New walking robot design could revolutionize how we build things in space

Researchers have designed a state-of-the-art walking robot that could revolutionize large construction projects in space. They tested the feasibility of the robot for the in-space assembly of a 25m Large Aperture Space Telescope. They present their findings in Frontiers in Robotics and AI. A scaled-down prototype of the robot also showed promise for large construction applications on Earth.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/new-walking-robot-design-could-revolutionize-how-we-build-things-in-space

Live births in Europe decreased by 14% nine months after start of COVID-19 pandemic and first lockdowns

Europe saw a 14% decrease in live births in January 2021, just nine to ten months after the first peak of the COVID-19 epidemic and the first lockdowns, compared to the average numbers of live births in January 2018 and 2019.

Current FDA oversight of vaping industry is likely to have minimal impact

Current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversight of the vaping industry in the U.S. is likely to have minimal impact, suggests an analysis of the regulator's warning letters for marketing violations, published online in the journal Tobacco Control.

Experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 is associated with poorer mental health

Having symptoms of COVID-19 has been associated with worse mental health and lower life satisfaction.

Researchers have a responsibility to communicate results of science studies accurately, says professor

Many groups participate in the communication of science, including investigators and researchers, professional organizations, federal agencies, foundations, industry, editors and science writers. The challenge of how best to communicate science has been a focus of much attention especially since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research finds that two out of five adults who use cigarettes smoke menthol

Menthol use has increased over the past decade among U.S. adults who smoke cigarettes, according to a study released by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and The City University of New York. Menthol use is much more common among adult smokers who are younger, from racial/ethnic minoritized groups and with mental health problems. The results are published in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research.