- Mineral evolution posits that Earth's near-surface mineral diversity gradually increased through an array of chemical and biological processes. A dozen different species in interstellar dust particles that formed the solar system have evolved to more than 4500 species today. New work demonstrates that the creation of most minerals containing mercury is fundamentally linked to several episodes of supercontinent assembly over the last 3 billion years. ... > full story
Scientists struggle with mathematical details, study by biologists finds (June 25, 2012) -- Many people remember struggling with maths at school, but few of us would expect that professional scientists suffer from a similar problem in their daily work. A new study shows that scientists tend to overlook their colleagues' research if it is packed full of mathematical equations. ... > full story
Biological switch paves way for improved biofuel production (June 25, 2012) -- A mechanism that controls the way organisms breathe or photosynthesize has been discovered by scientists. The research could pave the way for improved biofuel production. ... > full story
Cassini shows why jet streams cross-cut Saturn (June 25, 2012) -- Turbulent jet streams, regions where winds blow faster than in other places, churn east and west across Saturn. Scientists have been trying to understand for years the mechanism that drives these wavy structures in Saturn's atmosphere and the source from which the jets derive their energy. ... > full story
Scientists twist light to send data: Beams of light can be twisted and combined to transmit data dramatically faster (June 25, 2012) -- Researchers have developed a system of transmitting data using twisted beams of light at ultra-high speeds -- up to 2.56 terabits per second. ... > full story
Unraveling the mysteries of exotic superconductors: Magnetism may be responsible for superconductivity in iron-based superconductors (June 25, 2012) -- Scientists are using specialized techniques to help unravel the mysteries of iron-based superconductors. An international collaboration that magnetism may be helping or even responsible for superconductivity in iron-based superconductors. ... > full story
Nano-sandwich technique slims down solar cells, improves efficiency (June 25, 2012) -- Researchers have found a way to create much slimmer thin-film solar cells without sacrificing the cells' ability to absorb solar energy. Making the cells thinner should significantly decrease manufacturing costs for the technology. ... > full story
NASA space launch system core stage moves from concept to design (June 25, 2012) -- The United States' space exploration program is taking a critical step forward with a successful major technical review of the core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS), the rocket that will take astronauts farther into space than ever before. The core stage is the heart of the heavy-lift launch vehicle. It will stand more than 200 feet (61 meters) tall with a diameter of 27.5 feet (8.4 meters). ... > full story
Hubble views globular cluster M10 (June 25, 2012) -- Like many of the most famous objects in the sky, globular cluster Messier 10 was of little interest to its discoverer. Charles Messier, the 18th century French astronomer, cataloged over 100 galaxies and clusters, but was primarily interested in comets. Through the telescopes available at the time, comets, nebulae, globular clusters and galaxies appeared just as faint, diffuse blobs and could easily be confused for one another. ... > full story
NuSTAR mission status report: Observatory unfurls its unique mast (June 25, 2012) -- NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, has successfully deployed its lengthy mast, giving it the ability to see the highest energy X-rays in our universe. The mission is one step closer to beginning its hunt for black holes hiding in our Milky Way and other galaxies. ... > full story
Browsing internet sites without the hurdles (June 25, 2012) -- The majority of websites have major shortcomings. Unclean programming frequently causes excessive load times. Companies are only gradually recognizing the advantages of a barrier-free Internet. Researchers are crafting tools that can be used to monitor compliance with web standards. ... > full story
Speeding up bone growth by manipulating stem cells (June 25, 2012) -- Differentiation of stem cells into bone nodules is greatly accelerated by nanomolecular scaffolds. ... > full story
Remapping gang turf: Math model used for mapping chimp territories applies (June 25, 2012) -- A mathematical model that has been used for more than 80 years to determine the hunting range of wild animals holds promise for mapping the territories of street gangs, social scientists report. The way gangs break up their neighborhoods into unique territories is a lot like the way lions, chimpanzees or honey bees break up space, according to researchers. ... > full story
Parts of Mars may have been modified by liquid water in recent geologic times (June 25, 2012) -- A new study reveals that parts of Mars may have been modified by liquid water in recent geologic times, which might indicate more favourable conditions for life on the planet. ... > full story
New paints prevent fouling of ships' hulls (June 25, 2012) -- The colonization of hulls by algae, barnacles, mussels and other organisms is a major problem for both pleasure boats and merchant tonnage. Researchers have now developed new environmentally-friendly and effective bottom paints to prevent this. ... > full story
Complex thinking behind the bow and arrow (June 25, 2012) -- The bow and arrow have long been regarded as a possible indicator of culture in prehistoric times. Bows and arrows appear to have been in use for some 64,000 years, given evidence from South Africa. Until recently, their significance in human cognitive ability was unclear. Now two researchers have been able to decode the conceptual foundations of the bow and arrow. ... > full story
Assessing an object's consistency without touching it (June 25, 2012) -- Two teams of researchers have succeeded in evaluating the rigidity of a material … without touching it! To achieve this feat, physicists placed a liquid -- where they created a very weak, nanometric scale flow –- between the probed object and the “tester”. This technique, derived from the latest advances in nano-mechanics, has the advantage of being non-invasive and therefore non-destructive and could significantly improve the testing and analysis of thin, fragile objects such as bubbles or cells. ... > full story
Faster, cheaper gas and liquid separation using custom designed and built mesoscopic structures (June 24, 2012) -- In what may prove to be a significant boon for industry, separating mixtures of liquids or gasses has just become considerably easier. Using a new process they describe as "reverse fossilization," scientists have succeeded in creating custom designed porous substances capable of low cost, high efficiency separation. ... > full story
Discovery of material with amazing properties (June 24, 2012) -- Normally a material can be either magnetically or electrically polarized, but not both. Now researchers have studied a material that is simultaneously magnetically and electrically polarizable. This opens up new possibilities, for example, for sensors in technology of the future. ... > full story
Lichen can survive in space: Space station research sheds light on origin of life; potential for better sunscreens (June 23, 2012) -- You can freeze it, thaw it, vacuum dry it and expose it to radiation, but still life survives. Research on the International Space Station is giving credibility to theories that life came from outer space -- as well as helping to create better sunscreens. ... > full story
Bringing down the cost of microbial fuel cells (June 23, 2012) -- A new catalyst material could dramatically reduce the cost of producing microbial fuel cells. ... > full story
Forgotten star cluster now found useful in studies of Sun and hunt for Earth-like planets (June 23, 2012) -- A loose group of stars, known for over 180 years but never before studied in detail, has been revealed to be an important new tool in the quest to understand the evolution of stars like the Sun, and in the search for planets like Earth. The star cluster holds great promise for use as a standard gauge in fundamental stellar astrophysics. ... > full story
New technique allows simulation of noncrystalline materials (June 23, 2012) -- Scientists have found a new mathematical approach to simulating the electronic behavior of noncrystalline materials, which may eventually play an important part in new devices including solar cells, organic LED lights and printable, flexible electronic circuits. ... > full story
Reward the second best, ignore the best (June 22, 2012) -- New research suggests reasons why the richest should pay more tax; why rewarding the top performers leads to recurrent crises and scandals; and why we should resist the temptation to learn from and imitate the most successful. ... > full story
Put a cork in it: Research details quiet composite material (June 22, 2012) -- Cork, known for such low-tech applications as wine bottle stoppers and bulletin boards, now shows promise as the core material in composites used in high-tech automotive, aircraft and energy applications. ... > full story
Researchers advance biometric security (June 21, 2012) -- Researchers have developed a way for security systems to combine different biometric measurements -- such as eye color, face shape or fingerprints -- and create a learning system that simulates the brain in making decisions about information from different sources. ... > full story
Proximity of new planets stuns even astronomers (June 21, 2012) -- One is a rocky planet 1.5 times the size of Earth. The other is a gaseous world nearly four times Earth's size. Together they form a spectacular system in which two planets orbit closer to each other than any yet discovered. ... > full story
Study of phase change materials could lead to better computer memory (June 21, 2012) -- Memory devices for computers require a large collection of components that can switch between two states, which represent the ones and zeros of binary language. Engineers hope to make next-generation chips with materials that distinguish between these states by physically rearranging their atoms into different phases. Researchers have now provided new insight into how this phase change happens, which could help engineers make memory storage devices faster and more efficient. ... > full story
Researchers tune the strain in graphene drumheads to create quantum dots (June 21, 2012) -- Researchers have shown that they can tune the strain in graphene suspended like drumheads over microscopic holes in a substrate of silicon oxide using the tip of an advanced scanning probe microscope and a conducting plate below the substrate. Tuning the strain enabled the group to create areas in the graphene where electrons behaved as though they were confined to quantum dots. ... > full story
Could Mars have sustained life? Extensive water in Mars' interior (June 21, 2012) -- Until now, Earth was the only planet known to have vast reservoirs of water in its interior. Scientists analyzed the water content of two Martian meteorites and found that the amount of water in places of the Martian mantle is vastly larger than previous estimates and is similar to that of Earth's. The results affect our understanding about Martian geologic history, how water got to the Martian surface, and whether Mars could have sustained life. ... > full story
Lab-engineered kidney project reaches early milestone (June 21, 2012) -- Regenerative medicine researchers at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center have reached an early milestone in a long-term project that aims to build replacement kidneys in the lab to help solve the shortage of donor organs. ... > full story
Nano-infused paint can detect strain (June 21, 2012) -- Nanotube-infused paint can reveal strain in materials by its fluorescence. The material holds promise for detecting strain in aircraft, bridges and buildings. ... > full story
Selenium suppresses staph on implant material (June 21, 2012) -- A coating of selenium nanoparticles significantly reduces the growth of Staphylococcus aureus on polycarbonate, a material common in implanted devices such as catheters and endotracheal tubes, engineers report. ... > full story
Graphene Research: Trapping light in a carbon net (June 21, 2012) -- Graphene, an ordered monolayer of carbon, is the thinnest substance known, and yet has extraordinary mechanical strength. A new study shows that its two-dimensional network of atoms can even trap light. ... > full story
Watching the quantum race of electrons (June 21, 2012) -- For the first time ever, physicists have observed the race of two electrons that are liberated from atoms in the course of photoionization, i.e. under the influence of laser radiation. In order to resolve the electron's movement during only 50 femtoseconds, scientists used an ultra fast terahertz streak camera in combination with a free-electron-laser. The experimental findings will improve the rapidly evolving free-electron-laser technology used in many fields of science - from physics to biology. ... > full story
Brain controlled robotic arm: Scientists read out arm movements from brain's surface (June 21, 2012) -- Interfaces between the brain and a computer could be the key to a more independent life for patients with severe paralysis: Devices that transform the mere thought of a movement into a command for a robotic arm or a cursor on a screen. Scientists have now utilized the brain activity associated with an arm movement recorded from the surface of the brain to steer a cursor in real-time. ... > full story
Work starts on fossil fuel free cargo ship (June 21, 2012) -- Development is underway to design the modern world's first 100 per cent fossil fuel free sailing cargo ships. With rising fossil fuel prices and the global challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, this project is set to change the shipping industry by providing efficient and affordable low-carbon shipping. The project combines proven technology, using the state of the art dyna-rig sail propulsion system with an off the shelf Rolls-Royce engine powered by waste derived liquid biomethane (liquid gas). ... > full story
Microelectronics: Two at a time (June 21, 2012) -- A new design reduces the areal footprint of nanowire transistors by a factor of two. Scientists have now integrated two transistors onto a single vertical silicon nanowire, pushing the areal density limit of nanowire transistors even further. ... > full story
Scientists gain understanding of self-cleaning gecko foot hair (June 20, 2012) -- Wall-climbing robots, bioadhesives or other sticky substances can benefit greatly from a recent discovery about the self-cleaning and reuse abilities of a gecko. The sticky yet clean attribute of this discovery is the gecko toe pad and its ability to repeatedly attach and detach to a surface. ... > full story
Asymmetry may provide clue to superconductivity (June 20, 2012) -- Physicists are reporting intriguing new details regarding the quirky electronic properties of high-temperature superconductors (HTS). They discovered an asymmetric electronic order that extends into the superconducting temperature range in a recently discovered iron-based HTS. The asymmetric feature also bears a striking resemblance to the "pseudogap" order found in copper-based HTSs. ... > full story
Researchers estimate ice content of crater at moon's south pole (June 20, 2012) -- NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) spacecraft has returned data that indicate ice may make up as much as 22 percent of the surface material in a crater located on the moon's south pole. The team of NASA and university scientists using laser light from LRO's laser altimeter examined the floor of Shackleton crater. They found the crater's floor is brighter than those of other nearby craters, which is consistent with the presence of small amounts of ice. This information will help researchers understand crater formation and study other uncharted areas of the moon. ... > full story
Simple mathematcal pattern describes shape of neuron 'jungle' (June 20, 2012) -- Neurons come in an astounding assortment of shapes and sizes, forming a thick inter-connected jungle of cells. Now, neuroscientists have found that there is a simple pattern that describes the tree-like shape of all neurons. ... > full story
Graphene? From any lab (June 20, 2012) -- Considered by many as the most promising material of the future, graphene still remains an expensive and hard-to-fabricate substance. Researchers have now developed a low cost method for manufacturing multilayered graphene sheets. The new method does not require any specialized equipment and can be implemented in any laboratory. ... > full story
Soon after the Big Bang, heavier elements emerge: Tin-100, a doubly magic nucleus (June 20, 2012) -- A few minutes after the Big Bang the universe contained no other elements than hydrogen and helium. Physicists have now succeeded in producing tin-100, a very unstable yet important element for understanding the formation of heavier elements. ... > full story
All things big and small: The brain's discerning taste for size (June 20, 2012) -- The brain organizes objects based on their physical size, with a specific region of the brain reserved for recognizing large objects and another reserved for small objects, according to a new article. These findings could have major implications for fields like robotics, and could lead to a greater understanding of how the brain organizes and maps information. ... > full story
Graphene is a tunable plasmonic medium (June 20, 2012) -- With a beam of infrared light, scientists have sent ripples of electrons along the surface of graphene and demonstrated that they can control the length and height of these oscillations, called plasmons, using a simple electrical circuit. This is the first time anyone has observed plasmons on graphene, sheets of carbon just one atom thick, and an important step toward using plasmons to process and transmit information in spaces too tight to use light. ... > full story
Math experts question key ecological theory (June 20, 2012) -- Mathematicians say they have disproved a widely accepted theory underpinning the operation of complex networks of interactions in the natural world. ... > full story
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