ScienceDaily Technology Headlines -- for Thursday, June 30, 2011 ~ techdeck

ScienceDaily Technology Headlines

for Thursday, June 30, 2011

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Nanoparticles disguised as red blood cells to deliver cancer-fighting drugs (June 30, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a novel method of disguising nanoparticles as red blood cells, which will enable them to evade the body's immune system and deliver cancer-fighting drugs straight to a tumor. ... > full story

Internet program reduces infant and toddler sleep problems, helps moms sleep better too (June 30, 2011) -- A new study demonstrates that an Internet-based intervention was effective at reducing infant and toddler sleep disturbances, as well as providing positive, indirect benefits for maternal sleep, mood and confidence. The study suggests that the Internet can give parents widespread access to individualized, behaviorally based advice for sleep problems in young children. ... > full story

Scientists developing robotic hand of the future (June 30, 2011) -- Researchers in Spain are working to create a robotic hand that can reproduce the abilities and movements of a human hand in order to achieve the optimal manipulation of objects. ... > full story

Text message support for smokers doubles quit rates (June 30, 2011) -- Cell phones could hold the key to people giving up smoking after a program involving sending motivational and supportive text messages to smokers doubled quit rates at six months. ... > full story

'Sensing skin' could monitor the health of concrete infrastructure continually and inexpensively (June 30, 2011) -- Civil engineers and physicists have designed a new method for the electronic, continual monitoring of concrete infrastructure. The researchers say a flexible skin-like fabric with electrical properties could be adhered to areas of structures where cracks are likely to appear, such as the underside of a bridge, and detect cracks when they occur. Installing this "sensing skin" would be as simple as gluing it to a structure's surface. ... > full story

Outpatient electronic prescribing systems don't cut out common mistakes, study suggests (June 30, 2011) -- Outpatient electronic prescribing systems don't cut out the common mistakes made in manual systems, new research suggests. ... > full story

Ultra-sensitive graphene device for spintronics (June 29, 2011) -- A team of European scientist has developed a device capable of detecting an individual magnetic molecule. Such an unprecedented sensitivity opens new paths for spintronics. ... > full story

Growing plants on oil contaminated land (June 29, 2011) -- What happens when there is an oil spill on land? Who cleans it up and how do they do it? By optimizing the use of naturally occurring bacteria, a group of scientists was able to clean contaminated soil without using either chemicals or GMOs. ... > full story

Silver pen has the write stuff for flexible electronics (June 29, 2011) -- The pen may have bested the sword long ago, but now it's challenging wires and soldering irons. Engineers have developed a silver-inked rollerball pen capable of writing electrical circuits and interconnects on paper, wood and other surfaces. The pen is writing whole new chapters in low-cost, flexible and disposable electronics. ... > full story

New method for imaging molecules inside cells (June 29, 2011) -- Using a new sample holder, researchers have further developed a new method for imaging individual cells. This makes it possible to produce snapshots that not only show the outline of the cell's contours but also the various molecules inside or on the surface of the cell, and exactly where they are located, something which is impossible with a normal microscope. ... > full story

Universe's most distant quasar found, powered by massive black hole (June 29, 2011) -- A team of European astronomers has used European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope and a host of other telescopes to discover and study the most distant quasar found to date. This brilliant beacon, powered by a black hole with a mass two billion times that of the Sun, is by far the brightest object yet discovered in the early Universe. ... > full story

Natural gases as a therapy for heart disease? (June 29, 2011) -- An understanding of the interaction between hydrogen sulphide (the 'rotten eggs' gas) and nitric oxide, both naturally occurring in the body, could lead to the development of new therapies and interventions to treat heart failure. Researchers have analyzed the complex "cross talk" between hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide, both gasses that occur naturally in the body, and found that the interaction may offer potential strategies in the management of heart failure. ... > full story

How bumblebees tackle the traveling salesman problem (June 29, 2011) -- New research reveals how bumblebees effectively plan their route between the most rewarding flowers while traveling the shortest distances. ... > full story

Jackson Pollock, artist and physicist? (June 29, 2011) -- A quantitative analysis of Pollock's streams, drips, and coils, by a mathematician reveals that the artist Jackson Pollock had to be slow -- he had to be deliberate -- to exploit fluid dynamics in the way that he did. ... > full story

Bacterium engineered with DNA in which thymine is replaced by synthetic building block (June 29, 2011) -- The genetic information of all living cells is stored in the DNA composed of the four canonical bases adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T). An international team of researchers has now succeeded in generating a bacterium possessing a DNA in which thymine is replaced by the synthetic building block 5-Chlorouracil (c), a substance toxic for other organisms. ... > full story

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

Astronomers discover Universe’s most distant quasar (June 29, 2011) -- A team of astronomers has discovered the most distant quasar to date -- a development that could help further our understanding of a universe still in its infancy following the Big Bang. ... > full story

Researchers contribute to global plant database, expanding ecosystems research (June 29, 2011) -- A new database of plants' traits will help scientists around the world learn more about how climate change is affecting ecosystems. The availability of plant trait data in the unified global database promises to support a paradigm shift in Earth system sciences. ... > full story

Tripping the fluid dynamic: The physics of Jackson Pollock (June 29, 2011) -- The abstract expressionist paintings of Jackson Pollock reveal that the American artist was an intuitive master of the laws that govern the flow of liquids under gravity, according to a multidisciplinary team of researchers. ... > full story

Studying solar wind (June 29, 2011) -- Scientists have measured oxygen isotopes in solar wind, captured by NASA's Genesis mission, to infer the isotopic composition of the sun, and, by inference, the solar system as a whole. ... > 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