The report recommends creating a new NASA research program to study the effects of low-gravity environments on various technologies. This includes power generation, propulsion, and life-support systems, which will be crucial for human exploration and development of space.
A study by Cornell University ecologists found that cadmium from abandoned mines is affecting white-tailed ptarmigan birds in Colorado, causing brittle bones and damaged kidneys. The metal is also concentrated in willow plants, which the birds eat, leading to reduced reproductive success.
The article describes how novel human genes can be found using data mining techniques on the Internet. Researchers identified putative human genes related to peptide transporter proteins, which are essential for drug absorption and distribution.
The Apes: Challenges for the 21st Century conference addresses pressing issues affecting gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, bonobos, gibbons, and siamangs in both their natural habitats and zoos. The event brings together leading researchers to develop action plans on conservation, husbandry, and other key topics.
The National Robotics Engineering Consortium (NREC) at Carnegie Mellon University is hosting Pittsburgh Robotics Day to celebrate robotics technology in western Pennsylvania. The event features exhibits and demonstrations of various robotic applications, including autonomous farming, bridge construction, and driver monitoring systems.
A new archaeon, Ferroplasma acidarmanus, is found in mining sites and accelerates the production of sulfuric acid, a major environmental pollutant. The microbe's ability to thrive in acidic conditions without a cell wall defies conventional understanding.
A new dating method, uranium-helium thermochronology, has shed light on the mystery of missing copper ore at the giant Chuquicamata mine in Chile. The study suggests that part of the rich deposit may have been displaced millions of years ago by tectonic movement along a fault.
A recent study by University of Illinois researchers suggests that including methane in emission-reduction strategies can significantly lower overall costs. The study found that methane can offset carbon dioxide reductions and reduce U.S. abatement costs by more than 25 percent compared to strategies involving carbon dioxide alone.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University found that metal contaminants in Lake Superior sediments primarily come from native ore deposits, not atmospheric sources. High concentrations of mercury were detected, associated with copper and silver deposits.
The use of computers has transformed the field of chemistry, enabling researchers to automate large-scale testing of compounds and speed up drug discovery. Electronic lab notebooks are also being adopted to share information and streamline the process.
A University of Colorado at Boulder researcher is developing an interactive computer program for Alaskan middle school students to interest them in science and show the relevance of science to native Alaskans' daily lives. The project includes interactive stories, hands-on laboratory work, and use of special reference libraries.
Jon Kleinberg, a computer scientist at Cornell University, is working on making the Internet more efficient by studying how information moves through networks. He aims to develop better routing algorithms that can handle congestion and optimize network capacity.
Researchers found that Montserrat's volcanic ash contains high concentrations of cristobalite, a mineral linked to lung disease silicosis. The study suggests that living near the volcano poses a health risk, and future studies aim to determine acceptable levels of exposure.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University are developing a technology to divert salt cake, an aluminum by-product, into valuable feed stock materials for the manufacturing of concrete products. This will ease material supply pressure and improve productivity in the concrete, mining, and construction industries.
A mercury poisoning illness known as Minamata disease has resurfaced in the Amazon rainforest, affecting thousands of people. The disease, which causes severe neurological damage, is linked to consumption of methyl mercury-contaminated fish.
Western towns' healthiest economies focus on environmental quality and tourism, rather than resource extraction. Thriving towns like Kremmling, Colo., have seen growing populations and revitalized economies due to their natural beauty and lower costs.
Some smelter slags produce toxic elements like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and copper when exposed to natural weathering conditions. Researchers have found high levels of these elements in slag dumps, contaminating nearby water sources.
Researchers at Stanford University have observed the detailed structure of red sprites, finding thousands of vertical and tilted streamers with branching patterns. The findings suggest that electrostatic charge buildup in the atmosphere creates these spark channels, which ionize air molecules and produce glowing red streamers.
Researchers coax bacteria from contaminated soil into cleaning up toxic heavy metal chromium by adding appropriate nutrients. The team aims to optimize microbial action at contaminated sites for effective bioremediation.
Scientists have developed SAMMS, a self-assembled monolayer on mesoporous support that selectively binds toxic or precious metals like mercury and lead. The technology has shown promise in cleaning up contaminated waterways and recovering valuable metals.
A Florida biologist found that subtle increases in CO2 can kill mining moths by reducing the nutritional value of their food. Many more larvae died in chambers with high CO2 levels, likely due to malnutrition caused by lower nitrogen content.
Researchers at Boston University and Japan's University of Tokyo found evidence that neutrinos possess mass, contradicting the standard theory of particle physics. This discovery may impact our understanding of the universe's expansion and potential unification of particles and forces.
The USGS is developing simulation models to evaluate the effects of proposed remedial actions on stream chemistry in abandoned mine lands. These models are applied to St. Kevin Gulch, a small stream near Leadville, Colorado, providing estimates of water quality that reflect the impact of proposed actions.
A new method for clustering data on computers has been developed by Prof. Eytan Domany, enabling the analysis of vast amounts of information without prior knowledge of its structure or categories. The algorithm mimics human intuition and can automatically identify clusters in various types of data.
A zone of high-grade copper ore has been found on the Pacific floor, a discovery that could lead to similar valuable deposits on land. The finding is attributed to a deep-sea exploration project led by UC Davis geologist Robert Zierenberg.
A new software program, EXAKT, uses mathematical models to determine the optimal time to replace or repair equipment based on performance data and economic factors. This allows maintenance managers to combine risk assessment and economic considerations in making informed decisions.
Researchers found Leptospirillum ferrooxidans is a more important contributor to mine pollution than previously thought. The study could provide the mining industry with a new predictive technology to estimate acid mine drainage from a given site.
The Salton Sea Database Program will utilize GIS software to analyze data on the lake's ecosystem, including climate, soil, water quality, and vegetation. The program aims to inform decision-making and restoration efforts for the critically endangered Salton Sea.
Industrial ecology focuses on sustainable development, encouraging recycling, reuse, and upcycling. Graedel advocates for dematerialization, reduced energy intensity, and mining residue recovery to minimize environmental impact.
The Mechanics of Granular Materials (MGM) experiment aims to expand investigations into soil mechanics started on STS-79 in 1996. The new flight will run twice as many tests under various experimental conditions, providing insights into the behavior of soils under low-confining pressures.
Researchers use exploratory analysis of CCEP database to identify smaller groups with common health conditions based on shared exposure to risk factors. The study found no large group affected by a syndrome, but identified specific characteristics that may be related to Gulf War Syndrome.
The Pennsylvania Sea Grant will focus on extension, education, and communications, monitoring the ecology of Lake Erie's coast and Presque Isle peninsula. Studies will address non-point source pollution, invasive species, and environmentally friendly manufacturing development.
Researchers have discovered dense colonies of flat, pinkish worms living in methane ice mounds on the Gulf of Mexico sea floor. The worms are thought to be grazing off chemosynthetic bacteria, potentially influencing gas deposit formation and energy harvesting.
Scientists from the National Science Foundation and IRIS have ruled out cult activities and nuclear detonations as causes of a 1993 Australian seismic event. They now believe that an iron meteorite of about two meters in diameter could have created the tremors, but no crater has been found.
Researchers at Purdue University have been working on phytoremediation, a process that uses plants to collect heavy metals and radioactive waste from polluted sites. By understanding how plants take up and store toxic metals, they aim to develop metal-mining plants that can clean up contaminated soil and water.
Researchers at ORNL have developed ceramic valves that offer longer life and better durability for heavy-equipment engines. The valves were tested in a mine haul truck engine and accumulated over 2,000 hours without failing.
Researchers find massive methane deposits in Blake Ridge area, equivalent to 35 billion tons, and estimate 7% of global carbon stored. The discovery suggests a significant role in past climate change and potential for future energy source.
Seedlings of American mahogany trees can only successfully establish themselves on open land, not in the shade of other trees. Logging practices are creating 'mahogany deserts' by replacing mature trees with seedlings, posing a threat to the species' long lifespan of up to 600 years.
Researchers are investigating the history of forests, fire incidence, and signs of early settlers in the Lake Tahoe Basin due to a bark beetle infestation. The study aims to reconstruct the forest structure before logging, the history of fire in the area, and the age of trees.
Researchers investigate air exchange between tropical and mid-latitude stratosphere regions, shedding light on ozone layer thinning. The study's findings improve computer model representation of ozone depletion, predicting potential losses due to supersonic aircraft emissions.