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Bridenstine: NASA SLS engines and Core Stage are in good condition

NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine, wanted to reassure those who followed the NASA SLS test for the Artemis I mission to the Moon that the Core Stage and the RS engines – 25 are in good condition. Now new information is expected.

by Mattia Speroni published 19 January 2021 , at 09: 01 in the Science and Technology channel

NASA

We wrote the other day of the hot fire test del Core Stage by NASA SLS which did not end as hoped. While many details and information are still missing, which will be provided by the space agency this week, Jim Bridenstine ( NASA administrator) wanted to bring some hope among insiders and enthusiasts.

The NASA SLS test and Artemis I

Bridenstine is now a few hours away from the end of his mandate and we still don’t know who will take his place. But the senior executive still wanted “to assert” its position to try to “ferry” the NASA in this difficult time. In fact, we do not yet know if the Artemis I mission will be able to be launched at the end of 2021 or will have to be postponed to 2022.

In a tweet written in these hours, the ‘administrator wrote that “Core Stage and engines are in good condition” . He also recalled what the key timings were during the hot fire test : T-0 (end of countdown) was at 5: 27 afternoon ET (23: 27 in Italy) and lasted 67, 2 “, 6” before the T-0 there was the injection phase of the engines which then started in sequence at a distance of 120 milliseconds.

In a post The official is also reminded that the test of NASA SLS still allowed to collect a lot of data and that the previous phases at power up have been completed successfully. It is a complex and critical sequence of events and not at all obvious, even if less scenic than the actual ignition. Also, having pointed out that the engines and Core Stage are in good condition would suggest that repairs could be quick. This would allow you to repeat the hot fire test in a short time and, hopefully, keep the roadmap prefixed.

Jim Bridenstine later wrote in the blog “Saturday’s test was a major step forward to ensure that the SLS Core Stage is ready for the Artemis I mission and to transport the crew in future missions. Although the engines did not start for the entire duration, the team successfully completed the countdown, started the engines and obtained valuable data for our journey “. So all that remains is to wait and understand what happened and what the repercussions will be.

Do you have coronavirus? Apple Watch may detect some symptoms early

Two recent studies in the United States show how Apple Watch and other smartwatch models can detect possible cases of COVID – 19 before the appearance of symptoms, through the change in heart rate.

by Lorenzo Tirotta published 18 January 2021 , at 21: 01 in the Wearables channel

Apple Garmin Fitbit

At a distance of one year from the appearance of COVID – 19, the pandemic situation does not seem to want to improve, the infections and casualties are still very high. New technologies and continuous research are running to the aid of complicated global health situation in an attempt to marginalize the virus as much as possible.

According to the latest studies carried out, devices wearables such as Apple Watch and other smartwatches are able to detect possible cases of positivity days before the appearance of symptoms or conducting rapid or molecular tests. To say this were two separate researches, one of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) of New York and the other by researchers from Stanford University in California.

Although the role of a digital clock in the pandemic may be singular, the studies undertaken by the ISMMS in New York have shown how in particular the Apple Watch is able to detect, through subtle variations of the heartbeat , of the possible cases of Coronavirus positivity up to 7 days before the onset of symptoms.

Mount Sinai Health System researchers have tested Apple Watch on 300 health workers of the academy between 29 April and 29 September last year . The data of the study show that heart rate variability, i.e. the change in time taken between one beat and the next, is a fundamental data for research .

Heart rate variability as a possible means of detecting the virus

Individuals tested positive coronavirus showed a lower heart rate variation than individuals healthy. According to medical findings, a healthy body with a healthy cardiovascular system is not uncommon to have an irregular heartbeat and a noticeable change in heart rate at rest. The opposite happens in individuals suffering from cardiovascular diseases, unstable psychophysical conditions, chronic stress where little variation is recorded heart to indicate a malfunction of the nervous system. It should be specified that a high cardiac variation does not result in consequently an elevated heart rate.

“We already knew that heart rate variability data changes with the development of inflammation in the body and COVID is an incredibly inflammatory event. Our goal was to use tools to identify infections at the time. infection or before people knew they were sick, “said Rob Hirten, professor of medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , to CBS MoneyWatch.

The second study, carried out by researchers at Stanford University , tested in addition to the Apple smartwatch also products of Garmin and Fitbit . The study, separate from that of the ISMMS, showed how the tested wearables are able to detect changes in heart rate variation even at rest up to nine and a half days before the onset of symptoms or a positive test. The team of researchers has also implemented an alarm system that warns of a major change in heart rate for an extended period of time.

“We set the alarm quite sensitively to go off every two months or so,” he said Professor Michael Snyder of Stanford University , who led the study. “Regular fluctuations will not trigger the alarm, only significant and protracted changes.”

Researchers, analyzing data from smartwatches, found two thirds of positive COVID cases – 19 from four to 7 days before the manifestation of symptoms. The study, carried out last November, spurred wearables manufacturers to use the technology to fight the virus, anticipating symptoms such as the onset of fever or detecting important data through deviations in respiratory rhythm during sleep.

It is clear how the smartwatch does not currently represent an instrument to the 100% reliable for the detection of an individual’s positivity to the virus, but with new technologies and continuous studies it could prove to be a effective support to keep the spread of the coronavirus under control.

It’s okay to let kids play Fortnite during a global pandemic

On Sunday, The New York Times published an article about the risks of sky-rocketing teenage device usage during quarantine — and as you might expect, they went straight for the guilty-parent touchstones. There are maudlin photos of a family ruined by gaming, and the quote “I’ve failed you as a father” comes in the second sentence.) There are also curious comparisons to drug addiction (“There will be a period of epic withdrawal” after quarantine, one addiction expert warns) and vague claims about the impressionable nature of young brains.

Before you rush to cut off junior’s Playstation Plus subscription, it’s worth putting things in perspective. We’re in the middle of a worldwide crisis, and the last ten months have been hard on everyone. We’ve seen historic jumps in depression and substance abuse even among adults, and healthy escapes are increasingly hard to come by. Digital entertainment has gotten a lot of us through the past year in one piece. For many kids, it’s one of the few places to carry on a semi-normal social life, which is why many experts have emphasized a balanced approach rather than an outright cutoff. Digital interaction is an incredibly valuable thing, and dismissing it because of abstract screen panic is irresponsible.

The article briefly touches on online socializing, but saves it for a kind of ironic afterthought at the end. After cutting her son off from Xbox games for a few weeks, a parent notes, “it makes me feel badly when I try to restrict him. It’s his only socialization.” For a lot of kids, this is the whole point: online spaces like Fortnite are the only way to hang out with their friends. There is actual socializing happening here, and as long as in-person contact is a public health hazard, these are the only places it can happen. It’s important for kids to hang out with other kids, so cutting off screen time is actively isolating, damaging in ways that are far more concrete than screen time. The only reason to dismiss it is the lingering idea that online socializing somehow doesn’t count.

What we’re seeing has less to do with screen time and more to do with the age-old problems of teen social lives. There are lots of healthy and social things you can do online, just like there are unhealthy and isolating things you can do offline. Whether it happens on a screen just isn’t the primary issue. It’s fine to worry about unhealthy spaces online, whether it’s eating-disorder culture on Instagram or incel sewers on Reddit — but the problem with those spaces is that they’re unhealthy, not that they’re online. Casting the internet as the problem just confuses things, and encourages parents to cut off one of their kids’ few healthy social outlets.

On some level, I understand the anxiety here. Parents are allowed to be depressed and anxious too! There is a ton to be stressed about in the world right now, and watching your kid play Xbox through it all might make you feel like you’re watching Ed Westwick play holocube in Children of Men. I’m sure it’s alienating to watch your son play Fortnite all day, but if you’re that worried about losing touch, it might be time to pick up a controller and spend some time in their world.

Capitol rioter planned to sell Nancy Pelosi’s laptop to Russian spies, witness told FBI

A capitol rioter may have stolen Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s laptop with plans to sell it to the Russian government, according to an FBI affidavit filed on Sunday. The affidavit charges Riley June Williams with unlawful entry and impeding government functions, based on extensive video record placing her at the scene of the Capitol riot. But the affidavit also uncovers an apparent plan to steal Speaker Pelosi’s laptop and convey it to a contact in Russia, who would then make contact with the country’s government.

Williams was identified by UK media over the weekend, and officers confirmed the identification with her driver’s license photo (on file with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) and in an in-person interview with her parents. Notably, public videos show Williams directing rioters to the general location of Pelosi’s office, consistent with the idea that she intended to ransack the office.

According to the affidavit, a former associate of Williams told police she had planned to steal Speaker Pelosi’s laptop with the intention of selling it to the Russian government.

“[The witness] stated that Williams intended to send the computer device to a friend in Russia, who then planned to sell the device to SVR, Russia’s foreign intelligence service,” the affidavit reads. “According to [the witness], the transfer of the computer device to Russia fell through for unknown reasons and Williams still has the computer device or destroyed it. This matter remains under investigation.”

Reuters has previously reported that a laptop was stolen from Pelosi’s office. According to an aide, the laptop was stationed in a conference room and “was used for presentations.”

Device theft has been a significant concern for government IT workers in the wake of the capitol riot, which broke long-standing security procedures around congressional offices. The idea of devices being stolen or tampered with was viewed as a “nightmare scenario” in the wake of the attack.

“I don’t think I’d sleep well until the networks were rebuilt from scratch,” said one former House IT official on Twitter, “and every computer wiped and the internals visually inspected before being put back into service.”

Williams remains at large, despite the ongoing investigation and public identification. She has discontinued her phone number and deleted social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, Telegram and Parler. After returning from the raid, she packed a bag and told her mother she would be gone “for a couple weeks,” the affidavit reads. “Williams did not provide her mother any information about her intended destination.”

1More ComfoBuds, news among the true wireless stereo at CES 2021

Among the Asian brands that have distinguished themselves for quality in the world of headphones in recent years we certainly also find 1More. The Chinese brand has used, as always, the stage of the CES 2021 to put on the plate a couple of innovations in the sector of true wireless stereo earphones.

1More ComfoBuds

These are the new 1More ComfoBuds , available immediately and which will soon be joined by the Pro version. They are True earphones Wireless Stereo characterized by the design with rod and touch controls. 1More has paid a lot of attention to the comfort of use in designing these products, as evidenced by the name. In particular, we note the compact sized oval ear plugs and the design studied to allow a good housing inside the ear. The weight of only 3.8 grams per earphone is another of the interesting features, combined with that of the carrying and charging case , contained in only 29 grams. The earphones offer 4 hours of battery life per single charge, with 18 total hours offered by case refills.

The sound experience rotates around a dynamic diaphragm from ben 13, 4mm , which promises a very engaging sound. The headphones take advantage of the Bluetooth 5.0 connection and offer SBC and AAC codecs. Despite the low price, they offer advanced features, such as touch controls and infrared sensor. Furthermore, the IPX5 certification guarantees its resistance to sweat and water splashes, for sports use.

The new TWS 1More ComfoBuds earphones are already available in Italy on Amazon at 69 ?? , but the arrival of the Pro version is also expected in about a month, with higher-end technical specifications.

China makes Chang'e-5 lunar samples available for research

Chang’e Lunar Champions -5 are now available to international bodies or agencies to be able to conduct scientific experiments (including destructive ones). Thus opens a new chapter of collaboration between nations.

by Mattia Speroni published 18 January 2021 , at 17: 01 in the Science and Technology channel

International collaboration when it comes to scientific research and space is fundamental. For this reason the announcement of the CNSA (the Chinese space agency) to make available to the entities of other nations the lunar rock samples of the space mission Chang’e-5 is very interesting.

Chang’e-5 lunar samples are available for testing

I lunar samples collected during the Chinese space mission Chang’e-5 which ended in December 2020 have a weight of approximately 1.7 kg . The document that opens to international collaboration is available on the CNSA website, outlining wide possibilities of use by institutions and agencies worldwide. There seem to be no particular constraints and therefore, potentially, even NASA could request a sample.

As reported, it is explicitly written that there is room for “international cooperation on studies on lunar samples” . Of course, the CNSA will not leave the samples “to anyone” but only to those who guarantee high standards and use in terms of scientific research . In fact, the notes read that it will be necessary “to conduct scientific research or socially advantageous activities in accordance with the relevant content of the approval and agreement “.

Whoever asks to be able to have part of it will be responsible for damage, loss or inappropriate use. However, this does not exclude the possibility of carrying out “destructive” type experiments . The important thing is that everything is filmed on video so as to avoid appropriations or possible sales. After all, the moon rock samples are particularly expensive and the market demand is high. To further protect the samples, inspections by Chinese lunar program technicians may be envisaged.

As regards scientific research, the studies performed must clearly state which sample is been employed. Furthermore, it will be necessary to clearly write “Lunar sample provided by the CNSA” . There will also be a review of the scientific studies published thanks to the lunar samples of Chang’e-5 and the sharing of scientific results.

Follow us on our Instagram channel, many news coming soon !

A group of Chinese researchers showed in the laboratory the possibility of obtaining methanol, which can be used in cars as a fuel, starting from the CO2 in the air by exploiting simple temperature changes, using nanosurfaces of tungsten and bismuth perosvskite

by Roberto Colombo published 18 January 2021 , at 11: 01 in the Technology channel

The fossil fuels were the fundamental basis for the development of our society, but it has been shown that the pace at which we are burning is unsustainable for the planet . One of the key points is the reintroduction of large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere , trapped over millions of years in what are now gas and oil fields. Carbon dioxide acts as greenhouse gas and for the scientific community is the main responsible for global warming , the increase, of anthropogenic origin, of the average surface temperature of our planet.

As we said recently in a news published at the end of last year 2020, being able to transform CO2 itself into more complex hydrocarbons to be used as fuel is the holy grail that scientists are looking for today: this would allow us to have a neutral carbon cycle and not to introduce new quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere . As we reported, Oxford University scientists have shown the feasibility of a method of converting CO2 into jet fuel, but many research groups are working on similar issues.

Methanol from CO2, by simple temperature difference

An interesting news comes from a group of Chinese researchers, who showed in the laboratory the possibility of obtaining methanol (CH3OH), which can be used easily in common car internal combustion engines as fuel, a starting from CO2 by exploiting simple temperature changes, using nanosurfaces perosvskite of tungsten and bismuth .

The study published in Nature Communications examines in detail the methods of production and characterization of compos based on tungsten and bismuth and the processes by which, in different cycles in which the temperature is made to vary, the nanosurfaces are able to transform carbon dioxide into methanol. Generally this process requires high temperatures and high pressures, but in the case of the research of Chinese scientists the procedure can be carried out in easily reachable temperature ranges in daily life.

Also is the temperature variation to supply the energy necessary for the process , which is therefore once fully operational, at no cost. It is therefore a class of materials defined as pyroelectric. Scientists analyzed process performance over different cycles and with different temperature ranges (15 ?? 40 ° C, 15 ?? 50 ° C, 15 ?? 70 ° C , 15 ?? 85 ° C), resulting in a methanol yield equal to 40. 0 µmol / g . The synthesis process is quite complex and sees the production of electrons and holes as a fundamental point and scientists have obtained the best yields in cases where a sacrificial agent (Na2SO3) has been introduced into the process, capable of avoiding recombination. of electrons and holes. The process of reducing carbon dioxide to methanol has also been shown to have excellent selectivity , with very low amounts of methane (CH4) and carbon monoxide (CO).

At the moment the process has been tested on a small scale, with 40 milligrams of Bi2WO6 powder suspended in 5 mL 0.2 M NaHCO3 in a container of 50 ml with the addition of 0.3 M of Na2SO3 and bubbling for 10 minutes high purity carbon dioxide in the liquid. The bottle was then sealed and exposed to heating and cooling cycles, in the temperature ranges that we reported in the previous paragraph. Finally the methanol yield was analyzed by taking one milliliter of solution by gas chromatography. At present, therefore, the research team has demonstrated the process of reducing CO2 to methanol, but further work will be needed to make the process available in daily life and on a large scale. However, the road traced seems promising.

keyword: Instagram

Bridenstine: NASA SLS engines and Core Stage are in good condition

The NASA SLS test and Artemis I

Do you have coronavirus? Apple Watch may detect some symptoms early

Heart rate variability as a possible means of detecting the virus

It’s okay to let kids play Fortnite during a global pandemic

Capitol rioter planned to sell Nancy Pelosi’s laptop to Russian spies, witness told FBI

1More ComfoBuds, news among the true wireless stereo at CES 2021

1More ComfoBuds

China makes Chang'e-5 lunar samples available for research

Chang’e-5 lunar samples are available for testing

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Car methanol from air CO2 by temperature difference alone: the Chinese study

Methanol from CO2, by simple temperature difference

Virgin Orbit manages to launch a rocket into space from its Boeing 747-400

Virgin Orbit successfully launches the rocket

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