A collaboration led by an Oregon State University College of Forestry researcher has used very-high-resolution satellite imagery to develop a machine learning model that aims to improve climate scientists' ability to estimate aboveground carbon stocks in the Amazon. Findings of the study were published in the journal Carbon Balance and Management. Covering more than 2.5 million square miles in South America, the Amazon is the largest of the world's tropical forests, which play huge ecological roles for the planet despite covering less than 10% of the Earth's land area. More than half of all carbon stored in aboveground biomass is sequestered in tropical rain forests, which are also home to greater than 60% of all terrestrial species. Second growth and degraded forests now cover more area than intact forests, but scientists say the full extent of tropical forest degradation is not completely known.

Regardless of where you live or who you are, protecting your home, assets and loved ones will always be a key concern. In a world full of uncertainty, people from all backgrounds want to be sure they're safeguarded from threats, potential disasters and loss of property. Enrolling in home, auto, health or other types of insurance can bring peace of mind, but as anyone who has tried to navigate the buying exchanges will know, this can often be easier said than done. The barriers to enrollment are many, and with so many complicated coverage options, convoluted eligibility requirements and fine print to sort through, the insurance industry is in need of a makeover. Thankfully, the insurtech industry has arisen to do just that.

Socially assistive robots (SARS) are a class of robotic systems specifically designed to help vulnerable or older users to complete everyday activities. In addition to increasing their independence, these robots could stimulate users mentally and offer basic emotional support. To support users most effectively, however, these robots should be able to engage in meaningful social interactions, identifying the emotions of users and responding appropriately to them. This could ultimately increase the users' trust in the robots, while also promoting their emotional wellbeing. Researchers at University of Denver, DreamFace Technologies, and University of Colorado have recently carried out a small pilot study aimed at exploring how the perceptions of older adults using socially assistive robots change depending on whether these robots have an artificial emotional intelligence or not.