SC2001 Science Story Tips
Background on the Conference
Scientific computing and networking are fundamental drivers for today's computing revolution in e-commerce, simulation-based design, data mining and more. For more than a decade the SC conference has been the place where industry and academia meet to discuss trends and developments in these important areas. With a first-class technical program and a unique show floor (combining industry exhibits with research exhibits from many of the world's leading laboratories and universities), SC2001 remains the place to taste what is new and glimpse the future.
To break down the usual barriers between here and there, the SC2001 "Beyond Boundaries" conference (held November 10-16, 2001) will link the Denver Convention Complex with constellation sites across the U.S. and worldwide. SC2001 will be a multinational and multicultural meeting place for discussion of high-performance computing and communications ideas, and their impact on science and society.
Come to Denver, and while you are there visit Germany, Australia, and Japan.
Quick Facts about Attendees
- About 5000+ last year (similar attendance expected in 2001).
- Spent average of $3.54 million/attendee.
- Average planned spending could reach $7 million/attendee.
- Average attendee travels 1000+ miles to attend.
- For 70% of attendees, this is the only conference they will attend all year.
ENVIRONMENT - Something fishy is going on down at the dam . . .
The six-inch, rubber-coated sensor fish developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are measuring the conditions that real fish encounter as they pass through turbines of hydroelectric dams on the way to the ocean -- valuable information that could lead to more fish-friendly turbines in the future. (more) [Contact: Tom Carlson] To arrange an interview, call Staci Maloof of PNNL (509-372-6313).
ENVIRONMENT - Ocean's biology under spotlight . . .
For the first time, scientists have a clear picture that shows regions of the ocean where limited iron dust deposition may be influencing ocean biological activity. It's significant because scientists know that adding iron to the diet of marine plants has been shown to boost the amount of carbon dioxide-absorbing phytoplankton. Oceanic phytoplankton remove nearly as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year as all land-based plants, so a better understanding of the relationship between iron coming from the deserts through the atmosphere into the ocean could prove useful. The study used two new technologies - satellite remote sensing and complex numerical models that were run on supercomputers. (more [Contact: David Erickson] To arrange for an interview, call Ron Walli of ORNL (865) 576-0226.
HEALTH - Better CPR a heartbeat away? . . .
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) could get a beneficial jolt because of an ORNL study that has produced some startling results. Researchers found that the direction and magnitude of the flow depends upon the frequency of the forcing function. During CPR, it's not known whether the heart acts as a pump or as a passive conduit for valveless pumping. This research, which uses computational fluid dynamics, could help scientists and the medical profession better understand the mechanism of blood flow during CPR. That knowledge could lead to the development of more effective CPR techniques. (more) [Contact: Chuck Romine] To arrange for an interview, call Ron Walli of ORNL (865) 576-0226.
HEALTH - Lifesaver in the battlefield . . .
Many soldiers who die in battle could perhaps be saved if outfitted with a sensor system that could capture and identify noises generated within the chest. While the majority of combat casualties are the result of injuries that cannot be treated, a significant number die from the presence of air, gas or blood in their chest. Once detected, treatment is relatively simple with the medic or corpsman placing a needle into the affected region in the chest to release the pressure. The problem with tension pneumothorax is detection. It's difficult to detect even in a hospital, but a battlefield setting makes the job even more difficult. The goal of the ORNL project is to develop a sensor built into a soldier's helmet that would capture and classify acoustic signals from the thoracic region and would alert medics to a life-threatening condition. [Contact: Glenn Allgood] To arrange for an interview, call Ron Walli of ORNL (865) 576-0226.