Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Better Face Masks Are Possible: Here Are Some Winning Designs

Sponsored by Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    
June 14, 2022

Dear Reader,

A competition called the Mask Innovation Challenge recently announced 10 finalists. The potential masks of tomorrow include a few winners made from transparent materials, an origami-inspired folded design, a strap-free version that sticks directly to the wearer's skin, and even one design that blocks particles without directly touching the face.

Sophie Bushwick, Associate Editor, Technology

Public Health

Better Face Masks Are Possible: Here Are Some Winning Designs

A two-part competition aims to spark innovation and connect the groups trying to redesign high-quality masks that protect against COVID

By Sophie Bushwick

Artificial Intelligence

AI Can Predict Potential Nutrient Deficiencies from Space

New work maps a region's nutrient landscape

By Rachel Berkowitz

Public Health

We Need to Improve Indoor Air Quality: Here's How and Why

Upgrading buildings' ventilation, filtration and other factors would not only decrease COVID transmission but also improve health and cognitive performance in general

By Tanya Lewis

Weather

The 'Wall of Wind' Can Blow Away Buildings at Category 5 Hurricane Strength

The test facility is helping engineers design safer homes—but it's not powerful enough to mimic the stronger hurricanes fueled by climate change

By The Conversation US,Richard Olson,Ameyu B. Tolera,Arindam Chowdhury,Ioannis Zisis

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial General Intelligence Is Not as Imminent as You Might Think

A close look reveals that the newest systems, including DeepMind's much-hyped Gato, are still stymied by the same old problems

By Gary Marcus

Privacy

Political Affiliation Influences Our Fear of Data Collection

It's not government Americans don't trust with their data; it's the opposite political party

By Samuel Dooley,Angelica Goetzen,Elissa M. Redmiles

Defense

Kyiv Cruise Missile Strike Highlights Need to Protect U.S. Cities

A top U.S. commander wants to test technology that can better defend domestic targets

By Jason Sherman

Computing

The Weather Myth: Lost Women of Science Podcast, Season 2, Bonus Episode

When we first started researching Klára Dán von Neumann, we thought she was "the computer scientist you should thank for your smartphone's weather app." It turns out that's not true

By Katie Hafner,The Lost Women of Science Initiative

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"We are very much in the dark about whether computers could be conscious--and if they could be, how that might be achieved."

Jim Davies, Scientific American

FROM THE ARCHIVE

Why We Need to Upgrade Our Face Masks--and Where to Get Them

High-quality respirators such as N95s and KN95s are now widely available and provide the best protection against COVID, according to experts. Why aren't more people wearing them?

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