| Galaxy star birth regulated by black-hole fountain Posted: 06 Aug 2015 11:46 AM PDT Astronomers have uncovered a unique process for how the universe's largest elliptical galaxies continue making stars long after their peak years of star birth. Hubble Space Telescope's exquisite high resolution and ultraviolet-light sensitivity allowed the astronomers to see brilliant knots of hot, blue stars forming along the jets of active black holes found in the centers of giant elliptical galaxies.  |
| Animal-eye view of the world revealed with new visual software Posted: 06 Aug 2015 08:21 AM PDT New camera technology that reveals the world through the eyes of animals has been developed. The software, which converts digital photos to animal vision, can be used to analyze colors and patterns and is particularly useful for the study of animal and plant signalling, camouflage and animal predation, but could also prove useful for anyone wanting to measure colors accurately and objectively.  |
| Safe motorcycle helmets made of carrot fibers? Posted: 06 Aug 2015 06:13 AM PDT Crackpot idea or recipe for success? This is a question entrepreneurs often face. Is it worth converting the production process to a new, ecologically better material? Now developers have created an analysis method that enables companies to simulate possible scenarios -- and therefore avoid bad investments. Here's an example: Nanofibers made of carrot waste from the production of carrot juice, which can be used to reinforce synthetic parts.  |
| Searching for life in the Alpha Centauri system Posted: 06 Aug 2015 06:13 AM PDT Biopigments of plants, so-called biological photosynthetic pigments, leave behind unique traces in the light they reflect, an international team has discovered. The scientists studied these biosignatures with the help of polarization filters: If biopigments were present as a sign of life on a planet, they would leave behind a detectable polarized signature in the reflected light.  |
| Surfing droplets: Movement of droplets on soft surfaces Posted: 05 Aug 2015 04:57 AM PDT Researchers have succeeded in clearly identifying why droplets on soft, squishy surfaces react differently than on hard surfaces. A water droplet, for example, moves very differently over jelly than over glass, but the science of how this works has never been investigated. Better understanding of this phenomenon is of importance for a variety of applications where droplets come into contact with extremely soft, deformable materials, as is the case in 3D printing, soft contact lenses or sauces such as mayonnaise.  |
| Robo-whiskers mimic animals exploring their surroundings Posted: 04 Aug 2015 05:26 PM PDT Many mammals, including seals and rats, rely on their whiskers to sense their way through dark environments. Inspired by these animals, scientists have developed a robotic 'whisker' tactile sensor array designed to produce tomographic images by measuring fluid flow.  |
| Precariously balanced rocks provide clues for unearthing underground fault connections Posted: 04 Aug 2015 11:35 AM PDT Stacked in gravity-defying arrangements in the western San Bernardino Mountains, near the San Andreas Fault, granite boulders that should have been toppled by earthquakes long ago resolutely remain. In exploring why these rocks still stand, researchers have uncovered connections between Southern California's San Jacinto and San Andreas faults that could change how the region plans for future earthquakes.  |
| 3-D printed worms for dinner? Posted: 04 Aug 2015 04:40 AM PDT What about a more chewable pasta or high protein cookies made with insects? 3-D printed food seems an interesting solution for healthier eating, spending less time to prepare meals and even fighting world hunger. But an avant-garde chef such as Ferran Adrià doesn't seem that passionate about printing his dishes.  |
