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Science News for January 6, 1999


Aircraft De-Icers Hold A Hidden Hazard

Researchers found high concentrations of tolyltriazoles in groundwater under an airport, causing toxicity to bacteria and aquatic life. Current regulations only monitor glycol levels, ignoring major sources of toxicity.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateJan 6, 1999

Cold Dust In Hot Gas Of Ancient Galaxies

University of Michigan astronomers have detected the cool infrared signature of dust grains and silicates within superheated gas in the center of ancient elliptical galaxies. The discovery could represent the first direct observation of how mass lost by aging stars evolves in a hot, exotic environment.

A Robot Kitten Is Artificial Life's Next Big Thing

The Cellular Automata Machine (CAM) brain will be built under contract by Genobyte, a company in Boulder, Colorado. It will contain nearly 40 million artificial neurons, compared to the few hundred neurons used in most other specialists in artificial intelligence.

SourceNew Scientist·JournalThe New Scientist·DateJan 6, 1999

Vanderbilt Cancer Center Discovery May Help Overcome Resistance To Anti-Breast Cancer Drug

Researchers at Vanderbilt Cancer Center found that overproduction of TGF-beta contributes to tamoxifen resistance. They also discovered the importance of immune system's natural killer activity for tamoxifen's effectiveness. This discovery may lead to strategies to prolong tamoxifen response or even reverse resistance.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·DateJan 6, 1999

Sandia Photonic Crystal Confines Optical Light: 'Very Important Work,' Says Physics Nobel Iaureate

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have created a microscopic three-dimensional lattice that confines light at optical wavelengths, potentially revolutionizing the fiber-optics communications industry. The technique appears to be the cheapest and most efficient way to bend light entering or emerging from optical cables.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalOptics Letters·DateJan 6, 1999