Astronomers have spotted extremely hot matter near a black hole just milliseconds before it plunges in. The unique observations suggest that some matter may be escaping via highly structured magnetic fields.
Cornell researchers have discovered a new method for measuring current-induced torques in nonvolatile magnetic memory devices, which can write information without using magnetic fields. This breakthrough aims to improve the efficiency of these devices by reducing the need for large currents and thick wires.
A study by US Department of Agriculture scientists found that no-till production systems can significantly reduce soil erosion and enhance efforts to protect water quality. The research compared runoff, soil erosion, and crop yields in conventional and no-till winter wheat-fallow systems.
A study by Cornell University social scientists suggests that differences in resources and career choices rather than sex discrimination limit women's representation in STEM fields. The researchers found no systematic evidence of sex discrimination in hiring, funding, or evaluation when men and women had similar resources.
Researchers developed a technique to visualize plasmonic fields at the nanoscale, focusing on the position of plasmonic modes just a few nanometers apart. This advance enables the study of high-speed data transmission and ultrafast detector arrays.
Researchers find that weak electrical fields in brain help neurons fire together, even if they're not physically connected. The findings suggest an additional form of neural communication through extracellular space.
Researchers found that approximately 44% of fields demonstrate rapid atrazine degradation activity due to recent use, soil pH, and organic matter content. Growers can predict enhanced degradation with multiple atrazine applications and high soil pH above 6.3.
Dutch researchers have successfully controlled qubits using electrical fields instead of magnetic ones, paving the way for a future super-fast quantum computer. They also embedded these qubits into semiconductor nanowires, which are ideal for quantum information processing.
A study by Dini et al. investigates the effect of 6 mT Static Magnetic Field (SMF) on phagocytosis in human macrophages, finding that it depends on the degree of macrophage differentiation. The results suggest that moderate intensity SMF can modify cell surface morphology and influence fluid-phase endocytosis and phagocytosis.
Astronomers have detected the first magnetic field in a protostar jet, shedding light on the nature of cosmic jets. This finding suggests that all types of jets originate from a common process.
The number of US research doctorate degrees awarded grew to 49,562 in 2009, up 1.6% from the previous year. Doctorates in science and engineering fields increased by 1.9%, largely driven by growth in female recipients.
Research suggests that women choose not to pursue careers in math-intensive fields due to personal preferences and family commitments. Women are more likely to prioritize family needs over academic ambitions.
A study found that Bt corn's pest suppression benefits non-Bt farmers in Wisconsin by up to 75%, with total economic benefits exceeding $6.9 billion across the Midwest. The primary benefit of Bt corn is reduced yield losses, which non-Bt farmers also experience without paying Bt technology fees.
Researchers found evidence of universal ubiquitous magnetic fields in deep space between galaxies with an average strength of femto-Gauss. These findings suggest that the magnetic fields may have formed shortly after the Big Bang, long before stars and galaxies formed.
A new study found low levels of bacteria in soils outside fields sprayed with swine manure, while internal soils showed higher nutrient levels but lower pathogen levels. The research suggests that manure management plans have been effective in reducing bacterial risks.
The 2010 International Mathematical Union prizes were awarded to four mathematicians: Elon Lindenstrauss, Ngô Bảo Châu, Stanislav Smirnov, and Cédric Villani. Lindenstrauss received the Fields Medal for his work on measure rigidity in ergodic theory and its applications to number theory.
Prof. Elon Lindenstrauss received the Fields Medal for outstanding mathematical achievement, the first Israeli to win the prestigious prize. The award recognizes his research solving complex problems in number theory, highlighting Israel's elite status in mathematical research.
Ngô Bao Châu received the Fields Medal for his proof of the fundamental lemma in automorphic forms through new algebro-geometric methods. His work has relevance to high-energy physics, computer science, and cryptography, building on decades of mathematicians' contributions.
Researchers found that fields amended with poultry litter can accumulate significant levels of arsenic, which can then migrate into nearby streams and rivers. The study highlights the importance of controlling point sources of arsenic and suggests management practices to protect local regions from agricultural pollutants.
Researchers have created giant pseudo-magnetic fields in graphene by applying the right amount of strain, revealing a new window into fundamental scientific discoveries and potential applications. The findings, published in Science journal, exceed the strongest magnetic fields ever sustained in a laboratory setting.
A new study by Jorge Contreras explores the 15-year struggle over data-release decisions in human genome research, highlighting a balancing act between researchers' needs and data users' rights. The study's findings have implications for various scientific fields beyond genomics, including climate change and chemistry.
The President of India will inaugurate the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) 2010 in Hyderabad, awarding Fields Medal and other prestigious prizes. The ICM is a periodic event bringing together 3000 mathematicians from around the world, marking a significant recognition of India's growing role in mathematics.
Researchers at Rice University discovered that strong magnetic fields can transform highly conductive carbon nanotubes into semiconductors. By applying a magnetic field, a band gap opens up and the material becomes an insulator.
Phytophthora blight affects all cucurbits and peppers, causing up to 100% crop loss in parts of the state. Illinois-grown processing pumpkins account for nearly 95% of US supply, with a gross value exceeding $160 million per year.
A two-year field study found that compost filter socks reduced sediment concentration by 49% in runoff from tilled fields, but had no effect on no-till fields. The filter socks also decreased herbicide alachlor and glyphosate concentrations by 18% and 5%, respectively.
Physicists at the University of Innsbruck suggest that ball lightning observations may be caused by phosphenes induced in the brain by strong magnetic fields. These fields can produce sensations such as noises or smells and are similar to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) used in clinical practice.
Atrazine is the single most widely used herbicide in sweet corn, accounting for only 9% of total weed management costs. The study found that phasing out atrazine would burden growers with particularly weedy fields and early season crop production.
A new model has estimated that large amounts of organic nitrogen are stored in the soil beneath fields in Nebraska and Maryland, where corn and soybean crops are grown. The study found that leaching accounted for most of the nitrogen lost from the soil, particularly in irrigated areas.
Researchers at JILA have demonstrated a new tool for controlling ultracold gases and ultracold chemistry by applying small electric fields. The study shows that the electric field spurs a dramatic increase in chemical reactions, with molecules reacting faster when approaching each other head-to-tail parallel to the applied field.
Agricultural Research Service scientists discover that sugarcane can tolerate standing water for up to two weeks without adverse effects on yield or sugar content. This finding provides relief for growers under strict regulations to reduce phosphorus runoff into the Everglades.
A new test developed by UC Davis researchers helps Uruguayan rice farmers determine if their waterways are safe to drain after flooded fields. The test can detect high levels of the herbicide clomazone, which can harm fish and other aquatic life.
The alpine marmot's expansion into the Catalan Pyrenees is a result of its adaptability to warmer temperatures. The species can occupy abandoned fields at lower altitudes, influencing local biodiversity and potentially threatening native species such as ptarmigan.
The National Science Foundation grant will help scientists study the response of amoebae to electric fields, which could reveal genes and molecules responsible for detecting these signals. This knowledge could have implications for wound healing and tissue engineering, as well as basic science research.
Researchers found that corn plants in no-till fields experience intense competition for sunlight, water, and nutrients, leading to reduced yields. The leftover corn residue creates patches of soil with lower temperatures and different nutrient content, resulting in significant height differences among plants.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found a delayed brain response to sound in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), which may be refined into the first imaging biomarker. The study used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to detect subtle language delays, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
A three-year data analysis of 175 fields in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota revealed the most troublesome weeds and their relationships with sweet corn yield. The study identified factors such as interrow cultivation, planting dates, and water supply as key determinants of crop success.
Scientists have measured magnetic fields in the afterglow of a gamma-ray burst for the first time using a specialized camera on a telescope. This breakthrough observation opens up the study of magnetic fields in these cosmic events, potentially changing our understanding of their role in powering and collimating gamma-ray bursts.
JQI researchers have created 'synthetic' magnetic fields for ultracold gas atoms by tricking them into behaving like electrically charged particles. This demonstration paves the way for studying the complex natural phenomena involving charged particles in magnetic fields and may contribute to an exotic new form of quantum computing.
Researchers used laser light to create synthetic magnetism in neutral atoms, allowing for unprecedented control over quantum systems. This breakthrough enables the study of phenomena such as electrons in magnetic fields and has potential applications in quantum computing and information science.
Researchers observed the onset and stagnation of 3D magnetic reconnection in a lab experiment. The study reveals unexpected features not considered in 2D models, including asymmetric reconnection fields and forces.
The IBEX spacecraft reveals a 'ribbon' of intense emissions controlled by galaxy's magnetic fields, forcing scientists to reconsider basic assumptions about the heliosphere. This discovery may impact Earth's history and pose hazards to astronauts as galactic radiation levels change.
Researchers aim to control electromagnetic forces that can destroy future particle accelerators. They propose two approaches: heavy damping and light damping with detuning, to mitigate the effects of extreme wake fields. Detuning is compared to acoustics, where ringing bells at different frequencies reduces overall sound amplitude.
A Purdue University study found that planting more corn for biofuels would lead to higher levels of nitrogen, fungicides, and phosphorus in nearby water sources. Continuous-corn rotations result in greater sediment losses, allowing these pollutants to enter the water.
Research in nanoscience and nanotechnology found to be highly interdisciplinary, drawing on multiple areas of science and technology. The study analyzed over 30,000 papers with 'nano' themes, revealing diverse contributions from fields like clinical medicine, biomedical sciences, and physics.
Researchers developed prediction models to identify eroded waterways from digital terrain information, enabling the placement of grassed waterways and reducing soil erosion. These models accurately identified potential locations of erosion-prone areas, corresponding well with actual field observations.
A $5 million, 5-year program funded by NSF aims to double the number of minority undergraduate degrees in STEM disciplines. Academic support programs, including tutoring and peer-led team learning, will be provided to help students overcome barriers to success.
Perennial crops offer a solution to unsustainable agricultural systems by producing more, requiring less input, and maintaining soil health. Increasing landscape diversity can also boost populations of pests' natural enemies, reducing the need for pesticides.
Researchers have created a way to manipulate single qubits without affecting neighboring information, enabling the development of more reliable quantum computers. The new approach uses polarized light to create effective magnetic fields, simplifying the process of addressing individual qubits.
The NIST-developed stylus trap is a highly sensitive device that can sense small forces and transfer individual light particles with high efficiency. This technology has potential applications in quantum key cryptography, quantum computing, and surface characterization.
Researchers have fabricated microscopic polymer beads that change color instantly in response to external magnetic fields. The beads exhibit excellent structural stability and are compatible with various dispersion media, allowing for tunable colors in different chemical environments.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have successfully controlled the spin of electrons using a ballistic technique, eliminating the need for external electric or magnetic fields. This breakthrough could lead to more powerful and energy-efficient electronic systems, including quantum information processing devices.
Researchers found that individual receptive fields have irregular shapes but interlock to form a regular lattice, enabling high-resolution vision. The nervous system operates with higher precision than previously thought, overcoming potential problems with uneven visual coverage.
Researchers have found that underground water is a major sink for carbon dioxide in gas fields, storing it safely for millions of years. This breakthrough could improve the accuracy of computer models used for carbon capture and storage, a crucial approach to reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
A new Cornell study reveals that women are underrepresented in math-intensive science careers and senior leadership positions due to their need for flexibility to raise children. Women with advanced math abilities choose non-math fields more often than men with similar abilities.
Women's career choices in math-intensive science fields are influenced by lifestyle needs and parental responsibilities. Despite having advanced mathematical abilities, women are underrepresented in these fields due to the demands of parenting and caregiving.
Researchers found alternative fumigants to be effective in controlling weeds in California strawberry nurseries. The study tested various treatments, including MB-alternatives, and found that hand-weeding times were reduced in all fields that had been fumigated, with varying material costs.
Astronomers detect frequent X-ray and gamma-ray flares from a soft-gamma-ray repeater, a rare type of neutron star. The object has erupted with over 100 flares in 20 minutes, releasing more energy than the sun does in 20 years.
A new study published in Epilepsia found that vigabatrin treatment in infancy may be effective in reducing infantile spasms with a lower risk of permanent visual field defects compared to adults. The study used kinetic perimetry to detect peripheral field defects and found normal visual fields in 15 out of 16 children.
Researchers have confirmed that prairies' best soils retain organic carbon and nitrogen pools relatively constant under modern production methods. Most of the early decline occurred in top 50cm soil layers, with evidence of carbon and nitrogen movement to deeper layers.
Despite positive attitudes towards STEM fields, many US teens lack mentorship and role models, which can discourage them from pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Lemelson-MIT Invention Index survey found that nearly two-thirds of teens indicated a lack of knowledge about professionals in STEM fields.