Latest science news in Physics & Chemistry
Where Optics Meets Medicine: Medical Highlights of Frontiers in Optics Meeting in Rochester, Oct. 19-23
Medical research is a cornerstone of Frontiers in Optics 2008 (FiO), the 92nd Annual Meeting of the Optical Society (OSA), being held Oct. 19-23 at the Riverside Convention Center in...
Apollo Heat Shield Uncrated After 35 Years, Helps New Crew Vehicle Design
NASA scientists developing the next generation of exploration vehicles and heat shields for NASA's Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle experienced "Christmas in July" when they uncrated the heat shields used on...
New Material Could Act As Nanofridge For Microchips In Smaller And Faster Computers
Researchers in Spain have developed a material which could act as a nanofridge for computers, thus eliminating the barrier posed by overheating in ever smaller chips. The material is based...
Jellyfish help scientists win Nobel chemistry prize for work on cell activity
Discovery of green-glowing protein from jellyfish helps net two American and one Japanese scientists the Nobel prize for chemistry
Using living cells as nanotechnology factories
In the tiny realm of nanotechnology, scientists have used a wide variety of materials to build atomic scale structures. But just as in the construction business, nanotechnology researchers can often...
Scientists design bomb-proof thermometer to measure the heat of explosions
Scientists at the UK's National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in Teddington have designed a high-speed thermometer that can measure the temperature inside explosions without being damaged in the impact.
New Invention Could Change Design Of Future Memory Storage Devices
A new phase change material that has the potential to change the design of future memory storage devices has been invented.
Alternative fossil fuels have economic potential, but uncertain environmental consequences
Alternative sources of fossil fuels such as oil sands and coal-to-liquids have significant economic promise, but the environmental consequences must also be considered, according to a RAND Corporation study issued...
A new material could act as a nanofridge for microchips
In the past few years, the design and manufacturing of circuits at nanoscopic scale for integrated devices has become one of the frontier fields in new material science and technology....
How Green Gasoline Could Power the Future
Several new breakthroughs may bring plant-derived gasoline to the pumps in the next few years.
Good News For Pig Breeders
There are currently two methods for artificial insemination: bull semen can be frozen to a temperature of -172 °C and may be stored indefinitely. However, pig semen must be diluted...
Bioengineers Fill Holes In Science Of Cellular Self-organization
The chemical and biological aspects of cellular self-organization are well-studied; less well understood is how cell populations order themselves biomechanically -- how their behavior and communication are affected by high...
FOR KIDS: Plastic-munching microbes
'Upcycling' could help create demand for plastic considered a low-quality recycled material
Despite Waiver, NASA To Stop Using Russian Cargo Vehicle
NASA doesn't intend to pay Russia to deliver supplies to ISS beyond 2011.
Ultrananocrystalline-diamond coating improves mechanical pump seals
(PhysOrg.com) -- From petroleum to food and beverage to pharmaceuticals, most industries use mechanical pumps, and all these pumps rely on seals to reduce leaks and maintenance costs. Argonne researchers,...
New knowledge about thermoelectric materials could give better energy efficiency
Thermoelectric materials can be assembled into units, which can transform the thermal difference to electrical energy or vice versa - electrical current to cooling. An effective utilization requires however...
Good advice creates better companies
Advisory boards that provide strategic planning play a significant role in creating high growth firms in New Zealand, a new report has found.
Electricity supply: Sustainable sources remain expensive
Ambitious governments' environmental objectives for the electricity sector are only possible at a high price. This is one of the conclusions of researcher ir. Hans Rödel, who is to receive...
Study determines causes of lower back pain
ANTALYA, Turkey, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Turkish scientists say new magnetic resonance imaging techniques have determined the major causes of lower back pain.
Bad connection likely cause of particle collider shutdown
A badly soldered electrical connection was likely responsible for the malfunction that put the world's largest particle collider out of action until next year, a senior scientist said Monday.
Microwave Ovens Need Added Safety Controls, Researchers Advise
Curious toddlers and pre-schoolers are all-too-often scalded by foods heated in microwave ovens, but a locking mechanism could prevent these severe injuries that require hospitalization. Researchers investigated these cases as...
Run your own lab samples, nurses say
The Newfoundland and Labrador Nurses' Union said Tuesday it will step up pressure on the provincial government and its health boards, as members refuse to perform a wider array of...
Latest warning highlights dangers of microwaving
(AP) -- Zapping frozen meals in the microwave may be fast and easy, but it also can make you sick if it's not done properly.
Europe follows fusion twin track
An alternative fusion project is initiated in Europe that would seek abundant clean energy using a colossal laser.
Smart Electricity Meter Developed
Engineers have just developed one of the world’s most advanced Smart Electricity Meters. The smart meter monitors energy consumption, giving information not just through a traditional power reading, but in...
NSF Grant Helps Buy Equipment for Solar Cell & Electronic Research
State-of-the-art equipment will help South Dakota researchers find cost effective ways to convert sunlight to electricity. The equipment will also help produce large-area electronic devices used in high resolution, high...
A Million Plastic Balls to Halt Carcinogens
A Dark Thought: (Blow it Up!) Irfan Khan If you make a mess, just cover it up. That’s the theory behind the Department of Water and Power’s latest project in Los...
Coating may mean sleeker planes
MALIBU, Calif., Oct. 6 (UPI) -- A U.S. defense contractor is developing a new type of surface coating that one day could mean sleeker aircraft, a researcher for...