daily news updates

"Routecase" -- The Discovery Files Carnegie Mellon University researchers say a smart suitcase that warns blind users of impending collisions and a wayfinding smartphone app can help people with visual disabilities safely and independently navigate airport terminals. Called BBeep, the suitcase sounds alarms when users are headed for a collision with a pedestrian, and the navigation app, called NavCog, provides turn-by-turn audio instructions to users on how to reach a departure gate -- or a restroom or restaurant. Together, the technologies could reduce the need for airport personnel to serve as guides for the visually impaired. Published May 17, 2019 at 10:00AM Listen to The Discovery Files

Move over, silicon switches: There's a new way to compute Researchers discover new method of controlling magnetic circuits More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298526&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is an NSF Discoveries item. Read more at nsf.gov

Genetic testing has a data problem. New software can help Computer scientists help find a way out of a genetic data maze More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298521&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is an NSF Discoveries item. Read more at nsf.gov

"Plaque Attack" -- The Discovery Files A team of engineers, dentists and biologists has developed a microscopic robotic cleaning crew, which goes by the acronym "CARs," whose catalytic activity could ably destroy biofilms, sticky amalgamations of bacteria enmeshed in a protective scaffolding. The scientists tested the minibots mettle in fighting tooth decay and infection from plaque; however, their biofilm-removal systems also could be valuable in a wide range of potential applications, from keeping water pipes and catheters clean to reducing the risk of implant contamination. Published May 09, 2019 at 10:00AM Listen to The Discovery Files

National Science Foundation announces new Diamond Achievement Award The National Science Foundation has announced a new award -- the NSF Diamond Achievement Award -- which will be presented for the first time to the international team of researchers who recently captured the first-ever image of a black hole. On April 10, in coordinated press conferences across the globe, the Event Horizon Telescope collaboration announced that its planet-scale array of eight ground-based radio telescopes, which was forged through international collaboration, had ... More at https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298500&WT.mc_id=USNSF_51&WT.mc_ev=click This is an NSF News item. Published May 10, 2019 at 01:56AM Read more at nsf.gov

When a Tree Falls in St. Louis, Will the Power Go Out? New data inform best practices for managing healthy green spaces and avoiding power outages More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298503&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is an NSF Discoveries item. Read more at nsf.gov

Study demonstrates strong potential of seagrass to curb erosion For the first time, experiments and models show just how big a seagrass bed must be to dampen waves More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298504&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is an NSF Discoveries item. Read more at nsf.gov

Low-cost intervention boosts undergraduate interest in computer science Research looks at variables related to participation in computer science More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298505&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is an NSF Discoveries item. Read more at nsf.gov

Dataset Bridges Human Vision and Machine Learning BOLD5000 will enable neuroscientists to better learn how we see – and how machines might one day see as we do More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298499&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is an NSF Discoveries item. Read more at nsf.gov

Crabs, lobsters and shrimp now have a family tree dating 500 million years NSF-supported project traces back origins of crustaceans through genetic analysis, showing developmental relationships among different species More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298491&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is an NSF Discoveries item. Read more at nsf.gov

University at Buffalo Critical Conversations More at https://www.nsf.gov/news/speeches/cordova/19/fc190403_criticalconversations.jsp?WT.mc_id=USNSF_51 This is an NSF News item. Published April 29, 2019 at 06:59PM Read more at nsf.gov

"Drawer Bones" -- The Discovery Files Paleontologists at Ohio University have discovered a new species of meat-eating mammal larger than a polar bear, with a skull as large as that of a rhinoceros and enormous, piercing, canine teeth. The 22-million-year-old fossils were unearthed decades ago, then placed in a drawer at the National Museums of Kenya. They remained there without a great deal of attention until National Science Foundation-funded scientists rediscovered them, recognizing their significance. Published May 03, 2019 at 10:00AM Listen to The Discovery Files

LIGO and Virgo detect neutron star smash-ups LIGO-Virgo observed what appears to be a neutron star collision ... and possibly something we've never seen before More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298484&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is an NSF Discoveries item. Read more at nsf.gov

Arsenic-breathing microbes discovered in the tropical Pacific Ocean Element that’s poisonous for most life benefits certain marine microorganisms More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298482&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is an NSF Discoveries item. Read more at nsf.gov

Six million years ago, atmospheric shifts led to increased diversity of grassland mammals South America’s ancient climate dried, grasslands expanded, mammals diversified More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298483&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is an NSF Discoveries item. Read more at nsf.gov

Data scientists map the supply chains of every U.S. city Public can now track where food, energy and water come from More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298461&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is an NSF Discoveries item. Read more at nsf.gov

Scientists discover what powers celestial phenomenon STEVE Glow is similar to typical auroras -- also distinct from them More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298465&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is an NSF Discoveries item. Read more at nsf.gov

Study reveals vast diversity of ocean microbes New research methods increase knowledge of microbial ecosystems More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298443&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is an NSF Discoveries item. Read more at nsf.gov

Tectonic collision 50 million years ago led to widespread ocean changes Indian subcontinent slammed into Asia, altering Earth’s climate More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298462&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is an NSF Discoveries item. Read more at nsf.gov

City trees can offset neighborhood heat islands Best is 40% and above tree canopy cover More at https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298456&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1 This is an NSF Discoveries item. Read more at nsf.gov