justing.net

New to me Facts and Ideas in September 2024

By Justin G. on 24OCT09WED

Commercial spaceflight facts, and more.

Week 36

Began on 24SEP02MON .

• Fact: Turbuculosis, fka consumption, is still the number 1 infectious disease killer. But it doesn’t have to be. Via Kottke.
• Fact: Highest resolution images of atoms is even better than before. Via Damn Interesting and Science Alert.
• Evidence: Submerged bridge suggests that the Mediterranean was settled by humans earlier than previously thought.
• Observation: a 1 meter asteroid/meteor crossed the sky over the Philippines. Via Damn Interesting.
• Evidence: Sausage purchasing is an indicator of poor economic situations. Via Damn Interesting.
• Fact: Boeing^a Starliner^a lands in New Mexico. YT livestream.

Week 37

Began on 24SEP09MON .

• Fact: Polaris Dawn launches on SpaceX Falcon 9.
• Fact: First commercial spaceflight is a success.
• This years ignoble prize in physics is for measuring the swimming abilities of a dead fish.
• Fact: OTC hearing aids are expanding. For example Apple’s earbuds are now approved for it. Via Daring Fireball¹.
• Fact: New USPS mail trucks are here. Via Hacker News.

Week 38

Began on 24SEP16MON .

• Fact: Eyeliner is at least 8200 years old. I’m sure it’s older than that.
• Fact: More flooding in Europe, central Europe specifically this time. Via NYT.
• Fact: There are more than just the ABO +/- blood type groups. A new one is just discovered, and another was discovered a couple of years ago. They affect very small groups of people. Via Damn Interesting.
• Fact: New Mozart discovered. How cool is that. Via Kottke. See also.
• Fact: CERN to expel Russian scientists.
• Probable fact: So called blue zones don’t actually exist / Ignoble award, i.e. people living beyond 100 with higher frequency is some areas is debunked. Via Slashdot, via alterslash
• Fact: QLink Wireless provides free cell service to those that need it. Via HackerNews.
• Update: Velociraptors have low body mass, much less than my (large) dog. However, I still wouldn’t call them small, with a body length of up to 2 meters (probably mostly tail). Via Walknotes.

Week 39

Began on 24SEP23MON .

• Hypothesis: Space defense with x-rays (from a nuclear weapon) to deflect asteroids.
• Fact: California bans all plastic grocery bags, NYT.

Week 40

Began on 24SEP30MON .

• Fact: Fruit fly brain is fully mapped. Via Damn Interesting, and a few other places. I think this is probably a big deal.
• Observation: Webb measures the Hubble constant H0 via a triply graviationally lensed Type 1a SN. Via Damn Interesting. That’s pretty cool.
• Observation: Students run proof of concept/tech demo of real time camera glasses to PII/dox, via Kottke.

Email me the cool facts you've learned lately. Or a correction.