Latest science news in Physics & Chemistry
Some Like It Hot! Structure Of Receptor For Hot Chili Pepper And Pain Revealed
You can now not only feel the spicy kick of a jalapeno pepper, you can also see it in full 3-D, thanks to researchers at Baylor College of Medicine. Using...
New grape irrigation technique is devised
PULLMAN, Wash., May 21 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've devised a technique that can help wine grape growers produce high-quality grapes even in arid areas.
Carbon Nanotubes That Look Like Asbestos, Behave Like Asbestos, Could Lead To Asbestos-related Disease
A major study in Nature Nanotechnology suggests some forms of carbon nanotubes -- a poster child for the "nanotechnology revolution" -- could be as harmful as asbestos if inhaled in...
Study finds that recalled Aqua Dots did contain poisonous chemical
Reports of children becoming unconscious after swallowing Aqua Dots beads led to a voluntary recall of the product in November 2007. At the time, it was widely reported that the...
China: Quake-Damaged Nuke Sites Are Safe
More than 30 sources of radiation were buried by debris from the massive earthquake in central China last week, but all have either been recovered or safely cordoned off, state...
Willis Lamb Jr., 94, Dies; Won Nobel for Work on Atom
Mr. Lamb shared the 1955 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of a discrepancy in the quantum theory describing how electrons behave in the hydrogen atom.
Diamond-Like Crystals Discovered In Brazilian Beetle Solve Issue For Future Optical Computers
Researchers have been unable to build an ideal "photonic crystal" to manipulate visible light, impeding the dream of ultrafast optical computers. But now chemists have discovered that nature already has...
Superconducting State Can Be Induced By High Pressure In So-called High-temperature Superconductors
Superconductors can convey more than 150 times more electricity than copper wires because they don't restrict electron movement, the essence of electricity. But to do this, the materials have to...
U.S. completes DAHRT nuke bomb monitor
ALBUQUERQUE, May 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. government announced the completion of a sophisticated X-ray machine used to study the split-second early stages of a nuclear bomb explosion.
Scripps Research Institute awarded patent for remarkable chemical technology
The patent's diverse potential applications include the development of new drugs, bioactive nanomaterials, anti-bacterial and non-immunogenic coatings for medical implants, coatings for semiconductors, coatings and adhesives for ships` hulls, self-healing...
New process could cause titanium price to tumble
Whether for stopping cars or bullets, titanium is the material of choice, but it has always been too expensive for all but the most specialized applications.
U.S. Energy Dept. to fund coal research
WASHINGTON, May 20 (UPI) -- The Department of Energy is calling on U.S. colleges and universities to propose new projects to enhance the long-term use of coal.
New Mid-infrared Lasers Show Doubled Efficiency
Researchers have recently doubled the efficiency of infrared lasers under the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Efficient Mid-wave Infrared Lasers program. As these types of lasers become more efficient,...
Study transmits radio signals in tunnels
GAIHERSBURG, Md., May 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology says it's identified "sweet spot" frequencies capable of transmitting radio signals in tunnels.
Researchers Develop Revolutionary Technology for Nanoscale Assembly at Wafer Level
Researchers at the NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing (CHN) at Northeastern University, with partners UMass Lowell and University of New Hampshire, have discovered an innovative technology...
Burning Our Way Toward Fusion
Every few years, a new claim of successful cold fusion shows up in the news. It's the mythical holy grail of energy production. Nuclear fusion—the mashing together of two hydrogen...
New Wrinkle In Study Of Materials Folding Under Pressure
Scientists have explained, for the first time, the physics that governs how thin materials at scales millions of times different in thickness make the transition from wrinkles into folds under...
Sunny days for Canadian solar power
The need for energy is growing, and rather than prospecting under the ground for more coal and oil to meet the demand, more and more Canadian companies are taking a...
Built to last?
McMaster University associate professor Samir Chidiac spoke with CBC News online about the state of earthquake-proofing technology.
Simon Hoggart's sketch: Daffodils and red herrings
Simon Hoggart the motion to ban 'hybrid embryos'
"Weird Beastie" Shrimp Have Super-Vision
Mantis shrimp see 11 or 12 primary colors, as opposed to our humble 3, as well as as rare forms of polarization, a new study has found.
Fujitsu Releases New 2.5" Hard Disk Drive Designed for 24-hour Continuous Operation
Fujitsu Limited today announced that it has developed a new series of 2.5" hard disk drives (HDDs) specifically designed for 24-hour continuous operation and are available in a category-leading capacity...
IU Physicists to get their 'glue-on'
Indiana University physicists, with the backing of a National Science Foundation grant of $750,000, are preparing to study the strongest glue in the universe -- a glue so strong that...
Scientists make self-regulating molecule
TEMPE, Ariz., May 19 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have created a molecule they say regulates its activities in response to the intensity of light.
Idemitsu, Sony Achieve World's Highest Level Of Luminous Efficiency For Blue Fluorescent
Idemitsu Kosan and Sony today announced the achievement of 28.5% internal quantum efficiency (IQE) in deep blue fluorescent OLED devices, the world's highest level of luminous efficiency for this technology.
Energy costs lead to new equipment designs
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., May 19 (UPI) -- U.S. engineers say rising energy costs and environmental concerns are boosting interest in more efficient designs for air conditioning and refrigeration.
Physicists Demonstrate Precise Manipulation of DNA-Drug Interactions
Mark Williams, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Physics at Northeastern University's College of Arts in Sciences, and his research team have developed a method using optical tweezers to better understand how...
Take a virtual ride in an RC toy car
Have you ever wished that you could hop into the cockpit of your remote-controlled car and experience what the ride would really be like?