Volatile stuff for heavy trucks

In future, commercial vehicles will not only have to emit less CO2 but also meet stricter exhaust emission limits. Many experts expect that this could herald the end for fossil diesel. One possible alternative is dimethyl ether: The highly volatile substance burns very cleanly and can be produced from renewable energy. Empa is investigating this new powertrain concept using a special test engine.

NYU, Columbia, and Takeda Form Research Alliance for Gastrointestinal and Liver Disorders

New York University, Columbia University, and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) have formed a collaborative research alliance to begin and advance gastroenterology research programs, with the goal of developing new therapies for patients with gastrointestinal and liver disorders.

Researchers create 3D-printed nasal swab for COVID-19 testing

In response to the critical shortage of nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Radiology at University of South Florida (USF) Health in Tampa set out to design, validate and create NP swabs using a point-of-care 3D printer. Results of the first clinical trial of 3D-printed NP swabs for COVID-19 testing are being presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

What are the promises and perils of geoengineering?

In a new book, “Has It Come to This? The Promises and Perils of Geoengineering on the Brink,” Holly Jean Buck and colleagues weigh in on social, ethical and political dimensions of deliberate, large-scale interventions in the planet’s climate.

Darwin’s handwritten pages from On the Origin of Species go online for the first time

Two original pages from the handwritten draft of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, along with rare letters, and never-before-seen reading notes have been added to Darwin Online. This scholarly portal dedicated to naturalist Charles Darwin was founded by Dr John van Wyhe from the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Department of Biological Sciences, and Tembusu College.

Cornell-designed Arecibo telescope ‘an inestimable loss’

In the wake of two recent support-cable failures, the National Science Foundation (NSF) will decommission and dismantle the giant dish at Arecibo Observatory – the world-class radio telescope in Puerto Rico that was conceived by Cornell University faculty, built with federal funding and then managed by Cornell for its first five decades.

Scientists investigate solutions for building cell membrane defense against COVID-19

Researchers from Virginia Tech and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are using neutron scattering at ORNL’s Spallation Neutron Source to investigate how cell membranes and the COVID-19 virus impact each other and what therapeutic candidates could make cell membranes more resistant to viral entry.

Materials developed at Sandia help extinguish solar panel fires before they ignite

Sandia National Laboratories has spent 10 years working alongside local company Guardian Sensors Inc. to understand and characterize hazardous arc-faults. Their work led to development of electrical in-line connectors that automatically predict and prevent photovoltaic arc-faults before they can ignite fires.

Walmart adopts Cornell tool to quantify emissions in crop production

An important tactic for slowing climate change is for private companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, but knowing exactly how much they’re emitting can be a challenge. Working with Walmart Inc., Cornell University researchers have developed an online greenhouse gas emissions accounting tool to help quantify these emissions in crop production.

More than 1.1 million deaths among Medicare recipients due to high cost of drugs

ore than 1.1 million Medicare patients could die over the next decade because they cannot afford to pay for their prescription medications, according to a new study released today by the West Health Policy Center, a nonprofit and nonpartisan policy research group and Xcenda, the research arm of the drug distributor AmerisourceBergen.

UTEP Researcher Studies Effects of Teen Vaping on the Brain and Behavior

With support from a nearly $340,000 grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Ian Mendez, Ph.D., UTEP assistant professor of pharmacy, is developing an animal model that mimics real life exposure to e-cigarettes in order to investigate the effects of nicotine vapor exposure on adolescent behavior.

COVID-19 Impact on Marital Quality

Researchers at Indiana University’s Kinsey Institute are studying how the pandemic is affecting marital quality, sexual behavior, reproductive planning and health, and individual and family well-being. The study suggests that, overall, early in the pandemic, most married individuals reported a positive impact on their marriage.

Protect Your Bladder: Quit Smoking

Your bladder probably isn’t your favorite topic of conversation, but knowing when to talk to your doctor about it is crucial to your health. If you experience frequent and/or painful urination, or you notice blood in your urine, telling your primary care provider is the first step to diagnosing a problem and finding the right care. More often than not, these symptoms are caused by non-life-threatening conditions like urinary tract infection, overactive bladder or, in men, an enlarged prostate. But they also could be symptoms of bladder cancer, the sixth most common form of cancer in the United States.

Rush University Medical Center Surpasses 100,000 COVID-19 Tests

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Rush University Medical Center has been a leader in the Chicago area in developing, expanding and evolving testing efforts. On Friday, Nov. 13, the Medical Center performed its 100,000th test for COVID-19.

The Cosmic Dust in Your Bones

Dust may seem insignificant, but it plays a huge role in the universe, from the formation of stars and planets to facilitating the complex chemistry that becomes the stuff of life—including usT. Astronomers refer to the unexplained abundance of dust in galaxies as the “dust budget crisis.” It is a mystery that astronomers are excited to get to work solving using the specialized technology of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.

Virtual reality: ALCF’s remote interns tackle real-world computing projects

The Argonne Leadership Computing Facility’s internship program went virtual this year, providing students with an opportunity to work on real-world research projects that address issues at the forefront of scientific computing.

CTO 2021 Is Now an Online Event: CTO Connect

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) has announced that the 2021 Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) Summit will now take place as a virtual event called CTO Connect. It will take place online February 20-21, 2021.

The conference will feature live case transmissions performed by some of the world’s leading operators along with real-time analysis from world-class faculty members. Live and on-demand sessions will also highlight engaging case-based discussions, challenging cases, and the latest technical developments and refinements in CTO PCI.

Experimenting in space to help prevent mudslides here on Earth

What can the International Space Station teach us about mudslides here on Earth?

Here is the connection: UC San Diego engineers are trying to better understand the role gravity plays in mudslides. That is why in 18 months, they will launch an experiment to the ISS via SpaceX and NASA to study mudslides in microgravity. The work is funded by a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.

New U.S. Strategy Unveiled for a Smart Competition with China in Science and Tech

The United States’ global leadership on science technology faces formidable competition from the People’s Republic of China; however the U.S. can take actions to maintain its competitive edge while enhancing innovation and protecting national security, according to a new report from the University of California San Diego.