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Joanna Radin on the ‘phenomenon’ of biobanking

By Guest PostSeptember 12, 2017Health, Media, Scienceafrica, aids, anthropological research, basile luyet, biobanking, father of cryobiology, field of biobanking, hiv, human variation, joanna radin, life on ice, phenomenon of biobanking

When HIV/AIDS became a pandemic, epidemiologists wanted to know where it began. In the 1980s, they found their answer in a freezer filled with blood. This blood had been collected in the 1950s from members of indigenous communities in Africa as part of anthropological research on human variation. To this day, that sample is the oldest trace of HIV known to biomedicine. It is what launched Joanna Radin’s interest in the field of biobanking, a means of preserving blood and other tissues for future research. It is also what led her to write her recently published book, “Life on Ice: A History of New Uses for Cold Blood.” (more…)

Building a Better Alligator: Researchers Develop Advanced Three-Dimensional Models of Bite Data to Study Dinosaurs, Birds, Crocodiles

By Guest PostSeptember 11, 2017Sciencebite data, building better alligator, casey holliday, evolution of skull, kaleb sellers, paleontologists, skulls of alligators

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The skulls of alligators protect their brains, eyes and sense organs while producing some of the most powerful bite forces in the animal kingdom. The ability to bite hard is critical for crocodilians to eat their food such as turtles, wildebeest and other large prey; therefore, their anatomy is closely studied by veterinarians and paleontologists who are interested in animal movements and anatomy. (more…)

What the bond between homeless people and their pets demonstrates about compassion

By Guest PostSeptember 10, 2017Culture, Sciencebond, compassion, homeless people, katie gillespie, los angeles park, my dog, my home, pets, vicky lawson

A video camera captures an interview with a man named Spirit, who relaxes in an outdoor plaza on a sunny afternoon. Of his nearby service dogs, Kyya and Miniaga, he says, “They mean everything to me, and I mean everything to them.” (more…)

IBM and MIT to Pursue Joint Research in Artificial Intelligence, Establish New MIT–IBM Watson AI Lab

By Guest PostSeptember 8, 2017Science, Technologyai algorithms, artificial intelligence, ibm, john kelly, joint research, MIT, physics of ai, rafael reif, watson ai lab

IBM plans to make a 10-Year, $240 Million Investment in new lab with MIT to advance AI hardware and software and algorithms

Cambridge, MA – 07 Sep 2017: IBM (NYSE: IBM) and MIT today announced that IBM plans to make a 10-year, $240 million investment to create the MIT–IBM Watson AI Lab in partnership with MIT. The lab will carry out fundamental artificial intelligence (AI) research and seek to propel scientific breakthroughs that unlock the potential of AI. The collaboration aims to advance AI hardware, software and algorithms related to deep learning and other areas, increase AI’s impact on industries, such as health care and cybersecurity, and explore the economic and ethical implications of AI on society. IBM’s $240 million investment in the lab will support research by IBM and MIT scientists. (more…)

Wegbereiter für Vitamin A in Reis

By Guest PostSeptember 8, 2017Scienceanton brausemann, beta carotin, enzym phytoen desaturase, lebensmittelfarbe e160, oliver einsle, peter beyer, reis, sandra gemmecker, suesskartoffel, vitamin A

Freiburger Biochemiker klären Struktur von Carotinoid-lieferndem Enzym auf

Die Unterversorgung mit Vitamin A in Nahrungsmitteln bedingt weltweit gesundheitliche Probleme, die zu Erblindung oder gar zum Tod führen können. Betroffen sind in Schwellen- und Drittwelt-Ländern vor allem Kinder, die aufgrund von Mangelernährung zu wenig Vitamin A oder dessen Vorstufe Beta-Carotin zu sich nehmen. Carotinoide sorgen auch für die markante Farbe der namensgebenden Karotten oder der Süßkartoffel, weswegen Beta-Carotin von der Lebensmittelindustrie als Lebensmittelfarbe E160 gerne zur Farbgestaltung von Softdrinks, Joghurts und anderen Nahrungsmitteln verwendet wird. (more…)

The New Colors of Solar Energy

By Guest PostSeptember 5, 2017Environment, Scienceandre taylor, assq, colors, convert, marina mariano, megan mohadjer beromi, molecule squaraine, photovoltaic panels, solar energy, sunlight to energy

The technology of solar energy has progressed dramatically in the last few decades, as it operates with increasing efficiency and at lower costs.

But the matter of how solar panels look remains an obstacle. Most photovoltaic panels are blue or black and cover large portions of buildings with a monotone hue. That might not jibe with your personal taste – or that of your homeowners’ association. It’s a limitation that has hindered the integration of solar energy into some commercial applications. In fact, architects and designers have long requested a wider choice of colors for solar cells to allow them to seamlessly blend into a building’s façade or an electronic system. (more…)

Dopingstudie: Hohe Dunkelziffer im Spitzensport

By Guest PostSeptember 5, 2017Health, Science, Sportsblut, dopingmittel, dopingstudie, dunkelziffer im spitzensport, harrison pope, rolf ulrich, urintest

Biologische Tests decken nur einen Teil der Fälle auf – das wurde in einer Studie der Universität Tübingen mit psychologischen Methoden nachgewiesen

Im Spitzensport wird wesentlich mehr gedopt, als durch Blut- und Urintests nachgewiesen werden kann. Bei einer wissenschaftlichen Studie gaben mindestens 30 Prozent der Teilnehmenden der Leichtathletikweltmeisterschaft 2011 und 45 Prozent Sportler bei den Pan-Arabischen Spielen 2011 an, Dopingmittel genommen zu haben. Mit zeitgleich durchgeführten biologischen Testverfahren wurde nur ein Bruchteil der Dopingfälle erkannt: 0,5 Prozent der Tests bei den Weltmeisterschaften waren positiv; bei den Pan-Arabischen Spielen waren es 3,6 Prozent. (more…)

Understanding the universe: Astrophysicist Dunkley shines through her research

By Guest PostSeptember 3, 2017Scienceastrophysicist, cmb, cosmic microwave background, dark matter, jo dunkley, normal matter, understanding the universe, wmap project

Astrophysics inspires Princeton professor Jo Dunkley to ask questions about the universe and the fundamental laws that describe nature. (more…)

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