Science

Computer Simulations of Human Bone Structures Help Doctors Analyze Fragile Bones and Fracture Risk

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, July 2, 2008 -- Using a Blue Gene supercomputer, scientists of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH) and the IBM (NYSE: IBM) Zurich Research Laboratory demonstrated the most extensive simulation yet of real human bone structures, providing doctors a "high definition" view of the strength and fragility of bones they never had before.

This achievement could lead to better clinical tools to improve the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis, a widespread disease that affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50.(1)    » read more »

Significant milestones achieved in first year

Bomlitz, Germany, July 01, 2008 -- July 1, 2008, marks the first anniversary of Dow Wolff Cellulosics, which was formed by merging Wolff Walsrode AG and The Dow Chemical Company’s Water Soluble Polymers business. “Through continued investment in manufacturing capability and by providing innovative technology solutions to our customers, we have combined the best of both companies into a market-leading player,” said Martin Sonntag, general manager of Dow Wolff Cellulosics.Dow Wolff Cellulosics    » read more »

June 25, 2008 -- PASADENA, Calif. -- New analysis of Mars' terrain using NASA spacecraft observations reveals what appears to be by far the largest impact crater ever found in the solar system.

NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Mars Global Surveyor have provided detailed information about the elevations and gravity of the Red Planet's northern and southern hemispheres.

Artist's concept of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter: Image by NASA/JPL

A new study using this information may solve one of the biggest remaining mysteries in the solar system: why does Mars have two strikingly different kinds of terrain in its northern and southern hemispheres? The huge crater is creating intense scientific interest.    » read more »

June 23, 2008 -- HOUSTON -- NASA engineers and scientists completed a milestone review June 20 that will help determine the systems needed to return humans to the moon and establish a lunar outpost. The three-day Lunar Capability Concept Review capped a nine-month study led by the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington that incorporated science and exploration objectives earlier developed by representatives of 14 countries as part of the Global Exploration Strategy.

NASA Lunar Crew Mobility Chassis Prototype: The Crew Mobility Chassis Prototype is NASA's new concept for a lunar truck. NASA graphic.    » read more »

Governor, Senate President, Speaker Head to BIO International Convention with Cutting-Edge Life Sciences Law in Hand

BOSTON– Monday June 16, 2008 – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, joined by Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker of the House Salvatore F. DiMasi, signed pioneering legislation today at the Joslin Diabetes Center that will secure Massachusetts’ position as a global leader in life sciences, unveiling for the first time the comprehensive, innovative Massachusetts Life Sciences Law.    » read more »

12 June 2008 -- Scientists have grown a plant from a 2,000-year-old seed excavated from the ruins of Masada, the ancient Jewish fortress near the Dead Sea.

Until now, the oldest seed ever germinated was that of a 1,300-year-old lotus plant.

But in this week's issue of Science, researcher Sarah Sallon of the Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem and her colleagues describe their work with a 2,000 - year-old seed found at an archaeological dig at Masada, an ancient fortress built by King Herod on a cliff that overlooks the Dead Sea.

It is there that Jewish zealots committed suicide en mass rather than be captured in a siege by troops of the Roman Empire.    » read more »

ARGONNE, Ill. -- June 9, 2008 -- The Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology (IGSB), a joint venture of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago, has acquired two new instruments that provide an enhanced ability to sequence genomes more quickly and broadly.

Argonne's genomics research is primarily funded DOE's Office of Science, which supports research that provides a fundamental scientific understanding of plants and microbes necessary to develop strategies for sequestering carbon gases, producing biofuels and cleaning up waste.    » read more »

Scientists and Economists' Call for Swift and Deep Cuts in Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Statement by Lexi Shultz, Union of Concerned Scientists

June 6, 2008 -- WASHINGTON – Today, 48 senators voted to end a filibuster and allow a meaningful debate on the Lieberman-Warner-Boxer Climate Security Act of 2008, but there was not enough support to overcome the tactics of Senate obstructionists.

Despite the fact that the Senate did not move forward today, the debate demonstrated growing momentum for passing a national global warming policy, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).

Below is a statement by Lexi Shultz, deputy director of the Climate Program at UCS:    » read more »

Washington -- 10 June 2008 -- Astronauts from the U.S. space shuttle Discovery have finished their final jobs on the International Space Station, and held a news conference from space. The Discovery astronauts Monday flexed the robotic arm that is part of the Japanese science laboratory they helped to install on the space station.

Japanese Experiment Module, or JEM, also called Kibo: Japanese Experiment Module, or JEM, also called Kibo, in its new home on the International Space Station. This view depicts Kibo's exterior, backdropped by solar array panels for the orbital outpost and one of its trusses. NASA photo.    » read more »

Three-Plant Complex will help recruit new industry, support existing industry and train workforce for high-tech jobs

June 09, 2008 -- MONTGOMERY - Alabama Governor Bob Riley announced today that Calhoun Community College in Decatur will be the site of a robotics research, education and training campus that will help the state attract new industry, support the needs of existing industry and train workers for high-tech careers.

Alabama Governor Riley announces site of robotics center: Photo courtesy Alabama Governor's office    » read more »

CONTRACT RELEASE : C08-034

June 6, 2008 -- CLEVELAND -- NASA has awarded a contract to the Universities Space Research Association, or USRA, of Columbia, Md., to advance understanding of the effects of the space environment on the functioning of space exploration systems.

The association will perform research, analysis and testing for technology and system development in fire prevention, detection and suppression, and other technologies necessary to sustain human life in the harsh environment of space. Other areas of research will include power, environmental control and life support systems, resource utilization and crew health.    » read more »

CONTRACT RELEASE : C08-033

June 6, 2008 -- CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA has selected contractors for a multiple award contract to provide fabrication of ground support equipment for Constellation and other space programs at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The multiple award, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract has a maximum value of $400 million during a five-year ordering period, with potential for a one-year extension.

NASA awarded the electrical ground support equipment contract to Engravers Metal Fabricators of Cocoa, Fla., Jackson & Tull of Seabrook, Md., Spectrum Laser & Technologies Inc. of Colorado Springs, Colo., and TJ Inc. of Christmas, Fla.    » read more »

June 3, 2008 -- NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Research performed at the U.S. Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility has found that protons are about 20 times more likely to pair up with neutrons than with other protons in the nucleus. The result will be published online by the journal Science, at the Science Express website.

The result, based on the first-ever simultaneous measurement of such pairings and their constituents, could have implications for understanding the structure of nuclear systems from light nuclei to neutron stars.    » read more »

June 2, 2008 -- Is that ice under the Phoenix spacecraft on Mars? Quite possibly. Phoenix, which landed a week ago, was expected to dig under the Martian soil to search for ice, but the lander's breaking jets may already have uncovered some during descent.

Unusual Light Patch Under Phoenix Lander on Mars: Photo credit: Phoenix Mission Team, NASA, JPL-Caltech, U. Arizona

Pictured above is an image taken last week by the Robotic Arm Camera showing the unusual light-colored substance just in front of Phoenix's landing pad.    » read more »

More than 1,700 Say Early Reductions Can Benefit Economy

WASHINGTON (May 29, 2008) – More than 1,700 of the nation's most prominent scientists and economists today released a joint statement calling on policymakers to require immediate, deep reductions in heat-trapping emissions that cause global warming. Issued just days before the Senate begins debate on the Lieberman-Warner climate bill, the statement marks the first time leading U.S. scientists and economists have joined together to make such an appeal.

The statement stresses that implementing policies to achieve swift and substantial cuts is both economically sound and necessary to limit the worst consequences of climate change.    » read more »