Sci/tech tidbits in and around New Hampshire
N.H. COVID numbers still look good-ish
(This column ran Monday with data from the previous week. Different data and different analysis can produce different conclusions, as I noted in this item in the paper Tuesday.) It’s a journalistic truism that, human nature being what it is, bad news sells papers....
Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, with live music
I have a feeling that a large percentage of my readers like old-time silent films, especially comedies. There's something about that pre-digital era that appeals to geek fans, as "steampunk" demonstrates. So let me make a pitch for my local indie movie house, the...
COVID deaths and doubling time
One of the measures of population growth is "doubling time" - the time it takes for a population to double in size. I've been tracking the total number of COVD-related deaths in New Hampshire (as compared to the average daily number, which is what I've been tracking...
Breeding isn’t resurrecting the chestnut tree; genetic engineering might
A long-running attempt to resurrect the American chestnut tree from the blight that virtually exterminated it – an attempt that can be seen in a Plymouth “germplasm conservation orchard” among other places – is now running on two tracks, one with traditional...
With KSC students returning, Keene eyes sewage as a COVID early warning system
Analyzing sewage from a wastewater treatment system for evidence of VODI-19 in the population is an interesting idea that's getting lots of attention - such as the Massachusetts firm Biobot, which is running pilot projects around the country. Keene State College is...
New Hampshire’s 603 area code is safe – but it could be safer
One of the iconic symbols of New Hampshire, our 603 area code, is safe for now but a tweak to the telecommunications system would make it even safer, not to mention helping keep the whole country from having to dial 11 or even 12 digits to make a call. That’s the...
New pathways could help treat RNA viruses
From UNH News Service: Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have identified new pathways in an RNA-based virus where inhibitors, like medical treatments, unbind. The finding could be beneficial in understanding how these inhibitors react and potentially help...
COVID tracking numbers remain good but slow test results are a concern
This is the Monitor’s latest weekly look at measurements of four goals designed to give a sense of how well New Hampshire is doing at controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. The numbers continue looking good. Before we get to the details, however, let’s consider an...
New laws include how to pay for energy storage & Lyme disease testing
Although Gov. Sununu likes to veto bill he does sign some into effect. Two are of Granite Geek interest: One directing the Public Utilities Commission to figure out how to "compensate energy storage projects based on the savings those projects can bring to utility...
N.H. patents through July 19
By Targeted News Service The following patents were assigned in New Hampshire from July 12 to July 19. *** Hypertherm Assigned Patent for Plasma Arc Cutting System, Including Retaining Caps Hypertherm, Hanover, New Hampshire, has been assigned a patent (No....
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