Topics : Science World Report

Feb 20, 2012 04:05 PM EST

Preparing for the Flood: Visualizations Help Communities Plan for Sea-level Rise

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have produced computer visualizations of rising sea levels in a low-lying coastal municipality, illustrating ways to adapt to climate change impacts such as flooding and storms surges.

Feb 20, 2012 03:56 PM EST

A Step Toward Better Electronics

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method for chemically altering graphene, a development that could be a step toward the creation of faster, thinner, flexible electronics.

Feb 20, 2012 02:45 PM EST

Scientists Prove Turing's Tiger Stripe Theory

Researchers from King's College London have provided the first experimental evidence confirming a great British mathematician's theory of how biological patterns such as tiger stripes or leopard spots are formed.

Feb 20, 2012 02:23 PM EST

A Classic Model for Ecological Stability Revised, 40 Years Later

A famous mathematical formula which shook the world of ecology 40 years ago has been revisited and refined by two University of Chicago researchers in the current issue of Nature. In 1972, physicist Robert May rankled ecologists by publishing a simple model describing the relationship between divers...

Feb 20, 2012 01:08 PM EST

Single-atom Transistor is 'Perfect'

In a remarkable feat of micro-engineering, UNSW physicists have created a working transistor consisting of a single atom placed precisely in a silicon crystal. The tiny electronic device, described today in a paper published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, uses as its active component an indi...

Feb 20, 2012 08:59 AM EST

Cutting-edge Science Creating Solutions for African Agriculture

We are frequently reminded of the complex challenges Africa faces when it comes to feeding its population, particularly in the sub-Saharan region. Dealing with hunger and famine â€“ let alone broader food security issues â€“ is paramount and needs a global effort. Overcoming these challeng...

Feb 20, 2012 08:04 AM EST

Taking Tips from Vikings can Help Us Adapt to Global Change

Climate change, economic turmoil and cultural upheaval may be pressing concerns today â€“ but history can teach us how best to respond, research suggests. Scientists studying the past environments and archaeological remains of Greenland and Iceland have been able to analyse how well the Norse ...

Feb 19, 2012 10:34 AM EST

Electromobility â€“ an Important Topic for the Future

The German government wants one million electric cars to be on Germanyâ€™s roads by 2020. But for that to happen, more research into electromobility will have to be done. The Helmholtz Association has been successfully pursuing electromobility research for many years, and it is now expanding th...

Feb 19, 2012 10:24 AM EST

Atomtronics: A New Phase

Just as NASA engineers test new rocket designs in computer studies before committing themselves to full prototypes, so physicists will often model matter under various circumstances to see whether something new appears. This is especially true of atomtronics, a relatively new science devoted to crea...

Feb 19, 2012 10:14 AM EST

Fossilized Pollen Unlocks Secrets of Ancient Royal Garden

Researchers have long been fascinated by the secrets of Ramat Rahel, located on a hilltop above modern-day Jerusalem. The site of the only known palace dating back to the kingdom of Biblical Judah, digs have also revealed a luxurious ancient garden. Since excavators discovered the garden with its ad...

Feb 19, 2012 09:54 AM EST

Science Program Announced for Euroscience Open Forum 2012 in Dublin

The science program for Euroscience Open Forum 2012 (ESOF 2012) was officially launched today at the AAAS meeting in Vancouver. ESOF 2012 will take place in Dublin this year from 11th to 15th July. ESOF 2012, the largest general science meeting in Europe, will be held in the heart of the Irish capi...

Feb 18, 2012 05:30 PM EST

Launch of New System for Observing the Southern Ocean

The Southern Ocean plays a key role in the climate and ecosystem functioning of the whole planet, but understanding has long been hampered by lack of data. The science community has established the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) to address this.