Poor security in most cars sold in Latin America

Latin NCAP notes that fragile bodies and no airbags are still endangering the life of drivers in the region.

Sao Paulo, Brazil: November 24, 2011 - The Latin Program NCAP New Car Assessment in Latin America held the second crash test rides of eight cars present in Latin America and confirmed a high risk of fatal injury to drivers and occupants involving danger to life.
 
Frontal impact tests made ​​at 64 km/h against a deformable barrier, simulating another vehicle, demonstrate that the safety of most cars sold in Latin America is the European equivalent to 20 years ago. The cars of "one star" continue to dominate the Latin American market.

The new models were tested in the second phase: Chevrolet Celta, Chevrolet Corsa Classic, Chevrolet Cruze LT, New Fiat Uno Evo, Ford Focus Hatchback, Ford KA Fly Viral Nissan March Nissan and Tiida Hatchback.

The Latin NCAP is encouraging governments, car manufacturers and consumers in Latin America to give greater priority to vehicle safety. It advises all new car buyers to select only those equipped with an airbag. The program encourages manufacturers to take the same initiative on a voluntary basis. It also recommends that governments across the region to make it a mandatory requirement for all passenger cars to meet the recommendations of the UN and the international safety standards.

Some models tested by NCAP Latin have also shown that higher levels of vehicle safety can be achieved and that car manufacturers are responding positively to the program. The tests also highlight the importance of using car seats for children.

The Latin NCAP tests were conducted in two phases since 2010. The program has tested seven of the ten best cars for sale in the region. The cars were chosen to test the basic versions and popular model available (without airbags as standard). This partly explains the set of disappointing results with only "one star".

Text adapted from http://latinncap.com
 

NASA Has Completed the Highest-Resolution Map of the Moon Ever

Using data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, NASA has created the highest-resolution, most accurate map of the surface of the moon ever. Great. Now let's pick a spot to park our spaceships and let's get back there pronto.

According to NASA, the topographic map created by a team at Arizona State University in Tempe, "shows the surface shape and features over nearly the entire moon with a pixel scale close to 100 meters (328 feet)."

According to NASA, it will get sightly better. This model uses the first year of stereo data from LRO. Adding the second year of data, they will be able to fill the small gaps in the current map.

Text extracted from: http://gizmodo.com/5860618/nasa-has-completed-the-highest+resolution-map-of-the-moon-ever