News on research driving industry and manufacturing. Covers petrochemical emissions, food innovation, controlled-explosion labs, and industry-academic partnerships.
Researchers discovered that up to ten percent of the active genes of bdelloid rotifers, a species that has survived 80 million years without sex, are foreign. These acquired genes play a crucial role in the organism's ability to survive desiccation.
A study by University of Illinois researchers found that cellphone bans in urban areas are associated with a relative decrease in accident rates after seven years. However, in very rural areas, cellphone bans were linked to higher accident rates than expected. The findings suggest that blanket bans may not be beneficial for all areas.
A University of Alberta research team found that adjusting sea lice treatments improved wild pink salmon health and reduced mortality rates. By shifting treatment schedules to the fall and winter, they reduced sea lice in coastal waters, allowing more juvenile pink salmon to survive migration.
The Biophysical Society has recognized five individuals with its 2013 awards for their significant contributions to biophysics and biomedical research. Carol Robinson and Joseph Zasadzinski received awards for their innovative work on mass spectrometry and lipid structures, respectively.
Researchers have successfully created near-atomically flat silicon surfaces, a breakthrough that could pave the way for new biological and chemical sensors. The team's innovative process uses computer simulations and infrared spectroscopy to create flat surfaces with alternating single-atom-wide rows.
The Navy chief advocates for quarterly S&T meetings with industry and academia partners to accelerate innovation. He highlights the importance of collaboration in developing new naval technologies, emphasizing that innovative solutions will benefit both the warfighter and taxpayers.
The new Big Data journal will publish peer-reviewed content on novel technologies, policies, and innovations in the field. It aims to facilitate collaboration among researchers, analysts, and business leaders to address challenges and discover breakthroughs in big data.
A recent study found that tobacco companies are using smartphone apps to promote their products, including explicit images and smoking simulations, which is a violation of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The apps have been downloaded by millions of people, including teenagers and children.
A high-resolution draft of the barley genome has been published, revealing insights into its genetic makeup and potential for improvement. The sequence data will aid in breeding more resilient crops that can withstand climate change and disease, benefiting the £20 billion UK beer industry.
A new dissolvable oral strip has been developed to immediately relieve pain from burns caused by hot foods and liquids. The strip, containing benzocaine and a therapeutic polymer, is applied directly to the burned area and quickly dissolves for instant pain relief and promotes healing.
Researchers from San Francisco State University found that puzzle interviews are perceived as unfair and unrelated to job skills. However, some students rated candidates better in puzzle interviews due to their poise and relatively decent answers.
Researchers at Stanford and Yale universities found that oil palm plantation expansion in Indonesian Borneo is a significant source of carbon dioxide emissions, projected to contribute over 558 million metric tons in 2020. The study highlights the urgent need for sustainable production methods to mitigate deforestation.
The project aims to develop a comprehensive health information technology data preparation strategy to provide accurate healthcare demand and supply portfolio data. The team will also create stochastic optimization models to aid in managing patient panels and staffing levels for PCMH teams.
The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate has identified key technologies needed to enhance first responder capabilities. These include augmented reality eyeglasses, telemedicine, and assistive technologies that can aid in crime-fighting and medical procedures.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) presented annual Young Investigator Awards to top five ranking abstracts at its regional meeting. The award recipients received USD 1,000 and were invited to present their work during a special plenary session.
A new report from the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth reveals that African-American youth are being over-exposed to alcohol advertising, with certain brands and channels dominating their exposure. The report's findings highlight the need for immediate action to protect the health and well-being of young African Americans.
Scientists discover date palm juice inhibits corrosion of aluminum alloy in salt solution, forming protective film on metal's surface. The juice contains sugars that react with aluminum to form an anticorrosive film.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that pharmaceutical industry sponsorship can downgrade physicians' perceptions of trial rigor and results. The study suggests that funding source should not be a determinant of a trial's impact, but rather its methodological rigor.
A team led by UC Riverside's John Trumble has been recognized for its research on zebra chip disease, which devastated the potato industry. The team developed new techniques to identify the pathogen and developed sustainable integrated pest management programs that enable growers to minimize potential negative effects on the environment.
The U.S. Navy awarded Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory a $853 million contract over the next 10 years to support critical defense research and development. The award enables ARL to carry out research in guidance, navigation, and materials science.
Researchers have developed an invisible QR code that increases security on printed documents, making it difficult to replicate. The code can be read by a smartphone under near-infra-red light illumination, offering a new level of authentication for solid objects.
A novel CT scanner with grating-based x-ray phase contrast technology demonstrates improved soft tissue visibility in preclinical research. The technology, developed by a German-Swedish-Belgian team, has the potential to revolutionize biomedical imaging and could lead to medical CT scanning applications in the future.
A computer model developed by researchers can help healthcare clinics manage no-shows and last-minute cancellations by incorporating overbooking into the system. This approach has been shown to increase efficiency, bringing it back up to around 73% in some cases.
Professor Artur Jaworski receives Royal Society Industry Fellowship to apply thermoacoustic technology to improve efficiency of energy sources. He aims to integrate devices into European Thermodynamics Ltd products to widen range and enhance performance.
The AAO-HNSF 2012 meeting showcased groundbreaking research on smoking cessation, cochlear implants, and the relationship between childhood obesity and otitis media. New findings also explored music-induced hearing loss and the assessment of quality of life in bilateral cochlear implant patients.
myIDP is an interactive online tool that helps scientists prepare individual development plans to reach their career goals. The platform provides exercises, resource lists, and guidance on exploring career options and setting professional development goals.
A study of 240 children found that those with higher levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were more likely to report wheeze, a common symptom of asthma. Non-atopic asthma was also linked to PCB exposure in the study.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation has published new guidelines to help doctors assess treatment efficacy in patients who experience a fracture while on medication for osteoporosis. The guidelines outline a checklist of pragmatic criteria that can be used to define treatment failure and take appropriate action.
The article highlights advancements in biomass characterization technology to overcome recalcitrance issues in lignocellulosic biomass. Researchers share their work and perspectives on improving methods for analyzing biomass chemistry, structure, and interaction.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to create alloys with extremely tiny grains that remain stable even under high heat. The new material, made of tungsten and titanium, has exceptional strength and impact resistance, making it suitable for various applications.
The new resonator creates purest, brightest and most powerful single-mode quantum cascade lasers in the 8-12 micron range, a wavelength of great interest for military and industrial use. The laser technology controls both wavelength and beam quality, achieving peak power over 6 watts with nearly diffraction-limited beam quality.
Barbara Keyfitz is awarded the SIAM Prize for Distinguished Service to the Profession for her contributions to applied mathematics. She has revitalized applied mathematics programming, created innovative graduate internship programs, and promoted links between US and Mexican communities.
The Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics awards prizes to top student researchers in applied mathematics and computing. Winners receive cash prizes, travel awards, and certificates for their outstanding work.
A Wayne State University researcher found that correctional facility employees who trust supervisors and management are less likely to experience job burnout. Higher trust levels resulted in lower reported burnout characteristics, while trust in management had no bearing on perceived work effectiveness.
Researchers from Ruhr-Universität Bochum discovered that 80 percent of Single Sign-On (SSO) systems based on SAML have huge vulnerabilities. The team used novel XML Signature Wrapping techniques to circumvent digital signatures, impersonating users and system administrators in 12 affected systems.
Ruth F. Curtain of the University of Groningen received the 2012 W. T. and Idalia Reid Prize for her fundamental contributions to infinite dimensional systems theory and control theory. The prize recognizes her outstanding work in these areas.
Papers selected for SIAM's Outstanding Paper Prize are recognized for originality and innovation in applied mathematics. The prize has been awarded since 1999, with recent recipients including Nir Ailon, Bernard Chazelle, Matthew D. Finn, Jean-Luc Thiffeault, Bart Vandereycken, and Stefan Vandewalle.
The UK hotel industry is alive with innovation, introducing new technologies and designs to improve customer service. Hotels are adopting sustainable practices, incorporating recycled materials and energy-efficient systems, to reduce their environmental impact.
The three-year ITaaU Network+ project aims to provide simple, safe, and usable IT services through smart technologies and information stores. Researchers will examine barriers to new users and develop collaborative research initiatives.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new technique to improve oil recovery and environmental cleanup using microbial enhanced oil recovery. The technology, which involves injecting microbes into wells to increase oil production, could make a comeback in the oil industry due to its potential for increased productivity.
Researchers will develop nanocomposites for medical implants that break down safely, replacing metal implants in bone surgery. The project tackles challenges in nanoparticle production, dispersion, degradation, and scaling up manufacture.
Researchers are developing smaller, lighter antennas with directional beamforming to increase user capacity by 50-100 times in the millimeter-wave spectrum. The project aims to relieve pressure on 4G wireless networks and offer tremendous value to the $1 trillion cellular industry.
Research by IDIBELL-UB reveals that exposure to IDPN nitrile leads to accumulations of neurofilaments similar to those found in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This finding suggests a potential link between environmental toxins and ALS, with implications for new treatment approaches.
A UBC study found that witnesses of workplace bullying are more likely to want to leave their jobs than those who experience it firsthand. This highlights the significant impact of bullying on employees and organizations.
Concordia University has been awarded $1.6 million by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to support research and training in sustainable development. The funding will be used to train approximately 20 students per year in renewable energy production and water optimization.
Researchers have developed a method to produce silver nanoparticles using pomegranate peel as a reducing agent, avoiding the use of harsh chemicals and industrial solvents. The process produces nanoparticles with a diameter of 5 nanometers and has potential applications in various fields.
A UA systems engineering doctoral student has developed a simulated operations system to increase mining efficiency, which earned him the IIE research award. The system can coordinate scheduling decisions in near-real time and has been demonstrated with real-world coal mines.
The new encoding method takes advantage of PCM's asymmetric physics, reducing energy consumption and 'memory wear'. Researchers from Rice University and UCLA unveiled a breakthrough at the IEEE/ACM Design Automation Conference.
The new program will focus on interdisciplinary research, translational engineering, and industrial experiences to prepare students to think like entrepreneurs. Students will participate in curriculum modules, mentored laboratory research projects, and team projects to develop their collaboration and innovation skills.
A global research team led by Canadian scientists presents findings that natural ruminant trans fats have no negative impact on cardiovascular risk factors. These 'good fats,' produced by dairy and beef cattle, may even enhance health when consumed as part of a balanced diet.
The U.S. Army Research Laboratory Enterprise for Multiscale Modeling of Materials has received funding for designing new materials with a holistic perspective. Researchers will develop materials for extreme dynamic environments and lighter-weight electronic devices.
Scientists have developed a practical way to make stainless steel that disinfects itself, using a bio-inspired adhesive and silver-based particles. The new process takes only 10 minutes and uses water instead of toxic substances.
Researchers developed a 'Top 20' list of questions to better understand the impacts of chemicals in PPCPs on human and ecological health. The top priorities include identification of PPCPs, understanding their entry into the environment, and assessment of effects on organisms and risks to people.
The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow will host the first Fraunhofer Centre to be established in the UK, a hub for industry-driven laser research and technology. The Centre is part of Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd., which will oversee future UK-based research centres.
The EPSRC has awarded five-year fellowships worth £1 million each to Drs Geoffrey Nash, Harish Bhaskaran, Ajoy Velayudhan, and Peter Foote to address the gap in UK manufacturing research. The fellowships aim to strengthen links between industry and academia, driving growth and innovation.
A new study suggests that tailored advertising campaigns can be more effective when targeting specific personality traits, rather than just demographic groups. By highlighting motivational concerns associated with each trait, advertisements can be designed to resonate with individual consumers and increase their persuasive appeal.
A new report emphasizes the importance of mathematics in industry, highlighting various applications such as business analytics and optimization, manufacturing design, and financial risk analysis. The report also stresses the need to connect academic, government, and industrial scientists to better meet real-world demands.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a graphene-based composite that can replace toxic coatings with hexavalent chromium, reducing environmental harm and promoting safer industries. The new coating has shown significant improvements in durability, allowing treated steel to survive for months in harsh environments.
Researchers unveiled an inexact computer chip that allows for occasional errors, boosting performance by at least 15 times. The design improves power and resource efficiency by pruning sections of digital circuits and using confined voltage scaling.
The Bay Area Photovoltaic Consortium has announced a $7.5 million research grant program to develop new technologies that significantly reduce the cost of photovoltaic modules and make large-scale solar technology cheaper for electric utilities. The goal is to achieve a module cost below 50¢ per watt by 2020.