By RICHARD NEBEL
Los Alamos
In his recent Letter to the Editor (link), Mr. Reilly states that the Coronavirus is being managed “according to science”.
That’s not true. “One size fits all” is not good science, and that’s exactly what the governor is doing.
You might argue that it is the “fair” way to do things, or perhaps you can argue that it is the only “politically tractable” way to do things. However, you can’t argue that it is good science.
By Dr. T. Douglas Reilly
Los Alamos
I wish to add something to Don Neeper’s June 25 Op-ed in the Post, What is Science? I believe what local politicians mean when they say COVID virus will be managed “according to science”, is they will try to follow the advice of scientists.
What is the meaning of the word SCIENCE? It comes from the Latin word SCIRE (pronounced shear-ay) that has two meanings; to know and to divide (like shear). That is to say, the basic sense in which we use science is meaning KNOWLEDGE.
Experimental science leads to data, facts if you will; theoretical science attempts to place these Read More
This child appears fascinated by the interactive toys available at the former physical location of Los Alamos STEAM Lab. Courtesy/STEAM Lab
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com
Although STEAM Lab has been forced to close its physical location due to the pandemic, it has by no means stopped serving Los Alamos. They’ve just gotten creative about it.
STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. STEAM Lab’s mission is to create a dynamic learning environment for children and their families.
Through the use of techniques and skills that range Read More
A San Joaquin Valley case study suggests that our knowledge of methane inventories is vastly underestimated. Without an ongoing comprehensive methane monitoring program, California will not meet its statewide air regulation requirements. Increasing the confidence in satellite, airborne, and ground-based sensors will help move the needle toward a more accurate local, regional, and international understanding of methane emission sources and rates. A practical and tiered remote sensing approach using satellite, airborne, and ground-based sensors will improve local, regional, Read More
By TERRY HANSENI want to thank Don Neeper for his insightful commentary on the nature of science (published June 23, 2020 in Los Alamos Daily Post) (link).
According to Arizona State University science professor Thomas Martin:
“In the present cultural climate, altering one’s beliefs in response to anything (facts included) is considered a sign of weakness. Students must be convinced that changing one’s mind in light of the evidence is not weakness: Changing
STEM News:
ALBUQUERQUE – New Mexico high school students have the opportunity to use their problem-solving skills to compete in the second New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge program.
Ten-person student teams will work on a solution to the question “How Can You Combine New Mexico’s Natural Resources with Technology to Address Regional/Global Needs?”
New Mexico State University (NMSU) formulated the question and criteria for this year’s New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge. Winners will be determined by industry employers in the state.
The top teams will win up to $5,000. Student teams Read More
By DON NEEPER
Formerly of Los Alamos
In the news media, both national and local politicians say the COVID virus will be managed “according to science”. I presume they mean that the virus is transmitted mainly by exhaled droplets, and therefore that officials may claim scientific reasoning to impose social distancing and face coverings.
We don’t know the extent to which a person acquires immunity or becomes noninfectious after surviving the disease. COVID-19 has been confirmed in pet cats and dogs, but transmission from pet to human is rare. That’s the current extent of the politically relevant Read More
Nate Richman, field assistant, sets up a nodal seismometer atop a natural stone arch. Photo by Paul Geimer
The top of a natural stone arch with seismometers. Photo by Paul Geimer
AGU News:
Two new studies show what can be learned from a short seismic checkup of natural rock arches and how erosion sculpts some arches—like the iconic Delicate Arch—into shapes that lend added strength.
A study published in the AGU journal Geophysical Research Letters begins with thorough measurements of vibrations at an arch in Utah, and applies those measurements to glean insights from 17 other arches with minimal Read More
From the Office of U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Ranking Member of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, and co-founder of the Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus, announced today provisions he secured in the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Heinrich’s measures support New Mexico’s national laboratories, men and women in uniform, Read More
SavantX Inc. has chosen Santa Fe for its corporate research headquarters.Courtesy/EDD
BUSINESS News:
SANTA FE – New Mexico Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes announced today that a company at the leading edge of quantum computing is relocating some operations to Santa Fe and plans to hire more than 100 employees.
SavantX CEO Ed Heinbockel
After considering locations in Utah, Idaho, Oregon and California, SavantX Inc. has chosen Santa Fe for its corporate research headquarters. The operations, sales and customer support arms of the business will remain Read More