eBooks and Audiobooks on EBSCOhost

eBooks and Audiobooks are now searchable on the EBSCOhost platform (which includes Academic Search Complete, Business Source Complete,Psych Info) , providing a single source for discovering journal and book content. Noteworthy eBook features include:

• Search and view eBooks on the EBSCOhost platform
• Browse eBooks by subject area and by latest added to your library's collection
• View eBook Table of Contents from search Result List
• Navigate to eBook chapters or sections directly from Result List and Detail Record
• Search within an eBook for specific terms, yielding a list of hyperlinked pages
• Create notes that are associated to eBook pages
• Optional download capabilities and user-selected checkout duration
• For eBooks with a limited number of users, place a hold and view your place in line

Students held 'for modifying passports'

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0818/breaking38.html?via=mr

Discontinuation of SciFinder Client Version

From September 1st, 2011, the client version of the SciFinder Database (produced by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) a division of the American Chemical Society) will no longer be available. From this date, you will only have access to the web version of SciFinder.

The web version of SciFinder allows you to use SciFinder through your web browser. You do not need to install software and it will work on any computer with Internet access on or off campus. You must create your own SciFinder account first and you may need to change the settings on your web browser.

Contact Ciaran Quinn  the Subject Librarian for Science and Engineering if you would like to have access to the web version of Scifinder Scholar. I can arrange registration for you. Once you’ve registered, you can access via the SciFinder link on the Libraries A-Z of Databases.

If you are an existing user of the Client Version of SciFinder  you will also need to convert your files to the web format.  You can do this using the sfr to akx Conversion Tool accessible at https://scifinder.cas.org/utils/sfr2akx/

RoboEireann, Robocup Open Challenge Winners 2011

RoboEireann, Ireland's Robot Soccer team from NUI Maynooth, was victorious this year in the Open Challenge competition at Robocup 2011 held in Istanbul, Turkey.http://communications.nuim.ie/press/19072011.shtml

Google Scholar Citations

Check out this forthcoming development on the Google Scholar Blog at

http://googlescholar.blogspot.com/

Academic Earth

Academic Earth is an organization founded with the goal of giving everyone on earth access to a world-class education. Includes many free online lectures covering a variety of subject areas.
http://academicearth.org/

New Book Drop Service Outside the Library

Have you seen the new bookdrop facility at the entrance to the Library building? This great new service enables you to return your library material outside of our opening hours – late at night, early in the mornings and on Sundays. Simply drop library material into the blue bin and we will return them on your account when we next open. If you have any queries relating to this new service please ask any member of staff.

Europe lines up hefty science-funding hike

Like many governing bodies, the European Union (EU) has entered an era of austerity, with one striking exception: scientific research. Under a proposal released on 29 June by the European Commission, the executive body of the EU, spending on research and innovation would rise by about 45%, from €55 billion (US$80 billion) over the current 2007–13 period to €80 billion in 2014–20.
http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110706/full/475014a.html

Nielsen Releases Women of Tomorrow Report

Women’s control over spending decisions coupled with their gains across the working world and politics, point to women of tomorrow being in a position to exert more influence than ever.  Nielsen, a leading provider of insights into what consumers watch and buy, today released findings from a study that identified spending and media habits of women across continents. According to the study, which spanned 21 developed^[1] and emerging^[2] countries, while women across the globe are stressed, women in emerging markets are more stressed than those in developed countries.  And, while women across countries surveyed believe they have greater opportunities than their mothers, women in developed markets believe their daughters have the same level of opportunity.

http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/press-room/2011/women-of-tomorrow.html

Science Week 2011 Theme: The Chemistry of Life

The theme for Science Week Ireland 2011 is ‘The Chemistry of Life’, demonstrating the importance of chemistry to our everyday lives—from the atoms that are the building blocks of nature to the chemistry that creates lasting bonds between people.http://www.scienceweek.ie/theme_2011.asp

UM Brain Implant Could Turn Thoughts Into Movement

A brain implant developed at the University of Michigan uses the body's skin like a conductor to wirelessly transmit the brain's neural signals to control a computer, and may eventually be used to reactivate paralyzed limbs.http://www.topix.com/science/electrical-engineering/2011/06/um-brain-implant-could-turn-thoughts-into-movement