Singapore, August 24, 2012 – Using a mixture of gold, copper and platinum nanoparticles, IBN researchers have developed a more powerful and longer lasting fuel cell material. This breakthrough was published recently in leading journal, Energy and Environmental Science. Fuel cells are a promising technology for use as a source of electricity to power electronic devices, vehicles, military aircraft and equipment. A fuel cell converts the chemical energy from hydrogen (fuel) into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen. A fuel cell can produce electricity continuously ...

Humans inherit more than three times as many mutations from their fathers as from their mothers, and mutation rates increase with the father's age but not the mother's, researchers have found in the largest study of human genetic mutations to date. The study, based on the DNA of around 85,000 Icelanders, also calculates the rate of human mutation at high resolution, providing estimates of when human ancestors diverged from nonhuman primates. It is one of two papers published this week by the journal Nature Genetics as well as one published at Nature that shed dramatic ...

LOS ANGELES (Embargoed until 10 a.m. EDT on Aug. 24, 2012) – When aggressive, malignant tumors appear in more than one location in the brain, patient survival tends to be significantly shorter than when the disease starts as a single tumor, even though patients in both groups undergo virtually identical treatments, according to research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute. "We've known that certain independent factors, such as age at diagnosis, amount of residual tumor after surgery, and the patient's functional status are useful ...

DURHAM, N.C. -- A long-standing mystery in biology about the longer lifespans of bigger creatures may be explained by the application of a physical law called the Constructal Law (www.constructal.org). What this law proposes is that anything that flows -- a river, bloodstream or highway network -- will evolve toward the same basic configuration out of a need to be more efficient. And, as it turns out, that same basic law applies to all bodies in motion, be they animals or tanker trucks, says Adrian Bejan, the J.A. Jones Professor of mechanical engineering at Duke and ...

For biology researchers, the complex world of molecular proteins – where tens of thousands of atoms can comprise a single protein – may be getting clearer with the help of a new soft, transparent, and squishy silicone model they can hold in their hands. Its advantage over traditional computer and solid models is that it is mostly transparent and easy to manipulate, which will help researchers more intuitively understand protein structures, positions, and interactions. The models will enable researchers to quickly and collaboratively see, touch, and test ideas about molecular ...

Cancer metastasis, the escape and spread of primary tumor cells, is a common cause of cancer-related deaths. But metastasis remains poorly understood. Studies indicate that when a primary tumor breaks through a blood vessel wall, blood's "stickiness" tears off tumor cells the way a piece of tape tears wrapping paper. Until now, no one knew the physical forces involved in this process, the first step in metastasis. Using a statistical technique employed by animators, scientists created a new computer simulation that reveals how cancer cells enter the bloodstream. The researchers ...

There are many reasons why it is important to be able to identify farm animals, horses and small companion animals. Unique identification marks are essential for ensuring the correctness of breeding programmes, for preventing the spread of disease and for eliminating the possibility of deceit in competitions or when animals are sold. The traditional method of marking larger farm animals relies on branding with hot irons or on ear-tagging but this is deemed inappropriate for use on dogs and cats, which are identified by the implant of a microchip transponder. Until recently, ...

Astrocytes are cells that have many functions in the central nervous system, such as the control of neuronal synapses, blood flow, or the brain's response to neurotrauma or stroke. Reduces brain tissue damage Prof. Pekny's laboratory together with collaborators have earlier demonstrated that astrocytes reduce the brain tissue damage after stroke and that the integration of transplanted neural stem cells can be largely improved by modulating the activity of astrocytes. Generation of new neurons In their current study, the Sahlgrenska Academy researchers show how astrocytes ...

This press release is available in Spanish. Researchers headed by Maria Macias an ICREA researcher at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) and Joan Massagué, a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York, have identified a new molecular mechanism that plays a crucial role in the control of the activation of certain genes associated with cancer. Through detailed structural and biochemical studies, the researchers identified a key domain present in a family of proteins called Smads, whose ...

Physicists from the University of Southampton were among the first researchers to use the new high magnetic-field beamline at Diamond Light Source, the UK's national synchrotron facility, to search for 'hidden magnetic states'. If found, they will provide important confirmation of a theoretical model, which could have important applications in magnetic data storage. Diamond's new I10 Beamline for Advanced Dichroism Experiments (BLADE) beamline, which has 300,000 times the strength of the earth's magnetic field, is providing them with the tools for the search. The beamline ...

A study enjoying Spanish participation has analysed the theatre demand of society according to the socioeconomic status of the different types of the viewing public. The results were that the theatre is not just enjoyed by the intellectual classes. While they do prefer drama, the working class opts for comedy and the wealthier are swayed by reviews. Theatre arts are loss-making services that require subsidies to stay afloat. This type of practice has frequently come under fire as it is thought that theatre is consumed mainly by society's economic elite. A study published ...

NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite, known as TRMM has been monitoring the rainfall rates within Tropical Storm Isaac as the storm entered the eastern Caribbean Sea. After becoming a tropical storm in the central Atlantic on August 21, Isaac continued tracking westward and entered the eastern Caribbean early on the evening of Aug. 22 with the ill-defined center passing just south of Guadeloupe in the Leeward Islands. Since becoming a tropical storm, Isaac has shown little change in intensity, but the National Hurricane Center expects that to change ...

NASA's Aqua satellite captured an image of Tropical Storm Tembin after it made a quick track across southern Taiwan and re-emerged over the open waters of the Philippine Sea. On Aug. 24 at 05:15 UTC (12:15 a.m. EDT), NASA's Aqua satellite flew over Tropical Storm Tembin and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument captured a visible image of the storm after it had crossed southern Taiwan and re-emerged into the waters of the Philippine Sea. After Tembin interacted with the land, the storm's eye was no longer visible. The storm has also become ...

Yards with plants that mimic native vegetation offer birds "mini-refuges" and help to offset losses of biodiversity in cities, according to results of a study published today in the journal PLOS ONE. "Native" yards support birds better than those with traditional grass lawns and non-native plantings. Researchers conducted the study through the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Central Arizona-Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) site, one of 26 such sites around the globe in ecosystems from coral reefs to deserts, from forests to grasslands. "To a desert ...

VIDEO: Dr. Carmen Dybwad speaks to the media about the release of IPAC-CO2 Research Inc.'s 2012 national survey on Public Awareness and Acceptance of CCS in Canada, which found that only... Click here for more information. Regina, August 15, 2012 – Only two per cent of Canadians believe climate change is not occurring, a new important survey released today by IPAC-CO2 Research Inc. concluded. The survey comes on the heels of Alberta Premier Alison Redford's recent push for ...

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The same type of microwave oven technology that most people use to heat up leftover food has found an important application in the solar energy industry, providing a new way to make thin-film photovoltaic products with less energy, expense and environmental concerns. Engineers at Oregon State University have for the first time developed a way to use microwave heating in the synthesis of copper zinc tin sulfide, a promising solar cell compound that is less costly and toxic than some solar energy alternatives. The findings were published in Physica Status ...

VIDEO: Bin He, a biomedical engineering professor in the University of Minnesota’s College of Science and Engineering and senior author of the study, discusses his research on a new type of... Click here for more information. A team of University of Minnesota biomedical engineers and researchers from Mayo Clinic published a groundbreaking study today that outlines how a new type of non-invasive brain scan taken immediately after a seizure gives additional insight into possible ...

Dr. Peter Morrell, skin doctor in Beaumont, has received training to successfully perform Mohs Micrographic surgery to treat skin cancer. Mohs Micrographic Surgery offers the highest cure rate among treatments for skin cancer. "I'm glad to be able to offer Mohs Micrographic Surgery at our practice. I believe it is the most effective way to treat skin cancer and offers many advantages over other treatment methods. I look forward to continuing to treat my patients with this technique," said Dr. Morrell, dermatologist in Beaumont. Mohs surgery involves Dr. ...

Dr. Thomas Johnson, dentist in Orland Park, is excited to be featuring a new patient page as a part of his practice's comprehensive dental website. The page is offered to make it easy for new patients to learn about and find Dr. Johnson's practice. "I'm happy that we are able to offer new patient services on our website. I believe that we offer a great level of service at our practice and that any new patients will be more than satisfied with their experience here. I'm looking forward to treating any patients that decide to come in and visit us for the first time," ...

Dr. Michael Grasso, dentist in Chesterfield, is excited to be offering online new patient resources on his practice's comprehensive dental website. He hopes these services make it simple and easy for patients to learn about and locate his practice. "I'm glad that our practice is able to provide services to new patients on our website. I strongly believe that we offer tremendous service at our practice and any new patients will be more than satisfied with their experience with us. I look forward to treating any patients that decide to come in and visit us for the ...

As people age, they sometimes seek improvements in their smiles-especially straighter teeth. To help patients achieve a straighter smile without the added bulk of traditional braces, Dr. Ali Etessam, dentist in Naples, FL, is excited to offer his patients Invisalign at Naples Dental Art Center. "I want my patients to feel good about their smile, and straightening their teeth may be an appropriate solution. However, most people don't seek treatment as they get older because they don't want to wear traditional braces," said Dr. Ali Etessam, dentist in Naples. ...

Dr. Kathleen Colorado, Tampa dermatologist, strives to provide her patients with resources that offer valuable educational tools to better understand their skin. To improve educational resources, Dr. Colorado is excited to announce the launch of La Vida Bella Medspa Gallery's interactive website. The website for her Tampa dermatology office was designed to incorporate all of the elements of her tranquil office into a website that is available around the clock. La Vida Bella Medspa Gallery's website is available for patients to actively search anytime they have a question ...

Dr. Brian Toorani is dedicated to bringing his patients the best in dental health care possible. To expand on his technologically advanced office, Dr. Toorani is proud to announce Dental Oasis of Orange County is now offering CEREC in Huntington Beach. With CEREC technology, Dr. Toorani has the ability to offer his patients same-day treatment for restoring severely damaged teeth. New advancements in dental technology in the last decade have changed the way in which dentists can administer efficient and pain free dental care. Through CEREC technology, Dr. Toorani, Huntington ...

To increase patients' treatment options, Drs. Karen Lawitts and Nancy Yeates, Syracuse dentists, are happy to offer improved dental technology in their state-of-the art dental office. By offering digital imaging and implant restoration, Drs. Lawitts and Yeates are able to significant improve their patients' treatment options. With digital imaging, Drs. Lawitts and Yeates, dentists in Syracuse, NY, maintain the ability to process the image even after treatment is completed. Post-processing of the digital image allows them to manipulate the pixel shades to correct image ...

At The Martin Dental Center for Oral Health and Aesthetics, Dr. Wyman Martin, Roswell dentist, is committed to providing his patients with a new avenue for increasing their understanding of important dental health care topics-an online blog. Available through the practice's website, patients can view the online blog at any time of the day. Patients can visit the online blog by visiting http://www.themartindentalcenter.com/blog.html. Updated regularly, Dr. Martin utilized the blog to provide patients with easy access to a wealth of important dental topics, including ...