News on research driving industry and manufacturing. Covers petrochemical emissions, food innovation, controlled-explosion labs, and industry-academic partnerships.
A well-controlled scientific study found no positive physical effect beyond moisturizing for 'thigh-reducing' creams. The study showed that applying the creams had no significant difference in upper-leg circumference compared to a lotion not touted as fat-reducing.
Researchers have created a highly accurate global map of Mars' topography, providing insights into the planet's evolution over 4 billion years. The map reveals the Hellas basin's massive size and its impact on water transport and cycles, with dramatic slopes affecting ponding of water in certain areas.
A new study by researchers at the University of California San Francisco found no correlation between smoke-free restaurant laws and decreased hotel revenue or tourist volume. In fact, some cities experienced statistically significant increases in hotel revenues and international tourist numbers after implementing such laws.
Researchers at Stanford University used optical tweezers to study the microscopic properties of magnetorheological fluids, finding that they behave in unexpected ways. The materials can form long chains and exhibit lateral aggregation, leading to a greater-than-expected range of behavior with varying magnetic field strengths.
The symposium, hosted by the American Herbal Products Association, brings together experts to discuss the latest research and benefits of echinacea. Echinacea has been found to have antibacterial, antiviral, and wound-healing properties, with German research confirming its ability to strengthen the immune system.
A national survey found that nearly half of American women (45%) regularly cross their legs, despite being aware of the negative effects on circulation. The study also revealed that leg crossing is often a habit, comfort-driven behavior, and a matter of politeness.
The AGU Spring Meeting will feature new press conferences on Leonid Meteors, which created a temporary lunar atmosphere, and Yucca Mountain as a potential site for long-term nuclear waste storage. The sessions will also include discussions on Mars Global Surveyor findings and the impact of magnetic storms on Earth.
The AAPS International Workshop on Individual Bioequivalence aims to review available criteria, discuss their pros and cons, and explore various points in drug development and approval. The workshop will focus on evidence for/against a Subject by Formulation interaction, statistical issues, and FDA strategy.
The new device measures worker exposure to carbon monoxide and is more accurate than existing methods. It can be used as an occupational dosimeter or residential passive sampler.
University of Cincinnati engineer Peter Smirniotis has received a $270,000 NATO Science for Peace grant to collaborate with Russian scientists on degrading toxic chemical weapons. The project aims to minimize environmental harm and potentially lead to a marketable product that can help Russia boost its economy.
Children who slept with a night light on before age 2 are at significantly higher risk of developing myopia, with 34% affected compared to 10% who slept in darkness. Eliminating nighttime lighting exposure during early childhood may affect the development of this common form of refractive error.
University of Illinois scientists developed a method to improve T-cell receptor properties, allowing for manipulation of the immune system's recognition molecules. This breakthrough could lead to new therapeutic approaches for diseases such as AIDS, cancer, and multiple sclerosis.
A new material, Hi-Por, is being considered as a replacement for refractory ceramic fibers due to its heat resistance and fiber-free nature. It has already been used in the nuclear industry due to its greater resistance to nuclear radiation.
A European beetle is expected to spread throughout Canada, posing a major threat to the forestry industry. The Introduced Pine Shoot Beetle has few natural enemies in Canada, making it a voracious insect that can feed on various pine species.
Researchers are developing a system to track and analyze bees equipped with radio frequency tags to detect explosives, which could aid in locating landmines. The technology aims to train bees to identify minute amounts of explosives, revolutionizing landmine detection.
The AAPS Workshop on Regulatory Issues Related to Drug Products for Oral Inhalation and Nasal Delivery will focus on quality assurance, CMC data, and bioavailability. The workshop aims to advance science through open exchange of knowledge and contribute to human health through pharmaceutical research.
The Decontamination, Decommissioning, and Remediation Optimal Planning System (DDROPS) simulates facility decontamination and waste minimization. This software optimizes cutting and packaging of debris to reduce radiation exposure risk and disposal costs.
A new bio-tech can remove up to half of impurities from crude oil, improving its physical and chemical properties. This breakthrough technology has the potential to make heavy crudes usable for clean-burning fuel, addressing the dwindling supply of lighter grades.
The PVC industry is expected to see significant growth in the developed world, thanks to innovation and advancements in technology. New studies have found that phthalates have little or no effect on human health, providing a safer alternative for manufacturers. The conference also explored ways to improve the industry's image and provi...
Researchers at National Jewish Health found cases of chronic beryllium disease in two people exposed to 2 percent beryllium copper alloy, a product used in toasters, bicycles, and electronics. Chronic beryllium disease is caused by inhaling beryllium dust into the lungs, leading to lung scarring and oxygen transfer issues.
National Science Board (NSB) Chairman Eamon Kelly will be available to discuss various science-related issues on April 26. The NSB, comprising industry and academia representatives, has published papers on education, research trends, and government funding.
Researchers have compiled a vast collection of gamma-ray spectra, enabling identification of radioactive materials and prediction of decay. The data includes over 315 reference spectra and more than 371 associated decay schemes.
Researchers at Rice University are developing chameleon-like nanoshells with tailored optical properties to enhance devices and materials. These nanoshells can manipulate different types of light and have potential applications in energy conservation, construction materials, and biomedicine.
A double-blind study at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology shows that magnetic stimulation of the brain can ease severe depression. The treatment, known as rTMS, was found to be effective in improving depression ratings by 50%, with half of patients requiring no further treatment.
Researchers from the Partnership for Natural Disaster Reduction (PNDR) presented various studies on wind and earthquake resistance, including a large-scale extreme wind research facility and hurricane-resistant homes. The PNDR program aims to reduce damage from natural disasters through concerted nationwide research efforts.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a non-invasive technique to study complex cell behavior using electricity. The ECIS 100 technology provides unprecedented sensitivity and detailed results, allowing for real-time analysis of cell activity over time.
Researchers found that treating the inner ear with leupeptin before exposure to high-level noise reduced sensory hair cell loss by 60%. However, leupeptin offered no protection against the damaging effects of carboplatin.
Researchers found that common soil minerals can work with ionizing radiation to break down toxic chlorinated chemicals into simpler compounds. However, this process may produce volatile gases, posing a risk of explosion at storage tanks like Hanford's.
A new study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers found no additional mercury exposure to children from dental fillings, despite low environmental exposure. Tiny amounts of mercury were detected in primary teeth, but statistical analysis showed no correlation with the number of fillings.
A new study suggests that consumers who strategically ration their vice purchases, such as buying cigarettes in small packs, end up paying a premium for self-control. This can lead to increased profits for tobacco and other industries. Researchers found that virtue consumers buy larger quantities even with shallow quantity discounts.
Researchers have developed a new method to inlay copper wires in semiconductor wafers, promising faster integrated circuits. The 'ion-assisted trench filling' technique can produce thinner, more uniform layers of metals and fill narrower trenches with higher depth-to-width aspect ratios.
A study of 899 home-based workers in nine states found that nearly 59% were male, with the average worker being 44 years old and married. Home-based businesses generated $19.7 billion in annual income, contributing 3% to total personal income.
Recent experiments at the University of Illinois cast doubt on the theory that segregation of coarse particles creates finger patterns. Instead, researchers found evidence suggesting an effective surface tension generated by cohesive forces between grains may be responsible for the formation of these patterns.
A new study by Dartmouth College researchers found that domestic wells in New Hampshire contain significantly more arsenic than municipal water sources, with levels exceeding federal recommended limits. The study's findings have significant implications for public health, particularly for residents relying on domestic wells.
Scientists at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed an ion trap mass spectrometer that analyzes both positive and negative ions simultaneously, improving data quality and reducing averaging requirements. Remote sensing tools are also being used to monitor public grazing lands, while miniaturized heat pumps offer efficien...
Recent research suggests that marijuana impairment does not increase driving accidents, but rather affects judgment. Drivers who consume marijuana slow down and drive more cautiously to compensate for their impairment.
A Cornell University chemist has developed a zinc-based catalyst to produce polycarbonates, a class of materials with potential as biodegradable materials. The breakthrough could lead to more economical and commercial possibilities for producing plastics from CO2.
Researchers have made significant discoveries in various fields, including a new form of Ritalin that could treat cocaine addiction, a bone growth pill, and wrinkle-free cotton. Additionally, citrus limonoids show anticancer potential and can control insects, while polymers may aid in aircraft fire safety.
Researchers have discovered a new polymer that produces water vapor and leaves a nearly nonflammable residue when heated, making it more fire-resistant than current materials. The study's findings could help prevent deaths in survivable airplane accidents, which account for 40% of fatalities.
The American Chemical Society (ACS) has introduced ASAP Alerts, a new online service that sends e-mail notifications of newly available Articles ASAP from each of its 27 Web editions of journals. Subscribers and non-subscribers can sign up for daily or weekly notifications, with access to full-text articles within minutes.
Researchers at University at Buffalo discovered that aerosol clusters can amplify chemical reactions, creating carcinogenic by-products from benign reagents. The study may provide a better understanding of how air pollution forms and inform regulation strategies.
A new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study found that intensive hog operations are disproportionately located in poor and non-white communities across North Carolina. The research, funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences' Environmental Justice Program, analyzed data from 1998 and 1990 to show that...
The Center for Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS Center) brings together top researchers to develop new applications and advance fundamental research in ion mobility spectrometry. The center aims to expand the technology's utility into new areas, improving detection of hard-to-detect molecules like pesticides and environmental contaminants.
Mike McCormack warns of impending energy crisis in the US, citing depleted conventional oil and natural gas reserves. He also addresses the limitations of implementing solar and wind energy resources to meet America's Kyoto Treaty obligations.
Ralph Nader will speak on mergers and acquisitions at the American Chemical Society's national meeting. The event is scheduled for March 22 at the Anaheim Convention Center.
Researchers from Harvard & MIT found that adopting emerging dominant design and targeting new markets with architectural innovation are key to survival. The study draws on the volatile disk drive industry, where firms that incorporated dominant product design had a higher chance of survival than those that ignored its emergence.
Heavy metal contamination was found in northern Mexico's residential areas near smelters and refineries, exceeding maximum acceptable levels for cleanup. The contamination poses serious health risks to children and adults, including lead exposure, neurological damage, and increased cancer risk.
Scientists are modifying bee venom to develop cancer treatments with fewer side effects than traditional drugs. The goal is to create immunotoxins that target cancer cells specifically, overcoming major drawbacks of chemotherapy.
Researchers found that contaminants can have very little impact on the physical properties of plastics, allowing for more functional products to be made from recycled materials. This could increase production of recycled plastic products like car bumpers and street furniture.
A new technology using coated alumina could reduce emissions from small sources, such as industrial boilers and lawn mowers. The technique removes 95% of nitrogen oxides under conditions similar to combustion exhaust.
Scientists experiment with materials in space to study structure, properties and processing methods. These experiments have led to new understanding of semi-conductors, metallic-electronic crystals and improved X-ray and infrared sensors.
A Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor has developed a quick and easy test that can analyze thin films used in microelectronics components using an optical method. The device, which uses short laser pulses to generate ultrasonic waves, can measure film thickness to within one layer of atoms in one second.
A US team, led by MIT, has completed a 40-ton magnet that will be used to test the world's most powerful pulsed superconducting magnet. The combined magnet weighs over 150 tons and is part of an international collaboration to demonstrate nuclear fusion as an energy source.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University are developing a technology to divert salt cake, an aluminum by-product, into valuable feed stock materials for the manufacturing of concrete products. This will ease material supply pressure and improve productivity in the concrete, mining, and construction industries.
A decade of anti-smoking campaigns in California show that aggressive ad campaigns exposing the tobacco industry's hypocrisy are key to success, while support from health advocacy groups is crucial for their effectiveness. The campaigns led to rapid drops in cigarette smoking in the state.
Despite the Asian recession, US firms remain in a strong position due to their dominance of knowledge processing and increasing return markets. However, the authors warn that if American firms fail to adapt, they risk losing market share to Asian companies, who are emerging as a formidable new elite.
A study by Gregory Encina Billikopf found that farmworkers generally have positive attitudes towards their employment, with many rating their jobs as excellent and valuing respect and fair treatment from supervisors. Workers also appreciate being treated like 'working people' and receiving acknowledgement for their successes.
Researchers have developed a new class of porous materials, called nanobubblepack, with ordered crystal-like arrangements of ultra-small spherical spaces. They can produce these materials in a range of pore sizes and fill them with various substances.
A new computer keyboard design with modified key switches has been shown to reduce hand pain and numbness in frequent users. The study, conducted by researchers at UCSF and UC Berkeley, found a significant reduction in symptoms after 12 weeks of use.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University and Arizona State University have launched an open internet-based workshop on pollution prevention research and teaching in higher education. The goal of the workshop is to formulate recommendations and guidelines for pollution prevention research in academia, with a focus on establishin...