Science in Russia

“Neutron Microscope” Launched in Dubna

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:05:00 +0000

IREN will become an instrument for studying various structures, including nuclei, by means of neutron flows with low energy – between 0.1 and 100000 electron volt. Neutron flows will be directed towards the object of interest, and then it structure will be restored according reflection of these neutrons. The mechanism is similar to microscope with neutrons instead of light.

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Rocket Technologies Fight Toxins

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:03:00 +0000

Russian scientists suggest a solution for utilization and processing of low-grade fuels, super-toxins, pesticides, wastes of oil and chemical industry and associated petroleum gas.

The idea is burning all these in high-speed flows. Researchers developed a compact unit for this purpose. The unit is small, mobile and work very fast.

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How Did Life Appear on Earth?

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:01:00 +0000

The crew of the International space station prepares an experiment, which will help scientists understanding the nature of life’s appearing on our planet.

Yuri Lonchakov runs and plugs in cables inside the station for the EXPOSE-R experiment of the European space agency, aimed at studying exobiological processes in outer space. The study is an international cooperation between several scientific institutions and RosCosmos.

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Russians Lose Interest in Books

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:58:00 +0000

Research on how much Russian citizens read revealed sad results – during last 20 years the amount of public libraries, their stocks and number of subscribers have dropped significantly.

Most notable drop in number of libraries was detected in large cities, where people were better educated and had higher living standards. In contrast, the number of libraries in villages has increased a little bit during 2000s. Most active library users are schoolchildren.

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Russian Medics Predict Avian Flu Pandemics

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:56:00 +0000

Russian chief state health inspector says that medics very soon expect drift of highly pathogenic strain of avian flu with “with all ensuing consequences for the mankind”.

Over the last years epidemical situation in the world has changed dramatically – virus actively mutates, and existing vaccines can be helpless against one of the mutants, causing pandemics.

We are currently in the pre-pandemic period, which is similar to the third pandemics phase according WHO – new infection strain, non-transmittable to humans or very rarely infecting human after close contact with virus carrier.

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Mysterious Substance Discovered on Venus

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:54:00 +0000

“Venus-Express” probe allows scientists to compare images of the Morning star, received in various wavelength ranges. A group of scientists, headed by Dmitriy Titov, thoroughly analyzed structure of Venusian atmosphere and dynamic processes, taking place in it.

Scientists have already known that UV (ultraviolet) images of Venus had contrasting zones, which appeared due to heterogeneous distribution of some substance, absorbing radiation, in the atmosphere. IR (infrared) images revealed that dark spots near the equator heated very fast and got to upper atmospheric layers via convection. As for highlighted spots, they showed low temperature at the cloud top, thus preventing atmosphere from vertical mixing.

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Russian Technologies for Animation

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:52:00 +0000

Peruvian animation studio “Qilqax International” announced about production of full-length cartoon “Magus ex Machina” (“Wizard from Machine”) based on 3D technologies of programmers from Russian city of Tomsk.

The cartoon is the story of a young prince, fighting for life in a dying world. Film’s budget is about $3 million, and the project employs over 40 professional animators.

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Genomic Registration Starts Soon

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:50:00 +0000

The law “On state genomic registration in Russian Federation”, which regulates obtaining, storing and using information about human DNA, comes into force on January 1, 2009.

Genomic information is necessary for prevention, detection and investigation of crimes; finding criminals and searching for missing persons. Moreover, information about human DNA can be the only means for personal identification or relationship determination.

The law provides state genomic registration to be obligatory and voluntary. Those, convicted for felony, disturbing sexual immunity serious crimes, are obliged to have their genome registered.

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New Look for Flying Vehicles

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:48:00 +0000

Nanotechnologies in aircraft engineering may dramatically change the look of future-technology vehicles, Russian engineers say.

New flying vehicles will contain a variety of nanosensors, which collect information about bypassing air during the flight. After processing the information by means of onboard computer, nanoactivators will change airflow conditions of the vehicle.

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Joint Antibiotic Venture to Appear

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:46:00 +0000

Russia suggests India to establish a joint venture on producing antibiotics of new generation. Possible products are related to “cephalosporins”.

Pharmaceuticals of Indian origin today cover 4.1% of the Russian market. Indian treating agents are cheap, thus available to the majority of Russian citizens.

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Watch the Valley of Geysers Online

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:44:00 +0000

Since yesterday the camera, installed in the Valley of Geysers, Kamchatka’s famous sightseeing place, broadcasts online images of most active and interesting hot springs.

Installation of cameras in the Russian hydrothermal reserve park began this May. Cameras are also installed in parts of the Valley, which are inaccessible for visitors.

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Watch the geysers here.

Live and Don't Die

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:41:00 +0000

Russian scientists in cooperation with American and South African colleagues tried to answer the question – how much energy an “average living being” needs to live.

Researchers estimated energy consumption for mass unit in time unit, and the results were in Watts per kilogram. Scientists then compared this parameter in over 3000 various living beings, inhabiting our planet.

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Breakthrough in Light Engineering

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:39:00 +0000

Russian scientists and engineers agreed to establish new joint venture in order to produce lights according new technology.

The project aims at establishing high-tech production of new lighting systems based on semiconducting chips, made from gallium nitride. The venture will produce light-diode chip, light-diode lamps and light systems with excellent light characteristics.

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No More Falling into a Spin

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:36:00 +0000

Central Institute of Aerohydrodynamics develops technical programme for prevention of combat and civil aircrafts from falling into a spin in order to avoid flight accidents.

Studies of flight accidents show that the main reason is human factor. Russian engineers develop series of algorithms and limitations, which will help a pilot and prevent falling into a spin.

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Extraterrestrial Beer – Taste from Space

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:33:00 +0000

Within the joint project with Russian Academy of Sciences Japanese brewers made beer from barley, grown at International space station.

The exclusive beer has 5.5% strength. Japanese brewers say they use only barley for this beer, no other ingredients. Commercial production of the unusual drink is expected to start soon.

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Russia Resumes Construction of the Ice Fleet

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:32:00 +0000

During the ceremony of signing state contract on building new research vessel for the Russian Antarctic Expedition authorities said the Russia resumed construction of research fleet for exploring Arctic and Antarctic regions and the World Ocean.

Flagship will be laid down at the oldest Russian shipbuilding facility “Admiralteiskie Verfi”, which recently celebrated its 300^th anniversary.

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Russians Don’t Care About Solar Batteries

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:29:00 +0000

New research of WorldPublicOpinion.org the majority of citizens of 21 countries, including Russia, support their governments in their decision to shift on alternative energy sources.

Russia is one of the three countries (the other two are Indonesia and Azerbaijan), which population doesn’t want the government to “demand more effective energy use from business enterprises despite possible price rise”. 43% of Russians said “no” to this possibility.

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New Supersonic Business Jet Tested

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:12:00 +0000

Russian engineers of Central Institute of Aerohydrodynamics test a model of new supersonic business jet within the international project HISAC.

HISAC is a joint international venture, aimed at developing an environmentally friendly high speed aircraft.

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We Owe Half of All Medication to Nature

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:10:00 +0000

About a half of all modern pharmaceuticals was created on the basis of low-molecular biological substances, derived from either higher terrestrial plants, or soil microorganisms and marine dwellers.

Russian scientists from Vladivostok have isolated about 500 new biological substances, which can be useful for medicine. Rhizokhalin, extracted from tropical sponges, shows anti-fungal properties; alkaloids of sea squirts – polykarpin and varacin C – have high anti-tumor activity. Long-term studies of quinoid pigments of sea urchins resulted in “Histochrome”, highly appreciated by cardiologists. Other valuable substances of marine dwellers show wound-healing and hepatoprotecting properties.

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Site for New Russian Spaceport Approved

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:08:00 +0000

This November RosCosmos sent the reconnaissance commission to the Amur Region in order to specify location of the construction site for new Russian launching site “Vostochny”.

The commission included experts in machine engineering and other industrial and scientific fields. Researchers specified sites for design and survey works near the town of Uglegorsk. Said works are scheduled to start in 2009.

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Stem Cells for Human Eye Tissue Analogues

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:06:00 +0000

Russian geneticists succeeded in growing analogues of human eye tissues from embryonic stem cells in the laboratory.

Growing process takes about three-four months. Geneticists also developed a technology for turning embryonic stem cells into endothelium functional cells, which are known to form human blood supply, and cardiomyocytes – cells of a cardiac muscle. The laboratory already has 12 stem cell lines out of 13, which are in Russia.

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Mammoth or Elephant?

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:04:00 +0000

Joint research group with participants form USA and Russia attempted to decipher mammoth’s genome. Scientists used DNA samples, extracted from mammoth’s hair, found in permafrost. Results are published in the Nature magazine

Researchers deciphered 80% of genome of Mammuthus primigenius. For the analysis they used hair samples from two mammoth bodies, found in permafrost. Results showed that genetic difference between mammoths and modern African elephants (Loxodonta africana) was twice as less than between human beings and chimpanzees.

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New Engine Invented

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:02:00 +0000

Russian scientists invented new type of engine. This innovation may change the world.

New engine will weigh three times less than combustion engine, however, new development has the same capacity. New engine is expected to emit almost nothing to the atmosphere and to work on any fuel preferred – wood, spirit, coal, solar energy and hot water.

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Search for Sulphide Ore Deposits

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:58:00 +0000

Early in December Russian research vessel “Professor Logachev” will head to the Atlantic to find proven deposits of sulphide ores at the oceanic bottom.

Expedition and scheduled experiments are the part of federal research programme “World Ocean”. The journey will take 180 days, and the vessel expected to return in summer 2009.

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Back to “Buran”

noreply@blogger.com (Russia.IC) — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 15:56:00 +0000

Russian expert in machine construction assumes Russia can get back to using space shuttle “Buran”, but with some change.

Today Russian space industry utilizes “Zenith” rocket carrier (part of “Energia”) nd other technical solutions.

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Back to “Buran”