WEIRD SCIENCE
Has the ISS benefited society? Scientists are divided: for some, it’s a beacon of unity; for others, just a set for an action film. Astronaut Mike Hopkins during a spacewalk from the ISS in December 2013. Photograph: Nasa/Reuters – By Robin McKie 2020 …
For one hour in October, the entire state of South Australia drew its energy purely from solar. gyuszko/Depositphotos – By Nick Lavars 2020 Oct 25 – Climate change, advances in technology and lower costs are driving the adoption of solar around the world, but …
The laser weapon system is designed to be mounted on a variety of platforms. General Atomics – By David Szondy 2020 Oct 23 – General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) and Boeing have entered into a partnership to develop a scalable 100 kW to 250 …
The tardigrade is known to be one of nature’s hardiest creatures, and scientists have just discovered a new species that uses a previously unknown tool to survive. DenisSmile/Depositphotos – By Nick Lavars 2020 Oct 13 – The tardigrade is one of nature’s toughest …
While it’s always been a boon to Popeye’s “muskles,” it looks like spinach may also have a role to play in clean future batteries. Credit: Ataly/Shutterstock – By Robby Berman 2020 Oct 06 – Scientists are seeking sustainable, clean chemicals for use in …
A series of recent studies found that people with healthy levels of vitamin D were less likely to contract COVID-19 and suffer severe complications from it. Vitamin D supplement. Credit: ExQuisine via Adobe Stock – By Stephen Johnson 2020 Oct 06 – Vitamin …
Father of robotics? Al Jazari was an Arab Muslim scholar, inventor, and mechanical engineer during the Islamic Golden Age (Middle Ages) – Iowa State University University Library 2007 Oct 10 News Newsletter – Do you know who is considered to be the “father …
You can get coronavirus twice — scientists explain why. Second Time Around – Emma Betuel 2020 Oct 13 – Recently, scientists reported the case of a Nevada man grappling with a new, and frustrating development in the story of Covid-19. The 25-year-old appears …
Gauging whether or not we dwell inside someone else’s computer may come down to advanced AI research—or measurements at the frontiers of cosmology. Credit: Floriana Getty Images – By Anil Ananthaswamy 2020 Oct 13 – It is not often that a comedian gives …
The Mobile Guardian Transporter about to be hit by a rocket-propelled truck. Sandia National Laboratories – By David Szondy 2020 Oct 11 – Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) has successfully conducted a full-scale crash test of the semi-tractor-trailer truck that will be used to transport …
