California Islands Give Up Evidence of Early Seafaring
Evidence for a diversified sea-based economy among North American inhabitants dating from 12,200 to 11,400 years ago is emerging from three sites on California's Channel Islands. Media embedded: Image(s) (Embargoed until 03-Mar-2011, 14:00 ET)
Science, March 4, 2011
—University of Oregon

New 'Thermometer' Helps Scientists Accurately Measure Rock Formation
A University of Arkansas researcher and his colleagues have used magnesium isotopes to determine the temperature at which rocks form, which will allow scientists to better study the formation of the earth’s crust and mantle as well as the formation of meteorites. Media embedded: Image(s)
Earth and Planetary Science Letters
—University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Researchers Looking at a Rare Disease Make Breakthrough That Could Benefit Everyone
By working with Canadians of French ancestry who suffer a rare genetic disease, researchers have discovered how three genes contribute to abnormal growth, making a breakthrough that will improve our understanding of many disorders such as foetal and childhood growth retardation, abnormal development of body parts and cancer.
Nature Genetics
—Université de Montreal

Silver-Diamond Composite Cools Powerful Electronics
Researchers at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) are developing a solid composite material to help cool small, powerful microelectronics used in defense systems. The material is composed of silver and diamond. Media embedded: Image(s)
—Georgia Institute of Technology, Research Communications

Team Explores PARIS; Finds a Key to Parkinson’s
Johns Hopkins scientists have discovered that PARIS — the protein — facilitates the most common form of Parkinson’s disease (PD), which affects about 1 million older Americans. The findings of their study, published March 4 in Cell, could lead to important new targets for treatment. (Embargoed until 03-Mar-2011, 12:00 ET)
Cell, March 4, 2011
—Johns Hopkins Medicine

Elemental Mercury in Toronto, Ontario Could be Dangerous for Your Health
Ryerson University study on the presence and impact of elemental mercury in downtown Toronto, Ontario. Media embedded: Image(s)
Environmental Pollution
—Ryerson University

Silk Moth's Antenna Inspires New Nanotech Tool with Applications in Alzheimer's Research
By mimicking the structure of the silk moth's antenna, University of Michigan researchers led the development of a better nanopore---a tiny tunnel-shaped tool that could advance understanding of a class of neurodegenerative diseases that includes Alzheimer's.  Media embedded: Image(s)
Nature Nanotechnology
—University of Michigan

Mating Mites Trapped in Amber Reveal Sex Role Reversal
In the mating game, some female mites are mightier than their mates, new research at the University of Michigan and the Russian Academy of Sciences suggests. The evidence comes, in part, from 40 million-year-old mating mites preserved in Baltic amber. Media embedded: Image(s)
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, March 1, 2011
—University of Michigan

San Diego Supercomputer Center Launches Trestles
The San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) at the University of California, San Diego, has deployed a new high-performance computer (HPC) called Trestles, the result of a $2.8 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
—University of California, San Diego

Symposium Honoring Ud Nobel Laureate Richard Heck Set for May 26
On Thursday, May 26, the University of Delaware will host the scholarly symposium “Frontiers in Catalysis” in honor of Richard F. Heck, Willis F. Harrington Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and winner of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Media embedded: Image(s)
—University of Delaware

Chemist's Work Brings More National Recognition as Promising Early-Career Scientist
Christine Aikens, K-State assistant professor of chemistry, has received the Sloan Research Fellowship for her success as a promising young scholar, particularly in the research areas of sustainable energy and gold nanoparticles. Media embedded: Image(s)
—Kansas State University

Student Innovation at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Holds Key To Safer Remote Detection of Dangerous Materials
A doctoral student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has demonstrated a promising technique that employs sound waves to boost the distance from which researchers can use powerful terahertz technology to remotely detect hidden explosives, chemicals, and other dangerous materials. Media embedded: Image(s)
—Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

First Responders and Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate Launch a Virtual Social Media Working Group
The DHS Science and Technology Directorate's First Responder Communities of Practice* launches a Virtual Social Media Working Group (VSMWG) to provide recommendations to the emergency preparedness, response, and homeland security communities on the safe and sustainable use of social media technologies before, during, and after emergencies. Media embedded: Image(s)
—Homeland Security's Science & Technology Directorate

2011 Clean Snowmobile Challenge the Biggest and Greenest Yet
A record number of electric snowmobiles have registered for the 2011 SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge, set for March 7-12 at Michigan Technological University’s Keweenaw Research Center. This year, they will be greener than ever. Media embedded: Image(s)
—Michigan Technological University

VIMS Professor Selected as Leopold Fellow
Professor Elizabeth Canuel of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science is among 20 environmental scientists awarded a prestigious Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellowship for 2011.
—Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS),College of William and Mary

NIH Launches Largest Oil Spill Health Study
A new study that will look at possible health effects of the Gulf of Mexico’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill on 55,000 cleanup workers and volunteers begins today in towns across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.
—National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)