Weekly Science Digest: Quasicrystals, Graphitic Hips & Virgin Births

Graphite may prove to be the key to a stronger and longer-lasting hip implant. New research released by Northwestern University focused on what is known as the tribological layer, the lubricating layer that forms on metallic joints as a result of friction. Until now, researchers were unsure as to how this layer formed and what it was composed of. But using a number of analytical tools, including electron and optical microscopes, the team successfully identified the chemical fingerprint of graphitic carbon. The team now hope develop graphitic surfaces that can be used to replace the traditional metal implants.

A recent study of 26 wealthy nations suggests that obesity may be an unintended side effect of free market economic policies. The research, released by the University of Michigan, found that countries with a high density of fast food restaurants per capita exhibited high levels of obesity. The team chose one fast food restaurant to use as a proxy measure for the amount of fast food restaurants present per 100,000 people. The teams calculations revealed that there are 7.52 fast food restaurants per 100,000 people in the United States, alongside obesity rates of 31.3% for men and 33.2% for women. For Japan, the figures showed 0.13 fast food restaurants per 100,000 people, alongside obesity rates of 2.9% for men and 3.3% for women. Furthermore, when comparing their data with figures charting the evolution of trade liberalisation policies, the team found a direct correlation between the two.

Steve Kawaler, professor of physics at Iowa State University, has assisted an international team of astronomers in analysing data collected by the Kepler space telescope to confirm that two Earth-sized planets have survived getting caught in the red-giant expansion of their host star. Kawaler, also a leader of the Kepler Asteroseismic Investigation, was able to verify that variations of light from a star were actually caused by two planets of that star. The findings, published in the journal Nature, allow astronomers a glimpse into what our own solar system may look like after several billion more years of evolution.

The BBC’s new six-part series takes viewers on a breathtaking journey across six continents from the perspective of migrating birds. This Guardian slide show gives you a behind the scenes look at the filming process and reveals some of cutting edge technology used to capture the soaring birds’ view.

The world was baffled when the once-deemed-impossible quasicrystals were found by geologists in rocks from Russia’s Koryak Mountains. First described by Nobel prize winner Daniel Schechtman in the 1980s, Quasicrystals have a most unusual structure which lies halfway between crystal and glass. However, a new study by researchers from Princeton University has found evidence to suggest that the Russian mineral may have extra-terrestrial origins, having arrived on Earth via meteorites.

Zebedee, a lone zebra shark living in Dubai’s Burj aAl Arab hotel aquarium has managed to lay healthy eggs for the fourth year in a row without ever being exposed to a male. In this BBC report, Phillip Hampsheir looks at some of the possible reasons behind this apparent ‘virgin birth.’ [Video]

The 'Weekly Science Digest' is a compilation of science news from around the world. News suggestions are always welcome: mark.howardbanks (at) researchgate.net