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Converting solar energy into something sweet…with the help of frogs

Converting solar energy into something sweet…with the help of frogs

With inspiration from a semi-tropical frog that makes its own long-lived foam, engineers from the University of Cincinnati have blended plant, bacterial, frog and fungal enzymes to create foam that captures energy, converts to sugar, and removes excess carbon dioxide from the air.

Luminex and Northrop Grumman sign biodetector agreement

Luminex Corporation announced that it has signed a teaming agreement with Northrop Grumman Corporation to collaborate in the creation of next generation biodetectors that will continuously monitor the environment and serve as an early warning system to alert authorities regarding the release of potentially harmful airborne agents.

Nature gives clues to a way to break down a common greenhouse gas

A recent discovery in understanding how to chemically break down the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into a useful form opens the doors for scientists to wonder what organism is out there—or could be created—to accomplish the task.

Oldest measurement of Earth's magnetic field reveals battle between sun and Earth

Oldest measurement of Earth's magnetic field reveals battle between sun and Earth

According to findings by Univ. of Rochester researchers who visited sites in Africa known to contain extremely old rocks, the Earth’s magnetic field 3.5 billion years ago was only half as strong as it is today. This may mean the Sun took away much of Earth’s hydrogen and water.

Phytoplankton play role in global climate change

Phytoplankton play role in global climate change

Phytoplankton are single-celled organisms that serve as the base of the marine food web and provide half the oxygen we breathe on Earth. They also play a key role in global climate change by removing carbon from the atmosphere and injecting it deep into the oceans.

New federal climate change agency forming

The weather system at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is set to intensify. The new Climate Service was announced this week, and it combines the various units of the Weather Service and Ocean Service that have been studying climate change. Pending congressional committee approval, the office will appear at the end of 2010.

Black carbon: The culprit in melting of Himalayan glaciers?

Black carbon: The culprit in melting of Himalayan glaciers?

The fact that glaciers in the Himalayan mountains are thinning is not disputed. However, few researchers have attempted to rigorously examine and quantify the causes. A scientist from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory set out to isolate the impacts of the most commonly blamed culprit—greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide—from other particles in the air that may be causing the melting.

Study documents reaction rates for three key greenhouse gases

A study provides new information about the rates at which three of the most powerful greenhouse gases are destroyed by a chemical reaction that takes place in the upper atmosphere.

Caltech scientists create model of monster 'Frankenstorm'

Could a brutal wintry blast rock the Golden State? In the wake of a recent weeklong storm siege some researchers think so, and have put their computer models to work creating the ideal conditions that could unleash as much as 8 feet of rain over three weeks—reminiscent of the extreme floods of 1861-62.

Experts say cold snap doesn't disprove global warming

Beijing had its coldest morning in almost 40 years and its biggest snowfall since 1951. Britain is suffering through its longest cold snap since 1981. And freezing weather is gripping the Deep South, including Florida's orange groves and beaches. Whatever happened to global warming? It’s still there, say many experts.

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Much ado about next to nothing

Much ado about next to nothing

The recent review of the past 10 years of the National Nanotechnology Initiative--as presented by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology--suggested the rise of nanomanufacturing as the near future of nanotechnology. But the actual proposed funding reflects a cautious approach, even about nanotech in general.

Lunar tires, space MRSA, and resonating microfluidics

Lunar tires, space MRSA, and resonating microfluidics

I typically attend the annual Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy each year in pursuit of specific coverage. This year, I sought out candidates for coverage in a vacuum technology article, and pulled together some instruments for a spectroscopy guide. But as busy as that kept me, it wasn’t all mass spectrometers and vacuum pumps on the show floor.  

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NuGard Coating Ashburn Hill

NuGard Coating Ashburn Hill

NuGard First Response Protective Clothing are lightweight coveralls, jackets, and pants that provide protection from heat and flame while keeping the wearers body temperature constant.

Multi-Touch Music Maker

Multi-Touch Music Maker

Professor David Wessel shows his multi-touch interface that uses computer technologies that allow him to experiment with fine controls to "caress" the instrument.

New To Market

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Submersible FlowCAM catches particle images and data in-situ and real-time
Submersible FlowCAM catches particle images and data in-situ and real-time

Fluid Imaging Technologies recently introduced its Submersible FlowCAM particle and cell imaging and analysis system at Ocean Sciences 2010 in Portland, Ore. The remote sensing platform can be used for continuous, unattended monitoring tethered to research vessels or autonomous submersibles.

Daytime running light has just two LEDs

The new OSTAR Compact LED from OSRAM has been developed specifically for use in vehicle headlights. Despite drawing just 5 W, the device provides 300 lumens of power and meets ECE/SAE color binning requirements for use on motor vehicles.

Tools & Technology

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Benchtop NMR analyzer
Benchtop NMR analyzer

Oxford Instruments America, Inc.’s Magnetic Resonance Group released the second generation of its MQC analyzers.

Software solution for microarray image analysis

BioDiscovery Inc. released ImaGene 9.0 for microarray image analysis. The new features include improved memory performance for the latest high density arrays, streamlined processing pipeline focused on image quantification and intensity extraction, and new modular design with options to add modules for analysis of gene/miRNA expression or CGH data.

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