News
Army harnesses sun to reduce casualties from sniper attacks
June 18, 2013 12:20 pm | by Edric Thompson, CERDEC Public Affairs | CommentsThe U.S. Army is harnessing the elements to help reduce casualties from sniper attacks on forward operating bases. The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command's research laboratory and aviation missile and communications-electronics RD&E centers
UT Arlington provides first academic study of journalists and private citizens' drone use
June 18, 2013 12:14 pm | by University of Texas at Arlington | CommentsNewly published research from a University of Texas at Arlington communication team offers a groundbreaking perspective on the controversial use of unmanned aerial vehicles in journalism and mass communication, or “drone journalism.” The remotely guided aircraft gained prominence in the military’s hunt for suspected terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Researchers solve mystery of X-ray light from black holes
June 18, 2013 12:10 pm | by Eurekalert! and Johns Hopkins | CommentsIt is a mystery that has stymied astrophysicists for decades: how do black holes produce so many high-power X-rays? In a new study, astrophysicists from The Johns Hopkins University, NASA and the Rochester Institute of Technology conducted research that bridges the gap between theory and observation by demonstrating that gas spiraling toward a black hole inevitably results in X-ray emissions.
Which qubit my dear? New method to distinguish between neighbouring quantum bits
June 18, 2013 11:09 am | by EurekAlert! | CommentsResearchers at the University of New South Wales have proposed a new way to distinguish between quantum bits that are placed only a few nanometres apart in a silicon chip, taking them a step closer to the construction of a large-scale quantum computer.
The rhythm of everything
June 17, 2013 3:51 pm | by Yale UniversityYale University | CommentsResearch on the molecular level reveals that continuous disruptions to biological patterns may trigger the onset of breast cancer and, possibly, many other diseases....
Polymer-coated catalyst protects "artificial leaf"
June 17, 2013 10:16 am | by Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres | CommentsResearchers at the HZB Institute for Solar Fuels have modified so called superstrate solar cells with their highly efficient architecture in order to obtain hydrogen from water with the help of suitable catalysts. This type of cell works something like an "artificial leaf." But the solar cell rapidly corrodes when placed in the aqueous electrolyte solution.
An innovative material for the Green Earth
June 17, 2013 10:09 am | by EurekAlert! | CommentsResearchers from UNIST, S. Korea, developed a novel, simple method to synthesize hierarchically nanoporous frameworks of nanocrystalline metal oxides such as magnesia and ceria by the thermal conversion of well-designed metal-organic frameworks.
A robot that runs like a cat
June 17, 2013 10:06 am | by EurekAlert! | CommentsDeveloped by EPFL's Biorobotics Laboratory (Biorob), the "cheetah-cub robot," is a small-size quadruped prototype robot. The purpose of the platform is to encourage research in biomechanics. Robots developed from this concept could eventually be used in search and rescue missions or for exploration.
Google begins launching Internet-beaming balloons
June 17, 2013 10:02 am | by MARTHA MENDOZA & NICK PERRY, Associated Press | CommentsGoogle is launching Internet-beaming antennas into the stratosphere aboard giant, jellyfish-shaped balloons with the lofty goal of getting the entire planet online. Eighteen months in the works, the top-secret project was announced Saturday in New Zealand, where up to 50 volunteer households are already beginning to receive the Internet...
Russian tycoon wants to move mind to machine
June 17, 2013 9:58 am | by PETER SVENSSON, AP Technology Writer | CommentsCan the City That Never Sleeps become the City That Never Dies? A Russian multimillionaire thinks so. Dmitry Itskov gathered some of humanity's best brains — and a few robots — in New York City on Saturday to discuss how humans can get their minds to outlive their bodies.
China announces new measures to curb air pollution
June 17, 2013 9:54 am | by LOUISE WATT, Associated Press | CommentsChina's Cabinet has announced measures to curb the country's notorious air pollution, one of the many environmental challenges facing the country that are increasingly angering the public. The broad measures approved by the State Council include putting strict controls in place for industries that produce large amounts of waste and pollution...
China calls for explanations of US surveillance
June 17, 2013 9:47 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsChina on Monday joined calls for Washington to provide explanations following disclosures of National Security Agency programs which collect millions of telephone records and track foreign Internet activity on U.S. networks. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters that Washington needs to heed international concerns...
Chinese supercomputer named as world's fastest
June 17, 2013 9:45 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsChina has built the world's fastest computer for a second time, beating the U.S.'s Titan machine. The semiannual TOP500 official listing of the world's fastest supercomputers says the Tianhe-2 developed by the National University of Defense Technology in Changsha city in central China is capable of sustained computing of 33.86 petaflops per second.
Apple details government requests for data
June 17, 2013 7:22 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsApple says it received between 4,000 and 5,000 requests from U.S. law enforcement for customer data for the six months ended in May. The company, like some other businesses, had asked the U.S government to be able to share how many requests it received related to national security and how it...
Making alternative fuels cheaper
June 17, 2013 12:00 am | by Massachusetts Institute of Technology | CommentsMIT chemical engineers have devised a cheaper way to synthesize a key biofuel component, which could make its industrial production much more cost-effective. The compound, known as gamma-valerolactone (GVL), is attractive because of its versatility, says Yuriy Román, an assistant professor of chemical engineering and leader of the research team.
