Newswise: SciNews

Journal Tips from the American Institute of Physics: May 24, 2012

American Institute of Physics (AIP) — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:45:00 EST

1. A Nanoclutch for Nano-'bots; 2. Sound Increases the Efficiency of Boiling; 3. Slip-and-slide Power Generators; 4. Scientists Evaluate Different Antimicrobial Metals for Use in Water Filters.

"Personality Genes" May Help Account for Longevity

Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:30:00 EST

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology of Yeshiva University have found that personality traits like being extroverted, enjoying laughter and staying engaged may also be part of the longevity genes mix that allows some people to reach age 100 and beyond. The findings published online May 21 in the journal Aging.

USDTL Now a GSA Certified Contractor

United States Drug Testing Laboratories (USDTL) — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:00:00 EST

USDTL Now GSA Certified Contractor- Specialty drug testing now available to government agencies.

As D-Day Anniversary Approaches, New Geological Insights

University of Texas at Austin — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:40:00 EST

Two geology professors have discovered tiny bits of shrapnel and other microscopic remnants of the D-Day invasion in samples of sand collected on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. The scientists were surprised that these tiny traces survived for decades despite the scouring action of sand and waves, and the rusting action of seawater.

University of Florida Physicists Set New Record for Graphene Solar Cell Efficiency

University of Florida — Thu, 24 May 2012 13:10:00 EST

Doping may be a no-no for athletes, but researchers in the University of Florida's physics department say it was key in getting unprecedented power conversion efficiency from a new graphene solar cell created in their lab.

Persistent Sensory Experience is Good for Aging Brain

Max Planck Florida Institute — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:30:00 EST

Despite a long-held scientific belief that much of the wiring of the brain is fixed by adolescence, a new study shows that changes in sensory experience can cause massive rewiring, even as one ages. These findings may open new avenues of research on brain remodeling and aging.

Newly Modified Nanoparticle Opens Window on Future Gene Editing Technologies

Iowa State University — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:10:00 EST

Iowa State University researchers are using nanoparticles originally developed by the late Victor Lin to simultaneously deliver proteins and DNA into plant cells. The technology could allow more sophisticated and targeted editing of plant genomes.

Key Gene Found Responsible for Chronic Inflammation, Accelerated Aging and Cancer

NYU Langone Medical Center — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:05:00 EST

Researchers at NYU School of Medicine have, for the first time, identified a single gene that simultaneously controls inflammation, accelerated aging and cancer.

From Lemons to Lemonade: Reaction Uses Carbon Dioxide to Make Carbon-Based Semiconductor

Michigan Technological University — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:00:00 EST

Materials scientist Yun Hang Hu has discovered a chemical reaction that gobbles up the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and produces a couple of useful compounds. And, by the way, it releases energy.

VIMS Reports Record Number of Young Scallops in Mid-Atlantic

Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), College of William and Mary — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:45:00 EST

Recent surveys by researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) reveal an unprecedented number of young scallops in two fishery management areas off the mid-Atlantic coast. The results bode well for the continued success of the commercial fishery.

Food, Water Safety Provide New Challenges for Today's Sensors

Oak Ridge National Laboratory — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:35:00 EST

Sensors that work flawlessly in laboratory settings may stumble when it comes to performing in real-world conditions, according to researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Grinnell College Awarded $1 Million from HHMI for Science Education

Grinnell College — Thu, 24 May 2012 08:00:00 EST

HHMI capstone award to Grinnell for "sustained excellence and important contributions to undergraduate science education"

New Model of Geological Strata May Aid Oil Extraction, Water Recovery and Earth History Studies

Sandia National Laboratories — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:00:00 EST

Sandia modeling study contradicts a long-held belief of geologists that pore sizes and chemical compositions are uniform throughout a given strata, which are horizontal slices of sedimentary rock. By understanding the variety of pore sizes and spatial patterns in strata, geologists can help achieve more production from underground oil reservoirs and water aquifers. Better understanding also means more efficient use of potential underground carbon storage sites, and better evaluations of the possible movement of radionuclides in nuclear waste depositories to determine how well the waste will be isolated.

Threat Intelligence System Helps Share Malware Data

Georgia Institute of Technology, Research Communications — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:20:00 EST

As malware threats expand and increasingly focus on industrial espionage, Georgia Tech researchers are launching a new weapon to help battle the threats: a malware intelligence system that will help corporate and government security officials share information about the attacks they are fighting.

Researchers Find a Way to Delay Aging of Stem Cells

Salk Institute for Biological Studies — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:00:00 EST

Stem cells are essential building blocks for all organisms, from plants to humans. They can divide and renew themselves throughout life, differentiating into the specialized tissues needed during development, as well as cells necessary to repair adult tissue. Therefore, they can be considered immortal, in that they recreate themselves and regenerate tissues throughout a person's lifetime, but that doesn't mean they don't age. They do, gradually losing their ability to effectively maintain tissues and organs.

El Nino Weather and Climate Change Threaten Survival of Baby Leatherback Sea Turtles

Drexel University — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:00:00 EST

When leatherback turtle hatchlings dig out of their nests buried in the sandy Playa Grande beach in northwest Costa Rica, they enter a world filled with dangers. This critically endangered species faces threats that include egg poaching and human fishing practices. Now, Drexel University researchers have found that the climate conditions at the nesting beach affect the early survival of turtle eggs and hatchlings. They predict, based on projections from multiple models, that egg and hatchling survival will drop by half in the next 100 years as a result of global climate change.

The Goldilocks Effect: Babies Choose 'Just Right' Experiences

University of Rochester — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:00:00 EST

Infants ignore information that is too simple or too complex, focusing instead on situations that are "just right," according to a new study. Dubbed the "Goldilocks effect" by the University of Rochester team that discovered it, the attention pattern sheds light on how babies learn to make sense of a world full of complex sights, sounds, and movements.

Bark Beetle May Impact Air Quality, Climate

Southern Illinois University Carbondale — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:00:00 EST

Study brings better understanding to atmospheric maladies such as particulate matter, which can cause health problems in the very young and old, as well as other problems.

Researchers Find Genetic Evidence That Turtles Are More Closely Related To Birds Than Lizards And Snakes

Boston University College of Arts & Sciences — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:55:00 EST

Having recently looked at more than a thousand of the least-changed regions in the genomes of turtles and their closest relatives, a team of Boston University researchers has confirmed that turtles are most closely related to crocodilians and birds rather than to lizards, snakes, and tuataras.

New Species Top 10 List Draws Attention to Diverse Biosphere

Arizona State University — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:00:00 EST

The International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University released the top 10 new species list on May 23; includes teensy attack wasp, night-blooming orchid, underworld worm, ancient "walking cactus" creature, blue tarantula, Nepalese poppy, giant millipede, sneezing monkey, fungus named for cartoon character and beautiful jellyfish.

Researchers Uncover New Ways Sleep-Wake Patterns Are Like Clockwork

New York University — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:00:00 EST

Researchers at New York University and Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have discovered new ways neurons work together to ease the transition between sleep and wakefulness. Their findings provide additional insights into sleep-wake patterns and offer methods to explore what may disrupt them.

Two-Dimensional Layered Materials for High-Performance Electronics

Penn State Materials Research Institute — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:55:00 EST

Researchers at Penn State have developed a method to build graphene-based transistors compatible with semiconductor industry processes. This technology shows a 2-3x performance enhancement over the current approach to graphene transistors.

Nomads of the Galaxy

Kavli Foundation — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:00:00 EST

Planets simply adrift in space may not only be common in the cosmos; in the Milky Way Galaxy alone, their number may be in the quadrillions. Three experts discuss what this may mean, including how it is conceivable for a nomad planet to sustain life.

Tracking Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Shows Migration Secrets

University of Massachusetts Amherst — Tue, 22 May 2012 17:00:00 EST

New fish-tagging studies of young bluefin tuna in the Atlantic off New England are offering the first fishery-independent, year-round data on dispersal patterns and habitat use for the popular game fish. Miniaturized pop-up satellite tags suitable for smaller fish helped make the research possible.

Scientists Unravel Role of Fusion Gene in Prostate Cancer

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:00:00 EST

Up to half of all prostate cancer cells have a chromosomal rearrangement that results in a new "fusion" gene and formation of its unique protein -- but no one has known how that alteration promotes cancer growth. Now, Weill Cornell Medical College researchers have found that in these cancer cells, the 3-D architecture of DNA, wrapped up in a little ball known as a chromatin, is warped in such a way that a switch has been thrown on thousands of genes, turning them on or off to promote abnormal, unchecked growth. Researchers also found that new chromosomal translocations form, further destabilizing the genome.