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An Early Warning System for Cancer

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Autoantibodies could alert doctors to cancer development.

A new screening tool developed by scientists in Denmark may help detect the earliest stages of cancer by taking advantage of the body's own defenses. The researchers constructed a microarray system that analyzes patients' blood for a specific class of immune agents called autoantibodies. These are agents that attack the body's own tissue, targeting what they perceive as "foreign" cells, such as specific molecules on the surface of tumors.

Micro Solar Cells Handle More Intense Sunlight

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Cells absorb sunlight concentrated 1,000 times without cooling.

A startup company hopes to bring down the cost of generating power with concentrated sunlight by using microscale solar cells that can utilize twice as much light as other panels, without the need for expensive optics or cooling systems. Panels made from the tiny cells, which the Durham, NC-based company Semprius developed using a novel microprinting technology, also offer significant savings on materials costs. In late January, the company announced a joint agreement with Siemens to develop demonstration systems based on its technology. Semprius plans to begin volume production of the modules in 2013.

Getting a Grip on Online Buzz

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Service tracks social network chitchat about a product.

Big-name companies increasingly recognize the importance of discussions about their products on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. But keeping track of so many conversations in real-time is a daunting challenge.

U.S. Solar Market to Double in the Next Year

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Government incentives and lower solar prices are starting to pay off.

In a few years, the United States is likely to be the world's largest market for solar power, eclipsing Germany, which has taken the lead as a result of strong government incentives in spite of the relative paucity of sunlight in that country. A number of factors could make growth possible in the United States--especially changes in legislation that give utilities incentives to create large solar farms.

Finding a Parking Space Could Soon Get Easier

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Networking sensors attached to taxis could ease the hunt for street parking.

Anyone who's driven in a crowded downtown knows that parking can mean almost endless circling in the hunt for a space close to your destination. Now engineers at Rutgers University in New Jersey have combined simple ultrasonic sensors, GPS receivers, and cellular data networks to create a low-cost, highly effective way to find the nearest available parking space.

Searching for Disease Clues in Genetic Diversity

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Research on the Mexican genome could broaden the scope of personalized medicine.

Over the last few years, scientists have discovered hundreds of genetic variants linked to disease. But the vast majority of that research has focused on people of European, Asian, and African descent. A new effort to catalog genetic diversity among people in Mexico--who along with other Latin Americans have a unique ancestry--could shed light on diseases that affect these groups disproportionately, and on why some drugs may work more or less effectively in these populations. The research might also help uncover rare genetic variants responsible for a significant portion of the genetic risk of disease.

Blog - The Future of Gaming: The Hot Potato Experience

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The next generation of pervasive games are beginning to appear.

It's no secret that the Nintendo Wii has changed the landscape for gaming. The question is what comes next.

Blog - A Genetic Determinant of Biological Aging in Humans?

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Researchers have found a genetic variant linked to the length of telomeres.

Some people may be genetically programmed to age at a faster rate, according to new research. Scientists have identified a genetic variant linked to the length of telomeres--a region of repetitive DNA that caps the chromosomes. Previous research has shown that telomeres shorten with age and are considered a marker of biological aging. The research was published this week in the journal Nature Genetics.

Blog - The Mobile Phone Conundrum: If I Call You, Will You Call Back?

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:00:00 GMT

The study of reciprocity between mobile phone users reveals surprising insights about the flow of information in society.

What do your mobile phone habits say about you? Probably more than you might imagine.