Science

IIT Madras has started to take applications for the Qualifier process of online BSc degree in programming, data science. The institute has recently launched the online BSc degree in Programming and Data Science and this is the first batch. Anyone who is interested in studying programming can enroll for the course and the eligibility criterias are basic. The application process will close on 15 September 2020 at 12 noon or after there are 2,50,000 applications, whichever happens first. This BSc degree is recognised and will be at par with the other B.Tech or M.Tech degrees from IIT Madras. As far as costs are concerned, the fee completely depends on the number of courses students take at a time. There is no upfront commitment financially as such. To successfully complete the course with a BSc degree, it may cost around Rs 3.55 lakh for general category students while the foundation course costs around Rs 32,000. However, there are fee waivers for select categories of students. IIT … [Read more...] about IIT Madras starts taking applications for ‘open’ online BSc degree in programming, data science

The science: Embryonic stem cells come from human embryos. (An "embryo" develops immediately after fertilization, and is considered as such up until the eighth week of gestation, when it is referred to as a "fetus.") These cells have the ability to morph into any type in the body, such as a red blood cell or a nerve cell. Because of this flexibility, researchers can use embryonic stem cells to investigate potential treatments and cures for a number of human diseases, especially those where a certain type of cell becomes damaged or no longer functions as it should. Some diseases that could be helped by embryonic stem cell research include diabetes, cancer and Parkinson’s disease. [What Are Stem Cells?] … [Read more...] about We Fact-Checked the Science Behind the Republican Party Platform

Data recently released by NASA suggested that there is a 99 percent chance that 2016 will finish up as the hottest year on record, with each of the first six months already shattering temperature records. Not only have all 16 of the hottest years on record occurred during this century, but all of them fall within the past two decades. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 16 warmest years since record keeping began in 1880 all occurred between 1998 and 2015, with 2015 currently ranked as the hottest year to date and 2014 taking second place. … [Read more...] about Democratic Party Platform: We Fact-Checked the Science

The small bandage could be placed somewhere on the body — figuring out where the sensors work best will be part of tests scheduled for next year. The testing phase will measure electrolytes, which the body excretes in sweat, giving indications of a person's hydration level. Electrolytes are detectable in sweat at a threshold that is higher than other potential biomarkers, which makes them a good test case, Hagen said. … [Read more...] about US Military’s Skin Sensors Could Reveal Science of Sweat

A group of "cyber-physical systems researchers" will present the hack next week at a conference devoted to cyber-physical systems in Vienna. It's the next frontier in IP piracy, which could conceivably lead to a future Pirate Bay full of files that describe everything from the latest mobile device parts to human bones for transplant. … [Read more...] about New technique for pirating from 3D printers is the next frontier in theft