Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories are developing high-temperature electronics to improve geothermal energy production. This could reduce costs by eliminating the need for protective Dewar flasks, which currently add significant expense to drilling operations.
A study at Washington University School of Medicine found that 3-D models of the pelvis are more accurate than X-ray images in preparing surgeons to revise hip replacements. This added information helps with crucial planning stages for complicated surgeries, reducing complications and improving patient outcomes.
A massive gene study suggests that mammals first evolved around 100 million years ago during the Cretaceous era, much earlier than previously estimated. The research used genetic data from over 10,000 species to infer origin dates, contradicting fossil-based estimates that linked mammal evolution to mass extinctions.
Researchers found that the anterior cingulate cortex detects response competition and provides a signal to pay more attention and avoid errors. The brain's 'how you are doing' monitor may serve as an alarm system for executive control, preventing catastrophic mistakes.
Research reveals that bison grazing can increase plant species diversity in stressed grasslands, countering the effects of fire and fertilizer. By reestablishing grazing, scientists find that biodiversity can be retained in ecosystems impacted by human activities.