COVID-19 Deaths Shift U.S. Social Security Obligations

Divya Tyagi, an Indian-origin student at Pennsylvania State University, has solved a 100-year-old mathematical problem that could revolutionize wind turbine design and enhance wind energy production. Pursuing a master's degree in aerospace engineering, Tyagi refined a mathematical model originally posed by British aerodynamicist Hermann Glauert, which focused on maximizing turbine power output but overlooked additional critical factors such as rotor forces and blade bending under wind pressure. Her advancements, published in Wind Energy Science, include an addendum that identifies ideal flow conditions for turbines, thus maximizing their aerodynamic performance. "I created an addendum to Glauert’s problem which determines the optimal aerodynamic performance of a wind turbine," Tyagi explained. Her adviser, Professor Sven Schmitz, highlighted the potential impact of her discoveries on future wind turbine technology, noting that her elegant solution could be integrated into educational curricula worldwide. Tyagi, also a recipient of the Anthony E. Wolk Award, emphasized the significance of even a 1% improvement in turbine power coefficient, stating it could substantially increase energy production, potentially powering an entire neighborhood.

A recent analysis by Professor Benjamin E. Goldsmith of the University of Sydney raises alarms about the stability of American democracy following Donald Trump's re-election. Goldsmith argues that the erosion of political culture and the acceptance of illiberal principles among U.S. elites may lead to the fatal decline of liberal democracy within the next five years. He posits that Trump, backed by allies like Russell Voight’s Project 2025, is poised to transform the political landscape into an electoral democracy that undermines fundamental democratic values, potentially establishing a regime akin to those in non-democratic powers such as China and Russia. In his article, Goldsmith indicates that the undermining of institutions like the free press and the rule of law could intensify, citing parallels between Trump’s tactics and historical authoritarian regimes in Russia and Ukraine. He emphasizes that Trump’s political maneuvers, including manipulation of media narratives and an aggressive stance against opponents, signify threats to free and fair elections in the U.S. The implications extend beyond domestic politics, with Goldsmith suggesting a significant shift in international relations towards a more nationalistic and authoritarian framework.

NASA has announced that a massive asteroid, designated 2014 TN17 and approximately 540 feet in diameter, is on a trajectory towards Earth. The asteroid is particularly notable as it is twice the size of the Taj Mahal and belongs to the Apollo group of near-Earth objects, making it a potentially hazardous asteroid. The space agency reports that 2014 TN17 is traveling at an impressive speed of 77,282 kilometers per hour and is expected to make its closest approach to Earth on March 26, 2025, at 5:04 PM IST. At that time, it will come within 5 million kilometers of our planet—more than 13 times the distance from Earth to the Moon. While the asteroid currently poses no threat, its classification as a potentially hazardous object means it will be monitored closely. NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies emphasizes the importance of tracking such asteroids due to their potential risk of collision with Earth, which could unleash energy equivalent to hundreds of nuclear bombs, potentially causing widespread devastation.