ScienceDaily Technology Headlines
for Thursday, August 1, 2013
Figuring out flow dynamics (July 31, 2013) — Scientists have been building models of turbulent flow. Recently, they developed a new and improved way of looking at the composition of turbulence near walls, the type of flow that dominates our everyday life. Their research could lead to significant fuel savings, as a large amount of energy is consumed by ships and planes, for example, to counteract turbulence-induced drag. … > full story
Artificial earthquakes could lead to safer, sturdier buildings (July 31, 2013) — Earthquakes never occur when you need one, so structural engineers are shaking up a building themselves in the name of science and safety. Using massive moving platforms and an array of sensors and cameras, the researchers are trying to find out how well a two-story building made of cold-formed steel can stand up to a lab-generated Southern California quake. … > full story
Spitzer Discovers Young Stars with a ‘Hula Hoop’ (July 31, 2013) — Astronomers using NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope have spotted a young stellar system that “blinks” every 93 days. Called YLW 16A, the system likely consists of three developing stars, two of which are surrounded by a disk of material left over from the star-formation process. … > full story
NASA’s Cassini sees forces controlling Enceladus jets (July 31, 2013) — The intensity of the jets of water ice and organic particles that shoot out from Saturn’s moon Enceladus depends on the moon’s proximity to the ringed planet, according to data obtained by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft. … > full story
Nanomaterials: Sized-up for strength (July 31, 2013) — Experiments and numerical simulations show that miniaturized ultra-small platinum cylinders weaken when their constituents are reduced in number. … > full story
Universal law for light absorption in 2-D semiconductors (July 31, 2013) — Researchers have demonstrated a universal law of light absorption for 2-D semiconductors. This discovery not only provides new insight into the optical properties of 2-D semiconductors and quantum wells, it should also open doors to exotic new optoelectronic and photonic technologies. … > full story
Game changer for synthesizing new materials: Method synthesizes thousands of new compounds with ultra low thermal conductivity (July 31, 2013) — A chemist likens his lab’s newly published accomplishments to combining two flavors of ice cream and churning out thousands of flavors to appeal to any taste bud. In reality, he is referring to his method of synthesizing thousands of new compounds with ultra low thermal conductivity. … > full story
Using gold and light to study molecules in water (July 31, 2013) — Thanks to a new device that is the size of a human hair, it is now possible to detect molecules in a liquid solution and observe their interactions. This is of major interest for the scientific community, as there is currently no reliable way of examining both the behavior and the chemical structure of molecules in a liquid in real time. … > full story
Robots strike fear in the hearts of fish: Anxious zebrafish help researchers understand how alcohol affects fear (July 31, 2013) — The latest in a series of experiments testing the ability of robots to influence live animals shows that bio-inspired robots can not only elicit fear in zebrafish, but that this reaction can be modulated by alcohol. These findings may pave the way for new methodologies for understanding anxiety and other emotions, as well as substances that modulate them. … > full story
Physicists discover theoretical possibility of large, hollow magnetic cage molecules (July 31, 2013) — Researchers have discovered, in theory, the possibility of creating large, hollow magnetic cage molecules that could one day be used in medicine as a drug delivery system to non-invasively treat tumors, and in other emerging technologies. … > full story
Sediment trapped behind dams makes them ‘hot spots’ for greenhouse gas emissions (July 31, 2013) — With the “green” reputation of large hydroelectric dams already in question, scientists are reporting that millions of smaller dams on rivers around the world make an important contribution to the greenhouse gases linked to global climate change. Their study shows that more methane than previously believed bubbles out of the water behind small dams. … > full story
Researchers successfully spoof an million yacht at sea (July 31, 2013) — A radio navigation research team discovered they could subtly coerce a 65-meter superyacht off its course, using a custom-made GPS device. The purpose of the experiment was to measure the difficulty of carrying out a spoofing attack at sea and to determine how easily sensors in the ship’s command room could identify the threat. … > full story
Guided growth of nanowires leads to self-integrated circuits (July 31, 2013) — Teaching nanowires self-control from the outset enabled scientists to produce complex electronic nanocomponents. … > full story
Tiny, brightly shining silicon crystals could be safe for deep-tissue imaging (July 31, 2013) — Tiny silicon crystals caused no health problems in monkeys three months after large doses were injected, marking a step forward in the quest to bring such materials into clinics as biomedical imaging agents, according to a new study. … > full story
Surprising result discovered when looking into effects of carbon nanotubes and soil sorption of toxicants (July 31, 2013) — When it comes to carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the soil, recent research shows that the new materials do not affect the sorption of the toxic part of oil called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). … > full story
Key factors for wireless power transfer (July 31, 2013) — What happens to a resonant wireless power transfer system in complex electromagnetic environments? Researchers explored the influences at play in this type of situation and describe how efficient wireless power transfer can be achieved in the presence of metal plates. … > full story
Saturn’s Mimas and Pandora: Two moons passing in the night (July 31, 2013) — The Saturn moons Mimas and Pandora remind us of how different they are when they appear together, as in this image taken by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft. Pandora’s small size means that it lacks sufficient gravity to pull itself into a round shape like its larger sibling, Mimas. Researchers believe that the elongated shape of Pandora (50 miles, or 81 kilometers across) may hold clues to how it and other moons near Saturn’s rings formed. … > full story
Progress in using ethanol to make key raw material now produced from oil (July 31, 2013) — Ethanol from corn and other plants could become the sustainable, raw material for a huge variety of products, from plastic packaging to detergents to synthetic rubber, that are currently petroleum-based. … > full story
Computational biology: Cells reprogrammed on the computer (July 31, 2013) — Scientists have developed a model that makes predictions from which differentiated cells — for instance skin cells — can be very efficiently changed into completely different cell types — such as nerve cells, for example. This can be done entirely without stem cells. These computer-based instructions for reprogramming cells are of huge significance for regenerative medicine. … > full story
Microfluidic breakthrough in biotechnology (July 31, 2013) — Chemical flasks and inconvenient chemostats for cultivation of bacteria are likely soon to be discarded. Researchers have constructed a microfluidic system allowing for merging, transporting and splitting of microdroplets. With this method hundreds of different bacteria cultures can be maintained simultaneously in a single system. … > full story
Chemists develop innovative nano-sensors for multiple proteins (July 31, 2013) — Chemists have developed a new method for parallel protein analysis that is, in principle, capable of identifying hundreds or even thousands of different proteins. It could be used to detect the presence of viruses and identify their type in tiny samples. At the same time, it is very cost-effective and quick. … > full story
Printing silver onto fibers could pave the way for flexible, wearable
electronics (July 30, 2013) — A new technique for depositing silver onto clothing fibers could open up huge opportunities in wearable electronics. … > full story
Planetary ‘runaway greenhouse’ more easily triggered, research shows (July 30, 2013) — It might be easier than previously thought for a planet to overheat into the scorchingly uninhabitable “runaway greenhouse” stage, according to new research. … > full story
Simulations aiding study of earthquake dampers for structures (July 30, 2013) — Researchers have demonstrated the reliability and efficiency of “real-time hybrid simulation” for testing a type of powerful damping system that might be installed in buildings and bridges to reduce structural damage and injuries during earthquakes. … > full story
Sequestration and fuel reserves: Storing carbon dioxide to release liquid fuels (July 30, 2013) — A technique for trapping the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide deep underground could at the same be used to release the last fraction of natural gas liquids from ailing reservoirs, thus offsetting some of the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels, experts say. … > full story
Cause of LED ‘efficiency droop’ identified (July 30, 2013) — Researchers have identified the mechanism behind a plague of LED light bulbs: a flaw called “efficiency droop” that causes LEDs to lose up to 20 percent of their efficiency as they are subjected to greater electrical currents. … > full story
Plasmonic black metals: Breakthrough in solar energy research? (July 30, 2013) — The use of plasmonic black metals could someday provide a pathway to more efficient photovoltaics — the use of solar panels containing photovoltaic solar cells — to improve solar energy harvesting, according to researchers. … > full story
Accurately testing exact hardness of a material, in depth (July 30, 2013) — Scientists have now built a machine that sets a new standard of accuracy for testing a material’s hardness, which is a measure of its resistance to bumps and scratches. … > full story
Protein surfaces defects act as drug targets (July 30, 2013) — New research shows a physical characterization of the interface of the body’s proteins with water. Identifying the locations where it is easiest to remove water from the interface of target proteins could constitute a novel drug design strategy. The candidate drugs would need to be engineered to bind at the site of the protein where interfacial water is most easily dislodged. … > full story
Novel technology for producing ‘electronic ink’ may lead to inexpensive, durable electronics and solar cells (July 30, 2013) — Electronic touch pads that cost just a few dollars and solar cells that cost the same as roof shingles are one step closer to reality today. … > full story
Water clears path for nanoribbon development (July 30, 2013) — A tiny meniscus of water makes it practical to form long graphene nanoribbons less than 10 nanometers wide. … > full story
Full body illusion is associated with a drop in skin temperature (July 30, 2013) — Researchers used virtual reality technology with a specialized robotic system to test what happens when the mind is tricked into identifying with another body. … > full story
Lifelike cooling for sunbaked windows: Adaptable microfluidic circulatory system could cut air-conditioning costs (July 30, 2013) — Sun-drenched rooms make for happy residents, but large glass windows also bring higher air-conditioning bills. Now a bioinspired microfluidic circulatory system for windows could save energy and cut cooling costs dramatically — while letting in just as much sunlight. … > full story
Station astronauts remotely control planetary rover from space (July 30, 2013) — On June 17 and July 26, NASA tested the Surface Telerobotics exploration concept, in which an astronaut in an orbiting spacecraft remotely operates a robot on a planetary surface. … > full story
Recognizing people by the way they walk (July 30, 2013) — Recognizing people by the way they walk can have numerous applications in the fields of security, leisure or medicine. A new technique offers significant advantages as recognition can be done remotely and does not require the cooperation of the subject. Detecting suspicious behavior (video surveillance), access control to buildings or to restricted areas and demographic analysis of a population in terms of gender and age range are just some of the possible applications of this technology. … > full story
Psychotherapy via internet as good as if not better than face-to-face consultations (July 30, 2013) — Does psychotherapy via the Internet work? Clinical researchers have studied whether online psychotherapy and conventional face-to-face therapy are equally effective in experiments. Based on earlier studies, researchers assumed that the two forms of therapy were on a par. Not only was their theory confirmed, the results for online therapy even exceeded their expectations. … > full story
Beam me up, Scotty! Would teleporting humans into space be possible? (July 30, 2013) — In the science fiction show, Star Trek, teleportation is a regular and significant feature. But how much time and power is required to send the data needed to teleport a human being? … > full story
Suburban sprawl to power cities of the future (July 30, 2013) — A city’s suburbs could hold the solution to dwindling fuel supplies by producing enough energy to power residents’ cars and even top up power resources, pioneering new research has found. … > full story
Improving dogs’ ability to detect explosives (July 30, 2013) — Training of dogs to recognise explosives could be quicker and more effective following research by animal behaviour experts. … > full story
Capturing black hole spin could further understanding of galaxy growth (July 29, 2013) — Astronomers have found a new way of measuring the spin in supermassive black holes, which could lead to better understanding about how they drive the growth of galaxies. … > full story
Computer scientists develop ‘mathematical jigsaw puzzles’ to encrypt software (July 29, 2013) — Computer science experts have designed a system to encrypt software so that it only allows someone to use a program as intended while preventing any deciphering of the code behind it. This is known in computer science as “software obfuscation,” and it is the first time it has been accomplished. … > full story
How does hydrogen metallize? (July 29, 2013) — Hydrogen is deceptively simple. It has only a single electron per atom, but it powers the sun and forms the majority of the observed universe. As such, it is naturally exposed to the entire range of pressures and temperatures available in the whole cosmos. But researchers still struggle to understand even basic aspects of its various forms under high-pressure conditions. New work makes significant additions to our understanding of this vital element’s high-pressure behavior. … > full story
NASA’s Chandra sees eclipsing planet in X-rays for first time (July 29, 2013) — For the first time since exoplanets, or planets around stars other than the sun, were discovered almost 20 years ago, X-ray observations have detected an exoplanet passing in front of its parent star. An advantageous alignment of a planet and its parent star in the system HD 189733, which is 63 light-years from Earth, enabled NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and the European Space Agency’s XMM Newton Observatory to observe a dip in X-ray intensity as the planet transited the star. … > full story
Pulsating star sheds light on exoplanet (July 29, 2013) — Astronomers have devised a way to measure the internal properties of stars —- a method that offers more accurate assessments of their orbiting planets. … > full story
Make it yourself with a 3-D printer and save big time (July 29, 2013) — A new study shows that families can save hundreds if not thousands of dollars by making their own household items with a 3-D printer. … > full story
Pushing microscopy beyond standard limits (July 29, 2013) — Engineers have devised a method to convert a relatively inexpensive conventional microscope into a billion-pixel imaging system that significantly outperforms the best available standard microscope. Such a system could greatly improve the efficiency of digital pathology, in which specialists need to review large numbers of tissue samples. By making it possible to produce robust microscopes at low cost, the approach also has the potential to bring high-performance microscopy capabilities to medical clinics in developing countries. … > full story
See-through solar film: Researchers double efficiency of novel solar cell (July 29, 2013) — Nearly doubling the efficiency of a photovoltaic breakthrough made in 2012, researchers have developed a two-layer, see-through solar film that could be placed on building windows, sunroofs, smartphone displays and other surfaces to harvest energy from the sun. … > full story
Tetrapod nanocrystals light the way to stronger polymers (July 29, 2013) — Researchers have developed advanced opto-mechanical stress probes based on tetrapod quantum dots (tQDs) that allow precise measurement of the tensile strength of polymer fibers with minimal impact on the polymer’s mechanical properties. These fluorescent tQDs could lead to stronger, self-repairing polymer nanocomposites. … > full story
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