Volume V Issue 3
March 2009 |
|
 |
 |
 Mother
Nature Knows Nano
 The
future of the nanotechnology field depends on our ability to reliably
and reproducibly assemble nanoparticles into 3D structures we can use to
develop new technologies. One approach to production of nanoscale
architecture is creation of nanoparticles that assemble themselves into
the desired structure. DNA molecules are an elegant biological example
of small particles that self-assemble to form higher order 3D
structures. Inspired by this prototype, Hao Yan and Yan Liu at Arizona
State University looked to Mother Nature to solve their nano-sized
problem. They attached gold nanoparticles to DNA, taking advantage of
its self-assembling biochemical properties to engineer nanotubes that
form a number of different 3D structures.
Yan is hopeful this
groundbreaking work will serve as the foundation on which emerging
fields and new technologies may be built. In the future, use of
nanotubes may reduce the size of cell phones and other electronic
devices even further. Scientists also envision using nanotubes for a
number of biological applications including gene and drug delivery.
Drugs or other treatments specifically delivered using nanotubes would
target only affected tissues, potentially eliminating toxic side
effects.
 Find
out more about careers in science
and engineering...
Mathematics
and Climate
 One
of the most important challenges of our time is modeling global climate.
Calculus, differential equations, numerical analysis, probability, and
statistics are just some of the areas of mathematics used to understand
the oceans, atmosphere, and polar ice caps, and the complex interactions
among these vast systems. Indeed, analyzing feedback effects is a
crucial component of global climate modeling and often a significant
factor in long-term predictions. For example, warmer temperatures cause
ice to melt, exposing more land and water, so that more sunlight is
absorbed-instead of being reflected, in turn leading to more warming.
Math and science are central to the development of both traditional and
alternative energy sources, and to the evolution of other strategies for
mitigating the effects of climate change. Mathematics and Climate is the
theme for Mathematics Awareness Month
- April 2009.
Find
out more about career paths in
mathematics,
statistics, and
actuarial
science...
Advanced
Imaging Technology for Spinal Surgery
 Using
a three-dimensional (3D) image-guided system to help place screws in the
spines of patients results in safe and accurate surgery with a decrease
in the number of misplaced screws, and subsequent injuries, seen in more
traditional operations, says Mayo Clinic neurosurgeon Eric Nottmeier,
M.D., the lead investigator of a recent study. The screws are used to
stabilize the spine in patients who suffer from collapsed discs or
compressed nerves. Specifically, after implanting 1084 "pedicle" screws
in 220 patients, surgeons reported a nerve injury rate of less than 1%.
Additionally, less than 1% of
the screws in this study were considered to be significantly misplaced.
That compares to a reported nerve injury rate of up to 8% and a
misplacement rate of up to 55% using standard technology. The technology
uses a special camera on a computer that uses infrared light to track a
surgical instrument in 3D space. The surgeon places the instrument on
the patient's spine and navigates the spine using the computer. The
surgical instrument is used to determine the best entry point and
trajectory for each screw. An image-guided screwdriver is used to place
a screw. Almost all patients in this study were given a CT scan
following surgery so that a radiologist could independently determine
how well the screws were placed.
Find
out more about career paths in
technology and
healthcare...
Degree
Profile: Engineering
 Engineers
apply the theories and principles of science and mathematics to research
and develop economical solutions to technical problems. Their work is
the link between perceived social needs and commercial applications.
Engineers design products, machinery to build those products, plants in
which those products are made, and the systems that ensure the quality
of the products and the efficiency of the workforce and manufacturing
process. Engineers design, plan, and supervise the construction of
buildings, highways, and transit systems. They develop and implement
improved ways to extract, process, and use raw materials, such as
petroleum and natural gas. They develop new materials that both improve
the performance of products and take advantage of advances in
technology. They harness the power of the sun, the Earth, atoms, and
electricity for use in supplying the Nation's power needs, and create
millions of products using power. They analyze the impact of the
products they develop or the systems they design on the environment and
on people using them. Engineering knowledge is applied to improving many
things, including the quality of healthcare, the safety of food
products, and the operation of financial systems.
A bachelor's degree in
engineering is required for most entry-level engineering jobs.
Engineering programs involve a concentration of study in an engineering
specialty, along with courses in both mathematics and science. Those
considering a career in engineering should seek a program that has been
accredited. Over 1,800 U.S. engineering programs are accredited by ABET,
Inc.
Find
out more about careers in
engineering...
Exploding
Asteroid over North America?
 Was
the course of life on the planet altered 12,900 years ago by a giant
comet exploding over Canada? Geological evidence found by University of
Cincinnati Assistant Professor of Anthropology Ken Tankersley and
colleagues suggests the answer is affirmative. It has strengthened the
case that a cataclysmic comet or asteroid explosion over Canada 12,900
years ago resulted in a phase of extinction for animals and humans at
the end of the last Ice Age. A comet/asteroid theory advanced by
Arizona-based geophysicist Allen West in the past two years says that an
object from space exploded just above the earth's surface at that time
over modern-day Canada, sparking a massive shock wave and
heat-generating event that set large parts of the northern hemisphere
ablaze, setting the stage for the extinctions.
Now Tankersley has verified
evidence from sites in Ohio and Indiana that offers the strongest
support yet for the exploding comet/asteroid theory. Samples of
diamonds, gold and silver that have been found in the region have been
conclusively sourced through X-ray diffractometry in the lab of UC
Professor of Geology Warren Huff back to the diamond fields region of
Canada. The only plausible scenario available now for explaining their
presence this far south is the kind of cataclysmic explosive event
described by West's theory. "We believe this is the strongest evidence
yet indicating a comet impact in that time period," says Tankersley.
Ironically, Tankersley had gone into the field with West believing he
might be able to disprove West's theory. The timing attached to the
theory of about 12,900 years ago is consistent with the known
disappearances in North America of the wooly mammoth population and the
first distinct human society to inhabit the continent, known as the
Clovis civilization. At that time, climatic history suggests the Ice Age
should have been drawing to a close, but a rapid change known as the
Younger Dryas event, instead ushered in another 1,300 years of glacial
conditions. A cataclysmic explosion consistent with West's theory would
have the potential to create the kind of atmospheric turmoil necessary
to produce such conditions.
Find
out more about careers in science...
Noyce
Scholars Learn Classroom Skills
 The
recruitment and preparation of teachers with strong backgrounds in
science and mathematics is important to American competitiveness and
essential for developing the next generation of innovators. The Robert
Noyce Scholarship Program at California State University, Fresno (CSU
Fresno), has recruited 81 new math and science teachers to teach in
high-need school districts in California's Central Valley. The Noyce
scholars, funded by the National Science
Foundation, are selected from undergraduate science and mathematics
majors and science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM,
professions. They are placed in a science or mathematics classroom under
the guidance of a selected mentor teacher for 6-10 hours per week. The
experience affords Noyce scholars a chance to develop classroom
"survival skills" early on and to experience a wide range of activities
associated with the teaching profession well before their student
teaching semester.
Noyce scholars also have an opportunity to participate in cutting edge
research through summer internships in Department of Energy
laboratories.
The CSU Fresno project is one of 135 projects funded under NSF's Robert
Noyce Teacher Scholarship program that provides funds to institutions of
higher education to support scholarships, stipends, and academic
programs for undergraduate STEM majors and post-baccalaureate students
holding STEM degrees who commit to teaching in high-need K-12 school
districts. A new component of the program supports STEM professionals
who enroll as NSF Teaching Fellows in master's degree programs leading
to teacher certification by providing academic courses, professional
development, and salary supplements while they are fulfilling a
four-year teaching commitment in a high need school district.
Find
out more about careers in science
and
mathematics...
STEM
Programs for Precollege Students
 Students
considering careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics,
computing, or healthcare are encouraged to participate in programs and
projects while in middle and high school that encourage them to try out
these areas first-hand. There are many
programs to choose from. One example is the
FIRST Robotics Competition, an
annual competition that helps high school students discover the rewards
and excitement of science, engineering, and technology. More than 42,000
high-school students on 1,686 teams are participating in this year's
competition. MATHCOUNTS is
another program to consider. It is a national math enrichment, coaching
and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics
achievement. In addition to the free Math Club Program available to any
middle school that wants to form a math club, The MATHCOUNTS Competition
Program helps prepare students for the national Math Bee that will be
held in May in Orlando, FL.
Find
out more about precollege programs and
projects...
Career Cornerstone News is a publication of the
Sloan Career Cornerstone Center. Click here
to subscribe.
This newsletter may be reproduced in other
non-profit publications with credit and links to
the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.
It may also be forwarded to internal
education or non-profit email lists.
|
|
