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Escaping wildfires

Researchers developed a mapping tool to help fire crews make crucial safety decisions with an eagle's eye view. The study used LiDAR technology to analyze terrain slope, ground surface roughness and vegetation density, revealing the impact on travel rates and escape route efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalInternational Journal of Wildland Fire·DateSep 25, 2017

Seeing the forest through the trees with a new LiDAR system

Researchers from the Naval Research Laboratory have created a new LiDAR system that can survey obscured ground using gated digital holography methods. This technology allows for 3D topography surveys through foliage or other obstacles, with potential applications in disaster relief and self-driving cars.

SourceOptica·DateJun 27, 2017

Legends of the lost reservoirs

Researchers uncover sophisticated irrigation and water-management techniques used by ancient Puebloans in the American Southwest, including the use of corn as a water-intensive crop. The team's findings shed light on how past societies managed their environment and survive in dry deserts, informing modern sustainability strategies.

Camera chip provides superfine 3-D resolution

A new nanophotonic coherent imager (NCI) developed at Caltech uses an inexpensive silicon chip to provide the highest depth-measurement accuracy of any such device. The NCI produces high-resolution 3D images with micron-level resolution, enabling applications in 3D scanning and printing, driverless cars, and human machine interfaces.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalOptics Express·DateApr 3, 2015

Researchers get a rabbit's-eye view

The study uses LiDAR and remote sensing to create detailed maps of vegetation cover that provide concealment for prey, helping researchers understand the impact of human activities on wildlife habitats. The findings have implications for land management decisions and restoration of landscapes.

SourceWashington State University·JournalBioScience·DateDec 3, 2014

October LITHOSPHERE delivered online

Recent studies in Lithosphere magazine reveal that vertical-axis rotations can significantly impact shortening estimates with potential errors of up to 14%. Additionally, researchers investigate non-Pratt component of oceanic isostasy, finding a dynamic response within the Earth's mantle necessary for equilibrium. Meanwhile, pulsed def...

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalLithosphere·DateSep 25, 2012

Quantum computers could help search engines keep up with the Internet's growth

Researchers at USC have demonstrated that quantum computing can potentially speed up web page ranking calculations, making it easier for search engines to keep up with the ever-expanding Internet. The study showed that a quantum computer could return the ranking of the most important pages in the web faster than traditional computers.

SourceUniversity of Southern California·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 12, 2012

BSSA tip sheet for June 2011

Researchers found that a buried mangrove layer in the Caribbean dampens seismic waves, reducing liquefaction risk. A new active fault was also identified near Lake Tahoe using LiDAR technology, potentially threatening the area with a magnitude 6.4-6.9 earthquake.

SourceSeismological Society of America·JournalBulletin of the Seismological Society of America·DateJun 6, 2011

Next generation digital maps are laser sharp

A new study reveals that airborne laser elevation (lidar) surveys provide a 10-fold improvement in topographical feature measurement precision. This technology adds greater clarity to mapping streams and rivers, allowing for better habitat analysis and restoration. The results have significant implications for various fields such as fo...

SourceBoston College·JournalEos·DateFeb 12, 2009