Month: July 2002

from the total-test-tube-replication dept.
Two nanodot readers wrote to report a BBC News story: First synthetic virus created. A team of scientists at the State University of New York at Stony Brook assembled a complete synthetic DNA copy of a poliovirus genome, transcribed the DNA into RNA using a purified enzyme, and translated and replicated the RNA in a cell free extract "resulting in the de novo synthesis of infectious poliovirus." Although no fundamentally new technology was used, the milestone demonstrates the power of current biotechnology.

from the a-really-interesting-government-report dept.
Mr_Farlops writes "A document (Found at the World Technology Evaluation Center site in PDF format.), issued by the US National Science Foundation and Department of Commerce, examines the eventual merger of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and cognitive science to improve human mental and physical performance. The report's authors recommend that the United States set a national priority to research and develop technologies that will enhance human abilities and efficiencies."

from the we-really-need-products dept.
Kurioz writes "Nanotechnology may be over-hyped, published by The Register, states:"

Nanotechnology will require sustained investment over at least the next decade, as well as more commercial applications, if it is to deliver on its initial promise.

Nanotechnology, which is the design and manufacture of extremely small electronic circuits and mechanical devices built at the molecular level of matter, has been touted as an emerging sector for some time now, but a white paper published on Thursday has said that the technology is over-hyped and a long way from delivering on its full potential.

from the linking-small-things-longing-for-big-bucks dept.
Gina Miller writes " Racing toward a nanotechnology industry, by Jon Van of the Chicago Tribune, posted on the SiliconValley.com web site, reports the building of a new nanotechnology center at Purdue University in Indiana aimed at linking scientists and entrepreneurs. Purdue researcher Hicham Fenniri is quoted on the expected role of the Birck Nanotechnology Center (see Nanodot Sept. 10, 2001) in facilitating advances in designing and characterizing new materials.

from the very-small-contacts dept.

OwenMcCarthy writes "The EE Times reports that researchers in Buffalo are working towards terabit/inch storage densities by applying "nanocontacts" to traditional magnetic media.

By applying atomic-dimension "nanocontacts" to magnetic media, an experiment at the State University of New York here has revealed the potential of an effect known as "ballistic magnetoresistance." The tiny metal contacts showed a 3,000 percent change in magnetoresistance at low switching fields of a few hundred oersted.

Storage density has been increasing at a startling rate in the last couple of years; it was only a matter of time before the peculiar properties of the nanoscale would be exploited toward this end.

from the so-you-want-to-be-a-nanotechnologist dept.
Arizona State University is looking for students in engineering, physical science and life science to join a Graduate Research Training Program in Biomolecular Nanotechnology. Students will work on cross-disciplinary projects, but will receive their Ph.D. from one of several participating departments, to which they will apply at the time of applying to the program.

from the first-there-was-Tang-then-there-was-nanomedicine dept.
Gina Miller writes "Sally Pobojewski of the University of Michigan Health System reports U-M scientists to develop nanosensors for astronauts 7/9/02. Quote: 'Along with space suits, freeze-dried food and barf bags, tomorrow's astronauts may travel with nanomolecular devices inside their white blood cells to detect early signs of damage from dangerous radiation or infection. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is investing $2 million to develop this 'Star Trek' technology at the University of Michigan Medical School's Center for Biologic Nanotechnology. The three-year research grant is the largest the Medical School has ever received from NASA, according to James R. Baker, Jr., M.D., who will direct the project' The goal is to monitor infections and the radiation that provokes illness in the astronauts during space travel with devices that could be administered through the skin. UM researchers are also developing nanosensors to detect pre-malignant and cancerous cellular changes in the body funded as ongoing nanotech research by the National Cancer Institute."

On the same topic, Saturngraphix writes "The contemplation of cell monitering for astronauts has been discussed. A rather token 2 million has been set aside for nanosensors (actually, its quite a large sum for the grant but small in the overall picture). The purpose is mainly to track radiation exposure in the astronaut. Here is the link
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/07/02071 1080818.htm
Cheers"

from the new-molecular-tricks-up-the-sleeve dept.
Christine Peterson writes "Fluid forces within the body help invasive bacteria (a University of Washington news release): Another lovely example of one of nature's molecular machines, a mechanism that clamps a bacterium to the surface it's on in high winds (metaphorically)."

from the special-discounts-for-Foresight-members dept.
xenijardin writes "Hi, Nanodot.

from the yes-we-do-know-something dept.
In Maybe we're all just too dumb to be kept on ice, Boston Herald columnist Margery Eagan stops to consider, with a mixture of sympathy and skepticism, what sort of people choose cryonic suspension for their "final arrangements," and why. With apparent awe at his accomplishments in several fields, she quotes an unidentified professor "M & M" whose identity will be easily guessed by most readers of Nanodot. M & M is quoted as saying cryonics is for people "with real goals," and "I've always wondered why people are so happy about dying. We need longevity because we don't live long enough to understand things very well."