Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Nanotech discovery could have radical implications

Researchers at Princeton University propose a new mathematical approach to produce desired configurations of nanoparticles by manipulating their interactions. This method could lead to radical implications in industries like telecommunications, computers, and aerospace engineering, as well as our understanding of life.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 30, 2005

Climate model predicts dramatic changes over next 100 years

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.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2005

Television in the bedroom may hurt child's school performance

A study found that third-grade students with TVs in their bedrooms scored lower on math and language arts tests compared to those without. However, children with access to home computers showed improved test scores, suggesting a potential solution for parents seeking to boost their child's academic achievement.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateJul 4, 2005

Passion for technology: Three UH women honored

Math Professor Suncica Canic received a Top Houston Women in Technology award for her career achievements and research on improving stent design. UH students Irene Cooperstein Cole and Barbara Nishae Brooks were awarded $10,000 Kathi Bowles Scholarships for their exemplary performance in math and computer science.

Tagging pathogens with synthetic DNA 'barcodes'

The researchers created 'nanobarcodes' that can be read by computer scanners or observed under fluorescent light microscopes, allowing for the simultaneous identification of multiple pathogens. The technology has potential applications in genomic research, clinical diagnosis, and environmental monitoring.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJun 13, 2005

Love thy stuff

Researchers explore how consumers construct their perceptions of self through loved possessions and activities. These objects play a crucial role in creating a coherent identity narrative, as they symbolically demarcate boundaries between the self and rejected identities.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJun 2, 2005

Purdue miniature cooling device will have military, computer uses

Mechanical engineers at Purdue University have created micro-channel heat sinks that can cool electronic components, enabling faster performance and better functionality. The devices are being developed to address the growing need for efficient cooling in advanced laser systems, microwave radar, and future computers.

SourcePurdue University·JournalInternational Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer·DateApr 14, 2005

The cult of consumerism

Researchers found that brand communities exhibit transformative experiences, magic, religion, and supernatural elements. Consumers take on a cult-like role, modifying products, innovating, and sharing stories to sustain the brand's values and beliefs.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMar 29, 2005

$6.7 million for bionic war on disabilities

Researchers at the University of Utah are developing a wireless version of the Utah Electrode Array, which will enable people with paralysis to control devices with their minds. The project aims to implant the device in the brains of blind individuals and paraplegics, allowing them to see, stand, and walk again.

Could your 'jigsaw strategy' lead to a Christmas argument?

A study found that people use different strategies to complete a jigsaw puzzle, which can increase competition and conflict when collaborating with others. The researchers identified two main approaches: 'border obsessives' who focus on completing the border first, and 'opportunistic' puzzlers who take a more creative approach.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction·DateDec 23, 2004

The platonic form of stalactites

Researchers developed a mathematical theory that describes the universal shape of stalactites, found in caves worldwide. The theory, based on fluid dynamics and geometry, reveals an ideal form underlying all stalactite shapes, with actual formations differing by less than 5%.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 6, 2004

The logic of life brings order to our genes

Professor Carsten Peterson and his team demonstrate how genes interact to produce stable systems, using the fruit fly as a model organism. They found that canalyzing rules, where one controlling gene activates another without affecting it, are present in almost 200 genetic networks in fruit flies.

SourceSwedish Research Council·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 30, 2004

Investigating digital images

Farid's algorithm uses statistical clues to detect tampering in digital images, making it harder for people to manipulate photos. The technology has the potential to prevent fake photos from influencing public opinion and trust, especially in news reports.