ScienceDaily: Top Technology News |
- Sound rather than sight can activate 'seeing' for the blind, say researchers
- New image captures 'stealth merger' of dwarf galaxies
- Milky Way's black hole found grazing on asteroids
- Flipping a light switch in the cell: Quantum dots used for targeted neural activation
- Unusual 'collapsing' iron superconductor sets record for its class
- 'Shish kebab' structure provides improved form of 'buckypaper'
- Bubble-powered microrockets zoom have potential to zoom through the human stomach, other acidic environments
- Most detailed infrared image of the Carina Nebula ever
- New tool for analyzing solar-cell materials
| Sound rather than sight can activate 'seeing' for the blind, say researchers Posted: 08 Feb 2012 11:59 AM PST Scientists have tapped onto the visual cortex of the congenitally blind by using sensory substitution devices (SSDs), enabling the blind in effect to "see" and even describe objects. SSDs are non-invasive sensory aids that provide visual information to the blind via their existing senses. For example, using a visual-to-auditory SSD in a clinical or everyday setting, users wear a miniature video camera connected to a small computer (or smart phone) and stereo headphones. The images are converted into "soundscapes," using a predictable algorithm, allowing the user to listen to and then interpret the visual information coming from the camera.  |
| New image captures 'stealth merger' of dwarf galaxies Posted: 08 Feb 2012 10:30 AM PST New images of a nearby dwarf galaxy have revealed a dense stream of stars in its outer regions, the remains of an even smaller companion galaxy in the process of merging with its host. The host galaxy, known as NGC 4449, is the smallest primary galaxy in which a stellar stream from an ongoing merger has been identified and studied in detail.  |
| Milky Way's black hole found grazing on asteroids Posted: 08 Feb 2012 10:30 AM PST The giant black hole at the center of the Milky Way may be vaporizing and devouring asteroids, which could explain the frequent flares observed, according to astronomers.  |
| Flipping a light switch in the cell: Quantum dots used for targeted neural activation Posted: 08 Feb 2012 10:27 AM PST By harnessing quantum dots, researchers have developed a new and vastly more targeted way to stimulate neurons in the brain. Being able to switch neurons on and off and monitor how they communicate with one another is crucial for understanding -- and, ultimately, treating -- a host of brain disorders.  |
| Unusual 'collapsing' iron superconductor sets record for its class Posted: 08 Feb 2012 10:27 AM PST Scientists have found an iron-based superconductor that operates at the highest known temperature for a material in its class. The discovery inches iron-based superconductors closer to being useful in many practical applications.  |
| 'Shish kebab' structure provides improved form of 'buckypaper' Posted: 08 Feb 2012 10:27 AM PST Scientists are reporting development of a new form of buckypaper, which eliminates a major drawback of these sheets of carbon nanotubes -- 50,000 times thinner than a human hair, 10 times lighter than steel, but up to 250 times stronger -- with potential uses ranging from body armor to next-generation batteries.  |
| Posted: 08 Feb 2012 10:26 AM PST Scientists have developed a new kind of tiny motor -- which they term a "microrocket" -- that can propel itself through acidic environments, such as the human stomach, without any external energy source, opening the way to a variety of medical and industrial applications. Their report describes the microrockets traveling at virtual warp speed for such devices. A human moving at the same speed would have to run at a clip of 400 miles per hour.  |
| Most detailed infrared image of the Carina Nebula ever Posted: 08 Feb 2012 05:24 AM PST ESO's Very Large Telescope has delivered the most detailed infrared image of the Carina Nebula stellar nursery taken so far. Many previously hidden features, scattered across a spectacular celestial landscape of gas, dust and young stars, have emerged. This is one of the most dramatic images ever created by the VLT.  |
| New tool for analyzing solar-cell materials Posted: 07 Feb 2012 10:36 AM PST An online tool called "Impurities to Efficiency" (known as I2E) allows companies or researchers exploring alternative manufacturing strategies to plug in descriptions of their planned materials and processing steps. After about one minute of simulation, I2E gives an indication of exactly how efficient the resulting solar cell would be in converting sunlight to electricity.  |
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