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The human hand is an amazing machine that can grab, move and position objects easily, but for a robot this skill set is a very difficult challenge.
Opting for the elegance of simplicity, a team of researchers from Cornell University, the University of Chicago and the iRobot Corporation have created a “hand” that works by applying a particulate material in an elastic bag a process that particle mass becomes rigid and increases its density. Thus, it makes the “hand” to take hold of each object properly. This method avoids having to resort to traditional designs that are limited to imitate, with varying degrees of fidelity, the mechanics of a human hand.
This hand metamorphic conforms to objects and adjusts your grip for everyone, unlike a conventional hand that can only fit it as best as possible to allow your joints to the object to grasp.
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A team of physicists and neurologists have examined the relationship between the cellular structure of the retina and light contrasts of the natural world, revealing that most likely the neural pathways that humans use to see are tailored specifically to the type of environment human being has the town throughout its history.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, have found that retinal ganglion cells, specialized in searching dark areas are more numerous and are grouped more closely to scrutinize the specialized cells in light areas, which corresponds to the fact that natural environment in which historically has moved the Human Being contains more dark areas light.
Vijay Balasubramanian’s team studied the physiology of retinal ganglion cells to devote their attention to the dark areas on a brighter background.
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A team of researchers from MIT has figured out how exactly does a molecule called fulvaleno dirutenio to store heat and release it, two artificially activated processes. This knowledge should now make it possible to find similar chemical behavior, but composed of ingredients abundant and less expensive than ruthenium. This could become the basis for developing a rechargeable battery that store heat instead of electricity.
The substance, which was discovered in 1996, is undergoing a structural change when it absorbs sunlight, moving to a state of high energy which can remain stable indefinitely. To enable the transformation that out of that state, just add a small amount of heat or use a catalyst. This transformation makes the substance back to its original shape, releasing heat during the process that was withheld. Anyway, as had the opportunity to see the team of Jeffrey Grossman of the MIT, the process is more complicated than it might seem.
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A team of scientists and researchers has shifted to the summit of Teide (Tenerife) to watch and broadcast live online on total lunar eclipse will take place at night, at dawn on December 21. The eclipse will be the last year and the first of its kind for three years. In Europe, its visibility will be reduced, but through the Internet can be followed from around the world.
The total lunar eclipse will take place the evening of December 21 will be broadcast live on Internet from the summit of Teide on the island of Tenerife, on the Cyclops Group, Faculty of Informatics, Polytechnic University of Madrid, and the Shelios GroupWith the collaboration of Astromadrid.
These groups have organized an expedition to the summit of Teide in order to observe on one hand the total lunar eclipse from Pico old (PN del Teide), on December 21, 2010 (around 5:33 GMT) as well as broadcast live over the web the phenomenon eclipse shadow of Teide.
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How astronomers can weigh a star that is billions of miles away and, of course, is too large to fit on any scale produced by the Human Being?
In most cases can not, although it is possible to obtain a good estimate by using computer models of stellar structure.
But the new work of astrophysicist David Kipping suggests that in special cases, despite a star viable “directly.” If the star is a planet, that planet has a moon, and they cross in front of its star (from a visual perspective of the Earth), then it is feasible to measure their sizes and orbits to obtain data on the star.
Astronomers have found more than 90 planets crossing in front of its star (which is called “transit” of the planet). By measuring the amount of starlight blocked by the planet that stands between its star and Earth, we can calculate the planet’s size compared to its star. But astronomers can not know exactly how big the planet unless they know the actual size of the star. Computer models give a very good estimate, but in science the actual measurements are always preferable.
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Researchers at the Research Center Isla de la Cartuja (CSIC), led by Allan Luis Perez Maqueda, have been synthesized and characterized new materials, from magnesium hydride-capable of storing large amounts of hydrogen. These materials, which are prepared by reacting a metal or alloy with hydrogen gas could be used for the manufacture of hydrogen storage systems.
Hydrogen is one of the most promising green energy sources. However, it is imperative to find secure storage systems and reversible. The current solution is the use of bottles where gas is under high pressure, but this procedure is not ideal if the fuel will be used to propel a vehicle. One drawback of this solution is the high volume occupied by vessels. But the main problem faced by companies and researchers, is the extraordinary security due to the flammability of the gas, which makes it very dangerous for mobile applications.
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A team of researchers from the Communication Engineering Department (DICOM), University of Cantabria works, together with Indra Espacio in the development of communications systems equipment and high-capacity aircraft applications in both manned and unmanned. The latter are known as UAVs by the acronym “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.”
The group composed of teachers and Antonio Angel Mediavilla Bowl, along with investigators A. Tribak, Karen Cepero and Sandra Pana, has designed several subsystems flight terminal and ground, among which is the complex system with automatic tracking antenna compensates for aircraft movements and ensure the correct pointing (“tracking” ) in any situation. Likewise, other components have been developed to feed the antennas.
Given the small size available in the aircraft (especially in unmanned), the miniaturization of equipment on board is a key constraint has been overcome thanks to the collaboration of the company Cantabrian precision machining Utilmec SL
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It has managed to “watch” the real-time formation of nanoparticles. The achievement is the work of a team of scientists at Argonne National Laboratory, U.S., and the Carnegie Institution in Washington.
The revolutionary technique allows researchers to scrutinize in a remarkably detailed the early stages of the formation of nanoparticles, which have long been a mystery because the only available polling methods unsuitable. The new technique could lead to improved behavior of nanomaterials in applications ranging from solar cells to sensors, to many others.
The shape of nanoparticles and their behavior depends on its architecture, size, structure, texture and chemical properties of its surface. This, in turn, depends greatly on the conditions under which nanoparticles are formed.
Precise control of nanoparticles is difficult. But even more so to reproduce the exact same kinds of nanoparticles from batch to batch, because scientists do not yet know all the conditions that are part of each recipe. Factors such as temperature, pressure, humidity and impurities affect the formation of nanoparticles, and even more factors are discovered.
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Medical Robotics Group at the University of Malaga (UMA) is working on an ambitious research project that aims to help the surgeon using a robotic assistant. Two “arms” capable of handling both the laparoscopic camera as an auxiliary tool from the voice and gestures of the specialist.
At present surgical techniques have evolved favorably toward less aggressive methods with the patient, which significantly reduces recovery time after surgery. In this sense we must take into account the ability and skill of professionals in the operating room, but also new techniques and standalone devices that gradually involved in the interventions.
Soon we discuss progress in medical technology without mentioning the investigation that there is behind it. Engineers, experts in medical robotics and computer are in many cases interdisciplinary teams dedicated to the creation and optimization of devices that achieve convenience of the specialist.
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A new study published today in the journal ScienceDemonstrates for the first time that silencing of some of these genes causes the disappearance of tumors in the brain of fruit flies. This study opens the door to new research for developing therapies against this disease in humans.
IRB Barcelona scientists discovered that some brain tumors of the larva of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster using the genetic program of stem cells to grow. When the researchers removed some of these genes were normal brains, demonstrating its relevance in the development of tumors. The item has been led by Cayetano González ICREA researcher and published today in the journal Science.
One of the defining characteristics of tumor cells is immortality, which allows them to divide without obedience to external signals. These processes cause the formation of tissue masses in most cases interfere with the functions of the organs.
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