Sci/tech tidbits in and around New Hampshire
Silver lining from a crummy winter: Lower peak of energy need
This past winter in New England was several degrees warmer than usual (details depend on where exactly you are) and only had one real cold snap, which was terrible from the point of view of outdoor sports, wildlife and anybody with any sense. On the other hand, we...
NH patents through April 28
(Links to each patent can be found here, using the patent number or inventor’s name.) By Targeted News Service WASHINGTON – The following federal patents were assigned in New Hampshire through April 28. *** System and Method Improving Inbound Leads and Phone Calls...
Raw milk is always a bit risky; H5N1 makes it riskier
With the H5N1 virus (bird flu) showing up in milk from some U.S. cow herds (although not in NH so far), a question arises: What about raw milk? Pasteurization kills off viruses - that's the whole point - so is there a risk of getting bird flu or related illness if you...
It’s more likely than not to be a long, hot summer
The Northeast has a 50-60% chance of a hotter-than-normal summer this year, says NOAA. Ugh.
Electric school buses are about to hit the road in NH
The era of electric school buses has finally arrived in New Hampshire bringing less pollution, less road noise and maybe even students who are less rambunctious. “Anecdotally it brings the noise of the students down on the bus, because they’re not shouting over the...
Maine one-ups itself on giant 3-D printer making wood houses
I wrote last December (here) about the 3-D printer that the University of Maine has developed to print out a house, saying that a bigger one is coming. It has arrived, as the Associated Press reports: The world’s largest 3D printer has created a house that can cut...
Are dandelions good or bad for pollinators? Yes.
From UNH Extension: The sunny yellow flowerhead of the common dandelion is a familiar sight in New Hampshire lawns. Although long regarded as a pervasive weed, it has gained more positive attention in recent years for its potential to provide an early spring food...
28 years after an ‘e-mail course’, a professor ponders change
More than 28 years ago I interviewed Kenneth Levasseur, a professor at UMass-Lowell, about his innovative new project: A math class via email. In the resulting column I noted that the course, the school’s first official online class, would have students answer...
NH patents through April 21
(Links to each patent can be found here, using the patent number or inventor’s name.) By Targeted News Service WASHINGTON – The following federal patents were assigned in New Hampshire through April 21. *** Rod End With Locking Device for Struts ALBANY ENGINEERED...
Anti-vax bills get approval from GOP in NH House
A couple of anit-vaccine bills are making it through the GOP-controlled NH House. One would remove all vaccine requirements (including polio!) for children entering daycare or private kindergarten (HB 1213), leaving it in place only for public school. It also and...
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