News tagged with harsh environments

Using graphene, scientists develop a less toxic way to rust-proof steel

(Phys.org) -- University at Buffalo researchers are making significant progress on rust-proofing steel using a graphene-based composite that could serve as a nontoxic alternative to coatings that contain hexavalent ...

Nanotechnology / Nanomaterials

created May 18, 2012 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (6) | comments 2 | with audio podcast

Black hole caught red-handed in a stellar homicide

(Phys.org) -- Astronomers have gathered the most direct evidence yet of a supermassive black hole shredding a star that wandered too close.

Space & Earth / Astronomy

created May 07, 2012 | popularity 4 / 5 (5) | comments 2

Crystal structure of archael chromatin clarified in new study

Researchers at the RIKEN SPring-8 Center in Harima, Japan, have clarified for the first time how chromatin in archaea, one of the three evolutionary branches of organisms in nature, binds to DNA. The results offer valuable ...

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Mar 07, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Light-emitting nanocrystal diodes go ultraviolet: Biomedical device potential for robust, implantable product

(PhysOrg.com) -- A multinational team of scientists has developed a process for creating glass-based, inorganic light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that produce light in the ultraviolet range. The work, reported ...

Nanotechnology / Nanophysics

created Feb 24, 2012 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (6) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Chandra finds Milky Way's black hole grazing on asteroids

(PhysOrg.com) -- The giant black hole at the center of the Milky Way may be vaporizing and devouring asteroids, which could explain the frequent flares observed, according to astronomers using data from NASA's ...

Space & Earth / Astronomy

created Feb 08, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (8) | comments 14 | with audio podcast

Smart paint could revolutionize structural safety

An innovative low-cost smart paint that can detect microscopic faults in wind turbines, mines and bridges before structural damage occurs is being developed by researchers at the University of Strathclyde ...

Technology / Engineering

created Jan 30, 2012 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Protein associated with learning implicated in causing grasshoppers to swarm

New research has found that a protein associated with learning and memory plays an integral role in changing the behaviour of locusts from that of harmless grasshoppers into swarming pests.

Biology / Plants & Animals

created Dec 19, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Japan firm unveils robot suit for nuclear workers

The Japanese maker of an exoskeleton robot suit to assist walking on Monday unveiled a model that could help nuclear workers weighed down by heavy anti-radiation vests in contaminated zones.

Electronics / Robotics

created Nov 07, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (6) | comments 0

Planets smashed into dust near supermassive black holes

(PhysOrg.com) -- Fat doughnut-shaped dust shrouds that obscure about half of supermassive black holes could be the result of high speed crashes between planets and asteroids, according to a new theory from ...

Space & Earth / Astronomy

created Oct 28, 2011 | popularity 3 / 5 (1) | comments 6 | with audio podcast

Up close, asteroid seen to be chunk of would-be planet

A rare opportunity to observe an asteroid at close quarters has unveiled a remarkable rock that seems to be a precursor of a planet, astronomers reported on Thursday.

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created Oct 27, 2011 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (6) | comments 3

Old life capable of revealing new tricks after all

(PhysOrg.com) -- Archaea are among the oldest known life-forms, but they are not well understood. It was only in the 1970s that these single-celled microorganisms were designated as a domain of life distinct ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Jul 06, 2011 | popularity 4.4 / 5 (7) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Scientists sequence DNA of cancer-resistant rodent

Scientists at the University of Liverpool, in partnership with The Genome Analysis Centre, Norwich, have generated the first whole-genome sequencing data of the naked mole-rat, a rodent that is resistant to cancer and lives ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Jul 05, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Testing spacesuits in Antarctica, part 1

In this field diary, Margarita Marinova takes us on a journey to Antarctica in order to test spacesuits Testing the suits in harsh environments on Earth can help future explorers, who will need protection ...

Space & Earth / Space Exploration

created May 23, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

New findings next step to growing drought-resistant plants

New findings from Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) scientists could lead to environmentally-friendly sprays that help plants survive drought and other stresses in harsh environments to combat global food shortages. The ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Sep 28, 2010 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 1

'Miracle tree' may form basis for low-cost water purification

The moringa oleifera tree, often called the "miracle tree" for its potential to provide food, fuel and water in harsh environments, is the target of a new effort by three Penn State engineers to provide clean drinking water ...

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Sep 17, 2010 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (6) | comments 0