Philosophy
Remember this...
Science accolades...more Nobel-like awards?
The 2008 winners...
"7 scientists share $1 million prizes for research"
by
Malcolm Ritter
May 28th, 2008
U.S.News & World Report
New York:
Three prizes worth $1 million apiece were awarded Wednesday to seven scientists for their discoveries in neuroscience, astrophysics and the study of vanishingly small structures.
They are the first recipients of the Kavli prizes, which are awarded by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters in partnership with the Kavli Foundation and the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. The prizes are named after, and funded by, entrepreneur and philanthropist Fred Kavli.
The award for neuroscience was given for research into the development and functioning of nerve circuitry in the brain and spinal cord. It was shared by Dr. Sten Grillner of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden; Thomas Jessell of Columbia University, and Dr. Pasko Rakic of Yale University.
Grillner was honored for studies of how nerve circuits control how animals with backbones move about, Jessell for insights into development of the spinal cord, and Rakic for revealing developmental mechanisms of the brain's cerebral cortex. Ultimately, their work may lead to better ways to repair diseased or damaged circuits in the brain and spinal cord, the Norwegian academy said.
The astrophysics prize was split by Donald Lynden-Bell of Cambridge University and Maarten Schmidt of the California Institute of Technology, for their work in understanding the nature of distant objects called quasars. Schmidt revealed the first known quasar in 1963 and Lynden-Bell in 1969 shed light on what makes them so luminous.
The other prize was given for nanoscience, which is the study of extremely tiny materials and structures that are smaller than, say, a single bacterium. The prize was shared by Louis Brus of Columbia and Sumio Iijima of Meijo University in Nagoya, Japan.
Brus is a pioneer in the study of particles called "quantum dots," which scientists are now investigating for such uses as early identification of cancer and improved computer displays.
Iijima is considered the discoverer of needle-like carbon nanotubes for research he did in 1991. Stronger than steel but far lighter, carbon nanotubes are used in such products as baseball bats and car parts and are being studied for other uses.
Kavli, a Norwegian-born physicist, moved to the United States in 1956. He was the CEO of Kavlico Corp. of Moorpark, Calif., which was one of the world's largest suppliers of sensors for aeronautics, automotive and industrial uses when it was sold in 2000. Kavli then founded the California-based Kavli Foundation.
The Kavli Foundation
The Kavli Prize
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Edwin E. Salpeter December 3rd, 1924 to November 26th, 2008 "Edwin E. Salpeter, Leader in Astrophysics Study, Dies at 83" by The Associated Press November 29th, 2008 ITHACA, N.Y. (AP) — Edwin E. Salpeter, an astrophysicist widely known for his studies...
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Left to right: William Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter Brattain 1947 I am sure that there is some sound corporate reason for this move--NOT. "Bell Labs Kills Fundamental Physics Research" by Priya Ganapati August 27th, 2008 Wired After six Nobel...
Philosophy
Kavli Prize 2008 winners
Remember this...
Science accolades...more Nobel-like awards?
The 2008 winners...
"7 scientists share $1 million prizes for research"by
Malcolm Ritter
May 28th, 2008
U.S.News & World Report
New York:
Three prizes worth $1 million apiece were awarded Wednesday to seven scientists for their discoveries in neuroscience, astrophysics and the study of vanishingly small structures.
They are the first recipients of the Kavli prizes, which are awarded by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters in partnership with the Kavli Foundation and the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. The prizes are named after, and funded by, entrepreneur and philanthropist Fred Kavli.
The award for neuroscience was given for research into the development and functioning of nerve circuitry in the brain and spinal cord. It was shared by Dr. Sten Grillner of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden; Thomas Jessell of Columbia University, and Dr. Pasko Rakic of Yale University.
Grillner was honored for studies of how nerve circuits control how animals with backbones move about, Jessell for insights into development of the spinal cord, and Rakic for revealing developmental mechanisms of the brain's cerebral cortex. Ultimately, their work may lead to better ways to repair diseased or damaged circuits in the brain and spinal cord, the Norwegian academy said.
The astrophysics prize was split by Donald Lynden-Bell of Cambridge University and Maarten Schmidt of the California Institute of Technology, for their work in understanding the nature of distant objects called quasars. Schmidt revealed the first known quasar in 1963 and Lynden-Bell in 1969 shed light on what makes them so luminous.
The other prize was given for nanoscience, which is the study of extremely tiny materials and structures that are smaller than, say, a single bacterium. The prize was shared by Louis Brus of Columbia and Sumio Iijima of Meijo University in Nagoya, Japan.
Brus is a pioneer in the study of particles called "quantum dots," which scientists are now investigating for such uses as early identification of cancer and improved computer displays.
Iijima is considered the discoverer of needle-like carbon nanotubes for research he did in 1991. Stronger than steel but far lighter, carbon nanotubes are used in such products as baseball bats and car parts and are being studied for other uses.
Kavli, a Norwegian-born physicist, moved to the United States in 1956. He was the CEO of Kavlico Corp. of Moorpark, Calif., which was one of the world's largest suppliers of sensors for aeronautics, automotive and industrial uses when it was sold in 2000. Kavli then founded the California-based Kavli Foundation.
The Kavli Foundation
The Kavli Prize
- Redaction From Hawking
"Stephen Hawking says there is no such thing as black holes, Einstein spinning in his grave" STEPHEN Hawking has rocked the world of physics by reversing his lifetime’s work to claim that black holes do NOT exist – insisting they’re more like 50...
- Itchy And Scratchy--pain And Pleasure
A human phenomenon that irritates and provides pleasure. Itches...from allergies, noxious plants, pesky insects, disease, infections, wound healing...and it does feel good to scratch. Scratching does come with a risk--more infection. Why would pleasure...
- Nobel Foundation Rebukes Ethics Violation Allegation
"Nobel official defends disputed China trips" by Malin Rising and Louise Nordstrom December 23rd, 2008 The Associated Press STOCKHOLM, Sweden The head of the Nobel Foundation on Tuesday rejected criticism against all-expenses-paid trips that prize jurors...
- Deceased--edwin E. Salpeter
Edwin E. Salpeter December 3rd, 1924 to November 26th, 2008 "Edwin E. Salpeter, Leader in Astrophysics Study, Dies at 83" by The Associated Press November 29th, 2008 ITHACA, N.Y. (AP) — Edwin E. Salpeter, an astrophysicist widely known for his studies...
- Bell Lab's Physics Research To Be Shut Down
Left to right: William Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter Brattain 1947 I am sure that there is some sound corporate reason for this move--NOT. "Bell Labs Kills Fundamental Physics Research" by Priya Ganapati August 27th, 2008 Wired After six Nobel...