Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Human muscle tissue could be grown from sea creatures' whiskers

Human muscle tissue could be grown from sea creatures' whiskers: "Academics from the University of Manchester have developed a process of creating working human muscle tissue from sea squirts. The research holds promise for the engineering of muscles, ligaments and nerves from cellulose which is usually found in plants and is the main component of paper and plant based textiles such as cotton and linen."

U-2 reconnaissance aircraft to aid Japan in earthquake and tsunami relief efforts

U-2 reconnaissance aircraft to aid Japan in earthquake and tsunami relief efforts: "As Japan, and indeed the world, struggles to comprehend the devastation resulting from the 8.9 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that struck on March 11, countries around the world have rushed to offer support in a number of ways."

Wearable scanner opens new pathways in the study of brain function

Wearable scanner opens new pathways in the study of brain function: "Scientists from the US Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a new miniature, wearable Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner which enables the simultaneous study of brain function and behavior in animals. PET scans are much like Computed Tomography (CT) scans and have helped uncover the molecular underpinnings of conditions like drug addiction, brain diseases such as dementia and they have been used in the medical imaging of cancers."

New form of computer memory uses 100 times less power

New form of computer memory uses 100 times less power: "Researchers from the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of the University of Illinois have developed a new low-power digital memory which uses much less power and is faster than other solutions currently available."

Deliver-E Trike quietly takes on uneven ground

Deliver-E Trike quietly takes on uneven ground: "When those of us who live in urban areas picture letter carriers – or posties, or mailmen/women – we usually think of them as people who deliver the mail by foot. The fact is, however, letter carriers in much of the world use small motorcycles to make their deliveries."