Broken bones in humans and animals are painful and often take months to heal. New research shows promise to shorten healing time significantly and revolutionize the course of fracture treatment.

Just like in the Russian wooden toy, a hull of 12 copper atoms encases a single tin atom. This hull is, in turn, enveloped by 20 further tin atoms. Scientists have now generated these spatial structures built up in three layers as isolated metal clusters in alloys. With their large surfaces these structures can serve as highly efficient catalysts.

by Shun'ichi Ishii, Shino Suzuki, Trina M. Norden-Krichmar, Kenneth H. Nealson, Yuji Sekiguchi, Yuri A. Gorby, Orianna Bretschger

Scientists studied the movements of a spherical probe amongst static nanorods. They found that the particles sometimes diffused faster in a nematic environment than in a disordered environment. That is, the channels left open between the ordered nanorods don't just steer nanoparticles along a direction, they also enable them to speed right through.

Even if you have to have the latest model, you can still get a cheap iPod touch by buying a refurbished unit. To get these, youll need to wait a few weeks