Articles tagged with Vehicles
Researchers at James Cook University found sophisticated tactics being used to smuggle illicit alcohol into remote Indigenous communities. Sly grog traders sell alcohol for inflated prices, often up to 11 times its retail value. The study highlights the need for collaborative responses involving law enforcement and social services.
Researchers have developed virus-derived expression vectors as a potential gene therapy vehicle for treating various diseases. These vectors use viral sequences to silence specific genes or induce RNA interference, effectively downregulating viral replication and expressing therapeutic proteins.
A Penn State researcher has been awarded a grant to develop a 'hydrogen sponge' technology that could efficiently store hydrogen fuel for use in fuel cell vehicles. The technology uses supercritical liquid form to condense the gas, allowing for storage at ambient temperature and low-pressure conditions.
Researchers found that 20% of children involved in fatal crashes were unrestrained or inappropriately restrained. A 10% improvement in child restraint use could avert approximately 232 pediatric deaths per year.
Children are more severely injured from ATV-related accidents than adults, with data showing an estimated 99,600 injuries requiring emergency treatment in the US. The primary causes of these injuries include vehicle rollover, collision with stationary objects, and ejection from the vehicle.
The study successfully detected three magnitude 5 earthquakes since December 2016 without false alarms. Individual smartphones and 'smart' appliances could be part of a crowd-sourced network for earthquake early warnings in the future.
A new study from the University of Missouri suggests that diversifying retirement savings between traditional and post-tax accounts can help individuals make the most of their investments. The research model accounted for factors like age, income, and future tax policies to determine the optimal investment strategy.
A new study estimates that traumatic brain injuries in emergency departments had a total cost of $945 million over the lifetimes of those patients. Medical treatments and lost productivity accounted for $292 million and $653 million, respectively.
Researcher Keith Moored aims to understand the forces, energetics and flow physics of collective locomotion in schools of fish to develop optimized underwater vehicles. He will use a low-speed wind tunnel facility and particle image velocimetry system to characterize flow fields and forces acting on pitching wing models.
A new computer model is being developed to simulate the mechanical properties of snow and predict its behavior in various scenarios. This model will enable more accurate forecasts for avalanches and help determine the load on buildings caused by snow.
UC researchers successfully employed fuzzy logic in a simulation to show it is an ideal system for navigating under dynamic conditions. The concept, also known as genetic-fuzzy, allows drones to make good navigational decisions amid statistical noise and has real-world applications such as autonomous delivery.
The study reveals that veterinarian movements significantly contribute to the spread of diseases, with animal exchanges playing a synergistic role. This research can help develop more accurate tools for predicting disease outbreaks and implement effective biosecurity measures.
The US Preventive Services Task Force concludes that screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in asymptomatic adults lacks sufficient evidence to assess benefits and harms. Current evidence supports treatment with CPAP, but its applicability to screen-detected populations is unknown.
The proposed scheme considers vehicle shape and road width to minimize collisions and optimize path tracking. The model predictive control method effectively tracks the desired lateral position of road centerline, avoiding collisions and ensuring low energy consumption.
Mandatory ignition interlock laws are effective in reducing alcohol-involved fatal crashes, preventing approximately 1,250 fatalities. States with such laws have seen a seven percent decrease in the rate of fatal crashes with at least one driver having a blood alcohol content over the legal limit.
A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals that drivers missing 1-2 hours of sleep nearly double their risk for a crash. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 35% of U.S. drivers sleep less than seven hours daily.
Researchers at UTA will lead a collaborative effort to use UAVs for remote inspection of highways and railroads. The project aims to develop guidelines for safe and efficient use of UAVs, leveraging their advantages in speed, safety, and cost compared to human on-site inspections.
A new study presents alarming data on chest injuries in pediatric patients after all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents. The study found that pulmonary contusion, pneumothorax, and rib fractures were common, with 8 children dying from their injuries.
The spherical mechanical seal's performance is influenced by structure size, including radius, stator-ring distance, and diameter. Increasing the spherical radius reduces contact area but raises temperature and pressure.
A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that Supreme Court justices are less likely to side with briefs using flashy adjectives and emotionally charged language. Using minimal emotional language increases a petitioner's chances of winning by 29%, while respondents can win with certainty when using objective tone.
A University of Washington study found that wait times for an Uber ride are shorter in lower-income neighborhoods, with average waiting times ranging from under four minutes to over 10 minutes across the city. Lower-income areas have a shorter average waiting time compared to wealthier neighborhoods.
Researchers argue that lowering the speed limit would reduce fatalities and serious injuries for pedestrians and cyclists. A study found that a 10km/h difference can lead to significant safety gains, with slower speeds allowing for longer reaction times and greater braking distance.
Research shows that adults with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are twice as likely to die from an unintentional injury. Changes in cognition and balance increase the risk of subsequent injuries. A patient-centered assessment tool can help identify risks and prevent further injuries.
A nationwide Danish registry study has found that patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) are at a higher risk of motor vehicle accidents compared to age- and gender-matched controls. The study included 4874 ICD patients and a control group of 9748 subjects, and found a 51% increased risk of motor vehicle accident...
Airbags and seat belts significantly reduce the likelihood of facial fractures in motor vehicle collisions. The study found that using an airbag alone reduced the risk by 18%, a seat belt by 43%, and combining both devices by 53%. Facial fractures were more common among young males who used alcohol during the collision.
Researchers used behavioral science techniques to increase online license plate renewals in Ontario, resulting in a 42% increase and a 5-point gain in on-time renewals. The study's findings suggest that simple changes to messaging can lead to significant savings.
A study found that reintroducing cougars to the Eastern US could lower deer-vehicle collision rates by 22%, preventing five human fatalities and 680 injuries annually. This would also save $50 million in costs over 30 years, as large cats thin deer populations.
Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a soft motor that enables torque without bending, making it suitable for search and rescue missions, deep space exploration, and manipulating objects during MRI. The squishy wheels allow for passive suspensions in wheeled vehicles, making the design simple yet effective.
A team of engineers from Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory have developed an innovative approach to stabilize supercavitation bubbles, reducing the pulsation and noise that can occur during underwater vehicle movement. By applying a sinusoidal air flow variation, they were able to suppress pulsation states in many cases, allowin...
A study by Queensland University of Technology found that drivers can see trains from a distance, but struggle to estimate their speed. On average, drivers overestimated the train's speed by 36% at 750m away and 29% at 350m away.
Researchers found that dynamic dazzle patterns can distort perceived speed, causing a targeting error of up to 2m for a Land Rover. The effect remains even with only a small patch of the pattern visible, providing potential applications for camouflage on vehicles with central doors.
The University of Bath has been awarded two Innovate UK grants to lead separate projects investigating different aspects of a vehicle's exhaust system, aiming to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The research will focus on two new ways to utilize waste thermal energy to enhance fuel economy in future vehicles.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a new algorithm to reduce massive amounts of connected traffic data, enabling real-time information to be provided to users. The HTGD approach identifies similar communities in the data and finds the shortest route at the highest level, reducing search space and increasing effici...
Researchers at the University of Delaware have successfully programmed underwater robots to independently analyze data and trigger new missions based on real-time information. This technology has the potential to reveal new details about prey movement and behavior in the ocean.
Researchers found that drivers are more than double their crash risk when engaging in distracting activities such as using a handheld cell phone or reading. The study analyzed over 1,600 verified crash events and found that being in an emotional state, traveling above the speed limit, and performance errors increase driver risk. In con...
A team of scientists used a robotic vehicle to track and image white sharks in the ocean, providing critical data for conservation efforts. The research revealed that great whites hunt seals from below, using the clear waters off Guadalupe Island to ambush their prey.
New research from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that nearly 40% of shift workers who participated in a test drive after a night shift were involved in a near-crash event. The study demonstrated an increased risk of drowsy driving related motor vehicle crashes, especially during the daytime commute.
PolyU researchers develop integrated algorithm to estimate real-time journey time and traffic speed, taking into account uncertainty and on-time arrival probability. The system offers personalized driving routes with enhanced reliability, saving time and petrol for motorists.
Research suggests that diesel fumes, containing toxic nitrous oxide (NOx), can alter five common floral odours that bees rely on for finding food. This could have a worse impact on bee populations than previously thought, highlighting the need to address air pollution from vehicles.
Researchers at MIT have fabricated and tested a large-scale model of a harbor seal's whisker, identifying a mechanism that explains how seals sense their environment and track prey. The team found that the whisker's 'slaloming' motion helps seals detect turbulence left by moving objects.
African countries face a significant burden of traumatic brain injury, with the majority resulting from motor vehicle accidents. Developing accurate surveillance systems and public health measures is crucial to reducing the risk and impact of TBI.
A study by Chalmers University of Technology and partners analyzed EU and US vehicle safety standards. EU-regulated vehicles offered reduced risk of serious injury in frontal/side crashes, while US-regulated vehicles provided a lower risk of injury in rollovers.
Researchers found that intoxication and distractions further impair driving abilities, even at low blood alcohol levels. The study suggests reducing the legal limit may not be enough to ensure safe driving.
The National Oceanography Centre has launched a robot technology to measure UK's marine wildlife in the Celtic Sea, working with WWF. The two vehicles will investigate why certain areas are attractive to marine predators like dolphins and seabirds., The mission aims to increase understanding of marine animals' habitats and behaviors.
Researchers at FAU will use unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) to conduct on-water bridge inspections, reducing costs and improving efficiency. The USV-based system will enable automated inspection of bridge pilings and supports, overcoming challenges such as fast-flowing tidal currents and difficult underwater conditions.
Scientists have discovered opalescent pools in the Santorini volcano's crater containing high concentrations of carbon dioxide. The pools' unique properties may hold answers to questions about deepsea carbon storage and provide a means of monitoring the volcano for future eruptions.
A University of Toronto study found that augmented-reality displays on windshields can reduce driving accuracy and increase the risk of accidents. Drivers must divide their attention between road conditions and digital warnings, leading to slower reaction times and missed warnings.
A study found that over half of seniors injured in motor vehicle crashes were still taking pain medication six months later. The results highlighted the need for effective management of acute pain in older adults to prevent negative consequences on function and quality of life.
Research from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that stricter driver licensing laws in Massachusetts led to a 40% reduction in fatal crashes among 16-17 year old drivers. Police-reported crashes decreased by 19%, with nighttime crashes dropping by 29%.
Researcher Taylor Johnson aims to predict and control emergent behavior in cyber-physical systems, which can lead to unexpected performance or safety issues. He will develop formal specifications and verification methods to identify and mitigate potential problems.
Researchers have demonstrated autonomous locomotion in large self-powered soft liquid metal vehicles. The vehicles can divide into smaller ones while maintaining their motion and reunite seamlessly when close to each other.
A new nationwide data inventory, DARTE, provides a baseline for local efforts to limit carbon dioxide levels by tracking vehicle emissions across the US. The study highlights the need for accurate information to improve greenhouse gas control efforts in cities and suburbs.
Research found that child pedestrian injuries involving motor vehicles most frequently occur when children are unsupervised near schools and bus stops during the spring months. The study identified injury clusters near these locations, which can help guide prevention strategies in urban settings.
Researchers at VIMS have developed an underwater robot that uses acoustic signals to gauge the thickness of oil slicks, a crucial step in determining spill volume. The ROV will aid in testing oil-spill-response tools and provide a platform for developing other sensors.
Obstructive sleep apnea significantly increases the risk of motor vehicle accidents, with patients being nearly 2.5 times more likely to be involved in an accident. Effective treatment with CPAP therapy can reduce this risk by up to 70%, according to a new study published in Sleep.
A University of Texas at Arlington researcher has been awarded a $220,000 Caltrans project to analyze and evaluate California's bridge foundations for safety and compliance with federal AASHTO standards. The research will also consider external factors such as vehicle load, weight, speed, and earthquakes.
A new study finds that driving electric vehicles powered by renewable energy can reduce air pollution-related deaths by up to 70%. The research also shows that switching to natural gas-powered electricity or vehicles yields significant health benefits. In contrast, vehicles running on corn ethanol or coal-based electricity would increa...
A study by University of Northern British Columbia researchers found that drivers just older than the legal drinking age had a significant increase in motor vehicle crashes compared to those immediately under the restriction. Raising the drinking age to 19 years could prevent up to 583 police-reported collisions per year.
A new study found that teen drivers who start class earlier in the morning are involved in significantly more motor vehicle accidents. The results suggest that early high school start times contribute to teens' reduced sleep and increased risk of drowsy driving accidents, including run-off-road crashes.
A national sample of firefighters found that sleep disorders are highly prevalent among the group. Firefighters with a sleep disorder were more likely to report a motor vehicle crash, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and poorer health status compared to those without the condition.