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Our Neurons Are Bombarded With Messages - Here's How We Focus To Hear The Chorus Over The Noise

Our Neurons Are Bombarded With Messages - Here's How We Focus To Hear The Chorus Over The Noise

May 28 2009 | comment(s)

Even if we don't always notice, our brain is constantly distracted with 'noise' - unimportant messages that are filtered out.   

When we pay attention, our neurons begin firing in harmony and a study in the May 29 issue of Science lays out what researchers say is the likely brain center that serves as the conductor of our neural chorus.  MIT neuroscientists say that neurons in the prefrontal cortex, the brain's planning center, fire in unison and send signals to the visual cortex to do the same, generating high-frequency waves that oscillate between these distant brain regions like a vibrating spring. These waves, also known as gamma oscillations, have long been associated with cognitive states like attention, learning, and consciousness.
E. Coli That Count May Mean A Future Synthetic Biology Computer

E. Coli That Count May Mean A Future Synthetic Biology Computer

May 28 2009 | comment(s)

Biomedical engineers at Boston University have taught bacteria how to count.  The researchers have wired a new sequence of genes that allow the microbes to count discrete events, opening the door for a host of potential applications, which could include drug delivery and sensing environmental hazards. 

The young but burgeoning field of synthetic biology addresses biological research questions with an engineering approach. Researchers design and build networks of genes, splicing them into bacterial genomes to run specific tasks or manufacture desired molecules – a process akin to installing biological computer software. Though the field is rapidly advancing, the gene-based tools available to synthetic biologists remain limited. 
Falsified Research - A Meta Analysis Of Scientific Misconduct

Falsified Research - A Meta Analysis Of Scientific Misconduct

May 28 2009 | comment(s)

How common is scientific misconduct?   It's a tough question to answer.   Scandals like Hwang Woo-Suk's faked stem-cell lines or Jon Sudbø's made-up cancer trials have demonstrated that fraudulent research is easy to publish, even in the most prestigious print journals, but are they deviations of a few "bad apples" or evidence that a great deal more is never discovered?  The actual numbers are a matter of dispute.

In a PLoS ONE meta-analysis of surveys questioning scientists about their misbehaviors, Daniele Fanelli of the University of Edinburgh, a PhD in the behavior and genetics of Malaysian and Panamanian tropical wasps, suggests that altering or making up data is more frequent than previously estimated and might be particularly high in medical research.

Magnetic Blast Waves And The Impact Epicenter Of Earthbound Space Storms

Magnetic Blast Waves And The Impact Epicenter Of Earthbound Space Storms

May 28 2009 | comment(s)

Researchers using data from NASA's THEMIS mission have pinpointed the impact epicenter of an earthbound space storm as it crashes into the atmosphere - and given an advance warning of its arrival. The team's study reveals that magnetic blast waves can be used to pinpoint and predict the location where space storms dissipate their massive amounts of energy. These storms can dump the equivalent of 50 gigawatts of power, or the output of 10 of the world's largest power stations, into Earth's atmosphere.

PKS 0745-191: First Complete X-Ray View Of A Galaxy Cluster

PKS 0745-191: First Complete X-Ray View Of A Galaxy Cluster

May 28 2009 | comment(s)

The joint Japan-U.S. Suzaku mission is providing new insight into how assemblages of thousands of galaxies pull themselves together and, for the first time, Suzaku has detected X-ray-emitting gas at a cluster's outskirts, where a billion-year plunge to the center begins.

Suzaku ("red bird of the south") was launched on July 10, 2005. The observatory was developed at the Japanese Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), which is part of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), in collaboration with NASA and other Japanese and U.S. institutions.
All-Fiber Quantum Logic Using A Single Photon

All-Fiber Quantum Logic Using A Single Photon

May 28 2009 | comment(s)

A team of physicists and engineers have demonstrated all-fibre quantum logic, where single photons are generated and used to perform the contolled-NOT quantum logic gate in optical fibers with high fidelity.

The only quantum technology in practical use today is quantum cryptography and is currently limited in the distance over which secure communication may occur.

More sophisticated quantum networks will require multiple nodes with the ability to implement small-scale quantum processing in order to increase the range of quantum communications. Such networks will rely on optical fibre links, making fibre-based photon generation and information processing of key technological importance.
The Moving Finger Writes

The Moving Finger Writes

May 28 2009 | comment(s)

The Moving Finger Writes

I cannot agree that much of what is, these days, called poetry, is in fact poetry.
I base that assessment on a simple rule:
If it isn't memorable, it isn't poetry, q.e.d.
 If I read something, and an hour later can remember only that it is something to do with, say,  a roof, then it is not poetry.

The traditional poetic device of memorably melodic metaphor marching through the mind reinforces recall.  Recall of rhyme recalls the time sublime of childhood play with blocks and bricks of wooden words.

Such is the power of poetry.

The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
La Vanguardia Selects Brightcove For Online Video Initiatives

La Vanguardia Selects Brightcove For Online Video Initiatives

May 28 2009 | comment(s)

BARCELONA, Spain, May 28 /PRNewswire/ --

- National daily newspaper in Spain expands advertising-supported online video with Brightcove platform

Brightcove Inc., the leading online video platform, today announced that La Vanguardia, the highest-circulation daily newspaper based in Barcelona, has selected the Brightcove platform to bolster its advertising-supported online video initiatives. La Vanguardia's website producers will use the Brightcove platform to publish video content on its popular newspaper website, integrate advertising and expand distribution through search engines. Sony, Peugeot and Nissan are some of the first brands to advertise in La Vanguardia's new online video offerings.

Particle Physics - Not Just For Black Holes And Blowing Up The Vatican Any More

Particle Physics - Not Just For Black Holes And Blowing Up The Vatican Any More

May 28 2009 | comment(s)

If you watched "Angels&Demons" recently, you may have thought particle physics was just about scary science that could do real harm on the chance it may do future good.  

Not so, though most people don't realize the impact particle physics has had on society.   Particle physics saves lives, connects continents through new channels of communication and generally helps us understand the world around us.   In many ways it inspires tomorrow’s leaders.

While the perils associated with particle physics, from Earth-gobbling black holes to Vatican-destroying amounts of antimatter, gain news headlines, it’s easy to overlook the large economic and societal benefits of particle physics research.
Molecules With Five-Fold Symmetry As A Two-Dimensional Crystal? Not So Impossible Any More

Molecules With Five-Fold Symmetry As A Two-Dimensional Crystal? Not So Impossible Any More

May 28 2009 | comment(s)

Five-fold symmetry is considered to be impossible in crystallography for the same reason that pentagonal tiles do not exist - it is not possible to cover a floor or wall simply using tiles with five sides of all the same length.

The only way around the problem is to use other geometrical shapes to fill in the gaps, a principal used by the builders of mosques as long ago as the 15th century. The complex ornamental structure was "rediscovered“ by mathematicians last century.

Roger Penrose demonstrated a pattern named the Penrose Parquet, which achieves complete coverage following simple rules using two periodically repeating geometrical forms.
In Spain, Spanish Prostitutes Are Least Likely To Use Condoms

In Spain, Spanish Prostitutes Are Least Likely To Use Condoms

May 28 2009 | comment(s)

The Centre for Epidemiological Studies into Sexually-Transmitted Diseases and AIDS in Catalonia (CEEISCAT) started a pioneering study in Spain in 2005 to look into the prevalence of sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) among female sex workers (SWs). The objective was to monitor the rates of infection with both HIV and other diseases over time, as well as the prevalence of risky behavior. 
Talking Mice? No, But Their FOXP2 'Speech' Gene Can Tell Us About Our Evolutionary Past

Talking Mice? No, But Their FOXP2 'Speech' Gene Can Tell Us About Our Evolutionary Past

May 28 2009 | comment(s)

Following on the heels of 'missing links' in the popular media earlier this month, you might expect that research on mice carrying a "humanized version" of a gene believed to influence speech and language will have references to cartoons and mice that talk.

In reality, it's nothing so outrageous but the research can still teach us about our evolutionary past - even if the mice don't speak.
Single Women Look More Closely At Men

Single Women Look More Closely At Men

May 28 2009 | comment(s)

Two things men believe; first, women like them more when they are taken and second, a woman's relationship status influences her interest in the opposite sex. 

At least that second part appears to be true.   

In a new study, women both with and without sexual partners showed little difference in their subjective ratings of photos of men when considering such measures as masculinity and attractiveness.   However, the women who did not have sexual partners spent more time evaluating photos of men, demonstrating a greater interest in the photos. No such difference was found between men who had sexual partners and those who did not.
HDF 130 - Cosmic 'Ghost' Around A Supermassive Black Hole

HDF 130 - Cosmic 'Ghost' Around A Supermassive Black Hole

May 28 2009 | comment(s)

NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory has found a cosmic "ghost" lurking around a distant supermassive black hole. This is the first detection of such a high-energy apparition, and scientists think it is evidence of a huge eruption produced by the black hole.

This discovery presents astronomers with a valuable opportunity to observe phenomena that occurred when the Universe was very young. The X-ray ghost, so-called because a diffuse X-ray source has remained after other radiation from the outburst has died away, is in the Chandra Deep Field-North, one of the deepest X-ray images ever taken. The source, a.k.a. HDF 130, is over 10 billion light years away and existed at a time 3 billion years after the Big Bang, when galaxies and black holes were forming at a high rate.
The Good And The Bad Of Top-Level Domains

The Good And The Bad Of Top-Level Domains

May 28 2009 | comment(s)

Last year, ICANN announced an “open season” on top-level domains, to start some time in 2010. This will dramatically expand the namespace for Internet domain names, and will allow cities, industries, and companies to register specific top-level domains for themselves. What effect will that have on the companies involved, and on the Internet users?
Study In The New England Journal Of Medicine Shows Non-Surgical Treatment For Pre-Cancerous Condition Of Esophagus Is Effective And Reduces Risk For Cancer Development

Study In The New England Journal Of Medicine Shows Non-Surgical Treatment For Pre-Cancerous Condition Of Esophagus Is Effective And Reduces Risk For Cancer Development

May 28 2009 | comment(s)

SUNNYVALE, California, May 28 /PRNewswire/ --

- Data show superiority of endoscopic ablation therapy using the HALO System for eradicating Barrett's esophagus in randomized, multicenter, sham controlled trial

Results from a clinical study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine reveal that ablative therapy using the HALO system (BARRX Medical, Inc.) is highly effective for complete eradication of a pre-cancerous condition of the esophagus called Barrett's esophagus afflicting more than 3.3 million Americans. Additionally, ablative therapy using the HALO system reduced the risk of progression to cancer in the highest risk cohort studied (compared to control) from 19.0% to 2.4%.

'Seoul Declaration' Adopted By Mayors Of International Cities At C40 Seoul Climate Summit

'Seoul Declaration' Adopted By Mayors Of International Cities At C40 Seoul Climate Summit

May 27 2009 | comment(s)

SEOUL, South Korea, May 27 /PRNewswire/ --

Mayors of major metropolitan cities around the world adopted the Seoul Declaration at the Third C40 Large Cities Climate Summit held last week in the capital city of Korea. Announced on the final day of the three-day Summit, the Declaration calls on major cities to convert into low-carbon areas by cutting greenhouse gas emissions to the largest extent possible. The Declaration also reaffirms the cities' commitment to making collective efforts to combat climate change. Mayor Se-hoon Oh of the host city said at the closing ceremony that the Declaration will add momentum to the promotion of the vital roles of cities in addressing climate change.

Citizen Randall

Citizen Randall

May 27 2009 | comment(s)

This afternoon Lisa Randall, one of the most famous theoretical physicists of our time, received from the hands of Flavio Zanonato, mayor of Padova, the keys of the city.
TSMC Launches Unified Interconnect Modeling Format For Advanced Process Technologies

TSMC Launches Unified Interconnect Modeling Format For Advanced Process Technologies

May 27 2009 | comment(s)

HSINCHU, Taiwan, May 27 /PRNewswire/ --

- New iRCX Format Ensure Data Accuracy and Enables Extensive EDA Support of Interconnect Modeling Related Applications in TSMC 65nm and 40nm

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. (TSE: 2330, NYSE: TSM) today unveiled iRCX, an interoperable electronic design automation (EDA) data format, for TSMC 65 nanometer (nm) and 40nm technologies.

Vaccine Wars: The Phantom Menace

Vaccine Wars: The Phantom Menace

May 27 2009 | comment(s)

It's been 9 months since I read Autism's False Prophets and participated in a discussion over at Science Blogs Book Club. The good news is that there is increased awareness of the overwhelming scientific evidence refuting a link between vaccines and autism.