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Science News for July 29, 2011


Rice scientists build battery in a nanowire

Researchers at Rice University have developed a hybrid energy storage device packed into a single nanowire, which shows promise as a rechargeable power source for nanoelectronics. The devices have good capacity but require further optimization to improve performance.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJul 29, 2011

AGU journal highlights -- July 29, 2011

Researchers studied sea surface temperatures to understand Earth's temperature trend, finding large variability that could mask anthropogenic warming. Meanwhile, a new study detected ionospheric disturbances caused by the Tohoku earthquake in Japan, with ripples in ionized gas nearly 350 kilometers above the Earth.

SourceAmerican Geophysical Union·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJul 29, 2011

Low blood pressure during dialysis increases risk of clots, according to Stanford-led study

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that low blood pressure during dialysis significantly increases the risk of blood clotting at vascular access points. Researchers discovered that patients who experienced frequent episodes of low blood pressure were twice as likely to develop a clotted ...

SourceStanford Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateJul 29, 2011

Motorcycle helmets hard on hearing

Researchers found that the area underneath the helmet and near the chin bar generates significant noise that reaches riders' sensitive eardrums. Future tests aim to design quieter helmets using the findings, which may be used to save riders' ears.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of the Acoustical Society of America·DateJul 29, 2011

Physicists report progress in understanding high-temperature superconductors

Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have made significant progress in explaining the unusual properties of high-temperature superconductors using a new theory. The theory, known as Extremely Correlated Fermi Liquids, shows remarkable agreement with experimental data from studies of high-temperature superconductors.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 29, 2011

How McCartney and football helped Liverpool in China

The Liverpool pavilion received over 770,000 visitors during the 184-day expo period, with 99% of visitors recommending it to a friend. This exposure led to increased interest from Chinese firms, with 75% of sponsors including China in their business plans and 70% expecting future sales/orders.

SourceSAGE·JournalLocal Economy The Journal of the Local Economy Policy Unit·DateJul 29, 2011

Solar cells get a boost from bouncing light

A new solar cell design boosts electricity generation by 26% through bouncing light, increasing the potential of dye-sensitized solar cells. The layered structure, consisting of micrometer-scale spheres and nanoscale particles, enhances light absorption and conversion efficiency.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateJul 29, 2011

Scientists receive funding boost to further research into disease mechanisms of Alzheimer’s

Researchers at the University of Bristol have received a major funding boost to continue their research into the pathological processes underpinning Alzheimer's disease. They have found that neuronal excitability is substantially altered in the model of Alzheimer's disease, leading to changes in action potential generation and waveform.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNeurobiology of Aging·DateJul 29, 2011