north-carolina – Tech Today w/ Ken May

A nanoparticle-coated skin patch could treat obesity and diabetes

A new study out today in ACS Nano presents an interesting and effective way to reduce fat stores in the body. Researchers at Columbia University and the University of North Carolina showed that a patch loaded with nanoparticles could reduce fat, increase energy expenditure and ameliorate type-2 diabetes in obese mice. The patch consists of an array of microscopic needles that help deliver drugs enclosed in nanoparticles directly into fat lying beneath the skin. Those drugs help turn white fat, which stores energy, into brown fat, which burns energy. Humans have both types, but as we age, we lose more and more of our brown fat, leaving mostly white fat behind. Therefore, it’s harder to get rid of the fat we have once we store it. Turning white fat into brown — a process called browning — has been a concept explored by researchers looking to treat obesity and diabetes , but earlier efforts have been largely done with pills or injections, which can cause a number of side effects since they deliver the drugs to the entire body. This patch, however, can concentrate the drug to just the area with the fat. And when they tested it on obese rats, putting a patch with drug on one side and a patch without drug on the other, researchers found that the drug side showed around 30 percent reductions of a particular type of white fat. Additionally, genes associated with brown fat were upregulated in the treated side, meaning the changes appeared to be due to a browning of the white fat stores. The patches even had an effect in healthy mice, leading to increased metabolic activity and upregulated brown fat genes. The research team is now working on figuring out which drugs work best and at which concentrations. The treatment isn’t ready for human testing, but these first results seem promising. “Many people will no doubt be excited to learn that we may be able to offer a noninvasive alternative to liposuction for reducing love handles, ” Li Qiang, one of the lead researchers of the study, said in a statement . “What’s much more important is that our patch may provide a safe and effective means of treating obesity and related metabolic disorders such as diabetes.” Via: Phys.org Source: ACS Nano , Columbia University

Continue reading here:
A nanoparticle-coated skin patch could treat obesity and diabetes

Moog’s latest Sub 37 synth has even more grit than the original

Last year at Moogfest , the namesake synth maker set up a temporary instrument factory to crank our its Model D reissue . For the 2017 installment of the analog soiree, Moog is building another synthesizer on-site in Durham, North Carolina, but this time it’s a retooled version of the more compact Sub 37 . Officially dubbed the Subsequent 37 CV, this new model carries a similar overall construction as its predecessor. However, the front panel is now silver and the side panels are solid aluminum with inset North American hardwood. I won’t be shy about it: This thing is a beaut. “We were inspired to create the Subsequent 37 CV by, or due to, all the feedback we received from players who were in love with the deep modulation capabilities of the sub 37 and wanted to bring that expressivity out to the other gear in their studio, ” explains Moog engineer Amos Gaynes. The “CV” in the model name refers to the four assignable control voltage outputs on the side that sit next to two assignable gate outputs. Those connections allow you to connect the Subsequent 37 CV to much more robust modular systems. Moog also revamped the keybed for increased playability and upgraded headphone amp for live monitoring with high-quality sound. The company also modified the analog signal path on this new piece of gear. “[Control Voltage] allows you to take an changing [electrical] signal from one place to and use it to control the properties of a different sound-making circuit, ” Gaines notes. “It’s important because it allows you to interconnect one thing and another. It allows you to freely connect sources of expression with the musical properties of your studio equipment.” He also explains a key advantage to analog: its responsiveness.”One really good thing about control voltage is that it’s direct and immediate, ” he says. “It’s much higher resolution than digital equivalents. It’s alive–it’s infinitely responsive.” In terms of changes to the sound profile, Moog retuned the Multidrive circuit for even more growl and a grittier sound than the original Sub 37. There’s also now more headroom in the mixer which improves the sound in Duo mode. In fact, Moog says there’s twice as much headroom on the Subsequent 37 CV than the Sub 37 Tribute Edition. And yes, that classic Mood Ladder Filter is still part of the tool box as are some familiar controls from that previous model — like 256 presets and 16 banks of 16 patches. “We took the opportunity when redesigning the instrument not only to add expressive CV output control, but to realize some of our long-held ambitions for the sound engine, ” Gaines says. The first 125 synthesizers will be built at Moogfest and feature presets from artists like 808 State. Those units will be sold exclusively through Guitar Center at the event between May 18-21. Moogfest in Durham. If you can’t make the trip on short notice to take in the event in person, Moog plans to sell 2, 000 of the instruments total, so you’ll have a shot at nabbing one after this weekend. If you’re able to find one, you’ll need to hand over $1, 799 in order to take it home.

Follow this link:
Moog’s latest Sub 37 synth has even more grit than the original

The world’s biggest telescope needs half a billion dollars more

GMTO It has been a long road for planners of the Giant Magellan Telescope, which will become the world’s largest telescope—if it’s completed on schedule. Casting of the first of seven mirrors, each formed from about 20 tons of borosilicate glass made from Florida sand, began way back in 2005. The project seems to finally be closing in on first light as the team amps up fundraising and construction efforts. The organizers of the telescope are gearing up for fundraising needed to bring the project to completion and have hired a new president with significant executive experience: Robert N. Shelton, a former president of the University of Arizona and provost and executive vice chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “Anyone who has been a president and a provost understands the importance of fundraising,” Shelton told Ars in an interview. Read 4 remaining paragraphs | Comments

Original post:
The world’s biggest telescope needs half a billion dollars more

Bunnie Huang’s "Essential Guide to Electronics in Shenzhen"

Bunnie has a years of experience partnering with manufacturers in Shenzhen, so he knows what he’s talking about. This looks like a fantastic resource for hardware entrepreneurs. Bunnie Huang, the infamous hardware hacker known for reverse engineering the XBox and the Novena, is publishing “ The Essential Guide to Electronics in Shenzhen .” He started a crowdfunding campaign on Crowd Supply yesterday and it soared past its goal of $10K (at $35/ copy) in less than 24 hours. This is a must-have guide for any hardware startup founder, maker, or IoT developer looking to China to manufacture. With Overcoming the language barrier is one of the keys to unlocking the market’s full potential, and this book’s point-to-translate format enables a fluidity of interaction with market vendors that no translation app or guide book can match. “Going to Shenzhen, China is a massive enabler for Makers, hackers, and entrepreneurs alike. The Essential Guide to Electronics in Shenzhen is the book I wish I had when I first stepped foot into China a decade ago.” – bunnie

Continued here:
Bunnie Huang’s "Essential Guide to Electronics in Shenzhen"

Foolish Scientists Have Just Created Shape-Shifting Metal

Most movies are works of fiction, but the plots are based on real-world ideas. Including, apparently, the nightmarish future put forth in Terminator 2 . A team of researchers from North Carolina State University decided the world would be a better place with terrifying shape-shifting T-1000s, and so have developed a way to control and manipulate liquid metals. Maybe they didn’t watch the whole movie? Read more…

See the original article here:
Foolish Scientists Have Just Created Shape-Shifting Metal

New Metallic Bubble Wrap: Thinner, Stronger, Better

One of the most common and beloved packing materials now comes in a metal form. Bubble wrap—first invented as three-dimensional wallpaper, believe it or not—started protecting valuables in 1960 and is branded by the Sealed Air company. It’s typically made from polyethylene, where a bubble-shaped side is bonded to a flat side. The new metallic form can offer protection in very, very tight spaces, only a few millimeters thick. So packaging can be made very, very small and much stronger than the plastic variety. Computer and cell phone cases could be made much more thin and sleek. Computer parts could be protected with very little space used. Even helmets would not need to be as bulky. The protection offered is more heat and chemical resistant and more flexible than any other bubble wrap. Making the metallic wrap is surprisingly simple. Afsaneh Rabiei , professor of engineering North Carolina State University, and her team started with a thin sheet of aluminum and used a studded roller to form small indents in the sheet. Instead of capturing air in these indentations, she filled them with a foaming agent like calcium carbonate or titanium hydrate. When such agents are heated they form bubbles within the metal, as you can see here: (more…)