Archive for April, 2010

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Demands from Indigenous-Originally-Rural Peoples Monday, April 19th, 2010

All of us are descendants of people who were originally dwellers of forests and rural communities. Technology developments might have pushed all memories of those ancient habitats beyond even occasional thoughts. Yet, most of us might feel some semblance of sympathy for the people who have no access to the technologies and its benefts.

It is in such a context that the demand of the indigenous people of Bolivia helps us to view things in a new perspective. At a conference in the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia on March 29th and 30th 2010, the Indigenous-Originally-Rural Peoples and Social Organizations of Bolivia agreed up certain actions.

They demand that developed nations fulfill and revise the commitments they had assumed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, regarding the development and transfer of technology.

It was clarified that the technologies must be clean, environmentally sound, accessible for all developing countries. The demand went on to add that the transfer process must not be subject to profit, and rejected the proposal of developed countries of creating a “technology pool” where instead of transferring technology, it is put to sale at inaccessible costs.

A second demand was for the creation of the Climate Justice Tribunal and the imposition of sanctions by this Tribunal on States that do not fulfil their commitments of development and transfer of technology.

Read about the conference details and additional demands at World People’s Conference of Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth.

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Posted in environment, technology transfer | 1 Comment »

Investing in Clean Technology is a Trend and Opportunity Sunday, April 18th, 2010

Technology has provided several benefits to human societies. At the same time, technological progress extracted a price in several forms including depletion of resources critical to our well-being, pollution of air and water and health hazards from toxic wastes. This has led to a focus on clean technology.

By clean technology, we mean any technology that uses resources sustainably, minimizes pollution and avoids toxic discharges. Eenergy generation from renewable sources such as wind and sunlight, use of information technology for enhancing productivity, transport alternatives that have low impact on the environment and chemical processes that minimize the use and generation of hazardous substances are specific illustrations of clean technology areas.

Investment in clean technology is a growing trend and opportunity. Building construction methods that lead to efficient use of energy and mimimizes environmental pollution, and use of lights and devices that consume less power are examples of clean technology processes and products.

Investments in clean technology is being encouraged through incentives like special funding and carbon credits. Companies in the field can also use it as a selling point that is increasingly effective among consumers.

A Reuters Report says that solar power, wind and biotech made record money last year and promise excellent results in the future.

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Posted in business, clean technology, environment, renewable energy | No Comments »

Links to Nanotechnology News and Resources Saturday, April 17th, 2010

Nanotechnology is the great new technology and businesses will naturally be interested to explore the possibilities opened up by it. Publishers (including yours faithfully) seek to cater to this business need by providing information in different formats. Some of these resources are quite high quality, going into very specific details while others are just links to nanotechnology resources.

In this post we provide links to several resources that we came across. We do not wish to be a links-only resource and will not be repeating this exercise.

http://www.nanotech-now.com/: Nanotech-Now describes itself as “Nanotechnology basics, news, and general information.”

http://www.nanowerk.com/phpscripts/n_news.php: Nanowerk welcomes you with “Welcome to Nanowerk – Enjoy exploring the world’s most comprehensive nanotechnology and nanoscience resources.”

http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/nanotechnology: Nanotechnology section of Science Daily is “Your Source for the latest Research News.”

http://www.physorg.com/nanotech-news/: The Physics resource has a nanotechnology section that keeps itself updated on latest nanotechnology news.

http://www.azonano.com/: Azonano describes itself as “The A to Z of Nanotechnology.”

http://www.nsti.org/news/nanonews.html: NSTI is not just a publisher but is an organization “chartered with the promotion and integration of small technologies through education, technology and business development. NSTI accomplishes this mission through its offerings of continuing education programs, scientific and business publishing and community outreach.”

http://www.nanotechnews.com/: Nanotechnews claims to be “the Top Nanotechnology Information Site:”

http://www.nanotechnology.com/: Nanotechnology.com “invite you to join me here everyday at The International Network of Small Technology – All the news, articles, audio/video interviews, white papers, and industry matching services you would expect from the premier site.”

The above is far from an exhaustive list. New resources are coming up regularly. However, a news or resource researcher should find the above sources as excellent starting points.

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Posted in nanotechnology | No Comments »

What should We Believe about Genetically Modified Crops? Friday, April 16th, 2010

Genetically Modified (GM) crops are targets for an often violent debate. Advocates of GM crops point to the higher yields and benefits like built-in pest resistance that modifying the genes of the crops can provide. Opponents say that the safety of GM crops has not been proven through long-term use and that they might cause unforeseen harm to environment and consumers.

Traditionally, the technique of cross-breeding between different species has been used to transfer desirable characteristics from one species to another. However, this procedure is time-consuming and cannot often produce the specific results that we want.

Genetic modification involves working with the genes of crop plants. Because it is genes that determine the characteristics of organisms, it is possible to change the characteristics by modifying the genes using molecular biotechnology. Scientists might, for example, locate a gene that provides drought resistance, and insert that gene into a plant used as food crop. Done successfully, this can provide drought resistance trait to the food crop.

Genetic modification has provided several advantages:

  • Crops with pest-resistance eliminate the need to use pesticides, with consequent lower costs and also elimination of the health hazards that pesticides cause
  • Crops resistant to herbicides can also provide a somewhat similar benefit. Herbicides are used to destroy weeds that reduce crop yields. Application of herbicides can affect the crop and also cause environmental damage. Both these results can be reduced by making the crops herbicide resistant
  • Genetic modification that can improve resistance against viruses, fungi and bacteria that cause damage to crops can increase crop yields
  • Tolerance for drought, cold and salinity can make it possible to grow crops in conditions formerly not possible, and thus meet the ever-increasing demand for food
  • People in poorer countries often depend on a single food, such as rice. These food items might not provide adequate nutrition. Genetic modification can make such food items more balanced in nutritive value
  • If food crops can be modified to provide medicinal and disease prevention benefits presently provided by medicines and vaccines, both availability and affordability of the medicines and vaccines can be improved
  • Non-food plants have been modified to clean up the environment, e.g. remove metal pollutants from contaminated soil

Opposition to GM crops have been also gaining strength, mainly because of:

  • Toxins designed to kill one type of organism, viz. pests, can also kill other, unintended, organisms. For example, pollen from B.t. corn is reported to have killed monarch butterfly caterpillars, a finding that is being contested by industry groups and others
  • Pests might become resistant to plants that have been modified for pest-resistance, just as mosquitoes become resistant to DDT
  • Genes can be transferred to other species through natural cross-breeding, causing not-so-beneficial results and other problems. For example, weeds might gain herbicide resistance from herbicide resistant crops, making them “super weeds.” GM characteristics might also be passed on to non-GM crops in neighboring fields, resulting in problems for farmers growing non-GM crops

Read more about the issues at ProQuest.

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Posted in biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, crop science, diseases, genetic modification | No Comments »

WiMax Forum Gears up to Meet Intensifying Demand for Wireless Access Thursday, April 15th, 2010

WiMAX or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access is a telecommunications technology that provides up to 40 MB per second wireless access to last mile users. It is based on the Broadband Wireless Access standard IEEE 802.16. The WiMAX Forum was created in 2001 to promote conformity and interoperability of the standard.

WiMAX is similar to Wi-Fi that refers to Wireless LAN standard (IEEE 802.11) ratified by the Wi-Fi Alliance. The WiMAX Forum certifies equipment made by different vendors and the certification is an indicator that the equipment will be compatible with other certified equipment of similar profile.

WiMAX is a preferred solution for providing (i) portable mobile connectivity across cities and countries, (ii) wireless alternative to cable and DSL for last mile broadband access, (iii) data, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) services (iv) busines-continuity support by providing an alternative in case the fixed connectivity goes down and (v) a network for machine to machine communications

WiMAX can be deployed in areas such as rural regions where other technologies are difficult to implement. It is considered suitable for providing connectivity in poorer countries.

The WiMAX Forum is accelerating its efforts to provide advanced features that enhance the performance of its current Release 1 technology. A 50 percent improvement is expected from the initiative and it can cater to the intensifying demand for 4G WiMAX networks and services. Products that conform to the enhanced standard are expected by late 2010.

At the same time, the Forum is fast-tracking activities to get WiMAX Release 2 certification ready by 2011. Going by current trends, network overload is a real possibility and the Forum is seeking to provide more advanced technologies that will support continued expansion of connectivity services. Faster networks with greater capacity and efficiency are what the enhancements seek to deliver.

Read the detailed story at YourStory.in.

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Posted in broadband network, communications, wireless communication | No Comments »

Case Study of New Technology Commercialization Strategy Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Arrowhead Research Corporation focuses on commercializing nanotech developments in life sciences and electronics. The company’s majority-owned subsidiary, Unidym, seeks to develop carbon nanotube applications in electronics. The focus of another subsidiary, Calando, is on clinical application of RNAi delivery technology.

Arrowhead has now appointed nobel-prize winning cancer biology expert, Dr Lee Hartwell, to its Scientific Advisory Board. He had received the nobel for his work on cell cycle regulation. His insights into cell cycle control are being utilized by the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center of Seattle and others to develop treatment for cancer and other diseases.

Dr Hartwell says that he is committed to improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs through improved molecular diagnostics. He believes that Arrowhead has the potential to bring together the technologies that can implement molecular diagnostics at the point of care.

Arrowhead’s Scientific Advisory Board now consists of Drs. Chad Mirkin, Mauro Ferrari, and Tom Tombrello in addition to Dr Hartwell. According to the news release, these scientists are the prolific pioneers in nanotechnology and medicine in the world. The board is now tasked with developing a roadmap for Arrowhead CEO to estatblish the company as the preeminent outlet for commercializing revolutionary advances in the field.

In broad terms, the task of the board includes: Providing broad sceintific direction, Providing very specific recommendations on technologies that could serve as the basis for new companies, Recruiting world-class personnel for Arrowhead and its subsidiaries, and Helping Arrowhead establish partnerships with academia and industry.

Read the full news release at Market Watch.

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Posted in business, nanomedicine, nanotechnology, technology commercialization | 1 Comment »

Life Before Birth: What we Know now Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Scientists have been interested about the experiences of the unborn baby. Naturally, it had been difficult to learn anything about this experience. They had to observe animal fetuses, premature babies in incubators and healthy newborns only hours old.

What the scientists have learned about the development of senses has not only enhanced our knowlege of the human body but also the chances of helping premature babies live a normal life.

Observation of animal fetuses have indicated that bodily senses become alive in a specific order that is similar in all vertebrates. The sense of touch develops first, followed by taste and smell, then hearing, and finally, after birth in some species, comes sight.

Humans have a long gestation period and their sense of sight comes alive before birth. However, they do not have much to see while they are still in the fetal stage. However, according to researchers, the human fetus can differentiate between dim and very dim. Observers have found that unborn infants turn their heads away if a bright light is directed at the mother’s stomach and also that there are spikes in the brain waves of premature babies in response to light.

Sensory stimulation through use is important for sensory development even during the fetal stage. Using the senses lead to strengthening of relevant neural connections. If there is no stimulation, the connections never develop.

And experiments show that the newborn has already become familiar with its mother’s voice, and responds to it positively.

Read (and see) more at boingboing

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Posted in cognitive development, cognitive science | No Comments »

Fighting Allergies and other Inflammatory Diseases in a Strange way Monday, April 12th, 2010

Evidence points to the unappealing fact that infection with fecal-dwelling hookworms can protect against a number of inflammatory diseas. The diseases include asthma and allergy, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease and type 1 diabetes.

Scientists are hoping to decipher how these organisms control the immune systems of their human hosts. Once the deciphering exercise progresses sufficiently, the scientists hope to replicate the parasite’s beneficial effect and develop effective therapies for the inflammatory diseases.

Swallowing pig whipworm eggs or deliberately infecting oneself with hookworms are effective. However, these are prospects that even severe allergy sufferers are not likely to accept. Hence the focus on finding out how the hookworms do it and trying to replicate the process through drugs. One scientist feels that the solution might lie in inducing the types of immune responses that chronic worm infections produce.

The rise in alergies and other ailments in rich countries is matched by a decrease in parasitic worm infection, which has been with us for a long time. Such long associations between two organisms, humans and parasitic worms in this case, tend to become mutually beneficial. By eliminating parasitic worm infections, we might be making ourselves vulnerableto immunologic diseases.

Research in animal models designed to mimic these diseases supports these conclusions. Infection with parasitic worms induces the type of allergic response triggered by allergens. This in turn raises levels of an antibody immunoglobulin which, when it binds with specific immune cells in the blood, causes the the cells to dump their contents into the bloodstream triggering allergic symptoms.

In people with parasitic infections, there are lots of immunoglobulins and lots of the cells that cause allergies, and yet they don’t suffer allergies. The mechanism for this phenomenon is not fully clear though one scientist has noticed that worms produce an enzyme that prevents the immunoglobulins from binding with immmune cells (and causing the latter to dump allergy-triggering substances into the bloodstream).

Read more details at TechnologyReview.com.

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Posted in biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, diseases | 1 Comment »

How the U.S. Government Plans to tap Cloud Computing for Better Governance Sunday, April 11th, 2010

The Chief Information Officer of U.S. President presented the government plans to leverage cloud computing for doing its business in a way that uses taxpayer dollars in a more responsible manner. Cloud computing is expected to deliver (i) economic gains, (ii) environmental benefits and (iii) greater ability to provide services on demand according to the CIO.

The CIO compared cloud computing to centralized water supply. Whereas in a bygone era every house had its own private well, these days households get their water by turning on the water tap. Each household can use just the quantity of water it needs, making the unused water available to others.

Similarly in cloud computing, computing resourcs are available on tap. Networks, servers, storage and application software all are on the Internet, available to those who need it. You save money because you don’t have to install everthing at your premises (and then underutilize the installed computing resources). Instead, you pay only for what you use of the shared computing resources.

Just like invididuals and prive businesses, governments can also benefit by tapping cloud computing technology. The U.S. government spent over $76 million for more than 10,000 systems to support more than 300 million Americans. Government data centers now exceed 1,100, more than double what it was a decade ago.

Much of the IT infrastructure is redundant and also leads to high consumption of energy, expected to exceed 12 billion kWh in 2011 if things do not change. Despite the heavy spending, skilled workers and vital funds are underutilized. The results are unimpressive.

Read the full remarks of the CIO at: Government Computer News website.

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Posted in cloud computing, e-governance, information technology | No Comments »

Terahertz Technology Opens New Opportunities Saturday, April 10th, 2010

Terahertz radiation is loosely defined as the band of electro-magnetic spectrum between infrared and microwave, from 300 GHz to about 10 THz. A range of developments in photonics, electronics and nanotechnology that have occurred since the 1990′s have opened the possibility of using terahertz technology. Potential areas of commercial application include security, communication, non-destructive evaluation, medicine and electronics.

Terahertz waves are reflected by metallic surfaces and absorbed by water. Most other materials let the radiation pass through in varying degrees. Terahertz technology based systems can provide both images and spectroscopic data, and ranging data to measure layer thicknesses, even in structures with many layers.

Modern developments in photonics, electronics and nanotechnology have made it possible to reduce the bulk of terahertz systems, and also make these easier to use. It is even possible to develop systems that are small and robust enough to be sent through the mail.

Focus is now shifting to developing applications that can exploit the extraordinary versatility of the terahertz band. A wide variety of applications in manufacturing, food, biomedicine, security, imaging and other areas are being foreseen. For example, in manufacturing the technology can be used for process control, product inspection and material evaluation.

The ability of terahertz waves to penetrate a great range of materials is its main advantage. It has been used to peer though the contents of a bottle of tablets to check their quality, without disturbing the contents.

Read more details and of possible applications at Industry Week.

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Posted in business, innovation, nanotechnology, technology commercialization | No Comments »

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