News on research driving industry and manufacturing. Covers petrochemical emissions, food innovation, controlled-explosion labs, and industry-academic partnerships.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill argue that US environmental policies should focus on pollution prevention practices rather than stringent regulation. The study suggests that widespread adoption of eco-efficiency practices can lead to significant gains in environmental quality.
A study found that 54 out of 57 bottled waters had fluoride levels below the recommended range, while all Cleveland tap water samples met or exceeded the optimal level. Bottled water also contained higher bacteria counts than tap water, with some samples having over 4,900 colonies per milliliter.
J. Larry Duda, a Penn State University chemist, has been honored with the E.V. Murphree Award in Industrial and Engineering Chemistry for his research on polymer behavior. His work helps improve product performance by understanding how small molecules migrate through polymers.
New research refutes claims that U.S. forests and vegetation are 'sequestering' enough carbon to offset fossil fuel emissions, suggesting at least 70-90% of emissions stay in atmosphere or be sequestered elsewhere. The study's findings have important implications for the role of the U.S. in combating global warming.
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.
Researchers at Brookhaven Lab have developed a new class of environmentally friendly electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries, which will be tested in test battery cells. The new compounds are being investigated to address performance problems with existing materials.
Alexandre Chorin, a renowned mathematician, is working on a new method of optimal prediction that could contribute to solving the turbulence problem. His work incorporates contributions from collaborators and aims to tackle the complex multi-dimensional problem that defies current computing power.
NASA is launching a new effort to develop a safer and cheaper reusable launch vehicle system, relying on commercial industry to meet NASA's science and exploration goals. The agency aims to reduce risk and technical challenges by partnering with industry partners.
Dr Norman Li, a separation science and technology pioneer, has been awarded the 2000 Perkin Medal for his groundbreaking work on membranes for separation and encapsulation. His pioneering research led to the development of liquid membranes and improved gas transport systems, impacting various industries.
Scientists have developed a method to convert bulk silicon into ultra-small, nano-sized particles with potential uses in low-power electronics, nonvolatile memories, and optical displays. These nanoparticles can also form the basis for novel semiconductor lasers and serve as fluorescent markers for biologically sensitive materials.
Wayne Purcell, an agricultural economist, and Y.A. Liu, a chemical engineering professor, have received the Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award for their contributions to education, research, and community service. They are among 11 faculty members recognized for their impact on the state's agriculture industry.
Hanif Sherali, a Virginia Tech professor, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his significant contributions to engineering system design. He is recognized for his invention of the Reformulation-Linearization Technique, which has been applied to various complex real-world problems.
A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory has determined the atomic structure of cytochrome P450cam, an enzyme that performs several important chemical jobs in the body. The research could lead to new cancer therapies, pollution cleanup, and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes.
Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Stellenbosch isolated six chemical compounds with antimicrobial activity in chewing sticks used in Namibia, demonstrating their effectiveness in removing plaque and massaging gums.
A team of researchers at the University of Toronto has discovered a gene called Mgat5 that affects cancer growth. By knocking out this gene in mice, they found a significant reduction in breast and lung cancer growth, suggesting that sugar structures play a role in promoting tumor development.
Researchers have identified a bacterial strain called T1 that can break down toluene, a hazardous industrial solvent. This discovery could lead to more cost-effective and environmentally friendly methods for cleaning up contaminated sites, reducing the need for expensive excavation and disposal methods.
A NASA study reveals that urbanization can reduce annual photosynthetic productivity in some areas by up to 20 days. However, research also shows that human activity can increase productivity in resource-limited regions through land transformation.
A new LSU study reconstructs past hurricane landfalls dating back 5,000 years and finds the US has a low incidence of major hurricane landfalls along the Gulf Coast over the past 1,000 years. The study provides concrete information on catastrophic hurricane landfalls in the US, with a likelihood of once every 300-600 years.
Studies suggest that eating chocolate can contribute to a healthy diet, thanks to its antioxidant properties and potential to reduce inflammation. Researchers found that chocolate consumption resulted in increased blood antioxidant capacity and decreased platelet activation within two hours after consumption.
Dr. John Craig Venter and Professor Edward Wilson were awarded the Science prize for their work in biology, while Dr. Cynthia Kenyon won the Medicine prize for her research on aging. Their discoveries have led to significant advancements in understanding human genomes and developing hormone-based treatments.
A Northwestern University researcher is leading a five-year, $5 million National Cancer Institute-sponsored study to improve current methods and evaluate new tests for detecting early-stage ovarian cancer. The study aims to identify novel biomarkers that can detect ovarian cancer in its early stages.
A recent study found that neighborhoods with higher densities of alcohol outlets have higher rates of drinking, accidents, and violence. The density of alcohol outlets in a neighborhood can shift the distribution of drinkers towards heavier drinking and more permissive norms.
A new study by Queen's University researchers reveals that extreme water shortages occurred naturally in Eastern Africa over the past 1,100 years. The research warns of potential devastating impacts of future climate changes on global water supplies and food security.
Researchers at Brookhaven Lab are developing a noninvasive blood monitor for PET imaging that can measure glucose metabolism in the blood without puncturing an artery. The device uses a patented detector and has the potential to significantly improve cancer diagnosis and treatment, as well as other diseases.
Researchers found that people living near industrial hog farms in North Carolina reported more frequent symptoms such as headaches, runny noses, and eye irritation. The study also showed that the quality of life for these residents was significantly reduced compared to those living near cattle farms or without livestock operations.
Researchers develop a new fuel that combines thorium and uranium to increase reactor runtime, potentially saving the industry $1 billion annually. The fuel could also generate less waste than traditional all-uranium fuel, while improving resistance to nuclear proliferation.
The new phenomenon, called the quantum mirage effect, enables data transfer within future nanoscale electronic circuits too small to use wires. The IBM scientists used a quantum state that concentrated large electron densities at each focus point of the elliptical corral.
University of Colorado researchers found that the production of antibiotic actinomycin D was 75% higher in space than on Earth, with a 20-fold increase in fermentation efficiency. This breakthrough has implications for developing new anti-cancer therapies.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed a cockpit display system called CDTI, which provides pilots with real-time information on surrounding aircraft speeds. This enables pilots to respond quickly and safely to air traffic controller commands, improving air traffic efficiency and safety.
University of New Orleans researchers have developed a nontoxic corrosion inhibitor for aluminum that inhibits corrosion as much as chromium without hazardous materials. The coating is environmentally acceptable and applies easily, making it safer for workers and the environment.
A new study by CSIRO, Southcorp Wines Pty Ltd, and the Viticulture CRC has found that grape yield and fruit quality can vary widely within small areas of vines. Precision viticulture offers a low-cost way to optimize both yield and quality, leading to improved financial outcomes and environmental sustainability.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have created a virtual 'Loganscape' to test alternative signs for Logan International Airport. The study aims to reduce the time it takes drivers to find their terminal, using modified signs with airline names and letters, and also exploring the effectiveness of alphabetized listings.
The robot population in North America has nearly doubled over the last decade, with robots becoming increasingly important in various applications. The latest edition of the Handbook of Industrial Robotics highlights the evolution of robots and their integration with humans in manufacturing, agriculture, and construction.
Researchers created a virtual crash test dummy to predict head and chest injuries during accidents. The simulation shows that multiple impacts result in more severe injuries, regardless of the vehicle model involved.
NASA has awarded $22 million in grants to 65 researchers to explore the effects of microgravity on materials science. The research will be conducted both on Earth and in space, with a focus on understanding fundamental physical and chemical processes.
A study published in Marketing Science found that a professors' model for choosing films can improve profitability by 30-120% compared to movie exhibitors' own choices. The model, which uses operations research and quantitative techniques, recommends selecting fewer 'right' movies and running them longer.
The NYU Center for Particulate Matter Health Research is conducting studies to identify tiny particles in polluted air that contribute to respiratory ailments, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The center aims to establish specific chemical species responsible for mortality and morbidity associated with exposure.
A recent study suggests that female and older computer users are more concerned about moral issues affecting the Internet, such as spreading computer viruses and sharing offensive games. The researchers found that younger respondents were less likely to view these actions as harmful.
Researchers at McGill University have developed a nonchemical weedkiller using the naturally occurring pathogen Fusarium to combat Striga in Africa. Crop yields doubled and farmers gained economic power as they could produce the fungus locally, providing a new source of income.
A recent study reveals that alcohol abuse costs society an estimated $250 billion per year in healthcare expenditures. The researchers emphasize the importance of early identification, case management, and organized systems of care to address this public health issue.
Researchers found that popular youth cigarette brands were more likely to be advertised in magazines with high youth readerships, despite claims of targeting young adults. The study's findings suggest a persistent pattern of advertising to underage youths.
The UCSF School of Medicine has received a $3.8 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to support biomedical research and recruit top young scientists. The grant will also fund renovations and equipment for older labs, enabling researchers to set up new facilities.
A multi-pronged analysis reveals that the supply of clean freshwater is dwindling due to growing demands for irrigation, industry, and natural ecosystem needs. Associate Professor Kenneth Strzepek identifies global river basins under strain, including China's Yellow River basin and Africa's Zambeze River basin.
A study led by U-M scientist Lisa Curran found that El Nino triggers the reproduction of tropical forest trees, allowing them to survive and thrive. However, human activity such as logging is destroying the ecosystem, threatening the local economy and global exports.
A new study suggests that cleaning up air pollution in China could increase crop production by up to one-third. Heavy regional haze scatters and absorbs solar radiation, reducing plant growth and food production. Researchers estimate that China loses around 10-30% of its crop production to haze.
A group of Oregon State University scientists emphasize the potential benefits of genetic engineering in forestry, including faster-growing trees that can reduce the burden on native forests. They argue against 'genetic extremism' and call for a more careful analysis of the issues based on science.
Researchers at TIGR have completed the genetic sequence of Deinococcus radiodurans, a bacteria that can withstand extreme environmental conditions. The study reveals its unique genome composition and large redundancy of repair functions, which may contribute to its exceptional radiation resistance.
A Yale research team has successfully turned supercritical carbon dioxide into a gel form, which could be used to extract oil from the ground instead of water. The new process is less expensive and more environmentally friendly than traditional methods.
The Chiba City Project aims to advance highly scalable open source software development using state-of-the-art Linux clusters. The 512-CPU Linux cluster will be opened to the U.S. research community for collaborative development.
A new CRADA and licensing agreement have been signed between NREL and Arkenol Holdings, which could further bring down the cost of making ethanol from biomass and boost the US biofuels industry. The agreements focus on developing new strains of genetically altered bacteria for use in converting rice straw to ethanol.
The MIT plasmatron device has been successfully installed in a commercial car engine, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by two orders of magnitude. The next step is to integrate the system into an actual vehicle, with the team aiming to install it on a bus within a year.
Researchers are developing a new sandwich structure made from lightweight honeycomb core and curved composite panels, which can contribute to faster boats and fuel-efficient airliners. The key attribute of the material is its light weight, resulting from the honeycomb-like design of the inner core.
The NTP Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction will convene an Expert Panel to review seven phthalate esters. The meeting aims to complete integrated evaluation documents and draft summary statements on the chemicals' developmental and reproductive toxicity.
A new University of Michigan study found that nerve tests for carpal tunnel syndrome are not reliable and can produce different results depending on who performs the test. The study suggests using a continuous scale to evaluate test results rather than absolute cutoff points.
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) has released new research on the influence of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) on doctors' prescribing habits. A study found that half of physicians feel pressure to prescribe products patients have seen advertised, with 77% linking patient requests to TV advertising. Ad...
William Chandler, a research scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, has received the World Climate Technology Leadership Award for founding a global network of energy efficiency centers. His work promotes energy efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions on a global basis, setting a standard for others to follow.
Researchers at Cornell University are working on bridging the gap between human dimensions and ultrasmall microchips. They aim to develop a dense array of connections to allow information exchange between large and small components.
The University of Victoria has established a research chair to study ecological processes contributing to safe drinking water. The chair will evaluate watershed management activities, supply operations, and food chain changes to optimize water quality and minimize treatment costs.
A Yale research team has developed a molecular memory that can store information, outlasting conventional silicon memory by approximately one million times. The discovery uses self-assembly method to fabricate the molecular memory, which could lead to significant reductions in cost and improvements in electronics.
A series of studies found that women in the military experience job dissatisfaction, reduced well-being, and physical and psychological harm due to harassment. The research highlights the need for greater gender parity and intolerance among leaders to address these issues.