Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a new compound with unique properties that could be used in various applications. The compound, zirconium tungstate, has been found to behave under high pressures and has potential uses in electronics, optics and dental care.
The Cheseapeake Bay experienced record flows in 1996, with rivers carrying a combined average of 87.5 billion gallons per day, affecting water quality and ecosystem health. Environmental effects could have been worse, but management actions and favorable timing reduced the impact.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered that RNA- and DNA-binding proteins have the same shape, a configuration of three coils called alpha helices. This similarity suggests that the protein could be an ancient ancestral form of other proteins crucial to embryonic development.
The USGS has prioritized flood-level data to emergency-management teams, providing information on past floods, likelihood of recurrence, and flood effects. Field crews have repaired telemetry equipment, despite interrupted real-time transmission, and will study landslides to determine cause and effect.
A recent study reveals that in 24 out of 28 cases involving Americans released from prison based on DNA evidence, eyewitnesses made false identifications from photo spreads and lineups. New research is helping to understand the circumstances leading to these errors and find ways to reduce their occurrences.