View H1N1 Swine Flu in a larger map

Is this the pandemic we were told would come? The CDC and WHO are taking the threat seriously. According to the CDC the common cold (influenza) more than 200,000 persons are hospitalized for flu-related complications each year. About 36,000 Americans die on average per year from the complications of flu.

It isn’t clear the H1N1 is as virulent or deadly.

H1N1 Swine flu in 2009
Pink markers are suspect
Purple markers are confirmed or probable
Deaths lack a dot in marker
Yellow markers are negative

(See also: GoogleMaps: Swine Flu)
(See also: GoogleMaps: Swine Flue — more frequent updates)
(See also: fluecount.org: based on lab data)
(See also: CDC Travel Notices)
(See also: WHO: Epidemic and Pandemic Alert Response (EPR))
(See also: XKCD: Twitter swine flu search results)

(See also: YahooNEWS: WHO to stop using term ’swine flu’ to protect pigs)

Art imitates life once again at Festo. Their eyes glow an erie blue though the bird’s movement through the water is remarkably natural. Festo has produced a robotic penguin with 3D sonar navigation.

The robot is a study in the efficiency of natural design. As a hydrodynamic volume penguin bodies produce 20 to 30% less resistance than bodies developed by traditional engineering methods. Festo models show Adélie penguins as so efficient, if they operated on gasoline, they would be able to travel ~1500 kilometers through bitter Antarctic waters on a liter of fuel.

The robotic penguins are designed as autonomous underwater vehicles that navigate independently. In groups their sophisticated 3D sonar allows them to avoid collisions, interact and potentially work collaboratively.

Check out the video here.

Alles auf Deutch.

(See also: Festo: AquaPenguin)
(See also: Festo: AquaPenguin brochure)
(See also: Wikipedia: Adélie Penguin)

This map shows all reported piracy and armed robbery incidents from the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre during 2009. If exact coordinates are not available, estimated positions are shown based on information provided. Typical GoogleMaps functions are available: zoom-in and click on pointers to view more information. Multiple incidents may be superimposed.

Additionally, there is an interesting exhibit at the Field Museum of Chicago called ‘Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah, From Slave Ship to Pirate Ship‘.

This is not a new problem. What would happen if we returned to old solutions?

(See also: ICC: IMB Live Piracy Map 2009)
(See also: Field Museum: Pirates)

Three individuals independently sent me a link to this video this morning. Truly as astounding level of force applied to a small car. Look at the expressions on their faces as the second stage engages.

(See also: YouTube: Mythbusters Rocket Car Pancake)
(See also: DiscoveryChannel: Mythbusters)

Social Media tools can create useful links between Big Science and Small Science. Examples include collaborative efforts within genomics, cancer research, space exploration, and high energy physics. I will discuss existing methods and future opportunities.

(See also: SlikeShare: Social Connections in Scientific Research)
(See also: MinneWebCon 09)