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Carbon footprint of conference travel

Researchers at ISTA quantify the environmental impact of international conference travel, finding that train travel can significantly reduce carbon emissions. The study shows that traveling to an overseas conference generates a substantial carbon footprint of four to five tons per participant.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Stepping for digital rewards

A study found that users who exchanged daily walking steps for digital train tickets increased their walking by an average of 626.2 steps/day. Those using shopping coupon incentives walked 715.2 steps/day more on average than non-users. The results suggest effective promotion of active travel through well-designed mHealth apps.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Study finds dramatic boost in air quality from electrifying railways

A new study found that electrifying the Caltrain commuter rail line reduced riders' exposure to black carbon by an average of 89%, cutting excess cancer deaths by 51 per 1 million people. The study's findings support the case for electrifying U.S. rail systems, which still rely on old diesel locomotives.

Could the Summerville ghost lantern be an earthquake light?

If the Summerville phenomenon is an earthquake light, it might be that shallow earthquakes in the area released water-soluble gases like radon or methane, which were then ignited by static electricity or rock movement. Gas detectors could potentially test this hypothesis.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Switching planes for trains to decarbonise the great British getaway

A new study suggests that a significant proportion of UK holiday flights could be replaced with rail travel, resulting in substantial reductions in carbon emissions. The researchers found that most British people do not travel far for their holidays, making rail a viable alternative for short-haul flights.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Longer freight trains have a higher risk of derailment, new study shows

A new study published in Risk Analysis has found that longer freight trains are more likely to experience derailments, with a 100-car train being over twice as likely to derail than a 50-car train. This increase in risk could lead to higher rates of accidents and greater safety concerns for the rail transport system.

Is a train’s risk of derailment affected by its length?

A new study published in Risk Analysis found that longer freight trains are more likely to derail compared to shorter trains. The research, which analyzed US freight train accidents between 2013-2022, showed a 24% higher risk for 200-car trains.

Coal train pollution increases health risks and disparities

A new study from the University of California, Davis found that coal train pollution has significant health effects disproportionately impacting communities of color and low-income populations. The study estimates that six additional deaths may occur annually among exposed populations under severe scenarios.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Safe train transport

Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers reconstructed crude oil transport paths by linking geotagged images with national railway networks. The study found that these inferred routes aligned with approximately 96% of documented incidents, highlighting potential risks along rail routes.

Railways could be a key 'utility player' for backup power

Researchers found that rail-based mobile energy storage can cost-effectively provide backup power for extreme events, potentially saving the power sector up to 60% of transmission line costs. The US rail network has the capacity to bring energy where it's needed, and this technology could work well in regions with robust freight capaci...

Coal trains increase air pollution in San Francisco bay area

A recent study by the University of California, Davis found that coal trains and terminal operations significantly increase fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in urban areas, contributing to serious health problems. The study also highlighted the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Extinction of steam locomotives derails assumptions about biological evolution

A team of paleontologists used the history of steam engines to test competitive exclusion theory, finding limited evidence supporting its role in extinction. The researchers analyzed data on tractive effort, revealing that newer engines generated more power, making steam locomotives less efficient and eventually obsolete.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

New measurements show high air pollution in the Copenhagen metro

Measurements taken by University of Copenhagen researchers show high air pollution levels in the Copenhagen metro, with ultra-small particles 10-20 times higher than on heavily trafficked streets. The pollution comes mainly from trains' brakes and rails, posing a health risk to frequent users.

Environment: Ultrafine particles prevalent in London Underground air pollution

A recent study published in Scientific Reports found ultrafine magnetic iron oxide particles in London Underground air pollution, with average diameter of 10 nanometres. The authors propose that improved air pollution monitoring and efforts to reduce pollution levels could help mitigate health risks associated with exposure to these pa...

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Are we there yet? Time slows down on a crowded train

Research finds that crowding on public transit makes time seem to pass more slowly, with rushed commutes feeling significantly longer. The study used virtual reality simulations of subway rides and found that crowded trips took around 10% longer than less crowded ones.

The push to cashless transit fare leaves some riders behind

A multi-year study found that cashless fare systems can exclude lower-income riders due to lack of access to smartphones, internet, and banking services. Maintaining cash options can mitigate this issue, offering a more equitable solution for all riders.

KTP grant enables SME to take key role in rail electrification

A Huddersfield-based company has partnered with the University of Huddersfield to leverage a Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP) and develop modernized products for the rail industry. The partnership aims to reduce material usage, increase efficiency, and lower costs through the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Snowplow drivers utilizing high-tech simulators to improve skills

A joint project between UDOT, GE Driver Development, and the University of Utah aims to enhance snowplow driver skills using state-of-the-art simulation technology. The training will focus on controlling speed, maintaining tandem position, and communication with other operators in a simulated winter environment.

Fiber-optic sensors detect damaged rails and faulty wheels

Researchers developed fiber-optic sensors to detect flaws in rails and wheels, improving train safety by pinpointing location, speed, and damage. The palm-sized sensors offer a fast and cost-effective method to detect deformities in rail-car wheels, reducing the risk of derailment.