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Berkeley scientists find way to get physical in cancer fight

Berkeley scientists find way to get physical in cancer fight

Conventional biological wisdom holds that living cells interact with their environment through an elaborate network of chemical signals, which is most therapies rely on drugs that block chemical signals. Scientists can now show, however, for the first time, that direct physical force can also change the way cellular proteins conduct chemical activity.

Study validates general relativity on cosmic scale, existence of dark matter

Study validates general relativity on cosmic scale, existence of dark matter

An analysis of more than 70,000 galaxies by physicists in the U.S. and Switzerland demonstrates that the universe—at least up to a distance of 3.5 billion light years from Earth—plays by the rules set out 95 years ago by Albert Einstein in his General Theory of Relativity.

Images of extrasolar planet win award for outstanding paper

Images of extrasolar planet win award for outstanding paper

In the short time that the image of Fomalhaut—a star with a Jupiter-sized planet imaged by Hubble Space Telescope—was published by UC Berkeley’s Paul Kalas, it has become an icon. Why? The 2008 image was the first visible-light picture of an extrasolar planet.

Fiber nanogenerators could lead to electric clothing

Fiber nanogenerators could lead to electric clothing

In research that gives literal meaning to the term "power suit," Univ. of California, Berkeley, engineers have created energy-scavenging nanofibers that could one day be woven into clothing and textiles.

Charles Townes honored on occasion of laser's 50th birthday

Charles Townes honored on occasion of laser's 50th birthday

Fifty years ago, the first optical laser was built. And despite contention about whether Thomas Maiman or Gordon Gould actually built the first laser, the initial idea can be credited to Charles Townes and Arthur Schawlow for their 1958 publications theorizing the possibly of an optical laser operating on the principles of their patented maser, an amplifier for acoustic signals.

Building a case for the survival of the kindest

Researchers at the Univ. of California, Berkeley, are challenging long-held beliefs that human beings are wired to be selfish. In a wide range of studies, social scientists are amassing a growing body of evidence to show we are evolving to become more compassionate and collaborative in our quest to survive and thrive.

Taking the lead out of piezoelectrics

Taking the lead out of piezoelectrics

There is good news for the global effort to reduce the amount of lead in the environment and for the growing array of technologies that rely upon the piezoelectric effect. A lead-free alternative to the current crop of piezoelectric materials has been identified by researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the Univ. of California (UC), Berkeley.

Photoswitches shed light on burst swimming in zebrafish

Photoswitches shed light on burst swimming in zebrafish

By attaching light-sensitive switches to certain nerve cells in fish larvae, researchers have been able to stimulate the twitch of the tail that’s common to larvae that detect light. Because humans have similar cells, the idea that optogenetic tools can turn on or off groups of cells with the flip of switch may have great impact on certain types of medicine or therapy.

Smallest semiconductor laser heralds new era in optical science

Smallest semiconductor laser heralds new era in optical science

Researchers at the Univ. of California, Berkeley, have reached a new milestone in laser physics by creating the world's smallest semiconductor laser, capable of generating visible light in a space smaller than a single protein molecule. This breakthrough breaks new ground in the field of optics. The UC Berkeley team not only successfully squeezed light into such a tight space, but found a novel way to keep that light energy from dissipating as it moved along, thereby achieving laser action.

Fast heating lifts zeolites to new heights

Thin-film zeolite membranes with tiny, molecule-sized pores are one step closer to replacing the energy-intensive processes now used in industrial separations.

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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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P2i showcases liquid repellent nano-coating for hearing aids
P2i showcases liquid repellent nano-coating for hearing aids

At the AudiologyNOW! 2010 show in San Diego next month, UK-based coatings company P2i will display their relatively new Aridion liquid-repellant nano-coating. Designed for exposure to humidity or sweat, the polymer layer is applied by a pulsed ion gas process that lower’s the hearing aid’s surface energy, coaxing water away from delicate components.

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.

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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