Purdue Science News

New facility to test aircraft engines, alternative fuels

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:20:00 EST

Purdue University will operate a new federally funded facility to test aircraft engines and develop alternative fuels in work that also aims to reduce the nation's reliance on imported oil.

The National Test Facility for Fuels and Propulsion is funded with a $1.35 million grant from the U.S. Air Force and will be housed in the Niswonger Aviation Technology Building at the Purdue Airport.

New effort probes how two groups of viruses cause disease

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:31:00 EST

Purdue University is leading a team of researchers in a federally funded effort aimed ultimately at developing better vaccines and antiviral drugs against two types of disease-causing viruses by learning critical details about their life cycles.

The viruses also pose a potential homeland security threat because they have been used to make biological weapons, said Richard Kuhn, a professor and head of the Department of Biological Sciences at Purdue.

Annual report shows 2 percent gain in global carbon emissions

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:58:00 EST

World atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions continue to rise, according to a report available online Tuesday (Nov. 17) in the journal Nature Geoscience.

The report, updated annually by a global team of climate experts that includes a Purdue University researcher, shows that global carbon emissions from fossil fuels rose 2 percent last year to a record high of 1.3 metric tons per person.

Purdue, NASA research provides blueprint for molecular basis of global warming

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:21:00 EST

A new study indicates that major chemicals most often cited as leading causes of climate change, such as carbon dioxide and methane, are outclassed in their warming potential by compounds receiving less attention.

Purdue University and NASA examined more than a dozen chemicals, most of which are generated by humans, and have developed a blueprint for the underlying molecular machinery of global warming. The results appear in a special edition of the American Chemical Society's Journal of Physical Chemistry A, released Nov. 12.

Science journalists to be honored at Purdue Nov. 11-13

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 11:54:00 EST

Purdue University will honor science journalists from around the world on Nov. 11-13 during the third Science Journalism Laureates Program.

The group, which includes eight previous and four new laureates, will participate in a public town hall meeting from 9:30-11 a.m. Thursday (Nov. 12) in the Lawson Computer Science Building foyer. The topic is "Science Journalism in the Age of Twitter." Moira Gunn, host of "Tech Nation" and "BioTech Nation," which are heard on National Public Radio, will moderate the discussion. A public reception will follow the talk.

Film puts spotlight on virtual artifact restoration process developed at Purdue

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:57:00 EST

A technique developed at Purdue University that virtually restores artifacts will be featured in a mini-documentary to be released this month.

The 90-second segment summarizes how projecting millions of tiny lights onto deteriorated artifacts makes them look new again.

Birds' selective fall hearing may hold lessons for humans, researchers say

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:08:00 EST

It appears that some birds have found a simple solution when they are not looking for a mate in the fall - they just ignore love's call by muting their hearing.

Purdue University biologists studying how both birds and humans adapt to noise have found that some bird species have degraded hearing ability in the fall - when it's not mating season - as well as in other select situations. The findings have potential implications for hearing loss in humans, said Jeffrey Lucas, a Purdue professor of biological sciences.

Purdue dedicates Hockmeyer Hall of Structural Biology

Fri, 2 Oct 2009 07:56:00 EDT

Purdue University structural biologists - a group that provides insights that lead to vaccines and other disease treatments - are getting a booster shot for their research with brand new facilities.

The Wayne T. and Mary T. Hockmeyer Hall of Structural Biology was dedicated Friday (Oct. 2). The building, which houses the Markey Center for Structural Biology, is located adjacent to Discovery Park at Harrison Street and Martin Jischke Drive.

Alumnus and astronaut Feustel to speak at Purdue

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:40:00 EDT

Purdue alumnus and mission specialist Andrew Feustel will speak at the university on Sept. 30 about his experiences in the space program and how his scientific training influenced his NASA career.

Study of 16 developing countries shows climate change could deepen poverty

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:20:00 EDT

Urban workers could suffer most from climate change as the cost of food drives them into poverty, according to a new study that quantifies the effects of climate on the world's poor populations.

A team led by Purdue University researchers examined the potential economic influence of adverse climate events, such as heat waves, drought and heavy rains, on those in 16 developing countries. Urban workers in Bangladesh, Mexico and Zambia were found to be the most at risk.

Twinkling nanostars cast new light into biomedical imaging

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:06:00 EDT

Purdue University researchers have created magnetically responsive gold nanostars that may offer a new approach to biomedical imaging.

The nanostars gyrate when exposed to a rotating magnetic field and can scatter light to produce a pulsating or "twinkling" effect. This twinkling allows them to stand out more clearly from noisy backgrounds like those found in biological tissue.

Kylin Therapeutics to expand cancer treatment research with NIH funding

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:11:00 EDT

Kylin Therapeutics Inc. will expand its research into treating diseases including cancer and AIDS after receiving a $100,000 Phase I Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Institutes of Health.

The company's technology is based on a Purdue University discovery called pRNA that utilizes a natural process, known as RNA interference, to target and "turn off" disease-causing genes. Kylin is a developer of next-generation genetic therapeutics. The technology allows for more powerful and more effective treatments for a variety of diseases.

Purdue trustees approve faculty appointments, new program and department renaming

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:03:00 EDT

The Purdue University board of trustees on Friday (July 10) ratified the appointments of four distinguished and named professors and a Purdue Calumet vice chancellor, and approved a new program and the renaming of a department.

The trustees also ratified the previously announced appointment of Jeffrey Roberts as the Frederick L. Hovde Dean of the College of Science and changed James S. Almond's title to senior vice president for business services and assistant treasurer.

New engineering lab enhances student success in its first year

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:23:00 EDT

Purdue University's 2008-2009 first-year engineering class inaugurated a new state-of-the-art learning lab that put students into smaller classes, gave them more hands-on experience and improved their chances for success.

During the two semesters the Ideas to Innovation Learning Laboratory (I2I) has been open, attendance for first-year engineering students jumped almost 20 percentage points to 98 percent. And the number of students withdrawing or earning non-passing grades fell from 10 percent to 5 percent.

Cybersecurity expert says White House lack of 'czar' is subpar

Wed, 3 Jun 2009 08:32:00 EDT

A Purdue University cybersecurity expert is skeptical that the new U.S. cybersecurity coordinator will have enough clout to serve as more than a glorified cheerleader with the way the White House has created the position.

Professor Eugene H. Spafford, executive director of the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS), says the coordinator will probably have no authority over budget and policy, and thus will have difficulty getting the attention of cabinet secretaries, agency heads and CEOs.

Cybersecurity center director available to comment on Obama report

Wed, 27 May 2009 13:41:00 EDT

Purdue University computer security expert Eugene H. Spafford says the Obama administration's upcoming report on national infrastructure and cybersecurity illustrates the importance of addressing the growing risk to our national security.

Spafford, a professor and executive director of Purdue's Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS), says the U.S. government and businesses have long underestimated the vulnerabilities and protection needs of our national cyberinfrastructure.

Purdue swept up in largest tornado field study in history

Thu, 21 May 2009 12:28:00 EDT

Purdue University researchers could improve tornado warnings and unveil trends in their occurrences as part of the largest tornado and storm field study in history.

A project led by Jeff Trapp, an associate professor of earth and atmospheric sciences, is part of the second Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment, or VORTEX 2, field study.

Purdue to find game changing way to produce biofuels

Thu, 7 May 2009 16:49:00 EDT

The U.S. Department of Energy plans to fund a $20 million effort to create an Energy Frontier Research Center to advance work in biofuels at Purdue University.

The center will investigate methods to bypass the currently used processes involving biological fermentation, reducing the need for large and expensive biorefineries and expanding the range of biofuels beyond ethanol.

College of Science recognizes 12 as distinguished alumni

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:30:00 EDT

The Purdue University College of Science honored 12 distinguished science alumni during a ceremony earlier this month.

The Distinguished Science Alumni Awards were established to annually recognize outstanding achievement in professional or related science fields.

Findings uncover new details about mysterious mimivirus

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:47:00 EDT

An international team of researchers has determined key structural features of the largest known virus, findings that could help scientists studying how the simplest life evolved and whether the unusual virus causes any human diseases.

The mimivirus has been called a possible "missing link" between viruses and living cells. It was discovered accidentally by French scientists in 1992 but wasn't confirmed to be a virus until 2003.

Weaver named director of Purdue's Discovery Learning Center

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:19:00 EDT

Gabriela C. Weaver, a professor and associate head of Purdue's Department of Chemistry, on Friday (May 1) will be the new Jerry and Rosie Semler Director of the Discovery Learning Center in Discovery Park, university officials announced Monday (April 27).

Weaver, who has served as the center's interim director since September, succeeds Jonathan Harbor, who stepped down to serve as interim dean of Purdue's College of Science.

Baseball Experts List

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:18:00 EDT

Professor takes swing at history of baseball, scandals

Randy Roberts, distinguished professor of history, can talk about the history of baseball and government's role in policing the baseball steroids scandal. He also has written a book about Boston sports, which highlights the Red Sox. Roberts, who is an American pop culture historian, also is the author of 12 other books on history and sports.

Roberts' homepage: http://www.cla.purdue.edu/history/directory/?personid=48

Contact: 765-494-0040, rroberts@purdue.edu

U.S.News ranks Purdue's graduate programs among country's best

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:13:00 EDT

Purdue University's programs remain among the best in the nation in U.S.News & World Report's rankings of the top graduate schools released Thursday (April 23).

"The quality of graduate programs impacts and enhances the overall educational quality of a university," said Purdue Provost Randy Woodson. "These rankings reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that a Purdue degree stands for a world-class educational experience that retains its value in the real world. This, in turn, translates into the ability to attract top-notch students who want to share in and be a part of our progress."

Researchers find lack of key molecule leads to deafness

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:00:00 EDT

Researchers have identified tiny molecules that may lead to big breakthroughs in the treatment of hearing loss and deafness.

An international team, including researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel and Purdue University, found that lack of these molecules causes abnormal development of the inner ear and leads to progressive hearing loss.

Purdue African-American students will be honored during program

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:15:00 EDT

Purdue University students excelling in academics, leadership and service will be honored Saturday (April 18) during the Purdue Black Caucus of Faculty and Staff's 34th annual Academic and Service Awards program.

The event, which is open to the public, will begin at 11 a.m. at the Purdue Memorial Union's North Ballroom.

New technique provides illusion of restoration without risk of damage to priceless artifacts

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:47:00 EDT

Museum patrons can now see artifacts as they were originally created through a restoration process that poses no risk of damage to the priceless objects.

A Purdue University team of researchers has created a "virtual restoration" process that visually restores deteriorated objects while leaving them physically unchanged.

Purdue professor's insight leads to better understanding of vision loss

Fri, 3 Apr 2009 10:01:00 EDT

A Purdue University researcher's work could shed light on new targets for treating retinal degenerative diseases that cause blindness.

According to the National Eye Institute, blindness or low vision affects 3.3 million Americans age 40 and older, and retinal degenerative diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, are some of the leading causes.

New Madrid fault system may be shutting down

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:53:00 EDT

The New Madrid fault system does not behave as earthquake hazard models assume and may be in the process of shutting down, a new study shows.

A team from Purdue and Northwestern universities analyzed the fault motion for eight years using global positioning system measurements and found that it is much less than expected given the 500- to 1,000-year repeat cycle for major earthquakes on that fault. The last large earthquakes in the New Madrid seismic zone were magnitude 7-7.5 events in 1811 and 1812.

'Peking Man' older than thought; somehow adapted to cold

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:02:00 EDT

A new dating method has found that "Peking Man" is around 200,000 years older than previously thought, suggesting he somehow adapted to the cold of a mild glacial period.

A dating method developed by a Purdue University researcher allowed a more accurate determination of the age of the Zhoukoudian, China, site of remains of Homo erectus, commonly known as "Peking Man." The site was found to be 680,000-780,000 years old. Earlier estimates put the age at 230,000-500,000 years old.

State 'mathletes' hope to divide and conquer

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 10:51:00 EDT

More than 180 "mathletes" from middle and junior high schools throughout Indiana will test their math skills on Saturday (March 14) during the MATHCOUNTS state competition at Purdue University.

MATHCOUNTS is a national nonprofit competition that promotes achievement in mathematics. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon in Stewart Center, Room 218. The final round will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the Class of 1950 Lecture Hall, Room 224, and will conclude with an awards ceremony at about 2:30 p.m. The afternoon events are free and open to the public.

Prehistoric global cooling caused by CO2, research finds

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:24:00 EST

Ice in Antarctica suddenly appeared — in geologic terms — about 35 million years ago. For the previous 100 million years the continent had been essentially ice-free.

The question for science has been, why? What triggered glaciers to form at the South Pole?

Carbon dioxide emissions map released on Google Earth

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:32:00 EST

A new high-
resolution, interactive map of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels is now available on Google Earth.

With a few clicks on Google Earth, anyone can now view pollution from factories, power plants, roadways, and residential and commercial areas for their state, county or per capita. Individuals also can easily see how their county compares to others across the nation.

Earthquake and seismology experts available at Purdue

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:26:00 EST

Atmospheric sciences, seismology, seismographs

Larry W. Braile, professor and head of the Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. Braile oversees the seismograph and works with the seismology station at Purdue to record local and worldwide earthquakes. He has done extensive studies of the New Madrid fault, which runs through the Mississippi River Valley.

Purdue's Sigma Xi presents talk on making U.S. cities sustainable

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:31:00 EST

The director of the environmental science, engineering and policy program at Northwestern University will talk about whether modern American cities can be made sustainable on Feb. 3 in the Deans Auditorium of Purdue University's Pfendler Hall.

The 3:30 p.m. presentation by Kimberly Gray, a Northwestern professor in the departments of civil and environmental engineering and chemical and biological engineering, is free and open to the public. It is part of the Purdue chapter of Sigma Xi's series of distinguished lectures on climate change and global sustainability. Sigma Xi is a national scientific research society.

Purdue students, rural schools benefit from scholarship program

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:17:00 EST

A program designed to attract Purdue University students majoring in science, mathematics, engineering and technology into teaching will benefit three rural Indiana school districts.

The Purdue Robert Noyce Scholars program will fund 35 Purdue juniors and seniors over the next four years to work as assistants in Crawfordsville, Logansport and Benton County high schools. The students are expected to earn teaching certificates in science and mathematics through additional coursework at Purdue.

Math whizzes compute to compete in MATHCOUNTS

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:30:00 EST

More than 95 "mathletes" from north central Indiana middle and junior high schools will test their math acumen Feb. 14 at the MATHCOUNTS regional competition at Purdue University.

MATHCOUNTS is a national nonprofit competition that promotes achievement in mathematics. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon in Stewart Center, Room 302. The final round will begin at 1 p.m. in the Class of 1950 Lecture Hall and will conclude with an awards ceremony at approximately 2 p.m. The afternoon events are free and open to the public.

Purdue technology detects contaminant in milk products

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:42:00 EST

A new analysis method can detect the kidney-damaging chemical melamine, used to contaminate infant formula in China last September, at very low levels within a matter of seconds.

A research team at Purdue University created the analysis method to detect levels of melamine in the low parts-per-billion in milk and milk powder in about 25 seconds.

World premiere of 'The Spy' to be staged at Purdue

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 14:12:00 EST

The Acting Company and the Guthrie Theater will present the world premiere stage adaptation of an 1821 novel by James Fenimore Cooper, "The Spy," at 8 p.m. Feb. 7 at Purdue Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse.

The performance, which is a thriller with romance, adventure, disguises and double crosses, is presented by Purdue Convocations as part of its Catalyst series.

Purdue, National Cheng Kung universities celebrate historic collaborations

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:00:00 EST

Purdue University is beginning a new era of global partnerships with a look back at one of the most successful such academic collaborations of the 20th century.

Purdue University and National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) will commemorate a decade of support and friendship from more than 50 years ago with a joint exhibition on Monday (Jan. 19) at the University Museum of NCKU's inaugural ceremonies in Tainan, Taiwan.

Life sciences industry may help lead U.S. out of economic downturn

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 09:18:00 EST

In the most sobering employment news since 1974, the U.S. Labor Department reports the economy lost 533,000 jobs in November, pushing the nation's jobless rate to 6.7 percent. The only sectors actually adding workers were government, education and health services.

That shouldn't come as a surprise.

Turnover in science education faculty compounds K-12 efforts

Mon, 5 Jan 2009 11:10:00 EST

While there is an increasing trend for universities and colleges to hire more science faculty with education specialties, a recent study has found that such positions may have a high attrition rate.

A survey of the 23-campus California State University system showed that nearly 40 percent of science faculty with education specialty positions were seriously considering leaving their current jobs. Of those who are seriously considering leaving their position, however, only a few are considering leaving the field entirely.

Biologists learn structure, mechanism of powerful 'molecular motor' in virus

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST

Researchers have discovered the atomic structure of a powerful "molecular motor" that packages DNA into the head segment of some viruses during their assembly, an essential step in their ability to multiply and infect new host organisms.

The researchers, from Purdue University and The Catholic University of America, also have proposed a mechanism for how the motor works. Parts of the motor move in sequence like the pistons in a car's engine, progressively drawing the genetic material into the virus's head, or capsid, said Michael Rossmann, Purdue's Hanley Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences.

Purdue study suggests warmer temperatures could lead to a boom in corn pests

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:05:00 EST

Climate change could provide the warmer weather pests prefer, leading to an increase in populations that feed on corn and other crops, according to a new study.

Warmer growing season temperatures and milder winters could allow some of these insects to expand their territory and produce an extra generation of offspring each year, said Noah Diffenbaugh, the Purdue University associate professor of earth and atmospheric sciences who led the study.

Purdue, TechLift and The Burton D. Morgan Foundation launch Ohio internship program

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:16:00 EST

Purdue University and Ohio entrepreneurial support organization TechLift announced Monday (Dec. 15) the launch of the Interns for Entrepreneurship Northeast Ohio Program to place the university's students with regional startup technology companies.

The program will provide subsidized summer internship opportunities for students to work at technology companies that are clients of Techlift. The Burton D. Morgan Foundation, based in Hudson, Ohio, is providing partial funding for the program as part of its mission to support and promote entrepreneurship nationally.

Team led by Purdue professor first to record key event that breaks continents apart

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST

Researchers have captured for the first time a geological event considered key in shaping the Earth's landscape.

An international research team led by Eric Calais, a Purdue University professor of geophysics, was able to measure ground displacements as two tectonic plates in Africa moved apart and molten rock pushed its way toward the surface during the first so-called "dyking event" ever recorded within the planet's continental crust.

Biologists spy close-up view of poliovirus linked to host cell receptor

Mon, 8 Dec 2008 11:39:00 EST

Researchers from Purdue and Stony Brook universities have determined the precise atomic-scale structure of the poliovirus attached to key receptor molecules in human host cells and also have taken a vital snapshot of processes leading to infection.

The virus binds to a receptor on the cell to form a single complex.

Purdue project aims to make drought information more predictive, versatile to a variety of users

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 13:03:00 EST

Purdue University researchers have begun a three-year project to develop technology that can be used in a number of different ways to combat the consequences of major drought.

Researchers are developing a Web-enabled system for accessing data related to drought impact, while creating tools to probe, integrate and visualize information to aid in decision-making during a drought crisis. The National Science Foundation is funding the project.

ICx Technologies to develop novel mass spec solution

Thu, 4 Dec 2008 09:16:00 EST

ICx Technologies (NASDAQ: ICXT) today announced a new joint research project with Purdue University's R. Graham Cooks, distinguished professor of chemistry, working through the university's Discovery Park Center for Analytical Instrumentation Development.

The research will focus on the area of novel ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AI-MS). Ambient ionization mass spectrometry allows scientists to analyze surfaces for chemicals at trace levels without the need for standard sample preparation. Mass spectrometers can now directly "sniff" surfaces for chemical markers.