Here’s some CU news you can use: Pufferfish-inspired robots and drone safety, unique risks for youth during COVID-19, the Colorado red-blue gender divide and more.
Pufferfish-inspired robot could improve drone safety
What we learned:
- PufferBot, which takes its inspiration from pufferfish in nature, is a flying drone that comes with its own "airbag."
- If the robot gets too close to people or obstacles, that plastic shield can expand, potentially preventing dangerous collisions.
- The team says such technologies will become more important as drones, and drone crashes, become more ubiquitous in homes and workplaces.
Colorado survey shows red-blue gender divide, concerns about Election Day violence
What we learned:
- Among likely Colorado voters, Joe Biden has a 9-point lead over President Donald Trump: 56% of women support Biden, while 33% support Trump. Among men, Trump holds a 4-point lead.
- John Hickenlooper holds an 8-point lead over Cory Gardner: Among women, Hickenlooper holds a 15-point lead. Among men, the votes are split down the middle.
- 71% of Coloradans surveyed are worried about violence on or after Election Day.
Webinar recording available: Unique risks for youth during COVID-19
What we learned:
- The pandemic hasn’t spared anyone, but there are unique risks for youth.
- COVID-19 is a reality check for the field of mental health: Allowing oneself to experience a broad range of emotions, including negative emotions, can help a person fare better over time both physically and mentally.
- The panel was part of a free series about COVID-19 in advance of ScienceWriters2020, the nation’s largest science journalism conference. Watch it now.