Science – Pima Post

14Mar

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Royal pain in the brain: The Royal Ransomware attack and the current state of cyber warfare

By QUENTIN AGNELLOPima Post In our modern age of computer technologies, hacking and malicious software have become commonplace. Much like bacteria and viruses in real life, humans have developed suitable countermeasures over time. However, how do you quarantine a malicious virus that is being piloted by a person? That is the question I have asked since the Ransomware attack on the Tucson Unified School District that took place Jan. 30. According to KOLD News 13, TUSD consulted a professional after receiving a ransom letter on printers and copiers district-wide. Based on the style, IT experts were able to determine the source code of the malicious software, Royal Ransomware, which belongs to a group previously known as DEV-0569. Similar to Anonymous, it is a loosely ...

After a beloved Tucson sunset, the dark night rises

27Sep

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Arizona News, Pima News, Science, Top Stories

After a beloved Tucson sunset, the dark night rises

A time-lapse of the skies above Kitt Peak on October 13, 2021. (Courtesy Pandreve under license) By QUENTIN S. AGNELLO Something that most Tucsonans notice is that we have a starry night sky. However, you may be surprised to know that the darker skies are a direct ordinance by the City of Tucson. The International Dark-Sky Association, a group working to preserve starry night skies, writes that a 2012 lighting ordinance is responsible for our clear skies. The ordinance, or Lighting Code as titled by the City of Tucson, states its intentions clearly in Section 101: “The purpose of this code is to preserve the relationship of the residents of the City of Tucson, Arizona, and Pima County, Arizona, to their unique desert environment through protection of access to t...

22Sep

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Arizona News, Arts & Entertainment, Culture, Education, Events, Science

Fang shui: Get your reptile fix at upcoming show

By QUENTIN S. AGNELLOPima Post For those who live in Tucson, the Gem and Mineral Show is a busy, well-known event that’s often an inconvenience for regular commuters. As someone who has attended the Gem Show, I can say that it certainly is interesting. However, colorful crystals have never really been my forte. For people who might feel the same way, there is another show that has been running in Tucson for the past 20 years: the Tucson Reptile and Amphibian Show. The show is targeted to all ages, and the two-day show Oct. 1 and 2 will include a variety of vendors selling captive-bred reptiles and amphibians. Animal lovers will enjoy the petting zoo, which will include giant tortoises, lizards and snakes. This year, even warm-blooded animals will be represe...

20Sep

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Education, News, Pima News, Science, Top Stories

The Beauty of Astronomy in Arizona

The Rosette Nebula, or NCG 2237, from the photo gallery of Kitt Peak National Observatory website. By QUENTIN S. AGNELLOPima Post UPDATE: The event has been moved to the Cienega Creek Natural Preserve parking lot at 16000 E Marsh Station Road from 7 – 9 pm. Fire at Agua Caliente Park currently has the park closed for a short time. When I was 10 years old, I would gaze up at the stars at night using a telescope with a wobbly stand, wondering all the while if I would see something special or magnificent. I would take every opportunity I could to see the wonders of our universe, but I never questioned why my view was such a good one. Not only is Southern Arizona considered one of the best places for stargazing in the United States by astronomers, Tucson is cons...

BP reaches $2.75M deal over Indiana refinery pollution

15Sep

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AP, Business, News, Politics, Science, Top Stories, US News

BP reaches $2.75M deal over Indiana refinery pollution

FILE - The BP Whiting refinery in East Chicago, Ind., is shown on Sept. 21, 2017. Oil titan BP reached a $2.75 million settlement Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, over air pollution from its largest refinery after environmentalists complained of repeated emissions violations at the Whiting facility in Indiana. (DroneBase via AP, File) By JOHN FLESHERAP Environmental Writer TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Oil titan BP reached a $2.75 million settlement Thursday over air pollution from its largest refinery after environmentalists complained of repeated emissions violations at the Whiting facility in Indiana. The agreement is the second in the past year between advocacy groups and BP involving the refinery on the southwestern Lake Michigan shoreline between Hammond, Indiana, and Chicago. Both c...

Official: Idaho computer chip plant makes US more resilient

15Sep

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

AP, Business, News, Politics, Science, Top Stories, US News

Official: Idaho computer chip plant makes US more resilient

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm speaks at a groundbreaking ceremony for Micron's planned $15 billion semiconductor plant in Boise, Idaho, Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, and said that America needs to start making things with American parts and American labor. Granholm took part Monday in the groundbreaking for what by the end of the decade is expected to be the largest chipmaking cleanroom in the United States, covering 10 football fields and creating 17,000 American jobs. (AP Photo/Keith Ridler) By KEITH RIDLERAssociated Press BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Chipmaker Micron's planned $15 billion investment in a new factory in the company's hometown of Boise will help protect the United States from the vulnerabilities of a globalized semiconductor market, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm sai...

Europe plan for floating gas terminals raises climate fears

1Sep

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

AP, Business, News, Politics, Science, Top Stories, World News

Europe plan for floating gas terminals raises climate fears

FILE - The area in front of the Stade Industrial Park is part of the future port expansion for the planned import terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Stade, Germany, on April 2022. Russia’s war against Ukraine shattered its relations with Europe, which soon lost most of the natural gas that Moscow had long provided. Now, as winter nears, European nations have backed a short-term fix set to begin before the end of 2022 that has raised alarms among scientists who fear the long term consequences for the climate. (Sina Schuldt/dpa via AP, File)FILE - A flare burns at Venture Global LNG in Cameron, La., on April 21, 2022. Russia’s war against Ukraine shattered its relations with Europe, which soon lost most of the natural gas that Moscow had long provided. Now, as winter nears, European...

4Nov

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

News, Pima News, Science

COVID vaccinations available at Pima

By JOSHUA SHAVERPima Post Arizona Public Interest Research Group Education Fund has launched a campaign urging more students at Pima Community College to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Just under 50 percent of people ages 18-24 are fully vaccinated nationally, the lowest among age groups over 18, according to the CDC. That’s concerning, given the rapid spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus. “We encourage people to speak to their friends and families, and that’s a way to overcome vaccination anxiety,” said Sydney Kale, Southwest campus organizer with PIRG. Since the initial launch of the educational effort, PIRG Campus Action and Arizona PIRG Education Fund have reached thousands of young adults at PCC and the University of Arizona with messages e...

28Sep

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

News, Science

Beetles take over the grounds at Pima

One of hundreds caterpillar hunter beetle that have taken over Pima Community College campuses. Story and photo by Carlos Miranda If you live in Tucson, you have to have seen these ugly-looking beetles a lot recently and wondered what kind of beetle it was. According to pest control company Truly Nolen, this bug is called a caterpillar hunter beetle. The beetle can be either black or a very dark green. The length of this beetle is about 38.1 mm, or 1.5 inches. It has six legs and two antennas. This beetle contains two wings with a rigged design-looking wing. The caterpillar hunter eats edible insects. Its lifespan is about two to three years. The amount of rain that Tucson has experienced in the past couple of months has attracted the caterpillar hunter to come out ...

Electric avenue: Two events showcase electric vehicles

28Sep

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

News, Science

Electric avenue: Two events showcase electric vehicles

You'll be able to check out a variety of electric vehicles such as this Tesla Model 3, at 2 electric vehicles events this week in Tucson. Story and photo by Josh Bailey Have you ever wanted to drive a Tesla? This Saturday, you might be able to do just that. In honor of National Drive Electric Week, two upcoming events in Tucson will be hosted by the Tucson Electric Auto Association. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, the association will be hosting the event to give a peek into the future of the automobile industry. A wide range of electric cars will be showcased by independent owners, including those mentioned above. Electric vehicle owners will be on hand to answer questions. The event will be held downtown at Jacome Plaza, 101 N. Stone Ave., which is near the ...