RICHLAND, Wash. -- To make fuel cells more economical, engineers want a fast and efficient iron-based molecule that splits hydrogen gas to make electricity. Online Feb. 17 at Nature Chemistry, researchers report such a catalyst. It is the first iron-based catalyst that converts hydrogen directly to electricity. The result moves chemists and engineers one step closer to widely affordable fuel cells. "A drawback with today's fuel cells is that the platinum they use is more than a thousand times more expensive than iron," said chemist R. Morris Bullock, who leads the research ...

The UK's national synchrotron facility, Diamond Light Source, is now the first and only place in Europe where pathogens requiring Containment Level 3 – including serious viruses such as those responsible for AIDS, Hepatitis and some types of flu – can be analysed at atomic and molecular level using synchrotron light. This special light allows scientists to study virus structures at intense levels of detail and this new facility extends that capability to many viruses that have a major global impact on human and animal health. Studying pathogens in this way has the potential ...

Until now, however, it was practically impossible to accurately predict which molecules performed well on the job. They basically had to be identified by trial-and-error. Now, an international team of scientists around Dr. Georg Heimel and Prof. Norbert Koch from the HZB and the Humboldt University Berlin has unraveled the mystery of what these molecules have in common. Their discovery enables more focused improvements to contact layers between metal electrodes and active materials in organic electronic devices. "We have been working on this question for a number of ...

Long segments of RNA— encoded in our DNA but not translated into protein—are key to physically manipulating DNA in order to activate certain genes, say researchers at The Wistar Institute. These non-coding RNA-activators (ncRNA-a) have a crucial role in turning genes on and off during early embryonic development, researchers say, and have also been connected with diseases, including some cancers, in adults. In an online article of the journal Nature, a team of scientists led by Wistar's Ramin Shiekhattar, Ph.D., detail the mechanism by which long non-coding RNA-activators ...

UPTON, NY - Over the last quarter century, scientists have discovered a handful of materials that can be converted from magnetic insulators or metals into "superconductors" able to carry electrical current with no energy loss-an enormously promising idea for new types of zero-resistance electronics and energy-storage and transmission systems. At present, a key step to achieving superconductivity (in addition to keeping the materials very cold) is to substitute a different kind of atom into some positions of the "parent" material's crystal framework. Until now, scientists ...

The circadian clocks that control and influence dozens of basic biological processes have an unexpected "snooze button" that helps cells adapt to changes in their environment. A study by Vanderbilt University researchers published online Feb. 17 by the journal Nature provides compelling new evidence that at least some species can alter the way that their biological clocks function by using different "synonyms" that exist in the genetic code. "This provides organisms with a novel and previously unappreciated mechanism for responding to changes in their environment," said ...

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. -- While most farmers consider viruses and fungi potential threats to their crops, these microbes can help wild plants adapt to extreme conditions, according to a Penn State virologist. Discovering how microbes collaborate to improve the hardiness of plants is a key to sustainable agriculture that can help meet increasing food demands, in addition to avoiding possible conflicts over scare resources, said Marilyn Roossinck, professor of plant pathology and environmental microbiology, and biology. "It's a security issue," Roossinck said. "The amount ...

DNA preserved in calcified bacteria on the teeth of ancient human skeletons has shed light on the health consequences of the evolving diet and behaviour from the Stone Age to the modern day. The ancient genetic record reveals the negative changes in oral bacteria brought about by the dietary shifts as humans became farmers, and later with the introduction of food manufacturing in the Industrial Revolution. An international team, led by the University of Adelaide's Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD) where the research was performed, has published the results in Nature Genetics ...

For most people, the sea is a deep, dark mystery. That is changing, though, as scientists find innovative ways to track the movements of ocean-going creatures. Stanford marine sciences professor and Stanford Woods Institute Senior Fellow Barbara Block is using technology to enable live feeds of animal movements relayed by a series of "ocean WiFi hotspots." This could help protect marine ecosystems by revolutionizing how we understand their function, population structure, fisheries management and species' physiological and evolutionary constraints. Block will explain ...

Children and adolescents who watch a lot of television are more likely to manifest antisocial and criminal behaviour when they become adults, according to a new University of Otago, New Zealand, study published online in the US journal Pediatrics. The study followed a group of around 1000 children born in the New Zealand city of Dunedin in 1972-73. Every two years between the ages of 5 and 15, they were asked how much television they watched. Those who watched more television were more likely to have a criminal conviction and were also more likely to have antisocial ...

A Melbourne-based research team has discovered a genetic defect that can halt cell growth and force cells into a death-evading survival state. The finding has revealed an important mechanism controlling the growth of rapidly-dividing cells that may ultimately lead to the development of new treatments for diseases including cancer. The discovery was made by Associate Professor Joan Heath, Dr Yeliz Boglev and colleagues at the Melbourne-Parkville Branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. Dr Kate Hannan, Associate Professor Rick Pearson and Associate Professor ...

Douglas A. Melton will give a keynote presentation on "How To Make Pancreatic Beta Cells" at the Stem Cell Summit 2013 (Apr 29-30, 2013 in Boston MA). Dr. Melton's presentation will focus on the research of making human pancreatic beta cells to study and treat diabetes. This goal is pursued with two main approaches: directing the differentiation of stem cells into beta cells and studying the signals that replicate pre-existing beta cells. The signals that direct stem and progenitor cells toward a mature beta cell phenotype will be described as well as work ...

Achieving the highest customer satisfaction rating of 5 stars, Abbey Design Center has won the prestigious CMUS Talk of the Town Customer Satisfaction Award in the Home Improvement & Remodeling category. The Talk of the Town Awards, presented by Talk of the Town News, Customer Care News magazine and Celebration Media U.S. (CMUS), honor companies and professionals that provide excellent customer service as reported by their customers through no-cost, user-review websites, blogs, social networks, business rating services, and other honors and accolades. This data ...

Nashville Roofing Master, a Tennessee based roofing contractor, has announced the creation of a new website. The new site, Roofing-Nashville.net, is designed to provide consumer advice for homeowners and residents of the Nashville metro area and the surrounding region. The site features articles on various topics which will be of interest to people who need a new roof or repairs to their current roof. Prior to launching the new site, Roofing Master had a site which was more focused on marketing the strengths of the company, but which didn't have any content featuring ...

The League of Women Voters of Bergen County will hold its annual commemoration of Women's History Month and observe the League's 93rd birthday with a special celebration on Sunday, March 3, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Park Ridge Community Center, 53 Park Avenue, Park Ridge, New Jersey. The entrance to the library on the lower level should be used. The celebration is free and open to the public. The audience is invited to participate in the program and to select and discuss briefly a woman in current or past United States history, whom they admire. At previous celebrations, contenders ...

Rayven Choi Films announced the launch of their comical short film, The Takeover, that made its online world premiere debut just in time for Valentine's Day, at http://www.thetakeoverfilm.com The Takeover is the story of best friends Ashley, a Caucasian fashion designer, and Tisha, an African American comic book artist, who debate the difficulty of dating; each arguing that the other has it easier. After help from a friend and his potent espresso, the ladies trade places and experience the dating scene in each others shoe's for 24 hours. This hilarious short film presents ...

Patagonia CEO and conscious leader Casey Sheahan will be speaking as part of a panel at a Conscious Leadership Connection (CLC) launch event on February 19, 2013 at the Westlake Village Inn, according to CLC Founder Mark Lefko. "Casey is a great example of a conscious leader, and we're very excited to have him join us at this, the Conscious Leadership Connection's first public event," said Lefko. "Patagonia is a leader in conscious business practices that addresses not only business profits but the needs of people and of the planet as well." In ...

The use of prescription sleeping drugs, such as Ambien, Lunesta and Sonata, has been steadily increasing. Global sales for all sleeping pills, called hypnotics, will top $5 billion in the next several years. Most sleeping pills, especially when taken over long periods of time, have considerable side effects, stay in the bloodstream, and give a hangover effect the next day and beyond. They can become addictive, impair memory, reduce performance on the job and at home, and contribute to machine and car accidents. Adelle Davis is one of the earliest nutritionists to base ...

Rural communities across the nation have witnessed economic benefits from Golden Shovel's innovative website creation, development and management; however, an alternative approach exists for budget-conscious communities that want to remain highly visible. These regions opt to rely solely upon Golden Shovel's Gatekeeper Social Management Service, which highlights regional attributes through continually updated and strategically planned social media content. Each month Golden Shovel works with communities to perform analyses of regional attributes, strategize best practices ...

By invitation only, Uniquely Designed Jewelry, by Renee Howard, debut at Plitzs Fashion Week, New York City, Feb. 7, 8, & 9th, 2013, at the W-Hotel, in Manhattan. Local Jewelry Designer's Debut in New York, Plitzs Fashion Week, 2013 Sarepta, LA, February 15, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Renee's "Uniquely Designed Jewelry" caught the eyes of all, opening many new doors with the opportunity to be showcased on display for several fashion designers. Robert Powell, Designer of Wolfen Wear, Houston , Tx., (www.wolfonwear.com), has confirmed his invitation to have Uniquely ...

A man born into slavery changed the world with the peanut. PEANUT MAN, the award winning documentary short film, is being released this month on DVD to celebrate Black History Month. A 3 minute short documentary film about the life of innovative scientist and inventor George Washington Carver, PEANUT MAN tells the story of a simple man who was born into slavery and became a scientist, teacher, inventor and innovator to the world with what was considered the lowliest of plants. "Carver was a man in history who showed that anyone can accomplish anything", ...

Solidoodle, the most affordable 3D printer on the market according to ABC, will hold its first official press conference on Thursday, February 28th at 10:00 am. The press conference will be held at Ensemble, located at 1150 Avenue of the Americas, 6th floor. Over 100 members of the media will be present to hear about the industry-shaking steps Solidoodle is taking to assert itself as the world leader in affordable desktop 3D printing. Solidoodle will announce several key partnerships as well as discuss the company's efforts to impact the defense, art, education, design, ...

Shelley Hitz and Heather Hart from Self-Publishing-Coach.com have just released a new book on marketing. Differing from some of the other books available on book marketing, this book has 14 different contributors that each write about a different area of book marketing. Early reviewers on Amazon have labeled the book "A helpful primer" and "A Compendium of Book Marketing Ideas." Self-Publishing-Coach.com is just one of the many sites with information about book marketing that you can find online, and this new book, "Indie Author Book Marketing ...

Join Deborah on Wednesday February 20 for a booksigning at Waverly's Library, 125 Bank Street, from 5:30-7:30pm as she launches this powerful book in her hometown with stories on leadership and family. She has learned a lot from the "old soldiers" in her life, those who've found a way to keep going, in spite of, mainly her family. Growing up in her rural hometown, as the oldest child of a determined single mother in the home of wise grandparents, she was always watching and learning from them. In addition to their presence, she also anxiously awaited visits ...

The WWJ 950 News Radio of "Technology Report" by Matt Roush quotes "Prabhu Patil's expertise in product-lifecycle management allows him to advise Fortune 500 companies in the automotive, aerospace, and technology industries and has given him significant experience in mergers and acquisitions. With three-year business revenue growth of more than 1,300 percent, PROLIM placed No. 278 on the 2012 Inc. 500 list. Under Patil's leadership, PROLIM recently acquired Able Design Engineering Services (P) Ltd. of India and announced a strategic partnership with Germany-based ...