New policies needed to combat Global Change, says Commissioner Wallström
Never before have policy makers faced a more challenging task than responding to global change, said EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström, in an article in the International Herald Tribune today (http://www.iht.com/articles/125563.html) and in a statement made for the launch of a new book on global change*... view more... (2004-01-20)
A new approach to growing heart muscle
It looks, contracts and responds almost like natural heart muscle - even though it was grown in the lab. And it brings scientists another step closer to the goal of creating replacement parts for damaged human hearts, or eventually growing an entirely new heart from just a spoonful of loose heart cells. view more (2006-12-08)
Integrated optical trap holds particles for on-chip analysis
A new type of optical particle trap can be used to manipulate bacteria, viruses and other particles on a chip as part of an integrated optofluidic platform. view more (2009-07-06)
Are the Alps growing or shrinking?
The Alps are growing just as quickly in height, as they are shrinking. This paradoxical result could be proven by a group of German and Swiss geoscientists. view more (2009-11-06)
Accelerometer backpacks aid study of gliding behavior in the 'flying' lemur
Berkeley -- The "flying" lemur of Malaysia is the champion of all gliding mammals, able to drop from the forest canopy, glide more than the length of two football fields, execute 90-degree turns and then alight gently on a tree trunk. view more (2008-02-11)
New research promises faster, cheaper and more reliable microchips
A project between academia and industry is aiming to spark a world electronics revolution by producing faster, cheaper and more reliable microchips. The University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, has joined forces with Atmel, on North Tyneside in the North East of England, to create 'strained silicon' microchips, which involves adding a material... view more... (2003-01-20)
Model for new generation of blood vessels challenged
In-growth and new generation of blood vessels, which must take place if a wound is to heal or a tumor is to grow, have been thought to occur through a branching and further growth of a vessel against a chemical gradient of growth factors. view more (2009-06-02)
Climate change was major factor in erosion of Alps 6 million years ago
The Alps, the iconic rugged mountains that cover parts of seven European nations, might have reached their zenith millions of years ago, some scientists believe, and now are a mere shadow of their former selves. New research offers an explanation. view more (2006-08-16)
Lead-flapping objects experience less wind resistance than their trailing counterparts
It is commonly known that racing cars and bicyclists can reduce air resistance by following closely behind a leader, but researchers from New York University and Cornell University have found the opposite is true with flapping objects, such as flags. view more (2008-11-11)
Declining sharks
The transformation of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems by humans is well known, but only recently have the impacts of anthropogenic forces in the open ocean been recognized. In particular, intense exploitation by industrial fisheries is rapidly changing oceanic ecosystems by drastically reducing populations of many marine species. For most... view more... (2004-02-05)
New lab-on-a-chip measures mechanics of bacteria colonies
Researchers at the University of Michigan have devised a microscale tool to help them understand the mechanical behavior of biofilms, slimy colonies of bacteria involved in most human infectious diseases. view more (2009-07-01)
Academy cautious over Energy White Paper
The Royal Academy of Engineering's Vice President, Mr Phil Ruffles FREng, today welcomed the publication of the Energy White Paper but cautioned that the targets for renewables, reduction in emissions and energy efficiency were all economically and technologically demanding. The Academy has been on record previously pointing out the immense... view more... (2003-02-24)
A molecular 'salve' to soothe surface stresses
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have shown for the first time that a single layer of molecular "salve" can significantly soothe the stresses affecting clean metal surfaces. view more (2008-05-30)
Mom and dad as financial advisors
Why are so many students deep in debt before they finish college, only to take on more debt as they begin their careers? The answer may be found by looking at the social forces that shape the attitudes and behaviors of today's youth - forces influencing them in ways that will determine their financial success or failure as adults. view more (2009-07-28)
Engineers create mathematical method to design better robots, structures
Mechanical and civil engineers have created a new mathematical method to design better structures, machines and versatile computer-controlled robots called "robot manipulators." view more (2006-01-12)
Aiming at a deeper understanding of the maintenance of health
Projects selected for Microbes and Man Research Programme. The projects that will be funded under the umbrella of the Microbes and Man Research Programme have been selected. Among the areas and issues covered in these projects are allergies, intestinal immune defence mechanisms, the role of microbes in cardiovascular diseases and the impacts of... view more... (2002-12-10)
Survey reveals British public don't know the difference between quarks and DNA - do you?
A survey commissioned by the Institute of Physics (IoP) has found that a staggering 98 percent of UK adults don't know what the world around us is made of. Just under two percent of those asked gave the right answer, quarks, the basic building blocks of all matter in the universe. The survey asked over 500 people what makes up the nucleus of an... view more... (2004-03-30)
Elastic interactions of membrane proteins
Cellular survival relies crucially on the ability to receive and communicate signals from and to the outside world. A major part of this regulation and communication is performed by proteins within the membrane of a cell. view more (2007-05-04)
Good vibrations: Aging bones may benefit from a good shaking
While running and jumping are some of the best ways to maintain or improve bone strength and help prevent fractures, they aren't the safest activities for the frail, elderly or physically impaired. view more (2007-02-20)
High visibility speed cameras may increase road deaths
Government plans to increase the visibility of speed cameras and ban dummy warning signs on roads where there are no cameras may increase deaths and injuries on the road, according to a letter in this week’s BMJ. Speed cameras will now be painted yellow and must be visible from a distance of up to 100m. Police forces will also be forbidden... view more... (2002-05-07)
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