Google: Scientists’ Assistant

What does the word “Google” bring to your mind? You are right; Search! Google and search are being used as substitutes for each other for many years now. The way Google has revolutionized internet search methodology, no other search engine has been able to do this yet. You will find it common between students discussing a research topic and opting “to Google” the topic firstly. Applications and tools like Google Maps, Google Earth, Google News and Google Translator are so very helpful for professionals that they are unwilling to move to any search engine other than Google. Today, we will discuss the reasons scientists cant compromise on Google and affiliated tools.

1. Volcanoes:

Google is no more a mere search engine; it is being used by volcanologists to know about potential volcano eruption areas. This is being done by the earth scientists of Alaska with the help of Google Earth. Now, how do they benefit from this tool? They have placed sensors around the Hotspots (the areas where volcanic activity is possible) and associated those sensors with Google Earth. Whenever there is an unusual change in temperature of those hotspots, Google Earth will warn the scientists. These scientists are not taking benefit of this service alone, but they have enabled public to find out these results too. This is indeed a very helpful program for people. Anyone can inspect their local geological situation by means of this program. Also, this application is being used by researchers to locate movements of ash clouds formed by volcano eruption. As we all know, these ash clouds can put planes to grave disaster, this is why Google Earth is helping in order to lessen plane crashes.

2. Diseases:

John Brownstein, an epidemiologist has developed a program in collaboration with MIT Media Lab’s Freifeld, called HealthMap. Of course, this has to do something with Google; it works with the aid of Google Maps and Google News. This program is used to notify the health officials about an epidemic breakout when it happens. First of all, this program searches Google News along with certain other news websites for specific key words related to health and diseases. After completing its search process, it displays the results in Google Maps; yes, it pinpoints the locations where some serious health related activity is going on. The locations with an epidemic outbreak will be highlighted to show the intensity of the occurrence. This way, a potential outbreak can be predicted. This is indeed highly beneficial application for health and safety of public all around the globe.

3. Fossils:

Google is also being used as a tool for elementary search, as it did for Philip Gingerich; a palaeontologist at university of Michigan. His area of specialisation is whales. He found out that a whale fossil had been found out in Italy at a stonecutting yard. Stones from all around the world are brought in this yard for manufacture of countertops. There, the labours saw strange imprints on slabs that had been cut off from a mound of limestone brought from Egypt. Those imprints looked much like cross section of skeleton. A palaeontologist of the University of Pisa found out that those imprints were in fact fossils of a whale that resided in Egypt around 40 million years ago.

Then, the whole area was covered with ocean. Not knowing the exact location from where the limestone had been mined, Mr Gingerich sat in front of his computer and thought of taking help from Google Earth. With the little knowledge of the area that he had, he began with his search. He was told that the area was around the Egyptian city of Sheikh Fadl, therefore he found out the city on Google Earth firstly. Scanning eastwards, he found out huge heaps of limestone across the desert. He began searching for nearby roads, and found one 75 miles east of the city. After this pinpoint search, he set off for Egypt, where he further found fossils of African mammals that lived there around 20 million years ago. This is a very nice example of how Google is helping scientists in their searches and researches.

4. Discovery of New Areas:

Recently, Google has helped scientists discover a new forest on a previously known mountain, and further in the discovery of many unknown species of animals. Julian Bayliss is a conservation biologist who was conducting a biological study in Africa. One day while examining Google satellite maps, he was studying the mountainous area of Africa. There, he discovered such a mountain which had been unknown to scientists, only the local people of that area knew about it. The area belonged to Mozambique and the mountain was called Mount Mabu. When he made a trip to that area for studying it, he found a whole untouched forest covering almost 17,000 acre of land. Also, they found at least 10 new species of animals which were previously unknown to scientists. It is expected that if the research continues, more and more species will be discovered. This way, Google is taking part in scientific research related to biological studies and discoveries.

5. Robot Diary:

Now, Google is aiding NASA! Shocked? It is happening. The NASA-made lunar rover prototype robot “K-10” can be controlled remotely. Currently being tested in the desert area of Arizona, this robot is programmed to gather “microscopic terrain images and LIDAR scans”. Guess which application of Google is being used here? Yes, Google Earth is the one that is being utilized by NASA Ames Research Centre. The scientists monitor their robot’s movements via Google Earth by managing its routes and progress in real time, as well as assembling the data. Icons appear on the spots where any reading was taken, and when a scientist clicks on an icon they will be provided with detailed data or a thumbnail of a photo that had been taken there. Indeed, this is a smart way to manage their artificial intelligence based machine.

Now, you will be well aware of the impact Google has on the professional all around the globe. Good show Google! Get going!

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Tags: Google, scientists assistant