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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

ScienceDaily: Strange Science News

ScienceDaily: Strange Science News


Emerging ethical dilemmas in science and technology

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 01:24 PM PST

As a new year approaches, a group of scientists have created a list of emerging ethical dilemmas and policy issues in science and technology for 2013.

Plumes across the Pacific deliver thousands of microbial species to North American West Coast

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 12:27 PM PST

Microorganisms -- 99 percent more kinds than had been reported in findings published just four months ago -- are leaping the biggest gap on the planet. Hitching rides in the upper troposphere, they're making their way from Asia across the Pacific Ocean and landing in North America.

Synthetic biology research: Could fuel for cars or household power supplies be created from naturally-occurring fatty acids?

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 12:26 PM PST

Scientists have identified a biocatalyst which could produce chemicals found in ice-cream and household items such as soap and shampoo – possibly leading to the long-term replacement of chemicals derived from fossil fuels. This development could mean fuel for cars or household power supplies could be created from naturally-occurring fatty acids.

'Gusty winds' in space turbulence: First direct measurement of its kind in the lab

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 12:25 PM PST

Imagine riding in an airplane as the plane is jolted back and forth by gusts of wind that you can't prove exist but are there nonetheless. Similar turbulence exists in space, and a research team has directly measured it for the first time in the laboratory.

Plant sniffs out danger to prepare defenses against pesky insect

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 11:07 AM PST

A plant may start to prime its defenses as soon as it gets a whiff of a male fly searching for a mate, according to entomologists.

Math formula gives new glimpse into the magical mind of Ramanujan

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 06:16 AM PST

Dec. 22 marks the 125th anniversary of the birth of Srinivasa Ramanujan, an Indian mathematician renowned for intuiting extraordinary numerical patterns without the use of proofs or modern mathematical tools. A mathematician has now solved one of the greatest puzzles left behind by the enigmatic Indian genius with the development of a formula for mock modular forms that may prove useful to physicists who study black holes.

Flexing fingers for micro-robotics: Scientists create a powerful, microscale actuator

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 06:15 AM PST

Researchers have developed an elegant and powerful new microscale actuator that can flex like a tiny beckoning finger. Based on an oxide material that expands and contracts dramatically in response to a small temperature variation, the actuators are smaller than the width of a human hair and are promising for microfluidics, drug delivery, and artificial muscles.

Noise power on adhesion: New model may help robotic fingers, made of a soft surface, manipulate small objects

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 06:13 AM PST

A new model could ultimately help robotic fingers, made of a soft surface, manipulate small objects. Imagine a solid ball rolling down a slightly inclined ramp. Scientists have studied the effect of random noise, such as vibrations, on a ball. They found it could lower the energy barrier to set the ball in motion.

Ophthalmologists warn: Flying champagne corks cause serious, blinding eye injuries each year

Posted: 17 Dec 2012 06:10 AM PST

Warm bottles of champagne and improper cork-removal techniques cause serious, potentially blinding eye injuries each year, according experts. Champagne bottles contain pressure as high as 90 pounds per square inch -- more than the pressure found inside a typical car tire. This pressure can launch a champagne cork at 50 miles per hour as it leaves the bottle, which is fast enough to shatter glass. Unfortunately, this is also fast enough to permanently damage vision.

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