Research
Highlights...
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Dr. Linda Lasure
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| Number 104 |
April 15, 2002 |
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Telehealth demonstrated
on reservations
Pregnant women living on South Dakota Indian reservations where infant
mortality rates are more than twice the national average are receiving
specialty care under the first commercial test of a telehealth
system called MUSTPAC-3.
The device, which was created by researchers at DOE's Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory, was recently deployed at two
reservation clinics for data acquisition. A station also was installed
at a Sioux Falls, S.D., medical center, hundreds of miles away,
for diagnosis. Healthcare providers at these clinics will use
MUSTPAC-3 to monitor 100 women who are in their first trimester
of pregnancy. Information obtained through these studies will
be used in the FDA approval process for MUSTPAC-3.
[Staci Maloof, 509/372-6313,
staci.maloof@pnl.gov]
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Device increases electrical
margin of safety
In an effort to create the safest possible work environment at DOE's
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator
Facility, Rick Gonzales, Accelerator Electronics Support,
invented a lockout device that prevents the powering up of electronic
equipment with removable power input cords. When correctly attached
to any electronic device that has a removable power cord, it prevents
anyone from running an electric current through the component.
He worked with the JLab Technology Transfer team to patent the
device. Recently, on his own time, he signed a licensing agreement
with the Lab to commercially produce the LOCKOUT
320.
[Debbie Magaldi, 757/269-5102,
magaldi@jlab.org]
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Reusable explosive
device draws police attention
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| Intergalactic
visitor? Not exactly — Sandia security personnel observe the
visual and concussive effects of the new Sandia explosive
device designed to stun kidnappers or terrorists.
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A cheaper, less dangerous way to stun kidnappers or terrorists holding
hostages has been developed by Sandia
National Laboratories researcher Mark Grubelich. The nonlethal
device—about the size of a small soda can—creates a
blinding, deafening, yet ultimately harmless explosion when lobbed
into a room. Unlike earlier versions that ignite from concentrated
materials, the explosive source in this device fans out as an
airborne powder before it ignites, making it less dangerous to
hostages. The stun
grenade is also reusable, making it feasible as a training
tool. The device has drawn the interest of police departments
and law enforcement officials from a variety of federal agencies.
[Howard Kercheval, 505/844-7842,
hckerch@sandia.gov]
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Soldier of the future
armed with technology
The soldier of the future, who will have 20 times the fighting capability
of today's warrior, will wear bullet-resistant uniforms that will
stay cool and even help treat a wound until aid arrives. The Objective
Force Warrior envisioned by the Army, which is working with
DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
will draw on DOE-developed technologies. Innovations would allow
a soldier to engage and destroy the enemy at longer ranges with
greater precision and with devastating results. The Army calls
its effort to seek technologies to create an overmatch with any
potential enemy and minimize risk to its soldiers "the art of
the possible."
[Ron Walli, 865/576-0226,
wallira@ornl.gov]
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PNNL researcher taps
fungi's potential
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Dr. Linda Lasure
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At a time in the field of science when most research on fungal
strains is focused on eliminating organisms—the culprits
of several complex, often deadly diseases—Dr. Linda Lasure,
staff scientist at DOE's Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory, is conducting research
that manipulates and fosters growth of certain fungal species.
Only a handful of research institutions around the world
are working in fungal biotechnology, and none of those are
working for the purpose of developing new biomass-to-chemicals
processes, making PNNL's research truly unique.
"The filamentous fungi are everywhere; especially where there
are woody plants," Lasure said. "We also have many sources
of renewable biomass. By subjecting biomass to hungry, specialized
fungi and applying new processing techniques, we can successfully
convert biomass into intermediates important in manufacturing
chemicals and consumer products, while reducing our reliance
on foreign oil. The work is exciting and very rewarding,"
she said.
Lasure, a recognized national and international leader in
the field of fungal genetics, directs the biotechnology component
of PNNL's Bio-Based Products Initiative, and is focused on
extending bioprocessing capabilities while continuing her
work in microbial genomics.
"I was drawn to PNNL to conduct research because there is
a firm commitment for biologists and chemists to work together
to address issues, develop new knowledge and apply that information
to convert renewable biomass into useful things," said Lasure.
"We're creating a leading-edge capability in filamentous fungi,
a largely untapped resource essential to recycling biomass
in nature," she said. The research effort includes pursuing
techniques for controlling fungal growth, identifying and
exploiting novel fungi, and creating new processes via systems
biology and proteomics.
Lasure joined PNNL in November 2000, and has more than 30
years of experience in fundamental biological research.
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