United States

Genes from tiny marine algae opens new avenues of research

Genes from tiny marine algae opens new avenues of researchWashington, April 11 : By sequencing the DNA of two tiny marine algae, a team of scientists has opened up a myriad of possibilities for new research in algal physiology, plant biology, and marine ecology.

The project was led by Alexandra Worden at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) and the Joint Genome Institute (JGI).

Paul Walker to ride again in Fast and Furious 5

Paul WalkerPaul Walker has confirmed the news that he will be back for a fourth Fast & Furi

New technique enables creation of features 2500 times smaller than width of human hair

Washington, April 11 : A team of scientists has developed a technique that enables the creation of features 2500 times smaller than the width of a human hair, which is a significant advancement in the nanofabrication Process.

The ability to create tiny patterns is essential to the fabrication of computer chips and many other current and potential applications of nanotechnology.

Yet, creating ever smaller features, through a widely-used process called photolithography, has required the use of ultraviolet light, which is difficult and expensive to work with.

Somali pirates rush to help comrades in US Navy face-off

Nairobi/Washington - Somali pirates were on Saturday rushing to the aid of their comrades, who are holding the captain of a US-flagged ship hostage on a lifeboat surrounded by US Navy forces, media reports said. Pirates have been holding Captain Richard Phillips hostage since Wednesday, following a failed attempt to hijack his ship, the 17,000-ton Maersk Alabama, in the Indian Ocean near the coast of Somalia.

The USS Bainbridge, part of a coalition force based in the Gulf of Aden, arrived on the scene on Thursday morning and was joined on Friday by the USS Halyburton, Commander Peter Schneider, a spokesman for the US Defence Department, said.

Biofuel threatens water supplies

Biofuel threatens water suppliesWashington, April 11: A new study has suggested that the production of bioethanol may use up to three times as much water as previously thought, thus threatening water supplies.

According to the study, a gallon of ethanol may require up to more than 2,100 gallons of water from farm to fuel pump, depending on the regional irrigation practice in growing corn.

But, the water usage isn’t quite so high everywhere.

A dozen states in the Corn Belt in the US consume less than 100 gallons of water per gallon of ethanol, making them better suited for ethanol production, the study found.

Cavaliers beat Sixers to clinch top seed in the East

Cavaliers beat Sixers to clinch top seed in the EastLos Angeles - The Cleveland Cavaliers are officially the new beast of the East, but they want to be the best of the best heading into the playoffs. LeBron James had 27 points with 10 assists, Wally Szczerbiak and Moe Williams scored 18 apiece, and the Cavaliers clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference on Friday night, with a 102-92 road victory over the slumping Philadelphia 76ers.

By winning their first-ever East banner, the Cavaliers secured home-court advantage throughout the conference playoffs, where they own a sparkling 38-1 mark at Quicken Loans Arena.

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