Florida State University

Doctoral student Hamid Sanavandi (left) and Associate Professor Wei Guo, co-atuhors on a paper that describes a new design for a magnetic levitation-based simulator that creates a low-gravity environment.(Stephen Bilenky/National MagLab)

Science

New low-gravity simulator design promises around 1,000 times the volume

A team of scientists in Florida have come up with a new design for a magnetic levitation-based low-gravity simulator that promises a huge increase in volume over existing simulators, with major benefits for space, medical and biology research.

A new study has found unexpectedly high levels of mercury in meltwater from glaciers in Greeland

Environment

Surprisingly high mercury levels detected in Greenland glacier meltwater

The Greenland Ice Sheet is associated with a range of environmental issues, but now researchers have discovered a surprising new problem. Glacial meltwater was found to be unexpectedly high in mercury, which could end up in ecosystems and seafood.

Some strains of the gonorrhea-causing bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae are resistant to multiple antibiotics

Medical

Single dose antibiotic clears multi-drug-resistant gonorrhea in mice

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are an urgent public health threat. A new single-dose drug has been developed that works on a different mechanism to most antibiotics, and tests in mice show that it can be used to treat multi-drug-resistant gonorrhea.

Scientists have come up with a new design for perovskite solar cells they say could overcome long-standing stability issues

Energy

Old pigment brings some stability to new perovskite solar cell design

One drawback of current perovskite solar technology is the instability of the cells, a problem which scientists have taken a step toward addressing with a new design that incorporates an old organic pigment to keep things in working order.

Professor Zhiyong (Richard) Liang Ph.D. , left, a professor and director of the High-Performance Materials Institute (HPMI) and Industrial and Manufacturing engineering research faculty member in Ayou Hoa, Ph.D. look over carbon fiber polymer coated with a protective heat shield made of a carbon nanotube sheet that was heated to a temperature of 1900º centigrade

Good Thinking

Carbon nanotubes key to next-gen heat shields for hypersonic aircraft

A team of scientists at Florida State University's High-Performance Materials Institute is using advanced nanomaterials to produce lightweight heat shields that can stand up to the impact of hypersonic speeds.

Researchers have calculated the bite force of a Tyrannosaurus Rex to be about 8,000 pounds, twice as powerful as a modern crocodile

Biology

T-Rex's bone-shattering bite was much worse than its bark

Nothing captures the imagination like the Tyrannosaurus Rex, even though it wasn't the biggest predator. A new study shows that its terrifying jaws delivered one of the strongest bites of any land animal, an ability that T-rex probably used to pulverize and eat the bones of its unlucky prey.

Buzz Aldrin pictured on the surface of the Moon

Space

Is exposure to deep space radiation killing off Apollo-era astronauts?

Florida State University Professor Michael Delp has identified a link between deep space radiation exposure, and a high rate of mortality due to vascular deterioration in astronauts who flew beyond low-Earth orbit (LEO) during the Apollo program.

Scientists believe that by peering into the ocean's past they can learn valuable lessons about the possible ramifications of global warming

Environment

Looking to the past to learn more about a warming planet's possible future

IN an effort to learn more about a potential future, researchers are looking to the past. By studying a major warming event 94 million years ago, researchers have found that it brought about changes in the ocean chemistry that were incompatible with vital nutrients needed to support life.

The Pacifier Activated Lullaby (PAL) device uses a specially wired pacifier and speaker to play a gentle, soothing lullaby when the infant sucks on it properly

Health & Wellbeing

Pacifier Activated Lullaby device uses music to teach premature babies how to feed

Florida State University (FSU) professor Jayne Standley has developed the Pacifier Activated Lullaby (PAL) device to help teach premature babies how to feed through musical reinforcement.