ScienceDaily Technology Headlines -- for Wednesday, June 29, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Technology Headlines

for Wednesday, June 29, 2011

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Tiny ring laser accurately detects and counts nanoparticles (June 29, 2011) -- A ring-shaped laser no bigger than a pinprick can accurately detect and count individual viruses, the particles that jumpstart cloud formation or those that contaminate the air we breathe. A particle disturbs the light circulating in the ring, splitting the lasing frequency. This split is a measure of the particle's size. ... > full story

Splitsville for boron nitride nanotubes (June 29, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a technique for mass-producing defect-free boron nitride nanoribbons (BNNRs) of uniform length and thickness. BNNRs are predicted to display magnetic and electronic properties that hold enormous potential for future devices. ... > full story

Subatomic quantum memory in diamond demonstrated (June 28, 2011) -- Physicists have developed a breakthrough in the use of diamond in quantum physics, marking an important step toward quantum computing. ... > full story

Improved stepladder design may decrease injuries (June 28, 2011) -- Stepladders, a household product used by thousands of people every day, are a surprisingly common cause of injury. In 2009, more than 187,000 Americans visited the hospital after sustaining stepladder injuries, many of which resulted from a fall. A recent human factors/ergonomics study explores how improved design and user behavior can decrease the likelihood of future accidents. ... > full story

Are the wealthiest countries the smartest countries? (June 28, 2011) -- It's not just how free the market is. Some economists are looking at another factor that determines how much a country's economy flourishes: how smart its people are. Researchers have analyzed test scores from 90 countries and found that the intelligence of the people, particularly the smartest 5 percent, made a big contribution to the strength of their economies. ... > full story

Inkjet printing could change the face of solar energy industry (June 28, 2011) -- Inkjet printers, a low-cost technology that in recent decades has revolutionized home and small office printing, may soon offer similar benefits for the future of solar energy. Engineers have discovered a way for the first time to create successful solar devices with inkjet printing, in work that reduces raw material waste by 90 percent and will significantly lower the cost of producing solar energy cells with some very promising compounds. ... > full story

Model finds optimal fiber optic network connections 10,000 times more quickly (June 28, 2011) -- Designing fiber optic networks involves finding the most efficient way to connect phones and computers that are in different places -- a costly and time-consuming process. Now researchers have developed a model that can find optimal connections 10,000 times more quickly, using less computing power to solve the problem. ... > full story

Neutron star bites off more than it can chew (June 28, 2011) -- The European Space Agency's XMM-Newton space observatory has watched a faint star flare up at X-ray wavelengths to almost 10 000 times its normal brightness. Astronomers believe the outburst was caused by the star trying to eat a giant clump of matter. ... > full story

Highest magnetic fields ever created (June 28, 2011) -- On June 22, 2011, scientists at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf set a new world record for magnetic fields with 91.4 teslas. To reach this record, the researchers developed a coil weighing about 200 kilograms in which electric current create the giant magnetic field -- for a period of a few milliseconds. The coil survived the experiment unscathed. ... > full story

Tapping titanium's colorful potential (June 28, 2011) -- A new, cost-effective process for coloring titanium can be used in manufacturing products from sporting equipment to color-coded nuclear waste containers. ... > full story

Active self-defense strategy best deterrent against cyber-attacks (June 28, 2011) -- With the threats of cybercrime, cyberterrorism and cyberwarfare looming over our hyper-connected world, the best defense for the U.S. might be a good offense, says new research by an expert in technology and legal issues. ... > full story

Attachment to cellphones more about entertainment, less about communication (June 28, 2011) -- That panicked feeling we get when the family pet goes missing is the same when we misplace our mobile phone, says a marketing professor. Moreover, those feelings of loss and hopelessness without our digital companion are natural. ... > full story

Synthetic collagen from maize has human properties (June 28, 2011) -- Synthetic collagen has a wide range of applications in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery and in the food industry. For proper function in animals a certain number of prolines within the protein need to be hydroxylated. Researchers report that for the first time the alpha 1 chain of type 1 collagen has been produced in maize with similar levels of proline hydroxylation to human collagen. ... > full story

Scientists discover dielectron charging of water nano-droplet (June 28, 2011) -- Scientists have discovered fundamental steps of charging of nano-sized water droplets and unveiled the long-sought-after mechanism of hydrogen emission from irradiated water. ... > full story

Nanowire-based sensors offer improved detection of volatile organic compounds (June 28, 2011) -- A team of researchers has made nano-sized sensors that detect volatile organic compounds -- harmful pollutants released from paints, cleaners, pesticides and other products -- that offer several advantages over today's commercial gas sensors, including low-power, room-temperature operation and the ability to detect one or several compounds over a wide range of concentrations. ... > full story

New report offers roadmap for success in K-12 STEM education (June 28, 2011) -- From educators to leaders in industry, there is broad agreement that US schools have a crucial challenge in improving teaching and learning in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) among students from kindergarten through high school. A background in STEM is not only essential to many current and future careers; it is also a means for citizens to understand and participate in an increasingly complex world -- from understanding the challenges of environmental sustainability to addressing the need for alternative sources of energy. ... > full story

Brain rhythm associated with learning also linked to running speed, study shows (June 27, 2011) -- Rhythms in the brain that are associated with learning become stronger as the body moves faster, neurophysicists report in a new study. The research team used specialized microelectrodes to monitor an electrical signal known as the gamma rhythm in the brains of mice. This signal is typically produced in a brain region called the hippocampus, which is critical for learning and memory, during periods of concentration and learning. ... > full story

Golden window electrodes developed for organic solar cells (June 27, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a gold plated window as the transparent electrode for organic solar cells. Contrary to what one might expect, these electrodes have the potential to be relatively cheap since the thickness of gold used is only 8 billionths of a meter. ... > full story

New material promises faster electronics (June 27, 2011) -- The novel material graphene makes faster electronics possible. Scientists have developed light detectors made of graphene and analyzed their astonishing properties. ... > full story

Terahertz light to illuminate cell biology and cancer research (June 27, 2011) -- Unique research is set to trigger a new era in research into cancer diagnosis and our understanding of how living things function, researchers say. Scientists are using Europe's most intense terahertz light source to understand the effects of terahertz (THz) rays on human cells. ... > full story

Mechanics of speciation: Model examines factors that contribute to emergence of new species (June 27, 2011) -- Mate choice, competition, and the variety of resources available are the key factors influencing how a species evolves into separate species, according to a new mathematical model that integrates all three factors to reveal the dynamics at play in a process called sympatric speciation. ... > full story

New solar cell: Engineers crack full-spectrum solar challenge (June 27, 2011) -- Engineering researchers report a new solar cell that may pave the way to inexpensive coatings that efficiently convert the sun's rays to electricity. ... > full story

Hitting moving RNA drug targets: New way to search for novel drugs (June 27, 2011) -- By accounting for the floppy, fickle nature of RNA, researchers have developed a new way to search for drugs that target this important molecule. ... > full story

Scientists pioneer nanoscale nuclear materials testing capability (June 27, 2011) -- A technique for testing irradiated materials on the nanoscale has yielded results on the macroscale. The technique uses electron microscopy with mechanical testing in situ; it could accelerate new materials for nuclear power applications and improve testing of nuclear power plants already in service. ... > full story

Smarter memory device holds key to greener gadgets (June 27, 2011) -- Fast, low-energy memory for MP3s, smartphones and cameras could become a reality thanks to a new development. ... > full story

Fermilab experiment weighs in on neutrino mystery (June 27, 2011) -- Scientists have just announced the results from a search for a rare phenomenon, the transformation of muon neutrinos into electron neutrinos. The result is consistent with and significantly constrains a measurement reported 10 days ago by the Japanese T2K experiment, which announced an indication of this type of transformation. ... > full story

Generating 'green' electricity: Waste heat converted to electricity using new alloy (June 27, 2011) -- Engineering researchers have recently discovered a new alloy material that converts heat directly into electricity. This revolutionary energy conversion method is in the early stages of development, but it could have wide-sweeping impact on creating environmentally friendly electricity from waste heat sources. ... > full story

New tool makes programs more efficient without sacrificing safety functions (June 27, 2011) -- Computer programs are incorporating more and more safety features to protect users, but those features can also slow the programs down by 1,000 percent or more. Researchers have developed a software tool that helps these programs run much more efficiently without sacrificing their safety features. ... > full story

Small asteroid to whip past Earth on June 27, 2011 (June 27, 2011) -- Near-Earth asteroid 2011 MD will pass only 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles) above Earth's surface on Monday, June 27 at about 9:30 EDT. The asteroid was discovered by the LINEAR near-Earth object discovery team observing from Socorro, New Mexico. This small asteroid, only 5-20 meters in diameter, is in a very Earth-like orbit about the Sun, but an orbital analysis indicates there is no chance it will actually strike Earth on Monday. ... > full story

'Atom-scale’ switches for revolutionary low-power computer processor developed (June 27, 2011) -- Revolutionary low-power logic systems that will perform instant on/off logic operations are being developed by research scientists. ... > full story

A breath of fresh air for detecting vitamin B12 deficiency (June 26, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a new test to detect the levels of vitamin B12 using your breath, allowing for a cheaper, faster, and simpler diagnosis that could help to avoid the potentially fatal symptoms of B12 deficiency. ... > full story

Space research gives birth to new ultrasound tools for health care in orbit, on Earth (June 26, 2011) -- Space biomedical researchers have developed tools that expand the use of ultrasound to provide better health care for astronauts during flight. The benefits are not just limited to spaceflight, though. These tools are now being used to improve health care around the world, especially in remote and underserved locations. ... > full story

'Orca ears' inspire researchers to develop ultrasensitive undersea microphone (June 25, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a microphone that can be used at any depth in the ocean, even under crushing pressure, and is sensitive to a wide range of sounds, from a whisper in a library to an explosion of TNT. They modeled their device after the extraordinarily acute hearing of orcas. ... > full story

'Quantum magic' without any 'spooky action at a distance' (June 25, 2011) -- Quantum mechanical entanglement is at the heart of the famous quantum teleportation experiment and was referred to by Albert Einstein as "spooky action at a distance". Researchers have used a system which does not allow for entanglement, and still found results which cannot be interpreted classically. ... > full story

Tracing cancer back to its source using computer dissection (June 25, 2011) -- A new computer-based system can distinguish between apparently similar secondary tumors and allow a cancer specialist to trace the metastases back to the site of the original cancer in the patient's body. ... > full story

New insights into the cohesive forces of crystal structures (June 25, 2011) -- A new study has shown that under certain conditions the interactions between carbon-hydrogen (CH) groups, commonly found in organic compounds, may be much stronger than previously thought. ... > full story

Astronomers reach for the stars to discover new cancer therapy (June 25, 2011) -- Research on celestial bodies may have an impact on the human body. Astronomers are working with medical physicists and radiation oncologists to develop a potential new radiation treatment -- one that is intended to be tougher on tumors, but gentler on healthy tissue. ... > full story

Mantis shrimp eye could improve high-definition CDs, DVDs (June 24, 2011) -- The eye of the peacock mantis shrimp has led an international team of researchers to develop a two-part waveplate that could improve CD, DVD, blu-ray and holographic technology, creating even higher definition and larger storage density. ... > full story

High technology, not low taxes, may drive US states' economic growth (June 24, 2011) -- High-tech training may trump tax breaks for creating more jobs and improving a state's economy, according to a new study by economists. ... > full story

Optical circuit enables new approach to quantum technologies (June 24, 2011) -- Scientists have demonstrated a fundamental building block for quantum computing that could soon be employed in a range of quantum technologies. ... > full story

Genes at the flick of a light switch: Human cells fitted with synthetic signaling cascade (June 24, 2011) -- Researchers from Switzerland have fitted human cells with a synthetic signaling cascade that can be used to switch on and regulate genes via blue light. This "gene light switch" makes interesting therapies possible, which could be used to treat type 2 diabetes, for instance. ... > full story

Sun and planets constructed differently than thought, NASA mission suggests (June 24, 2011) -- Researchers analyzing samples returned by NASA's 2004 Genesis mission have discovered that our sun and its inner planets may have formed differently than previously thought. ... > full story

Next-generation gene sequencing brings personal genomics closer, IDs mutation in new syndrome (June 24, 2011) -- Harnessing the new generation of rapid, highly accurate gene-sequencing techniques, a research team has identified the disease-causing mutation in a newly characterized rare genetic disease, by analyzing DNA from just a few individuals. The power and speed of the innovative bioinformatics tool marks a step toward personalized genomics -- discovering causative mutations in individual patients. The previously unknown lethal syndrome has affected infant boys in two unrelated families. ... > full story

Physicist's discovery alters conventional understanding of sight (June 24, 2011) -- Physicists shed new light on how the visual process is initiated. For almost 50 years, scientists have believed that light signals could not be initiated unless special light-receptor molecules in the retinal cells first changed their shape in a process called isomerization. However, researchers have now demonstrated that visual signals can be initiated in the absence of isomerization. ... > full story

Brain-like computing a step closer to reality (June 24, 2011) -- The development of 'brain-like' computers has taken a major step forward. A new study involved the first ever demonstration of simultaneous information processing and storage using phase-change materials. This new technique could revolutionize computing by making computers faster and more energy-efficient, as well as making them more closely resemble biological systems. ... > full story

Building a better math teacher (June 24, 2011) -- For years, it has been assumed that teachers -- specifically math teachers -- need to master the content they intend to teach. And the best way to do this is to take courses beyond that content. Yet new research does not support this common belief. There is little evidence that advanced courses in mathematics contribute to more effective teaching. ... > full story

Physicists observe 'campfire effect' in blinking nanorod semiconductors (June 24, 2011) -- When semiconductor nanorods are exposed to light, they blink in a seemingly random pattern. By clustering nanorods together, physicists at the University of Pennsylvania have shown that their combined "on" time is increased dramatically providing new insight into this mysterious blinking behavior. ... > full story

Smaller companies hit hardest during emerging market crises (June 24, 2011) -- A study of the reaction by the United States stock market to international financial crises shows that small companies are often hit hardest, and the impact is above and beyond what would be expected given their exposure to global market factors. ... > full story

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