Researchers have created a laser without mirrors using powdered layers of zinc oxide and gallium nitride. The device amplifies light using a disordered structure, creating feedback to form lasing cavities and producing blue laser light.
Researchers found strong neurological activity in zebra finch brain region involved in singing during sleep, suggesting a role in consolidating learned songs. The finding runs counter to the motor theory, proposing that birds subconsciously mimic sounds they hear while awake.
A biodegradable oil spill cleanup product has been developed using milled bagasse, a waste byproduct of the sugar industry. The product creates an environment that sustains bacteria to digest spilled oil, making it effective in vegetated wetlands.
Physicists and astronomers observe distant supernovae to determine the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate, implying a mysterious property of space first proposed by Albert Einstein. The discovery was made possible by a unique collaboration between researchers using supercomputer facilities and powerful telescopes.
Fossils of crocodile-like champsosaurs, turtles and fish found in high Canadian Arctic reveal extremely warm temperatures. The findings suggest that volcanic eruptions dumped large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, causing global warming.
A CDC pilot study developed an integer programming model to optimize vaccine selection and procurement, potentially saving millions of dollars in health care costs. The study examined the economic value of combining vaccines and identified opportunities for reducing medical staff time and storage costs.
The Wildlife Conservation Society will use the grant to conduct research in three distinct ecosystems and educate decision-makers about strategies to protect natural systems. The funding aims to safeguard areas within 100 miles of New York City, benefiting both people and wildlife.
NSF-supported astronomers discovered that the expansion of the universe is accelerating, driven by a yet unknown force. Circadian rhythms research also made significant progress, with discoveries on genes regulating molecular cycles in fruit flies and cyanobacteria.
The research team observed and recorded the relativistic motion of free electrons in electromagnetic fields, which confirms several predictions based on Einstein's theory of relativity. The discovery challenges a fundamental assumption about the Thomson cross section, a physical constant used in physics theories.
Elementary students at Christiansburg Elementary School are participating in a wildlife mapping program, recording animal sightings and sending data to the state. The project uses GPS technology and bird specimens from Virginia Tech's Museum of Natural History to teach students about conservation and habitat patterns.
Researchers are searching for evidence that can support or refute the hypothesis that Uintacrinus could have floated, a staggering feat considering its size. Geologists Meyer and Milsom have found new fossil material in Kansas and Colorado, which will help them understand how crinoids were preserved and potentially answer this question.
A total of 48 researchers, including eight from Alabama, have been awarded NASA grants to study protein crystallization and cell science. These grants may lead to improvements in medical technologies such as drug design and tissue engineering.
Researchers at Clemson University are testing a naturally occurring disease to control fire ant populations, which have devastating effects on the environment and economy. The disease reduces the ability of queen ants to lay eggs, slowly killing colonies over six to eight months.
Asthma researchers identified two molecules, interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, that connect to a specific receptor and initiate inflammation, increasing the number of goblet cells producing excessive mucus. This finding paves the way for developing more effective treatments that control the disease at its cellular level.
The INEEL Laser Ultrasonic Camera transforms sound waves into an image, revealing object thickness, stiffness and imperfections. The system's dynamic holographic image shows waves moving along the surface of the entire object in real-time.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory have discovered that water flows chaotically through the ground in heterogeneous soils and fractured rock environments. Chaos theory can now be used to model this non-linear process, which is crucial for environmental restoration.
A study found that spraying water with airborne bacteria in indoor swimming pools can lead to a lung disease called granulomatous pneumonitis. Lifeguards who worked long hours at pools with water features were most affected, and symptoms included cough, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
The study found that public perceptions of the forest prioritize residential quality of life, community, and environmental ethics. This differs from land managers' focus on tangible aspects like water, wood, and wildlife.
Researchers found supernovas are fainter than expected, suggesting the universe has expanded more slowly in the past and is now accelerating. This discovery supports the Cosmological Constant theory, which had been dismissed by Albert Einstein, and has significant implications for our understanding of the universe's behavior.