Science and Research Updates
RHIC Closes, EIC on the Horizon
The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York, ceased operations on February 6th, concluding 25 years of service.
It was the sole operational particle collider in the United States and one of two heavy-ion colliders globally, alongside the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
Its closure is to facilitate the development of the Electron-Ion Collider (EIC), scheduled for activation in the mid-2030s. The EIC will notably utilize the same tunnel and much of the existing RHIC hardware, but will be specifically designed for electron collisions.
Mars Organic Compounds: Not Fully Explained by Non-Biological Processes
A recent NASA report sheds new light on the organic compounds identified on Mars by the Curiosity rover.
The report indicates that these compounds cannot be entirely attributed to non-biological processes.
While geological processes and meteorite deposition could explain some detected molecules, no single non-biological explanation accounts for all of them. Researchers emphasize that this finding does not confirm current or active life on Mars, as the degradation timescales for these molecules are not fully understood. This uncertainty suggests any past life could have existed billions of years ago.
Rethinking Low-Earth Orbit Congestion
Mathematician John Cook's analysis of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite density has sparked considerable discussion.
He calculated that with approximately 12,500 LEO satellites and the operational space available, each satellite has roughly 100,000,000 km³ to itself.
This calculation suggests a less congested environment than often perceived, especially amidst the rapid growth of satellite constellations like Starlink. However, critics noted that this model assumes an even distribution of satellites, which is not reflective of actual orbital conditions.
Technology and Industry News
Waymo's Remote Assistance Under Scrutiny
During a U.S. Senate hearing, Waymo's Chief Safety Officer, Dr. Mauricio Peña, clarified the company's autonomous vehicle operations.
Dr. Peña stated that Waymo's vehicles contact a human 'remote assistance operator' when encountering unresolved situations.
These operators, located in both the U.S. and the Philippines, do not remotely control the vehicle. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts subsequently raised concerns regarding Waymo's transparency on remote assistance and the implications of overseas personnel making decisions for vehicles on U.S. roads.
Bitcoin's Volatility and Political Echoes
Bitcoin's value recently fell below $63,000 USD, a level not seen in over 18 months, though it has since recovered to nearly $71,000.
David Goldman of CNN attributed the decline partly to global uncertainty.
He also theorized that the market might be reverting to pre-2024 presidential election levels. It was noted that former candidate Trump's endorsement of the cryptocurrency and pledges to reduce restrictions were associated with an increase in Bitcoin's value following his election, but this momentum has reportedly diminished as promised changes have not yet occurred.
Microsoft Deprecates 3D Viewer
As of February, Microsoft has officially deprecated the integrated 3D Viewer tool within its Windows operating system.
This tool, which allowed users to inspect 3D files such as STLs, was initially introduced during a period when Microsoft focused on 'mixed reality.'
Existing installations of 3D Viewer will remain functional, but the application will no longer be available for official download from Microsoft. The company recommends a web-based alternative for future use.
Xikipedia: Simple English for Continuous Browsing
Xikipedia, an open-source project, offers a novel approach to content consumption.
It converts content from Simple English Wikipedia into a continuous feed for browsing.
The platform also includes an algorithm specifically designed to suggest articles based on user interests, aiming to enhance the browsing experience.