Science

Scientists discover earthquakes can create new ‘economic-grade gold deposits’

"Solid gold can be deposited in Earth’s crust 'almost instantaneously' during earthquakes, said a study published in the journal Nature Geoscience. The gold is formed when a tremor splits open a fluid-filled cavity in the Earth’s crust, causing a sudden drop in pressure. This, in turn, causes the fluid to expand rapidly and evaporate, and any gold particles that had been dissolved in it to 'precipitate almost immediately', said a Nature press release. The researchers said much of the world’s known gold was derived from quarts veins that were formed during geological periods of mountain building as long as three billion years ago." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingScientists discover earthquakes can create new ‘economic-grade gold deposits’

The End of the Battery – Getting All Charged Up over Supercapacitors

"'Is this for real?' Doug was referring to an article in the recent issue of Nature Communications on a novel way to mass-produce so-called superconductors on the super-cheap – using no more equipment than the average home CD/DVD burner. Hacked together by a group of research scientists at UCLA, the ingenious technique is a way of producing layers of microscopically nuanced lattices called graphene, an essential component of many superconductor designs. It holds the promise of rapidly dropping prices for what was until now a very expensive process." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe End of the Battery – Getting All Charged Up over Supercapacitors

Scientists use 3D printer to make tissue-like material

"British scientists have used a custom-made 3D printer to make living tissue-like material that could one day serve medical purposes, according to findings released Thursday. The material is made up of thousands of connected water droplets, encapsulated within lipid films, that can carry out some of the functions of human cells. These 'droplet networks' could be the building blocks of a new technology used to pass on drugs and, down the road, could even replace damaged tissue, said a statement from Oxford University, where the scientists are based. Their findings were published in Friday’s issue of the US journal Science." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingScientists use 3D printer to make tissue-like material

Sonic ‘lasso’ catches cells and moves them around

"Academics have demonstrated for the first time that a 'sonic lasso' can be used to grip microscopic objects, such as cells, and move them about. The researchers have shown experimentally how tiny particles, such as cells, or any small objects can be trapped by a spinning ultrasonic, or sonic, vortex. The vortex acts as a lasso that can be controlled and moved, catching the microscopic particles and enabling their careful positioning. This new technology makes possible applications such as assembly human tissue from a collection of cells and assembling nano materials." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSonic ‘lasso’ catches cells and moves them around

Scientists use iPhones to diagnose intestinal worms

"Scientists used an iPhone and a camera lens to diagnose intestinal worms in rural Tanzania, a breakthrough that could help doctors treat patients infected with the parasites, a study said on Tuesday. Research published by the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene showed that it is possible to fashion a low-cost field microscope using an iPhone, double-sided tape, a flashlight, ordinary laboratory slides and an $8 cameral lens. The researchers used their cobbled-together microscope to successfully determine the presence of eggs from hookworm and other parasites in the stool of infected children." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingScientists use iPhones to diagnose intestinal worms

Study: Low Doses Of THC Provide Cardioprotection

"Low doses of THC are cardioprotective in mice, according to preclinical data to be published online in the journal Biochemical Pharmacology. Israeli scientists assessed in impact of a single 'ultra-low' injection of THC in mice prior to ischemia (the restriction of blood supply to tissues). Investigators reported that THC 'is a safe and effective treatment that reduces myocardial ischemic (heart attack) damage.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingStudy: Low Doses Of THC Provide Cardioprotection

No proof that helmets prevent concussion: experts

"Helmets and mouthguards can prevent serious head and facial injuries, but there is no evidence they specifically stave off concussion, top authorities in sports medicine say. Paradoxically, wearing this protection may lead to injuries because a player is tempted to take greater risks, they say. 'Biomechanical studies have shown a reduction in impact forces to the brain with the use of head gear and helmets, but these findings have not been translated to show a reduction in concussion incidence.' There can also be a 'paradoxical increase in injury rates' when players, kitted out in protective gear, adopt more dangerous tactics." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNo proof that helmets prevent concussion: experts

Researchers find sex cures migraines as well as medication

"Pounding headache? Sex could cure what ails you just as well as medication, a new study from the University of Munster finds. Researchers recruited 800 migraine sufferers and 200 cluster headache sufferers. While findings are preliminary, results showed that more than half of the migraine sufferers said their pain subsided after a bout of passion with their partners. The researchers suggested that sex triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, which can reduce, or even eliminate, a headache, The Telegraph reported." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingResearchers find sex cures migraines as well as medication

Decentralizing Science: Local Biohacking

"Far-out ideas make established scientists uncomfortable. If your entire career was built around the fax machine, phrenology, the geocentric model or the beeper, you’re not too excited about these crazy kids and their ideas. There is a lot of untapped brainpower out there. The state education mill is a barrier to entry, a great divider — a credential firewall. MOOCs and badges may displace the academic cartel, but not without vested interests fighting to halt creative destruction along the way. Statistician and philosopher Nassim Nicholas Taleb recognizes that 'stochastic tinkering' rather than systematic, institutional agendas yield the greatest discoveries." Continue reading →

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Obama launches $100 million brain-mapping project

"US President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced a $100 million project to map the intricate inner mysteries of the human brain, targeting cures for diseases like Alzheimer’s. The BRAIN (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) initiative will be run by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the National Science Foundation. Obama was introduced as 'scientist in chief' at the White House event by NIH Director Francis Collins, and his administration makes the case that despite tough fiscal times, investments in science are vital." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama launches $100 million brain-mapping project