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Wednesday, February 29, 2012

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

ScienceDaily: Top Technology News


Searching for the first stars

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 03:58 PM PST

How did the first stars and galaxies bring the young universe out of its dark ages and into the light? Three prominent researchers discuss how new instruments and observational techniques may find the answer.

Toppling Raman shift in supercritical carbon dioxide: Vibrational mix shines new light on carbon sequestration measurements

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 03:55 PM PST

Just as a wine glass vibrates and sometimes breaks when a diva sings the right note, carbon dioxide vibrates when light or heat serenades it. When it does, carbon dioxide exhibits a vibrational puzzle known as Fermi resonance. Now, researchers studying geologic carbon storage have learned a bit more about the nature of carbon dioxide.

Mysterious electron acceleration explained: Computer simulation identifies source of aurora-causing high-speed electrons in space

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 12:22 PM PST

A mysterious phenomenon detected by space probes has finally been explained, thanks to a massive computer simulation that was able to precisely align with details of spacecraft observations. The simulation shows that an active region in Earth's magnetotail, where "reconnection" events take place in the magnetic field, is roughly 1,000 times larger than had been thought.

Mutated plants may be better for biofuels

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 12:21 PM PST

A new study says genetic mutations in plants could make it easier to break down plant cellulose to the sugars that are fermented into biofuels.

Direct measurement of the formation length of photons

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 07:20 AM PST

How long does it take an electron to form a photon? The answer would normally be: so short a time that it cannot be measured. However, the scientists responsible for experiment NA63 have now succeeded in dragging out the process, thereby making it measurable.

New measuring techniques can improve efficiency, safety of nanoparticles

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 07:20 AM PST

Using high-precision microscopy and X-ray scattering techniques, researchers have gained eye-opening insights into the process of applying green chemistry to nanotechnology that results in high yields, improves efficiency and dramatically reduces waste and potential negative exposure to human health or the environment.

World's smallest radio stations: Two molecules communicate via single photons

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 07:17 AM PST

We know since the dawn of modern physics that although events in our everyday life can be described by classical physics, the interaction of light and matter is down deep governed by the laws of quantum mechanics. Despite this century-old wisdom, accessing truly quantum mechanical situations remains nontrivial, fascinating and noteworthy even in the laboratory. Recently, interest in this area has been boosted beyond academic curiosity because of the potential for more efficient and novel forms of information processing.

Optogenetic tool elucidated: Opening of the ion channel with light

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 07:17 AM PST

Controlling nerve cells with the aid of light: this is made possible by optogenetics. It enables, for example, the investigation of neurobiological processes with unprecedented spatial and temporal precision. Biophysicists have now succeeded in explaining the switching mechanism.

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