Links

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/perseid-shower-2018_us_5b6c5ab2e4b0ae32af9603dd
Aug. 9, 2018
The annual Perseid meteor shower is set to peak this weekend and offer a brilliant night sky, according to NASA.
Though the Perseids can be spotted between July 17 and Aug. 24, the best views will be from Sunday at 4 p.m. to Monday at 4 a.m. EST, when the night is nearly moonless. Observers will be able to see between 60 and 70 meteors per hour during the peak.
The view is expected to be exceptional this year because the showers coincide with a new moon. 
Those who live in mid-northern latitudes will be able to enjoy the best views, according to NASA. People can look directly overhead to see the meteors, as long as they are in a dark area without too much light pollution. For city residents, parks can offer relief from light to watch the streaks.
Your eyes can take up to 30 minutes to adjust to the dark, NASA said.


http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-opioid-overdose-letter-20180809-story.html
Aug. 9, 2018
Coroner sent letters to doctors whose patients died of opioid overdoses. Doctors' habits quickly changed


http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20180723-the-commas-that-cost-companies-millions?utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20180723-the-commas-that-cost-companies-millions&utm_campaign=bang-mult-nl-good-morning-silicon-valley-nl&utm_content=manual
July 23, 2018
For most people, a stray comma isn’t the end of the world. But in some cases, the exact placement of a punctuation mark can cost huge sums of money.


http://www.climatecentral.org/news/us-faces-a-rise-in-mosquito-disease-danger-days-21903
Aug. 8, 2018
Among the many consequences of human-caused climate change is a change in the pattern, incidence and location of some diseases spread by biting mosquitoes, ticks and flies. These diseases pose a significant public health challenge globally, including in the United States.
The number of mosquito “disease danger days” is increasing across much of the U.S. as temperatures rise, representing a greater risk for transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. And even though mosquitoes are often just an itch-inducing nuisance, the consequences can be deadly.
Importantly, climate change may also actually make some locations too hot for mosquito survival and disease transmission. For example, there are fewer disease danger days in Phoenix since 1970. This is likely because the number of days above 95 degrees Fahrenheit in Phoenix is also going up, and 95 degrees is beyond the range of disease transmission.
Out of the 244 cities in the analysis, only 12 (5 percent) are seeing a decrease in the number of disease danger days during this time period.
Our analysis did not consider winter temperatures, and in some of the cities analyzed, diseases can still be transmitted during that time. As climate change increases temperatures during winter months, transmission could become possible year-round in some places across the continental U.S., beginning with South Florida.


https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-administration-overrides-endangered-species-protections-prioritize-water/story?id=57115350
Aug. 8, 2018
The Trump administration says that water in California should be prioritized for wildfire response instead of endangered species protections, even though state officials say they have enough water to fight the fires.
The Department of Commerce announced a directive on Wednesday that says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is taking over management of water in California in areas affected by the ongoing fires.
The change announced Wednesday would allow federal agencies to expedite decisions about water under an emergency provision of the Endangered Species Act.
The directive specifically says that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which includes the National Marine Fisheries Service, will take over management of water during the wildfire emergency in California. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross directed the Service to tell other federal agencies "the protection of life and property takes precedence over any current agreements regarding the use of water in the areas of California affected by wildfires."


https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/htcs-bob080618.php
Public Release: 8-Aug-2018
Boxers or briefs? Loose-fitting underwear may benefit sperm production


https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/sfi-ooy080318.php
Public Release: 8-Aug-2018
Out of your league? Study shows most online daters seek more desirable mates than themselves
Santa Fe Institute


https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/w-dcm080718.phphttps://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/w-dcm080718.php
Public Release: 8-Aug-2018
Dental care may benefit patients scheduled for cancer surgery


https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/tl-tlp080718.php
Public Release: 8-Aug-2018
The Lancet Psychiatry: Exercise linked to improved mental health, but more may not always be better
More exercise was not always better, and the study found that exercising for 45 minutes three to five times a week was associated with the biggest benefits.


https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/uot-ucd080618.php
ublic Release: 8-Aug-2018
UToledo chemists discover how blue light speeds blindness
Blue light from digital devices and the sun transforms vital molecules in the eye's retina into cell killers, according to optical chemistry research at the University of Toledo
University of Toledo


https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/apa-yoa080118.php
Aug. 9, 2018
Could increasing your physical activity or feeling more in control of your life be the secret to staying young? Employing these simple strategies may help older adults feel younger and that, in turn, could help improve their cognitive abilities, longevity and overall quality of life, according to research presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association.
"Research suggests that a younger subjective age, or when people feel younger than their chronological age, is associated with a variety of positive outcomes in older individuals, including better memory performance, health and longevity," said presenter Jennifer Bellingtier, PhD, of Friedrich Schiller University. "Our research suggests that subjective age changes on a daily basis and older adults feel significantly younger on days when they have a greater sense of control."


https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/joso-hat080318.php
Public Release: 9-Aug-2018
Higher alcohol taxes are cost-effective in reducing alcohol harms
Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs


https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/uotf-mth080918.php
[I observed this once. The only reason the motorist didn't run down the pedestrian, who was crossing on his pedestrian light, as that the pedestrian jumped several feet to the curb to get out of the car's way.]
Public Release: 9-Aug-2018
More than half of drivers don't look for cyclists and pedestrians before turning right
U of T Engineering researchers tracked drivers' eye movements to examine how attention is divided during turning, revealing that many fail to shoulder check -- especially those who frequently drive downtown
University of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering


https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/uog-nad080918.php
Aug. 9, 2018
If the global population adopted recommended North American dietary guidelines, there wouldn't be enough land to provide the food required, according to a new study co-authored by University of Guelph researchers.
The researchers found that global adherence to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines would require one giga-hectare of additional land--roughly the size of Canada--under current farming practice. Their findings were published in PLOS ONE today.


https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-08/vumc-ydb080918.php
Public Release: 9-Aug-2018
Young drinkers beware: Binge drinking may cause stroke, heart risks
Vanderbilt University Medical Center