Nov

30

Detecting Biohazards with Nanofibers

November 30, 2006 | Leave a Comment

CU biodegradable wipe would quickly detect biohazards, from avian flu to E. Coli: ‘Detecting bacteria, viruses and other dangerous substances in hospitals, airplanes and other commonly contaminated places could soon be as easy as wiping a napkin or paper towel across a surface.
“It’s very inexpensive, it wouldn’t require that someone be highly trained to use [...]

Nov

29

To Prevent Scientific Fraud: Changes in Science Magazine

November 29, 2006 | Leave a Comment

Special Online Collection: Hwang et al. Controversy – Committee Report, Response, and Background. ‘On December 1, 2006, Science will officially publish, on its Web site, the report of a committee commissioned by the journal to review its practices in the period leading up to the publication of the 2004 and 2005 stem cell papers by [...]

Nov

29

Anions in Space

November 29, 2006 | Leave a Comment

First Molecular Anion Identified In Space: ‘Once thought too fragile to exist in the severe environment of outer space, molecular anions may actually be ubiquitous there. For the first time, researchers have observed in astronomical clouds large amounts of a negatively charged molecule: the hexatriyne anion, or C6H- (Astrophys. J. 2006, 652, L141).
Detection of the [...]

Nov

28

Battery University

November 28, 2006 | Leave a Comment

Battery University. ‘Battery University is an on-line resource that provides practical battery knowledge for engineers, educators, students and battery users alike. The papers address battery chemistries, best battery choices and ways to make your battery last longer.
The presentations are easy-to-read and are limited to about 1000 words. The material is based on the book Batteries [...]

Nov

28

Recent Nanotechnology News From Rice University

November 28, 2006 | Leave a Comment

Pure carbon nanotubes pass first in vivo test. ‘In the first experiments of their kind, researchers at Rice University and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have determined that carbon nanotubes injected directly into the bloodstream of research lab animals cause no immediate adverse health effects and circulate for more than one [...]

Nov

24

Another Step Toward Quantum Computers

November 24, 2006 | Leave a Comment

A Quantum (Computer) Step. ‘A University of Utah physicist took a step toward developing a superfast computer based on the weird reality of quantum physics by showing it is feasible to read data stored in the form of the magnetic “spins” of phosphorus atoms.“Our work represents a breakthrough in the search for a nanoscopic [atomic [...]

Nov

24

The Citizendium Project: A Citizens’ Compendium of Everything

November 24, 2006 | Leave a Comment

The Citizendium Project. ‘The Citizendium (sit-ih-ZEN-dee-um), a “citizens’ compendium of everything,” will be an experimental new wiki project that combines public participation with gentle expert guidance. It will begin life as a “progressive fork” of Wikipedia. But we expect it to take on a life of its own and, perhaps, to become the [...]

Nov

24

The Periodic Table: Its Story and Its Significance by Eric Scerri

November 24, 2006 | 1 Comment

Did a Frenchman beat Mendeleev to the periodic table? ‘Credit for the periodic table of the elements generally goes to Dimitri Ivanovich Mendeleev, but a specialist in the history and philosophy of chemistry says the Russian chemist probably peeked at the work of predecessors.
In his new book, “The Periodic Table: Its Story and Its Significance,” [...]

Nov

21

Photographing Molecules

November 21, 2006 | Leave a Comment

A Leading Edge Camera for Molecules – Max Planck researchers in Heidelberger film fast molecular motion for the first time: ‘Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg have visualised vibration and rotation in the nuclei of a hydrogen molecule as a quantum mechanical wave packet. What is more, this has been [...]

Nov

21

Discover Poll: What’s the Greatest Science Book of All-Time?

November 21, 2006 | Leave a Comment

Discover Poll: What’s the Greatest Science Book of All-Time?. ‘In the December 2006 issue, DISCOVER assembled The All-Time Essential Reading List—the 25 greatest science books ever written. But what do DISCOVER editors know, anyway? Would you choose a different (and, no doubt, better) book for your #1?
Here’s your chance to tell us—along with the rest [...]

Nov

20

digNubia: Exploring the Science of Archaeology

November 20, 2006 | Leave a Comment

digNubia: Exploring the Science of Archaeology. ‘Through the use of ancient Nubia as a context for informal education activities, digNubia serves to provide opportunities for audiences to make connections between the sciences and the humanities and to explore the impact of scientific analysis on the interpretation of history and culture. Through the use of an [...]

Nov

20

Proton and Neutron Cousins: Sigma-sub-b

November 20, 2006 | Leave a Comment

JHU-led Team Discovers Exotic Relatives of Protons and Neutrons. ‘A team of scientists, including four at The Johns Hopkins University, has discovered two new subatomic particles, rare but important relatives of the familiar, commonplace proton and neutron. Named “Sigma-sub-b” particles, the two exotic and incredibly quick to decompose particles are like rare jewels mined from [...]