The University of Illinois will participate in a $250 million, 10-year program to develop advanced computational systems for simulating solid-propellant rockets. The center will focus on detailed whole-system simulations, benefiting both basic scientific research and aerospace applications.
The Sandia Z accelerator has quintupled its output from 40 to 210 terawatts, achieving a temperature of 1.5 million degrees, crucial for nuclear fusion. This breakthrough advances basic scientific research and contributes to US defense without physically exploding large-scale devices.
Infants as young as 20 weeks old can produce three common vowel sounds by analyzing parentese, a unique form of speech used to communicate with babies. This study shows that parentese is characterized by over-articulation, making vowel sounds more distinct and expanding their range.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed two portable detection systems that can identify strategic metals used to make nuclear weapons. The Material Identification System uses eddy current technology to detect metals, while the Ultrasonic Pulse Echo instrument uses ultrasound to characterize container contents.
A study of 32 obese women found that shedding excess weight led to improved body image and increased sexual activity. However, the improvement was not statistically significant and the level of sexual activity remained below national averages.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that the TSG101 gene, previously identified as a tumor suppressor, was consistently normal and undamaged in human breast cancer cells. The cells exhibited abnormal RNA splicing, which may be a result of cancer cells trying to activate normal cell behaviors in an abnormal way.
Researchers found ill veterans performed worse in neuropsychological tests than healthy counterparts, indicating generalized brain damage. The study supports the theory that Gulf War syndrome represents neurological damage from chemical exposure, not psychological reactions.