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Saturday, September 6, 2014

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News


What is the economic impact of oil, gas in West Texas?

Posted: 04 Sep 2014 03:35 PM PDT

The economic impact is felt in all industries that provide support, from drilling to housing and retail. This study provides estimates of the 2013 economic impact of the Permian Basin's oil and gas industry, and examines these impacts at the county level as well as in the context of the overall Permian region, the Texas portion of the region and the New Mexico portion of the region. In addition to traditional economic impacts, this report includes a petroleum engineering-based analysis that provides the backbone for economic activity generated by the oil and gas industry.

Rosetta-Alice spectrograph obtains first far ultraviolet spectra of a cometary surface

Posted: 04 Sep 2014 12:38 PM PDT

NASA's Alice ultraviolet spectrograph aboard the European Space Agency's Rosetta comet orbiter has delivered its first scientific discoveries. Rosetta, in orbit around comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, is the first spacecraft to study a comet up close.

Metallic alloy is tough and ductile at cryogenic temperatures

Posted: 04 Sep 2014 11:46 AM PDT

A multi-element high-entropy alloy not only tests out as one of the toughest materials on record, but, unlike most materials, the toughness as well as the strength and ductility of this alloy actually improves at cryogenic temperatures.

Decoding the role of water in gold nanocatalysis: Secrets behind gold's unexpected oxidation activity uncovered

Posted: 04 Sep 2014 11:19 AM PDT

Researchers have, for the first time, provided direct evidence of a water-mediated reaction mechanism for the catalytic oxidation of carbon monoxide. The work used gold nanoparticles and titanium dioxide as a catalyst to speed the process and determined that water serves as a co-catalyst for the reaction that transforms carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide.

3-D film no more effective in evoking emotion than 2-D

Posted: 04 Sep 2014 11:18 AM PDT

Researchers have examined whether 3-D film is more effective than 2-D when used as a research method for evoking emotion. Both were effective, and 3-D did not add incremental benefit over 2-D, with implications for emotional research as well as entertainment.

Clues to trapping carbon dioxide in rock: Calcium carbonate takes multiple, simultaneous roads to different minerals

Posted: 04 Sep 2014 11:18 AM PDT

Researchers used a powerful microscope that allows them to see the birth of calcium carbonate crystals in real time, giving them a peek at how different calcium carbonate crystals form.

Small asteroid to safely pass close to Earth Sunday

Posted: 04 Sep 2014 10:40 AM PDT

A small asteroid, designated 2014 RC, will safely pass very close to Earth on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014. At the time of closest approach, based on current calculations to be about 2:18 p.m. EDT (11:18 a.m. PDT / 18:18 UTC), the asteroid will be roughly over New Zealand. From its reflected brightness, astronomers estimate that the asteroid is about 60 feet (20 meters) in size.

Cost-effective, high-performance micropumps for lab-on-a-chip disease diagnosis

Posted: 04 Sep 2014 10:11 AM PDT

Researchers have demonstrated an acoustofluidic pump powered by a piezoelectric transducer about the size of a quarter. This reliable, inexpensive, programmable pump is a crucial feature for lab-on-a-chip devices that could make the diagnosis of many global life-threatening diseases easy and affordable.

Atomically thin material opens door for integrated nanophotonic circuits

Posted: 04 Sep 2014 09:12 AM PDT

Researchers have described a new combination of materials that could be a step towards building computer chips capable of transporting digital information at the speed of light.

A new model for a cosmological enigma -- dark matter: Solving long-standing and troublesome puzzles

Posted: 04 Sep 2014 09:12 AM PDT

Astrophysicists believe that about 80 percent of the substance of our universe is made up of mysterious "dark matter" that can't be perceived by human senses or scientific instruments.

Showcase of latest advances in medical imaging for revolutionary proton therapy cancer treatment

Posted: 04 Sep 2014 09:11 AM PDT

Advances in medical imaging technology which could make proton beam therapy a viable treatment for many more cancer sufferers will be described on an international stage.

Titania-based material holds promise as new insulator for superconductors

Posted: 04 Sep 2014 06:30 AM PDT

Researchers show that a type of modified titania, or titanium dioxide, holds promise as an electrical insulator for superconducting magnets, allowing heat to dissipate while preserving the electrical paths along which current flows.

Nano-pea pod model widens electronics applications

Posted: 04 Sep 2014 06:27 AM PDT

A new theoretical model explains how a nanostructure, such as the nano-pea pod, can exhibit localized electrons. Periodic chain-like nanostructures are widely used in nanoelectronics. Typically, chain elements include the likes of quantum rings, quantum dots, or quantum graphs. Such a structure enables electrons to move along the chain, in theory, indefinitely. The trouble is that some applications require localized electrons —- these are no longer in a continuous energy spectrum but in a discrete energy spectrum, instead.

To clean air and beyond: Catching greenhouse gases with advanced membranes

Posted: 04 Sep 2014 05:46 AM PDT

An advanced membrane has been developed for the purpose of cleaning up greenhouse gases. The membranes are cheaper, long-lasting, selective and highly permeable compared to commercially available ones.

Prostate cancer: Pioneering new imaging method

Posted: 04 Sep 2014 05:45 AM PDT

Researchers are pioneering the use of a radioactive tracer in combination with PET MRI imaging to help some prostate cancer patients avoid lengthy and unnecessary surgery.

Non-invasive method for diagnosing common, painful back condition being developed

Posted: 04 Sep 2014 05:42 AM PDT

Tthe first imaging technique used to identify biomarkers that could indicate that patients have a painful, degenerative back condition is under development, researchers report.

Innovative algorithm spots interactions lethal to cancer

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 01:35 PM PDT

An ideal anti-cancer treatment -- one that's immediately lethal to cancer cells, harmless to healthy cells, and resistant to cancer's relapse -- is still a dream. New research takes a step closer to the realization of that dream with an innovative computer algorithm that spots cancer-busting 'genetic partners' whose interactions are lethal to cancer cells.

Wearable sensors to detect firearm use

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 01:26 PM PDT

A new study demonstrates that wearable sensors could one day transform the correctional system by tracking gun use by community-based offenders, who account for a disproportionate share of fatal and non-fatal shootings.

A smart fluorescent antenna for Wi-Fi applications

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 10:31 AM PDT

A new invention uses ionized gas in fluorescent light tubes to transmit Internet wireless frequency signals throughout a building with the aid of already existing electrical wiring.

Lowering coal-fired power plant emissions may have saved 1,700 lives in one year

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 07:58 AM PDT

After scoring a Supreme Court victory this spring, the Environmental Protection Agency can move forward with its strategy to cut air pollution from coal-fired power plants in several states -- and new research suggests the impact could be lifesaving.

Handheld scanner could make brain tumor removal more complete, reducing recurrence

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 07:57 AM PDT

Cancerous brain tumors are notorious for growing back despite surgical attempts to remove them -- and for leading to a dire prognosis for patients. But scientists are developing a new way to try to root out malignant cells during surgery so fewer or none get left behind to form new tumors. The method could someday vastly improve the outlook for patients.

Lithium-ion batteries: Phenomenon of 'lithium plating' during the charging process observed

Posted: 03 Sep 2014 07:56 AM PDT

Lithium-ion batteries are seen as a solution for energy storage of the future and have become indispensable, especially in electromobility. However, when metallic lithium forms and deposits during charging it can lead to a reduced battery lifespan and even short-circuits. Scientists have now managed to peer into the inner workings of a battery without destroying it.

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