science wire

Professor cited in brief to U.S. Supreme Court on new public health law
In March, the United States Supreme Court will hear arguments in an historic legal challenge to the new health law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

Spin-out secures record sales
A Cardiff University spin-out company which develops radio frequency equipment and device measurement to the semiconductor industry has secured $1.25M in sales of its technology.

Canopy commerce: forest conservation and poverty alleviation
Innovative approaches for protecting the future of Sierra Leone's Gola Forest - globally important for its biodiversity and its carbon reserves - are being developed by a collaboration of conservation agencies and University of Cambridge researchers.

High-Speed Train Research Pulls into the Station
At the KTH Symposium, the director of the U.S. National Science Foundation explains how scientific co-operation with Sweden benefits American research.

Firms’ own social networks better for business than Facebook
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Using Facebook and Twitter may be good for a company's bottom line, but firms can rake in even bigger profits if they have their own virtual brand community, says a University of Michigan marketing professor.

First international client confirmed for new marine facility at Plymouth University
A British-Italian wave energy company has become the first international client to inwardly invest in Plymouth’s burgeoning marine renewables sector. 40South Energy Ltd has signed a contract with Plymouth University to establish a base of operation in its new marine facility on campus. The deal is the first for the £19m new Marine Building, which will offer business collaboration space for marine-focussed enterprise when it opens later this year.

New investment aims to establish the UK as a global graphene research hub
Today sees the announcement of full details of how an additional £50 million will be spent to keep the UK at the forefront of research into ‘wonder material' graphene.

Biodiversity conservation for life
This month, the University of Cambridge will be profiling research that addresses biodiversity conservation.

Effective link between diabetes researches and business sector
The Lund University Diabetes centre has been conducting cutting-edge research on diabetes for a number of years.

Driving the green
New study suggests that electric-powered trucks will save money for businesses.

MIT faculty speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos
Talks explore the mind/machine interface and the science of predicting the economy, among other topics.

A Study on the Impact of Good Teachers Sparks National Attention
Teachers who succeed in raising standardized test scores have a lasting influence on their students' lives, helping them avoid teenage pregnancy, go to college and earn more money as adults, accordin

Probing Question: What is the sandwich generation?
By Melissa Beattie-Moss Research/Penn State If you didn't know better, you might think the Sandwich Generation was the name of a new show on the Food Network.

Forging new research talent
The search is on for the next generation of talented researchers building their careers in Wales. Welsh Crucible, the development scheme for the nation's research leaders of the future, is recruiting for this summer's capacity-building programme.

Got creative block? Get out of your office and go for a walk
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The next time you're in need of creative inspiration, try thinking outside the box - or cubicle. New research by Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks and Suntae Kim of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business shows that engaging in physical acts and experiences enhances creative problem-solving.

David and Helen Gurley Brown Gift to Create Institute for Media Innovation at Columbia and Stanford
J-School and Stanford Engineering announce joint gift from David and Helen Gurley Brown Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism and Stanford University's School of Engineering today

National Labs Seek Closer Industry Ties
The network of national laboratories run by the Department of Energy (DOE) has spawned countless scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs in the last 80 years.

China’s investment flow helps region grow
A new study from The Australian National University shows that foreign direct investment (FDI) both into and out of China is improving economic stability and driving development in Asia and the Pacific. In a major study, Chunlai Chen from the ANU Crawford School examined levels of FDI in 49 developing countries between 1992 and 2008.

Stanford, Columbia get a joint $30 million gift for media innovation
The gift establishes a first-of-its-kind bi-coastal Institute for Media Innovation, bringing together the best in West Coast technology with East Coast content.

Four decades - and counting - of feminist journalism
At a Stanford panel discussion, editors, activists and bloggers come together to salute Ms. magazine and consider the future.

Half of L.A. human-services nonprofits are struggling, new UCLA report shows
Roughly half of Los Angeles County's 6,300 human-services nonprofits — which provide such services as emergency shelter, food, hospice care, and support for foster children, at-risk youth and t

King’s India Institute launch
King's College London held the official inauguration ceremony yesterday for its new India Institute, which is aiming to become the leading international centre for the study of contemporary India.

Consumer confidence improves in January due to job gains
ANN ARBOR, Mich - Consumer confidence continued to improve in January due to positive news about potential job gains, according to University of Michigan economist Richard Curtin, director of the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers.

Modelon based on simulation
Nowadays, it is cheaper and quicker to test a product or system using computer simulation than by building a prototype.

UChicago brings Akira clothing store to former Borders building on 53rd Street
The University of Chicago is bringing Akira , the apparel and shoes retailer, to Hyde Park, to occupy the majority of the first-floor space in the former Borders building at 1539 E. 53rd St&poi

Commentary in Nature: Can economy bear what oil prices have in store?
Stop wrangling over global warming and instead reduce fossil-fuel use for the sake of the global economy.

New website matches ideas with investors
New website matches ideas with investors A new collaboration between Sussex and four of the south-east's other leading research institutions was launched on Monday (23 January).

Opening of UK site producing the heart of Galileo
Opening of UK site producing the heart of Galileo The first Galileo satellites are already in orbit, with more on the way.

Stanford scholars reflect on Arab Spring
A year after the Egyptian uprising, five scholars talk about democracy in the Middle East, how lives have changed in the Arab world, and what the United States has learned from the Arab Spring.

Making a ‘contract’ with society: GlaxoSmithKline’s research and development head discusses the company’s ethos
By Tanya Gubbay Wednesday 25 January 2012 The Chairman of Research and Development at one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies last night shared his insights into the philosophy behind its work, in a distinguished guest lecture at Imperial College Business School.

Attack or retreat? Circuit links hunger and pursuit in sea slug brain
CHAMPAIGN, lll. - If you were a blind, cannibalistic sea slug, living among others just like you, nearly every encounter with another creature would require a simple cost/benefit calculation: Should I eat that, do nothing or flee? In a new study, researchers report that these responses are linked to a simple circuit in the brain of the sea slug Pleurobranchaea .

U-M experts available to comment on the State of the Union address
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - University of Michigan faculty are available to discuss tonight's State of the Union address, in which President Barack Obama will talk about the economy, taxes and other issues.

U of M survey: Minnesotans predict higher leisure travel spending in 2012
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (01/23/2012) —A majority of the state's residents spend their leisure time in Minnesota, and 78 percent said they plan to spend as much or more money on leisure travel in 2012 compared to 2011, a new survey by the University of Minnesota Tourism Center reveals.

Microbubbles provide new boost for biofuel production
Microbubbles provide new boost for biofuel production A solution to the difficult issue of harvesting algae for use as a biofuel has been developed using microbubble technology pioneered at the University of Sheffield. The technique builds on previous research in which microbubbles were used to improve the way algae is cultivated.

With $3.5 million, UW-led consortium will address national freight issues
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $3.5 million grant to the National Center for Freight and Infrastructure Research and Education (CFIRE) , a consortium led by the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Penn GSE Researcher Scores a Publishing Hat Trick
Writing one book is a daunting task, but writing three - simultaneously - might seem near impossible.

Early Stage Venture Fund launches in Cambridge, Mass
Cambridge, Mass. - January 18, 2012 - When the "next big thing" is invented in a dorm room, ruminated over in a late-night café, or discovered in a laboratory, it will now find more support in - and its inventors will have better reasons to stay connected to - the Cambridge area.

Climate balancing: sea-level rise versus surface temperature change rates
Engineering our way out of global climate warming may not be as easy as simply reducing the incoming solar energy, according to a team of University of Bristol and Penn State climate scientists.

Promoting legal capability in the UK
A new framework, produced by the Personal Finance Research Centre (PFRC) at the University of Bristol and Law for Life, aims to improve public legal education so that more people are aware of their legal rights when faced with law-related issues in everyday life, such as consumer complaints, discrimination at work or debt problems.

Climate balancing: sea-level rise vs. surface temperature change rates
Guidelines for reporting of child abuse, sexual assault Board chair and vice chair issue statement on questions about Paterno Alumni Town Hall meetings begin in Pittsburgh Panel discussion 'Responding to Child Sexual Abuse' set for Jan.

Report backs government-funded older people’s advice service
Analysis of the FirstStop initiative reveals that the service saves money and improves quality of life. With better information and advice about how to deal with the housing, care and financial challenges of ageing, people are able to remain independent in their own homes or move to housing that really suits them." —Gemma Burgess A government-funded information and advice service helping older people to prepare for later life is proving a much-needed resource as Britain becomes an increasingly top-heavy society, a new report says.

Novartis receives approval for Lucentis and launches Galvus in China
Lucentis (ranibizumab) approved in China to treat wet age-related macular degeneration, a major cause of blindness and severe vision loss in people over 50 Oral type 2 diabetes treatment Galvu

Pro athletes are wise to bolster their star status, say researchers
Basketball fans in Cleveland may disagree, but two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Lebron James' decision to play with a higher-profile Miami Heat team and all-star teammates shows sound marketing and

Being happy at work is nice, but thriving is better--and more productive
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - While it may come as little surprise that happy employees are more productive, a high-performing workforce needs more than just a feeling of contentment - workers need to thrive, says a researcher at the University of Michigan.

President David Naylor discusses research and innovation
When the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation asked President David Naylor for his expertise and insight on innovation hubs and what makes them successful, he was happy to use Toronto as a prime example.

From field to biorefinery: Computer model optimizes biofuel operations
CHAMPAIGN, lll. - Research into biofuel crops such as switchgrass and Miscanthus has focused mainly on how to grow these crops and convert them into fuels. But many steps lead from the farm to the biorefinery, and each could help or hinder the growth of this new industry. A new computer model developed at the University of Illinois can simplify this transition, researchers say.

Jan. 20 U-M town hall: Cures for climate confusion
DATE: 6:30-8:00 p.m., Friday, Jan. 20, 2012. EVENT: When the scientific experts have concluded that we are changing our climate, why do many U.S. citizens remain confused or skeptical?

People with chronic illness or disability face catastrophic costs, experts warn
Australians with a chronic illness or disability face serious levels of economic hardship, according to an article in the January issue of the Medical Journal of Australia .

Railroad hyperbole echoes all the way down to the dot-com frenzy
Stanford historian Richard White explores the role of the railroad in shaping the modern American West.

Tackling the temptation of illegal cheap tobacco
A pioneering programme to tackle the use of illicit tobacco in the North of England has had a positive impact and offers a blueprint for similar programmes both nationally and internationally, research by the UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies has shown. ‘ Tackling Illicit Tobacco for Better Health' is a pilot scheme which was launched in 2009 to improve the health of people in the North West, North East and Yorkshire and Humber by trying to reduce the supply of and demand for illegal cigarettes and tobacco.

KTH to Host New Smart Grids Centre
At the KTH Symposium, the director of the U.S. National Science Foundation explains how scientific co-operation with Sweden benefits American research.

Seeking benefits, avoiding conflicts
A new report on Uganda's emerging oil and gas industry says companies can improve their corporate social responsibility (CSR) to give fairer employment, compensation and land deals to communities. The report Seeking Benefits and Avoiding Conflicts: A Community-Company Assessment of Uganda's Hydrocarbon Industry is the culmination of a year of consultation, validation discussions, roundtables and workshops, conducted by the Ugandan members of the study team and coordinated by the Civil Society Coalition on Oil and Gas (CSCO).

Novartis to restructure US business
Novartis to restructure US business to strengthen competitive position in light of loss of Diovan patent and announces charge for Rasilez /Tekturna.

Sound effects: Book examines impact of sound on culture
In "The Oxford Handbook of Sound Studies" (Oxford University Press), co-editor Trevor Pinch, professor of sociology and of science and technology studies, takes a look at how sound is experienced in machine shops, design studios, private homes and dance clubs.

Don’t Know Much About Charter Schools
UC San Diego researchers say the best studies reflect only the best schools and must be boosted with 'value-added' approaches for all the rest Some two decades into the grand national experiment with charter schools, how much do we really know about them? Not all that much.

A Scarcity of Women Leads Men to Spend More, Save Less
University of Minnesota Research Finds Sex Ratios Influence Financial Decisions MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (01/12/2012) —The perception that women are scarce leads men to become impulsive, save less, and increase borrowing, according to new research from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management.

University of Minnesota startup Drive Power uses mobile app DriveScribe to monitor and coach teen driving skills
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (01/12/2012) —Some 16.5 million drivers are involved in traffic accidents in the United States each year, and more than 12 percent of them are under the age of 20&m

Health insurance no guarantee for diabetes care in developing countries, Stanford researchers find
A doctor prepares an injection for a diabetes patient in a Cuban hospital. Diabetes is on the rise in Latin America and throughout many developing countries, but access to care and medication for the disease is often costly and scarce, according to Stanford researchers.

Science career ’not for me’ say many 10 year olds
Children as young as ten already see a career in science as ‘not for me'. Despite the majority of children enjoying the subject at school and viewing scientists positively, fewer than 17 per cent are interested in pursuing a career in science, according to research from King's College London, published today.

Keeping the supply chain moving smoothly
Too much, or… too little! Many companies need to work on improving their supply chains. EPFL researchers have analyzed the best strategies and proven that good supply chain coordination can result in significant savings.

Purchase deal over Hepatitis drug
American pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb has agreed the purchase of US biotech company Inhibitex, in a $2.5Bn (£1.6bn) deal which includes the promising new anti-hepatitis C drug INX-189, first designed and prepared in Cardiff University.

What happens to the young and educated without a job?
A new study led by the University of Oxford is looking at how young educated people who are unemployed become politicised in different ways - either through violent struggle or as reformers working for a more equal society.

Economic returns and job creation from major investments in low carbon cities
A new study from the Centre for Low Carbon Futures shows that UK cities could cut their energy bills by billions by exploiting commercially attractive opportunities in energy and carbon management.

Use of out-of-network services may explain higher health care costs for women
Women generally have been paying higher health care costs than men for many years, and this trend appears to be continuing or worsening since the major economic downturn began in 2008, according to Susan Busch, associate professor of health policy in the Yale School of Public Health.

Policy and Leadership Vacuum Undermines Higher Education in Washington State, Penn GSE Researchers Find
Embargoed until Jan. 8, 2012.

San Diego’s Algal Biofuels Research Enterprise Continues Rapid Growth
Scientists at UC San Diego are among the workers in the region transforming algae into transportation fuels. Credit: Photos by Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego Publications Despite the sluggish economy, San Diego's research efforts to produce new transportation fuels from algae continue to grow at a rapid pace, generating more than double the number of jobs for local workers in 2011 than were available in the region just two years ago.

KTH Spin-off Wins Boeing Order
At the KTH Symposium, the director of the U.S. National Science Foundation explains how scientific co-operation with Sweden benefits American research.

The case of the missing gas mileage
Automakers have made great strides in fuel efficiency in recent decades - but the mileage numbers of individual vehicles have barely increased.

Stanford political scientist maps militant groups around the globe
A supporter of Indonesian militant cleric Abu Bakar Bashir wears a shirt with the image of Osama bin Laden.

Innovation Scholarship for Superabsorbent Polymer

‘Extreme Sleepover #3’ – gathering the views of indigenous women in rural Ecuador
In the third of a series of reports contributed by Cambridge researchers, geographer Sarah Radcliffe describes her work with women from impoverished indigenous communities in Ecuador.

Divorce fears widespread among young cohabiting couples
With the share of married adults at an all-time low in the United States, new research by demographers at Cornell and the University of Central Oklahoma offers clues about what's preventing young adults from tying the knot. Through qualitative s with 122 cohabiting men and women, ages 18-36, researchers found widespread apprehension about divorce - even in those with no personal experience of divorce.

Traditional social networks fueled Twitter’s spread
Site's U.S. growth relied primarily on media attention, geographic proximity of users. We've all heard it: The Internet has flattened the world, allowing social networks to spring up overnight, independent of geography or socioeconomic status.

Cambridge Enterprise announces 2011 results
Income generated from the University of Cambridge's commercialisation activities continued to rise in 2011, as did the number of intellectual property, consultancy and equity agreements signed on behalf of the University and its researchers.

Novartis announces termination of ALTITUDE study with Rasilez / Tekturna in high-risk patients with diabetes and renal impairment
ALTITUDE study involved patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment who are at high risk of cardiovascular and renal events Committee overseeing study identified higher adverse events w

Expanded Data Repository at Austin and Arlington Campuses to Improve Research Capacity for Entire UT System
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) at The University of Texas at Austin today announced that it is working with The University of Texas at Arlington to deploy a data rep

Stanford expert discusses Kim Jong Il’s death and what’s next for North Korea
People read an extra edition of a newspaper reporting the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il in Seoul.

Vega to fly ESA experimental reentry vehicle
Vega to fly ESA experimental reentry vehicle The launch of ESA's IXV Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle on Europe's new Vega rocket is now in detailed planning, a major step towards the craft's flight in 2014.

Trash-to-Energy Project in Bolivia Wins Funding
At the KTH Symposium, the director of the U.S. National Science Foundation explains how scientific co-operation with Sweden benefits American research.

Abandoned mines hold potential to capture wind energy
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (12/16/2011) —Minnesota's Iron Range is pocked with ponds – abandoned open pit mines – that could help energy providers more efficiently use intermittent renewable energy sources, such as wind, to meet state renewable energy mandates.

Stanford University reports FY 2011 financial results
Stanford University reported its financial results for fiscal year 2011 (FY2011), which ended Aug. 31, 2011.

The role of social media in protests
A study has explored the dynamics behind social network sites in recruiting and spreading calls for action that contribute to riots, revolutions and protests. Led by Oxford University and published in the journal Scientific Reports , the study finds that the most influential group consists of a small group of users close to the centre of a network.

Industrial "inertia to change" is delaying development of zero carbon homes, report finds
Tackling rising CO2 emissions from the residential sector could make a vital contribution towards mitigating climate change, according to a new report from the UCL Bartlett School of Planning.

Studying the European innovation potential
Dominique Foray will share his expertise in the "Innovation for Growth" group to support the Europe 2020 strategy.

Jobs Even in a Recession
At the KTH Symposium, the director of the U.S. National Science Foundation explains how scientific co-operation with Sweden benefits American research.

Least Nutritious Cereals Served Most Often in Minority Homes with Children
In the first study to examine cereal-buying patterns in homes in the United States, researchers at the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity found that minority families with children are most likely to buy the least nutritious cereals that are advertised directly to children. The study appears online in the journal Public Health Nutrition.

Age a barrier for breaking into the Bar
People aged 30 or over who choose to re-train as barristers are at a significant disadvantage to younger applicants, according to new research from King's College London.

Tool which targets carbon emission hotspots in supply chains developed
Tool which targets carbon emission hotspots in supply chains developed A management expert at the University of Sheffield has developed a tool to analyse supply chains in industry, enabling businesses to highlight waste hotspots and make their processes more environmentally friendly.

Michigan Ross researchers conduct largest HR study ever
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - In the largest global study ever of human resource professionals, researchers at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and the RBL Group found that HR managers play an integral role in the overall effectiveness of a company's performance.

After years of ’fracking,’ Pennsylvanians remain mixed about gas drilling
Despite having an eight-year head start on Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction, Pennsylvania residents are just as uncertain about the effects of horizontal hydraulic drilling as New Yorkers, researchers at Cornell and Penn State have found.

Christmas - it’s not about the money, money, money
Christmas doesn't have to cost a fortune and a simple handmade or pre-used gift can mean as much, if not more, than the present that broke the bank.

Quotas for women in local politics brings surge in documented crimes against women in India
An increase in female representation in local politics has caused a significant rise in documented crimes against women in India, new research has found. That is good news, say the authors of the study carried out at the Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE) at the University of Warwick in the UK, Harvard Business School and the IMF, who argue that the increase is down to greater reporting of crimes against women, rather than greater incidence of crimes against them.

Carlson School and Wells Fargo launch Sustainability Initiative
$250,000 grant supports research to help increase consumer demand for 'green' products MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (12/14/2011) —The University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management h

Research Strategy published
The 2011 UCL Research Strategy calls for a transformation of the understanding of the role of our comprehensive research-intensive university in the 21st century.

Brain drain of African doctors costs sub-Saharan Africa billions, saved U.S. nearly $900 million
Sub-Saharan African countries that invest in training doctors lose billions of dollars when those clinicians leave to work in developed nations, finds research recently published by BMJ ( bmj.com).

Report: Online coupons help consumers and restaurants
Daily online deals, or so-called "social coupons," help restaurants and consumers, according to a new report from the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research (CHR).

Pen and Paper Computing: an old technology in a modern world
A talk by Nadir Weibel from the University of California San Diego Monday January 30th 2012, Room RLC D1 761 Access to information is one of the most crucial aspects of everyday life.

Journalism Professor Adds Up the High Cost of "Zero-Sum Politics"
Tom Edsall has covered every presidential campaign since 1968. He has reported on politics from more than 30 states and written five books on the subject.

Tobacco industry dying? Not so fast, says Stanford expert
Smoking is not going away. Worldwide, says Stanford historian Robert Proctor, the tobacco industry continues to create toxic products that cause not just lung cancer but also cataracts, ankle fractures, early onset menopause, spontaneous abortion and erectile dysfunction, among other maladies.

Innovative new approach to industry-funded research announced by U of M
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (12/09/2011) —The University of Minnesota today announced a new, unique approach to the way The new approach eliminates the need for protracted negotiations over rights to intellectual property that may result from industry-funded research.

Swarms of bees could unlock secrets to human brains
Swarms of bees could unlock secrets to human brains Scientists at the University of Sheffield believe decision making mechanisms in the human brain could mirror how swarms of bees choose new nest sites. Striking similarities have been found in decision making systems between humans and insects in the past but now researchers believe that bees could teach us about how our brains work.

£1 million drug treatment study launched
08 Dec 2011 University of Manchester researchers have been awarded £1 million to investigate the effectiveness of the Department of Health's ‘Payment by Results' (PbR) schemes in the treatment of addiction.

Kolb authors new book on facilitation of small groups
Berks students hold fundraiser to benefit Children's Alliance Center Penn State to create Center for the Protection of Children A message from President Rodney Erickson: The days ahead... Campus community and friends attend candlelight vigil Town Hall Forum video posted Judith A. Kolb, associate professor of workforce education, is the author of a newly released book that offers research, insights and suggestions on ways to improve the functioning of groups and teams.

How sustainable is nuclear power for the UK?
08 Dec 2011 Nuclear power could contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the UK but this would lead to considerable impacts on natural resources and the environment, a report from The University of Manchester claims. The research into the sustainability of nuclear and other electricity options in the UK shows that nuclear power could make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.

Economists: 9 million lost health insurance in recession
The "Great Recession" of 2007-09 - the longest and most severe U.S. recession since 1933 - has cost an estimated 9.3 million American adults their health insurance coverage due to unemployment, reports a working paper published online in November by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Former enemies influence EU governance of GMOs
The EU’s governance of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and food safety has given lobbyists a new role.

IT pioneer makes donation to fight autism
A leading UK businesswoman has made a major donation towards autism research.

Cities fail to recognise full potential of smart technologies
PA 380/11 Cities are wasting the potential of smart technologies by failing to realise the value of their hidden infrastructure and digital assets.

Australians prefer investment in urban rail over high-speed services
More Australians want improved rail services in major cities than they want high-speed intercity rail, the latest quarterly national transport survey from the University of Sydney shows.

Lending a helping hand to develop African soil information
West African soil scientists are learning how to make the most out of sub-Saharan African soil during a six-week visit to the University of Sydney.

CAFE standards create profit incentive for larger vehicles
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The current Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards create a financial incentive for auto companies to make bigger vehicles that are allowed to meet lower targets, according to a new University of Michigan study.

Scientists subject rocks to hellish conditions to combat global warming
A team of Earth scientists at Stanford University is subjecting chunks of rock to hellish conditions in the laboratory – all in the name of curbing climate change.

Growing income and gender gaps in college graduation
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - A new study shows that the gap in rates of college completion between students from high-and low-income families has grown significantly in the last 50 years.

Cash for Clunkers was a clunker, says energy economist
The 2009 Cash for Clunkers federal vehicle trade-in program was a clunker, concludes a new study. The program, it says, would have been more effective with higher fuel economy requirements for new vehicles and different vehicle-age thresholds for various types of trade-in vehicles.

With changes, the grid can take it
MIT report shows that with new policies, U.S. electric grid could handle expected influx of electric cars and wind and solar generation.

Partnership for Progress in Electronics Strengthened by New Lab-Industry Investment
As manufacturers pack more and more circuitry into the tiny microchips on which electronic technologies depend, ultraviolet light's narrow wavelengths are essential for creating the densely patterned chips of the future.

Making finance serve society, the economy and the environment
Ways to make the financial system better serve Europe's economic, social and environmental needs are to be explored by a ¤10m international research project.

New thesis studies conditions for bank aid in the EU
Because of the major importance of banks for the financial system, the European Commission’s application of the rules on state aid has become more flexible.

Warwick economist to lead £15 million research initiative into private enterprise in developing countries
Warwick economist to lead £15 million research initiative into private enterprise in developing countries University of Warwick economics professor Christopher Woodruff will oversee a new initiative that plans to invest £15 million into research on private enterprise development in low-income countries, it was announced today.

Australian economy strongly influenced by East Asian market conditions
2 Dec 2011 Market fluctuations in East Asia and their impact on Australia is the focus of the latest edition of the Australian Economic Review (AER), the peak economic policy journal in the country.

Kaiser, Reich and the making of modern Germany
Europe is in crisis and its future is said to depend on Germany. The most comprehensive study of Germany's early modern history ever undertaken, published this week, questions just how much we know about its past - and how much we understand it as a result.

Digital church records offer window into past
Digital church records offer window into past The University of Sheffield's Humanities Research Institute (HRI) has completed a project with the University of York to digitise records of

30% more efficient solar thermal power plants
The efficiency of solar thermal power plants is improved by more than 30% thanks to the combination of two technologies.

Enticing words on bags of potato chips have a lot to say about social class, Stanford researchers find
Like politicians who adopt regional accents to appeal to local audiences, the manufacturers of potato chips vary the wording on their bags to convey their products' authenticity in different ways to different buyers.

200 lorry loads of concrete in one day: a construction challenge
A major construction logistics operation was staged on the West Cambridge site recently to create a substantial concrete base for some of the world's most powerful microscopes.

More than just tape: 3M partners with food scientist
When Martin Wiedmann, professor of food science, tests meat samples suspected to be tainted with salmonella, he may be able to do so even faster, thanks to a new high-tech tool recently added to his arsenal.

Six steps to a better material world
Every year we make 10 times our own bodyweight of steel, aluminium, cement, plastics and paper, for every person alive, using a fifth of all the world's energy supply to do so. Now researchers are releasing a manifesto to change that and help cut carbon emissions. And they've also released an album of songs to go with it.

COP 17 and a low carbon future for cities
Investing 2% of a modern city's GDP in low carbon and energy efficient opportunities for ten years would reduce that city's carbon emission levels by 40% at no net cost.

Moore Foundation Awards $6 Million for Research Leading to Earthquake Early Warning System
Released by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation: PALO ALTO, Calif. —The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has awarded $6 million to three West Coast universities to create a prototype earthquake early warning system for the Pacific Coast of the United States.

Moore Foundation awards $6 million for earthquake early warning research
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has awarded $6 million to three West Coast universities to create a prototype earthquake early warning system for the Pacific Coast of the United States. The grant will allow seismologists at the University of California, Berkeley; California Institute of Technology (Caltech); and University of Washington, Seattle, in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), to learn about the science of earthquakes and the best way to capture and analyze seismic data.

Many packages far down on the wish list
This year's Christmas shopping is expected to set new records, and a common sales trick is to combine and sell goods and services in bundles, as in 'buy three pay for two.' Somewhat surprisingly, w

Health and Safety rules will be overhauled
Ragnar Löfstedt, Professor of Risk Management at King's College London, has recommended a suite of health and safety regulations be axed to reduce the red tape of legislation and ease the burden on business, in a review for Government published today.

New book on Optimal Control Theory
Thomas Weber published a new book at MIT Press, which gives a rigorous introduction to optimal control theory, with an emphasis on applications in economics. Content This book bridges optimal control theory and economics, discussing ordinary differential equations, optimal control, game theory, and mechanism design in one volume.

Doing good - or just talking about it?
UK companies making bold claims about social and environmental achievements are using incorrect and irrelevant data, say researchers at the University of Leeds and Euromed Management School (France).

New Mongolia centre sets ANU out from the herd
The rolling hills and sweeping steppes of Mongolia will seem closer to Australia with the launch of a new research and teaching centre at The Australian National University today.

A How-To Guide to Slashing California’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050
What will a day in the life of a Californian be like in 40 years? If the state cuts its greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 - a target mandated by a state executive order

Adolescent boys more prone to delinquency without a father
Adolescent boys are more prone to delinquency if they do not have a father figure in their lives, a University of Melbourne study has found, while adolescent girls seem unaffected by the presence or absence of fathers in their lives. The study, undertaken by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research at the Faculty of Business and Economics, found that the presence of a father figure during adolescence was most likely to have a preventive effect on whether male youths engage in risk-taking and deviant behaviour.

UK recovery will require strong public sector leadership confident of its special role and more closely connected with those it serves
Leadership in the public sector is facing an unprecedented crisis of confidence at a time when public services are facing huge challenges.

Satellites and Sun connect isolated communities to the world
Satellites and Sun connect isolated communities to the world A mobile phone unit connecting isolated communities to the rest of the world using satellites and solar power has caught the attention of ESA and the World Economic Forum.

War’s lasting legacy is a culture of violence -- see video
The civil wars in Sierra Leone and Liberia ended 10 years ago but these West African nations continue to struggle, partly because the wars created an economy based on warfare.

Lund - home to world’s top 100 “Global Innovators”
Three of the world’s “top 100 Global Innovators” are Swedish companies based in Lund, according to the 2011 Thompsons Reuters Top 100 Global Innovators report released last week.

In the Middle East and the West, Oil and Democracy Don’t Mix
Two fossil fuels powered the rise of the modern industrial state. But only one—the hard, chunky rock extracted from the ground by legions of coal workers—has been a force for the development of democracy.

'Want an ethical career Become a banker'
Ethically-minded people should consider a career in banking rather than joining the third sector, an Oxford University ethicist has suggested.

Who owns the City?
Foreign investors now own the majority of City of London offices, according to a new study from the Department of Land Economy.

Rule-breaking, risk-taking and road safety
Cardiff researchers have discovered that culture and the attitudes of road users towards risk are fundamental in explaining road traffic safety in the UK and around the world. The research compared rates of death and injury caused by road incidents with the willingness to follow the rules across different countries.

ESA Council opens up to ten EU Member States
ESA Council opens up to ten EU Member States Responding to the growing interest within Europe in space matters, ESA has invited 10 more countries to participate in meetings of its governing Council.

Professor Advocates for Tougher Laws Against Drunken Driving
It's not every day that a professor buys a breathalyzer. But Barron H. Lerner , whose latest book is a cultural history of drunken driving, wanted to know what a.08 blood alcohol concentration—the nation's legal limit for drivers—really means.

King’s Russia Institute
King's College London is set to open a Russia Institute in 2013, which will aim to become the leading international centre for the study of contemporary Russia.

Leading the way in sustainable manufacturing
Sustainable ways to produce plastics, foams, paints and other everyday materials could be the outcome of a $10 million, four-year project about to commence at the University of Sydney.

Lessons from the Christchurch Earthquake
A leading Infrastructure academic believes an assessment needs to be made of the level of "very rare" earthquake that needs to be considered in structural design, perhaps one with a 10,000 year

From empty words to green action
By international comparison, the Swedes are among those with best knowledge of environmental and climate problems.

Starlings give clue to irrational preferences
Research into decision-making by European starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris ) may help to explain why many animals, including humans, sometimes exhibit irrational preferences. A study by Oxford University scientists in which starlings pecked on different coloured keys to gain a food reward shows that the birds pay too much attention to context: this makes them vulnerable to the sort of tricks that marketing specialists use to try to make human shoppers choose one product over another.

Two new engineering Master’s programmes
Two new engineering Master's programmes are being taught through the Faculty of Engineering. Food Innovation and Product Design (FIPDES) is a new Erasmus Mundus Master’s programme being offered in collaboration between France, Ireland and Sweden through the Division of Packaging Logistics at LTH.

Family firms more likely to survive in recession-hit UK
Family businesses have been more resilient in meeting the economic challenges created by the current recession, a study has shown.

68% of fuel cell electrical efficiency measured at LENI
Ceramic fuel cells convert the chemical energy of injected fuel into electricity with unprecedented efficiency, at small power scale.

Analyzing massive datasets is subject of major international conference
Seattle is host this week to the major international meeting about high-performance computing, giving UW scientists and computer specialists an opportunity to see over the horizon at developments that will influence how research is conducted for years to come.

Future Forum tracks the global green economy

University of Nottingham extends science collaborations in China
The University of Nottingham has signed a collaboration agreement with the China Guanghua Science and Technology Foundation, based in Beijing.

Solar workforce ready, if only L.A. had jobs
Thousands of workers are trained and ready to create a solar-panel revolution in Los Angeles, if only city policies would goose the market and create jobs, UCLA and other researchers said Wednesday.

Former ambassador to Italy talks about Berlusconi, Monti and cutting the Italian debt
Silvio Berlusconi has been a force in Italian politics during the past two decades. As the country's prime minister and richest man, the media mogul managed to slip through sex scandals and criminal charges only to be forced out of office by Europe's debt crisis.

Saving cereals: Colin Wellings wins Farrer Medal
Many of us eat cereals for breakfast, bread in our lunch and foods such as pasta, rice, quinoa, breads, pastry and pizza bases for dinner.

Apples with catchy names may boost revenue for farmers
A rose by any other name may smell as sweet, but an apple by another name could fetch a much sweeter price for farmers.

Technology Visions Meet Market Needs
At the KTH Symposium, the director of the U.S. National Science Foundation explains how scientific co-operation with Sweden benefits American research.

The Preuss School UCSD Named One of 10 ’Breakthrough Schools’ in the Nation
The Preuss School is dedicated to expanded learning time through longer days and a longer school year.

How smart managers make dumb decisions and why shareholders encourage them
From Enron in the United States to Satyam in India, there are plenty of examples of corporate managers lying about their companies' earnings and ultimately hurting themselves and the businesses they work for.

"Fallen Star" House to be Hoisted Atop Jacobs School of Engineering Building Today
Come witness a remarkable feat today: Provided the weather cooperates, a small house will be lifted seven stories and perched atop a Jacobs School of Engineering building on Warren Mall.

Space and its benefits for citizens and society: A top priority for Europe
Space and its benefits for citizens and society: A top priority for Europe After the recent launch of the first Galileo satellites - an event of paramount political importance for Europe - politi

First Vega launch campaign aims for January liftoff
First Vega launch campaign aims for January liftoff The first Vega launch campaign began on Monday at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana with the installation of the first stage on the pad.

The State of the Unions
Don't write off the unions yet - a new study reveals how trade unions are adapting to 21st century pressures in an effort to reclaim the hearts and minds of the British workforce.

International consensus on joint space exploration

Bushland battle: biodiversity or bioenergy
Opening our native forests to the bioenergy market will be 'all pain for no gain', according to a leading Australian economist and forestry expert.

Carbon mitigation strategy uses wood for buildings first, bioenergy second
Proposals to remove the carbon dioxide caused by burning fossil fuel from the atmosphere include letting commercially managed forests grow longer between harvests or not cutting them at all.

Lessons from a German bank could cut energy bills for UK homeowners
UK home owners could see reduced energy bills if the government's energy policy takes lessons from a publicly owned German bank that has pioneered energy-efficient construction over the past 30 years, a new report has found.

Being Smart is Already Part of your Mental Toolbox, Psychologist Says
AUSTIN, Texas — Intelligence and smart thinking are not the same, according to University of Texas at Austin psychologist Art Markman , who studies how best to apply knowledge for smarter thinking at work and home.

PG&E detects leak during pressure test
Late last week, PG&E detected a slow drop in pressure during preparations for a hydrostatic pressure test on Line 132 near Palo Alto and determined that pressure drop had the characteristics of a small pinhole leak of approximately 1 millimeter in diameter.

Spin-out is energy-saver for business
The latest spin-out from Oxford University, Pilio Limited, provides a cost-effective online tool enabling small and medium businesses to monitor and manage their energy usage, potentially saving up to 40 per cent of their energy budget.

The Who rock icons launch Daltrey/Townshend Teen and Young Adult Cancer Program at UCLA
In a heartfelt repayment of that debt, the two today announced the launch of the UCLA Daltrey/Townshend Teen & Young Adult Cancer Program, which will serve teens and young adult cancer patients at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

New professors signal fresh ambitions for science policy research at Sussex
New professors signal fresh ambitions for science policy research at Sussex The University of Sussex continues to tackle the most challenging issues for governments and policy makers with the appointment of three big names in the field of science and technology policy.

UCLA Operation Mend founder named special grand marshal for NYC Veterans Day parade
( Editors: This press release contains information about a member of your community .) Ronald A. Katz, (Beverly Hills), the founder of UCLA's Operation Mend , an organization that provid

Shortlisted for inequality work
Cardiff Social Scientist Professor Teresa Rees CBE AcSS is on the first-ever shortlist for Research Fortnight's Achiever of the Year Award.

We are what we eat. We eat what we believe ... And what we believe may protect us against obesity
A new series of studies identifies social norms that protect against obesity Social norms - shared beliefs about what is socially appropriate that lead to an obligation to behave in a certain way - have a profound effect on eating behaviours.

Fellowships recognise excellence in research
University of Sydney researchers have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to chemistry, genetics and social sciences by being elected Fellows of the Australian Academy of Tech

Spin-out improves scientific imaging
A new spin-out firm from Oxford University is developing high performance scientific imaging detectors capable of studying structures and processes at the atomic level.

Nearly half of hedge funds' voluntary disclosures are ’unreliable’
New research by Oxford University and Duke University suggests that voluntary disclosures by hedge funds about their monthly investment performance are unreliable. The researchers tracked changes to statements of historical performance of over 18,000 hedge funds recorded in publicly available hedge fund databases, at different points in time between 2007 and 2011.

Developing a sustainable laboratory
An interdisciplinary team of researchers from across Wales is aiming to tackle waste and shape the laboratory of the future by redesigning the lifecycle of laboratory gloves.

New network will promote 'SAVI' uses of technology
Imagine a Blue Jays game where fans, reporters and pundits are sharing their insight and commentary using a variety of media (videos, audio and pictures).

KTH-Scania Co-operation Strengthens Swedish Industrial Competitiveness
KTH and the Swedish heavy vehicle manufacturer Scania will expand their competence exchange programme, enhancing co-operation aimed at strengthening KTH research and education while improving Scania's access to advanced expertise.

Business Professor David Beim Argues for Radical Action on Euro Crisis
The eurozone is in trouble. What began as a sovereign debt problem in a few countries has exposed major weaknesses in the euro project.

Scientists tackle threat to New York’s garlic industry
Cornell nematologist George S. Abawi, Ph.D. '70, is on a mission to help save one of New York's burgeoning agricultural commodities: garlic.

Half of British workforce ill-treated in past two years
One million Britons experienced workplace violence in the last two years, while millions more were subjected to intimidation, humiliation and rudeness, new research has shown. Surprisingly, managers and professionals in well-paid full-time jobs are among the groups most at risk. The study by Plymouth and Cardiff Universities also shows that conventional employment policies are failing to deal with workplace ill-treatment.

Solar energy covers earth’s needs thousands of times over
Every day there is more bad news – the climate is more sensitive than previously thought. The Arctic ice is melting faster than anyone could have predicted.

“Better to give away experiences than things”
Meet Oksana Mont, Sweden’s only Professor of Sustainable Consumption. How can our consumption become more sustainable? “A major aspect is promoting sustainable lifestyles rather than just sustainable products.

Researching the cities of the future
Today, the climate impact of cities represents 80 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. At Lund University, researchers want to create models to reduce this impact.

Climate research at Lund University
Lund University has a huge breadth of climate research. This research is carried out at eight of the University’s faculties and almost 30 different departments and centres.

UCLA helps convert East L.A. corner stores from ’food deserts’ into healthy food oases
To determine whether stores that prominently display healthy food items while relegating chips, soda and candy to the back of the store can be financially sustainable and improve the health behaviors

U of M researchers join multistate effort to help cold-climate wine industry thrive
MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (11/01/2011) —Wine grapes can be grown in cold climates; that's been established since the University of Minnesota began releasing cold-hardy varieties in the 1970s.