Mark Hoffman : Science World Report

Jun 03, 2013 02:29 PM EDT

Genetically Modified Fungus Could Lead to Cheaper Biofuels

Until now, a special kind of fungus needed a biotech material 60 times more expensive than gold to produce an enzyme needed for the production of biofuel, making it an uneconomically costly process.

Jun 02, 2013 10:28 PM EDT

Artist Rendering of Proposed Asteroid Capture

This artist's rendering shows what capturing an asteroid could look like.

May 31, 2013 05:45 PM EDT

New Synthetic Material Able to Create Brightest Possible Colors Without Pigments

A synthetic material which mimics the brightest and most vivid colours in nature, and changes colour when twisted or stretched, has been developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge, and could have important applications in the security, textile and sensing industries.

May 31, 2013 05:28 PM EDT

Gene Therapy Gives Mice Broad Protection to Many Pandemic Flu Strains

Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania have developed a new gene therapy to thwart a potential influenza pandemic.

May 31, 2013 04:37 PM EDT

Cramming Can be Counterproductive: Neuroscientists Say Synapses Fragile After Learning

Students preparing for final exams might want to wait before pulling an all-night cram session — at least as far as their neurons are concerned. Carnegie Mellon University neuroscientists have discovered a new intermediate phase in neuronal development during which repeated exposure to a stimulus ...

May 31, 2013 04:25 PM EDT

Gene Therapies for Regenerative Surgery Are Getting Closer, Says Review

Experimental genetic techniques may one day provide plastic and reconstructive surgeons with an invaluable tool—the ability to promote growth of the patient's own tissues for reconstructive surgery.

May 30, 2013 05:54 PM EDT

2045 Initiative Aims to Set Ambitious Goals For Human Civilization

The 2045 Initiative, founded in February 2011 by Russian internet mogul Dmitry Itskov, said it plans to establish the world's first research center for immortality. The project describes its mission as advancing mankind's evolution, and also highlights its intention to initiate dialogue including re...

May 30, 2013 04:26 PM EDT

Shape-Shifting Nanoparticles Yet Another Method to Target and Kill Cancer

As a new method to target and terminate cancerous tissue, tiny spherical particles that float easily through the bloodstream after injection and then assemble into a durable scaffold within diseased tissue have been developed by scientists.

May 30, 2013 02:35 PM EDT

Rare-Earth Europium Nanocrystals Never Seen Before Could Revolutionize Huge LED Market

Minuscule crystals that glow different colors may be the missing ingredient for white LED lighting that illuminates homes and offices as effectively as natural sunlight.

May 30, 2013 02:10 PM EDT

Deep Underground Germanium Detectors Deployed to Solve Antimatter Imbalance Mystery

Oak Ridge National Laboratory has begun delivery of germanium-76 detectors to an underground laboratory in South Dakota in a team research effort that might explain the puzzling imbalance between matter and antimatter generated by the Big Bang.

May 29, 2013 11:52 AM EDT

Facial Recognition Algorithms Mature Enough to Automatically Identify Boston Bomb Subjects

In a study that evaluated some of the latest in automatic facial recognition technology, researchers at Michigan State University were able to quickly identify one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects from law enforcement video, an experiment that demonstrated the value of such technology.

May 28, 2013 04:06 PM EDT

German Researchers Make Beer Brewing More Efficient With Non-Stop Fermentation System

Scientists developed a fermentation process that takes place in stages over a number of interconnected tanks. The tank system can be operated continuously over a period of several months, which leads to an energy reduction.