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UH engineers issue hot take on cold-steel: Finding hidden damage requires radar, AI

Researchers have developed a new framework to detect possible damage in concealed cold-formed steel construction framing materials, utilizing ground-penetrating radar and artificial intelligence. The technology allows for rapid detection of damage, enabling inspectors to verify only flagged spots without removing walls or cladding.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJournal of Computing in Civil Engineering·DateMar 5, 2026

SMART study reveals strategic flight connections key to attracting global business and investment

A new study by SMART has identified a strong statistical association between global air connectivity and patterns of multinational corporations' investments. The research found that few layovers meant more subsidiaries, with cities having better flight connections to influential hubs outperforming those with less-connected destinations.

Researchers uncover hidden airport hotspots in global wildlife trafficking using AI

A study published in Communications Earth & Environment reveals how AI can help combat global wildlife trafficking by identifying key airport nodes. Researchers analyzed nearly 2,000 airports and predicted 307 potentially involved airports, including two US airports that had not been previously flagged. The model also identified signif...

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 4, 2025

Exposure to aircraft noise linked to worse heart function

A new study found that exposure to high aircraft noise levels can lead to stiffer and thicker heart muscles, increasing the risk of poor heart function and major cardiac events. People exposed to night-time aircraft noise were particularly at risk, with increased risks of heart attacks, life-threatening rhythms, and strokes.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 8, 2025

Food allergy anxiety at 30,000 feet

A global survey of over 4,700 food allergy patients and families found airline travel to be a significant source of worry and anxiety. The study suggests that reasonable accommodations, such as pre-boarding and allergen-free zones, can reduce stress for travelers with food allergies.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Allergy·DateDec 5, 2024

Multi-objective multigraph feature extraction for the shortest path cost prediction

Researchers develop novel feature extraction methods for multigraphs to predict shortest path costs, improving airport operations and sustainability. The proposed statistics-based and learning-based approaches show promising results, outperforming traditional exact search algorithms in computational efficiency.

SourceGreen Energy and Intelligent Transportation·JournalGreen Energy and Intelligent Transportation·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 12, 2024

The West is best to spot UFOs

A new study analyzed 98,000 UAP sighting reports over a 20-year period, finding that the majority occurred in western parts of the US. The researchers identified 'hot spots' with high numbers of reports and 'cold spots' with low numbers.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 27, 2024

AI recognizes faces but not like the human brain

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that AI's deep convolutional neural networks can identify faces but struggle to capture other important information like emotional state and trustworthiness. Brain activity scans revealed a weak correlation between AI's codes and human brain represent...

SourceDartmouth College·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 10, 2023

Purdue Innovates Startup Foundry awards $200,000 in equity investment to Aerovy Mobility and Uniform Sierra Aerospace

Aerovy Mobility, a cloud solutions provider for electric aviation, received $140,000 from the Startup Foundry investment. The company plans to use the funds to launch its live operations tool, VEMS, at vertiports and airports worldwide. Uniform Sierra Aerospace, a drone manufacturer for public safety departments, also benefited from th...

Communities of color disproportionately exposed to PFAS pollution in drinking water

A new study links disproportionate siting of PFAS sources near watersheds serving communities with higher proportions of Black and Hispanic/Latino residents. The research suggests that regulating PFAS releases and ensuring safe drinking water is crucial in protecting public health, particularly in vulnerable communities.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 15, 2023

Exposure to airplane noise increases risk of sleeping fewer than 7 hours per night

A new study found that people exposed to moderate aircraft noise were less likely to get the minimum recommended sleep each night. The risk increased among those living near airports or large water bodies, as well as those with no hearing loss. Exposure levels as low as 45 dB were associated with short sleep duration.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalEnvironmental Health Perspectives·TypeObservational study·DateMay 1, 2023

Cracking the concrete code

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new type of metamaterial concrete that can be designed to have specific attributes like brittleness, flexibility, and shapeability. This material can generate electricity and can also be used to monitor damage inside concrete structures or earthquakes, reducing their impact o...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 21, 2023

Detecting the molecular vibration information faster and better by “stretching” time

Researchers have developed a new ultrafast infrared spectroscopy method that can detect molecular vibration information at high speeds. This method, called upconversion time-stretch infrared spectroscopy (UC-TSIR), provides over 30-fold more spectral elements and 400 times better spectral resolution than conventional methods.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalLight Science & Applications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 3, 2023

Study shows the majority of California’s coastal airports are vulnerable to increased flooding caused by climate change

A new study found that 39 out of 43 California's coastal airports have assets exposed to projected flooding by 2100. Sixteen airports have assets within their boundaries, while 23 have assets outside their jurisdiction at risk from flooding. The study highlights the need for collaborative climate adaptation plans to address this issue.

SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 5, 2022

Air pollution gets worse during winter at airports

Airports in colder climates accumulate more pollutants like PM2.5 during fall and winter months, posing a significant threat to human health and the climate. Researchers recommend targeted reduction of PM2.5 emissions, particularly in cold climate regions.

SourceMcGill University·JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research·DateJun 9, 2022

Tiny antenna enables portable biomedical, food-analysis, and other gadgets driven by integrated nano- and terahertz technologies

Researchers have designed a tiny and flat antenna for receiving and transmitting terahertz signals, enabling the miniaturization of THz devices. The new design integrates the antenna with the system, eliminating the need for bulky silicon lenses and reducing optical power required.

Airports could generate enough solar energy to power a city: Study

A study by RMIT University found that Australian government-owned airports could produce up to 10 times more electricity than residential panels in Bendigo, offsetting greenhouse gas emissions annually. The research suggests that installing large-scale rooftop solar systems at airports could power 136,000 homes and contribute towards a...

SourceRMIT University·JournalJournal of Building Engineering·DateApr 26, 2021

Keyhole wasps may threaten aviation safety

A study published in PLOS ONE found that keyhole wasps at Brisbane Airport were responsible for fully blocking replica pitot probes, which measure airspeed. The researchers emphasize the importance of developing risk-mitigating strategies to address this issue and highlight the potential consequences of not doing so.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 26, 2020