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Digging Into SandSeptember 20, 1997 | Volume 152 | Number 12 Cover: A sand castle shows how a little moisture can dramatically alter the fluid properties of ordinary sand. Physicists are trying to elucidate the basic mechanisms that underlie the behavior of both dry and wet granular materials. (Photo and sand art by Lucinda "Sandy Feet" Wierenga, http://www.unlitter.com/feet/index.html) |
Features:
TimeLine
Food for Thought
Ancient Mound Builders Get Cultured
Hunter-gatherers built and seasonally inhabited a cluster of 11 earthen mounds in Louisiana more than 5,000 years ago, undermining the view that complex cultures arose only in farming societies.
An industry group is funding three Department of Energy national laboratories to develop extreme ultraviolet lithography for commercial manufacture of computer chips. Researchers report the first documented instance of a transplanted organ that imparted an allergy to its recipient. Signs of ancient life in deep, dark rock
Scandinavian scientists have found fossilized microbes far below Earth's surface. Global Surveyor arrives at Mars
Mars Global Surveyor successfully entered orbit around the Red Planet, becoming the first U.S. craft to do so in 21 years. Bright fish + dim light = diversity lost
The cichlid fish of Lake Victoria may be threatened by turbid waters, which interfere with the ability of some females to recognize their brightly colored mates. A surprising role for Alzheimer proteins?
Proteins implicated in Alzheimer's disease may play a part in organizing chromosomes during cell division. Three-day-old sprouts prove a potent--and potentially more palatable--source of the major anticancer compound in broccoli. Glass film yields to a light touch
A material made of arsenic and selenium shrinks and expands when exposed to polarized light, making it potentially useful for nanotechnology.
Tinier transistors for tomorrow's chips
Liver transplant transfers peanut allergy
Anticancer agent sprouts up unexpectedly
Research Notes:
Astronomy
A galaxy that goes the distance
For the first time since the discovery of quasars in 1963, a galaxy holds the title of most distant object known in the universe. Big asteroid has big dent
The large asteroid called 4 Vesta has a huge crater near its south pole. Biology Cellular structure linked to aging
A yeast gene similar to the human gene responsible for Werner's syndrome provides clues to the aging process. Trash to one is treasure to another
To gain entry to cells, harmful mycobacteria recycle a protein the mammalian host has discarded. Biomedicine Fever-causing gene located
Two research groups have identified the gene that causes Mediterranean fever. Gas therapy for sickle-cell anemia
Nitric oxide gas shows promise in the treatment of sickle-cell disease. Chemistry Nonsmokers inhale carcinogen
People who spend time in smoke-filled rooms absorb a potent carcinogen called NNK. Shedding tears for scientific study
The chemical composition of tears and other eye fluids may help researchers understand the biochemistry of diseases.
Articles:
Dry Sand, Wet Sand
Digging into the physics of sandpiles and sand castles Understanding sand and other granular materials presents a host of scientific challenges. Losing oneself to science? Researchers ponder appropriate guidelines for research uses of tissue removed from a person's body.
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