Russia Orders National Mask Mandate As COVID-19 Cases Spike

In an effort to curb the second wave of COVID-19, the Russian government on Tuesday implemented a nationwide mask mandate, as coronavirus cases spike worldwide. CBS News reports: Under the new mandate, effective Wednesday, masks will be mandatory in crowded public spaces, such as public transportation, parking lots and elevators, according to the order published on the website for the federal…

US Surpasses 8 Million Coronavirus Cases

An anonymous reader quotes a report from CNET: America surpassed 8 million cases of the novel coronavirus on Friday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The grim milestone that puts the U.S. ahead of every other country in terms of total cases. Over 218,000 coronavirus deaths have been reported in the U.S. as well, again setting a record that…

Pluto’s snowcapped mountains are unlike any on Earth

A new study shows how methane snow accumulates on Pluto’s mountain peaks. These snowcaps – first seen by New Horizons in 2015 – look a lot like ones on Earth, but form in a very alien environment. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/methane-snowcapped-mountains-on-pluto-new-horizons…

Is Hot Asphalt Increasing Air Pollution?

“A new study suggests fresh asphalt is a significant, yet overlooked, source of air pollution,” reports Science. “In fact, the material’s contribution to one kind of particulate air pollution could rival or even exceed that of cars and trucks.” UPI reports: And its emissions double as its temperature increases from 104 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, researchers found. Sunlight plays a key…

Is Hot Asphalt Really Increasing Air Pollution?

A new article examines a study which suggested fresh asphalt is “a significant, yet overlooked, source of air pollution,” (as reported by Science). “In fact, the material’s contribution to one kind of particulate air pollution could rival or even exceed that of cars and trucks.” UPI reports: And its emissions double as its temperature increases from 104 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit,…

Meet Anita: Lifelong Learner, Contract Tracer

We want to introduce you to Anita. She recently completed the COVID-19 Contact Tracing course from Johns Hopkins University and began working as a contact tracer to help combat the virus. Below, she shares her experience in the course and tells us about her background and future plans. Hello Anita! Thank you so much for […]
The post Meet Anita: Lifelong Learner,…

Meet Anita: Lifelong Learner, Contact Tracer

We want to introduce you to Anita. She recently completed the COVID-19 Contact Tracing course from Johns Hopkins University and began working as a contact tracer to help combat the virus. Below, she shares her experience in the course and tells us about her background and future plans. Hello Anita! Thank you so much for […]
The post Meet Anita: Lifelong Learner,…

Some Scientists ‘Uneasy’ About the Race For a Covid-19 Vaccine

The Guardian ran an article by the author of Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How It Changed the World looking at problems with our own race for a vaccine in 2020: On 2 August, Steven Salzberg, a computational biologist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, suggested in Forbes magazine that a promising vaccine be rolled out to…

AI Claims ‘Flawless Victory’ Going Undefeated In Digital Dogfight With Human Fighter Pilot

“A simulated F-16 Viper fighter jet with an artificial intelligence-driven ‘pilot’ went undefeated in five rounds of mock air combat against an actual top Air Force fighter jockey today,” reports The Drive in an update to a story shared by Slashdot reader schwit1. From the report: The event was the culmination of an effort that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency…