From: Gina Miller (nanogirl@halcyon.com)
Date: Wed Dec 01 1999 - 02:13:34 MST
~Nanogirl News~
Started on Nov. 30, but somewhere midway this page, turned into Dec. 30
1999.
*Technology feature : Focus on carbon nanotubes. They are the ultimate in
electronic miniaturization: tube-shaped molecules of carbon, each scarcely
wider than a filament of DNA, able to conduct electricity and to be bent,
cut and moulded into circuit wiring or even into new electronic devices.
They are called carbon nanotubes. Philip Ball takes an in-depth look at
their past, present and future. (Nature Friday 26 November 1999)
http://helix.nature.com/nsu/991202/991202-1.html
*Assembling Molecules an Atom at a Time. Wilson Ho, Cornell professor of
physics, and graduate research assistant Hyojune Lee used a specially
designed scanning tunneling microscope (STM) to pick up single molecules of
carbon monoxide and graft them onto an iron atom to form molecules of iron
carbonyl. By obtaining the new assembly's "vibrational spectrum" -- a
measure of the energy in the bonds between atoms -- they verified that a
chemical bond had truly been formed to produce a new molecule. (Cornell News
Nov. 25, 99)
http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Nov99/molecules.ws.html
*Controlling magnetic ordering in coupled nanomagnet arrays (Condensed
matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic and optical properties)
New Journal of Physics Nov 10, 99,. PDF paper, must download.
http://www.iop.org/EJ/art/S/Unreg/nj1999001010316/nj9116.pdf
Or see the html absctract:
http://www.iop.org/EJ/art/S/Unreg/nj1999001010316/nj9116.html
*Not Feeling Well? The Microchip Will See You Now. Biotech: Pasadena firm
has created cheap plastic sensors that detect genes, helping doctors
diagnose illnesses and target drugs. (L.A. Times November 29, 1999)
http://www.latimes.com/business/19991129/t000108785.html
*MICROFLUIDICS CAN BE DRIVEN BY HEAT rather than by electric fields.
Microfluidics is to the mixing of fluids (including studies of blood, DNA,
etc.) what integrated circuits are to the processing of electrical signals:
transactions occur quickly, controllably, in a very small space. (AIP
physics news update Nov. 99) Abstract with two links.
http://www.aip.org/enews/physnews/1999/split/pnu458-2.htm
*Honey, They Shrunk the Processor. Film buffs may vaguely recall "Fantastic
Voyage," a 1966 sci-fi B movie involving a team of intrepid doctors who were
magically miniaturized and injected into the bloodstream of a critically ill
diplomat to conduct lifesaving microsurgery...blah blah blah, until
discusses molecular-scale processors and molecular computers and throw away
computing. (LA Times Nov 29, 99)
http://www.latimes.com/business/19991129/t000108794.html
*Theory Promotes Different Types of Intelligence. Albert Einstein was one of
the greatest thinkers the world has ever known. An extraordinary polymath
who left few branches of physics untouched, he formulated theories of
relativity, successfully described the nature of the universe and came up
with the most famous equation in the world. David Beckham is the footballer
whose skill and precision have made him one of the most gifted sportsmen of
his generation. His looks and Spice Girl wife add to the allure, but it is
his pure talent that makes him a firm favourite as European Footballer of
the Year, to be decided next month. Who is the more intelligent? (Fox Nov
28,99)
http://foxnews.com/js_index.sml?content=/scitech/112899/times_einstein.sml
*Using Neural Networks. These programs can be taught to think like chemists
about some kinds of problems.Inspired by theories of the brain in the 1940s,
programmers devised neural networks, mathematical models that rely on
varying the strength of connections between internal processing elements to
interpret data. Knowing how to build a neural network is one thing, but
knowing how to leverage it into a useful application is something much more
important. (Todays Chemist at work Nov 99)
http://pubs.acs.org/hotartcl/tcaw/99/nov/simon.html
*Materials World - December 1999 issue. 3D Sound Systems Using
Groundbreaking Piezoelectric Springs; Stirring Stuff From Friction Welding;
A Helping Hand For Materials Testing; Hard-Wearing Iron-Base Alloy Is Soft
On The Pocket; Looking Into The Sole - Testing Shoe Materials; Shaping The
Body From Memory.
http://www.eurekalert.org/releases/ioma-d1i113099.html
*Deinococcus radiodurans, is the most radiation-resistant creature known,
able to survive a dose 3,000 times the amount of radiation that would kill a
human (1956). Now, scientists report in the Nov. 19 issue of Science that
they have deciphered the organism's complete genetic code, an advance they
hope will lead to insights into how it manages to repair so efficiently the
damage caused by radiation. (Columbus Dispatch Nov 28, 99)
http://www.dispatch.com/pan/localarchive/dbrf28nws.html
*Scientists fear review will lead to cuts. The aim of the review is to
prevent duplication of research and increasing the Government's
co-ordination of science, as well as communication between agencies. She
said the review had arisen from the Government's biodiversity strategy
(Sydney Morning Herald 29/11/99)
http://www.smh.com.au/news/9911/29/text/national7.html
*What If Cold Fusion Is Real? It was the most notorious scientific
experiment in recent memory - in 1989, the two men who claimed to have
discovered the energy of the future were condemned as imposters and exiled
by their peers. Can it possibly make sense to reopen the cold fusion
investigation? A surprising number of researchers already have. (Wired Nov)
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/6.11/coldfusion.html
*SCIENCE Notebook. Snip= Although researchers study mice to learn more about
people, it turns out that humans are more closely related to chickens than
to the rodents, in at least one way. (Washington post Nov. 29,99)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1999-11/29/080l-112999-idx.html
*New Perspectives: Multimedia in Analytical Chemistry. This is an article
about computer generated 3D sctructure models with some good links to the
software needed for those interested in interactive animation or or how to
enhance results of an experiment. (Analytical Chemistry News & Features Nov
99)
http://pubs.acs.org/hotartcl/ac/99/nov/webworks.html
*Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: Catching Up With Star Fleet Medical. "To
boldly go where no NMR has gone before.." To any aficionado of Star Trek:
The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, or Voyager, the medical lab is a
familiar place. (TCAW last month)
http://pubs.acs.org/hotartcl/tcaw/99/oct/magnetic.html
*Einstein the greatest. Albert Einstein has been voted the greatest
physicist of all time in an end of the millennium poll, pushing Sir Isaac
Newton into second place. The survey was conducted among 100 of today's
leading physicists. (BBC Nov 29, 99)
See the entire 10 spot list.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_541000/541840.stm
*Emerging from Hawking's shadow. In a new book, Jane Hawking who was
Stephen Hawking's wife for 30 years spills the beans on her life with him.
(Physics web Nov 99) Book review.
http://www.physicsweb.org/article/reviews/12/11/1
*That cute little animated Comet Cursor, that some websites try to send you
when you visit their site, is actually doing more than impressing the kids.
It's also tracking your activity on over 60,000 websites using a unique
serial number -- and all without asking. (Yahoo Nov.30,99)
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/19991130/tc/internet_privacy_3.html
*Fastest PC chip unveiled. Computer chip maker AMD unveiled on Monday a new
Athlon microprocessor that runs at a faster speed than Intel's latest
Pentium III chip. (BBC Nov 30, 99) Sory includes company link.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_541000/541510.stm
*CNN has a In Depth Special called The Next Millennium: Now What? What do
the next 1,000 years hold for humanity? 14 experts from fields as diverse as
language and sports sketch a view of the world to come. (I did spot an AI
section=will robots be building the future)
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/1999/future/flash.html
*Baby Elephant Born By Artificial Insemination. An Asian elephant has given
birth through artificial insemination, an important milestone for an
endangered species. Mother and son are doing fine. (Discovery Nov 30, 99)
http://www.discovery.com/news/briefs/brief2.html?ct={{HEX}}
*Six New Planets Orbit Stars, Five In Livable Zone. The world's most
prolific team of planet hunters has found six new planets orbiting nearby
stars, bringing the total number of planets astronomers have detected
outside the solar system to 28. The researchers also found evidence
suggesting that two previously discovered planets have additional
companions, said Steven Vogt, professor of astronomy and
astrophysics at the University of California, Santa Cruz. (IniSci Nov 30 99)
http://unisci.com/stories/19994/1130991.htm
*Forum on Genetically-Modified Foods. The Food and Drug Administration holds
a public hearing in Washington today to discuss the practice of using
genetics to alter crops. Experts say the technology -- already used with
corn, soybeans and many other foods -- is just as safe as accepted
plant-breeding methods. But following protests in Britain, some Americans
are raising questions about genetically-modified foods. In genetic
engineering, DNA from bacteria and other organisms is injected into food
crops to make them more resistant to pests or to give them other useful
properties. Hear the audio on NPR. (Nov 30,99)
http://www.npr.org/news/healthsci/
*Sun poses new Y2K concerns. Scientists with the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration say that with the sun now moving toward solar
maximum, power outages, computer problems, and communication failures are
likely to increase during 2000 and 2001.-animation- (USA Today Nov99)
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wsolarmax.htm
*Plasma as an atenna. Soldiers can radio without detection, thanks to
excited gas. You're in deep in enemy territory and need to radio your base
to call in an air strike--but the long-range radio antenna you erect gives
away your position to enemy radar, and you're sunk. Help may soon be at
hand, however, in the shape of a new antenna that can be made invisible to
radar in a fraction of a second. (New Scientist Nov.27,99)
http://www.newscientist.co.uk/ns/19991127/newsstory7.html
*This ones for Ed the dentist: Research finds genetic link to some types of
gum disease."snip"-"We're were suggesting there is a genetic component in
the
normal population for periodontal disease," said Glenn Nuckolls of the
craniofacial development section of the National Institutes of Health, who
was not involved in the study. "If you have this mutation, but you do a
really good job of dental hygiene, you might push the onset of the disease
to later in life."
http://www.nandotimes.com/noframes/story/0,2107,500063299-500104688-50046486
4-0,00.html
*Mars Mission Is Prelude to Manned Exploration. When the Mars Polar Lander
touches down on the south pole of the Red Planet on Friday, the experiments
it will carry out will be paving the way for an eventual manned exploration
of the planet. (Fox Nov30,99)
http://www.foxnews.com/js_index.sml?content=/scitech/113099/mars.sml
*Pondering Next Rung on the Evolutionary Ladder. (essay) f evolution is
still unfolding, and most scientists believe it is, just how complex an
organism could the evolutionary process create, before hitting some
fundamental limit? (New York Nov 30,99)
http://www10.nytimes.com/library/national/science/113099sci-evolution-yeast.
html
*Rat Research May Explain How Habits Are Developed. New brain research on
rats may help scientists understand human conditions ranging from
Parkinson's disease to addictive disorders, according to a report published
in the Nov. 26th issue of the journal Science. (Fox Nov 30, 99)
http://www.foxnews.com/js_index.sml?content=/health/113099/habits.sml
*Ethicists call for US panel on stem cells. It has been a year since
scientists reported isolating ''stem cells'' from days-old human embryos,
saying the feat could open a new medical frontier in which specialized cells
derived from stem cells might be used to repair almost any body part damaged
by disease or aging. Now, three bioethicists are calling for an end to the
impasse and the establishment of a federal panel to oversee all embryo and
stem cell research, both public and private. (Boston Globe Nov30,99)
http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/334/nation/Ethicists_call_for_US_panel_on_
stem_cells+.shtml
*Bone-marrow cells repair brains of animals.Bone-marrow cells repair brains
of animals affected by strokes. Newsday IN SEARCH of ways to rebuild the
brain, scientists have injected stem cells from bone marrow into the brains
of rats and mice to see whether the cells, which continuously divide to
rebuild tissue in the marrow, could do the same thing for the brain.(San
Jose Mercury News)30 Nov 1999)
http://www7.mercurycenter.com/premium/scitech/docs/brain30.htm
*The search for smart genes. A British scientist continues his bold quest
for patterns of intelligence in our DNA. It is one of the most important
predictors of financial and social success. It helps determine where you
work, where you live, whether you wind up in jail. It can be measured with
great precision, and it changes very little over a lifetime. It is
substantially influenced by your genes. Or is it? (SJ Mercury Nov.30,99)
http://www7.mercurycenter.com/premium/scitech/docs/iq30.htm
*Scientists unlock clue to secret of human life. Britain has won the
international race to decode the complete genetic make-up of a human
chromosome. It is a breakthrough that moves scientists closer to
understanding the secrets of our life. Researchers at the Sanger Centre in
Cambridge will announce this week that they have completely decoded
chromosome 22, marking the first time that the complex chemical structure of
a human chromosome has been revealed. (The Hindu-India-Nov 29, 99)
http://www.indiaserver.com/thehindu/1999/11/30/stories/0130000b.htm
*As new millennium madness, prophecies about living differently in the
future, and concerns about Y2K computer malfunctions converge, the Alliance
to Save Energy uses its "crystal ball" to take a tongue-in-cheek look at the
expected growth of "Smart Homes" in the new millennium. (11/30/99)
http://www.internetwire.com/technews/eg/eg990071.dsl
*Senesco Technologies, Inc. Announces Successful Transformation of
Carnation. ("Senesco" or the "Company")(OTC BB: SENO) announced today that
it has successfully produced transgenic carnation plants. Based on the
Company's
delayed aging results to date, Senesco fully expects that flowers from these
plants
will have significantly extended shelf life. (Nov 29,99)
http://news.excite.com/news/bw/991129/nj-senesco-technologies
*McCain rejects genetic tinkering. French-fry giant will stop buying altered
potatoes.Starting next year, the Florenceville, N.B.,-based company will no
longer
buy genetically altered potatoes grown by farmers in New Brunswick and the
rest of the country. "We think genetically modified material is very good
science (but) at the moment, very bad public relations," said Harrison
McCain. (Ottawa Citizen)
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/national/991129/3218354.html
*A government nuclear site has been hacked, and the original site is
therfore down, however what was left behind seems to denote a bit of
thanksgiving cheer.
Or something like that. 11/29/99
http://www.2600.com/hacked_pages/1999/11/www.nukleer.gov.tr.2/
*"I'm not looking at this!" amazingsurgeries.com Is Proud To Announce The
First Live Sex Change Operation (Male To Female) On The Interneton December
10th 1999.
http://www.internetwire.com/technews/tn/tn985554.dsl
*EU Approves Internet Digital Signature Law. European Union telecoms
ministers approved on Tuesday a law giving digital signatures on contracts
agreed over the Internet the same legal status as their hand-written
equivalents, EU diplomats said. (11/30/99 Internet.com)
http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article/0,1087,3_75022_Ext,00.html
*Physics : Lost correspondence. The marriage between quantum and classical
mechanics has always been a compromise. Now, unable to meet each other
halfway, the two may be considering separation. (Nature 11/26/99)
http://helix.nature.com/nsu/991202/991202-2.html
*Two new Sandia 'sniffers' expand law enforcement abilities to detect
explosives and narcotics. You might call it an "electronic dog." Researchers
at the Department of Energy's Sandia National Laboratories have developed a
hand-carried gadget that, like a trained police dog, could sniff out the
vanishingly faint odors of drugs and bombs at airports, border crossings,
military installations, and schools. (Sandia news release 11/30/99)
http://www.sandia.gov/media/NewsRel/NR1999/sniffers.htm
*Futurists see an era of relentless innovation. The main enabling force in
innovation over the next three decades will be biotechnology," says Paul
Saffo, a director of the Institute for the Future in Menlo Park, Calif.
Which, he says, is illustrative of a second overarching trend: Small is
beautiful. (Nando 11/29/99)
http://www2.nando.net/noframes/story/0,2107,500062815-500103876-500455930-0,
00.html
*Six New Planets Discovered. Astronomers announced Monday the discovery of
six new planets orbiting other stars, bringing the total number of confirmed
extrasolar planets to 28. The odd egg-shaped orbits of the new planets hint
that our solar system, with its neatly organized and nearly circular
planetary orbits, may be a rarity in the universe. (Discovery 11/30/99)
http://www.discovery.com/news/briefs/brief1.html
*T. rex skeleton uncovered in S.D. The first nearly complete skeleton of a
juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex has been uncovered in South Dakota, and
scientists are prepared it for study in a Texas laboratory, researchers said
Tuesday. (Nando Dec 1,99)
http://www2.nando.net/noframes/story/0,2107,500063496-500105073-500468225-0,
00.html
*Challenges remain for blue diode lasers. Blue diode lasers could easily
double or triple the storage capacity of optical data storage devices,
bolstering a flagging growth rate in one of the world's largest
optoelectronic industries. (OE Reports Dec 99) There is also a link on this
page to transparent metals discovery article.
http://www.spie.org/web/oer/december/dec99/home.html
*Memories of Fear. Researchers Discover How They Work. Scientists have
identified the brain circuit where memories of fear are evaluated and
expressed. Their discovery, published today in the British journal Nature,
points the way toward possible treatments for anxiety disorders. (USC)
http://www.usc.edu/ext-relations/news_service/releases/stories/36023.html
"Well colour me informed"
Gina "Nanogirl" Miller
Nanotechnology Industries
http://www.nanoindustries.com
Personal Web
http://www.homestead.com/nanotechind/nothingatall.html
E-mail: nanogirl@halcyon.com
"Nanotechnology: solutions for the future."
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