The EDGE: ScienceDaily Technology Headlines -- for Wednesday, June 27, 2012

ScienceDaily Technology Headlines

for Wednesday, June 27, 2012

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Mars rover Curiosity on track for early August landing (June 26, 2012) -- A maneuver on Tuesday (June 26, 2012) adjusted the flight path of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft for delivering the rover Curiosity to a landing target beside a Martian mountain. ... > full story

Lab-on-a-chip detects trace levels of toxic vapors in homes near Utah Air Force Base (June 26, 2012) -- A lab-on-a-chip technology that measures trace amounts of air contaminants in homes was successfully field-tested. ... > full story

Musical robot companion enhances listener experience (June 26, 2012) -- Wedding DJs everywhere should be worried about job security now that a new robot is on the scene. Shimi, an interactive musical companion recommends songs, dances to the beat and keeps the music pumping based on listener feedback. ... > full story

Sifting through a trillion electrons (June 26, 2012) -- Modern research tools like supercomputers, particle colliders, and telescopes are generating so much data, so quickly, many scientists fear that soon they will not be able to keep up with the deluge. ... > full story

Denser development is good for single-family home values (June 26, 2012) -- A study shows that, contrary to popular belief, there’s a positive association between higher neighborhood density and the value of single-family residential properties. ... > full story

Scientists find new primitive mineral in meteorite (June 26, 2012) -- In 1969, an exploding fireball tore through the sky over Mexico, scattering thousands of pieces of meteorite across the state of Chihuahua. More than 40 years later, the Allende meteorite is still serving the scientific community as a rich source of information about the early stages of our solar system's evolution. Recently, scientists discovered a new mineral embedded in the space rock -- one they believe to be among the oldest minerals formed in the solar system. ... > full story

National Research Council presents long-term priorities for U.S. nuclear physics program (June 26, 2012) -- Nuclear physics is a discovery-driven enterprise aimed at understanding the fundamental nature of visible matter in the universe. For the past hundred years, new knowledge of the nuclear world has also directly benefited society through many innovative applications. In its fourth decadal survey of nuclear physics, the National Research Council outlines the impressive accomplishments of the field in the last decade and recommends a long-term strategy for the future. ... > full story

Tiny magnetic coils modulate neural activity, may be safer for deep-brain implants (June 26, 2012) -- Magnetic fields generated by microscopic devices implanted into the brain may be able to modulate brain-cell activity and reduce symptoms of several neurological disorders. ... > full story

Structure of new superhard form of carbon established (June 26, 2012) -- Researchers have established the structure of a new form of carbon. The team used a novel computational method to demonstrate that the properties of what had previously been thought to be only a hypothetical structure of a superhard form of carbon called "M-carbon" matched perfectly the experimental data on “superhard graphite.” ... > full story

Gravitational lensing: Astronomers spot rare arc from hefty galaxy cluster (June 26, 2012) -- Seeing is believing, except when you don't believe what you see. Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have found a puzzling arc of light behind an extremely massive cluster of galaxies residing 10 billion light-years away. The galactic grouping, discovered by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, was observed as it existed when the universe was roughly a quarter of its current age of 13.7 billion years. The giant arc is the stretched shape of a more distant galaxy whose light is distorted by the monster cluster's powerful gravity, an effect called gravitational lensing. The trouble is, the arc shouldn't exist. ... > full story

Reaching, researching between stars: Astronomers use Lonestar supercomputer to explore role of dark matter in galaxy formation (June 26, 2012) -- A new study reveals that dark matter is more distributed than predictions previously stated. Researchers used the TACC Lonestar supercomputer to simulate thousands of galaxy models based on the information retrieved at the McDonald Observatory and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. ... > full story

Better surfaces could help dissipate heat (June 26, 2012) -- Researchers at MIT have found that relatively simple, microscale roughening of a surface can dramatically enhance its transfer of heat. Such an approach could be far less complex and more durable than approaches that enhance heat transfer through smaller patterning in the nanometer (billionths of a meter) range. The new research also provides a theoretical framework for analyzing the behavior of such systems, pointing the way to even greater improvements. ... > full story

Make me an offer, say online shoppers (June 26, 2012) -- Online shoppers would rather receive an offer for a product or service than make their own offer, according to a new study that has implications for the fast-growing e-commerce industry. ... > full story

Thunderstorms have longer reach than thought: Storm researcher calls for new air safety guidelines (June 26, 2012) -- Aircraft turbulence guidelines should be rewritten after new research revealed thunderstorms could produce unexpected turbulence more than 100 km away from storm cells. ... > full story

Seeing inside tissue for no-cut surgeries: Researchers develop technique to focus light inside biological tissue (June 26, 2012) -- Imagine if doctors could perform surgery without ever having to cut through your skin. Or if they could diagnose cancer by seeing tumors inside the body with a procedure that is as simple as an ultrasound. Thanks to a new technique, all of that may be possible in the not-so-distant future. ... > full story

Rewriting quantum chips with a beam of light: Laser technique brings ultrafast computing closer to reality (June 26, 2012) -- The promise of ultrafast quantum computing has moved a step closer to reality with a technique to create rewritable computer chips using a beam of light. Researchers used light to control the spin of an atom's nucleus in order to encode information. ... > full story

Scientists spark new interest in the century-old Edison battery (June 26, 2012) -- Scientists have dramatically improved the performance of Thomas Edison's nickel-iron battery. The enhanced device could be used in electric vehicles, much as Edison originally envisioned. ... > full story

Cheaper cell phones with better signal quality: World's most powerful nanoscale microwave oscillators developed (June 26, 2012) -- Researchers have developed the world's most powerful nanoscale microwave oscillators. The new electron spin-based oscillators use a spin-transfer torque magnetoresistive random access memory or STT-RAM, which has great potential over other types of memory currently in use for both speed and power efficiency. The new oscillators could lead to mobile communication devices that are less expensive to manufacture and deliver a much better signal quality. ... > full story

iPad 2 and other tablet computers may interfere with magnetically programmable shunt valve settings (June 26, 2012) -- Researchers find that magnets within the Apple iPad 2 tablet may interfere with the settings of magnetically programmable shunt devices, resulting in a shunt malfunction until the problem is discovered and the valve readjusted. ... > full story

New toilet turns human waste into electricity and fertilizer (June 26, 2012) -- Scientists have invented a new toilet system that will turn human waste into electricity and fertilizers and also reduce the amount of water needed for flushing by up to 90 per cent compared to current toilet systems in Singapore. ... > full story

Nanodiamonds cut through dirt to bring back 'bling' to low temperature laundry (June 26, 2012) -- Nanodiamonds, pieces of carbon less than ten-thousandths the diameter of a human hair, have been found to help loosen crystallized fat from surfaces in a project that transforms the ability of washing powders to shift dirt in eco-friendly low-temperature laundry cycles. ... > full story

The Internet of things: Smart houses, smart traffic, smart health (June 26, 2012) -- 'The Internet of Things' involves the technology we use when the things around us are 'talking' to each other. The chips and sensors that identify these things also enable them to 'talk' to each other, or talk via the Internet and thus share and transfer information to the rest of the world. The fridge can tell you that a chicken fillet is on the verge if its expiry date. Your electric car can transfer power back to the grid so that it doesn't become overcharged, and if you have a chronic illness, you can be medically monitored and cared for via wireless sensor systems. We will soon have smart houses, smart traffic and smart health. Technology optimists claim that IoT technology will be the vital missing link enabling us to meet the major challenges associated with climate change, energy efficiency, mobility and future health services. The new technology will also create new products, new services, new interfaces and new applications. ... > full story

Researchers develop new method for analyzing cell function (June 26, 2012) -- Researchers have developed an open-source software that will make it significantly easier to process bioimaging data. The software, named BioImageXD, will help in analyzing cell and tissue functions. ... > full story

Cartilage regeneration for bone and joint repair is closer for patients, researchers say (June 26, 2012) -- Biomedical engineering researchers say better implantable sensors and cartilage-growing techniques are making engineered cartilage a clinical reality for patients suffering from joint damage. ... > full story

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

Citizen science: Study allows thousands to test 'gut sense' for numbers (June 25, 2012) -- A first-of-its kind study using the World Wide Web to collect data from more than 10,000 study subjects ages 11 to 85 found that humans' inborn "number sense" improves during school years, declines during old age, and remains linked throughout the entire lifespan to academic mathematics achievement. ... > 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