This is a big month forNASA. The Augustine committee, appointed by the White House to review NASA's human space flight programme, is set to release its final report on Thursday.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Smallest nanoantennas for high-speed data networks
More than 120 years after the discovery of the electromagnetic character of radio waves by Heinrich Hertz, wireless data transmission dominates information technology. Higher and higher radio frequencies are applied to transmit more data within shorter periods of time. Some years ago, scientists found that light waves might also be used for radio transmis-sion. So far, however, manufacture of the small antennas has required an enormous expenditure. KIT scientists have now succeeded for the first time in specifically and reproducibly manufacturing smallest optical nanoantennas from gold.
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Decoding the Brain with Light
Molecular "light switches" can reveal exactly which neurons are involved in creating a memory, allowing scientists to trigger that memory using only light. The finding, presented at the Society for Neuroscience conference in Chicago this week, is just one example of how a novel technology called optogenetics is allowing scientists to tackle major unanswered questions about the brain, including the role of specific brain regions in the formation of memory, the process of addiction, and the transition from sleep to wakefulness.
Disney Touts a Way to Ditch the DVD
Walt Disney Co. is close to unveiling technology that it says will enable entertainment companies to adapt their business models to a new reality in which consumers increasingly rely on computers and cell phones in place of DVD players and TVs.
The technology, code-named Keychest, could contribute to a shift in what it means for a consumer to own a movie or a TV show, by redefining ownership as access rights, not physical possession.
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The technology, code-named Keychest, could contribute to a shift in what it means for a consumer to own a movie or a TV show, by redefining ownership as access rights, not physical possession.
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Replacing Platinum in Fuel Cell Technology
One of the biggest hindrances to the development of fuel cell technology is its cost. In order to work properly, polymer electrolyte fuel cells require a catalyst. So far, though, the most efficient catalyst for use with these fuel cells is platinum. And, as you probably know, platinum is one of the most expensive materials out there. The high cost of platinum is stunting the further development of fuel cells for use on a broader basis. Help may be coming, however, in the form of niobium and titanium.
Alzheimer's researchers find high protein diet shrinks brain
One of the many reasons to pick a low-calorie, low-fat diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and fish is that a host of epidemiological studies have suggested that such a diet may delay the onset or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Now a study published in BioMed Central's open access journal Molecular Neurodegeneration tests the effects of several diets, head-to-head, for their effects on AD pathology in a mouse model of the disease. Although the researchers were focused on triggers for brain plaque formation, they also found that, unexpectedly, a high protein diet apparently led to a smaller brain.
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Experimental treatments restore partial vision to blind people
Two experimental treatments, a retinal prosthesis and fetal tissue transplant, restored some vision to people with blinding eye diseases. The findings, presented at Neuroscience 2009, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world's largest source of emerging news on brain science and health, may lead to new treatments for the blind. Researchers also reported that an engineered protein restored vision in an animal model and identified ways to improve stem cell treatments.
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First-time Internet Use Alters Activity in Older Brains
Adults with little internet experience show changes in their brain activity after just one week online, a new study finds.
1.4 megawatt fuel cell for County of Sonoma
Sonoma County will break ground for the installation of a 1.4 megawatt fuel cell on Tuesday.
The fuel cell, which will provide electricity for the county’s main complex of buildings in Santa Rosa, is the centerpiece of Sonoma County’s comprehensive energy plan, which will both lower greenhouse gas emissions and save a substantial amount of money over the life of the project.
The fuel cell, which will provide electricity for the county’s main complex of buildings in Santa Rosa, is the centerpiece of Sonoma County’s comprehensive energy plan, which will both lower greenhouse gas emissions and save a substantial amount of money over the life of the project.
Second THAAD Battery Activated
The U.S. Army today activated its second Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery during a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas. THAAD is a defensive weapon system developed by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, a joint service organization within the Department of Defense.
GE shows off pocket-size ultrasound scanner
In a wide-ranging interview at the Web 2.0 Summit, Jeff Immelt, CEO of General Electric, announced a low-cost and very portable ultrasound scanner called the Vscan.
Jeppesen, Sat Direct team to enhance cockpit communication
Jeppesen and Satcom Direct announced Monday a teaming relationship that allows each company to sell a bundled solution to their customers that combines flight planning services and cockpit communications.
Dispatchers and maintenance personnel can monitor the aircraft through automated takeoff and landing reports and e-mail messages to and from the aircraft; they can also see aircraft position at any time with Satcom Direct’s new SD Flight Tracker.
Wi-Fi Wristband Tag enables real-time location tracking
Used in applications that determine precise location of people, T301W provides location accuracy - down to less than few ft - for movement tracking and workflow visibility over existing Wi-Fi network. Able to be fully immersed in various cleaning solutions for disinfection, waterproof tag houses programmable pushbutton that, when pressed, sends pre-determined message to RTLS system. Tag is powered by rechargeable lithium-ion battery and supports 2-way communications.
Rare Procedure Pinpoints the Location, Speed and Sequence of the Brain's Language Processes
Thanks to an unusual opportunity to implant electrodes into the brains of alert adults, researchers have described the sequence and timing of distinct steps in language processing to a finer degree than previous methods have allowed.
Researchers Create an Electromagnetic "Black Hole" the Size of a Salad Plate
Two researchers say they have built a cylinder that acts as an ersatz electromagnetic black hole, soaking up radiation in the microwave regime like the astrophysical version sucks up matter and light.
Darpa Seeks New Round of Proposals for Universal Biosensor
Got a great idea for an antibody biosensor but unsure what to do with it? Darpa wants you. The Department of Defense's future-tech wing is seeking proposals for its newly inaugurated Antibody Technology Program, the latest bid for technologies that can pinpoint specific biological agents ranging from bioterror threats to swine flu.
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A Hammer Is No Match For a Flexible OLED Display
Flexible OLEDs are the displays of the future in every sense imaginable--the picture is great, the panels are unbelievably slim, and they bend! They also happen to be incredibly durable, evidenced here by some guy taking a hammer to a Samsung flexible OLED panel.
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Barnes & Noble Unveils E-Reader
The Nook features a six inch grey and white reading display and color touch-screen controls at the bottom of the device. The price is $259, matching the latest price set by Amazon for a new edition of its Kindle reader.
High-Speed Chase Ends When OnStar Halts Stolen SUV
The 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe roared away with officers in pursuit, but shortly after the suspect made a right turn, operators at General Motors Co.'s OnStar service sent a command that electronically disabled the gas pedal and the SUV gradually came to a halt.
China pointing about 1,500 missiles at Taiwan: Taipei official
China now has about 1,500 missiles pointed at Taiwan, with no signs that the build-up is about to stop anytime soon, a spokesman for the island's government said Monday.
The figure includes short-range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, the defence ministry spokesman told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The figure includes short-range ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, the defence ministry spokesman told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Rotating E-Scan Radar May Push Eurofighter Exports
The new "repositionable" electronically scanned radar being proposed for the Eurofighter could make the difference for the fighter in export markets, its designers claim.
The Eurofighter currently flies with the mechanically scanned Captor radar, but the consortium that built the Captor is now pitching an e-scan radar, known as Caesar, to the U.K., Italy, Spain and Germany for its third tranche Eurofighters.
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