Short Takes – 3-5-25

CDC says it is on the ground in Texas to aid in measles outbreak response. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “He [Kennedy] claimed doctors in the area have reported “very very good results” from treating patients with a steroid called budesonide, an antibiotic called clarithromycin and cod liver oil, which he said had high concentrations of vitamins A and D.” No firm call for vaccinations, the only thing known to prevent measles, junk science is still this Administration’s answer.

Vinyl Chloride; Draft Scope of the Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Federal Register EPA comment period extension. Summary: “In the Federal Register of January 16, 2025, EPA announced the availability of and solicited public comment on the draft scope of the risk evaluation to be conducted under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for vinyl chloride (ethene, chloro-; CASRN 75-01-4). This document extends/reopens the comment period, which is scheduled to end on March 3, 2025, for 30 days.” The new comment period ends April 2^nd, 2025.

C.I. Pigment Violet 29 (PV29); Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Reopening of Comment Period. Federal Register EPA comment extension. Summary: “In the Federal Register of January 14, 2025, EPA proposed a regulation to address the unreasonable risk of injury to human health presented by C.I. Pigment Violet 29 (CASRN 81-33-4, also known as PV29), under its conditions of use as documented in EPA's January 2021 Risk Evaluation for PV29 and the September 2022 Revised Risk Determination for PV29 prepared under TSCA. This document reopens the comment period, which is scheduled to end on February 28, 2025, for 60 days.” New comment period ends April 29^th, 2025.

Ransomware Cartel Threatens FBI with Stolen Data. I-HLS.com article. Pull quote: “As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the FBI will respond to these threats and what impact, if any, the release of sensitive data might have. The ongoing confrontation between LockBit and the FBI highlights the growing dangers of ransomware attacks, especially when tied to geopolitical motivations. With both cybercriminals and law enforcement locked in a high-stakes digital chess match, the stakes for national security continue to rise. This incident underscores the vulnerabilities that even the most secure organizations face in the face of sophisticated cyber threats.”

Future of EVs: The Roadways That Charge While You Drive. I-HLS.com article. Pull quote: “The UTEP team, alongside engineers, has focused on modeling the load demand on the electrical grid to ensure seamless integration of DWPT systems. This is crucial for the technology’s success, as any disruptions to the grid’s load could hinder the effectiveness of the system. “Our research will allow for a comprehensive understanding of new EV charging methods to ensure sustainable use of our transportation infrastructure coupled with power utilities,” said Paras Mandal, UTEP’s principal investigator.”

Accidental discovery depolymerises commercial plexiglass. ChemistryWorld.com article. Pull quote: “At 150°C, the researchers achieved full depolymerisation of almost all types of PMMA they tested, regardless of the specific synthesis method and end group, simply by using 415nm LED light. They also achieved successful depolymerisation of various commercial samples of plexiglass, despite the presence of unidentified and variable impurities.” Uses halogenated solvents, so there are still problems to be addressed.

Patenting space: promoting innovations and patents for exploring our final frontier. SpaceNews.com article. Pull quote: “To take these leaps and bounds, though, innovators need the protection and assurances that patents provide. Without that, innovators (and their backers) will not have the security of knowing there is an avenue to bring about these cutting-edge technologies while getting their due return on their [investigations?]. To ensure that innovators can reap the benefits that patents provide, we need to have sufficient systems in place to enforce patent protections.”

Jeff Bezos brings Amazon work culture to Blue Origin. ArsTechnica.com article. Pull quote: “Blue Origin was founded by Bezos in 2000 and forms part of the billionaire’s mission to shift heavy industry off Earth and to the Moon. He has bankrolled the business with billions of dollars drawn down from the sale of Amazon shares.”

NASA Sets Coverage for Agency’s SpaceX Crew-10 Launch, Docking. NASA.gov press release. Pull quote: “Liftoff is targeted for 7:48 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, March 12, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The targeted docking time is approximately 10 a.m., Thursday, March 13.”

GOP plows forward with government funding plan despite Democratic opposition. TheHill.com article.  Pull quote: ““The first thing to do, in my view, is to make sure that there isn’t a full-year CR, and I’m not sure the other side has the votes, but that’s up to them,” DeLauro [(D,CT), Ranking Member House Appropriations Committee] told reporters.”