A team of researchers created a broadband light amplifier on a silicon chip, enabling amplification over a broad range of wavelengths. The device uses four-wave mixing and has potential applications in repeaters, routers, and signal regeneration for fiber-optic communications.
Scientists have discovered that solitons have intricate internal structures, which can affect their ability to carry a charge through organic materials. This discovery may lead to the development of molecular electronics and artificial muscles powered by solitons.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to sort semiconducting nanotubes based on their dielectric constant, which is determined by their diameter. The system uses electric fields to trap and separate nanotubes of different sizes, allowing for the collection of samples with varying proportions of small and large tubes.
The CALIPSO satellite will provide detailed information on atmospheric particles, including aerosols and subvisible cloudiness. The mission aims to establish the impact of these factors on climate change, with scientists expecting up to 10% coverage of the Earth's atmosphere to be a concern.
Frangible bullets are becoming increasingly popular due to their lead-free nature and reduced risk of exposure. NIST researchers have developed a Kolsky bar apparatus to test the performance of these bullets on various materials, including soft body armors worn by law enforcement officers.
The St. Jude program in Brazil reduced abandonment rates from 16% to 0.6% and increased event-free survival from 32% to 63%, providing continuous care and psychosocial support to families. The program's success is a model for reducing disparities in cure rates between high- and low-income countries.
Researchers discovered that an aspirin-like drug called sodium para-aminosalicylic acid dramatically reduces symptoms of manganese intoxication. The treatment has been shown to reverse Parkinson-type symptoms even 17 years after initial exposure.
A study by Michigan State University zoology professor Kay Holekamp found that high-ranking hyena mothers pass on high levels of androgens to their offspring, making them more aggressive and sexually vigorous. This unique trait helps females secure food resources and dominate their social group.
Black holes are surprisingly efficient at producing energy, with most of the energy released by matter falling toward a supermassive black hole going into high-energy jets. The study also shows that these jets create huge bubbles in the hot gas of galaxies, preventing new stars from forming.
The University of Cincinnati and CERHAS have recreated 39 ancient earthworks using virtual reconstructions, offering a new way to explore the Adena, Hopewell, and Fort Ancient cultures. The traveling exhibit will include interactive displays, 3D models, and virtual tours.
Automatic influences over us are typically benign and help keep us in touch with our present circumstances while our conscious mind is time-traveling into the past or future. The article highlights the importance of acknowledging these unconscious influences to regain control.
Research papers in Geophysical Research Letters and Paleoceanography reveal the connection between terrestrial gamma-ray flashes and intracloud lightning, as well as the potential of dinoflagellate microfossils to document past climate changes. The findings suggest that these marine organisms can provide valuable information on ocean c...
A £920,000 ESRC-funded research venture aims to investigate the effects of gambling on those involved and the broader community. The study will examine social contexts for problem gambling, internet gambling, brain responses, and family life, with the goal of developing policies and services to prevent problem gamblers.
A new study reveals that mental preparation involving inward focus of attention promotes insight even prior to the presentation of a problem. Brain activity patterns before problem solving, as measured by EEG and fMRI, differ between those who solve problems with insight and methodically.
The MINOS experiment has successfully observed muon neutrino disappearance, confirming the presence of neutrino mass. The study also reveals a significant energy-dependent deficit in neutrino detection, consistent with the hypothesis of neutrino oscillations.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are developing a 'PAWS: Pet Care Awareness System' to improve the lives of seniors and their pets. The system aims to provide a seamless, virtually intuitive interface for veterinarians, physicians, and family members to access pet health information.
Scientists at the University of Illinois discovered a newly recognized hazard in rare volcanic eruptions, characterized by wavy and scalloped umbrellas. The unusual plume behavior, fueled by steam and ash, could lead to unexpected and dangerous ash flows that spread rapidly over surrounding areas.
Researchers found that a protein called Cryptochrome helps regulate the biological clock in fruit flies, similar to its role in mammals. The study provides new insights into the human biological clock and its relationship to sleep-wake cycles and overall health.
Research finds large amounts of nitrogen oxides (NOx) transported to North America from the Pacific Ocean in May contribute to significant increases in ozone levels over the region. The discovery will help build better models to understand how pollutants affect other regions, with potential implications for air quality and human health.
Chronic oil pollution has been a long-standing problem along the Atlantic Coast in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. Researchers found that Magellanic penguins, appearing in high numbers among oiled seabirds, are particularly affected by the pollution.
Dr. David Wake will receive the prestigious Joseph Leidy Award for his groundbreaking work in conservation biology and systematics on worldwide amphibian decline. The award recognizes his contributions to understanding the complex causes of this alarming phenomenon.
A team of researchers at the University of Texas at Austin has created a miniaturized silicon chip that can control laser light, enabling faster data transfer rates in high-performance computing devices. The chip uses silicon photonic crystals to slow down light travel, allowing for modulated transmission of information.
A study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found that most snowmobiling injuries in children are caused by ejection, falls or collisions. Education on helmet use, reducing speeds and increasing state regulations can significantly reduce these types of injuries.
Researchers use Purdue's unique wind tunnel to study airflow and turbulence, aiming to design aircraft that heat up less from atmospheric friction. The goal is to create lighter-weight, lower-cost vehicles for space planes using scramjets.
Brookhaven scientists used sliced ion imaging to analyze energy flow during ketene fragmentation, a small molecule stand-in for complicated fuels. They found agreement with variational transition state theory predictions, refuting earlier work on the theory.
The Stardust spacecraft is returning to Earth after a 2.88 billion-mile journey, carrying samples of comet Wild 2 and interstellar dust. The samples are expected to provide key information on the formation of the solar system 4.6 billion years ago.
Researchers discovered faint visible 'echoes' of three ancient supernovae by detecting centuries-old light reflected by interstellar gas clouds. The oldest echo is likely over 600 years old, offering a chance to study famous supernovae like those observed in 1006 and 400 years ago.
Three New York high school students, Jedtsada Laucharoen, Alina Fradlis, and Michael Vishnevetsky, have won the prestigious Nobel Essay Contest. They will attend lectures by this year's Nobel Laureates, participate in the Prize Award Ceremony, and enjoy a traditional Swedish meal during their all-expense-paid trip to Sweden.
Researchers found that almost all neurons feeding into the LHRH-making region of the hypothalamus originated in the mouse nose. Mice with compromised olfactory function show dramatically impaired mating behavior, highlighting the essential role of olfactory activity in eliciting male mating behavior.
Researchers found that two monkey species, cotton-top tamarins and common marmosets, exhibit differing propensities toward patience and impulsivity depending on the context of the choice being made. The study suggests that impulsivity is context-specific and shaped by a history of ecological pressures.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that white-tailed deer in the chronic wasting disease (CWD) zone use very small home ranges, typically half a square mile in size. This suggests that deer may not be spreading CWD through long-distance travel, contradicting previous assumptions.
A new computer system using DNA will be developed to solve complex logistical problems, such as evacuation logistics after a hurricane. The system aims to calculate optimal evacuation routes and supply logistics in record time.
A new climate model predicts more extreme temperatures throughout the US, with intense heat waves in the desert Southwest, and more storms along the Gulf Coast and Pacific Northwest. The model, which incorporates many climatic factors in unprecedented detail, suggests that these changes will disrupt national economy and infrastructure.
Scientists used transcranial magnetic stimulation to study brain activity during deep sleep, finding that regions of the cerebral cortex become functionally disconnected. This suggests that consciousness depends on the integration of information across different brain areas.
A study of 1,234 stroke patients found that heart and neck scans were less commonly used in women than men, despite being crucial for preventing second strokes. Women were 36% less likely to receive an echo-cardiogram and 43% less likely to have carotid artery exams.
Yates received $3,000 and a certificate, as well as covered travel expenses to the meeting, in recognition of his research in nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry. A five-day symposium will be held at the 2006 spring meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in Atlanta.
Research by Dr. Dennis Foth and Dr. Gordon Thompson found that mental declines related to aging are not universal and can be improved with a lifetime of good mental habits. Activities such as reading, traveling, and learning new skills can help maintain cognitive abilities throughout life.
Researchers at MIT created electronic maps of cellphone use in Graz, Austria, tracking tens of thousands of people using anonymous data. The project showcases the dynamics of a city in real time, opening up new possibilities for urban studies and planning.
Researchers found a dramatic change in electrical conductivity at 60 kilometers below the ocean floor, with sound waves traveling rapidly above and slowly below. This discovery sheds new light on the process of forming oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges.
A team of researchers at UC Berkeley has successfully created a Bose-Einstein condensate in a magnetic storage ring, containing rubidium atoms at extremely low temperatures. The cold collisions of these slow-moving atoms may reveal new insights into quantum physics.
Researchers analyzed seismic wave data from 30 earthquakes and found waves passing through the inner core arrived earlier when separated in time, indicating material had moved into the path taken by waves traveling through the inner core. The study's findings suggest a dynamic planet with significant changes over millions of years.
The region's livestock trade, migrant labor, and crop production are failing, leaving families without vital income. Humanitarian aid can address immediate needs but won't solve underlying conflicts, researchers warn.
Using RoboLase, Australian scientists successfully performed sub-cellular surgery on a laser microscope system in California, demonstrating the potential for remote medical procedures. The technology enabled researchers to collaborate without traveling to a single laboratory site, paving the way for increased global scientific collabor...
A study suggests that major lenders can play a crucial role in helping hard-up borrowers avoid debt by working with 'near-prime' providers. By collaborating, these lenders can assist borrowers in upgrading to mainstream credit, which offers lower interest rates.
A team of astrophysicists discovered X-ray oscillations in a neutron star that provide critical information about its internal structure. The oscillations, generated by massive quakes, contain frequency vibrations that can help scientists understand the nature of neutron stars.
The 'Deep Impact' collision released tens of thousands of tons of material, enough to bury a football field under 30 feet of comet dust. Scientists are analyzing X-ray data to better understand the evaporation process on comets and their interaction with solar wind.
Bioethicists who accept funding from pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries may be more likely to prescribe industry drugs, even if they believe it has no influence. Researchers argue that stronger measures are needed to ensure independence and credibility in bioethics scholarship.
Researchers identified a striking similarity in personality traits between problem gamblers and individuals with alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine dependence. Young adults with problem gambling diagnoses tended to exhibit negative emotions, impulsive behavior, and risk-taking tendencies, suggesting a common underlying profile.
A recent study found that living near a casino increases the risk of problem gambling, with a 90% increase in odds for those within 10 miles. Social and environmental influences also play a role, with respondents from disadvantaged neighborhoods reporting higher rates of problem gambling.
Researchers have identified a specific region on the yellow fever virus protein that elicits an immune response, which could help improve existing vaccines and reduce severe side effects. The study found that antibodies produced by the immune system interact with this part of the protein to fight off infection.
Research from Mayo Clinic Proceedings reveals that patients traveling long distances prior to surgery are at increased risk of postoperative blood clots, which can be life-threatening. The study also found a threshold for anesthesia duration that increases the risk of blood clots in veins after surgery.
Astronomers observed a binary star system called RX J0806.3+1527, where the white dwarf pair has an estimated mass of one-half the sun and orbits at a rate consistent with gravitational wave predictions. The system is believed to be among the brightest sources of gravitational waves in the galaxy.
A study estimated the predicted probability of 12-month and lifetime IPV for patients presenting with smoking and problem drinking behaviors, helping clinicians identify at-risk patients. The study found that even women who didn't smoke or drink had a significant likelihood of abuse, highlighting the need for routine screening.
NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft has entered the solar system's final frontier, encountering the heliosheath region. The spacecraft's observation of a sudden increase in magnetic field strength and plasma wave noise indicates it has crossed the termination shock, marking a significant milestone in its journey to interstellar space.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a silicon device that can modulate light on a micrometer scale, enabling the integration of electronics and photonics. The device uses a ring resonator to filter out specific wavelengths of light, allowing for efficient switching between states.
Researchers found rifaximin significantly reduces mild diarrhea in travelers, while updated guidelines advise against hormone replacement therapy (HT) for postmenopausal women after hysterectomy. A study also discovered that slightly elevated blood sugar levels do not increase the risk of new heart attacks in women with established cor...
Researchers studied flying snakes' flight patterns and found that body length and wave amplitude are key predictors of flight behavior. Paradise tree snakes can travel further horizontally than vertically, making them true gliders.
Teen athletes may have an advantage when traveling across time zones, as they can wake up later and feel more alert. Chronic sleep deprivation from irregular schedules, part-time jobs, and social activities can severely impair morning performance.
Two UW ocean-diving gliders, Seagliders, have set a new record by traveling across the Pacific Ocean. They were deployed in September and traveled over 1,860 miles in 191 days. The gliders' autonomous technology allows them to collect oceanographic measurements without propellers, setting a precedent for the longest range of any autono...
A new UC study reveals that children inside school buses inhale significantly more exhaust pollutants than those outside, particularly among older buses. The researchers found that for every metric ton of pollution emitted by a school bus, kids on that bus inhale comparable or larger amounts of pollution.