Pop Science Report

By: Oscar Marquez

 2020 Thunder Stroke
Indian Motorcycle released its 2020 Thunder Stroke
models with a host of new connected Ride Command
features, an all-new Roadmaster Dark Horse,
redesigned Springfield Dark Horse, Chieftain Elite,
and the announcement that several models will
come standard with a 116 ci engine.The updated
Ride Command infotainment system maintains its
original rider-friendly features like a 7-inch
glove-touch screen but is now backed by a new
quad-core processor to speed up access to the
system. New connected services include traffic and
weather overlays right on the map so riders can
easily see what they’re heading toward and avoid it
if possible. Intuitive destination search capabilities
make programming the GPS easier, while improved
customizable screen options let riders fine-tune the
Ride Command display to their specific needs.
 Lamborghini Sian
Lamborghini previewed the future of its
hyper-performance cars with the
announcement of the Sián, a hybrid-electric V12
that is the marque’s fastest and most powerful
model yet. At 819 horsepower, the Sián rockets
to 62 mph in just 2.8 seconds. Its top speed
exceeds 217 mph. To achieve this performance,
Lamborghini is employing a 48-volt,
34-horsepower hybrid electric motor built into
the car’s transmission to supplement the
6.5-liter V12’s 785 horsepower. To maximize the
effect of the electric motor, it is powered by a
supercapacitor rather than the usual
lithium-ion battery pack. These cells don't hold
a charge as long as a typical battery, but they
charge in quickly and in short bursts. The result
is a very lightweight 75-lb. system that can very
quickly absorb energy during braking and
unleash it during acceleration.
 Bugatti Chiron
Bugatti’s 1,500-horsepower Chiron hypercar has
reclaimed the world speed record for production
cars with a run of 304.773 mph, making the French
luxury marque the first to top 300 mph in a
production model. The Chiron seemed destined to be
the world’s first production car to top 300 mph when
it was introduced as the replacement for the Veyron.
After all, that car held the record of 267.8 mph, and
the Chiron is more powerful. Especially after
Swedish rival Koenigsegg wrested the record away
in 2017 with a run of 284 mph in that company’s
Agera RS. The record-setting car drew its power
from an 8.0-liter, W16 engine, but a run like this
requires more than pure power.This modified
version of the Chiron sits lower and has a 10-inch
longer body than the production version.
 2020 Porsche Taycan
After months of previews, Porsche has finally
revealed its first step into a post-combustion car
market with the introduction of the 2020 Taycan.
The 750-horsepower, 774 lb.-ft. all-wheel drive,
four-door rocket ship launches to 60 mph in as little
as 2.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 161 mph.
The official driving range rating for the
93.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack is 280
miles on the European driving cycle. There are no
official EPA range numbers yet, but its charging
time from 5 percent to 80 percent can be as little as
22.5 minutes using a 270-kilowatt DC quick charger.
This speedy time is possible because the Taycan is
the world’s first 800-volt EV, rather than the
400-volt level that is the current standard.Another
innovation is the use of a two-speed transmission
for the rear axle and electric motor.
Mercedes-AMG´s Hybrid Advancements
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport scored its
first victory of the Formula One hybrid-electric
era at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, with
driver Lewis Hamilton. That early system relied
on discrete battery pack and power electronics
modules that sent energy to and recovered it
from a 60-kilowatt electric-assist motor. The
prototype system first tested in 2007 was larger
and heavier, at 236 pounds. By the time
Hamilton won the Hungarian Grand Prix two
years later, the race system was whittled down
to 55.8 pounds, and system efficiency improved
from 39 percent to 70 percent.
India's Sewage Issue could be solved by
robots
In some cases, “the ancient caste system still dictates a
person’s occupation in India, and for Dalits, it means a
life of dehumanizing work as manual scavengers,” says
Ranade. Historically known as “untouchables” or
outcasts, Ranade says, “even the state does not care
about them.” In response to such indifference, the
country's Supreme Court has called on the government
to step up enforcement, calling manual scavenging both
uncivilized and inhuman. In March 2019, the Delhi
government deployed 200 mechanized systems, which
were provided to skilled manual scavengers in a bid to
end the practice, and turn sanitation workers into
"sani-entrepreneurs."
DNA databases may deter criminals, but
at what cost?
Doleac found that violent offenders who gave a DNA
sample were 17 percent less likely to reoffend within the
first five years of release than those who did not; serious
property offenders were 6 percent less likely to reoffend.
In a follow-up study that considered crime rates in
Denmark, she again found that DNA registration reduced
recidivism: Those sampled were up to 43 percent less
likely to reoffend in the first year. They were also more
likely to find employment, enroll in educational
programs, and enjoy a stable family life. “This is how DNA
databases work as crime deterrents,” she explained.
“Once an offender knows that these databases exist, they
are wary of getting caught and so they are less likely to
commit another crime.”
 Google Pixel 4, Microsoft's new laptop,
and new tech rumors
● It has been rumored that the new GoPro 8 will
be able to shoot 4K footage at 120 fps and a Go
Pro Max is on the way
● Google will announce the Pixel 4 smartphone
on October 15th; it is rumored to have features
like an array of facial recognition sensors
● Recently, an iOS developer discovered mention
of such a device in some iOS 13 documentation
that includes the project name of Starboard
and Garta dedicated to new AR headset
● Bloomberg report claims a pair of
Alexa-powered wireless earbuds are on the
way in the second half of 2019.
● Microsoft will release a 15-inch Surface Laptop
 Apple Watches may soon decide when to
administer medications
One of the most common psychiatric emergencies is
acute agitation, which makes up around 10 percent of all
emergency cases. It often occurs in patients with
dementia, as well as other conditions like schizophrenia
and substance use disorders. Recognizing the early signs
can be key, and some think the Apple Watch and other
activity trackers might be able to help.By monitoring
activity over time and developing an understanding of
the trajectory of these conditions, they might not have to
wait that long. “We can intervene much earlier,” she
said. The strategy proposed by BioXcel—to match
treatment delivery with data collected by a
wearable—could likely be an effective one, and not just
for this specific condition