Standard and Poor's expects strong ongoing state support to be provided to Russian Corporation of Nanotechnologies (RUSNANO) in the next few years. The agency expects a 'high' probability of extraordinary timely government support if necessary.

One of the most neglected aspects in the nanoelectronics field is the problem of wiring. How do we wire individual nanoelectronic devices within a nanointegrated circuit together? Furthermore, how do we extract and input information from such a circuit - i.e. how do we let it communicate with the outside world? Researchers at Caltech present a method for multiplexing the electrical signals from potentially tens of thousands of nanoscale sensors onto a single optical output, using piezoelectric nanoscale mechanical resonators. This work is a step closer to building miniscule, highly integrated sensor arrays that are untethered from the external environment.

Government policy, private investment and innovative startups align to make France a contender to be a market leader, says Emma Ritch after the Cleantech Forum XXVII in Paris.

When the human body becomes infected with new influenza viruses, the immune system rapidly activates an inborn protective mechanism to inhibit the intruding pathogen. A protein known as Mx plays an important role in this process, keeping the spread of viruses in check. Exactly how Mx accomplishes this task was previously unknown. Now virologists and structural biologists have unraveled the structure of the Mx protein and are able to explain how it develops its anti-viral effect.

The insects known as aphids can make their own essential nutrients called carotenoids, according to new research. No other animals are known to make the potent antioxidants, which are crucial for life. Until now scientists thought the only way animals could obtain the orangey-red compounds was from their diet. Carotenoids are building blocks for molecules crucial for vision, healthy skin, bone growth and other key physiological functions.

Throughout life, DNA repair mechanisms go to work during exposure (UV radiation, etc.) in order to protect the human genetic code. This role is assured by the NER complex. Scientists have just shown that NER's role goes well beyond repairing DNA: it regulates transcription, the first stage for all processes necessary for life.

Researchers at Samsung and Sungkyunkwan University, both in Korea, have come up with a way to capture power when a touch screen - the type of computing used in smart phones, laptops, and tablet computers - flexes under a user's touch.

This special series of reviews, in the journal Pediatric Research, explores the topic of nanobiology and nanomedicine, with a focus on the impact of nanotechnology on children and their health.

Researchers in Thailand have demonstrated that fabrics laced with silver nanoparticles release those particles when the fabric is exposed to artificial human sweat.