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Monday, July 21, 2014

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News


Size and age of plants impact their productivity more than climate

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:43 PM PDT

The size and age of plants has more of an impact on their productivity than temperature and precipitation, according to a landmark study. They show that variation in terrestrial ecosystems is characterized by a common mathematical relationship but that climate plays a relatively minor direct role. The results have important implications for models used to predict climate change effects on ecosystem function and worldwide food production.

Tiny laser sensor heightens bomb detection sensitivity

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:43 PM PDT

Researchers have created a plasmon laser detector that can sniff out tiny traces of airborne molecules of explosives. The sensor detected both DNT and ammonium nitrate at concentrations below one part per billion.

A noble gas cage: New material traps gases from nuclear fuel better and uses less energy than currently available options

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:42 PM PDT

A new material called CC3 effectively traps xenon, krypton, and radon. These gases are used in industries such as lighting or medicine and, in the case of radon, one that can be hazardous when it accumulates in buildings. New research shows how: by breathing enough to let the gases in but not out. The results might lead to cheaper, less energy intensive ways to extract these gases.

Mixing it up: Study provides new insight into Southern Ocean behavior

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:35 PM PDT

Turbulent mixing in the deep waters of the Southern Ocean, which has a profound effect on global ocean circulation and climate, varies with the strength of surface eddies -- the ocean equivalent of storms in the atmosphere -- and possibly also wind speeds. A new study is the first to link eddies at the surface to deep mixing on timescales of months to decades. This new insight into how the Southern Ocean behaves will allow scientists to build computer models that can better predict how our climate is going to change in the future.

Oceans vital for possibility for alien life

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:34 PM PDT

Researchers have made an important step in the race to discover whether other planets could develop and sustain life. New research shows the vital role of oceans in moderating climate on Earth-like planets Until now, computer simulations of habitable climates on Earth-like planets have focused on their atmospheres. But the presence of oceans is vital for optimal climate stability and habitability.

Speedy computation enables scientists to reconstruct an animal's development cell by cell

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 05:34 PM PDT

Researchers have developed a new computational method that can rapidly track the three-dimensional movements of cells in such data-rich images. Using the method, scientists can essentially automate much of the time-consuming process of reconstructing an animal's developmental building plan cell by cell.

Astronauts to test free-flying 'housekeeper' robots

Posted: 20 Jul 2014 08:16 AM PDT

Inspired by science fiction, three bowling ball-size free-flying Synchronized Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) have been flying inside the International Space Station since 2006. These satellites provide a test bed for development and research, each having its own power, propulsion, computer, navigation equipment, and physical and electrical connections for hardware and sensors for various experiments.

EHR algorithms developed to identify undiagnosed hypertension

Posted: 16 Jul 2014 09:34 AM PDT

Reviewing electronic health records using algorithms can successfully identify patients with previously undiagnosed hypertension, or high blood pressure, with a high rate of accuracy, researchers say. hypertension affects one in three adults in America and is referred to as the "silent killer" because it rarely exhibits any warning signs, causing many to never know they had it. Because of the nature of this serious condition, hypertension is associated with more than 50 billion of dollars in costs related to medical care and lost productivity in America alone.

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