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Smarter flight decisions can cool the planet, UC Irvine study shows

A new study from UC Irvine reveals that airlines can make smarter tradeoff decisions to cut aviation's warming impact. The study found that even a 3-5% reduction in contrails or NOx emissions can outweigh a 1% increase in CO2 emissions over a 100-year period.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNature·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 2, 2025

Robot flies like a bird

A robotic bird model with real pigeon feathers replicates the continuous adjustments made by birds to stabilize their flight. The robot's algorithm enables rudderless flight, a long-sought innovation in aviation that could lead to more fuel-efficient airplanes and improved jet fighter operations.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalScience Robotics·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 20, 2024
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Aircraft can get higher and greener from doped fuels

A team of UBCO researchers developed a recipe for a clean-burning, power-boosting aircraft fuel by adding graphene oxide nanomaterials to ethanol. This mixture improves the burn rate by about eight per cent, reducing carbon footprint and increasing engine power.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalCombustion and Flame·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 2, 2021

Why corporations don't always 'learn' their way to success

A new study suggests that companies don't always learn from their experiences, but instead self-select successful activities to repeat. This is particularly true for infrequent and complex business activities like new product introductions, where learning may be negligible.

SourceOhio State University·JournalStrategic Management Journal·DateOct 20, 2015

Aircraft cause precipitation, hole-punch clouds

Research found that aircraft can seed mid-level clouds, causing narrow bands of snow or rain to develop. The study also discovered that water droplets at subfreezing temperatures are key to forming these holes in the clouds.

SourceNational Center for Atmospheric Research/University Corporation for Atmospheric Research·JournalBulletin of the American Meteorological Society·DateJun 14, 2010