ScienceDaily Technology Headlines
for Thursday, September 23, 2010
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Searching in the microbial world for efficient ways to produce biofuel (September 23, 2010) -- With the help of genetic materials from a cow's rumen, scientists are developing new ways to break down plant fibers for conversion into biofuel. ... > full story
Progress toward terabit-rate high-density recording (September 23, 2010) -- Next-generation high-density storage devices may keep more than 70 times the contents of the entire US Library of Congress on a single disc -- but only if that data can be written quickly enough. Researchers have now demonstrated a way to record onto ferromagnetic films thirty times faster than today's technologies. ... > full story
New computer-tomography method visualizes nano-structure of bones (September 23, 2010) -- A novel nano-tomography method opens the door to computed tomography examinations of minute structures at nanometer resolutions. Three-dimensional detailed imaging of fragile bone structures becomes possible. ... > full story
A new approach to high-performance catalysts (September 23, 2010) -- Over 80% of all products manufactured today in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries require the use of catalysts. Chemists have now demonstrated a new technique using the enantioselective hydrogenation of alkenes as a model. ... > full story
New drug could help stop the spread of disease from coughs, researchers believe (September 22, 2010) -- What if there was a drug that could completely eliminate airborne disease transmission that occurs when someone coughs? Researchers in Canada believe they have found a way to achieve this. ... > full story
Ultrashort laser ablation enables novel metal films (September 22, 2010) -- Laser ablation is well known in medical applications like dermatology and dentistry, and for more than a decade it has been used to vaporize materials that are difficult to evaporate for high-tech applications like the deposition of superconductors. Now researchers have studied the properties of femtosecond laser ablation plumes to better understand how to apply them to specialized films. ... > full story
Breaking waves in the Lagoon Nebula (September 22, 2010) -- A spectacular new NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image reveals the heart of the Lagoon Nebula. Seen as a massive cloud of glowing dust and gas, bombarded by the energetic radiation of new stars, this placid name hides a dramatic reality. ... > full story
New luggage inspection methods identify liquid explosives (September 22, 2010) -- Liquid explosives are easy to produce. As a result, terrorists can use the chemicals for attacks -- on aircraft, for instance. In the future, new detection systems at airport security checkpoints will help track down these dangerous substances. Researchers are currently testing equipment. ... > full story
Working from home and online shopping can increase carbon emissions, UK report claims (September 22, 2010) -- Shopping on the Internet or working from home could be increasing carbon emissions rather than helping to reduce them, a new report claims. The research reveals that people who shop online must order more than 25 items otherwise the impact on the environment is likely to be worse than traditional shopping. ... > full story
Human-powered ornithopter becomes first ever to achieve sustained flight (September 22, 2010) -- Aviation history was made when the University of Toronto's human-powered aircraft with flapping wings became the first of its kind to fly continuously. ... > full story
Titanium foams replace injured bones (September 22, 2010) -- Flexible yet rigid like a human bone, and immediately capable of bearing loads: A new kind of implant, made of titanium foam, resembles the inside of a bone in terms of its structural configuration. Not only does this make it less stiff than conventional massive implants. It also promotes ingrowth into surrounding bones. ... > full story
Universal, primordial magnetic fields discovered in deep space (September 22, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered evidence of "universal ubiquitous magnetic fields" permeating deep space between galaxies since the time of the Big Bang. ... > full story
Putting a spin on light and atoms (September 22, 2010) -- Alkali-vapor magnetometers use light to put a spin on atoms and then measure that spin to detect magnetic fields. Scientists have achieved a remarkable technical advance with this kind of magnetometer, with potential for improving atomic clocks, quantum memory devices, and a range of other scientific gadgets that depend on measuring spinning atoms with light. ... > full story
Neanderthals more advanced than previously thought: They innovated, adapted like modern humans, research shows (September 22, 2010) -- For decades scientists believed Neanderthals developed "modern" tools and ornaments solely through contact with Homo sapiens, but new research now shows these sturdy ancients could adapt, innovate and evolve technology on their own. ... > full story
Martian methane lasts less than a year (September 22, 2010) -- Methane in the atmosphere of Mars lasts less than a year, according to a study by Italian scientists. Scientists have used observations from NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft to track the evolution of the gas over three martian years. ... > full story
New fluorescence technique opens window to protein complexes in living cells (September 22, 2010) -- Fluorescent microscopy makes use of molecules, such as green fluorescent protein, or GFP, that emit colored light when illuminated with light of a specific wavelength. Molecules like GFP can be used to label proteins of interest and can reveal information about the relationships of molecules within cells. Fluorescence polarization, also known as anisotropy, is specific parameter of fluorescence that can provide additional information about the properties of individual molecules. ... > full story
Watching electrons move in real time (September 22, 2010) -- A new article describes the emerging technique of X-ray powder diffraction, which has been used to map the movement of electrons in real time and to observe a concerted electron and proton transfer that is quite different from any previously known phase transitions in the model crystal, ammonium sulfate. ... > full story
Dancing robot swan triggers emotions (September 22, 2010) -- 'The Dying Swan' is sometimes moving smoothly and gently, sometimes in a dramatic and fiery manner, as Tchaikovsky's majestic music from the ballet Swan Lake is playing; yet this is no ordinary ballet dancer, but a robot in the form of a swan. ... > full story
First observation of the folding of a nucleic acid (September 22, 2010) -- Scientists have been able to describe for the first time the folding process of a small DNA hairpin in water and with atomic resolution. ... > full story
Quantum computing closer than ever: Scientists using lasers to cool and control molecules (September 22, 2010) -- Physicists have used lasers to cool molecules down to temperatures near what's known as absolute zero, about -460 degrees Fahrenheit. Their new method for laser cooling is a significant step toward the ultimate goal of using individual molecules as information bits in quantum computing. ... > full story
First in-human study of robotically assisted percutaneous coronary intervention system demonstrates safety, feasibility (September 22, 2010) -- The first in-human study of a robotically assisted percutaneous coronary intervention system demonstrated that the technique was safe and feasible. ... > full story
Certain doped-oxide ceramics resist Ohm's Law (September 22, 2010) -- Scientists have discovered that certain barium titanate ceramics do not follow Ohm's Law. Applying a voltage to them gradually changes their electrical resistance. The work may help explain how ceramics used in electrical circuits degrade. ... > full story
Experience, privacy guide how people choose online news (September 22, 2010) -- Adjustments, applications and other tools allow users to configure preferences and use services such as iGoogle and Yahoo to control and customize the news they consume online. These tools can make online experiences more efficient and productive, but they do not ensure that users will be consistently pleased with their selections, according to researchers. ... > full story
New method of chemical analysis: Step towards personalized medicine (September 22, 2010) -- In the future, even before the start of the treatment, physicians will be able to establish how patient's blood binds a given medicine and what doze should be applied in order to obtain the concentration in the body that would be optimal for the treatment. ... > full story
Parting the waters: Computer modeling applies physics to Red Sea escape route (September 21, 2010) -- New research shows the extent to which such sustained winds can dramatically lower water levels. The research suggests that such a "wind setdown" event could have led to a parting of waters similar to the description in the biblical account of the Red Sea. ... > full story
Earth to have closest encounter with Jupiter until 2022 (September 21, 2010) -- Been outside at midnight lately? There's something you really need to see. Jupiter is approaching Earth for the closest encounter between the two planets in more than a decade -- and it is dazzling. ... > full story
Silent electric vehicles made safer (September 21, 2010) -- A little green van called ELVIN is whizzing around the University of Warwick as part of a major research project aimed at tackling the safety issues linked to the lack of sound from electric vehicles. ... > full story
Martian moon Phobos may have formed by catastrophic blast (September 21, 2010) -- Scientists now have firm indications that the Martian satellite Phobos formed relatively near its current location via re-accretion of material blasted into Mars' orbit by some catastrophic event. Two independent approaches of compositional analyses of thermal infrared spectra, from ESA's Mars Express and NASA's Mars Global Surveyor missions, yield very similar conclusions. The re-accretion scenario is further strengthened by the measurements of Phobos' high porosity from the Mars Radio Science Experiment (MaRS) on board Mars Express. ... > full story
Nanoparticle shaped like Star of David created (September 21, 2010) -- A new type of nanoparticle resembling the six-pointed Star of David has been discovered by researchers in Israel. The discovery may lead to new ways for sensing of glucose in diagnosing diabetes or provide a catalyst to capture the sun's energy and turn it into clean fuel. ... > full story
Swallowing disc batteries can cause severe injury in children (September 21, 2010) -- Severe injury to the esophagus can occur after a child swallows a disc battery, according to a new study. ... > full story
Too much TV, video and computer can make teens fatter (September 21, 2010) -- Too much television, video games and Internet can increase body fat in teens. A five-year study has found teenagers have four different patterns of screen use: increasers, decreasers, consistently high and consistently low users. ... > full story
Nano antenna concentrates light (September 21, 2010) -- Researchers have made a nanoscale optical antenna that amplifies light a thousand-fold. Getting an accurate measurement of the plasmonic effect is a first. ... > full story
Ability to detect malware in cloud-computing systems improved (September 21, 2010) -- Researchers have developed new software that offers significantly enhanced security for cloud-computing systems. The software is much better at detecting viruses or other malware in the "hypervisors" that are critical to cloud computing, and does so without alerting the malware that it is being examined. ... > full story
Geckos inspire new method to print electronics on complex surfaces (September 21, 2010) -- Geckos are masters at sticking to surfaces of all kinds and easily unsticking themselves. Inspired by these lizards, a team of engineers has developed a reversible adhesion method for printing electronics on a variety of tricky surfaces such as clothes, plastic and leather. The stamp can easily pick up electronic devices from a silicon surface and print them on a curved surface. ... > full story
Vigilant camera eye: System analyzes data in real time, flags unusual scenes (September 21, 2010) -- An innovative camera system could in future enhance security in public areas and buildings. Smart Eyes works just like the human eye. The system analyzes the recorded data in real time and then immediately flags up salient features and unusual scenes. ... > full story
Hot atmosphere of Venus might cool interior of Earth’s sister planet (September 21, 2010) -- The heat in the atmosphere of Venus, induced from a strong greenhouse warming, might actually have a cooling effect on the planet's interior. This counter-intuitive theory is based on calculations from a new model presented by astronomers. ... > full story
Image sensors for extreme temperatures (September 21, 2010) -- Image sensors which are used as electronic parking aids in cars or for quality control in production systems have to be able to withstand the often very high temperatures that prevail in these environments. Research scientists have produced a CMOS chip which functions even at a temperature of 115 degrees Celsius. ... > full story
First microwave image of the complete Moon (September 21, 2010) -- The first microwave image of the complete Moon was obtained thanks to the Chinese lunar satellite Chang’E-1. Global brightness temperature maps reveal radiation from the surface and deeper layers of the Moon and its diurnal variation. This will help astronomers to determine the detailed heat flow and, thus, the inner energy of the Moon. ... > full story
Lightweight true random number generators a step closer (September 21, 2010) -- The widespread use of true random number generators has taken a step closer following the creation of the most lightweight designs to date. ... > full story
Herschel Mars observations: First results (September 21, 2010) -- The Herschel Space Observatory is providing its first exciting results on Mars. An accurate globally averaged temperature profile of the Martian atmosphere may cause scientists to revise their models about atmospheric circulation on Mars. And the first sub-millimeter observation of molecular oxygen on the planet may lead to a completely new picture of the oxygen distribution in the Martian atmosphere. ... > full story
Commercial-scale test of new technology to recover coal from sludge successful (September 21, 2010) -- A new technology for removing water from ultrafine coal slurry has been successfully tested at the commercial scale at an operating coal cleaning plant. The technology offers the possibility of reducing the coal slurry impoundment problem from the source. ... > full story
Future of football: GPS and miniature accelerometers to better assess player's training load and fitness levels (September 21, 2010) -- A new research project in the UK may have important implications for the world of football (soccer) through the use of new technology such as GPS and miniature accelerometers to better assess a player's training load and fitness levels. ... > full story
Biofuel from inedible plant material easier to produce following enzyme discovery (September 20, 2010) -- Researchers have discovered key plant enzymes that normally make the energy stored in wood, straw, and other non-edible parts of plants difficult to extract. The findings can be used to improve the viability of sustainable biofuels that do not adversely affect the food chain. ... > full story
Possible 'persistence' switch for tuberculosis found: Computer model finds probable genetic mechanism for TB dormancy (September 20, 2010) -- A model for the genetic "persistence" switch that toggles tuberculosis bacteria into a dormant state that resists antibiotics and immune system responses is described in a new study. An analysis of stress-response genes in the organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis has allowed bioengineers to zero in on a gene network that appears to help the bacteria ward off attacks. ... > full story
Magnetic attraction for fish, crabs? Study examines whether magnetic fields from aquatic power sources affect animals (September 20, 2010) -- Scientists are examining how aquatic animals behave around electromagnetic fields similar to those created by marine power devices. ... > full story
Violent video games increase aggression long after the game is turned off, study finds (September 20, 2010) -- Playing a violent video game can increase aggression, and when a player keeps thinking about the game, the potential for aggression can last for as long as 24 hours, according to a new study. ... > full story
End of microplates? Novel electronic biosensing technology could facilitate new era of personalized medicine (September 20, 2010) -- The multi-welled microplate, long a standard tool in biomedical research and diagnostic laboratories, could become a thing of the past thanks to new electronic biosensing technology developed by a team of microelectronics engineers and biomedical scientists. ... > full story
Favorable expectations make people like using a new mobile phone, study finds (September 20, 2010) -- The more a user expects to like using a new mobile phone, the more he or she will like to use it. According to researchers in Finland, users' favorable expectations make them forgive encountered usability problems and perceive new mobile phones usable. ... > full story
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