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Science News for May 18, 2012


Production of chemicals without petroleum

Researchers at KAIST develop microorganisms to produce natural and non-natural chemicals from renewable biomass through systems metabolic engineering. The study presents new general strategies for improving cellular characteristics and designing synthetic metabolic pathways, enabling high-efficiency production of desired chemicals and ...

May GSA Bulletin postings take global geology tour

Researchers studied geological formations across the globe, including the Coast Range basalt province and the Faroe Islands. They discovered evidence of plume-influenced magmatism and fault rock types that can help model fluid migration and distribution. Additionally, a study on the Wairarapa fault in New Zealand investigated the geome...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalACM SIGSAM Bulletin·DateMay 18, 2012

Facebook and smartphones: New tools for psychological science research -- news brief

Recent studies explore how technology is changing the questions asked by psychological scientists, with a focus on data collection from social media platforms like Facebook. Researchers are leveraging smartphone sensors to gather insights into human behavior and environments, offering new avenues for scientific inquiry.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPerspectives on Psychological Science·DateMay 18, 2012

Finding fingerprints in sea level rise

Harvard scientists have developed a method to identify 'sea level fingerprints,' patterns of variation in sea level changes that can indicate the source of water contributing to rising sea levels. Using a Kalman smoother, researchers can determine where glacial melting is occurring and estimate its contribution to global sea level rise.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2012

Return of the vacuum tube

Researchers developed a tiny vacuum channel transistor with applications in hazardous sensing, medical diagnostics, and telecommunications; the device operates at low voltages, making it competitive with semiconductor technology.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 18, 2012

Acid in the brain

The University of Iowa researchers created a non-invasive method to measure pH changes in the brain using MRI-based techniques. The study found that pH changes occur with normal brain function and can be detected using this new technique.

SourceUniversity of Iowa Health Care·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2012

New silicon memory chip developed

Researchers at University College London have developed a new silicon oxide-based 'Resistive RAM' memory chip that can operate in ambient conditions, offering significantly greater memory storage and reduced energy consumption. The chip promises to be much faster than current technology, with potential applications beyond memory storage.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMay 18, 2012

Is the Earth a cosmic feather-duster?

Researchers aim to understand how much space dust reaches the Earth's surface, estimating it could be as high as 300 tonnes per day. The project will also explore cosmic dust's interaction with clouds causing ozone depletion and its potential impact on climate models.