News on research driving industry and manufacturing. Covers petrochemical emissions, food innovation, controlled-explosion labs, and industry-academic partnerships.
A new research center at Cornell University is receiving a $3.5 million grant to investigate the challenges of employing people with disabilities and develop more effective policies to support them. The center will analyze data on workers with disabilities, measure their employment and earnings, and provide information for policy-makers.
The donation will aid researchers in developing composite materials for recyclable automotive parts, low-cost aircraft parts, and bridge beams. The gift includes thermoplastic composites technology patents and related materials.
A study by Ohio State University found that younger farmers are at a higher risk of injury, with 32% of injuries linked to farm equipment. Neurological symptoms such as difficulty concentrating and chemical exposure also correlated with increased injury risk.
A study investigated the impact of local/short-haul operations on driver fatigue, identifying fatigu e and roadway design as top safety concerns. The research aimed to gain an understanding of general safety issues in L/SH trucking from drivers' perspectives.
The MIT microchip can store and release different chemicals on demand from tiny reservoirs built into its silicon structure. This technology has the potential to revolutionize fields such as diagnostics, drug delivery, and wearable technology, by allowing for precise control over chemical releases and enabling new applications like imp...
Researchers are developing new designs and technologies to make public buildings, homes, and infrastructure safer from natural disasters and terrorist attacks. The Architectural Surety initiative applies lessons learned from nuclear security to create more resilient structures.
Mary Jo Nye emphasizes the importance of scientists' involvement in public policy debates to prevent poorly informed decisions. By engaging with the public and fellow scientists, researchers can help ensure that critical issues are addressed through a nuanced understanding of data and technical expertise.
Researchers have developed a novel method for pinpointing dielectric fluid leaks in underground high-voltage electric cables, reducing environmental impact and excavation costs. The approach uses perflurocarbon tracers and has been successfully tested in New York City's streets, potentially applicable to oil pipelines.
A new study reveals that carbon nanotubes are more energetic to roll across surfaces compared to sliding, defying conventional wisdom on friction reduction. Researchers discovered this phenomenon using the nanoManipulator device and attributed it to electron surface interactions.
New research suggests that prolonged alcohol intake can lead to cancer risk due to acetaldehyde production, which damages genetic building blocks and is efficiently inserted into DNA in some people. A large percentage of Asians lack the enzyme needed to break down acetaldehyde, making them more prone to esophageal and liver cancers.
The American Chemical Society's spring national meeting will discuss various topics including obesity treatment and the use of geochemicals to detect extraterrestrial life. Over 5,000 scientific papers will be presented to an estimated 10,000 attendees.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have created a microscopic three-dimensional lattice that confines light at optical wavelengths, potentially revolutionizing the fiber-optics communications industry. The technique appears to be the cheapest and most efficient way to bend light entering or emerging from optical cables.
A total of 48 researchers, including eight from Alabama, have been awarded NASA grants to study protein crystallization and cell science. These grants may lead to improvements in medical technologies such as drug design and tissue engineering.
Aromatic amines, used in industrial processes, have been detected in human milk, raising concerns about breast cancer risk and infant exposure. The study's findings suggest that breast ductal epithelial cells are also exposed to these substances, highlighting the need for further investigation.
Scientists have identified a gene that plays a crucial role in detecting bacterial infections, potentially leading to the prevention of endotoxic shock. The discovery may enable the creation of a test to screen for people with genetic defects and provide a new approach to preventing deadly infections.
A previously unknown contaminant similar to PCBs and dioxins has been found in the eggs of Atlantic and Pacific Ocean seabirds, with concentrations significantly higher in Pacific Ocean eggs. The study suggests that the contaminant exists primarily in the surface layer of the ocean.
Cathleen Synge Morawetz, a NYU professor emerita, is the first woman to receive the National Medal of Science for mathematics. Her pioneering work in partial differential equations and wave propagation has led to applications in aerodynamics, acoustics, and optics.
The CFIT Reduction Task Force has found that airlines are placing too much faith in new technologies and not enough emphasis on basic training and safety procedures. The task force recommends a checklist and education aid to alert flight crews to the dangers of CFIT accidents, which have increased by seven confirmed incidents this year.
A study of nearly 4,000 young adults found that smoking has a negligible effect on body weight, contrary to the tobacco industry's claims. Smoking cessation, however, is associated with significant long-term weight gain.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown light-sensitive pigment in the eye, skin, and brain that regulates mammals' internal clocks. This discovery has significant implications for treating depression and reducing accidents during night work shifts, as it allows for better synchronization with daily cycles.
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists has recognized eight researchers with awards for their outstanding contributions to the field. Sung Wan Kim received the AAPS-Dale E. Wurster Research Award in Pharmaceutics for his work on controlled drug delivery systems, while Vincent H.L. Lee was honored with the Distinguished S...
A study found that smoking-related illnesses and deaths have risen sharply in the US and France, with increased female smoking causing a steady increase in disease and mortality. The proportion of deaths attributable to cigarette smoking rose from 16.7% to 47.4% among American women.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Carnegie Institution successfully changed a plant enzyme's function by tweaking its structure, advancing prospects for 'designer' plants and novel oils. The breakthrough sheds light on how plant enzymes evolved to perform different functions.
The Carnegie/Brookhaven team successfully directed interconversions of enzymes that modify plant fatty acids, revealing the chemical mechanisms responsible for their diversity. They achieved this through making as few as six amino acid changes, paving the way for the creation of novel synthetic enzymes.
A new analysis of PURSUIT data reveals women in Latin America and Eastern Europe receive less aggressive cardiac treatment and have higher incidence of heart disease deaths compared to men in similar regions. In contrast, women and men in North America and Western Europe receive comparable treatment and outcomes.
A team of scientists reached a supercomputing milestone by simulating metallic magnetism at 1.002 Teraflops on a Cray T3E supercomputer. The achievement showcases the power and capabilities of parallel computers, enabling the study of larger systems and new phenomena.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have created a new process called 'intelligent tooling' that uses an executive pin art toy to create precise industrial moulds. The tool allows companies to produce complex products with high accuracy and reusability.
The University of Hawaii has launched the Marine Bioproducts Engineering Center (MarBEC) with a $12.4 million NSF grant, aiming to develop 21st-century marine biotechnology businesses. MarBEC will draw on Hawaii's expertise and natural advantages in collecting and analyzing marine products and organisms to lay the groundwork for future...
A team of researchers has predicted that a major industrial town in Mexico could be destroyed by rapid volcanic mudflows within the next decade. The study used a mathematical model developed by the US Geological Survey to calculate the potential risks, finding that even small mudflows would have devastating effects.
The AAPS is co-sponsoring the FDA Science Forum, bringing together experts in bioengineering, diagnostics, and regulatory science to discuss the impact of biotechnology on product development and regulation. The forum will cover topics such as gene therapy, cell and tissue engineering, and vaccine development.
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) has launched an online database of 2200+ abstracts from its 1998 Annual Meeting. The fully searchable database allows attendees to build a personalized itinerary for the meeting and plan which presentations to attend. Additionally, AAPS PharmSci will release online, print and...
Researchers will use computer simulation to test mathematical theories on faults and failure in complex networked systems. The goal is to develop methods to reduce the frequency of failures and limit their effects.
The completed sequencing project provides crucial information on chlamydial infection, the most prevalent STD in the US. The sequenced genome has revealed surface proteins and unique biochemical pathways for developing antibiotics and vaccines against Chlamydia trachomatis.
Researchers from the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, University of Minnesota, and University of Wisconsin have formed a virtual center to facilitate collaboration. This innovation uses collaborative tools and technology to enable researchers to work together as if they were in the same location.
A team of scientists from Columbia University and Princeton University have found that North America is absorbing carbon dioxide at a rate greater than expected, with forest regrowth playing a significant role. The study suggests that land-based carbon-absorbing zones could play a crucial role in managing greenhouse warming.
Researchers at UH and AOI create mid-infrared laser on new compliant universal substrate, improving cooling and power output. The technique expands epitaxy options, enabling production of high-performance semiconductor devices like lasers and solar cells.
Research aims to identify damage to specific neurological circuits in the developing brain, potentially leading to clinical protocols for fetal alcohol effects treatment and rehabilitation. The study will evaluate long-lasting deficits in synaptic plasticity, or the ability of neurons to change their signaling processes over time.
Columbia University has been awarded nearly $10 million over five years to establish two new interdisciplinary centers in materials science and environmental chemistry. Researchers at the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) will investigate thin films and transport of pollutants, while the Environmental Molecular ...
The University at Buffalo has established a multidisciplinary doctoral concentration in geographic information science, supported by a $2.2 million NSF grant. Doctoral students will take core and elective GIS courses while earning degrees from seven participating departments.
A new Institute for Environmental Catalysis will be established at Northwestern University, focusing on catalytic oxidation processes and their applications. The researchers aim to improve environmental impact by reducing pollutants in the environment and industrial activities.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed an electronic nose that can recognize different types of cheese by analyzing key fatty acids. The device correctly discriminated among cheeses and showed promise as a research tool for understanding the human sense of smell.
The Johns Hopkins University Center will combine advanced information technology with surgical expertise to create dramatic changes in medical care. The center will focus on developing computer vision, sensors, and robotic devices for computer-assisted surgery.
Weizmann Institute scientists have created a new class of magnetic materials made of clusters of inorganic molecules, opening up research possibilities for the microelectronics industry. The new magnets display an unusual combination of properties that make them suitable for miniaturization and potential industrial applications.
A gene-transfer system invented by Dusty Miller has been recognized as the 'Nobel Prize of Applied Research'. The Retro-X System is a retroviral gene-transfer kit used in gene-therapy research, allowing for stable gene expression and long-term therapeutic results.
Researchers at PPPL used a supercomputer to simulate microturbulence in plasma, achieving 400 million particles in 5,000 time-steps. The results provide valuable physics insights and support the use of high-performance computing for discovery in fusion research.
A national survey of primary care doctors found that one in three doctors recommend herbal supplements for emotional balance and fatigue. The most commonly used herbs are St. John's Wort and ginkgo biloba, with 27% and 18% of doctors recommending them respectively.
The Advanced Applied Technology Demonstration Facility has developed innovative technologies for hazardous waste cleanup, addressing difficult subsurface and ground water contamination problems. The partnership between government, industry, and academia has led to the creation of engineering design manuals and commercialization summaries.
Researchers analyzed 14,000-year-old peat layers to track natural and human-induced lead emissions. The study found that human activity began altering atmospheric lead levels around 6,000 years ago and has continued to the present day.
A study proposes recycling wastewater for irrigation, developing a water conservation plan, and protecting the Mountain Aquifer's limited fresh water resource. Without cooperative management, both Israelis and Palestinians risk losing access to clean water due to pollution and environmental degradation.
Researchers at Rice University have developed metal nanoshells, particles that can absorb or scatter light at virtually any wavelength, enabling new applications in energy-efficient paints and windows, solar collection materials, and chemical sensors. The team has also shown promise in extending their range to the far infrared.
A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that prohibiting smoking in restaurants had no adverse economic effect on the industry. The research analyzed data from counties with strict smoking ordinances and compared it to similar counties without such laws, revealing no significant changes in restaurant sales.
A Carnegie Mellon University study found that excessive internet use is associated with decreased social involvement, increased depression, and loneliness. The research, which monitored 169 home computer users over time, suggests that the internet can have negative effects on emotional well-being.
Researchers developed a unique micro-scratch tester to examine tiny scratches in real-time, revealing that small cracks appear and create voids before material loss. This discovery led to the creation of new coatings with improved scratch durability, which have been applied to cars for field testing.
Scientists will present research on the effects of environmental endocrine disruptors on human health and the environment. Studies have found links between pesticides, PCBs, and amphibian decline, as well as potential impacts on fetal development and cancer risk.
Researchers at Penn develop groundbreaking new brain tracer Trodat to evaluate brain function in normal and disease states. The imaging agent, derived from tropane, follows the flow of dopamine in the brain and can be used as a diagnostic tool for imaging dopamine transporters.
A study by sociologist Andrew Szasz finds that Silicon Valley's electronics manufacturing toxins are concentrated in poorer, more Latino neighborhoods. The research uses EPA records to track toxic materials and reveals a disproportionate impact on marginalized communities.
Nu-Trim, a new fat substitute, contains beta-glucans that lower LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol. It can transform baked goods into low-calorie, high-fiber foods with improved texture and volume. Studies show it reduces plasma cholesterol by 27% and LDL cholesterol by 36%, making it an attractive option for heart health.
Kansas State University researcher Xiuzhi Susan Sun has developed a new soy protein adhesive that is water resistant, strong, and non-toxic. The modified soy protein molecule unfolds to promote water resistance and increases adhesive strength. This adhesive performed well in various tests, including ASTM standard tests for adhesives.
Researchers at Spalding Sports Worldwide aim to create a golf ball that travels up to five yards farther when hit by the average amateur golfer. They are exploring solid-core balls with modified cores and new crosslinking agents.
The center will focus on 'designed' materials using computer-based analysis, modeling, and simulation to create tailored fibers and films. The project aims to reduce operating costs exponentially and generate over $200 billion in industry-wide revenue.