23 Mar Astronomers Have Detected the Brightest ‘Fast Radio Burst’ Ever Seen and Still Have No Idea What’s Causing Them

Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) have been one of the more puzzling and fascinating areas of astronomical study ever since the first was detected in 2007 (known as the Lorimer Burst). Much like gravitational waves, the study of these short-lived radio pulses (which last only a few milliseconds) is still in its infancy, and only a 33 events have been detected. What’s more, scientists are still not sure what accounts for them. In early March 2018, scientists using the Parkes Radio Telescope detected three FRBs, one of which was the brightest ever observed.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.universetoday.com

23 Mar How Women Experience Addiction Differently Than Men

Addiction to substances such as heroin and alcohol affect women differently than men. A 2010 American Journal of Public Health study found that women were more likely to be prescribed opioids than men and to continue them long-term. Another study of chronic pain patients prescribed opioids in the Journal of Pain revealed that women’s increased risk of opioid misuse was related to emotional issues while men misused opioids because of legal and behavioral problems.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women are more likely to have chronic pain, be prescribed prescription painkillers and at higher doses than men; and become dependent more quickly than men. From 1999 to 2010, CDC data revealed that 48,000 women died of prescription-related overdoses. During this timeframe, prescription overdose deaths increased over 400% among women, versus 237% among men. The sobering statistics don’t end with prescriptions. The National Center for Health Statistics reported heroin overdose deaths among women tripled from 2010 through 2013.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.forbes.com

23 Mar Long Beach police launch new app that allows tracking of neighborhood crime

A new mapping application allows anyone with a computer to get a snapshot of the number and types of crime in their neighborhood or anywhere else in the city.

Developed with the help of the Long Beach Technology and Innovation Department and the supplier ArcGIS, the interactive map uses the last six months of data obtained from the police department’s Records Management System to show all of the reported crime incidents. A test showed there is information as recent as the week before in the system.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.presstelegram.com

16 Mar All disk galaxies rotate once every billion years, no matter their size of shape 

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.astronomy.com

16 Mar Rain or shine: new solar cell captures energy from raindrops 

A solar panel that can generate electricity from falling raindrops has been invented, enabling power to flow even when skies cloud over or the sun has set. Solar power installation is soaring globally thanks to costs plunging 90% in the past decade, making it the cheapest electricity in many parts of the world. But the power output can plummet under grey skies and researchers are working to squeeze even more electricity from panels.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.theguardian.com

16 Mar How States Are Legislating Autonomous Vehicles (Interactive Map) 

Though still a far-off fantasy in the minds of many, 19 states have passed legislation relating to autonomous vehicles — many starting small by defining terms like “automated driving system,” “dynamic driving task” or “autonomous vehicle.”

Additionally, governors from four states have issued executive orders creating councils and working groups of stakeholders and public officials dedicated to looking at how their states should proceed.

Where states like Florida have embraced fewer regulations, others, like California, have taken more tightly regulated approaches. Though these states have differed in their approaches, the future of transportation is in the midst of a revolution. 

The revolution, in short, means that the traditional rules no longer hold up when applied to the rapidly advancing technology. From the electrification of vehicles to the growth of transportation network companies and automated driving, traditional driving regulations must be updated to keep pace.

Self-driving vehicles can already be spotted on test tracks across the country and on public streets in select cities, and several major companies including Ford, Toyota and BMW have all committed to driverless vehicles on American road within five years.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.govtech.com