News on research driving industry and manufacturing. Covers petrochemical emissions, food innovation, controlled-explosion labs, and industry-academic partnerships.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed tiny, piezoelectric fans that can cool future electronics without producing electromagnetic noise or consuming excessive electricity. The fans use a ceramic material to move blades in alternate directions, reducing temperatures by up to 8 degrees Celsius.
The Purdue-based center will focus on bioremediation and phytoremediation to clean up pollution. It will work with state governments, local communities, and industry to revitalize polluted sites using cost-effective natural remediation technologies.
A new suite of experiments will be delivered to the International Space Station by Space Shuttle Endeavour, broadening scientific research onboard the orbiting space laboratory. The experiments are expected to lead to insights in various fields such as bone disorder treatments, plant growth, and cancer cell formation.
The tobacco industry, led by Philip Morris, employed a sophisticated public relations campaign to shape scientific standards and prevent increased smoking restrictions. The 'sound science' movement was used to promote arbitrary thresholds for identifying health risk from secondhand smoke, ignoring comprehensive assessments of risk.
Researchers at Brookhaven Lab and DuPont have developed a new class of catalysts that can accelerate the removal of oxygen from plant-derived compounds, converting them into alcohols for industrial use. The goal is to produce 25% of DuPont's revenues in 2010 from renewable raw materials.
Researchers from Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota found that tobacco industry sponsored research misled the public about the health risks of secondhand smoke. The study analyzed over 1.5 million pages of internal documents, revealing a campaign by the industry to deny health risks and preserve profits.
Cornell University researchers will create block copolymer electro-optical structures using low-cost materials and simple processing steps. The project aims to revolutionize routine lithographic nanopatterning and integrate soft materials onto silicon chips.
The Center for Wireless Communications has been awarded $1.5 million in California matching funds to complement corporate funding for five separate research projects. The grants will support Ph.D. students performing wireless research on key issues such as achieving higher data rates and lowering wireless access costs.
A team of four researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has received a $1 million grant to solve various problems using inverse problems, a branch of applied mathematics. They aim to develop algorithms for detecting tumors, locating submerged objects, and identifying cracks in airplanes using low-frequency elastic waves.
The Deep Gulf of Mexico Benthos project aims to study the structure and functions of deepsea life forms, with a focus on the ecological impact of offshore oil production. The research team will collect data on ocean floor ecology, including biodiversity, species abundance, and environmental contamination.
Researchers at Imperial College London developed a novel magnetic material dubbed 'Swiss Rolls' that guides radio-frequency magnetic flux in MRI scanners, producing undistorted images. The material's periodic array of structures helps direct magnetic flux from the body to receiver coils with minimal leakage.
Lehigh University will partner with industry leaders to advance research and commercialization of optical technologies, including Lucent, Corning, and Sycamore Networks. The $1 million grant from the PA state will be used to develop a multi-institutional enterprise that aims to transform the regional economy.
A preliminary study published in Operations Research found that free flight routing could lead to a significant reduction in mid-air collision risk, with a potential safety dividend of up to 69%. The study also suggests that shortened flight paths could result in reduced fuel consumption and increased flight frequencies.
Researchers have found a fern that can soak up deadly arsenic from soil with staggering efficiency. The brake fern, Pteris vittata, accumulates high levels of arsenic, making it a promising candidate for cleaning up contaminated soils. This discovery has great potential for remediating toxic waste sites around the world.
A $2.75 million endowment will enhance Cranfield's research in nanotechnology, enabling the creation of new professorial posts and research fellowships. The donation is seen as a timely boost to support Britain's wealth creation through this key technology.
The American Legacy Foundation has awarded $15 million to UCSF to establish a permanent internet access to tens of millions of pages of tobacco industry documents and develop a center for scholarly study. This move aims to improve research in the field and ensure accessibility to scholars, health advocates, and the public.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have successfully produced a low-toxin white-vetch grain that can be safely consumed by monogastric species like pigs and poultry. The new variety has significant health benefits and marketing opportunities for farmers, offering a solution to previous export issues with toxic vetch grains.
A new study found that eating one medium-sized persimmon per day can help reduce the risk of heart disease by fighting atherosclerosis. Persimmons contain significantly higher levels of dietary fiber, minerals, and phenolic compounds than apples.
The new mathematical method drastically speeds up the time it takes to calculate the behavior of how drops form as they come out of a nozzle or faucet. This breakthrough has broad applications in improving industrial processes such as inkjet printers, photographic films, and analytical devices.
NASA has launched a new Second Generation Reusable Launch Vehicle program office at the Marshall Space Flight Center, aiming to develop a safer and less expensive launch system. The program seeks proposals from industry and academia to reduce business and technical risk.
As people age, they experience a decrease in muscle strength, but an increase in endurance. To address this issue, Maury Nussbaum and Laura Wojcik are conducting a study to understand how tasks can be adjusted to accommodate older workers' work capacity.
A study funded by the ESRC highlights the potential of cultural industries to boost regeneration in British cities. The report shows that these industries have played a key role in rejuvenating city centers and fringe districts.
Scientists have discovered that ancient underground fractures in Ohio soil can contaminate water supplies quickly, posing a threat to the state's groundwater. Research suggests that these fractures allow contaminated water to bypass purification and travel through the soil, potentially endangering water sources.
Researchers at Ohio State University have created a new way to map ocean currents using a single video camera with special software, comparing favorably to expensive electronic sensors. This method could help scientists better understand erosion and develop effective management strategies.
A 15-year study by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center found that a social-influences approach to smoking prevention did not reduce smoking rates among youth. Despite rigorous design and implementation, the program failed to make a difference in the long-term smoking behavior of participants.
A study found that young users of smokeless tobacco lack awareness of its health risks, with only 74% knowing it's harmful to their health. The survey also revealed that users often describe themselves as 'cool' and 'macho', reflecting the tobacco industry's marketing efforts.
Researchers have developed an edible film made from strawberry puree, broccoli, oranges, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables. The films can significantly extend the shelf life of fresh-cut produce, such as apples, while keeping them fresh and flavorful.
A seven-year study by University of Florida researchers found a 73% drop in mercury levels in wading bird chicks' feathers since 1994. The declines may be linked to the removal of mercury from commercial products and industrial processes, starting in the late 1980s.
A new study by UCSF researchers found that California's tobacco control program prevented an estimated 33,300 heart-disease deaths during its first nine years. The program also associated with a significant reduction in cigarette consumption, but budget cuts and changes weakened the effort in the mid-1990s.
The Indiana Genomics Initiative, backed by a $105 million grant from Lilly Endowment, aims to advance educational opportunities, genomics, and bioinformatics research. The project will create a world-class biomedical enterprise at IU, capitalizing on existing resources and expertise in informatics.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a new process for creating superhydrophobic polymer surfaces that are longer-lasting and more environmentally friendly. By increasing the surface area of a flexible material before attaching coating molecules, they can achieve superior water resistance and durability without using solve...
The University of Michigan has been awarded $47.8 million in grants from the Michigan Life Sciences Corridor, with U-M scientists leading 24 research proposals approved for funding. The funds will support life sciences research and economic development throughout the state.
High-tech entrepreneur Michael J. Fitzpatrick and his wife, Patty, are donating $25 million each to establish new centers for advanced photonics at Stanford and Duke universities. The centers will attract top students and faculty, and facilitate industry partnerships to develop cutting-edge photonics technologies.
Researchers developed a new film that doubles its sensitivity to light without sacrificing picture quality. This technology enables higher-quality photos in low-light conditions and clearer enlargements.
A new type of cement developed by a Purdue doctoral student can cure in below-freezing temperatures, addressing a long-standing issue for the construction industry. The innovation has significant implications for reducing costs associated with heating construction sites.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new simulation tool that predicts an innovative type of transistor, called the double-gate transistor, could keep Moore's Law in force until 2025. This would give scientists time to develop new technologies to replace traditional silicon-based integrated circuits.
Clemson researchers, led by Michael Pursley, are developing a wireless communication system that can transmit voice and digital data, making it more reliable and portable than current systems. The new system has the potential to revolutionize military communications and could also be used in disaster relief and fleet-based services.
Researchers Clifford G. Venier and Edward W. Casserly developed a new lubricant called Pennzane® Synthesized Hydrocarbon Fluid X2000 that can withstand extremely low temperatures and prolong satellite life. The lubricant also enhances the longevity of car oils and provides thin coatings for computer disk drives.
Susan Daluge, a North Carolina researcher, has developed a new ant-HIV drug called Ziagen that increases the anti-viral potency of AZT and 3TC. This simplifies treatment for patients who cannot tolerate protease inhibitors due to side effects.
Hall's innovations improved EPDM's stability and allowed its use as a dispersant in motor oil, protecting engines from combustion by-products. He developed a method for producing low-molecular-weight EPDM, enhancing the oil's performance.
The development of 'smart' flaps could significantly improve the efficiency of supersonic engines by minimizing flow separation. By recirculating air within the boundary layer, these flaps prevent turbulence and increase engine performance.
Researchers at UNC-CH find that electrical resistance varies according to how nanotubes are oriented on a flat surface, with peaks six times as much when rotated 360 degrees. This discovery could be useful for telecommunications and electronics industries.
The unprecedented fire season in southern Africa produced a thick haze layer that affected regional air quality and provided valuable data for climate change research. Scientists were able to track the movement of the haze layer, measure its impact on clouds, and investigate its effect on greenhouse gases.
Researchers at UNC-CH have identified a small group of 30 genes that respond similarly to different conditions, providing a potential universal switch for the immune system among many plant species. This discovery could lead to engineered plants with improved disease resistance and increased crop yields.
A University of Maine team found that zeolite and sunlight can rapidly break down pesticides in contaminated water. The researchers used malathion, a toxic insecticide linked to lobster deaths, to test the method.
The US Department of Energy has awarded Amalgamated Research, Inc. $1.9 million to improve biomass refinery efficiency and reduce capital equipment costs in Idaho. The project aims to develop a new biomass refining system for purifying and separating biomass subcomponents, enabling the production of fuels and chemicals.
A study by Dr. Adam Drewnowski suggests that using Mediterranean cuisine techniques can help overcome bitterness in vegetables, revealing potential health benefits.
A recent CSIRO Australia trial found genetically modified lupins increased wool growth by eight percent and live weight gain by seven percent in Merino sheep. The modified protein stimulates the production of sulfur amino acids, essential for growth, making it a valuable boost to Australian wool production.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a technique to measure defects in materials with picometer accuracy, enabling the design of advanced materials. The new technique uses interferometry in coherent electron diffraction and is particularly suited for investigating tiny areas of materials.
Research in Archives of Disease in Childhood found that general practitioners prescribed nearly 3,500 off-label medications to over 1,200 children aged under 12. The most frequently used off-label drugs were systemic antibiotics and anti-asthmatic medications. GPs claim they are not at fault but lack adequate product license information.
The American Chemical Society recognizes Wallace H. Carothers' groundbreaking research in the chemistry of giant molecules, which led to the development of nylon and neoprene. Carothers' work established modern polymer science, paving the way for today's plastics, synthetic fibers, and rubber industries.
PUNCH provides a worldwide 'computational grid' allowing users to run programs remotely over the Internet, saving money for engineering students. The system can automatically find resources, including supercomputers, to complete jobs, making it a prototype for a large-scale infrastructure.
James R. Stewart, a pioneer in scuba diving, was inducted into the NAUI Hall of Honor for his invaluable work on developing training procedures and data collecting techniques. He is recognized as an expert on interactions between divers and marine environments.
Researchers at UCLA and Cambridge report a breakthrough in pain medicine that delivers painkillers directly to affected areas, eliminating unwanted side effects. A single injection of the new medication can alleviate pain for several days, offering a significant improvement over current treatments.
Researchers have developed diode-laser-based sensors to measure the properties of gases in industrial processes, such as monitoring combustion, propulsion, and air quality. The technology has shown promising results in detecting carbon monoxide emissions from cars and measuring ammonia densities with high accuracy.
Scientists at UNC-CH are studying the effects of hazardous waste on human health and environment. They are developing new strategies for cleaning up Superfund sites, including techniques to measure oxidative stress and understand genetic traits that make individuals more susceptible.
A seven-university team led by Brown University aims to add light waves to microchips, creating a superchip that could replace electronic microchips and enable faster personal computers and Internet connections.
Researchers at ANU have developed a new high-resolution map of the energy surface of molecules using quantum dynamics to analyze hydrogen reacting with heavy water. This new methodology allows for faster and more accurate analysis of chemical reactions, enabling scientists to study other reactions more effectively.
A new study by University of California, San Francisco researchers highlights the need for clear guidelines to manage potential conflicts of interest in academic research. The study found that nearly eight percent of UCSF scientists reported financial ties to industry sponsors in 1999, with complex relationships being seen as problematic.
The National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network has expanded to include 11 regional research centers and nearly 70 community-based treatment programs. The five newly funded centers will receive $11 million over five years, bringing the total funding for all 11 components to $121 million.