Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive October 2003 - Page 5


Page 5 of 10

Let water power your cell phone?

University of Alberta engineers have created a new source of clean, non-polluting electric power using tap water and microchannels. The technology has vast potential for powering small devices and could rival wind and solar power in the future.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Micromechanics and Microengineering·DateOct 19, 2003

Both languages active in bilingual speakers

Researchers found that bilingual speakers' brains actively use both languages when speaking, not suppressing one over the other. This challenge traditional views on how languages are managed in the brain. By presenting subjects with pictures and tones, the study demonstrated that both languages are active at once.

Racial-ethnic pride and academic achievement linked

A study by Dr. Emilie Phillips Smith found that family, school, and community factors play a significant role in shaping children's racial-ethnic attitudes and academic achievement. The research used interviews and questionnaires to assess the attitudes of African American child and parent pairs in South Carolina.

SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Journal of Community Psychology·DateOct 17, 2003

Teens struggle to find accurate, useful health information online

A study found that teenagers face challenges in accessing relevant health information online, with common barriers including poorly designed websites, lack of targeted content, and ineffective search strategies. To improve access, researchers suggest teaching better search skills and designing websites more tailored to users' needs.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalJournal of Medical Internet Research·DateOct 17, 2003

Helical piezoelectric 'nanosprings' could be actuators & transducers in nanosystems

Researchers have developed nanoscale helical 'nanosprings' from zinc oxide that exhibit piezoelectric and electrostatic polarization properties. These structures could be used as sensors to detect small fluid flows, strain forces, and air flows, and as actuators in micro-systems. The new materials also display unusual electrostatic pol...

Light and nano: quantum mechanics vs. classical optics

Researchers at Rice University have developed a quantum model to predict nanophotonic behavior, making it easier to design new optical materials and devices. The study shows that plasmons in nanoparticles hybridize with each other, allowing for the prediction of properties in complex metallic nanostructures.

SourceRice University·JournalScience·DateOct 16, 2003

Act now to secure Iraq's health

The Lancet editorial questions the qualifications of key health officials in Iraq, while noting progress in hospital funding. The article warns that donors must prioritize the health and security of all Iraqi people before it's too late.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateOct 16, 2003

Georgetown University receives $6.5 million grant to enhance emergency preparedness in Washington

Georgetown University Medical Center has received a $6.5 million NIH grant to develop an innovative medical surveillance system that connects DC emergency rooms during crises. The system, known as Project Sentinel Collaboratory, will utilize the InSight real-time data repository and analyze de-identified medical information, weather, t...

FGF-2 to the rescue following traumatic brain injury

Researchers found that FGF-2 supplementation limits existing neuron loss while promoting new neuron generation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus following traumatic brain injury. This approach may offer a rational strategy for treating brain injury by enhancing neurogenesis and reducing neurodegeneration.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 15, 2003