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News by Date: February 2007 Building on the success of their joint workshop and training programmes 28 February 2007 - Distrupol Building on the success of their joint workshop and training programmes, to deliver technical training in plastic technology to industry participants, Distrupol and Engel have announced they will host a new series of training courses. The programme will be conducted under the banner of the ENGEL Moulders’ Group and held at their UK headquarters’ in Warwick. As before, the courses are open to the industry at large and will be ‘free-of-charge’. Looks count: If male barn swallows don't stay spiffy, the females cheat in a jiffy 28 February 2007 - Cornell University Even after they have paired with a male, the female North American barn swallow still comparison-shops for sexual partners. And forget personality; the females judge males by their looks, the reddish color of the males' breast and belly feathers. New environmental chamber aids nano-studies of metal oxides 28 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory A new environmental chamber constructed by Argonne's Materials Science Division allows researchers to watch materials as they grow step-by-step while interacting in elevated-temperature, reactive-gas environments. The first experiment in the new chamber revealed intriguing information about how copper oxidizes at the nano-level and established a new basic model for understanding oxidation. Export control helps prevent WMD proliferation 28 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory While inspecting a container ship docked at a major transshipment hub, an alert official, trained weeks before by Argonne export control specialists, noted that 20 of the containers onboard contained tons of sodium sulfide – a controlled chemical that has many legitimate uses such as leather tanning but could also be used to create chemical weapons. Exercise programs enhance physical function in the elderly 28 February 2007 - Yale University With a structured exercise program, inactive older people at high risk for becoming disabled can improve their physical functioning and reduce their likelihood of having difficulty walking, according to results from a pilot study by researchers at Yale School of Medicine and other institutions. Frequency of counseling does not improve outcomes for patients addicted to opioids 28 February 2007 - Yale University Increased counseling and more frequent dispensing of medication does not improve abstinence in drug abuse treatment, according to a Yale School of Medicine study published the New England Journal of Medicine. Powering Dubai’s wonder of the world 28 February 2007 - ABB Automation Technologies A $32-million, state-of-the-art ABB switching station is providing high-quality power for Palm Jumeirah, the first of three luxury man-made islands off the coast of Dubai which have been described as the “eighth wonder of the world.” Burj Dubai, The sky is no limit 28 February 2007 - ABB Automation Technologies Imagine a building that is twice as high as the Empire State building and you will have a measure of the Burj Dubai tower, a glass and steel skyscraper in the United Arab Emirates that will soon be the world’s tallest building. New device touts 18-meter remote control distance and an IrDA data rate of up to 4 Mbit/s 28 February 2007 - Vishay Electronic Vishay Intertechnology is broadening its optoelectronics portfolio with a new device integrating a Remote Control receiver and an IrDA transceiver into a single, 3-lens, surface-mount package for the PC market. Stars may lead fascinating lives but sometimes, it’s in death that they really shine 28 February 2007 - Weizmann Institute of Science Stars may lead fascinating lives but sometimes, it’s in death that they really shine. Some stars finish up as black holes but, a moment before the end, they explode, sending material in all directions and shining with a light that can be seen throughout the universe. New thermal models for Vishay optocoupler products reduce design time 27 February 2007 - Vishay Electronic Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. announced that it is now providing detailed thermal characteristics for newly released optocouplers and solid-state relays that have total power dissipation of 200 mW and higher. Vishay is the first optocoupler and SSR manufacturer in the industry to provide thermal models, which significantly reduce design time for customers. Weizmann Institute scientists render a disease-causing pathogen harmless 27 February 2007 - Weizmann Institute of Science Freedom of expression is great, but silence is golden, at least when it comes to amoebae, intestine-dwelling parasites that cause life-threatening dysentery in many parts of the world. Three years ago, scientists at the Weizmann Institute accidentally discovered a way to silence the expression of a key amoebic gene, one which codes for a toxic protein that kills human intestinal cells infected with this devastating illness. ABB integrates Codelco mine automation systems 27 February 2007 - ABB Automation Technologies Codelco, the world’s largest copper producer, has selected ABB to integrate numerous isolated automation systems at its Andina underground mine in Chile into a single, ABB-managed platform. The benefits are “countless” says the customer. ABB opens era of power superhighways 27 February 2007 - ABB Automation Technologies ABB has officially opened the world's first installation for testing the technology of energy-efficient power superhighways. The testing facility in Ludvika, Sweden will allow long-term testing of direct current rated at 800 kilovolts, marking another first for ABB, which pioneered high-voltage direct current systems more than 50 years ago. The last voltage increase in HVDC systems occurred 20 years ago when ABB built a transmission line rated at 600 kV for Brazil's Itaipu hydroelectric power plant, a world record. Study shows value of HIV screening in virtually all health settings 27 February 2007 - Yale University Voluntary screening for HIV should be a routine part of the medical care of all adults, not just those at high risk, according to a study by researchers at the Yale School of Medicine. Genetic susceptibility may be risk factor in preemie problems 27 February 2007 - Yale University Genetics may be a risk factor in premature infants who develop problems in their lungs as a result of not reaching normal gestational age, according to a study at Yale School of Medicine. Gamma camera eyed for security, medicine 27 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory A device originally developed for nuclear physics research may find applications in homeland security and medicine. A “Compton Camera” being developed at Argonne could be used to create detailed images of radioactive materials, from smuggled weapons to “tracers” used in nuclear medicine. Biofortified, iron-rich rice improves nutrition of women 27 February 2007 - Cornell University Plant breeding can boost the level of micronutrients in rice and improve the nutritional status of people who eat the grains by as much as 20 percent, according to Cornell University-led research reported in The Journal of Nutrition. Argonne researchers find 217 new targets for anti-cancer drugs 27 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory By identifying novel genes critical to cancer progression, biologists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have expanded the number of drug targets researchers have available for study to find ways to stop tumors in their tracks. The report is published today in Cancer Research. Distrupol, ENGEL and STV make multi-component moulding easy 27 February 2007 - Distrupol Distrupol, ENGEL and STV will unravel the complexities of multi-component injection moulding at the forthcoming ENGEL Moulders’ Group Technology Event. This free-of-charge morning seminar, to be repeated in the afternoon, will feature presentations and practical demonstrations to help the moulders to get to grips with multi-component moulding. There will be particular focus on the use of the Babyplast bolt-on injection unit as a low cost, flexible alternative for achieving 2K injection moulding on standard and existing machinery. Distrupol’s materials knowledge helps deliver wheelchair innovation for young people 26 February 2007 - Distrupol With its latest contribution to new product development, Distrupol has once again demonstrated the support behind its ‘knowledge that delivers’ promise to customers. This support was clearly shown with the development of the highly innovative Chunc wheelchair for disabled children and young people. From the outset, the Chunc was conceived as a modular design, utilising injection moulding, and allowing for it to adapt to the child’s needs as he or she grows into their teens. The Chunc Wheelchair brings a new level of user-comfort, no matter what the level of need or stage of growth of the child, together with easy handling by carers. Novel approach to studying cancer cells could reduce therapy side effects 26 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory New cancer therapies with minimal side effects could result from a novel approach to studying cancer cells underway at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory. This research could also lead to new medications for diseases, such as eczema, macular degeneration and rheumatoid arthritis, which involve pathological capillary formation. New, faster computer network expands through New York and New England 26 February 2007 - Cornell University Cornell University is the focal point of a new organization that will enable educational institutions in New York state and New England to connect to and support a new, high-bandwidth computer network. Global warming of the future is projected by ancient carbon emissions Mark Pagani 26 February 2007 - Yale University Global warming 55 million years ago suggests a high climate sensitivity to carbon dioxide, according to research led by Mark Pagani, associate professor of geology and geophysics at Yale. New materials provide insight into radioactivity in environment, self-assembling nanostructures 26 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory A new class of materials that could enhance basic understanding of how radioactive materials behave in the environment has been discovered by researchers from the University of Notre Dame and Argonne National Laboratory. Called actinyl peroxide compounds, these materials self-assemble into nano-sized, hollow cages that could have useful new electronic, magnetic and structural properties important to the emerging world of nanotechnology. Chemical warfare ravages mental health of Iranian Civilians 26 February 2007 - Yale University Iranian civilians exposed to high-intensity warfare and chemical weapons are experiencing significantly higher levels of psychological distress compared to those exposed to low-intensity warfare but not chemical weapons, researchers at Yale School of Medicine report in the Journal of the American Medical Association devoted to the theme of violence and human rights. ABB’s power-from-shore technology will save BP millions 26 February 2007 - ABB Automation Technologies BP is the second major oil company to select ABB’s HVDC Light technology to supply electric power from mainland Norway to an offshore oil and gas complex in the North Sea. The solution will reduce annual operating costs by millions of dollars and cut CO2 emissions by 300,000 tons a year. ABB quick-start robotics package fills global need 26 February 2007 - ABB Automation Technologies ABB’s new quick-start robotics welding package for small and midsize workshops and factories is filling a major gap in industrial manufacturing worldwide. The IRB 1410 ArcPack has been making a big impact since it was launched in AsiaPacific in January, and in global markets this spring. Known as a ''quick-start robotics package,'' it offers everything you need for basic steel welding in small or medium-sized batches in single robot stations. A better water test 26 February 2007 - Weizmann Institute of Science Water is essential for life. Nevertheless, even small amounts of water in the wrong places, fuels, lubricants, or organic solvents, can cause motors to sputter, metal parts to rust, or chemical reactions to go awry. That’s why one of the most common lab tests performed in industry is one that looks for traces of water in other substances, even though the test itself is complicated and time-consuming. New ThermaSim TM, on-line simulation tool to use finite element analysis Models for increased accuracy 26 February 2007 - Vishay Electronic A web-based tool that gives designers a detailed simulation of how Vishay Siliconix MOSFETs will perform thermally and be affected by adjacent components in a wide range of applications is now available on the web site of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. Glass shapes influence how much we drink: The shorter and wider the glass, the more liquor we pour 25 February 2007 - Cornell University Contact: Joe Schwartz When pouring liquor, people, including professional bartenders, unintentionally pour 20 to 30 percent more into short, squat glasses than into tall, thin ones, according to a new study at Cornell University. Diet plan helps travellers avoid jet lag 25 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory With the summer travel season beginning, travelers who need to beat jet lag can learn how by visiting www.AntiJetLagDiet.com online. This Web site offers the most comprehensive free information anywhere on the Internet about how to use the famous Anti-Jet-Lag Diet, developed by biologists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory. High-performance computing aids calculations of combustion kinetics 25 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory Even though combustion provides 85 percent of the energy humans use, little is known about many of its most basic chemical reactions. Researchers in Argonne's Chemistry Division have brought together advances in theoretical chemical kinetics and high-performance computing to speed research in the chemistry of fuel combustion. Alcoa-SIE cargo conversions signs agreement with American Airlines to convert 757-200 to cargo configurations 25 February 2007 - Alcoa Alcoa Inc. announced an agreement with American Airlines (NYSE:AMR)to perform cargo conversions and maintenance on 757-200 aircraft for its Alcoa-SIE Cargo Conversions business unit. The addition of American Airlines Maintenance Services adds tremendous capacity, experience and expertise to the ASCC 757 freighter conversion program. Emory researchers study the effects of Zen Meditation on the brain 25 February 2007 - Emory University Zen meditation is an ancient spiritual practice that promotes awareness and presence through the undivided engagement of mind and body. For thousands of years, many religious traditions have made meditation a common practice. Now, researchers at Emory University are looking at the effects of Zen meditation and how the brain functions during meditative states. Yerkes researchers first to discover combination of drug therapies reduces cocaine use 25 February 2007 - Emory University Researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center of Emory University are the first to demonstrate a combination of drug therapies targeting the region of the brain that controls drug abuse and addiction significantly reduces cocaine use in nonhuman primates. These findings, which appear in the June issue of the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, have implications for developing treatments for cocaine addiction in humans. Imaging studies show brain responds to rewards earned The Old-Fashioned Way 25 February 2007 - Emory University Human beings are more aroused by rewards they actively earn than by rewards they acquire passively, according to brain imaging research by scientists at Emory University School of Medicine. Results of the study, led by first author Caroline F. Zink and principal investigator Gregory S. Berns, MD, PhD, of Emory's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, are published in the journal Neuron. Emory Scientists use protein Fingerprints to identify nervous system diseases 25 February 2007 - Emory University Scientists from Emory University School of Medicine have used mass spectrometry to identify specific protein fingerprints in human cerebrospinal fluid that differentiate cancers, both primary and metastatic, and non-cancerous diseases of the central nervous system. This finding offers promise of a more rapid, less invasive, and more accurate method of diagnosis of CNS diseases, especially the difficult-to-diagnose CNS cancers, and a better way to monitor disease progression and/or response to therapy. Blendable melt-processible Elastomers™ enhance performance properties of commodity and engineered polymers 25 February 2007 - Advanced Polymer Alloys Llc Advanced Polymer Alloys’ complete line of Melt -Processible Elastomers™, enhances the performance properties when blended with a wide range of commodity and engineered polymers. Advanced Polymer alloys debuts DuraGrip® TPE UV-Stable Grade 24 February 2007 - Advanced Polymer Alloys Llc DuraGrip TPE is a versatile material that enhances consumer and light industrial products through its elastomeric properties and features including, when needed, a soft-touch feel. The unique UV-stable DuraGrip TPE 6100 series bonds well to engineered thermoplastic materials, including difficult-to-overmold nylon substrates, and won’t significantly fade with long-term exposure to sunlight. Primate research combines with eye-tracking technology to detect cognitive impairment 24 February 2007 - Emory University Researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center of Emory University have expanded a nonhuman primate-based study to human patients with the intention of identifying human patients with mild cognitive impairment who will progress to the more devastating Alzheimer's disease. MCI is a subtle memory impairment without dementia. The goal of such identification is to develop early interventional therapy to stop or slow the progression of MCI to AD. Researchers find that gastric bypass reduces hunger hormone 24 February 2007 - Emory University Appetite enhancing hormones called ghrelin are significantly reduced in severely obese patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery, according to Emory researchers. The decrease in ghrelin may explain the loss of hunger sensations and rapid weight loss in these patients. Emory pioneers robotic system for precision radiation treatments 24 February 2007 - Emory University Emory University School of Medicine's Department of Radiation Oncology has become the first health care facility in the U.S. to deliver new ultra-precise radiotherapy treatments using a fully robotic on-board imaging system for tracking tumor locations and positioning patients. Emory clinicians report that they have treated seven patients with image-guided radiation therapy using a newly developed On-Board Imager and Clinac linear accelerator from Varian Medical Systems. Synthetic hormone used in contraceptives & HRT produces negative effects In monkey studies 24 February 2007 - Emory University Medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic form of the naturally occurring steroid hormone progesterone widely used in contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, increases aggression and anxiety and reduces sexual activity in female monkeys, according to a study published in the June edition of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Alcoa AFL Automotive and Maxwell Technologies sign memorandum of understanding to develop cold start system 24 February 2007 - Alcoa Alcoa AFL Automotive and Maxwell Technologies announced today that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the development of a cold start system for the commercial transportation market. The companies will incorporate Maxwell's BOOSTCAP(R) ultracapacitors with AFL's power management system to develop an efficient engine starting system. Protein structure may lead to treatment for infection targeting cystic fibrosis patients 24 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have determined the structure of a key protein believed to play a role in a deadly infection that afflicts the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. This finding, published in today's issue of Science, may lead to a new drug to treat the bacterial infection. Membrane protein factory may lead to new drug treatments 24 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory Biologists at Argonne have engineered and patented a bacterial factory that enables the study of membrane proteins. These proteins are challenging to study, but critical to understand because they represent 60 percent of drug targets. Studies of membrane proteins could lead to new and improved pharmaceutical treatments for a broad range of illnesses such as depression, heart disease, addictions and cystic fibrosis. Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine develops protein tests to accurately detect pet food-poisoned dogs 24 February 2007 - Cornell University While dogs keep dying from eating pet food tainted with aflatoxin, Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine is announcing it has developed protein tests that accurately indicate a dog's liver failure caused by the toxin. Cornell central heating plant to become cleaner, more efficient 23 February 2007 - Cornell University Cornell University announced today its plans to upgrade its central heating plant with a very efficient combined heat-and-power project. This project will use gas turbine technology to cost-effectively reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions, while ensuring the necessary heat and electric capacity for the university's future. Carbon nanotube building blocks open up possibilities for advanced electronics 23 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory A new method to systematically modify the structure of single-walled carbon nanotubes could expand their electronic properties and open the path to nano-electronics. First images made of hydrogen burning in working internal combustion engine 23 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory Images of hydrogen combustion have been captured for the first time in an internal combustion engine operating at real-world speeds and loads by engineers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory. This window into the inner workings of a hydrogen-powered engine is helping to optimize the engines for street use some day Alcoa sponsors Ferrari Panamerican 20,000 23 February 2007 - Alcoa Alcoa announced that it will be a sponsor of Ferrari's upcoming Panamerican 20,000, an 84-day test drive featuring their new, 12-cylinder 599 GTB Fiorano. The Panamerican 20,000 will cover 16 countries in South, Central and North America. It is designed to show the toughness and reliability, as well as the performance of the 620 horsepower, two-seat Fiorano, which features an aluminum space frame manufactured by Alcoa. New Injection Molding Guide that provides injection molders and product engineers with technical tips 23 February 2007 - Advanced Polymer Alloys Llc Advanced Polymer Alloys, a division of Ferro Corporation announced the release of a new Injection Molding Guide that provides injection molders and product engineers with technical tips for processing DuraGrip® TPE, the company’s newest Melt-Processible Elastomer. Researchers test magnetic stimulation as treatment for major depression 23 February 2007 - Emory University Are brief but intense magnetic pulses delivered to the brain more effective than placebo in treating patients who suffer from depression? A new research study at Emory University and 15 other sites across the U.S. will test the effects of a non-drug therapy called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS or simply TMS), to determine the effectiveness of this investigational treatment in improving mood. Researchers test deep-brain stimulation to reduce epileptic seizures 23 February 2007 - Emory University In the first U.S. clinical trial of its kind, deep-brain stimulation therapy, a treatment that has proven effective for other neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, is being tested on patients with epilepsy to determine if it can help reduce the frequency of seizures. Emory Scientists target tumors with nanoparticle Quantum Dots 23 February 2007 - Emory University Emory University scientists have for the first time used a new class of luminescent 'quantum dot' nanoparticles in living animals to simultaneously target and image cancerous tumors. The quantum dots were encapsulated in a highly protective polymer coating and attached to a monoclonal antibody that guided them to prostate tumor sites in living mice, where they were visible using a simple mercury lamp. Research clarifies role of LR11 receptor in Alzheimer's Disease 23 February 2007 - Emory University Emory University scientists are using a combination of transgenic mouse models and viral vectors to clarify the role of a brain molecule called LR11 in Alzheimer's disease. LR11 is a receptor for apolipoprotein E, which is involved in cholesterol metabolism and has previously been linked to AD. Early studies suggest that LR11 regulates levels of beta amyloid, which is the primary protein comprising the senile plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Tuberculosis drug combined with virtual reality therapy is effective in treating fear 22 February 2007 - Emory University A tuberculosis drug called D-cycloserine, used in concert with psychotherapy, is an effective treatment for some anxiety-related disorders, according to research by scientists at Emory University School of Medicine and the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience. The study was led by Michael Davis, PhD, Kerry Ressler, MD, PhD, and Barbara Rothbaum, PhD, of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and is reported in the November issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry. Bladder Pacemaker to improve quality of life for incontinence patients 22 February 2007 - Emory University Apprehension about long road trips and four restroom visits during the night had become the norm for Juanita Bowman. Compared to a person with a normal bladder who uses the restroom four to seven times per day, a cup of water could send her to the restroom up to three times in an hour and a half. But after an alternative procedure for overactive bladder that Bowman, age 69, received at Emory Hospitals, her leaking episodes have been completely eliminated. Emory offers new targeted radiation treatment for brain tumors with first machine of its kind 22 February 2007 - Emory University Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute is the first site in the world to offer a new, extremely precise, image-guided radiation treatment system for brain tumors, offering patients an alternative to surgical removal of tumors. The Trilogy system, created by Varian Medical Systems, delivers higher doses of targeted radiation to smaller areas with more precision over a shorter period of time. It allows doctors to customize the treatment plan for each patient. New class of drugs being tested as alternative for AIDS patients with resistant virus 22 February 2007 - Emory University A new class of AIDS drugs that inhibit the HIV virus from entering and infecting cells may be effective in AIDS patients infected with resistant forms of virus that do not respond to commonly used multi-drug combinations of antiretroviral therapy. New birdbath designed to maintain a temperature above freezing to allow 22 February 2007 - Advanced Polymer Alloys Llc The NuWarmth KozyBird™ Oasis deicer, an accessory to the KozyBird line of birdbaths from Watlow Polymer Technologies, is designed to maintain a temperature above freezing to allow birds access to free standing water during the winter months. Bathing is an essential element of survival for the bird’s who use the water, and sometimes dust, to rid their plumage of unwanted organisms and other materials in order to safely hunt for food and to avoid predators. Alcoa Wheel products introduces new Dura-Bright(R) wheels with XBR(TM) technology 22 February 2007 - Alcoa Alcoa's new Dura-Bright(R) wheels with XBR technology are now brighter than ever and provide customers with wheels that are 53% more reflective and with 74% more image clarity! In fact, effective September 1, Alcoa Wheel Products will officially begin transitioning from original Dura-Bright(R) wheels to new Dura-Bright(R) wheels with XBR(TM) technology. Liquid alloy shows solid-like crystal structure at surface 22 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory A substance used in nanotechnology contains unusual structures at its surface, a team of researchers led by Oleg Shpyrko, Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory has learned. Water quality improvements likely using new understanding of ion interaction 22 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have discovered new ways that ions interact with mineral surfaces in water, opening a door to new knowledge on how contaminants travel in the environment. The insight, published in today's issue of Physical Review Letters, leads to a better understanding of the factors that determine water quality. Cornell scientists build 'nano-keys' to bind cell receptors and trigger allergic reactions 22 February 2007 - Cornell University The tumblers of life continue to click as Cornell University researchers have fabricated a set of 'nano-keys' on the molecular scale to interact with receptors on cell membranes and trigger larger-scale responses within cells, such as the release of histamines in an allergic response. Reproducing the Amazon's black soil could bolster fertility & remove carbon from atmosphere 21 February 2007 - Cornell University The search for El Dorado in the Amazonian rainforest might not have yielded pots of gold, but it has led to unearthing a different type of gold mine: some of the globe's richest soil that can transform poor soil into highly fertile ground. Award-winning design will make better paper 21 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory Cheaper and more energy-efficient paper production could result from an innovation developed at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory. Multiport dryer technology, which won an R&D 100 award from R&D magazine as one of the top 100 scientific and technological innovations in the world improves the process of paper drying, the final step in paper production. Diamond technology to revolutionize mobile communications 21 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory The U. S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory has teamed with industrial and academic partners under a DARPA Phase II research and development program to develop a new technology based on Ultrananocrystalline Diamond, a novel material developed at Argonne that will enable diamond resonators and oscillators to be directly integrated with microelectronics chips for next-generation telecommunication devices. Alcoa AFL Automotive and Altair Nanotechnologies to jointly develop high performance battery pack system 21 February 2007 - Alcoa Alcoa's AFL Automotive business and Altair Nanotechnologies Inc. (Altairnano) announced today that they have signed an agreement to develop a battery pack system for medium-duty hybrid trucks. Storm Products change its corporate strategy 21 February 2007 - Advanced Polymer Alloys Llc When the telecommunications industry began to struggle in 2001, Storm Products recognized the implications and changed its corporate strategy. The company began to seek innovative ways to create additional revenue streams through new products and new product outlets. The welding cable industry filled part of that void. Celebrex promotes anti-cancer activity in cells 21 February 2007 - Emory University Celebrex, a popular pain-reliever, may also serve as an effective anti-cancer drug. Shi-Yong Sun, PhD, assistant professor at Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute, has published a paper in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that outlines how Celebrex can induce cell-death, in lung cancer cells. The paper is published in the December 1 issue of JNCI. Patients benefit from the strongest hospital-based MRI in Georgia at Emory 21 February 2007 - Emory University Patients at Emory University Hospital have access to the strongest MRI available in Georgia, which means doctors have a clearer image for increased diagnostic accuracy. New study shows statins offer significant benefits for heart failure patients 21 February 2007 - Emory University Cholesterol lowering drugs known as statins have become a mainstay in the fight against coronary artery disease and are routinely prescribed for people at risk for cardiovascular disease because of hypercholesterolemia. Emory research presented here today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions indicates statins can help heart failure patients in additional ways, whether or not their condition was caused by CAD. Emory researchers find Cilostazol may prevent restenosis in Diabetics after stenting 21 February 2007 - Emory University During angioplasty, the most commonly used procedure in the U.S. to treat potentially life-threatening coronary blockages, a balloon- tipped catheter pushes aside atherosclerotic plaques in arteries. Once the vessel has been widened and adequate blood flow is returned, stents (tiny mesh wire tubes) are frequently used to keep arteries open. However, renarrowing has proved to be a frequent problem following angioplasty, especially in diabetic patients. Emory Interventional Radiologists use laser treatment to zap Varicose Veins 20 February 2007 - Emory University Pain and discomfort are just two of the common complaints of having varicose veins. Many describe their unattractive legs as the biggest downside of the condition. Now a new laser procedure at Emory University is removing those painful and ugly veins without surgery. Emory Eye Center offers new vision correction procedure for Severe Myopia 20 February 2007 - Emory University For those people who have dealt with severe degrees of myopia yet have not been good candidates for surgeries such as LASIK, a new implant may provide them new hope, and new vision. Mutations in Mitochondrial DNA play significant role in Prostate Cancer 20 February 2007 - Emory University Mutations in mitochondrial DNA play an important role in the development of prostate cancer, according to research by scientists at Emory University School of Medicine and the University of California, Irvine. The findings are published online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers say virtual reality training is wave of the future for Cardiovascular Medicine 20 February 2007 - Emory University Historically, physicians have learned new procedures by first practicing on animals, cadavers or mechanical models, eventually receiving 'on-the-job training' by operating on patients under the guidance of experienced teachers. However, in a commentary published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Emory Heart Center cardiologist Christopher Cates, MD, and Anthony Gallagher, PhD, Experimental Psychologist for the Division of Cardiology at Emory University Hospital, say this paradigm needs to change, especially in the field of cardiovascular medicine. Sure-grip international maintains its hold on skate industry innovation 20 February 2007 - Advanced Polymer Alloys Llc Looking at the smooth, sleek, and colorful designs of today’s inline skates, it’s hard to imagine how much technology, engineering and manufacturing, has impacted the sport. In 1760, John Joseph Merlin strapped on his new invention, an inline roller skate, at a masquerade party in London. He promptly crashed into a mirror. Today, while spills haven’t been eliminated, skate engineering continues to evolve, making the sport safer, more exciting, and when desired, faster. Australian Government gives environmental approval to Alcoa's wagerup alumina refinery expansion project 20 February 2007 - Alcoa Alcoa announced that it has received formal environmental approval by the Western Australia government to proceed with the expansion of its Wagerup alumina refinery south of Perth, Australia. The Wagerup expansion plan involves building a third production unit at the refinery and upgrading the existing plant to improve efficiency and environmental outcomes. It would increase alumina production capacity from 2.6 million tons a year to 4.7 mtpy. Research at Argonne helps Abbott Labs develop anti-HIV drug 20 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory Back in 1996, when the Advanced Photon Source at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory first turned on its brilliant beam of X-rays, scientists from around the world were excited by the possibilities. Now, 10 years later, one of those “possibilities” is saving thousands of lives. Latest enhancements to the free Access Grid Toolkit are now available for download 20 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory A new version of the free and popular Access Grid Toolkit developed at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, is now available for download. The Access Grid Toolkit is software that uses audio, video, data and text to enable distributed researchers to work together as if they were at the same location. Cornell confirms the First North American case of pig meningitis in humans 20 February 2007 - Cornell University A seemingly healthy 59-year-old farmer checked into Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, N.Y., complaining of sudden fever and confusion. His pulse was racing, he breathed rapidly, and he had meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Software package coordinates response to biological threats 19 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory Having the necessary information at hand is key to saving lives in any biological event, whether it be flu or a biological release. Argonne scientists are using their skills in software integration to provide a decision-making system for state and local emergency managers. Spinning new theory on particle spin brings science closer to quantum computing 19 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory Physicists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have devised a potentially groundbreaking theory demonstrating how to control the spin of particles without using superconducting magnets, a development that could advance the field of spintronics and bring scientists a step closer to quantum computing. Talley Metals announces change to surcharge mechanism 19 February 2007 - Carpenter Technology Corporation Talley Metals, a subsidiary of Carpenter Technology Corporation announced that it is changing its surcharge mechanism to increase the nickel premium component to $.38/lb. Why tipsy flowers don't tip over: Booze stunts stem & leaves, but doesn't affect blossoms, study finds 19 February 2007 - Cornell University Those paperwhites and other daffodils sure could use a drink, a little whiskey, vodka, gin or tequila could keep them from falling over. A touch of booze is a great way to keep certain houseplants from getting too tall by stunting their growth, according to a new Cornell University study. Specialty thermoplastic elastomers for fluid-resistant applications 19 February 2007 - Advanced Polymer Alloys Llc The chemistry and morphology of all plastic and rubber polymers, including Thermoplastic Elastomers, largely dictate their respective resistances to changes in dimensions and other physical properties on exposure to various fluids. Therefore, great care must be exercised in selecting an appropriate TPE for applications involving contact with fluids, to ensure that the required performance and durability will be achieved. Emory researchers find three anti-platelet drugs used in combination are safe 19 February 2007 - Emory University Three drugs, each of which works in a different way, are used in anti-platelet therapy to help prevent restenosis (the reclogging of blood vessels after they have been cleared with percutaneous coronary intervention or PCI) or thrombosis (obstruction of an artery or vein by a blood clot). The use of these platelet inhibitory drugs, cilostazol, clopidogrel and aspirin, has resulted in a significant reduction of thrombotic complications in the primary and secondary prevention of heart attacks. But is it safe to use these medications together, or in combination do they increase the risk of bleeding? And will patients comply with taking three pills? Study says rare allergic reactions to drug-eluting stents may raise risk for heart attack 19 February 2007 - Emory University Stents, tiny wire mesh tubes, are routinely used to prop arteries open after angioplasty clears them of potentially heart attack causing plaque. In the past, stented arteries often eventually closed up again with fatty deposits, a process called restenosis. However, since their FDA approval, stents coated with sirolimus (a pharmaceutical agent that prevents excess tissue growth) have been shown to greatly reduce restenosis. But some people suffer from rare, allergic-type reactions to the sirolimus-eluting stents. Deep brain stimulation may be an effective treatment for treatment-resistant depression 19 February 2007 - Emory University A study published in Neuron reports evidence that Deep Brain Stimulation could have clinical benefits for individuals suffering from severe depression who have failed other treatments. The University of Toronto study, led by Helen S. Mayberg, MD, now a professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Neurology at Emory University School of Medicine, opens a promising line of research for depressed patients who do not respond to other therapies. Transplant drug effectively preserves kidneys while avoiding toxic side effects 19 February 2007 - Emory University Physician-researchers at Emory University in Atlanta have shown an investigational medication, known as LEA29Y (belatacept), is effective in preserving transplanted kidney function while at the same time avoiding the toxic side effects that are common in the currently used long-term, immunosuppressive transplant medications. Heart failure drug prolongs life and is cost-effective 19 February 2007 - Emory University Drug therapy, even when safe and effective for serious health problems, can have a downside, a hefty price tag. But there's good news for people suffering from left ventricular systolic dysfunction and congestive heart failure following a heart attack. A study published today in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association, concludes the drug eplerenone can not only help many of these people live longer, it is also remarkably cost effective, according to lead author William S. Weintraub, MD, of the Emory Heart Center. Sex hormone metabolite reduces stress, anxiety in female rats 19 February 2007 - Emory University A steroid hormone released during the metabolism of progesterone, the female sex hormone, reduces the brain's response to stress, according to research in rats by scientists at Emory University School of Medicine, the Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Atlanta's Center for Behavioral Neuroscience. The scientists found evidence that the progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone reduces the brain's response to corticotropin-releasing factor, a peptide hormone that plays an important role in the stress response in animals. New drug available for treatment of Wet Macular Degeneration Disease 19 February 2007 - Emory University A new drug for treatment of the wet form of age-related macular degeneration, known as AMD, has been approved by the FDA recently. AMD is a serious disease of the retina that can lead to severe vision loss and blindness. Genetic amplification test detects HIV more effectively than standard tests 18 February 2007 - Emory University Adding a new HIV screening method, called nucleic acid amplification testing, to standard HIV testing, researchers were able to uncover six percent more cases of HIV infection in urban STD and drug treatment clinics and HIV testing sites in Atlanta than with standard HIV antibody tests alone. The research was presented at the 12th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Boston on February 25 by Frances Priddy, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine. Study finds Cilostazol lowers restenosis rate in kidney disease patients after angioplasty 18 February 2007 - Emory University According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than 20 million Americans (one in nine adults) have chronic kidney disease. Many of these people also have heart disease and undergo percutaneous coronary intervention, in which angioplasty and stenting are employed to widen narrowed blood vessels. CKD places these patients at increased risk for restenosis, the renarrowing of blood vessels after PCI. Emory study finds HIV is not an independent risk factor for severe heart disease 18 February 2007 - Emory University Infection with human immunodeficiency virus is no longer an automatic death sentence, thanks to the use of highly active anti-retroviral therapy. However, several studies questions have suggested that HIV infection poses a serious threat to the heart , specifically, that HIV positivity leads to an increased risk for the development of angiographically severe coronary artery disease. Study shows heart patients' quality of life dependent on degree of depression 18 February 2007 - Emory University According to the National Institutes for Mental Health, research over the past two decades has shown that people with heart disease are more likely to suffer from depression than otherwise healthy people. In addition, people with depression are at greater risk for developing heart disease. Study finds drug eluting stents as effective as vascular brachytherapy 18 February 2007 - Emory University After angioplasty is performed to widen clogged arteries, surgeons frequently use tiny wire-mesh tubes called stents to keep blood vessels open. But despite stenting, scar tissue can form to create new blockages, a process called in-stent restenosis. At present, vascular brachytherapy (catheter-based delivery of intracoronary radiation) is the only therapeutic modality proven to effectively reduce in-stent restenosis. Alcoa-SIE cargo conversions 757-200ASF receives FAA STC 18 February 2007 - Alcoa Alcoa Inc. announced Federal Aviation Administration certification of its 757-200ASF freighter conversion program. 'Receiving the Supplemental Type Certificate for our 757-200 14+ design provides the platform for our launch product. This aircraft provides longer range and a larger payload than the B727 while delivering superior operating economics based around a simple design that retains more of the 757’s original structure. Going forward, ASCC will continue to focus on providing significant value to our customer base for any product or service we undertake,” said Gary Batey, president of Alcoa, SIE Cargo Conversion, the Alcoa business unit that has been working with Structural Integrity Engineering to create what both companies believe will be a high-value opportunity for narrow-body freighters. Researchers find that racial stereotypes strongly influence sentencing 18 February 2007 - Cornell University Looks literally can kill in death-penalty cases where jurors decide the fate of a black defendant, particularly if the victim is white, according to a study co-authored by Cornell University Law Professor Sheri Lynn Johnson. Alcoa has developed four new innovative products for the commercial transportation industry 18 February 2007 - Alcoa Alcoa announced that it has developed four new innovative products for the commercial transportation industry that provide customers with products that reduce weight, maintenance and operating costs while increasing payloads and fuel economy. Micro-Melt Maxametalloy, a premium high speed steel made by powder metallurgy 18 February 2007 - Carpenter Technology Corporation Micro-Melt Maxametalloy, a premium high speed steel made by powder metallurgy, is the first in a new series of PM steels from Carpenter Technology Corp., Reading, PA, designed to bridge the hardness gap between high speed steel and cemented carbide. Nanoexa, Decktron to collaborate with Argonne on commercialization of next generation batteries 18 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory NanoeXa, a leading nanotechnology-based clean energy company, and Decktron, a lithium battery and display company, today jointly announced a definitive agreement to develop and transfer into commercial use new lithium battery technology originally developed at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory. Award-winning grids and collimators produce better X-ray and nuclear images 17 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory A grid as little as three millimeters tall could save lives by helping X-rays and radiotracers provide clearer diagnostic images of the human body. These X-ray anti-scatter grids and nuclear collimators, developed by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and Creatv MicroTech, Inc., won an R&D 100 Award from R&D Magazine, identifying it as one of the top scientific and technological innovations in the world introduced as a product during. This stamping die assembly is a typical application for Carpenter's new Micro-Melt PD#1 alloy 17 February 2007 - Carpenter Technology Corporation Carpenter Micro-Melt PD #1 alloy, a new premium grade made by powder metallurgy, may be considered for many types of cold work tooling applications that require a combination of wear resistance and good toughness. Alcoa opens first plant in Bulgaria to produce consumer products 17 February 2007 - Alcoa Alcoa announced that it has opened a plant in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, to produce household wraps products, including foil, film and disposer bags. This is the first Alcoa facility in Bulgaria, making it the 43rd country in which the company manufactures products in addition to its sales and marketing offices throughout the world. The plant will produce packaging products under the Reynolds(R) brand and Baco(R) brand names for the retail markets in the U.K., Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Cornell scientists identify deadly fish virus in the Northeast United States 17 February 2007 - Cornell University The College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced the discovery of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus in several fish species from Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. Unreported in North America until 1988, VHS is a rhabdovirus, a pathogen that can cause significant fish mortality. VHS does not pose any known threat to human health. The all-new Alcoa Xtra-Lok mini beverage closure 17 February 2007 - Alcoa Alcoa’s Xtra-Lok mini is specifically designed for carbonated soft drinks and delivers total packaging system cost savings by reducing closure and PET bottle finish weight and increasing product freshness. The “mini” offers many of the same features and performance found in standard size closures, but in a lower profile design. This new closure adds to Alcoa CSI’s platform of “mini” closures for a variety of beverage applications including soft drinks, water, and malt beverages. New low viscosity, flexible UV curable composition formulated for fast, high performance laminating 17 February 2007 - Master Bond Master Bond Inc. of Hackensack, New Jersey has developed UV19, a new low viscosity, flexible UV curable composition formulated for fast, high performance laminating, sealing, bonding and casting. It is an optically clear, mobile liquid which cures readily upon exposure to UV light at ambient temperatures to a flexible strong solid with superior mechanical strength properties and excellent adhesion to many different substrates including most plastics and glasses as well as metals. The UV19 system is 100% reactive and does not contain any volatiles. Unlike many other commercially offered UV curing compounds, its cure is not inhibited by air and it exhibits minimal shrinkage when cured. UV19 has excellent resistance to water and many other aggressive chemicals. National study recommends Aspirin over common anti-clotting drug to prevent stroke 17 February 2007 - Emory University Patients at risk of developing a stroke caused by narrowed brain arteries should take aspirin rather than a well-known anti-clotting medication to prevent a stroke from occurring, according to the results of a major national study led by researchers in the Emory University Schools of Medicine and Public Health and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Study shows Bivalirudin lowers risk of blood transfusion in coronary procedures 17 February 2007 - Emory University Research presented this week at the Cardiovascular Revascularization Therapies 2005 conference in Washington, DC concludes that for patients receiving a coronary stent or angioplasty procedure, the risk of needing a blood transfusion is 32 percent lower with the use of the antithrombotic drug bivalirudin, when compared to the combination of heparin and a glycoprotetin inhibitor. Emory scientists find new prostate cancer suppressor gene 17 February 2007 - Emory University A gene named ATBF1 may contribute to the development of prostate cancer through acquired mutations and/or loss of expression, according to research at Emory University School of Medicine and its Winship Cancer Institute. The findings were published in the online edition of Nature Genetics. The Emory research team was led by Jin-Tang Dong, PhD, associate professor in the Winship Cancer Institute. Lead author was postdoctoral fellow Xiaodong Sun, PhD. Invasive pneumonia propped following introduction of childhood vaccine 17 February 2007 - Emory University The problem of increasing antibiotic resistance in cases of Streptococcus pneumoniae, a major cause of pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis, was dramatically reversed following the licensing and use of a new conjugate vaccine for young children in February 2000, according to research conducted at Emory University, the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Georgia Division of Public Health. 10HTFL new one component flexible high performance epoxy resin based adhesive/sealant 16 February 2007 - Master Bond Master Bond Polymer System Supreme 10HTFL is a new one component flexible high performance epoxy resin based adhesive/sealant with an exceptionally wide service temperature range of -300°F to +300°F. It cures readily to a tough, strong flexible thermoset polymer at temperatures of 250-300°F and above. Unlike other commercially available flexible one part epoxy adhesive sealants, it features extended ambient temperature storage capability and does not require refrigeration for extended storage before use. Master Bond Polymer System Supreme 10HTFL features high physical strength properties and excellent adhesion to a wide range of both metallic and nonmetallic substrates even upon prolonged exposure to hostile environmental conditions. Adhesive and sealing properties to aluminum, steel and other metals, as well as fiber reinforced composites, most plastics, ceramics, glass, wood, etc. are remarkably high. Tensile lap shear strengths of more than 2000 psi and T-peels in excess of 60 pli are obtained for aluminum bonding. New product meets BPI standards for biodegradability 16 February 2007 - Alcoa Alcoa KAMA, the sheet extrusion division of Reynolds Food Packaging, an Alcoa business, and Cereplast, Inc., a producer of proprietary bio-based resins, today announced that Alcoa KAMA plans to produce plastic sheet for thermoforming and other markets using Cereplast’s starch-based, bio-degradable resins. The extruded sheet in rollstock form will have wide applications for food service packaging and other uses. Biodegradable napkin, featuring sensitive nanofibers 16 February 2007 - Cornell University Detecting bacteria, viruses and other dangerous substances in hospitals, airplanes and other commonly contaminated places could soon be as easy as wiping a napkin or paper towel across a surface, says a researcher from Cornell University. Whitehall Lane Winery selects Alcoa Vino-Seal(TM) glass closures for its 2003 reserve Cabernet Bottling 16 February 2007 - Alcoa Alcoa and Whitehall Lane Winery of Napa Valley, California, jointly announce today that Whitehall Lane is the first winery in the world to seal its bottles of select premium wines with the Alcoa developed Vino-Seal(TM) closure, an elegant glass closure for wine bottles secured by a traditional tin capsule. This is the first commercial use of this new glass closure designed by Alcoa's Closure Systems International business as an alternative to traditional corks and synthetic stoppers for the wine market. The innovative sealing system was used to top 45,000 bottles of Whitehall Lane premium 2003 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and 3,000 bottles of its premium 2003 Leonardini Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. New wire coating for all heading alloys has been designed to perform with high efficiency 16 February 2007 - Carpenter Technology Corporation A new wire coating for all heading alloys has been designed to perform with high efficiency, improve heading tool life and eliminate the cost and environmental problems associated with the emission and disposal of nitric acid used in copper cleaning operations. Biodegradable nanospheres offer novel approach for treatment of toxin exposure & drug delivery 16 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory A new technology to clean the blood of victims of radiological, chemical and biological terrorist attacks is being developed jointly by Argonne National Laboratory, the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute and The University of Chicago Hospitals. Inherited variations in Mitochondrial DNA linked to renal and prostate cancer 16 February 2007 - Emory University More than 20 million men in the United States with a particular signature set of inherited characteristics and mutations in mitochondrial DNA are at significantly increased risk for developing renal and prostate cancers, according to research at Emory University. National study shows older children can benefit from treatments for common eye disorder 16 February 2007 - Emory University Surprising results from a nationwide clinical trial conducted at Emory and 48 other eye centers show that many children aged seven through 17 with amblyopia (lazy eye) may benefit from treatments that are more commonly used on younger children. Breast cancer drug Tamoxifen increases anxiety behaviors in female nonhuman primates 16 February 2007 - Emory University Tamoxifen, the most widely prescribed drug for treating and preventing breast cancer in women, increases anxiety behaviors in female rhesus macaques, according to a study conducted at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center of Emory University by Yerkes, Emory and Atlanta-based Center for Behavioral Neuroscience researchers. Emory participates in study using wireless sensor implants to monitor aneurysm leaks 16 February 2007 - Emory University James Watson was a walking time bomb and didn't know it. During a CT scan performed for abdominal pain, Emory doctors discovered an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Now Watson has an implanted wireless microchip sensor designed to detect endoleaks with the potential to cause a fatal rupture. New England journal reports breakthrough in Myeloma treatment 15 February 2007 - Emory University A major breakthrough in multiple myeloma treatment is reported in this week's New England Journal of Medicine. Sagar Lonial, MD, assistant professor of hematology and oncology at Emory's Winship Cancer Institute, is one of the authors of the paper, 'Bortezomib or High Dose Dexamethasone for Relapsed Multiple Myeloma.' Social behavior may be shaped by differences in the length of seemingly non-functional DNA 15 February 2007 - Emory University Why are some people shy while others are outgoing? A study in the current issue of Science demonstrates for the first time that social behavior may be shaped by differences in the length of seemingly non-functional DNA, sometimes referred to as junk DNA. The finding by researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center of Emory University and the Atlanta-based Center for Behavioral Neuroscience has implications for understanding human social behavior and disorders, such as autism. Elevated Potassium can produce pseudo heart attack 15 February 2007 - Emory University When a man appeared in the Emory Hospital Emergency Department with nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain that had persisted for eight hours, an electrocardiogram was performed. The test revealed an elevated ST-segment, the tell-tale sign of a major heart attack (also called a myocardial infarction, or MI). New device developed by Georgia Tech and Emory checks for concussions on the sidelines 15 February 2007 - Emory University A player just took a hard knock to the head and is lying on the field. A coach rushes to his side, but the player sits up and seems fine. He knows who the president is and how many fingers the coach is holding up. But is he ready to get back in the game? Award-winning alloys could reduce costs for chemical and petrochemical industries 15 February 2007 - DOE/Argonne National Laboratory Materials developed by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory could provide large cost and energy savings to the chemical and petrochemical industries. New specialty alloy candidate for fracture fixation devices and implanted orthopedic devices 15 February 2007 - Carpenter Technology Corporation A new specialty alloy candidate for fracture fixation devices and implanted orthopedic devices for hips, knees and other joints has been developed by Carpenter Technology Corp., Reading, PA, for consideration by medical and surgical users in Europe. Alcoa's Howmet operation in Michigan installs new furnace equipped with latest control technology 15 February 2007 - Alcoa Alcoa's Howmet Products and Services business celebrated the 'first pour' of its newly installed vacuum furnace, located at the company's manufacturing facility in Whitehall, Michigan. The new furnace, equipped with the latest control technology - will soon begin manufacturing production parts to meet a growing customer demand in the aerospace market. Early childhood TV viewing may trigger autism, data analysis suggests 15 February 2007 - Cornell University A series of data sets analyzed in a paper by economists at Cornell University and Indiana University-Purdue University suggest a connection between early childhood television viewing and the onset of autism. And the authors urge further investigation and research by experts in the field. Ferrari joins Alcoa in opening new spaceframe manufacturing plant 15 February 2007 - Alcoa Alcoa announced today that it has opened its new automotive assembly plant in Modena, Italy. The new facility covers more than 5,000 square meters and features state-of-the-art manufacturing technology. The plant, which employs 75, required an investment by the world’s leading aluminium producer of more than one million euros.