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ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said the December 2011 tonnage increase was the largest month-to-month increase since January 2005.

Big Jump in December Trucking Tonnage: ATA

"While I'm not surprised that tonnage increased in December, I am surprised at the magnitude of the gain," American Trucking Associations Chief Economist Bob Costello said.


An alternative certification system will allow "low-risk" food retailers to "self certify."

Chicago Shifts to Risk-Based Food Inspections

This will replace the current practice by the Department of Public Health of inspecting all food establishments at least once every six months.


The notice asks for comments about non-Coast Guard sources of data on deaths, injuries, and property damage resulting from drug or alcohol use by mariners on commercial vessels.

Coast Guard Weighing Drug/Alcohol Testing Changes

It seeks comments by March 20 on possibly requiring crewmembers who are selected for testing to report immediately to the testing site upon being notified and also requiring marine employers to report failed drug tests by non-credentialed mariners.


This screen capture from the DARPA video shows someone using the hand-held electrode to suppress small methane flames.

DARPA Demonstrates New Fire-Suppression Method

Using electromagnetic fields and acoustics techniques to destabilize flame plasma worked on small flames, but large-scale suppression has yet to be demonstrated, the program manager said.


Personnel who were deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan had a greater likelihood of being diagnosed with one of these problems than non-deployed personnel or those who served in the Navy or Air Force.

More Major Depression, Substance Use Among Deployed Personnel

Authors of a study published in a March supplement to the American Journal of Public Health confirmed both diagnoses are more likely for those deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.


This screen capture comes from the Michigan State University/Jeremy Polk, National Science Foundation video in which Meyer discusses the research.

More Research on Virus Mutations Published

With a two-month moratorium still in place on research studies that make the H5N1 virus more transmissible in mammals, a Michigan State University grad student and professor showed how easily a new virus can evolve dangerous traits.


Carriers will rank poorly on the Unsafe Driving BASIC if their drivers are found by law enforcement to be speeding, driving recklessly, or changing lanes improperly.

Unsafe Driving BASIC Factsheet Posted

It reminds commercial vehicle drivers that this BASIC requires obeying laws, ordinances, and regulations in a given jurisdiction and also such things as wearing seat belts and not exceeding speed limits.


"Expert Paint" robots in the EPX series from Motoman Robotics are used for general industrial and automotive applications. (Motoman Robotics photo)

U.S. Robotics Industry Expects Robust 2012

Automotive and aircraft manufacturing are two drivers of the higher robot orders industry leaders forecast, with growth also coming from food and beverage, pharma, and laboratories.


The EPRI Journal article includes this photo of Ti, a robot that inspects transmission lines and collects information that utilities can act on in real time.

Utility Robots Now Highly Skilled

An article in the EPRI Journal describes several robots being used for nondestructive evaluation, collecting data on light intensity, and inspecting transmission lines.


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