science

Interstellar to Doctor Who: Sci-fi dramas getting science mostly right

Space exploration has long been a staple of sci-fi films and TV, yet most play fast and loose with the laws of physics, and scientific fact often couldn't be further from the truth




science

Do the 2024 Nobel prizes show that AI is the future of science?

Two of the three science Nobel prizes in 2024 have been won by people working in AI, but does this mean that AI models are now vital for science?




science

Remote Sub Sustains Science Kilometers Underwater



The water column is hazy as an unusual remotely operated vehicle glides over the seafloor in search of a delicate tilt meter deployed three years ago off the west side of Vancouver Island. The sensor measures shaking and shifting in continental plates that will eventually unleash another of the region’s 9.0-scale earthquakes (the last was in 1700). Dwindling charge in the instruments’ loggers threatens the continuity of the data.

The 4-metric-ton, C$8-million (US $5.8-million) remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is 50 meters from its target when one of the seismic science platforms appears on its sonar imaging system, the platform’s hard edges crystallizing from the grainy background like a surgical implant jumping out of an ultrasound image. After easing the ROV to the platform, operators 2,575 meters up at the Pacific’s surface instruct its electromechanical arms and pincer hands to deftly unplug a data logger, then plug in a replacement with a fresh battery.

This mission, executed in early October, marked an exciting moment for Josh Tetarenko, director of ROV operations at North Vancouver-based Canpac Marine Services. Tetarenko is the lead designer behind the new science submersible and recently dubbed it Jenny in homage to Forrest Gump, because the fictional character named all of his boats Jenny. Swapping out the data loggers west of Vancouver Island’s Clayoquot Sound was part of a weeklong shakedown to test Jenny’s unique combination of dexterity, visualization chops, power, and pressure resistance.

Jenny is only the third science ROV designed for subsea work to a depth of 6,000 meters.

By all accounts Jenny sailed through. Tetarenko says the worst they saw was a leaky O-ring and the need to add some spring to a few bumpers. “Usually you see more things come up the first time you dive a vehicle to those depths,” says Tetarenko.

Jenny’s successful maiden cruise is just as important for Victoria, B.C.–based Ocean Networks Canada (ONC), which operates the NEPTUNE undersea observatory. The North-East Pacific Time-series Undersea Networked Experiments array boasts thousands of sensors and instruments, including deep-sea video cameras, seismometers, and robotic rovers sprawled across this corner of Pacific. Most of these are connected to shore via an 812-kilometer power and communications cable. Jenny was custom-designed to perform the annual maintenance and equipment swaps that have kept live data streaming from that cabled observatory nearly continuously for the past 15 years, despite trawler strikes, a fault on its backbone cable, and insults from corrosion, crushing pressures, and fouling.

NEPTUNE remains one of the world’s largest installations for oceanographic science despite a proliferation of such cabled observatories since it went live in 2009. ONC’s open data portal has over 37,000 registered users tapping over 1.5 petabytes of ocean data—information that’s growing in importance with the intensification of climate change and the collapse of marine ecosystems.

Over the course of Jenny’s maiden cruise, her operators swapped devices in and out at half a dozen ONC sites, including at several of NEPTUNE’s five nodes and at one of NEPTUNE’s smaller sister observatories closer to Vancouver.

Inside Jenny

ROV Jenny aboard the Valour, Canpac’s 50-meter offshore workhorse, ahead of October’s NEPTUNE observatory maintenance cruise.Ocean Networks Canada

What makes Jenny so special?

  • Jenny is only the third science ROV designed for subsea work to a depth of 6,000 meters.
  • Motion sensors actively adjust her 7,000-meter-long umbilical cable to counteract topside wave action that would otherwise yank the ROV around at depth and, in rough seas, could damage or snap the cable.
  • Dual high-dexterity manipulator arms are controlled by topside operators via a pair of replica mini-manipulators that mirror the movements.
  • Each arm is capable of picking up objects weighing about 275 kilograms, and the ROV itself can transport equipment weighing up to 3,000 kg.
  • 11 high-resolution cameras deliver 4K video, supported by 300,000 lumens of lighting that can be tuned to deliver the soft red light needed to observe bioluminescence.
  • Dual multibeam sonar systems maximize visibility in turbid water.

Meghan Paulson, ONC’s executive director for observatory operations, says the sonar imaging system will be particularly invaluable during dives to shallower sites where sediments stirred up by waves and weather can cut visibility from meters to centimeters. “It really reduces the risk of running into things accidentally,” says Paulson.

To experience the visibility conditions for yourself, check out recordings of the live video broadcast from the NEPTUNE maintenance cruise. Tetarenko says that next year they hope to broadcast not only the main camera feed but also one of the sonar images.

3D video could be next, according to Canpac ROV pilot and Jenny codesigner, James Barnett. He says they would need to boost the computing power installed topside, to process that “firehose of data,” but insists that real-time 3D is “definitely not impossible.” Tetarenko says the science ROV community is collaborating on software to help make that workable: “3D imagining is kind of the very latest thing that’s being tested on lots of ROV systems right now, but nobody’s really there yet.”

More Than Science

Expansion of the cabled observatory concept is the more certain technological legacy for ONC and NEPTUNE. In fact, the technology has evolved beyond just oceanography applications.

ONC tapped Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) to design and build the Neptune backbone and the French firm delivered a system that has reliably delivered multigigabit Ethernet plus 10 kilovolts of direct-current electricity to the deep sea. Today ASN deploys a second-generation subsea power and communications networking solution, developed with the Norwegian international energy company Equinor.

ASN’s “Direct Current/Fiber Optic” or DC/FO system provides the 100-km backbone for the ARCA subsea neutrino observatory near Sicily, in addition to providing control systems for a growing number of offshore oil and gas installations. The latter include projects led by Equinor and BP where DC/FO networks drive the subsea injection of captured carbon dioxide and monitor its storage below the seabed. Future oil and gas projects will increasingly rely on the cables’ power supply to replace the hydraulic lines that have traditionally been used to operate machinery on the seafloor, according to Ronan Michel, ASN’s product line manager for oil and gas solutions.

Michel says DC/FO incorporates important lessons learned from the Neptune installation. And the latter’s existence was a crucial prerequisite. “The DC/FO solution would probably not exist if Neptune Canada would not have been developed,” says Michel. “It probably gave confidence to Equinor that ASN was capable to develop subsea power and coms infrastructure.”




science

NASA wants to shift talk on unexplained sightings 'from sensationalism to science'

NASA said Thursday that the study of UFOs will require new scientific techniques, including advanced satellites as well as a shift in how unexplained sightings are perceived.




science

This pediatrician has a stark warning about the risks of 'anti-science'

A pediatrician, author and co-inventor of a low-cost COVID-19 vaccine warns that the anti-vaccine movement has morphed into a political force that threatens the world's gains against deadly childhood infections like measles.





science

The surprising science of coffee and its effect on both body and mind

The latest research on caffeine reveals why coffee and decaf can be so good for your health, but energy drinks can be lethal




science

The remarkable science-backed ways to get fit as fast as possible

A better understanding of what happens to our bodies when we get fitter can unlock ways to speed up the journey – and it might be simpler than you think




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The science of exercise: Which activity burns the most calories?

Running, swimming, HIIT or walking – what is the best way to work out? The answer is complicated, and depends on the person, finds Grace Wade





science

Even as A.I. Technology Races Ahead, the Prehistoric Science of Wildlife Tracking Is Making a Comeback

Humans perfected how to identify wild animals over millennia, and now biologists are rediscovering the exceptional worth of the tracks and marks left behind




science

The Science in Science FIction

GUESTS: WILLIAM GIBSON author of Neuromancer, Mona Lisa Overdrive and Virtual Light. DAVID BRIN astronomer, professor and author of Foundation's Triumph, Infinity's Shore, and The Postman.




science

LabX Media Group Acquires Discover Magazine, Expanding its Reach in Science Media

The addition of Discover to LabX’s portfolio strengthens its position as a leading voice in science and research media, bringing one of the most recognized science publications into its family.




science

Paradigm Shift in Science: From Big Data to Autonomous Robot Scientists

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Nov 04, 2024
In a recent study led by Professor Xin Li and Dr. Yanlong Guo of the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, researchers analyze how scientific research is evolving through the power of big data and artificial intelligence (AI). The paper discusses how the traditional "correlation supersedes causation" model is being increasingly challenged by new "data-intensive scie




science

The Universe in 100 Colors Provides a Stunning Tour through Science

A science photo book probes the colors we can see—and even “forbidden” colors we can’t




science

The Law Must Respond When Science Changes

What was once fair under the law may become unfair when science changes. The law must react to uphold due process




science

Astrology Was an Important Science for Medieval People

In medieval times, astrology was considered a serious science, a branch of astronomy. Curator Larisa Grollemond of the Getty Museum, walks us through the medieval zodiac and how someone’s sign decided their day-to-day life.




science

Science Meets Strategy at DIA 2024

Prepare to witness the convergence of strategy and science at the highly anticipated the DIA 2024 Global Annual Meeting! Immerse yourself in four days of conversations that don’t happen anywhere else, where strategic thinking seamlessly intertwines with scientific innovation: Elevate Your Professional Profile Expand your knowledge base with continuing education opportunities available virtually from June […]

The post Science Meets Strategy at DIA 2024 first appeared on ACRO.




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Don’t Confuse the Art and Science of Medicine: PCI vs CABG for Left Main Disease

It is often said that medicine is both an art and a science. In an imperfect world this is both inevitable and desirable. But it is extremely important that the two should not be confused with each other. In particular, because the “science” side of the equation has achieved overwhelming prestige and authority, it is...

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The Decline of Science In the Pandemic

Early in the pandemic there was a widespread belief that science would be our salvation. With the help of science we would be spared the worst consequences, such as occurred during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. A vaccine would arrive, reliably, after a few hard months of research, and in short order the problem would...

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science

The Defense of Science in the Age of Fake News

Fake news didn’t just become a problem because of Trump, or the pandemic. It’s been around for a long while. The problem can’t begin to be solved unless the medical and scientific community accepts that it has an absolute responsibility to aggressively debunk fake news and defend and support scientific principles. Click here to read...

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science

Lessons From A Private Funding Round: Science, Relationships, And Experience

By Mike Cloonan, CEO of Sionna Therapeutics, as part of the From The Trenches feature of LifeSciVC An insightful piece on this blog following the JPM healthcare conference noted the “refreshing burst of enthusiasm” in the biotech sector. It’s true

The post Lessons From A Private Funding Round: Science, Relationships, And Experience appeared first on LifeSciVC.




science

Rebooting African Economies: The Place of Science and Technology in Society

"African countries are already at the forefront of harnessing these technologies. For example, Rwanda has set itself the ambitious goal of building the first drone airport in the world. An increasing number of African countries are leveraging drone technology to address a variety of resource mapping, delivery and agricultural services. It is through such efforts that salient basic research challenges are likely to emerge."




science

Rebooting African Development: Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa

As the African Union develops its long-term agenda 2063 for the continent, science, technology and innovation will play a bigger part in development goal setting, especially in the context of social and economic growth.




science

Should the West Engage with Russia on Science and Conversation While the War in Ukraine Continues?

Confronted by the accelerating climate crisis, Western governments, NGOs, and academia are grappling with a difficult question: Should the West engage with Russia on science and conservation, at a time when Russia is waging an unjust and violent war on a sovereign nation?

This study group, led by Arctic Initiative Senior Fellow Margaret Williams, is evaluating the costs and benefits of renewing cooperation with Russia on science and conservation issues.




science

Setting a Course for Arctic Research: Arctic Initiative at Arctic Science Summit Week 2024

The Arctic Initiative team helped kick off discussions for the International Conference on Arctic Research Planning Process 2022-2026 (ICARP IV) research priority teams at the Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland. 






science

Bayer Pledges 1 Million Hands-On Science Learning Experiences For Children By 2020 To Help Inspire Next Generation Of Innovators - Bayer MSMS �Say TkU� Campaign

Bayer MSMS �Say TkU� Campaign






science

A Little About My Story “Apocalypse Considered Through a Helix of Semiprecious Foods and Recipes” Now Out in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction

My latest short story is out in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. When I first started writing short stories, back in the 90s, F&SF was one of the ‘big three’ that I really wanted to get a story in to cross off my bucket list. The big three were Asimov’s, F&SF, and Analog. […]




science

Three Times That Solar Eclipses Transformed Science

From the discovery of new elements to the testing of novel theories of gravity, total solar eclipses have helped spark scientific progress for centuries




science

Oldest tadpole fossil known to science dates back 161 million years

A fossil of a tadpole from Argentina is 161 million years old - and isn't that different from some modern species




science

All Science is Social Science

All science is social science, because the development of knowledge of the laws of nature take place within society, are subject to the limitations of resources produced by society, and in turn have an effect on society. As capitalism was clawing it’s bloody way toward world dominance, it brought with it a remarkable boom in … Continue reading All Science is Social Science




science

Comic [1610] "OSE: Conscience Enforcement Authority: The New Kitty Case Worker [special comic]"

One Shot Episode comic 1610
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science

Science needs specific, informed, productive criticism

Professor Dave demolishes Sabine Hossenfelder. I feel that. The topic of my history class last week and this week is about bias in late 19th/early 20th century evolutionary biology, and how we have to be critical and responsible in our assessment of scientific claims. It’s tough, because I’m strongly pro-science (obviously, I hope?) but I […]




science

Agriculture climate science in Zambia gets boost with launch of new World Bank-backed grant

The World Bank and IWMI will rapidly scale climate science to support agri-business in Zambia, tackling the climate challenge head on through the new AICCRA-Zambia Accelerator Grant.

The post Agriculture climate science in Zambia gets boost with launch of new World Bank-backed grant first appeared on International Water Management Institute (IWMI).





science

Neuroscience of Pain: Mindfulness Meditation Eases Pain

Pain is a complicated, multilayered experience that is influenced by aspects other than physical sensation, such as a person's psyche and pain expectations.




science

At COP28, science and research are critical to the loss and damage conversation

Youssef Brouziyne, IWMI Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional Representative, says two key questions will dominate discussions around the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28.

The post At COP28, science and research are critical to the loss and damage conversation first appeared on International Water Management Institute (IWMI).




science

Ardea Biosciences to Present at Two Upcoming Investor Conferences

Ardea Biosciences to Present at Two Upcoming Investor Conferences




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From Science Fiction to Reality: AI as a Companion!

In the face of a prevalent global loneliness epidemic, a robotics expert proposes that medlinkArtificial Intelligence/medlink (AI) technology could




science

Should We Get a Second Booster Vaccine? What the Science Says

Amid a surge in cases, some countries are handing out second booster shots. In Israel, early data suggest a fourth vaccine dose can increase antibodies against Covid-19, but not enough to prevent infections from Omicron. WSJ explains. Photo composite: Eve Hartley/WSJ




science

From Hello To Head Over Heels : What’s The Science Behind Love At First Sight?

Srishty felt relieved walking into her first class, thinking she'd avoided any kind of ragging-until she saw a group lounging on the teacher's desk, lining up classmates for initiation. A slim girl with purple-streaked hair, piercings, a lace top and jeans




science

Why Your Ride Turns Into Nap Time : The Surprising Science Behind Passenger Fatigue

Are you one of those passengers who dozes off during a journey, no matter how hard you try to stay awake? It's a struggle, right to keep your eyes open while you travel in a car, plane and the like? Well,




science

Toxic truths : Environmental justice and citizen science in a post-truth age [Electronic book] / ed. by Thom Davies, Alice Mah.

Manchester : Manchester University Press, [2020]




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Southeast Asia in political science : theory,region, and qualitative analysis [Electronic book] / edited by Erik Martinez Kuhonta, Dan Slater, Tuong Vu.

Stanford, California : Stanford University Press, 2008.




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Scientific Babel : how science was done before and after global English [Electronic book] / Michael D. Gordin.

Chicago, [Illinois] ; London, [England] : The University of Chicago Press, 2015.




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The Science-Media Interface : On the Relation Between Internal and External Science Communication [Electronic book] / ed. by Irene Broer, Steffen Lemke, Athanasios Mazarakis, Isabella Peters, Christian Zinke-Wehlmann.

Berlin ; Boston : De Gruyter Saur, [2023]