Science

Museum Closures Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years

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New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science. Courtesy/Mary Ann Hatchitt
 
NMMNHS News:
 
ALBUQUERQUE ― The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science will be closed for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
 
The Planetarium and Dyna Theater also will be closed on those holidays. The Museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. 
 
The Museum is free to New Mexico residents with I.D. on the first Sunday of the month. New Mexico Seniors age 60 and older receive free admission to the Museum every Wednesday.
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Udall Amendment In NASA Bill Combats Space Junk

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U.S. Sen. Tom Udall
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, has announced the passage of two Udall-authored amendments and two additional Udall-cosponsored amendments to the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2019.
 
The Committee accepted all four amendments on a unanimous voice vote and voted to advance the NASA reauthorization bill to the Senate floor.
 
“Outer space is both a strategic national security priority and an economic engine for communities in New Mexico
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Night With A Nerd: LANL’s Stephen Schreiber Discusses (Mis)Understanding Radiation Dec. 12

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BSMA News:
 
Division Leader Stephen Schreiber, of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Nuclear Process Infrastructure Division discusses facts vs fiction about nuclear radiation, debunking the myth that all radiation is dangerous, at 6 p.m., Dec. 12, at projectY, 150 Central Park Square.
 
In fact, Schreiber argues that most people could achieve improved health and vitality by increasing their exposure to radiation. Intrigued? Come learn more!
 
Admission is free for Bradbury Science Museum Association members and $10 for the general public. Register as space is
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Science On Tap With Dr. Cyler Conrad Nov. 18

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LANL Archaeologist Cyler Conrad will discuss ancestral pueblo turkey management on the Pajarito Plateau at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 18 at projectY cowork. Courtesy/LACD
 
LACD News:
 
Join the Bradbury Science Museum and the Los Alamos Creative District for Science On Tap at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 18 at projectY cowork, 150 Central Park Square.
 
This On Tap will feature a conversation with LANL Archaeologist Cyler Conrad about ancestral pueblo turkey management on the Pajarito Plateau.
 
Turkeys are a significant component of Ancestral, and Modern, Pueblo life in
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UArizona Moon Researchers Helped NASA Nail Apollo 12 Pinpoint Landing

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A view of Apollo 11 landing sites in the Sea of Tranquility or Mare Tranquillitatis. Photo by Pete Lawrence
 
UA News:
 
TUCSON, Ariz. — The Eagle swooped over the craggy, monochromatic terrain, keenly searching for a smooth landing place. Nothing but an unwelcoming host of craters and boulders streamed below. Pushing its limits, it flew on.
 
The Apollo 11 Lunar Module touched down in the Sea of Tranquility, in what could be considered one of the greatest human accomplishments. But with its fuel nearly drained, the Eagle landed nearly four miles from the intended landing site.
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NIST: Getting Food On Our Tables From U.S. And Around The World, Safely And Less Wastefully

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Standardized data will connect farmers, inspectors, manufacturers, shippers, and ultimately consumers to ensure the freshest, most high quality food possible. Courtesy/Natasha Hanacek/NIST
 
NIST News:
 
I’m still amazed to see strawberries, avocados and watermelons in my grocery store out of their “normal” season.
 
As amazing as this is, I know it means that my food is arriving from far-flung destinations and may be subjected to poor conditions or handling along the way.
 
So, now, even more so than before, I regularly check where the fresh fruit or produce
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NIST: Light At End Of Nanotunnel For Future Catalysts

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The new nanoreactor allows us to investigate individual catalytic active nanoparticles isolated in separate liquid-filled nanotunnels. Illustration: Sune Levin and Nature Communications. Courtesy/Chalmers
 
Chalmers University of Technology News:
 
Using a new type of nanoreactor, researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have succeeded in mapping catalytic reactions on individual metallic nanoparticles. Their work could help improve chemical processes, and lead to better catalysts and more environmentally friendly chemical technology.
 
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UA: Mysteries Behind Interstellar Buckyballs Answered

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An artist’s concept depicting the presence of buckyballs in space. Courtesy/NASA / JPL-Caltech

UA News:

Tucson, Ariz. — Scientists have long been puzzled by the existence of so-called “buckyballs” – complex carbon molecules with a soccer-ball-like structure – throughout interstellar space.

Now, a team of researchers from the University of Arizona has proposed a mechanism for their formation in a study published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.

Carbon 60, or C60 for short, whose official name is Buckminsterfullerene, comes in spherical molecules consisting of 60 carbon atoms organized Read More

Scientists Develop Sensor To Save Children, Pets Left Alone In Vehicles

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Graduate students Mostafa Alizadeh, left, and Hajar Abedi position a doll, modified to simulate breathing, in a minivan during testing of a new sensor. Courtesy/UOW
 
University of Waterloo News:

A small, inexpensive sensor could save lives by triggering an alarm when children or pets are left alone in vehicles.

The new device, developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo, combines radar technology with artificial intelligence (AI) to detect unattended children or animals with 100-per-cent accuracy.

Small enough to fit in the palm of a hand at just three centimetres in diameter,

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Heinrich Calls For Forward-Looking Legislation To Advance America’s Energy Industry And Workforce

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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the Ranking Member on the Senate Energy Subcommittee, delivered opening remarks Thursday on legislative efforts to modernize America’s electric grid, boost innovations through technology transfer programs with national laboratories, and create energy workforce development opportunities across the country.
 
Assistant Secretary of Energy Daniel Simons testified on eleven separate bills.
 
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