“Neutron Microscope” Launched in Dubna

IREN will become an instrument for studying various structures, including nuclei, by means of neutron flows with low energy – between 0.1 and 100000 electron volt. Neutron flows will be directed towards the object of interest, and then it structure will be restored according reflection of these neutrons. The mechanism is similar to microscope with neutrons instead of light.

Read more:“Neutron Microscope” Launched in Dubna

Rocket Technologies Fight Toxins

Russian scientists suggest a solution for utilization and processing of low-grade fuels, super-toxins, pesticides, wastes of oil and chemical industry and associated petroleum gas.

The idea is burning all these in high-speed flows. Researchers developed a compact unit for this purpose. The unit is small, mobile and work very fast.

Read more: Rocket Technologies Fight Toxins

How Did Life Appear on Earth?

The crew of the International space station prepares an experiment, which will help scientists understanding the nature of life’s appearing on our planet.

Yuri Lonchakov runs and plugs in cables inside the station for the EXPOSE-R experiment of the European space agency, aimed at studying exobiological processes in outer space. The study is an international cooperation between several scientific institutions and RosCosmos.

Read more: How Did Life Appear on Earth?

Russians Lose Interest in Books

Research on how much Russian citizens read revealed sad results – during last 20 years the amount of public libraries, their stocks and number of subscribers have dropped significantly.

Most notable drop in number of libraries was detected in large cities, where people were better educated and had higher living standards. In contrast, the number of libraries in villages has increased a little bit during 2000s. Most active library users are schoolchildren.

Read more: Russians Lose Interest in Books

Russian Medics Predict Avian Flu Pandemics

Russian chief state health inspector says that medics very soon expect drift of highly pathogenic strain of avian flu with “with all ensuing consequences for the mankind”.

Over the last years epidemical situation in the world has changed dramatically – virus actively mutates, and existing vaccines can be helpless against one of the mutants, causing pandemics.

We are currently in the pre-pandemic period, which is similar to the third pandemics phase according WHO – new infection strain, non-transmittable to humans or very rarely infecting human after close contact with virus carrier.

Read more: Russian Medics Predict Avian Flu Pandemics

Mysterious Substance Discovered on Venus

“Venus-Express” probe allows scientists to compare images of the Morning star, received in various wavelength ranges. A group of scientists, headed by Dmitriy Titov, thoroughly analyzed structure of Venusian atmosphere and dynamic processes, taking place in it.

Scientists have already known that UV (ultraviolet) images of Venus had contrasting zones, which appeared due to heterogeneous distribution of some substance, absorbing radiation, in the atmosphere. IR (infrared) images revealed that dark spots near the equator heated very fast and got to upper atmospheric layers via convection. As for highlighted spots, they showed low temperature at the cloud top, thus preventing atmosphere from vertical mixing.

Read more: Mysterious Substance Discovered on Venus

Russian Technologies for Animation

Peruvian animation studio “Qilqax International” announced about production of full-length cartoon “Magus ex Machina” (“Wizard from Machine”) based on 3D technologies of programmers from Russian city of Tomsk.

The cartoon is the story of a young prince, fighting for life in a dying world. Film’s budget is about $3 million, and the project employs over 40 professional animators.

Read more: Russian Technologies for Animation

Genomic Registration Starts Soon

The law “On state genomic registration in Russian Federation”, which regulates obtaining, storing and using information about human DNA, comes into force on January 1, 2009.

Genomic information is necessary for prevention, detection and investigation of crimes; finding criminals and searching for missing persons. Moreover, information about human DNA can be the only means for personal identification or relationship determination.

The law provides state genomic registration to be obligatory and voluntary. Those, convicted for felony, disturbing sexual immunity serious crimes, are obliged to have their genome registered.

Read more: Genomic Registration Starts Soon

New Look for Flying Vehicles

Nanotechnologies in aircraft engineering may dramatically change the look of future-technology vehicles, Russian engineers say.

New flying vehicles will contain a variety of nanosensors, which collect information about bypassing air during the flight. After processing the information by means of onboard computer, nanoactivators will change airflow conditions of the vehicle.

Read more: New Look for Flying Vehicles

Joint Antibiotic Venture to Appear

Russia suggests India to establish a joint venture on producing antibiotics of new generation. Possible products are related to “cephalosporins”.

Pharmaceuticals of Indian origin today cover 4.1% of the Russian market. Indian treating agents are cheap, thus available to the majority of Russian citizens.

Read more: Joint Antibiotic Venture to Appear

Watch the Valley of Geysers Online

Since yesterday the camera, installed in the Valley of Geysers, Kamchatka’s famous sightseeing place, broadcasts online images of most active and interesting hot springs.

Installation of cameras in the Russian hydrothermal reserve park began this May. Cameras are also installed in parts of the Valley, which are inaccessible for visitors.

Read more: Watch the Valley of Geysers Online

Watch the geysers here.

Live and Don't Die

Russian scientists in cooperation with American and South African colleagues tried to answer the question – how much energy an “average living being” needs to live.

Researchers estimated energy consumption for mass unit in time unit, and the results were in Watts per kilogram. Scientists then compared this parameter in over 3000 various living beings, inhabiting our planet.

Read more: Live and Don't Die

Breakthrough in Light Engineering

Russian scientists and engineers agreed to establish new joint venture in order to produce lights according new technology.

The project aims at establishing high-tech production of new lighting systems based on semiconducting chips, made from gallium nitride. The venture will produce light-diode chip, light-diode lamps and light systems with excellent light characteristics.

Read more: Breakthrough in Light Engineering

No More Falling into a Spin

Central Institute of Aerohydrodynamics develops technical programme for prevention of combat and civil aircrafts from falling into a spin in order to avoid flight accidents.

Studies of flight accidents show that the main reason is human factor. Russian engineers develop series of algorithms and limitations, which will help a pilot and prevent falling into a spin.

Read more: No More Falling into a Spin

Extraterrestrial Beer – Taste from Space

Within the joint project with Russian Academy of Sciences Japanese brewers made beer from barley, grown at International space station.

The exclusive beer has 5.5% strength. Japanese brewers say they use only barley for this beer, no other ingredients. Commercial production of the unusual drink is expected to start soon.

Read more: Extraterrestrial Beer – Taste from Space

Russia Resumes Construction of the Ice Fleet

During the ceremony of signing state contract on building new research vessel for the Russian Antarctic Expedition authorities said the Russia resumed construction of research fleet for exploring Arctic and Antarctic regions and the World Ocean.

Flagship will be laid down at the oldest Russian shipbuilding facility “Admiralteiskie Verfi”, which recently celebrated its 300^th anniversary.

Read more: Russia Resumes Construction of the Ice Fleet

Russians Don’t Care About Solar Batteries

New research of WorldPublicOpinion.org the majority of citizens of 21 countries, including Russia, support their governments in their decision to shift on alternative energy sources.

Russia is one of the three countries (the other two are Indonesia and Azerbaijan), which population doesn’t want the government to “demand more effective energy use from business enterprises despite possible price rise”. 43% of Russians said “no” to this possibility.

Read more: Russians Don’t Care About Solar Batteries

New Supersonic Business Jet Tested

Russian engineers of Central Institute of Aerohydrodynamics test a model of new supersonic business jet within the international project HISAC.

HISAC is a joint international venture, aimed at developing an environmentally friendly high speed aircraft.

Read more: New Supersonic Business Jet Tested

We Owe Half of All Medication to Nature

About a half of all modern pharmaceuticals was created on the basis of low-molecular biological substances, derived from either higher terrestrial plants, or soil microorganisms and marine dwellers.

Russian scientists from Vladivostok have isolated about 500 new biological substances, which can be useful for medicine. Rhizokhalin, extracted from tropical sponges, shows anti-fungal properties; alkaloids of sea squirts – polykarpin and varacin C – have high anti-tumor activity. Long-term studies of quinoid pigments of sea urchins resulted in “Histochrome”, highly appreciated by cardiologists. Other valuable substances of marine dwellers show wound-healing and hepatoprotecting properties.

Read more: We Owe Half of All Medication to Nature

Site for New Russian Spaceport Approved

This November RosCosmos sent the reconnaissance commission to the Amur Region in order to specify location of the construction site for new Russian launching site “Vostochny”.

The commission included experts in machine engineering and other industrial and scientific fields. Researchers specified sites for design and survey works near the town of Uglegorsk. Said works are scheduled to start in 2009.

Read more: Site for New Russian Spaceport Approved

Stem Cells for Human Eye Tissue Analogues

Russian geneticists succeeded in growing analogues of human eye tissues from embryonic stem cells in the laboratory.

Growing process takes about three-four months. Geneticists also developed a technology for turning embryonic stem cells into endothelium functional cells, which are known to form human blood supply, and cardiomyocytes – cells of a cardiac muscle. The laboratory already has 12 stem cell lines out of 13, which are in Russia.

Read more: Stem Cells for Human Eye Tissue Analogues

Mammoth or Elephant?

Joint research group with participants form USA and Russia attempted to decipher mammoth’s genome. Scientists used DNA samples, extracted from mammoth’s hair, found in permafrost. Results are published in the Nature magazine

Researchers deciphered 80% of genome of Mammuthus primigenius. For the analysis they used hair samples from two mammoth bodies, found in permafrost. Results showed that genetic difference between mammoths and modern African elephants (Loxodonta africana) was twice as less than between human beings and chimpanzees.

Read more: Mammoth or Elephant?

New Engine Invented

Russian scientists invented new type of engine. This innovation may change the world.

New engine will weigh three times less than combustion engine, however, new development has the same capacity. New engine is expected to emit almost nothing to the atmosphere and to work on any fuel preferred – wood, spirit, coal, solar energy and hot water.

Read more: New Engine Invented

Search for Sulphide Ore Deposits

Early in December Russian research vessel “Professor Logachev” will head to the Atlantic to find proven deposits of sulphide ores at the oceanic bottom.

Expedition and scheduled experiments are the part of federal research programme “World Ocean”. The journey will take 180 days, and the vessel expected to return in summer 2009.

Read more: Search for Sulphide Ore Deposits

Back to “Buran”

Russian expert in machine construction assumes Russia can get back to using space shuttle “Buran”, but with some change.

Today Russian space industry utilizes “Zenith” rocket carrier (part of “Energia”) nd other technical solutions.

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Back to “Buran”

“Mars 500” Call for Volunteers Closed

Russian scientists from the Institute of Medical and Biological Problems (Russian Academy of Sciences) announce that the call for European volunteers for the 105-day-long experiment within the project “Mars 500” is closed.

This November eight successful candidates from European Space Agency passed thorough medical examination, which included electrocardiogram (stress and rest tests), chest and back X-ray, ultrasound studies of internal organs and various blood tests.

Read more: “Mars 500” Call for Volunteers Closed

Russian DAN to Search for Water on Mars

Russian DAN (Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons) device, developed for studying water ice in soils of the Red planet, arrived to the USA, where it will be installed onboard the heavy Mars rover “Mars Science Laboratory”.

Next September the rover will head for Mars and softly land on its surface. DAN device significantly differs from HEND () device, created in the same laboratory, which successfully works onboard “Mars Odyssey” for over seven years.

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Russian DAN to Search for Water on Mars

Say Goodbye to Spots

Russian scientists from Nizhniy Novgorod developed an ultrasonic device, which fights acne. Ultrasound causes no allergy, unlike many pharmaceuticals, and shows strong antibacterial effect.

Developers claim that their creation needs only seven days to eliminate signs of acne
from human skin. Wonder device will be tested in the USA, where acne tortures about 50million people.

Read more: Say Goodbye to Spots

Unique “Fat-meter” Developed

Russian physicists created a unique ultrasonic device, which is able to measure subcutaneous fat thickness. The device monitors subcutaneous fat and tells those, who spent some time in exercise, whether their time was not lost in vain.

Read more: Unique “Fat-meter” Developed

Why Organism Conflicts with Its Microsymbionts?

Russian scientists suggest the explanation to the fact that sometimes immune system of an organism kills its normal microscopic inhabitants.

An organism shelters millions of microorganisms, which are its usual symbionts, and organism’s guard – immune system – normally doesn’t pay any attention to these little creatures. This fact is known as “oral tolerance”. However, oral tolerance often disappears for unknown reasons, and Russian scientists suggest their explanation.

Read more: Why Organism Conflicts with Its Microsymbionts?

New Blood Purification System Developed

Russian officials approved development of new project on producing medical hardware for cascade filtration of blood plasma and allied technologies.

The project is aimed at treating such widely spread diseases as atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, cardiac angina, cardiac insufficiency, acute intoxication and etc.

Read more: New Blood Purification System Developed

Documentary About Polar Explorers to be Shot

Shooting of a documentary about Russian polar explorers will start this week in the Antarctica.

Film creators plan to spend one year together with members of 54th Russian Antarctic Expedition. The documentary will consist from two parts: “The Crew of the Sixth Continent” and “Wintering”. First film will describe new birth of once world famous Russian polar aviation, and second will tell us about a long winter of the polar station, how people change in case of emergency.

Read more: Documentary About Polar Explorers to be Shot

“Flying Ship” Tested

Ground-effect craft is a flying vehicle, which uses bouyancy of air, compressed between wings and the ground. Common flight height of the vehicle is 2-8 meters with maximum of 100 meters.

Ground-effect crafts are three times efficient, than ordinary aircrafts, and much safer. “Ivolga” is equipped with two 300-HP engines, having cruise speed of 180 kmph and maximum speed of 240 kmph. The craft consumes 30 liters of fuel for 100 kilometers and has 12 seats.

Read more: “Flying Ship” Tested

Vampire Moths Found In Russia

Scientists from the University of Florida found previously unknown population of vampire moths in Siberia.

Researchers think that bloodthirsty insects are next step of evolution from ordinary fruit-eating moths. Lines on the wings allow suggesting that little Draculas are close relatives of Calyptra thalictri moth, common for Central and Southern Europe.

Read more: Vampire Moths Found In Russia

Anti-Tumor Therapy Can Be Versatile

Russian medics claim that anti-cancer drugs can cure and kill, depending on the dose.

Russian researchers studied how a certain antibiotic affected tumor – carcinoma. They received exciting results – therapy dose of rubomycinum doesn’t allow tumor to grow, but very small doses (traces) of the drug promoted growth of carcinoma.

Read more: Anti-Tumor Therapy Can Be Versatile

Peptides Lower Pension Expenses

Demographers predict bankruptcy of Pension Fund of Russian Federation, and the reason is not the failure of the pension reform.

Researchers claim that life expectancy grew significantly, affecting state expenses on pension coverage and public health services. Scientists suggest an original solution.

New medical technology helps to restore and preserve main functions of tissues and organs for the whole period of genetically predetermined life of a human being.

Keys of the innovation are peptides, chains of ordinary amino acids, which have small molecular weight and size and can reach damaged cells and stimulate biosynthesis of necessary proteins there according to requirements of a certain organism.

Read more: Peptides Lower Pension Expenses

Fuel from the Moon

Russian scientists have calculated approximate content of helium isotope ³He in the moon soil, as well as thought over possibilities for commercial production of this fuel.

Scientists have great interest in ³He, since this isotope is regarded as “fuel of the future” for ecologically friendly thermonuclear reaction. ³He-based power engineering requires stock of the isotope, which can be found on Earth’s natural satellite. Helium is concentrated in lunar soil (regolith) due to millions of years of particle bombardment by solar wind.

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Fuel from the Moon

Earth’s “Refrigerator” Keeps Freezing

Russian scientists performed a journey to Arctic archipelagos for studying impact of climatic change on their glaciers.

Franz Josef Land, Spitsbergen and Novaya Zemlya are unique archipelagos, where Arctic ice fields border. Said fields are responsive to all changes, taking place in hydrosphere and atmosphere. Moreover, life cycles of almost all local living organisms, directly depends on icy cover.

Read more: Earth’s “Refrigerator” Keeps Freezing

New Rocket Airplane for Space Tourists

Russian engineers develop a rocket airplane, which will deliver space tourists to Earth’s orbit. Researchers plan to demonstrate ready and tested vehicle in 2011-2012.

Russian experimental machine-building plant signed the contract with the Russian investor, who prefers to be anonymous. The contract provides funding for development of M-91 aviation and space system – six months of preliminary engineering and couple of years for all necessary tests.

Read more: New Rocket Airplane for Space Tourists

Low-Noise Fans for ISS Developed

Engineers of Central Institute of Aerohydrodynamics have developed and already tested two low-noise fans for life-support system of International space station.

New design of fans is aimed at making cosmonauts’ life and work at ISS more comfortable. The development has low noise level and same aerodynamic parameters, compared to standard fans.

Read more: Low-Noise Fans for ISS Developed

“Cluster” For Solar Battery Production to Appear

Russian authorities plan to create a so-called “solar cluster” in the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The cluster will consist of chains of innovative science absorbing industries with solar batteries as final product.

Scientists of the region have fresh raw material – silicon polycrystals, technologies for processing said material, and everything else, required for producing components for solar electrics.

Read more: “Cluster” For Solar Battery Production to Appear

Antarctica’s Ghost Mountains Excite Scientists

Scientists are going to explore Antarctica’s famous mystery – the Gamburtsev Mountain Range. Researchers believe this journey to be the last great expedition on our planet.

Researchers are going to find out how this mountain range was formed and conserved in the heart of the Antarctica. Geologists wonder how did mountains appear in the middle of the continent – they should not have been formed.

The expedition will be multinational – polar explorers come from USA, Great Britain, Germany, Australia, China and Japan – and is expected to last for 2.5 months.

Read more: Antarctica’s Ghost Mountains Excite Scientists

Hello – Anyone There?

Images of Earth, snapped by space probe Venus Express, failed to tell astronomers whether our planet had life.

The research is conducted by means of VIRTIS spectrometer, a part of Venus Express, which has been launched to study Venusian environment in 2005. The aim of the project is to develop some techniques for detection of life on other planets.

Read more: Hello – Anyone There?

Russian Research Reactor to be Launched Soon

Russian physicists schedule first criticality of the research beam tank reactor for the next year.

The research unit will be launched in St. Petersburg and is expected to reach its full power of 100 megawatt in 2011. The reactor is 90% ready – its components will soon be installed properly.

Read more: Russian Research Reactor to be Launched Soon

ISS’s Wastes Nowhere to Waste

Less than five months were enough for sanitary conveniences of International space station to get out of order again.

Since the failure took place in the Russian part of the station, Russian crewmembers do their best to fix everything. The failure possibly happened in the gas separator.

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ISS’s Wastes Nowhere to Waste

New Business Jet Developed in Russia

Russian engineers created a light business jet, which body is made of composite materials and, its engine requires ordinary gasoline, not special jet kerosene.

New jet has two seats and fast-acting parachute escape system of domestic production, which provides parachute descent of the plane together with its crew. Authors of the unique system guarantee their development works as low as at 40 meters above the ground.

Read more: New Business Jet Developed in Russia

Next Target – Jupiter

Russia, Europe and the United States are getting ready for sending their spaceships to Jupiter in next 10-12 years.

International project on studying Jupiter becomes more real every day. Russian scientists say that three independent expeditions will head for the giant planet in 2012-2020, moreover, European space agency is going to send even two satellites, one of which will stay on the safe high orbit.

Read more: Next Target – Jupiter

Information Technologies Unite Russia and India

Indian authorities named three main directions for cooperation with Russia in information technologies. These three are telemedicine, extension of IT-parks and software development for product certification.

Indian authorities think that Russian scientists and IT experts have profound experience in mentioned fields of interest. Future cooperation between the two countries may also be in information security, since India suffers from IT crimes.

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Information Technologies Unite Russia and India

Spaceship Tests Finished

Central Institute of Aerohydrodynamics recently announced about successful acoustic trials of the “Express MD-1” space vehicle. The tests confirmed quality, safety and working efficiency of satellite’s flight model.

The trials took place in the reverberant chamber RK-1500, simulating acoustic loads, which the ship experiences in space. The vehicle was exposed to high-frequency pressure pulsations, which appear during take-off, transonic flights and maximum ramming.

Read more: Spaceship Tests Finished

15 Russian Rovers Head for Mars

Russia plans to start the project on establishing the network of tiny research stations on Mars in 2014. Scientists want to send 15 stations, weighing about 20 kilograms each, to the Red planet.

The draft design of these small automatic researchers, worked out in cooperation of Russian and Finnish scientists, already exists. Funding of the space programme is scheduled for 2014.

Read more: 15 Russian Rovers Head for Mars