ScienceDaily Technology Headlines -- for Monday, June 6, 2011

ScienceDaily Technology Headlines

for Monday, June 6, 2011

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Major step in improving forecasts of weather extremes such as floods and droughts (June 6, 2011) -- Moisture and heat fluctuations from the land surface to the atmosphere form a critical nexus between surface hydrology and atmospheric processes, especially those relevant to rainfall. While current theory has suggested that soil moisture has had a positive impact on precipitation, there have been very few large-scale observations of this. Now, a team of researchers has demonstrated that evaporation from the land surface is able to modify summertime rainfall east of the Mississippi and in the monsoonal region in the southern U.S. and Mexico. ... > full story

It all depends on the coffee: The eco-balance of coffee capsules (June 6, 2011) -- Exactly how environmentally friendly are the various capsule systems and other ways of making coffee? Swiss researchers have taken a close look at the ecological balances of the various systems currently in use. The result: it all depends on the contents. The choice of coffee has a much stronger effect on the environmental friendliness than the capsule system, type of machine or method of preparation. ... > full story

Optical control of magnetic effects at the nanoscale (June 6, 2011) -- Magneto-optical effects, which exploit the interaction between light and magnetic materials, have only been relevant for fundamental research and up to now rarely used for applications. Plasmons – electronic excitations in metals with dimensions at the nanoscale – recently opened a new way to concentrate light at nanoscale. ... > full story

Robotic mine vehicles successfully reanimated by engineering students using industry support (June 5, 2011) -- Engineering students, with some help from regional industry, rebuilt and successfully tested autonomous robotic vehicles for eventual use in remote areas or underground mines where conditions are too extreme for human workers. ... > full story

Physicists store antimatter atoms for 1,000 seconds -- and still counting (June 5, 2011) -- Physicists with the international ALPHA Collaboration at CERN in Geneva have succeeded in storing a total of 309 antihydrogen atoms, some for as long as 1,000 seconds (almost 17 minutes) or even longer -- more than enough time to perform meaningful scientific experiments on confined anti-atoms. ... > full story

Noise research to combat 'wind turbine syndrome' (June 5, 2011) -- Australian acoustics researchers are investigating the causes of wind turbine noise with the aim of making them quieter and solving "wind turbine syndrome." ... > full story

Developing advanced biofuels: Researchers counteract biofuel toxicity in microbes (June 5, 2011) -- Researchers have created a library of microbial efflux pumps that reduce toxicity and boost production of biofuels in engineered strains of microbes. This library and the bioprospecting strategy behind it should serve as valuable new tools for the development of advanced biofuels and other areas of biotechnology as well. ... > full story

CERN experiment traps antimatter atoms for 1000 seconds (June 5, 2011) -- In a new paper, the ALPHA experiment at CERN reports that it has succeeded in trapping antimatter atoms for over 16 minutes: long enough to begin to study their properties in detail. ALPHA is part of a broad programme at CERN’s antiproton decelerator investigating the mysteries of one of nature’s most elusive substances. ... > full story

CERN group traps antihydrogen atoms for more than 16 minutes (June 5, 2011) -- The ALPHA experiment at CERN last year reported trapping 38 antihydrogen atoms for 0.1 seconds each. They've gotten better. In a run late last year, they captured more than 100 for up to 1,000 seconds each, enough to start long-awaited experiments to determine the energy levels of antiatoms. They also plan gravitational experiments to see if matter and antimatter have the same properties. ... > full story

Upping the anti: Canadian researchers instrumental in game-changing antimatter study (June 5, 2011) -- Science fiction is fast approaching science fact as researchers are progressing rapidly toward "bottling" antimatter. Physicists with the ALPHA experiment at CERN report that they have succeeded in storing antimatter atoms for over 16 minutes. ... > full story

DNA can discern between two quantum states, research shows (June 4, 2011) -- Do the principles of quantum mechanics apply to biological systems? Until now, both biologists and physicists have considered quantum systems and biological molecules to be like apples and oranges. But new research shows that a biological molecule -- DNA -- can discern between quantum states known as spin. ... > full story

Building a better dam map: New database of reservoirs and dams for sustainable river-flow management (June 4, 2011) -- The culmination of a four-year collaboration by a team of scientists from around the globe has produced the Global Reservoir and Dam database (GRanD), a unique, geographically explicit, high-resolution global database of large dams and reservoirs. ... > full story

NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity passes small crater and big milestone (June 3, 2011) -- A drive of 482 feet (146.8 meters) on June 1, 2011, took NASA's Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity past 30 kilometers (18.64 miles) in total odometry during 88 months of driving on Mars. That's 50 times the distance originally planned for the mission and more than 12 times the distance racehorses will run at the Belmont Stakes. ... > full story

Weight loss success in a 3-D virtual world (June 3, 2011) -- Participants in two weight-loss programs -- one at a health club, the other delivered in a virtual world -- lost similar amounts of weight and body fat, but the online contingent reported significantly greater gains in behaviors that could help them live healthier and leaner lives. ... > full story

New sound synchronization technology holds the key to earlier diagnosis of heart disease (June 3, 2011) -- Innovative technology is contributing to the development of a revolutionary digital stethoscope that could make it easier for doctors to spot the first signs of heart disease. ... > full story

Lasers used to form 3-D crystals made of nanoparticles (June 3, 2011) -- Physicists have used the electric fields generated by intersecting laser beams to trap and manipulate thousands of microscopic plastic spheres, thereby creating 3-D arrays of optically induced crystals. ... > full story

Quantum physics first: Physicists measure without distorting (June 3, 2011) -- Quantum mechanics is famous for saying that a tree falling in a forest when there's no one there doesn't make a sound. Quantum mechanics also says that if anyone is listening, it interferes with and changes the tree. And so the famous paradox: how can we know reality if we cannot measure it without distorting it? An international team of researchers has found a way to do just that by applying a modern measurement technique to the historic two-slit interferometer experiment in which a beam of light shone through two slits results in an interference pattern on a screen behind. ... > full story

Researchers build largest biochemical circuit out of small synthetic DNA molecules (June 3, 2011) -- In many ways, life is like a computer. An organism's genome is the software that tells the cellular and molecular machinery -- the hardware -- what to do. But instead of electronic circuitry, life relies on biochemical circuitry -- complex networks of reactions and pathways that enable organisms to function. Now, researchers have built the most complex biochemical circuit ever created from scratch. ... > full story

Researchers map, measure brain's neural connections (June 3, 2011) -- Computer scientists have created software to examine neural circuitry in the human brain. The 2-D neural maps combine visual clarity with a Web-based digital map interface, and users can view 2-D maps together with 3-D images. The program aims to better understand myelinated axons, which have been linked to pathologies such as autism. ... > full story

Phase change memory-based 'Moneta' system points to the future of computer storage (June 3, 2011) -- Researchers are about to demonstrate a first-of-its kind, phase-change memory solid state storage device provides performance thousands of times faster than a conventional hard drive and up to seven times faster than current state-of-the-art solid-state drives. ... > full story

Mathematical models provide insights into cholera vaccination strategies for Zimbabwe (June 3, 2011) -- Mathematical models analyzing how a cholera outbreak spread in Zimbabwe are providing new insights into the most effective vaccination strategies for preventing future cholera epidemics, according to researchers. ... > full story

Examining the brain as a neural information super-highway (June 3, 2011) -- A new article demonstrates how tools for modeling traffic on the Internet and telephone systems can be used to study information flow in brain networks. ... > full story

Solar inverters: Losses are cut in half (June 3, 2011) -- A switching trick makes it possible to cut the losses of a series-production inverter in half and increase the efficiency from 96 to 98 percent. The new technology makes it possible to achieve a world-record efficiency of more than 99 percent. ... > full story

Single-crystal arrays of graphene: Advance in efforts to develop a replacement for silicon in high-performance electronics (June 2, 2011) -- Researchers have developed a method for creating single-crystal arrays of the material graphene, an advance that opens the possibility of a replacement for silicon in high-performance computers and electronics. Graphene is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon that was first fabricated in 2004. Single-crystal arrays of the material could be used to create a new class of high-speed transistors and integrated circuits that use less energy than silicon electronics because graphene conducts electricity with little resistance or heat generation. ... > full story

Leakage of private information from popular web sites is common, new study finds (June 2, 2011) -- A study of more than 100 popular web sites has found that three-quarters leak either private information or users' unique identifiers to third-party tracking sites. The study showed how such leakage could permit tracking sites to link bits of information to create detailed profiles of individuals. Efforts to date to curb such leakage and linkage of personal information, including proposals made in a 2010 Federal Trade Commission report, would be largely ineffective, the study concluded. ... > full story

Microscopic worms could help open up travel into deep space (June 2, 2011) -- A space flight by millions of microscopic worms could help us overcome the numerous threats posed to human health by space travel. The Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) have also given experts an insight into how to block muscle degradation in the sick and elderly. ... > full story

Heartbeat of nanoparticles made visible (June 2, 2011) -- Even tiny gold nanoparticles, with a diameter of only 40 millionths of a millimeter, have something like a heartbeat. When focusing a short laser pulse on the particles they heat up very briefly and start to vibrate. But even the best microscopes can not resolve these nanoparticles, which are therefore very difficult to study. ... > full story

'Hot body' could help ships reduce drag (June 2, 2011) -- New research into drag reduction has the potential to help industries such shipping to reduce energy use and carbon emissions. ... > full story

New technology could inspire brain implant for detecting and treating seizures (June 2, 2011) -- Tiny electrodes have been coated with a drug-loaded polymer in an attempt to design an implant capable of detecting a number of neurological symptoms, such as those associated with an epileptic seizure, and treating them simultaneously. ... > full story

World Wars camouflage technique could have benefits in modern warfare (June 2, 2011) -- Painting army vehicles with high contrast geometric patterns -- "dazzle camouflage" -- affects the perception of their speed and thus could make them less susceptible to rocket propelled grenade attacks, according to new research from the UK. ... > full story

Honeysuckle extract: Natural sunblock for UV-protective clothing (June 2, 2011) -- With those months of blazing summer sunshine head, scientists are reporting that an extract of the honeysuckle plant could make a highly effective natural coating for clothing designed to protect people from exposure to potentially harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. ... > full story

A night with the stars ... in a conference room (June 2, 2011) -- Ancient astronomers looked up at the dark skies in wonder, as the stars marched by overhead like precision dancers. In the early 17th century, Galileo Galilei brought the world one step closer to the heavens with his telescope, discovering, among other celestial marvels, moons around Jupiter, and our own moon's pockmarked surface. Nowadays, the stars are closer to us than ever, thanks to powerful telescopes in space and on the ground. Modern astronomers don't have to step outside, because they get precise data delivered straight to their own laptops. If Galileo could see us now, he'd probably be thrilled by the advances -- and also a little puzzled that astronomy no longer means gazing through telescopes at the twinkling, dark skies. ... > full story

Simulator will improve hydrogen safety (June 2, 2011) -- What happens when hydrogen begins dispersing from a leak? A Norwegian firm has the answers about how explosive the situation may become. ... > full story

Quantum knowledge cools computers: New understanding of entropy (June 1, 2011) -- From a laptop warming a knee to a supercomputer heating a room, the fact that computers generate heat is familiar to everyone. But theoretical physicists have discovered something astonishing: not only do computational processes sometimes generate no heat, under certain conditions they can even have a cooling effect. Behind this finding are fundamental considerations relating to knowledge and a lack of knowledge. ... > full story

Bacterial protein secreting sticky appendages: Atomic-level images suggest new targets for antibacterial drugs (June 1, 2011) -- New atomic-level "snapshots" reveal details of how bacteria such as E. coli produce and secrete sticky appendages called pili, which help the microbes attach to and infect human cells. These crystal structures unravel a complex choreography of protein-protein interactions that will aid in the design of new antibacterial drugs. ... > full story

Safety of nanoparticles in food crops is still unclear (June 1, 2011) -- With the curtain about to rise on a much-anticipated new era of "nanoagriculture" -- using nanotechnology to boost the productivity of plants for food, fuel, and other uses -- scientists are reporting a huge gap in knowledge about the effects of nanoparticles on corn, tomatoes, rice and other food crops. ... > full story

Thomas Edison also invented the concrete house, researcher says (June 1, 2011) -- Afficionados of modern poured-concrete design were in for a rude awakening last month when they heard Matt Burgermaster's presentation at the 64th annual meeting of the Society of Architectural Historians. He illustrated how Thomas Edison invented and patented in 1917 an innovative construction system to mass produce prefabricated and seamless concrete houses. Typically most people associate this style of architectural design and type of building technology with the European avant-garde of the early 20th century. ... > full story

Randomness rules in turbulent flows (June 1, 2011) -- Computer experiments reveal that, in principle, two identical small beads dropped into the same turbulent flow at precisely the same starting location will end up at different -- and entirely random -- destinations. ... > full story

A postcard from extragalactic space? A spiral galaxy that resembles our Milky Way (June 1, 2011) -- Astronomers have used the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-meter telescope to capture an image of NGC 6744. This impressive spiral galaxy lies about 30 million light-years away in the southern constellation of Pavo (the Peacock). But this view could almost be a picture postcard of our own Milky Way, taken and sent by an extragalactic friend, as this galaxy closely resembles our own. ... > full story

Making complex fluids look simple (June 1, 2011) -- Scientists have successfully developed a widely applicable method for discovering the physical foundations of complex fluids for the first time. Researchers have developed a microscopic theory that describes the interactions between the various components of a complex polymer mixture. ... > full story

'Dead' galaxies aren't so dead after all (June 1, 2011) -- Astronomers examined old galaxies and were surprised to discover that they are still making new stars. The results provide insights into how galaxies evolve with time. ... > full story

Noninvasive wireless near-infrared device provides reliable diagnosis of bladder dysfunction (June 1, 2011) -- A cell phone-sized, wireless near-infrared device is as reliable as the current "gold standard" invasive tests in determining bladder disease, according to a new study. ... > full story

Biodegradable products may be bad for the environment (June 1, 2011) -- New research shows that so-called biodegradable products are likely doing more harm than good in landfills, because they are releasing a powerful greenhouse gas as they break down. ... > full story

New way to help nanoscale engineers choose self-assembling proteins (June 1, 2011) -- Engineering structures on the smallest possible scales -- using molecules and individual atoms as building blocks -- is both physically and conceptually challenging. An interdisciplinary team of researchers has now developed a method of computationally selecting the best of these blocks, drawing inspiration from the similar behavior of proteins in making biological structures. ... > full story

Working toward sending humans to Mars (June 1, 2011) -- What would it take to send astronauts to Mars? A team of aeronautical and textile engineering students believe part of the solution may lie in advanced textile materials. The students joined forces to tackle life-support challenges that the aerospace industry has been grappling with for decades. ... > full story

Stamping out low cost nanodevices (June 1, 2011) -- A team of engineers has developed a rapid and low-cost imprinting process that can stamp out a variety of devices that have unique optical, electrical, chemical and mechanical properties. ... > full story

Researchers create nanoscale waveguide for future photonics (May 31, 2011) -- The creation of a new quasiparticle called the "hybrid plasmon polariton" may throw open the doors to integrated photonic circuits and optical computing for the 21st century. Researchers have demonstrated the first true nanoscale waveguides for next generation on-chip optical communication systems. ... > full story

Mobile virtual world with a flexible virtual reality system (May 31, 2011) -- Product developers, vehicle design engineers and trainee pilots increasingly utilize 3-D worlds, operating in a virtual space created by realistic images in real time. Researchers have now created precisely a new virtual reality system. The Flexible Reconfigurable Cave (FRAVE) offers a wealth of advantages over the previously established CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment): it is much cheaper, more flexible, features a modular structure and a smaller footprint. ... > full story