Tag: science

  • Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from…Venus?

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    Brendan Barry
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    If you didn’t hear the news, scientists have discovered a compound in the atmosphere of Venus. They’ve also ruled out a number of the normal ways the compound is created, and we’re left with two possibilities: some kind of unknown chemistry/chemical process or…aliens. It’s got to be aliens. Because it’s Friday. And because it’s Friday,…

  • Wear a Mask

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    Brendan Barry
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    It sounds so easy, but too many don’t do it. Yesterday, Agence France-Presse published an article about a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association that examined the efficacy of the coronavirus’ airborne spread potential. The study centred on a bus trip in eastern China from January, before the widespread adoption of…

  • All the Little Spacecraft

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    Brendan Barry
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    Early tomorrow morning, weather permitting, NASA’s Perseverance rover will blast off from Cape Canaveral on a six-plus month trip to Mars. There, hopefully it will land successfully and join all the rovers that have come before. And so this piece from the New York Times feels appropriate. It’s a great illustration of all the spacecraft…

  • The Spread of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania

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    Brendan Barry
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    Over the last several days, along with most of the country, I’ve taken an interest in the spread of the novel coronavirus named COVID-19. Though, to be fair, it’s actually been in the news since early January, though early news reports like this from the Times, simply called it a mysterious new virus.  At the…

  • Urban Heat Islands

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    Brendan Barry
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    Yesterday was the first day of 32º+C (90º+F) in Philadelphia in October in 78 years. Gross. But it made me remember this piece last month from NPR that looked at the correlation between extreme urban heat islands and areas of urban poverty. In addition to the narrative—well worth the read—the piece makes use of choropleths…

  • Wicked Hot Islands

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    Brendan Barry
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    Though the temperatures might not always feel it, at least in Philadelphia, summer is ending and autumn beginning. Consequently I wanted to share this neat little work that explores urban heat islands. Specifically, this post’s author looks at Massachusetts and starts with a screenshot of the Boston area. The author points out that the Boston…

  • The Map

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    Brendan Barry
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    I mean come on, guys, did you really expect me to not touch this one? Well we made it to Friday, and naturally in the not so serious we have to cover the sharpie map. Because, if the data does not agree with your opinions, clearly the correct response is to just make shit up.…

  • We’re All Just Palm Trees and Patio Furniture in the Wind

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    Brendan Barry
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    For all my American readers, I hope you all enjoyed their Labour Day holiday. For the rest of you, today is just a Tuesday. Unless you live in the Bahamas, then today is just another nightmarish day as Hurricane Dorian continues his assault on the islands. The storm will be one for the record books when…

  • Hotter Muggier Faster

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    Brendan Barry
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    Last week we looked at a few posts that showed the future impact of climate change at both a global and US-level scale. In the midst of last week and those articles, the Washington Post looked backwards at the past century or so to identify how quickly the US has changed. Spoiler: some places are…

  • How Warm Will It Get?

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    Brendan Barry
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    In Philadelphia, this summer has been warmer than average. But with most recent years being warmer than average, that might not mean much. However, a valid question is that with climate change, how much warmer will the city get on average? The BBC recently published an article that explored the temperature changes in cities around the…