Month: August 2012
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Effects Assessed of Manufactured Nanoparticles on Soybeans
Researchers from University of California in Santa Barbara found manufactured nanoparticles disposed after manufacturing or customer use can end up in agricultural soil and eventually affect soybean crops. Findings of the team that includes academic, government, and corporate researchers from elsewhere in California, Texas, Iowa, New York, and Korea appear online today in the Proceedings…
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European Businesses Expect 4 Percent Annual R&D Growth
A survey of executives from larger companies in Europe shows the executives anticipate spending four percent more per year on research and development in the years 2012 to 2014. The report is based on responses from 187 executives conducted in January through April 2012 in companies that spent €56 billion, which makes up about 40…
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New Methods Developed to Combat Drug Counterfeiting
Two presentations at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Philadelphia highlight new methods for combating counterfeit drugs, particularly in developing countries. Toni Barstis of Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana (pictured right) discussed a paper-strip test for Panadol, a pain killer based on acetaminophen, and Facundo Fernández at Georgia Tech in…
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University Prof. Develops Lightweight Pipeline Material
A University of Arizona engineering professor designed a new, lightweight underground pipe material, with a company he founded taking the invention, as well as the innovative manufacturing methods, to market. Mo Ehsani, Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering at Arizona (pictured left), will discuss the new pipe material next week at American Society of Civil Engineers…
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Propulsion Systems Created for Micro Space Satellites
A research group at Massachusetts Institute of Technology developed propulsion systems for miniature space satellites that can help prevent these research devices becoming harmful space clutter. Aeronautics and astronautics professor Paulo Lozano and colleagues from MIT’s Space Propulsion Lab discussed their work at the recent Joint Propulsion Conference of the American Institute of Aeronautics and…
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Medical Monitor Device Start-Up Raises $7M in Venture Funds
Retia Medical, a medical device company in East Lansing, Michigan, raised $7 million in series A funds, the first round of financing after initial start-up. The Pritzker/Vlock family office, a private equity company investing in biotech, industrial and medical equipment, and technology businesses led the round. Retia Medical develops monitors for high-risk patients, starting with…
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Hopkins Students Invent Suturing Device, Start Company
A team of biomedical engineering students at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore developed a disposable suturing tool for abdominal surgeries, to reduce the risk of complications, such as the accidental puncture of internal organs. The students, mainly undergraduates, filed a patent for their FastStitch device, and started a company to take their idea to market.…
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FDA Approves Clinical Trial for H5N1 Vaccine
Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) in Seattle and Medicago Inc. in Quebec City, Canada say the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved their request to start a clinical trial of a vaccine for the H5N1 avian flu. The early stage — phase 1 — trial will test the safety and ability to generate an immune…
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Simulator Shows Blood Stream Bacterial Formation
Researchers at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and University of Colorado in Boulder devised a process to simulate the flow of blood in humans and demonstrate the growth of blood stream bacteria, as well as the limited effectiveness of antibiotics. The team of medical researchers, chemical engineer, and mathematician published their findings in the…
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Breakout Labs Backs Tissue Engineering, Diagnostic Start-Ups
Breakout Labs, an early-stage revolving fund for life sciences start-ups, revealed three new grant recipients planning to develop solutions with advanced technologies. Breakout Labs is a program of the Thiel Foundation, founded by entrepreneur and investor Peter Thiel — co-founder of PayPal and early venture backer of Facebook — in October 2011. The new recipients…