Diversity prevents resistance
Leipzig, Germany (SPX) Apr 02, 2015 -
Our opponents always seem to be one step ahead. Although pest controllers now have numerous chemical preparations available, allowing them to take action against unwanted insects, the species targeted are developing a resistance against the different active substances at a rapid pace. Often a single change in the organisms' genetic material is enough to do this.
This means that scientists ...
more
Researchers improve efficiency of human walking
Washington DC (SPX) Apr 02, 2015 -
Humans have evolved to be incredibly efficient at walking. In fact, simulations of human locomotion show that walking on level ground and at a steady speed should theoretically require no power input at all.
But anyone who works on their feet or has taken an arduous hike knows otherwise. In fact, people expend more energy during walking than any other activity in daily life, and for the el ...
more
Picturing peanut contamination with near infrared hyperspectral imaging
London, UK (SPX) Apr 02, 2015 -
Study the label of almost any food product and you're likely to see the rather vague warning "May contain peanuts" somewhere on there, unless of course it's a product that definitely does contain peanuts. As now revealed in a paper in the latest issue of JNIRS--Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy, these warnings of peanut contamination could soon lose much of their uncertainty, thanks to a nov ...
more
Polar bears unlikely to thrive on land-based foods
Anchorage AK (SPX) Apr 02, 2015 -
A team of scientists led by the U.S. Geological Survey found that polar bears, increasingly forced on shore due to sea ice loss, may be eating terrestrial foods including berries, birds and eggs, but any nutritional gains are limited to a few individuals and likely cannot compensate for lost opportunities to consume their traditional, lipid-rich prey - ice seals.
"Although some polar bear ...
more
Atmospheric energy escaped from the Tibetan Plateau
Beijing (SPX) Apr 02, 2015 -
The increase of green-house gases in the atmosphere reduces outgoing radiation and thus causes global warming. About 93% extra energy trapped by the greenhouse gases is stored in oceans and only 1% is used to heat the atmosphere. As a main reservoir of heat sink, Oceans are slowing down the global warming magnitude by absorbing the extra energy.
Global warming hiatus was observed since 199 ...
more
Soft, energy-efficient robotic wings
Washington DC (SPX) Apr 02, 2015 -
Dielectric elastomers are novel materials for making actuators or motors with soft and lightweight properties that can undergo large active deformations with high-energy conversion efficiencies. This has made dielectric elastomers popular for creating devices such as robotic hands, soft robots, tunable lenses and pneumatic valves - and possibly flapping robotic wings.
Reporting this week i ...
more
Israeli options limited despite warnings on Iran deal
Jerusalem (AFP) April 3, 2015 -
Israel has warned relentlessly against a nuclear deal with Iran, but experts say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's options are limited and immediate military action is unlikely.
Netanyahu slammed Thursday's announcement in Lausanne on the framework of a potentially historic deal, saying that if implemented it would jeopardise the Jewish state's very existence.
"PM Netanyahu to Pres Oba ...
more
