Cool STEM News:

Sidewalk Labs launches Pebble, a sensor that uses real-time data to manage city parking | Tech Crunch (01:22)

• Sidewalk Labs, Alphabet’s urban innovation organization, has announced the launch of Pebble, a vehicle sensor that’s designed to help manage parking in cities by providing real-time parking and curb availability data.

• How Does it Work?
  • Small spherical sensors are stuck to the ground on parking space noting whether it is occupied or not
  • Solar-powered gateway uses IoT (Internet of Things) to connect the sensor to the cloud through the cellular network. 
  • Data is then viewed by the necessary parties (i.e. parking operators) through a dashboard of some kind.

• Pebble doesn’t use cameras or collect identifying information about a person or vehicle and is touting a “privacy-preserving” approach.

• According to Pebble, its real-time parking availability can be integrated into navigation apps through an API to help users spend less time circling the block.  

• Sidewalk Labs’ senior creative technologist, Nick Jonas, wrote in a blog post announcing the launch:
  • “Real-time parking information can also alert would-be drivers when spaces are limited before they even leave home, leading them to use alternative travel modes, such as park-and-ride transit or ferries … For example, a smart parking program at a BART park-and-ride station reduced driving by a monthly average of nearly 10 miles per person — and even shortened commutes.”

• Sidewalk Labs says it is already working with pilot customers to manage tens of thousands of parking spaces.
  • Did not reply to a request for more information about whether or not any of those pilot customers are cities. 

• Could provide a lot of data to real-estate developers to push back showcasing that ample parking space is already available for the area resulting in less space creation.

• Also can help eliminate congestion/traffic in an area because “30 percent of traffic congestion occurs from drivers circling for a parking space.”

• Can also promote city & business revenue by offering dynamic pricing for parking areas basically ensuring that there will be a space on most blocks.

How Much Daily Movement Do You Need to Counteract Sitting? New Research Explains | The Conversation (12:02)

• Research shows that sitting can be bad for our health in many ways – with some even suggesting it’s as bad for us as smoking.
  • But that is not actually the case, research back in 2018, showcased that sitting is not on the same level. 
    • The risk/hazard ratio of each (hazardous behavior/controlled behavior):
      • Sitting – 1.22
      • Smoking – 2.8
      • Heavy Smoking (40 cigs per day) – 4.08 for men & 4.41 for women

• However, even though it is not on the same level as smoking it still showcases that constant sedentary behavior decreases your health.

• So, how do you counteract that? The usual recommendation of 30 minutes of exercise?

• Well a new study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, says no it is not enough to overcome the health risks.

• To determine the right amount, they combined data from six different studies from the UK, US, and Sweden, looking at a total of over 130,000 adults. 
  • Each study used a physical activity monitor (like a Fitbit) to measure a person’s movements and sitting per day.
  • Followed the participants for an average of four to 14 years to track whether any participants died.

• Findings:
  • 30 minutes of daily exercise decreased the risk of early death by up to 80 percent for those who also spent less than seven hours a day sitting.
  • But once you go to the higher level sitting numbers (11 to 12 hours) it isn’t as simple as just exercising for 30 minutes. 
  • Between 7 to 11 hours, 30 minutes of exercise & light movement only reduce risk by 30%.

• For decades, scientists have studied the health benefits of exercise – but this research has largely ignored the fact that how you spend the rest of the day also matters.

• Study results indicate physical activity recommendations can be more personalized.
  • Adopt a mixture of activities that work best for you.
  • Not just all about the gym, being active and moving is beneficial to your health.

China unveils 1st Mars photos from Zhurong rover | Space.com (19:02)

• China has released the first photographs taken by its Zhurong rover, which touched down on Mars late on Friday (May 14) as part of the country’s Tianwen-1 mission. 
  • Becoming the 2nd nation to successfully soft-land on Mars. Behind the United States. 
  • The Soviet Union and the European Space Agency have also sent missions to the Mars surface, but those landings were not successful.

• Discuss the Tianwen-1 mission in more detail on Episode 44. You should go listen to it! 

• The China National Space Administration (CNSA), which runs the mission, has released two Mars photographs taken by the rover: one in color and one in black and white.

• Both images show parts of the rover and its lander against a backdrop of Utopia Planitia.
  • A large plain in the northern hemisphere.

• Zhurong rover plans on exploring this plain during its mission.
  • The six-wheeled, 530-lb. (240 kilograms)
  • Carries six instruments to use to study geology and climate in the Utopia Planitia region. 
  • Operate for about three months. 

• CNSA also released two short videos of the orbiter and Zhurong rover’s landing capsule separating during Friday’s maneuver. 

This Tri-Wing Jumbo Jet Could Reduce Fuel Consumption by 70% | Interesting Engineering (22:45)

• A new jumbo jet concept was recently unveiled by an Alabama-based startup, SE Aeronautics takes an uncommon approach to every aspect of wide-body aircraft design and performance.
• Including something rarely seen: a third wing, a double tail fin, and two rear engines.

• SE200 prototype:
  • Can carry 264 passengers.
  • Consumes 70% less fuel than other jets of similar size.
  • Travel roughly 10,500 miles (16,900 km)
  • Top speed of 690.5 mph (Mach 0.90), which is greater than other jets of the same class
  • Extra wing provides more lift, shortening the takeoff and landing range. 
  • Won’t store fuel in the wings, allowing designers to focus on a thinner, more aerodynamic design.
    • Stored on a bladder atop the fuselage.
  • Integrated single piece structure for the frame-breaking convention, where manufactures typically bolt together large sections called “barrels” to optimize production.
    • Made of composite materials.

• The company claims its composite materials could make the aircraft among the most efficient ever built.

• SE Aeronautics also claims the airplane will have a 50-year service life. 

• The company told in an Robb Report, “We will also be able to build these aircraft in less than half the time it takes to normally build an aircraft of its size,” (Now that is bold)

• I’m just excited that new companies are pushing the design of jet airliners since it seems like it hasn’t changed in multiple decades. 

Decades after a tragic failure, gene therapy successfully treats a rare liver disease | Science Mag (31:23)

• Twenty-two years ago, one of scientists’ first attempts at gene therapy ended in tragedy when a young man died.

•  The story of Jesse Gelsinger, who had a rare liver disorder, became a textbook example of irresponsible medical research. 
  • Four days after receiving the therapy (shot of a modified virus to produce a gene needed) Jesse was declared brain dead and taken off life support.

• For years, the case hobbled efforts to treat diseases by adding new DNA to a sick person’s cells. 
  • Federal regulators found the study’s leader, UPenn gene therapist James Wilson, had violated regulations, including disregarding serious side effects in other trial subjects. UPenn paid a $500,000 fine.

• Now a small clinical trial for ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency is trying to breathe new life into this treatment avenue.
  • Sponsored by the company Ultragenyx.
  • OTC causes dangerously high ammonia levels in the blood and affects an estimated one in 50,000 people.

• Even though it hasn’t helped everyone in the trial there have been no serious safety problems. 
  • The trial, which has tested three AAV doses in 11 of a planned 12 patients, uncovered no serious safety problems.
    • Some patients had a rise in liver enzymes, which were treated with steroids. 

• Researchers reported that many of the 11 participants have been able to relax dietary restrictions and drop medications, including three who no longer need those measures at all.
  • 2 men and 1 woman 

• “It’s very heartening that this went well and there were no untoward effects and partial efficacy,” says geneticist Ada Hamosh of Johns Hopkins University, who treats patients with OTC deficiency. “After really rocky beginnings, people took the time to do the biology.” 
  • Resulting in better therapy.

• Jesse’s father, Paul Gelsinger, who is not a scientist but has followed the trial, agrees. “I think it’s great that Ultragenyx had the courage to take on OTC. … I also think it’s wonderful that they have achieved efficacy, even limited.”

• Canadian Josh McQuillin, 32, had a complete response after being treated 3 years ago: 
  • “It was life-changing … I was getting by before, but now I’m just like a normal person.” 

• Ultragenyx plans to launch a phase 3 trial later this year.