Tech | Page 1781 | Science Codex

NASA sees Carlos power back up to hurricane status in 3-D

Carlos became a hurricane for about 24 hours over the previous weekend, then powered down to a tropical storm and now atmospheric conditions have enabled him to power back into a hurricane in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite has been capturing images of Carlos since it was born as tropical depression #4E last week. Scientists at NASA can use TRMM data to provide forecasters a 3-D look at the storm's cloud heights and rainfall, which is extremely helpful in forecasting.

Australia's top models at science conference

Australia's top models will take centre stage in Cairns this week as scientists meet to discuss ways to understand climate change, improve air safety and enhance agricultural sustainability.

The IMACS/MODSIM Congress will attract more than 650 experts in modelling and simulation from Australia and overseas to the Cairns Convention Centre from July 13-17, 2009.

Breast cancer prevention effort dramatically increases mammography rates

July 14, 2009 (Portland, Ore.) – A reminder program aimed at screening for breast cancer when it is most treatable boosted mammography rates by more than 17 percentage points, according to a new study by Kaiser Permanente's Center for Health Research in the August issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The program used electronic health records to identify women who would soon be due for a mammogram and reached out to them via postcards, automated voice messages and personal phone calls.

Obesity contributes to rapid cartilage loss

OAK BROOK, Ill. – Obesity, among other factors, is strongly associated with an increased risk of rapid cartilage loss, according to a study published in the August issue of Radiology.

Cheaper, faster synthesis of nanoparticles advanced

Singapore's Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) has discovered a new, environmentally-friendly method to inexpensively synthesize a wide variety of nanoparticles. This new chemical synthesis has been recently published in Nature Materials.

IBN researchers have developed a protocol to transfer metal ions from an aqueous solution to an organic solution such as toluene. Metal compounds that can dissolve in water are inexpensive and commonly available.

Once thought too impractical, water desalination may help fight California's drought.

Concern over access to clean water is no longer just an issue for the developing world, as California faces its worst drought in recorded history. According to state's Department of Water Resources, supplies in major reservoirs and many groundwater basins are well below average.

With these critical issues looming, researchers at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science are working hard to help alleviate the state's water deficit with their new mini-mobile-modular (M3) "smart" water desalination and filtration system.

The 'repulsive' side of a bipolar light force

New Haven, Conn.—A team of Yale University researchers has discovered a "repulsive" light force that can be used to control components on silicon microchips, meaning future nanodevices could be controlled by light rather than electricity.

Fluorescent probes illuminate dying cancer cells and help find effective treatment

Scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have found a way to light up cells as they die. Physicians will potentially be able watch tumor cells committing a form of programmed suicide called apoptosis. The ability to observe the tumor cell behavior could prove helpful in more quickly picking the most effective treatment.

Safe transportation of handicapped children still has room for improvement.

INDIANAPOLIS -- A new study by researchers from the Automotive Safety Program at Riley Hospital for Children and Indiana University School of Medicine published online July 13, 2009 in the journal Pediatrics reports that the parents of children with special health care needs are doing a good job with the selection of the appropriate child car seat but still need help in using it correctly.

Shaped alloys with a memory are becoming reality

Medical researchers put trashed televisions to good use

Waste material from discarded televisions could be recycled and used in medicine, according to new research by scientists at the University of York.

The chemical compound polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA) is widely used in industry and is a key element of television sets with liquid crystal display (LCD) technology. When these sets are thrown away, the LCD panels are usually incinerated or buried in landfill sites.

Superconductivity: mechanisms in iron-based semiconductors

Superconductivity appears to rely on very different mechanisms in two varieties of iron-based superconductors. The insight comes from research groups that are making bold statements about the correct description of superconductivity in iron-based compounds in two papers about to be published in journals of the American Physical Society.

NFL player careers not hurt by ACL reconstruction - study

KEYSTONE, CO (Saturday, July 11, 2009) – Knee injuries are a common problem in collegiate and professional football, often hindering an individual's career length and future. A study presented at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's Annual Meeting in Keystone, Colorado suggests that anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction versus a simple meniscus repair may predict a longer professional career in those that have suffered knee injuries.

New technique can fast-track better ionic liquids for biomass pre-treatments

They've been dubbed "grassoline" – second generation biofuels made from inedible plant material, including fast-growing weeds, agricultural waste, sawdust, etc. – and numerous scientific studies have shown them to be prime candidates for replacing gasoline to meet our transportation needs. However, before we can begin to roll down the highways on sustainable, carbon-neutral grassoline, numerous barriers must be overcome, starting with finding ways to break lignocellulosic biomass down into fermentable sugars.

Green industrial lubricant developed

A team of researchers from the University of Huelva has developed an environmentally-friendly lubricating grease based on ricin oil and cellulose derivatives, according to the journal Green Chemistry. The new formula does not include any of the contaminating components used to manufacture traditional industrial lubricants.