"Mere Presence Of Males Shortens Female's Lifespan: Yes, It's True For Roundworms"

Recently at Stanford University it was discovered that male roundworms secrete a substance that causes the female roundworms to die quickly after giving birth to their young. This is beneficial to the male in two ways. First, the large female will not be around to compete for food with the new offspring. Second, the female will not be available for other males to pass on their genes with. I also found it interesting that only 0.01 to 0.1 percent are complete males and the rest are hermaphrodites ( have both male and female reproductive organs), so the male needs every reproductive advantage it can get.

Design & Trend Article: http://www.designntrend.com/articles/9405/20131129/mere-presence-males-shortens-females-lifespan-yes-true-roundworms.htm

"New waterproof surface is 'driest ever'"

From the same lab that recently created the LiquiGlide no-stick ketchup bottle, comes a new kind of hydrophobic surface. The new surface material is based on replicating the natural "gold standard" of water shedding, the lotus leaf. The new discovery is a surface pattern that can be easily added to many materials including metals, fabrics, and ceramics. The weaving pattern for fabrics that replicate this pattern are currently being developed and could be the next big thing coming out. The super hydrophobic surface works by causing incoming raindrops to quickly break apart into many smaller drops on contact and throwing the droplets outward. The list of things that can be improved with the new material is endless; tents, clothing, sportswear, and non-icing airplane engines are a few of the possibilities.

Link To BBC Article (includes a video of the material shedding water):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25004942

"Accidental discovery dramatically enhances electrical conductivity in crystals"

Recently at Washington State University, researchers studying strontium titanate crystals made an accidental discovery. They had left the crystal out in the light for a day and it exploded. After looking further into the crystal, they discovered that it had very high levels of electrical conductivity. In fact, 400-fold times higher than the current conductors. The crystal is able to both insulate and superconduct electric signals. What makes it unique and useful is that it can perform these functions at room temperature. This new discovery will greatly improve the functionality of all electronic devices.

Science Recorder - Physics Review Letters -http://www.sciencerecorder.com/news/accidental-discovery-dramatically-enhances-electrical-conductivity-in-crystals/

 

"New species of microbe thrives in spacecraft clean rooms"

A new microbe was recently discovered in two places that were considered the cleanest places on Earth. Spacecraft Clean rooms in Florida and South America were thought to be spotless, until Tersicoccus phoenicis showed up. These microbes have never been seen in nature before, in fact, they are so rare that they had to make a new genus to name it. Tersicoccus phoenicis is able to survive on virtually no nutrients, so ultra clean surfaces such as spacecrafts are possible places where they can survive. They plan on using these findings to keep clean rooms even cleaner than they had been before. A possible implication of this microbe living on a spacecraft is it riding to space and being considered the first life found on Mars.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57611307-1/new-species-of-microbe-thrives-in-spacecraft-clean-rooms/ - Cnet - Nasa