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Startled flies may provide insight into ADHD

Researchers discovered two independent forms of arousal in fruit flies, with one mutation linked to increased startle response and decreased endogenous arousal. The findings suggest that environmentally stimulated arousal and sleep-wake transitions reflect distinct neural circuits, potentially shedding light on the neurobiology of ADHD.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateNov 25, 2009

Simple measures can yield big greenhouse gas cuts, scientists say

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that everyday actions such as home weatherization and vehicle maintenance can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The research estimated that these measures could cut total US carbon emissions by 5% over five years and 7.4% in 10 years.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 26, 2009

Physicists seek to keep next-gen colliders in 1 piece

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.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalPhysical Review Special Topics - Accelerators and Beams·DateOct 5, 2009

6 NTU projects awarded NRF grants

Six NTU projects have received funding from the National Research Foundation (NRF) for research and innovation in wireless sensing, power converters, photonic micro electromechanical systems, electro-generated chemi-luminescence, antenna solutions, and anti-reflective coatings. The funded projects aim to develop core technologies for s...

UAB wins NSF grant

The University of Alabama at Birmingham has won a two-year grant from the National Science Foundation to train teachers in using XO laptops for math and science education. The goal is to extend laptop use beyond basic tasks and increase the number of minority students entering the STEM career pipeline.

Ground beetles produce lemon/orange-scented aromas as predator repellents, according to new research

New research reveals that ground beetles produce limonene, a natural repellent used by dogs, cats, and other animals, as a major defensive chemical. The beetle's pygidial gland produces a complex mixture of monoterpenes, including limonene and toluquinone, which acts as a permeation enhancer for the benzoquinone-based repellent.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalZeitschrift für Didaktik der Naturwissenschaften·DateAug 13, 2009

Beyond the looking glass

Chinese researchers have created the first tunable electromagnetic gateway, using transformation optics and ferrite materials to block electromagnetic waves while allowing passage of other entities. The new configuration has optimum permittivity and permeability, making it tunable and remotely switchable.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateAug 13, 2009

Mysterious charge transport in self-assembled monolayer transistors unraveled

A recent study reveals that monolayer coverage and channel length set the mobility in self-assembled monolayer field-effect transistors, leading to the development of cost-effective chemical sensors. The research team's findings were published in Nature Nanotechnology and provide a widely applicable two-dimensional percolation model.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 11, 2009