Short Takes – 4-11-24

Holes in the ‘holey graphyne’ story. ChemistryWorld.com commentary. Pull quote: “This metric-driven enterprise generates a torrent of problematic papers, which leave an indelible mark on the global body of knowledge and create serious consequences for science and society. Peer-reviewed studies, regarded as credible and authoritative, inform clinical treatments, policy decisions and funding allocation. Despite the common belief that science self-corrects, most flawed papers evade retraction, as even senior academics often hesitate to criticise their potential reviewers. For the same reason, open discussions of questionable research practices are a very recent development.”

5.25-inch floppy disks expected to help run San Francisco trains until 2030. ArsTechnica.com article. Pull quote: “However, budget challenges put the project's timeline into question. The SFMTA's train upgrade project isn't just a migration off of floppy disks but also a "complete overhaul of the current train control system and all its components, including the onboard computers, central and local servers, and communications infrastructure," Roccaforte said.” The ultimate ‘legacy’ control system….

‘We are out of time’: Air Force secretary warns China’s military catching up as US bungles budgets. Stripes.com article. Pull quote: “Several of the subcommittee’s senators said Tuesday that they shared Kendall’s frustrations with the slow budget approval processes in recent years. The Pentagon has operated about five of the last 15 years under continuing resolutions — the stopgap funding procedures that force the Pentagon to operate at the previous year’s spending levels and halt work on new weapons programs and construction. The Defense Department operated roughly the first six months of fiscal 2024 under continuing resolutions.”

Through astronaut eyes, virtual reality propels gateway forward. Phys.org article. Pull quote: “During VR testing, astronauts engage in a variety of tasks that they expect to encounter in their day-to-day life on Gateway during real Artemis missions, including performing science experiments, retrieving supplies, and preparing warm meals. By combining VR models with real-world astronaut experience, NASA designers can make tweaks to Gateway's interior design for a safer and comfier space station.”