Applied Physics

Invisible Nano-Fibers Conduct Electricity, Repel Dirt

Tiny plastic fibers could be the key to some diverse technologies in the future-- including self-cleaning surfaces, transparent electronics, and biomedical tools that manipulate strands of DNA. Ohio State University researchers describe how they created su ...

Article - News Staff - Jun 28 2007 - 3:36pm

Making Genome Sequencing Affordable

In May, Nobel Laureate James D. Watson, the scientist who co-discovered the structure of DNA, became the first person to receive his own complete personal genome-- all three billion base pairs of his DNA code sequenced. The cost was $1 million, and the pro ...

Article - News Staff - Jun 30 2007 - 1:32am

Expanding The Genetic Code In Mammal Cells

Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have developed a novel strategy to expand the natural repertoire of 20 amino acids in mammalian cells, including neurons, and successfully inserted tailor-made amino acids into proteins in these cell ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 1 2007 - 1:40pm

Simulated Tsunamis Make For Better Building Designs

For the first time, a team of experts is preparing to create tsunami in a controlled environment in order to study their effects on buildings and coastlines- ultimately paving the way for the design of new structures better able to withstand their impact. ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 2 2007 - 12:57am

Global Warming Is Evaporating Arctic Ponds, New Study Shows

High Arctic ponds-- the most common source of surface water in many polar regions-- are now beginning to evaporate due to recent climate warming, say two of Canada’s leading environmental scientists. John Smol (Professor of Biology at Queen’s University an ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 2 2007 - 4:40pm

Every Girl Is Crazy About An Electronically-Monitored Man

Anyone can buy a suit that fits- but elite geeks are going to own clothes embedded with tiny electronics that can monitor heart and respiratory functions wirelessly. After three days, whether it needs it or not, they can take it off and throw it in the was ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 3 2007 - 3:44pm

Human Immune System In A Test Tube Eliminates Animal Experiments

Surgical instruments or implants that are contaminated with residual bacteria, or pyrogens, can cause blood poisoning in patients. Researchers are developing a test that imitates the human immune system in the laboratory, eliminating the need for animal ex ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 4 2007 - 10:18am

'Engineered' Blood Vessels From Adult Stem Cells Function Like Native Tissue

Blood vessels that have been tissue-engineered from bone marrow adult stem cells may in the future serve as a patient's own source of new blood vessels following a coronary bypass or other procedures that require vessel replacement, according to new r ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 5 2007 - 2:12pm

The Mysterious Cause Of Depression

Scientists' hunt for the cause of depression has implicated so many suspects and found so many treatments with different mechanisms that the condition remains an enigma. Now researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have identified one ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 6 2007 - 5:06am

New Vibration Powered Generator For Wireless Systems

A generator that is 10 times more powerful than any other similar devices has been developed by engineers at the University of Southampton. Dr Steve Beeby and his team at the University's School of Electronics & Computer Science (ECS) have develop ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 5 2007 - 7:06pm