New insights into ‘plant memories’
Artist's impression of a long, non-coding RNA system, LANL image.A special stretch of ribonucleic acid (RNA) called COOLAIR is revealing its inner structure and function to scientists, displaying a striking resemblance to an RNA molecular machine, territory previously understood to be limited to the cells’ protein factory (the ‘ribosome’) and not a skill set given to mere strings of RNA.
"We are uncovering the nuts and bolts of plant memories," said Karissa Sanbonmatsu of Los Alamos National Laboratory, lead author on a new article in the journal Cell Reports. (Full Story)
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A revolution in supercomputing is coming. From a remote mountain town. In New Mexico.
Trinity first phase installation, LANL photo.While a remote mountain town might seem to be an odd place for this computer to call home, it makes sense when you consider Los Alamos’ history. Founded during World War II as the location of the top-secret Manhattan Project, scientists toiled away to build the first atomic bomb. What they didn’t realize is that, in the process, they were pioneering the advent of Big Science. Today, Big Science brings together theory, modeling, experiments that produce massive amounts of data, and supercomputers to run incredibly sophisticated simulations providing feedback and validation to those theories and models. (Full Story)
LANL cleanup agreement a model for the complex, DOE says
Excavation of waste from MDA-B, completed in 2011, LANL photo.With its budget for legacy nuclear cleanup squeezed, the Energy Department thinks remediation projects across the country could benefit from a change in strategy similar to what was laid out this summer in an expansive new framework approved for the Los Alamos National Laboratory, senior agency officials said last week at a major industry meeting. (Full Story)
Summer Reading Program encourages elementary students to read
The student who read the most books, Lennox Chung of McCurdy School, Daily Post photo.Los Alamos National Laboratory in partnership with New Mexico’s own award winning author Rudolfo Anaya and the Christopher Montalvo Memorial recently sponsored a Summer Reading Program for students in grades 9-6 from Los Alamos, Pojoaque, Santa Fe and Rio Arriba County.
The goal of the program was to encourage students to read during the summer months. Those who read the most books were awarded prizes at a recent party for those students who participated. (Full Story)
Projects advance Native economic diversification
Reanna Agunio is president of Tsay Professional Services, Tsay photo. Founded in 1994, Tsay focuses on federal contracting. It does work all over the country, including with Los Alamos National Lab, in areas such as construction and building maintenance.
“LANL gave us a shot when we had no track record,” said Ron Lovato, Tsay Corp.’s CEO. “We’ve been able to leverage this business relationship nationwide.”
He said there are 3,000 enrolled members, with 2,000 living in New Mexico. In addition to the casino, the Ohkay Owingeh also own and lease several office buildings off the reservation in Rio Rancho, said Lovato. (Full Story)
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