Thursday, September 25, 2014

Computers 1,000 times faster? Quick-change materials break silicon speed limit for computers




Faster, smaller, greener computers, with the processing power of over 1000 current computers. This technology can me made possible with new Phase Changing Materials!

The current silicon based microchips would be replaced with 'Phase-change materials' (PCMs). PCMs are capable of switching between different electrical states. One state is a crystalline conductor while the other a glassy insulator. It does this in under a Billionth of a second through small electrical shocks!

The difference between silicon based chips and PCMs is where logical operations and memory is located. In silicon based chips memory and operations are located separately while in the PCM chips they are located in the same spot. This means that Dynamic Random Access Memory can eventually be removed!


To View the full article please go to: 
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140919110639.htm

The Moving stones of Death Valley



   
    The moving stone's of Death Valley,CA


        Everyone knows that rocks can not move by themselves, yet there is one mystery, that has had scientists puzzled for decades. At Death Valley's national park, there lies a dried lake, also known as the Racetrack Playa. It has been said that many heavy boulders, some weighing up to 300 kg, have been found with long trails behind them, cutting a furrow in the sediment, as if they had moved. No one has actually seen the stones move, yet they have been said to be moving around a lot. 

       Their discovery was first made in the 1940's, and ever since then, many geologists have thought up many theories as to how or why the would have moved. Many of them have been proved wrong, and only recently have they been ably to get an idea of what might be causing this. Scientists believe that ice is the cause to this famous mystery.

    They have been able to gather evidence, using GPS devices and cameras. There is a thin layer of ice in which develops on the dirt, in which causes the rocks to move, yet the process is so slow, it would be hard for the human eye to capture it. This is why it still seems so hard to believe.


  For more information, visit:

http://arstechnica.com/science/2014/09/death-valleys-famous-moving-stones-caught-in-the-act/
















Thursday, September 18, 2014

Fukushima Radiation: Our days of eating fish are over?







Following Japan’s devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami, fear spread about risks of leaked radiation from the Fukushima nuclear power plant for the planet and the potential impacts on our complex marine food web.

It’s the largest single contribution of radiation to the marine environment ever observed. With 300 tons of contaminated water pouring into the sea every day, Japan’s government acknowledged the urgency of the situation.

It took 3 years from the time of the incident (2011) for the radiation plume to reach the West Coast, which is this year. Recent testing of migratory fish, including samples collected from Pacific blue fin tuna caught off the California coast, assessed radiation levels and potential effects on marine food webs far away from Japan, although they are below the level of being harmful for humans.

Any amount of leaked radiation is harmful to the planet and the health of all species, including humans. That doesn't mean it’s unsafe to eat all fish caught on the Pacific West Coast, but we should keep in mind that there are always long-term health risks.

Next, German Scientists have calculated the dispersion of radiation in the Pacific Ocean. Check the counter of the days in the top right:




For more information, Check this: 

  • http://ecowatch.com/2013/10/09/fukushima-radiation-safe-to-eat-fish/







Thursday, September 11, 2014

Scientists Remotely Activate Genetic Target To Slow Aging Process

A team of researchers led by David Walker of UCLA have discovered the a gene that slows down the process of ageing. The AMPK enzyme found in all eukaryotic organisms assists in regulating the energy levels of cells and has been found to increase ATP production through fatty acid metabolism and increased glucose uptake. Through experiments with AMPK in fruit flies they have seen outstanding results. It is estimated that if it were to be used on humans, our life expectancy would increase from 80 years to 104; about 30% more. Our lives wouldn’t just be longer, but our life quality would be improved as well by being healthier for longer.

This revolutionary method of stopping ageing can prevent many diseases like: cancer, stroke, cardiovascular diseases and even diabetes. This may take many years, but scientist believe a healthier and slower ageing process is possible. The gene works effectively as it clears away cellular waste from your brain. If some dead cells are kept inside, it can lead to many diseases. The problem is that this is not very stable because a lot of AMPK can cause other problems to rise in humans. Research is ongoing but Dr Walker and his team are confident that this breakthrough could be brought to the patients in the next few years.
For more information please visit full article: http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/scientists-remotely-activate-genetic-target-slow-aging-process
(Ernie & Stefano)

New fish species found in France!


"French ichthyologists led by Dr Philippe Keith of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris have described a new species of pike from the Charente to the Adour drainages of France." Sergio Prostak, 30 August 2014.

There has always been Pike species all over Europe. However, when scientists were exploring the species, they found out through morphological and molecular analysis that there was a new specie of such animal. There was the Northern pike and the Cisalpine pike which both are very common in French lakes. Then, they realized there was an unknown specie and they decided to call it Aquitanian pike because they found it in Aquitaine.

For the full article visit: http://www.sci-news.com/biology/science-aquitanian-pike-esox-aquitanicus-new-fish-species-france-02124.html



Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Cancer Patients Have New Hope After Israeli Scientist Research



Scientists in Israel, working as part of a 16 year study trying to find a cure for cancer, have had a significant breakthrough. Professor Avivi, of Haifa University has found that both the blind mole rat and the naked mole rat secrete a a substance that seems to destroy cancer cells in mammals. Experts believe that they can find a way to harvest this substance, and it is quite possible that it can be safe to take and can possibly wipe out cancer for humans too. 

The group of scientists tested both regular rats and these special mole rats and found that while the other rats developed tumors, the mole rats were able to secrete some sort of hormone or substance that destroyed the cancer, without causing any other harm to its body. A study published in the BMC Biology Journal concluded: “Exploring the molecular mechanisms may hold the key for understanding the nature of resistance to cancer and identify new strategies for treating humans.” 

The scientists believe that if they can find what genetic material/mutation caused this cancer resistance in the mole rats, they could possibly work with and modify human's genetic codes and successfully create a life saving treatment for many people.

To read more: http://www.jewsnews.co.il/2014/08/28/wow-a-cure-for-all-cancers-is-on-the-way-as-israeli-scientists-make-major-breakthrough/

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Human Trials for Ebola Vaccine



The deadly Ebola virus has killed over 1500 people in West Africa, prompting the intervention from medical facilities to create a cure, or at least a way to treat the virus and give people hope. The WHO (World Health Organization) predicted that in the next 6 months, 20,000 more people could be infected.

A vaccine, with a focus on prevention rather than cure of the disease has been developed and has responded "extremely well" in primate studies but has yet to be tested in humans. This week, trials are beginning, and 140 patients will be tested, though none will be infected with the virus.

Why wasn't there a vaccine or cure for the disease before? Because Ebola has existed for 40 years, but before this outbreak it had been so rare that it hadn't been a priority to find a solution to it. All being well with the trial, Ebola could soon be the latest in a long line of dangerous viruses that we as humans have managed to win the battle with and control.

To read the whole article, visit this link: http://news.yahoo.com/human-trial-ebola-vaccine-begin-week-171358525.html