In today's virtual world, it's easy to downplay the significance of place. Yet when it comes to regional prosperity, geography matters. Income and job growth is not random but rather spill over from one region to another, meaning that merely being next to a prosperous region will make your own economy more vibrant. This may sound like a no-brainer, but until recently it's been hard to prove from a statistical perspective. Yet by using new models that factor in location and blending microeconomic ideas with macro ones, researchers at the Edward Lowe Foundation's Institute ...

Frustration led to revelation when Rice University scientists determined how graphene might be made useful for high-capacity batteries. Calculations by the Rice lab of theoretical physicist Boris Yakobson found a graphene/boron anode should be able to hold a lot of lithium and perform at a proper voltage for use in lithium-ion batteries. The discovery appears in the American Chemical Society's Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. The possibilities offered by graphene get clearer by the day as labs around the world grow and test the one-atom-thick form of carbon. Because ...

A new tool being developed by UT Arlington assistant professor of physics could help scientists map and track the interactions between neurons inside different areas of the brain. The journal Optics Letters recently published a paper by Samarendra Mohanty on the development of a fiber-optic, two-photon, optogenetic stimulator and its use on human cells in a laboratory. The tiny tool builds on Mohanty's previous discovery that near-infrared light can be used to stimulate a light-sensitive protein introduced into living cells and neurons in the brain. This new method could ...

City College of New York Assistant Professor of Physics Cory Dean, who recently arrived from Columbia University where he was a post-doctoral researcher, and research teams from Columbia and three other institutions have definitively proven the existence of an effect known as Hofstadter's Butterfly. The phenomenon, a complex pattern of the energy states of electrons that resembles a butterfly, has appeared in physics textbooks as a theoretical concept of quantum mechanics for nearly 40 years. However, it had never been directly observed until now. Confirming its existence ...

RENO, Nev. – A new window into the nature of the universe may be possible with a device proposed by scientists at the University of Nevada, Reno and Stanford University that would detect elusive gravity waves from the other end of the cosmos. Their paper describing the device and process was published in the prestigious physics journal Physical Review Letters. "Gravitational waves represent one of the missing pieces of Einstein's theory of general relativity," Andrew Geraci, University of Nevada, Reno physics assistant professor, said. "While there is a global effort ...

A new study of glaciers worldwide using observations from two NASA satellites has helped resolve differences in estimates of how fast glaciers are disappearing and contributing to sea level rise. The new research found glaciers outside of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, repositories of 1 percent of all land ice, lost an average of 571 trillion pounds (259 trillion kilograms) of mass every year during the six-year study period, making the oceans rise 0.03 inches (0.7 mm) per year. This is equal to about 30 percent of the total observed global sea level rise during ...

The distortion of the ancient shoreline and flooding surface of the U.S. Atlantic Coastal Plain are the direct result of fluctuations in topography in the region and could have implications on understanding long-term climate change, according to a new study. Sedimentary rocks from Virginia through Florida show marine flooding during the mid-Pliocene Epoch, which correlates to approximately 4 million years ago. Several wave-cut scarps, (rock exposures) which originally would have been horizontal, are now draped over a warped surface with up to 60 meters variation. Nathan ...

CAMBRIDGE, MA -- Graphene has dazzled scientists, ever since its discovery more than a decade ago, with its unequalled electronic properties, its strength and its light weight. But one long-sought goal has proved elusive: how to engineer into graphene a property called a band gap, which would be necessary to use the material to make transistors and other electronic devices. Now, new findings by researchers at MIT are a major step toward making graphene with this coveted property. The work could also lead to revisions in some theoretical predictions in graphene physics. The ...

NASA's TRMM satellite identified areas of heavy rainfall as Cyclone Mahasen made landfall today, May 16, in southern Bangladesh. NASA's Aqua satellite also captured an image of the storm and showed the extent of Cyclone Mahasen's clouds over three countries. When NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite passed over Cyclone Mahasen on May 16 at 0406 UTC (12:04 a.m. EDT), the TRMM Microwave imager showed the heaviest rainfall was occurring in a band of thunderstorms north of the center of circulation. That band of thunderstorms was already over southern ...

NASA's Aqua satellite and NOAA's GOES-15 satellite captured imagery of the Eastern Pacific Ocean's first named tropical storm, Alvin. Aqua and GOES-15 provided imagery of Alvin that provided a look at the overall storm and the temperatures of its cloud tops. NASA's Aqua satellite flew over Tropical Storm Alvin just as it reached tropical storm status on May 15 at 2047 UTC (4:47 p.m. EDT). The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument that flies aboard Aqua captured an infrared image of the storm that showed bands of thunderstorms on the tropical storm's western side ...

Earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters often showcase the worst in human suffering – especially when those disasters strike populations who live in rapidly growing communities in the developing world with poorly enforced or non-existent building codes. This week in Cancun, a researcher from Yale-National University of Singapore (NUS) College in Singapore is presenting a comparison between large-scale earthquakes and tsunamis in different parts of the world, illustrating how nearly identical natural disasters can play out very differently depending on where ...

Cincinnati, OH, May 17, 2013 -- Levels of physical inactivity and obesity are very high in children, with fewer than 50% of primary school-aged boys and fewer than 28% of girls meeting the minimum levels of physical activity required to maintain health. Exergaming, using active console video games that track player movement to control the game (e.g., Xbox-Kinect, Wii), has become popular, and may provide an alternative form of exercise to counteract sedentary behaviors. In a study scheduled for publication in The Journal of Pediatrics, researchers studied the effects ...

Researchers from Moffitt Cancer Center and the University of South Florida have evaluated how Florida health care and social service agencies distribute "Libres para Siempre" ("Forever Free®"), a Spanish smoking relapse prevention booklet series. Their analysis found that 10 agencies distributed the booklets actively and passively, but those methods may not have helped the material reach its intended audience, Spanish-speaking smokers who have quit but are at risk for relapse. Their study appeared in a March issue of the Journal of Cancer Education. "Previous research ...

Immigration and children: An exploration of paths to citizenship Article provided by Vickerstaff Law Office, PSC Visit us at http://www.vickerstafflaw.com President Barack Obama has stated that immigration reform is a top priority during his second term in office. One piece of legislation that may be under consideration is the DREAM Act. This law caters specifically to youth who have lived in the United States for most of their lives, but entered as illegal immigrants. If this law passes, it would allow a pathway to conditional citizenship for these young immigrants. Illegal ...

Missouri traffic deaths up in 2012, mirroring nationwide trend Article provided by Weber Law Firm, L.C. Visit us at http://www.stcharlescaraccidentattorney.com/ Traffic safety and law enforcement officials in Missouri have long been focused on keeping the state's roads safe for motorists and pedestrians alike. Unfortunately, their efforts have not been as productive as some might hope. According to data from the Missouri Highway Patrol, there were 818 traffic accident fatalities on Missouri roadways. This is a significant increase from the 786 traffic accident ...

Three Nevada residents indicted for mortgage-lending fraud Article provided by Sprenz & Associates, P.C. Visit us at http://www.sprenzlaw.com Among today's crimes, mortgage and foreclosure rescue scams continue to be a common threat to those suffering in the current economy. This is because people will do almost anything to keep their homes. As Americans continue to struggle financially, they often become vulnerable to fraudulent ploys. Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto reports that three Nevada residents have recently been indicted by a grand ...

Faulty products in the home can cause personal injury Article provided by The Ritchie Law Firm Visit us at http://www.ritchieautoinjurylaw.com One's home is a place where they typically feel the safest. This, however, may not be the case if the home contains a faulty or dangerous product. Faulty products may result in injury and can make an individual's home a hazardous place. These products may range from a toy that is too small resulting in a child's choking to a toaster oven that has an electrical short and starts on fire. It is essential for the consumer ...

More people buying homes again after bankruptcy or foreclosure Article provided by Liviakis Law Firm Visit us at http://www.liviakislaw.com/ When people consider bankruptcy as a possible solution for overwhelming debt, many fear how it could affect their future credit rating -- specifically with regard to their ability to qualify for a mortgage. With careful planning and dedication, however, many people are able to re-enter the housing market within just a few years after a prior bankruptcy or foreclosure. Although precise data about the trend are not available, ...

Drowsy driving dangers overlooked, study finds Article provided by Johnston, Moore & Thompson Visit us at http://www.alabamajusticecenter.com In recent years, the media and lawmakers have been putting a lot of focus on distracted driving. While it is indisputable that texting while driving is a safety threat, a new study indicates that there is a separate danger that is a commonly overlooked factor in car accidents--driving while fatigued. The study, carried out by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, was groundbreaking because it was "naturalistic," ...

Motor vehicle crashes remain top cause of death for teenagers in U.S. Article provided by Libbey Law Offices, LLC Visit us at http://www.libbeylaw.com The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), recently reported that motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States. The CDC states that teens between the ages of 16 and 19 are three times more likely to die in a fatal car crash than those aged over 20. Within this group, males, teens driving with teen passengers and those who recently received their licenses were at the highest ...

Warrantless alcohol blood tests unconstitutional, Supreme Court finds Article provided by Luke Scardigno, Attorney at Law Visit us at http://www.lukescardigno.com/ The United States Supreme Court recently issued an opinion in a case, Missouri v. McNeely, which will affect the rights of those accused of drunk driving. The issue that was decided in the case was whether law enforcement officers need a warrant before compelling those suspected of driving while intoxicated to submit to a blood alcohol test. Background of case The case arose when a man was pulled ...

Debt settlement an option for those with financial problems? Article provided by Bankruptcy Law Center of Thomas R. Burns Visit us at http://www.tburnslaw.com/ Many financial planners recommend that individuals and families set aside some funds to deal with unexpected expenses. This can help avoid financial difficulties when having to pay medical bills, vehicle repairs and other costly bills. However, even those with the best intentions can experience problems when there is a downturn in the economy. The recent downtown resulted in many people losing their jobs ...

Marijuana offenses in Baltimore see a range of penalties Article provided by Greenberg Law Office Visit us at http://www.greenberglawyers.com Many states have been struggling with the financial resources that are available. The jails in these locations are often very crowded, with little room for those who are newly convicted of violent offenses. This has left many legislatures considering how to ensure that the spaces in their prisons are being saved for the most dangerous offenders. Attitudes toward marijuana offenses have been changing across the country. ...

Utah immigration laws on hold Article provided by Wasatch Legal, PLLC Visit us at http://www.wasatchlegal.com In 2011 the Utah state legislature attempted to take action to resolve its own immigration issues. At least two of the immigration-related measures that the legislature passed have yet to be implemented. The enforcement law In mid-February 2013 a federal judge heard arguments concerning the Utah law known as HB497. This law requires law enforcement officers to check on the immigration statusof anyone who is arrested for a felony or class A misdemeanor. ...

The KPI Institute, the global authority on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) research and education announces the launch of a new report in its 2011-2012 edition of its popular Top 25 series of reports. The series is based on research conducted through http://www.smartKPIs.com, which contains over 20,000 Key Performance Indicator examples, making it the world's largest source of thoroughly documented KPIs. Quality management is focused on both quality assurance and control of processes to assure, not only qualitative products, but also the methods to achieve it. KPIs ...