Archive for December, 2012
Researchers provide definitive proof for receptor’s role in synapse development
Jackson Laboratory researchers led by Associate Professor Zhong-wei Zhang, Ph.D., have provided direct evidence that a specific neurotransmitter receptor is vital to the process of pruning synapses in the brains of newborn mammals. Continue reading →
Giant Pandas Hold New Weapon In Fight Against Superbugs
The spiky space balls are nicknamed “hedgehogs,” though they’ll act more like acrobats, leaping and tumbling across the surface of moons and asteroids. Continue reading →
Physicist Uses Math to Beat Traffic Ticket
Here’s a practical application for your physics education: using math to successfully beat a traffic ticket in court. Dmitri Krioukov, a physicist based at the University of California San Diego, did just that to avoid paying a fee for (purportedly) running a stop sign. Continue reading →
A Step Closer to a Possible Treatment for ALS
Zurich AI team plans March delivery for humanoid Roboy (w/ Video)
The University of Zurich’s Artificial Intelligence Lab is leading the way to the delivery of Roboy, an advanced humanoid, which has a due date for saying Hello World in March. Similar to the Japanese initiative of developing robots that can assist people in daily living, this robot is designed to emulate humans and help out in daily environments. Continue reading →
Backing Up A Supercomputer Takes An Innovative Approach
Can Computers Be Creative?
Computers have tremendous capacities for storing information and performing numerical calculations—far superior to those of any human. Yet, when it comes to other capabilities, including creativity. computers are woefully inferior to people. But a young IBM Research scientist, Lav Varshney, believes that before too long computers will indeed be creative. Continue reading →
New Solar Cell Efficiency Record Set by Researchers
In a significant step forward for renewable energy, a team of scientists has announced a new record in solar cell efficiency, achieving a conversion rate that surpasses previous benchmarks. The breakthrough, reported in the journal Advanced Materials, involves a novel perovskite-silicon tandem architecture that captures a broader spectrum of sunlight. By layering a thin perovskite cell on top of a conventional silicon cell, the researchers were able to reduce energy losses and boost overall performance.
The tandem design allows the top layer to absorb high-energy photons while the bottom layer captures lower-energy light, effectively increasing the theoretical efficiency limit. This approach has been explored for years, but until now, stability and manufacturing challenges limited practical gains. The team overcame these hurdles by developing a new passivation technique that prevents degradation and improves charge carrier transport. The result is a device that not only sets a record in the laboratory but also shows promise for scalable production.
While the exact efficiency figure was not disclosed in the preliminary announcement, early reports suggest it exceeds 30%, a notable milestone for photovoltaic technology. Industry analysts note that such advances could accelerate the adoption of solar power by lowering the cost per watt. The researchers are now working to demonstrate the technology in a commercial-scale module, with field tests planned for the next year. Continue reading →
Study Suggests Link Between Gut Bacteria and Obesity
A growing body of research points to the gut microbiome as a key player in metabolic health, and a new study adds weight to the hypothesis that specific bacterial populations may influence body weight. Scientists at a leading immunology institute analyzed fecal samples from over 1,000 participants and found a consistent correlation between the ratio of two bacterial phyla—Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes—and body mass index (BMI).
The study, published this month, reveals that individuals with a higher proportion of Firmicutes tend to have a greater BMI, while those with more Bacteroidetes are generally leaner. This ratio has been observed in animal models, but the new data provides the strongest evidence yet in a human population. The mechanism appears to involve the efficiency of energy extraction from food: Firmicutes are more adept at breaking down complex carbohydrates that would otherwise pass through the digestive system, thereby increasing caloric intake.
Despite the strength of the association, the researchers caution that correlation does not imply causation. They note that diet itself can alter the microbiome, making it difficult to determine whether the bacterial profile is a cause or consequence of obesity. Nevertheless, the findings open the door to potential therapies, such as probiotic interventions or dietary modifications that shift the microbial balance. Future studies will explore whether manipulating the gut flora can lead to meaningful weight loss in humans. Continue reading →
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Maps Ocean Floor in High Resolution
Marine scientists have successfully deployed a new autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) capable of mapping the seafloor with unprecedented detail. The vehicle, named DeepSurveyor, completed a 30-day mission in the Pacific Ocean, covering over 10,000 square kilometers and collecting bathymetric data at a resolution of one meter. This level of detail is a tenfold improvement over traditional ship-based sonar systems, revealing previously unseen features such as small volcanic cones and sediment flows.
The AUV operates by following a pre-programmed path while emitting multibeam sonar pulses and recording the echoes. Unlike remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), which require a tether to a surface ship, DeepSurveyor is fully autonomous, allowing it to operate in remote areas for extended periods. Its onboard artificial intelligence can adjust the survey pattern in real time to avoid obstacles or focus on areas of interest, such as hydrothermal vents or tectonic fault lines.
The data collected will be used to create high-resolution maps for scientific research, resource exploration, and hazard assessment. The team plans to make the maps publicly available through an online portal, enabling researchers worldwide to study the ocean floor. Future missions will target the Arctic and Antarctic regions, where the AUV's ice-avoidance capabilities will be put to the test. Continue reading →
Breakthrough in Quantum Computing: Qubit Stability Improved
Quantum computing took a significant leap forward this month as researchers announced a new method for stabilizing qubits, the fundamental units of quantum information. The team, working at a national laboratory, demonstrated that by applying a specific sequence of microwave pulses, they could extend the coherence time of a superconducting qubit by a factor of ten. Coherence time is a critical parameter that determines how long a qubit can maintain its quantum state before decohering, which limits the complexity of computations.
The technique, known as dynamical decoupling, has been studied theoretically, but implementing it effectively in a solid-state system has proven challenging. The researchers developed a custom pulse sequence that cancels out environmental noise from the surrounding material, which is a primary source of decoherence. In their experiments, they achieved coherence times exceeding 100 microseconds, a substantial improvement over the typical tens of microseconds observed in similar devices.
This advance brings practical quantum computers closer to reality, as longer coherence times allow for more operations to be performed before errors accumulate. The team plans to integrate the technique into a multi-qubit processor and test error correction protocols. While challenges remain in scaling up the number of qubits and reducing error rates, this work represents a crucial step forward. Continue reading →
Engineers Develop Self-Healing Concrete Using Bacteria
Infrastructure maintenance costs billions of dollars annually, but a new material developed by civil engineers could slash those expenses by repairing its own cracks. The material, a type of concrete embedded with bacterial spores, activates when water penetrates a fissure. The bacteria, which remain dormant until exposed to moisture, then produce limestone, effectively sealing the crack and preventing further deterioration.
The concept of self-healing concrete has been explored for years, but previous attempts used chemical healing agents that were expensive and had limited lifespan. The new approach uses a strain of bacteria that can survive in the highly alkaline environment of concrete for decades without nutrients. When a crack forms, the bacteria germinate and feed on calcium lactate, a compound added to the concrete mix, producing calcite that fills the gap.
Laboratory tests show that the bacterial concrete can heal cracks up to 0.5 millimeters wide within a few weeks, restoring most of the material's original strength. Field trials are planned for next year on a small bridge in a humid climate, where the healing process will be monitored over an extended period. If successful, the material could be used in a wide range of structures, from roads to building foundations, reducing maintenance costs and extending service life. Continue reading →