Posts Tagged ‘California Institute of Technology’
Science & Technology - Apr 23, 2010 11:12 - 0 Comments
‘Sound bullets’ act like sonic scalpels
CALTECH (US)—Inspired by the popular executive toy Newton’s cradle, researchers have built a device—called a nonlinear acoustic lens—that produces highly focused, high-amplitude acoustic signals dubbed “sound bullets.” (more…)
Earth & Environment - Apr 16, 2010 15:52 - 3 Comments
Why volcanic ash ends up in the jet stream
BUFFALO (US)—The jet stream, an area in the atmosphere favored by airline pilots, also seems to be the area most likely to be affected by plumes from volcanic ash. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Apr 9, 2010 11:21 - 0 Comments
Anatomy of pivotal HIV protein uncovered
CALTECH (US)—Scientists have provided the first-ever glimpse of the structure of a key protein found on the surface of a specific subgroup of the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV-1. (more…)
Science & Technology - Mar 29, 2010 15:14 - 1 Comment
In-sync brain waves form strong memories
CALTECH (US)—There may be only one chance to make a first impression, but what makes that impression form into a lasting memory? (more…)
Health & Medicine - Mar 22, 2010 23:40 - 2 Comments
Nanoparticles ferry interfering RNA into tumors
CALTECH (US)—Researchers have demonstrated the feasibility of using both nanoparticles and RNA interference in patients, opening the door for future “game-changing” therapeutics that attack cancer and other diseases at the genetic level, says lead researcher Mark Davis. (more…)
Science & Technology - Feb 23, 2010 18:04 - 0 Comments
Brain map reveals biology of intelligence
CALTECH (US)—Researchers have mapped the brain structures that affect general intelligence. The finding adds new insight to a set of controversial questions: What is intelligence, and how can we measure it? (more…)
Science & Technology - Feb 17, 2010 16:49 - 3 Comments
Flexible solar cells soak up the sun
CALTECH (US)—Scientists have created a new type of flexible solar cell that enhances the absorption of sunlight and efficiently converts its photons into electrons. The solar cell does all this using only a fraction of the expensive semiconductor materials required by conventional models. (more…)
Science & Technology - Feb 17, 2010 11:42 - 2 Comments
In-flight brain recordings from fruit flies
CALTECH (US)—The first recordings of brain-cell activity in a flying fruit fly suggest that at least part of its brain “is in a different and more sensitive state during flight than when the fly is quiescent,” says researcher Michael Dickinson. (more…)
Science & Technology - Feb 11, 2010 10:42 - 3 Comments
Superstrong, superlight, and supersmall
CALTECH (US)—Researchers have developed a way to make some notoriously brittle materials ductile—yet stronger than ever—simply by reducing their size. (more…)
Science & Technology - Feb 8, 2010 16:16 - 3 Comments
Afraid to gamble? Blame your amygdala
CALTECH (US)—Neuroscientists have tied the human aversion to losing money to a specific structure in the brain—the amygdala. (more…)
Science & Technology - Feb 3, 2010 12:55 - 0 Comments
Simulated galaxies resemble real ones
WASHINGTON (US)—Using millions of hours on supercomputers, researchers have run simulations of galaxy formation and produced dwarf galaxies very much like those observed today by satellites and large telescopes around the world. (more…)
Science & Technology - Jan 29, 2010 12:36 - 8 Comments
Take a hike with energy-harvesting rubber films
PRINCETON (US)—Power-generating rubber films could make it possible to harness natural body movements—such as breathing and walking—to power pacemakers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices. (more…)
Earth & Environment - Jan 20, 2010 15:06 - 0 Comments
Ozone spike linked to overseas emissions
COLORADO (US)—Springtime ozone levels above western North America are rising primarily due to air flowing eastward from the Pacific Ocean, a trend that is largest when the air originates in Asia. (more…)
Science & Technology - Jan 13, 2010 10:58 - 5 Comments
So, why is the Milky Way a barred spiral?
CALTECH (US)—For the first time, two astronomers have explained the diversity of galaxy shapes seen in the universe. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Dec 22, 2009 12:41 - 1 Comment
A little to the left … ahhhhhhhhhh!
JOHNS HOPKINS (US)—Scratching below the surface of a troublesome sensation that’s equal parts tingle-tickle-prickle, sensory scientists from Johns Hopkins University have discovered in mice a molecular basis for nonallergic itch. (more…)
Science & Technology - Dec 18, 2009 18:27 - 0 Comments
Fog found on Titan
CALTECH (US)—Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, looks to be the only place in the solar system—aside from our home planet, Earth—with copious quantities of liquid (largely, liquid methane and ethane) sitting on its surface. (more…)
Science & Technology - Dec 18, 2009 11:07 - 0 Comments
What’s the new story on fruit flies?
CALTECH (US)—For decades, science texts have told a simple and straightforward story about a particular protein—a transcription factor—that helps the embryo of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, pattern tissues in a manner that depends on the levels of this factor within individual cells. (more…)
Science & Technology - Dec 17, 2009 13:23 - 0 Comments
Scientists film photons with electrons
CALTECH (US)—Recently invented techniques—that allow the real-time, real-space visualization of fleeting changes in the structure of nanoscale matter—have been used to image the evanescent electrical fields produced by the interaction of electrons and photons, and to track changes in atomic-scale structures. (more…)
