Daily Archives: January 1, 2011

Desktop DNA

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Deskarati

The machine that could change your life is a compact device, only 24 inches wide, 20 inches deep and 21 inches high. At a glance you might mistake it for a Playskool toy–or, better yet, the Apple II computer, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Chemistry, Technology | Leave a comment

The First Known Immortal Animal

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Deskarati

Scientists have discovered the world’s first known immortal animal. A jellyfish species named Turritopsis Nutricula. This jellyfish can re-enter an earlier polyp stage, restarting its lifecycle after it mates. The jellyfish can repeat this process indefinitely, meaning that it will … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology, Evolution | Leave a comment

Agricultural discovery could mean more biomass from the same sized field

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Deskarati

Biofuel derived from crops such as switchgrass certainly holds promise, although some critics maintain that such crops use up too much agricultural land – land that could otherwise be used for growing food crops. A genetic discovery announced this Tuesday, … Continue reading →

Posted in Biology | Leave a comment

Will the National Ignition Facility ignite 2011?

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Deskarati

Superlaser flirts with fusion at California’s National Ignition Facility, the world’s most power­ful laser, it is inching its way to triggering ignition, when fusion reactions in a target of hydrogen isotopes should produce more energy than the laser delivers. Experts … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology | Leave a comment

Invisibility cloaks shield the large and visible

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Deskarati

Two independent groups of physicists have built invisibility cloaks that can shield large objects lying on a plane. These “carpet cloaks” are far closer to the intuitive idea of an invisibility cloak than devices previously built, they argue, because they … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology | 1 Comment