Researchers use a massive centrifuge to simulate earthen dam failures and study the effects of sinkholes on full-sized dams. The 400g-ton machine, built in 1988, can spin loads of up to 2 tons at 200 times gravity.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a non-invasive technique to study complex cell behavior using electricity. The ECIS 100 technology provides unprecedented sensitivity and detailed results, allowing for real-time analysis of cell activity over time.
Certain plant species can trigger an adaptive reaction to flooding by producing life-saving shoots, but the exact process is unclear. Dutch biologists hope to unravel this process at the physiological and molecular level to develop crops that can cope with floods.
Astronomers have detected the first observational evidence for hypernova remnants in galaxy M101. The two remnants, MF83 and NGC5471B, are among the largest known supernova remnants and have X-ray luminosities about an order of magnitude brighter than brightest supernovae.
A new NTP Center for Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction will assess the potential reproductive risks of seven phthalates found in consumer products. The center aims to fill knowledge gaps on their contribution to declining sperm counts, birth defects, and developmental problems.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is providing $550,000 to support research opportunities for DC and suburban Maryland/Virginia school teachers. Selected teachers will gain hands-on experience in NIH laboratories and share their knowledge with students.