Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News for June 21, 2013


Beyond silicon: Transistors without semiconductors

Scientists have created a transistor without semiconductors, harnessing quantum tunneling for faster and more efficient electronics. The device uses nanoscale insulators and metals to control electrons at room temperature, promising miniaturization to virtually zero dimension.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 21, 2013

Airborne gut action primes wild chili pepper seeds

Seeds passed through small-billed Elaenia birds emerged with reduced fungal load and odor that attracts ants, increasing survival rates. The study found a prime example of the benefits of seed dispersal mutualism between plants and animals.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalEcology Letters·DateJun 21, 2013

DoD-funded research: Can climate change heat up conflict?

A University of Maryland-led team is developing new models to understand the relationship between conflict, socio-economic conditions and climate. The research aims to project future conflicts and develop interventions to reduce civil disorder under climate change scenarios.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·DateJun 21, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

5 years of stereo imaging for NASA's TWINS

The TWINS mission has provided three-dimensional images and global characterization of the magnetosphere, tracking how it responds to space weather storms. The stereo imaging has revealed details on ion movement and escape patterns, helping scientists understand the ring current's behavior.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 21, 2013

Messier 61 looks straight into Hubble's camera

Messier 61 is a massive spiral galaxy with a diameter of 100,000 light-years, located 55 million light-years from Earth. The galaxy features six supernovae, making it one of the top galaxies for supernova observations.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 21, 2013

Sun emits a solstice CME

A June 20, 2013, solar eruption sent billions of tons of particles into space, potentially affecting electronic systems on satellites and the ground. The event, known as a geomagnetic storm, can cause aurora and degrade communication signals.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 21, 2013
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Alzheimer's disease protein controls movement in mice

Researchers found that a protein controlling Alzheimer's disease also affects muscle development and coordination in mice. The study suggests that inhibitors of this protein, currently being tested for Alzheimer's treatment, might disrupt muscle spindle formation and impair movement.

SourceEMBO·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateJun 21, 2013
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Oddest couple ever found

A 250-million-year-old burrow in South Africa's Karoo Basin has yielded a remarkable discovery: an injured amphibian, Broomistega, and its aestivating therapsid companion, Thrinaxodon. The fossilized remains suggest that short periods of dormancy and burrowing behavior helped mammal ancestors survive the Permo-Triassic extinction event.

SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 21, 2013
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Assessing performance of colonoscopy procedures improves quality

A new study shows that using a quarterly report card improves colonoscopy quality indicators. Colonoscopy procedures have higher adenoma detection rates (53.9%) and cecal intubation rates (98.1%) after implementing the program, with increased detection of proximal adenomas.

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateJun 21, 2013

Research reveals low exposure of excellent work by female scientists

A recent study found that high-quality science by female academics is underrepresented compared to their male counterparts. Women were also less likely to be invited as speakers at prestigious gatherings, due in part to factors such as childcare requirements and lower perception of scientific ability.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalEvolutionary Biology·DateJun 21, 2013

The Huntington Study Group announces first-HD study

The First-HD study examines the efficacy and safety of SD-809, a novel drug for treating chorea associated with Huntington Disease. The trial aims to test the tolerability of the drug in patients who have not previously taken tetrabenazine.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·DateJun 21, 2013
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Wilfire smoke over Alaska

Wildfires in western Alaska produce massive smoke clouds, with MODIS detecting unusually warm surface temperatures. The Alaska Interagency Coordination Center reports record-setting fire potential across boreal spruce forests and tundra landscapes.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateJun 21, 2013

Progressive traffic signal systems save time and fuel

Researchers developed a control concept that reduces travel time by about a minute and waiting time by up to seven seconds, increasing intersections that can be passed without stops from 60% to almost 100%. A driver information system was also created to provide speed recommendations to vehicles, resulting in improved traffic flow.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·DateJun 21, 2013
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

When green algae run out of air

Biologists discovered that green algae require haemoglobin and nitric oxide to signal the absence of oxygen, allowing them to activate genes and produce hydrogen. In an oxygen-rich environment, this gene is idle, and its inactivation has fatal consequences for the algae.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 21, 2013

Man's best friend

Dogs demonstrate a 'secure base effect' when interacting with their owners, showing increased motivation for rewards when owner is present. This study reveals the importance of ownership for dog behavior and confidence.

SourceUniversity of Veterinary Medicine -- Vienna·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 21, 2013