USS Albacore wreck found after 79 years

Plus: Singapore releases millions of disease-ridden mosquitoes. We’ll tell you why.

Feb 22, 2023

Mysteriously sunk in 1944, the USS Albacore, one of the Second World War's most successful U.S. submarines, has been lost to the depths …until now.

Last seen on November 7, 1944, with all hands, her whereabouts have long been a mystery. But now, data and images show what appears to be the final resting place of the WWII-era submarine.

But before you take a closer look at that, focus your attention on this video. It shows the M4 Carbine, which was officially accepted into service by the U.S. military in 1994 and replaced the majority of submachine guns and selected handguns.

Good morning. I’m Alice, an Editor at IE.

This is The Blueprint. Let’s dive in.

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VIDEO OF THE DAY

The M4 Carbine: aged to perfection.

It was definitely worth a shot.

MUST READ

Lost for 79 years, USS Albacore's wreck has finally been discovered.

Mysteriously sunk in November 1944, the USS Albacore, one of the Second World War's most successful U.S. submarines, has, until now, been lost to the depths.

Lost at sea on November 7, 1944, with all hands, her whereabouts have long been a mystery.

But data and images from the NHHC's Underwater Archaeological Bureau (UAB) now show what appears to be the final resting place of the WWII-era submarine.

The search team used a remotely controlled vehicle to gather information to check the historical data, as the site's turbulent currents, marine growth, and limited visibility made it difficult to document the wreck or take detailed pictures.

→ The Albacore is a sunken military vessel of the United States that is protected by American law. Remote sensing documentation and other non-intrusive activities can be done on sunk U.S. Navy ships. But any actions that could be invasive must be allowed through a relevant permitting mechanism.

SCIENCE

Singapore releases millions of disease-ridden mosquitoes. Here's why.

Tens of millions of disease-ridden mosquitoes are being bred inside plastic boxes by Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) to fight dengue.

Even though protocols of comparable approaches for pest control have been utilized in nations worldwide for more than a decade, NEA researchers stand out due to their use of automation and AI for achieving mass production.

INNOVATION

Fission rocket concept could reach Solar Gravitation Lens in 15 years.

NASA’s Institute of Advanced Concepts (NIAC) has awarded a grant to a company called Positron Dynamics for the development of a novel type of nuclear fission fragment rocket engine (FFRE).

The lightweight nuclear fission engine concept could outperform traditional chemical rocket engines while also allowing for long-lasting, deep space missions.

NASA says it could travel to the Solar Gravitational Lens in 15 years, allowing for incredibly detailed images of distant alien worlds.

HEALTH

Ancient sex toy? 2,000-year-old Roman wooden tool likely a dildo.

Discovered in a ditch at Vindolanda, a wooden phallus may have been used for sexual intercourse by Romans.

Seven-inch-long (17 centimeters) phallus was first discovered in 1992, and it was thought to be used in several ways, including as a pestle or a good-luck charm to ward off evil, which was widespread across the Empire and was commonly believed to be a way to protect against bad luck. However, a recent study shows that it is more than a “charm".

Using 3D scans, it was discovered that the object's two ends were smoother than the remainder of the piece, indicating that it had been frequently used over time.

MAIL & MUSINGS

Lost for 79 years, USS Albacore's wreck has finally been discovered.

Do you think we’ll be able to find many more lost sunken vessels with ever-evolving technologies?

No, this was chance

Yes, it could happen

It’s possible, but not yet

I am unsure either way

YESTERDAY'S RESULTS

Yesterday, we asked if you think AI will be the catalyst for a raft of monumental space travel advancements, and 64 percent of you said yes, it’s inevitable.

64%

Yes, it’s inevitable

22%

It’s possible I suppose

No, AI isn’t exactly new

I am unsure either way

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore."

Vincent Van Gogh.