ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

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• Bright clumps in Saturn ring now mysteriously scarce
• Geomagnetic storm mystery solved: How magnetic energy turns into particle energy
• Molecular self-assembly controls graphene-edge configuration
• Smartphones may aid in dietary self-monitoring
• First graphene-based flexible display produced
• New method to detect prize particle for future quantum computing
• This star cluster is not what it seems: Messier 54 shows lithium problem also applies outside our galaxy
• Combining antibodies, iron nanoparticles and magnets steers stem cells to injured organs
• Graphene gets a 'cousin' in the shape of germanene
• New map tool identifies patterns of racial diversity across the U.S.
• Experts create multiuser, multiantenna scheme to make most of UHF band
• Two-dimensional electron liquids: Looking for novel forms of superconductivity
• Cetane data used for development of energy efficient fuels and engines updated
• An evolutionary approach to epidemics
• 'Solid' light could compute previously unsolvable problems
• Companion star hidden for 21 years in a supernova's glare
• Weekly text message could encourage healthier food choices, new study shows
• Texting gives a voice to community members
• Artificial membranes on silicon
• Squeezed quantum communication: Flashes of light in quantum states transmitted through atmosphere
• Smart headlights spare the eyes of oncoming drivers
• X-ray imaging paves way for novel solar cell production
• Researchers advance artificial intelligence for player goal prediction in gaming
• Miniature light-emitting devices and optical sensors: Pesky insect inspires practical technology
• Insight into future of ultra-HDTV live stream technology
• First evidence for water ice clouds found outside our solar system
• Contrast-enhanced CT scan safe for most patients
• A system that facilitates malware identification in smartphones
• New methods enhance quality of myocardial perfusion imaging
• Highly automated live cell imaging speeds up search for new drugs
• Social networking can help people lose weight, study shows
• New stent graft made from a 3-D image of the patient's anatomy: Option for people suffering from an abdominal aortic aneurysm

Bright clumps in Saturn ring now mysteriously scarce Posted: 10 Sep 2014 07:20 AM PDT Compared to the age of the solar system -- about four-and-a-half billion years -- a couple of decades are next to nothing. Some planetary locales change little over many millions of years, so for scientists who study the planets, any object that evolves on such a short interval makes for a tempting target for study. And so it is with the ever-changing rings of Saturn.

Geomagnetic storm mystery solved: How magnetic energy turns into particle energy Posted: 10 Sep 2014 05:38 AM PDT Magnetic reconnection can trigger geomagnetic storms that disrupt cell phone service, damage satellites and black out power grids. But how reconnection, in which the magnetic field lines in plasma snap apart and violently reconnect, transforms magnetic energy into explosive particle energy remains a major unsolved problem in plasma astrophysics.

Molecular self-assembly controls graphene-edge configuration Posted: 10 Sep 2014 05:38 AM PDT Scientists have discovered a new bottom-up fabrication method that produces defect-free graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) with periodic zigzag-edge regions. This method, which controls GNR growth direction and length distribution, is a stepping stone towards future graphene-device fabrication by self-assembly.

Smartphones may aid in dietary self-monitoring Posted: 10 Sep 2014 05:38 AM PDT Smartphones have seen wide adoption among Americans in recent years because of their ease of use and adaptability. With that in mind, researchers examined how smartphone use affected weight loss goals and determined that smartphones may offer users an advantage over traditional methods when tracking diet data.

First graphene-based flexible display produced Posted: 10 Sep 2014 05:33 AM PDT A flexible display incorporating graphene in its pixels' electronics has been successfully demonstrated, the first time graphene has been used in a transistor-based flexible device.

New method to detect prize particle for future quantum computing Posted: 10 Sep 2014 05:33 AM PDT Scientists have uncovered a new method to detect Majorana particles, a key element for a next-generation quantum computing platform. Quantum computing relies on the laws of quantum mechanics to process vast amounts of information and calculations simultaneously, with far more power than current computers. However, development of quantum computers has been limited as researchers have struggled to find a reliable way to increase the power of these systems, a power measured in Q-Bits.

This star cluster is not what it seems: Messier 54 shows lithium problem also applies outside our galaxy Posted: 10 Sep 2014 05:33 AM PDT A new image from the VLT Survey Telescope at ESO's Paranal Observatory in northern Chile shows a vast collection of stars, the globular cluster Messier 54. This cluster looks very similar to many others but it has a secret. Messier 54 doesn't belong to the Milky Way, but is part of a small satellite galaxy, the Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy. This unusual parentage has now allowed astronomers to use the Very Large Telescope (VLT) to test whether there are also unexpectedly low levels of the element lithium in stars outside the Milky Way.

Combining antibodies, iron nanoparticles and magnets steers stem cells to injured organs Posted: 10 Sep 2014 05:29 AM PDT Researchers infused antibody-studded iron nanoparticles into the bloodstream to treat heart attack damage. The combined nanoparticle enabled precise localization of the body's own stem cells to the injured heart muscle. The study addresses a central challenge in stem cell therapeutics: how to achieve targeted interactions between stem cells and injured cells.

Graphene gets a 'cousin' in the shape of germanene Posted: 09 Sep 2014 04:21 PM PDT Scientists have successfully synthesized the 2-D material germanene. Dubbed a 'cousin of graphene', the material, which is made up of just a single layer of germanium atoms, is expected to exhibit impressive electrical and optical properties and could be widely integrated across the electronics industry in the future.

New map tool identifies patterns of racial diversity across the U.S. Posted: 09 Sep 2014 01:23 PM PDT Geography researchers have developed a large-scale mapping technique to track a variety of demographic data across the United States, including researching populations based on gender, race and economic diversity. Details on the technique behind the new, high resolution, grid-based map of U.S. demographics are now available online.

Experts create multiuser, multiantenna scheme to make most of UHF band Posted: 09 Sep 2014 01:23 PM PDT Researchers have found a way to make the most of the unused UHF TV spectrum by serving up fat streams of data over wireless hotspots that could stretch for miles.

Two-dimensional electron liquids: Looking for novel forms of superconductivity Posted: 09 Sep 2014 01:23 PM PDT Truly two-dimensional objects are rare. Even a thin piece of paper is trillions of atoms thick. When physicists do succeed in producing 2D systems, quantum interactions can lead to new phenomena and Nobel prizes. Two examples: graphene -- single-atom-thick sheets of carbon atoms -- has unique mechanical, electrical, and optical properties; and two-dimensional electron gases (2DEG) -- planar collections of electrons supported at the interface between certain semiconductors such as gallium arsenide -- allow the observation of such emergent behaviors as the quantum Hall effect and the spin Hall effect. Using an overlying bath of ionic liquid, a piece of superconductor -- divided by an insulating strip -- supports narrow tunnels which permit currents to flow between.

Cetane data used for development of energy efficient fuels and engines updated Posted: 09 Sep 2014 11:45 AM PDT The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory has released a long-anticipated update to the source-of-record for cetane number data. This information is vital to the development of new, energy-efficient, low-carbon fuels and compatible engines. Researchers, as well as members of the engine, vehicle, and fuel industries, rely on these numbers to target compounds for development of new fuels capable of greater energy efficiency, cleaner emissions, and maximum performance in diesel engines.

An evolutionary approach to epidemics Posted: 09 Sep 2014 10:08 AM PDT An evolutionary analysis of public health data during a major disease outbreak, such as bird flu, E. coli contamination of food or the current Ebola outbreak could help the emergency services plan their response and contain the disease more effectively.

'Solid' light could compute previously unsolvable problems Posted: 09 Sep 2014 10:08 AM PDT Researchers have begun crystallizing light as part of an effort to answer fundamental questions about the physics of matter. As part of an effort to develop exotic materials such as room-temperature superconductors, the researchers have locked together photons, the basic element of light, so that they become fixed in place.

Companion star hidden for 21 years in a supernova's glare Posted: 09 Sep 2014 10:07 AM PDT Using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers have discovered a companion star to a rare class of supernova, known as a Type IIb. The discovery confirms a long-held theory that the supernova, dubbed SN 1993J, occurred inside what is called a binary system, where two interacting stars caused a cosmic explosion.

Weekly text message could encourage healthier food choices, new study shows Posted: 09 Sep 2014 08:36 AM PDT Many people are unaware that the US Food and Drug Administration's mandated nutrition labels are based on a 2,000-calorie-a-day diet, but a simple weekly text message reminder can greatly improve that awareness, according to a new study.

Texting gives a voice to community members Posted: 09 Sep 2014 08:33 AM PDT If you want to learn more about the people in urban communities, save a stamp on mailing a survey. Just text them. A new pilot study among low-income African-Americans in Detroit suggests that there is a clear preference on how residents choose to communicate -- whether it's by researchers asking questions for a health study or community advocates gauging resource needs. They want you to talk to them through their phones.

Artificial membranes on silicon Posted: 09 Sep 2014 08:33 AM PDT Artificial membranes mimicking those found in living organisms have many potential applications ranging from detecting bacterial contaminants in food to toxic pollution in the environment to dangerous diseases in people. Now a group of scientists has developed a way to create these delicate, ultra-thin constructs through a 'dry' process, by evaporating two commercial, off-the-shelf chemicals onto silicon surfaces.

Squeezed quantum communication: Flashes of light in quantum states transmitted through atmosphere Posted: 09 Sep 2014 08:33 AM PDT Scientists have sent a pulse of bright light in a particularly sensitive quantum state through 1.6 kilometers of air. This quantum state, which they call squeezed, was maintained, which is something many physicists thought to be impossible. Eavesdropping on a message protected by quantum cryptography cannot be done without being noticed.

Smart headlights spare the eyes of oncoming drivers Posted: 09 Sep 2014 08:33 AM PDT A smart headlight enables drivers to take full advantage of their high beams without fear of blinding oncoming drivers or suffering from the glare that can occur when driving in snow or rain at night.

X-ray imaging paves way for novel solar cell production Posted: 09 Sep 2014 08:33 AM PDT The sharp X-ray vision of DESY's research light source PETRA III paves the way for a new technique to produce cheap, flexible and versatile double solar cells. The method can reliably produce efficient tandem plastic solar cells of many meters in length.

Researchers advance artificial intelligence for player goal prediction in gaming Posted: 09 Sep 2014 08:33 AM PDT Researchers have developed artificial intelligence software that is significantly better than any previous technology at predicting what goal a player is trying to achieve in a video game. The advance holds promise for helping game developers design new ways of improving the gameplay experience for players.

Miniature light-emitting devices and optical sensors: Pesky insect inspires practical technology Posted: 09 Sep 2014 08:32 AM PDT Our hands and swatters often fail in the struggle to kill flies. This isn't our fault, but rather is due to flies' compound eyes. Arranged in a hexagonal, convex pattern, compound eyes consist of hundreds of optical units called ommatidia, which together bestow upon flies a nearly 360-degree field of vision. With this capability in mind, a team of researchers is drawing on this structure to create miniature light-emitting devices and optical sensors.

Insight into future of ultra-HDTV live stream technology Posted: 09 Sep 2014 08:31 AM PDT Pioneering research into making ultra-high definition TV (UHDTV) available to the masses will be showcased at the world's biggest international broadcasting event this week.

First evidence for water ice clouds found outside our solar system Posted: 09 Sep 2014 08:07 AM PDT A team of scientists has discovered the first evidence of water ice clouds on an object outside of our own Solar System. Water ice clouds exist on our own gas giant planets -- Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune -- but have not been seen outside of the planets orbiting our Sun until now.

Contrast-enhanced CT scan safe for most patients Posted: 09 Sep 2014 06:37 AM PDT Iodine-based contrast material injected intravenously to enhance CT images can be safely used in most patients, according to a study. Of the 80 million or more CT scans performed each year in the United States, iodine-based contrast material is used in at least half to enhance computed tomography (CT) images, according to researchers.

A system that facilitates malware identification in smartphones Posted: 09 Sep 2014 06:36 AM PDT Researchers have developed a tool to help security analysts protect markets and users from malware. This system allows a large number of apps to be analyzed in order to determine the malware's origins and family.

New methods enhance quality of myocardial perfusion imaging Posted: 09 Sep 2014 06:23 AM PDT New methods that enhance the quality of myocardial perfusion imaging were developed in a recent study, in which researchers invented a method which makes it possible to reduce the imaging time by up to 50%, making the scan session easier for the patient. Furthermore, the study also created two additional methods which correct errors resulting from patient movement during the scan. The methods were validated and they have already been taken into use in hospitals all over the world.

Highly automated live cell imaging speeds up search for new drugs Posted: 08 Sep 2014 06:36 AM PDT A new software platform supports the complete work process of finding new pharmaceutical agents in cancer research and tissue analysis. The software was developed specifically for high content analysis of live cell imaging data that monitor and record the complete life cycle of cells. The particular challenge for image analysis here is to detect the different phases of cell modification and cell division, and to record their temporal relationship.

Social networking can help people lose weight, study shows Posted: 08 Sep 2014 06:35 AM PDT Social networking programs designed to help people lose weight could play a role in the global fight against obesity, according to research. Obesity is an increasing issue in developed and developing countries, contributing to other diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and mental health problems and resulting in rising costs for health services.

New stent graft made from a 3-D image of the patient's anatomy: Option for people suffering from an abdominal aortic aneurysm Posted: 05 Sep 2014 12:29 PM PDT A new stent graft made from a 3-D image of the patient's anatomy helps fix abdominal aortic aneurysms in patient's who otherwise have few options. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlarged area in the lower part of the aorta. Since the aorta is the main supplier of blood to the rest of the body, a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm can be fatal.

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