Short Takes – 10-18-24

Oropouche virus is spreading. Here’s what we know. TechnologyReview.com article. Pull quote: “That’s not all. The genetic changes have endowed the virus with new features. The current reassortment appears to be better at replicating in mammalian cells. That might mean that infected people—and sloths—have more of the virus in their blood, making it easier for biting insects to pick it up and pass it on.”

Area Maritime Security Advisory Committee for Gulf of Mexico. Federal Register Coast Guard notice. Summary: “The Coast Guard requests individuals interested in serving on the Gulf of Mexico Area Maritime Security Advisory Committee (AMSC) Executive Steering Committee submit their applications for membership to the Federal Maritime Security Coordinator (FMSC), Eighth Coast Guard District.”

Hazardous Waste Management System; Identification and Listing of Hazardous Waste. Federal Register EPA final rule. Summary: “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)is taking final action to remove an existing exclusion from the list of Federal hazardous waste (delisting) issued to Samsung Austin Semiconductor (Samsung) under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. This removal of the exclusion is based on correspondence EPA received from Samsung on August 22, 2024, in which Samsung indicated that the facility has ceased the process creating the delisted waste.”

US backs first fusion of fast chemical rockets and nuclear electric propulsion. InterestingEngineering.com article. Pull quote: “For instance, a 100-kilowatt Hall thruster developed at the University of Michigan could achieve impressive speeds. However, the challenge lies in providing the necessary power to operate these thrusters.”

US firm unveils next-gen Haven-2 space station; potential ISS replacement. InterestingEngineering.com article. Pull quote: “Haven-1 is intended to demonstrate Vast’s capabilities in building and operating a commercial space station. Haven-1 — a single-module station — is set to launch in the latter part of 2025.”