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Wednesday, July 31, 2013

ScienceDaily: Top Science News

ScienceDaily: Top Science News


How did Earth's primitive chemistry get kick started?

Posted: 30 Jul 2013 08:55 PM PDT

How did life on Earth get started? Three new papers strengthen the case that Earth's first life began at alkaline hydrothermal vents at the bottom of oceans. Scientists are interested in understanding early life on Earth because if we ever hope to find life on other worlds -- especially icy worlds with subsurface oceans such as Jupiter's moon Europa and Saturn's Enceladus -- we need to know what chemical signatures to look for.

Controlling contagion by restricting mobility: In the face of an epidemic, even moderate travel restrictions would slow contagion

Posted: 30 Jul 2013 04:35 PM PDT

In an epidemic or a bioterrorist attack, the response of government officials could range from a drastic restriction of mobility -- imposed isolation or total lockdown of a city -- to moderate travel restrictions in some areas or simple suggestions that people remain at home. Deciding to institute any measure would require officials to weigh the costs and benefits of action, but at present there's little data to guide them on the question of how disease spreads through transportation networks. However, a new study comparing contagion rates in two scenarios -- with and without travel restrictions -- shows that even moderate measures of mobility restriction would be effective in controlling contagion in densely populated areas with highly interconnected road and transit networks.

Planetary 'runaway greenhouse' more easily triggered, research shows

Posted: 30 Jul 2013 01:31 PM PDT

It might be easier than previously thought for a planet to overheat into the scorchingly uninhabitable "runaway greenhouse" stage, according to new research.

North Pole not flooded -- but lots of melting in the Arctic

Posted: 30 Jul 2013 01:31 PM PDT

Widespread media reports of a lake at the North Pole don't hold water -- but scientists who deployed the monitoring buoys are watching closely as Arctic sea ice approaches its yearly minimum.

Plasmonic black metals: Breakthrough in solar energy research?

Posted: 30 Jul 2013 10:26 AM PDT

The use of plasmonic black metals could someday provide a pathway to more efficient photovoltaics -- the use of solar panels containing photovoltaic solar cells -- to improve solar energy harvesting, according to researchers.

Novel technology for producing 'electronic ink' may lead to inexpensive, durable electronics and solar cells

Posted: 30 Jul 2013 09:32 AM PDT

Electronic touch pads that cost just a few dollars and solar cells that cost the same as roof shingles are one step closer to reality today.

Lifelike cooling for sunbaked windows: Adaptable microfluidic circulatory system could cut air-conditioning costs

Posted: 30 Jul 2013 07:17 AM PDT

Sun-drenched rooms make for happy residents, but large glass windows also bring higher air-conditioning bills. Now a bioinspired microfluidic circulatory system for windows could save energy and cut cooling costs dramatically -- while letting in just as much sunlight.

Injuries from teen fighting deal a blow to IQ

Posted: 29 Jul 2013 10:29 AM PDT

A new study has found that adolescent boys who are hurt in just two physical fights suffer a loss in IQ that is roughly equivalent to missing an entire year of school. Girls experience a similar loss of IQ after only a single fighting-related injury.

New primate species native of Madagascar, Lavasoa Dwarf Lemur, discovered

Posted: 29 Jul 2013 08:17 AM PDT

The island of Madagascar harbors a unique biodiversity that evolved due to its long-lasting isolation from other land masses. Numerous plant and animal species are found solely on Madagascar. Lemurs, a subgroup of primates, are among the most prominent representatives of the island's unique fauna. They are found almost exclusively on Madagascar. The only exceptions are two species of the genus Eulemur that also live on the Comoros Islands, where they probably have been introduced by humans.

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