Engineered enzyme increases output of biofuel production

By Damir Beciri
18 February 2013

bnl-bi-enzyme-teamResearchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) have devised a strategy which enables a boost in biofuel production. After studying an enzyme that naturally produces alkanes, the researchers figured how to make its reaction ongoing instead stopping after three to five cycles. The findings renew interest in using the enzyme in… »

Nano-machines which recreate principal activities of proteins

By Damir Beciri
16 February 2013

bionic-proteinA group of researchers in Austria have developed nano-machines which are able to mimic principal activities of proteins. Thanks to the Vienna Scientific Cluster (VSC), a high performance computing infrastructure, the researchers presented the first versatile and modular example of a fully artificial protein-mimetic model system. Once perfected, these artificial proteins could make a change… »

A milestone toward low-power tunnel transistor electronics

By Damir Beciri
15 February 2013

electronicsWhile many research groups are devising better batteries to enable longer operation of batteries, researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), international semiconductor consortium SEMATECH and Texas State University devised a method which allows further research of transistors with lower power consumption. The approach could lead to new integrated circuits with 10 fold lower power… »

3D printing of human embryonic stem cells

By Maja Bosanac
13 February 2013

3d-printing-with-embryonic-stem-cells-1Collaboration between researchers at the Heriot-Watt University, and the researchers at a stem cell technology company named Roslin Cellab, resulted in the development a new valve-based printer for specialized 3D cell printing of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The research team predicts that it could lead to creation of custom tailored replacement organs, thus eliminating… »

Oxijet insert lowers water consumption without low pressure

By Damir Beciri
13 February 2013

oxijet-insert-aerated-water-savingsAs you could notice in our articles about architecture, lower water consumption is a big deal. While most of the mentioned solutions rely on re-use and low-flow fixtures, a group of researchers at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) developed Oxijet – a shower nozzle insert that can save up to 50 percent… »

Bamboo and bamboo architecture

By Damir Beciri
2 Comments9 February 2013

bamboo-thicketBamboo – what can’t it do? To be honest, it can’t do many things, but its characteristics make it better than some dominant materials around us. As we mentioned in our roundup of most popular green architecture news and articles of 2012, you can expect a wider scope of news and articles regarding architecture. Hence,… »

Night-vision imaging in HD, color and with higher frame rate

By Damir Beciri
One Comment7 February 2013

aist-3ccd-night-vision-1Researchers at the Japanese National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) have collaborated with other research groups to develop an infrared color night-vision imaging technology able to record high-definition (HD) color videos even in darkness. The technology could be used in broadcast cameras used for nighttime recording, as well as to on-board vehicle… »

Nanosensors in hydrogel enable tracking of transplanted cells

By Maja Bosanac
5 February 2013

nanosensorsResearches at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have developed a method for in vivo monitoring of transplanted-cell viability. The researchers used nanoscale pH sensors and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to track liver cells previously transplanted into mice. This new method is likely to be an important tool for improving cell replacement therapies for conditions such as liver… »