Tech Briefs Insider » 2009 » May

Can scientists develop an effective universal flu vaccine?

TechBriefs — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:16:20 +0000

This week’s question concerns flu vaccine. Recent swine flu outbreaks have heightened concerns about a possible epidemic, and renewed interest in developing a universal flu vaccine that would provide immunity against all types of flu. Proponents of the one-shot-fits-all vaccine say such a vaccine, while not totally preventing infection, would ease concerns about producing sufficient vaccine strains to combat seasonal flu outbreaks, and make flu immunization practical in countries unable to afford yearly flu vaccination efforts. Skeptics say a universal flu vaccine would have limited effectiveness against animal-derived viruses like swine flu, and would at best supplement existing seasonal flu vaccines. Would do you think? Can scientists develop an effective universal flu vaccine? Yes or no?

Vote here.

Should Apple design its own computer chips?

TechBriefs — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:13:10 +0000

This week’s question concerns recent reports that Apple, the immensely successful computer and consumer electronics manufacturer, may be contemplating getting into the chip design business. Designing their own chips could provide a number of competitive advantages for the company, not the least of which is making their already secretive product development process even more secure. It could also allow them to further reduce power consumption on handheld devices like the iPhone and iPod, and add enhanced graphics circuitry for gaming and video. On the other hand, there are significant risks involved in straying too far from their core competency and trying to beat the established chip manufacturers at their own game. What do you think? Should Apple design its own computer chips?

Vote here.

Could the rise of oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere have caused the first Ice Age?

TechBriefs — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:01:38 +0000

This week’s question concerns the origin of the Ice Age. Last week, a research team led by University of Maryland geology professor Alan Kaufman uncovered evidence that oxygenation of the Earth’s atmosphere coincided with the first massive Ice Age on the planet. Using sulfur isotopes to determine the oxygen content of rocks in South Africa, the scientists found evidence of a sudden increase in atmospheric oxygen that coincided with physical evidence of glacial debris. The scientists theorize the oxygen reacted with methane to form carbon dioxide, whose poor heat-retention properties in turn caused surface temperatures to plummet dramatically and cause vast ice sheets to form. What do you think? Could the rise of oxygen in the Earth’s atmosphere have caused the first Ice Age? Yes or no?
Vote here.

You think scientists will one day be able to look beyond the Big Bang?

admin — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:30:51 +0000

This week’s question concerns NASA’s ability to look back in time.

On April 23 NASA’s Swift satellite set a new record for observing the most distant object in the known universe. The satellite picked up a 10-second-long gamma-ray burst and quickly aimed its ultraviolet/optical and x-ray telescopes at it. Although they detected no visible light, what the instruments did pick up was a fading x-ray afterglow, indicating a very distant object. Subsequent analysis of the data indicated that the burst occurred roughly 13 billion years ago. Scientists theorize that the Big Bang, which created the universe, occurred approximately 13.7 billion years ago.
What we’d like to know is whether you think scientists will one day be able to look beyond the Big Bang?

Vote here.