Speaking of Science: Vocab driver

This week, Merriam-Webster added more than 800 new words to its dictionary. Amid the influx of shortened words ("adorbs" for adorable, "zuke" for zucchini, "guac" for guacamole,...

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This week, Merriam-Webster added more than 800 new words to its dictionary. Amid the influx of shortened words ("adorbs" for adorable, "zuke" for zucchini, "guac" for guacamole, etc.), a few scientific and technical terms made the cut. The dictionary now includes: Biohacking, defined as "biological experimentation (as by gene editing or the use of drugs or implants) done to improve the qualities or capabilities of living organisms especially by individuals and groups outside of a traditional medical or scientific research environment." Haptics, the "science concerned with the sense of touch." (It also means the physical feedback, like a buzz or shudder, produced by smartphones and video game controllers.) Fintech, a portmanteau of financial and technology: "products and companies that employ newly developed digital and online technologies in the banking and financial services industries." The additions to Merriam-Webster reflect our evolving relationship with technology, the dictionary editors wrote when announcing the changes. "We are no longer naming our devices and programs, we're talking about what we do with them, and what they do for us," they wrote. ADVERTISEMENT Scientific terms jump from jargon to mainstream when they're useful, easy to pronounce and a more common word won't do the job just as well. A word like haptics, which has been around since the 19th century, will travel from a specialist group to the public only when the public needs it. Thanks, smartphones! Haptics is rooted in the Greek word for touch; few people are able to will a word from nothing into existence. The only exceptions are called nonce words, per the Guardian, which include fleek and bling. Science and math have a few examples, too, like quark (the subatomic particle) and googol (the number one followed by a hundred zeros) — the inspiration for Google.com, which began as a typo. — Ben China blames video games for poor eyesight, but the evidence isn't strong Reading and screens might be bad for young eyes. Also please click. By Ben Guarino  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT How energy companies set off earthquakes miles away from their waste dumps Liquid waste from fracking and other techniques can trigger dormant earthquake faults 15 or more miles away. By Ben Guarino  •  Read more »   Climate change could render many of Earth's ecosystems unrecognizable "What we're talking about here are the kinds of changes that disrupt everybody's lives" paleoecologist Scott Wing said. By Sarah Kaplan  •  Read more »   Scientists discovered a coral reef — almost as long as Delaware — hidden off the coast of Charleston The researchers are trying to alert the Trump administration to off-shore areas that should be shielded from drilling. By Cleve Wootson  •  Read more »   When the ancient taboo of speaking ill of the dead goes online Many commenters reflected kindly on John McCain after his death. But not all of the Internet. By Ben Guarino  •  Read more »   Recommended for you     Get The Energy 202 newsletter PowerPost's daily guide to energy and environment policy, by reporter Dino Grandoni. Sign Up  »

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ESO — €17 Million Fund to Power European Detection and Imaging Innovation — Organisation Release eso1829

ESO — Reaching New Heights in Astronomy Subscription preferences | Unsubscribe | View in browser European Southern Observatory ESO News 5 September 2018 5 September 2018 — ESO Organisation Release eso1829 €17 Million Fund to Power European Detection and Imaging Innovation The pioneering ATTRACT initiative couples world-class research laboratories and business management experts to create a European innovation ecosystem that will accelerate the development of disruptive technologies and their progress to market. The initiative, in which ESO is a partner, will fund 170 breakthrough detection and imaging ideas with market potential, and aims to create products, services, companies and jobs based on new detection and imaging technologies. The release, images and videos are available on: https://www.eso.org/public/news/eso1829/ Kind regards, The ESO Education and Public Outreach Department 5 September 2018   ESO Announcements Exciting Autumn Programme at the ESO Supernova — The latest range of planetarium shows, tours and events available from October to December 3 September 2018: The ESO Supernova team have been working hard to prepare the final programme for 2018, which includes exciting events and shows for our Planetarium & Visitor centre. We are delighted ... Read more Share this newsletter on:     Start receiving this newsletter in your language  Picture of the Week 3 September 2018 Unrivalled vistas at La Silla Upcoming Events Ongoing Café & Kosmos in Munich 5 - 7 September 2018: Cumbre chilena de difusión de la Astronomía 24 - 29 June 2019: Starmus V 2 July 2019: Total Solar Eclipse Upcoming Exhibitions 5 - 6 October 2018: Ciencia Fest 2018. Santiago, Chile. 13 - 14 October 2018: XII Fiesta de la Ciencia y Tecnología. Santiago, Chile. 24 - 29 June 2019: Starmus V event. Bern, Switzerland.              ESO Pictures of the Week You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to ESO News. Subscription preferences | Unsubscribe | View in browser Follow us on: European Southern Observatory, Karl-Schwarzschild-Str 2, D-85748 Garching bei München, Germany