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This year, more states left national assessment consortia and instead, opted to create their own, state-specific exams — a trend we’ve seen since 2014, when we started tracking the summative assessments used in each state. We updated our 50-State Comparison this month with 2017-18 information, and only 16 states now administer Smarter Balanced or PARCC assessments in third- through eighth-grade math and English language arts.
This is down from 21 states last school year (and 45 states in 2010). The five states no longer administering Smarter Balanced or PARCC all chose to create their own statewide exam. Colorado partnered with Pearson to create Colorado Measures of Academic Success; Rhode Island partnered with Measured Progress to create the Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System; and North Dakota, West Virginia and New Hampshire all partnered with the American Institutes for Research to create state-specific exams.
Other trends we noticed in this year’s update include:
States are using the ACT or SAT as a high school assessment. In 2017-18, nine states made the switch to administering the ACT or SAT in high school — bringing the total to 15 states that use a college entrance exam to satisfy federal high school assessment requirements. Colorado and Rhode Island, plus the District of Columbia, all shifted from administering PARCC in high school; and West Virginia switched from administering Smarter Balanced. Other states switched from the ACT Aspire, PSAT or a state-specific exam. Using the SAT or ACT may help reduce over-testing in high school and encourage students to start thinking about postsecondary options. A few states (Alabama, Michigan, North Dakota, South Carolina and Wisconsin) also give students the option to take ACT WorkKeys in high school.
More states are making the U.S. citizenship test a graduation requirement. This is the biggest change in social studies assessments, which are not required under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Each state varies on what constitutes a passing score on this exam, but in the last year, three new states either administered the citizenship exam (Tennessee) or set plans to in 2018-19 (Alabama and Arkansas). A couple states passed legislation in 2017 requiring the exam, but state education agencies have not yet announced the timeline for rolling out the exam. In total, six states required the citizenship exam in high school this year. | <urn:uuid:b1706680-9128-4957-ae9f-b7abe53ba252> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://ednote.ecs.org/the-ever-changing-landscape-of-state-assessments/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141203418.47/warc/CC-MAIN-20201129214615-20201130004615-00560.warc.gz | en | 0.898432 | 476 | 2.75 | 3 | 200 |
Scientists have created a new drug that can imitate the effects of sunlight on the skin to create a tan—without the use of any UV rays, BBC reports. According to a team of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital, the drug could lead to fewer skin cancer cases and even delay signs of aging because people will forgo tanning beds when using it.
So, how does it work? Well, the formula tricks the skin into generating melanin just like it would when exposed to UV rays. Users simply rub the drug onto their skin to activate the production of pigment, causing the skin to become darker.
You May Also Like: This Is the Only Way to Tan This Summer
Typically, pigment production is activated when sunlight hits the surface of the skin and damages it, causing the skin to create enough melanin to act as a natural version of sunblock to prevent future damage. However, this drug helps skin skip that step of damage altogether so that it can increase pigment production (and the body’s own sun barrier) without first incurring harm.
It’s important to note that this works much differently than self-tanning creams, which simply coat a deep color onto fair skin tones rather than force the skin to create its own darker pigments from within.
“A lot more research has to be done before we see this sort of technology being used on humans, however, it’s certainly an interesting proposition,” said Matthew Gass from the British Association of Dermatologists in an interview with BBC, referencing the new drug. Considering the high rates of cancer due to sun exposure, this drug could have much bigger effects than just boosting aesthetics, which certainly sounds like a win-win to us.
Find a Doctor
Find a NewBeauty "Top Beauty Doctor" Near you | <urn:uuid:91544099-7c42-4b71-b121-62766681b707> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.newbeauty.com/new-drug-tans-skin/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141203418.47/warc/CC-MAIN-20201129214615-20201130004615-00560.warc.gz | en | 0.949601 | 369 | 2.75 | 3 | 201 |
Judges in Michigan and around the country set bail to ensure that criminal defendants will appear to face trial, and remand is generally reserved for individuals who are considered a flight risk or could pose a danger to the general public. These decisions should be based on the character of the defendant and the nature of the crimes they are charged with, but a study published in the Quarterly Journal of Economics suggests that judges are often influenced by racial bias and unfounded stereotypes.
A team of researchers studied cases involving more than 150,000 criminal defendants who had bail hearings in Philadelphia or Miami between 2006 and 2014, and they found that white defendants were generally treated far more leniently. The study, which was published on May 30, reveals that the average bail set for black defendants was $7,281 higher than it was for white defendants and black defendants were 2.4 percentage points more likely to be kept in custody.
According to the research team, judges treated black defendants more harshly because they believed stereotypes about the dangers of releasing them back into the community. However, the data suggests that bail judges become less likely to make decisions based on bias or stereotypes as they gain experience. After studying 256,253 criminal cases, the researchers concluded that data-based risk assessments would be a valuable tool for inexperienced judges.
Experienced criminal defense attorneys may advocate on behalf of their clients during bail hearings by informing judges about their deep ties to the community, their sincere remorse and the support they can expect to receive from their family members and friends. Attorneys could also seek to revisit the issue of bail when new evidence emerges. | <urn:uuid:a79c4fcd-d8e4-4338-83b8-94d668261dd9> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.marrsterry.net/blog/2018/08/racial-bias-often-plays-a-role-in-bail-decisions/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141672314.55/warc/CC-MAIN-20201201074047-20201201104047-00640.warc.gz | en | 0.984249 | 320 | 2.5625 | 3 | 202 |
Imagine that, instead of going to church, the church came to you! That was the case in Philadelphia in the mid-19th century. The Seamen’s Church Institute of Philadelphia and South Jersey decided to construct a floating church to serve the needs of those working in the shipping industry along the Delaware River. The Floating Church of the Redeemer began its mission in 1849, although whenever it changed location, it had to be towed by a tugboat.
The church could seat as many as 600 worshippers for a Sunday service. This number rarely must have been reached, as the families of mariners and longshoreman frequently left early due to seasickness. The chaplain himself sometimes had trouble staying upright during services as the floating chapel contended with waves on the Delaware. The unpowered craft also tipped sideways in high winds and even sank once. By 1853, these problems, along with the pressure of increased waterfront commerce—mercantile industries objected to dock space being tied up for non-commercial use—and rising maintenance costs, resulted in the boat’s sale.
Oh, but it glorious while it lasted! The floating church even inspired a hymn or two. Read about the Floating Church of the Redeemer at Hidden City Philadelphia. -via Metafilter
(Image source: Library Company of Philadelphia) | <urn:uuid:fb94a055-fa18-45e2-a2b2-dfc9185ba01f> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.neatorama.com/2016/03/03/The-Floating-Church-of-the-Redeemer/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141672314.55/warc/CC-MAIN-20201201074047-20201201104047-00640.warc.gz | en | 0.976821 | 275 | 3.171875 | 3 | 203 |
Know your risks
Today, both security and safety standards already recognize the link between safety and security risks.
Cybersecurity standard ISA/IEC 62443-1-1 mentions that security breaches can have consequences beyond compromised information. The standard states: “The potential loss of life or production, environmental damage, regulatory violation and compromise to operational safety are far more serious consequences. These may have ramifications beyond the targeted organization; they may grievously damage the infrastructure of the host region or nation.”
Functional safety standard IEC 61508-1 specifies that hazards associated with equipment and control systems must be determined under all reasonably foreseeable circumstances. The standard says: “This shall include all relevant human factor issues and shall give particular attention to abnormal or infrequent modes of operation of the EUC. If the hazard analysis identifies that malevolent or unauthorized action, constituting a security threat, as being reasonably foreseeable, then a security threats analysis should be carried out.”
Security, like safety, approaches issues based on managing risk, leveraging continuous assessment and baselining to ensure you are managing to a risk threshold. Your level of acceptable risk will vary by industry and potential outcomes.
Considering that most cybersecurity attacks are based on the attacker simply finding a vulnerable target – rather than being specifically targeted due to industry or prominence – a cybersecurity attack is a foreseeable circumstance in virtually every industry. Assessing your cybersecurity risks, determining your level of acceptable risk and mitigating identified risks to an acceptable level are now the basic “reasonable” steps to help protect people from foreseeable misuse and malevolent or unauthorized actions.
As with safety, ignoring cybersecurity and associated risks is the mistaken belief that “if I don’t know about the risk, I can’t be held accountable.” That’s not an acceptable posture, ethically or for compliance purposes, especially when lives are on the line. | <urn:uuid:6f343922-7dea-42bd-af8a-a7896c60004b> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-pr/company/news/blogs/why-cybersecurity-must-be-part-of-your-safety-plan.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141672314.55/warc/CC-MAIN-20201201074047-20201201104047-00640.warc.gz | en | 0.924313 | 390 | 2.53125 | 3 | 204 |
Rainy or stormy days don't have to be a disappointment for kids. While wet conditions may mean they have to stay indoors, it gives them plenty of time to learn about nature and try weather experiments for kids.
Learning how wild weather works isn't just a great way to help kids learn more about climate conditions: Knowing how thunderstorms, lightning, and high winds work can help make these conditions less scary for kids.
See below for just a few fun and educational weather experiments.
Keep track of how the wind blows in your neighborhood with this activity.
How close is lightning striking? Here's a simple way to find out.
Just how much rain comes down in a downpour? You'll know soon.
Keep reading for an activity that shows kids the mysteries of the wind.
For more fun activities and other crafts, check out: | <urn:uuid:8972e2c7-23af-40c7-bfeb-ed835fbf4bee> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/crafts/seasonal/weather-experiments-for-kids.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141716970.77/warc/CC-MAIN-20201202205758-20201202235758-00000.warc.gz | en | 0.923191 | 174 | 3.671875 | 4 | 205 |
The path to zero waste.
Converting biomass into clean and renewable energy.
FastOx gasification systems benefit agricultural waste producers by
Agricultural waste is generally high in carbon and low in ash, making it a well-suited feedstock for gasification. Common waste products such as rice straw, nut hulls, and manure, can be efficiently converted into usable and salable energy sources via FastOx gasification.
FastOx systems also complement digester technologies already in use for handling wet organic wastes such as manure. The solid waste output from digesters is an ideal feedstock for FastOx systems. Additionally, the methane produced from digestion can be captured and used as a fuel source for the gasification system. This has an added benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from digestion.
Explore the potential for your unique project with our online calculator.
To learn more about implementing FastOx gasification in your industry, please contact us | <urn:uuid:ba03bfca-063e-4435-86cd-29b82d4fc281> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://sierraenergy.com/agriculture/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141716970.77/warc/CC-MAIN-20201202205758-20201202235758-00000.warc.gz | en | 0.916085 | 190 | 2.796875 | 3 | 206 |
The terahertz region of the electromagnetic spectrum (covering ~0.1 – 10 THz corresponding to wavelengths from 3 mm to 30 µm) is a hotbed of scientific and technological activity based, in part, on the unique attributes of radiation at these frequencies. This includes spectroscopic imaging with sufficient spectral and spatial resolution through materials that are opaque at other spectral ranges (e.g. microwave, infrared, or visible) and the promise of short-range high-bit-rate data transfer far beyond existing modalities. To advance beyond demonstration towards low-cost real-world applications requires continued development of devices such as modulators and phase shifters to adeptly control terahertz waves. Indeed, groups around the globe are exploring novel device concepts using metamaterials and plasmonics.
Along these lines, a particularly intriguing terahertz modulator has been created by Dr. Tianlong Wen, Prof. Qiye Wen and their colleagues. They report on a broadband optically-controlled silicon modulator with impressive amplitude modulation accomplished by depositing a single monolayer of gold nanoparticles on the silicon surface. Crucially, the plasmon resonance of the gold nanoparticles strongly enhances carrier generation in the insulating silicon substrate upon optical excitation. This is important because insulating silicon is transparent to THz radiation (modulo Fresnel reflection losses). With sufficient carrier excitation the reflectivity of the silicon increases, leading to a corresponding decrease in the transmission and thereby modulating the THz beam. The plasmonic layer leads to a dramatic improvement of the modulation depth: for 100 mW of incident optical power, the absolute transmission only changes by ~3% for the bare silicon device in comparison to nearly 30% for the device with a plasmonic layer for an order-of-magnitude improvement. Further, in this elegant approach the THz beam is “blind” to the gold nanoparticle layer, meaning that there is no additional insertion loss.
These results represent an interesting example of a multiscale device where an important performance metric is fruitfully augmented using nanoscience. It will be interesting to follow subsequent developments of this idea to see if the incident optical power could be further reduced to achieve a given modulation amplitude. One could also envision, for example, using metamaterials resonant at THz frequencies in conjunction with gold plasmonic particles to further optimize the modulation response.
Text kindly contributed by Professor Richard Averitt, Department of Physics, UC San Diego. | <urn:uuid:e43029d7-9d89-4c85-beb2-9a4b6a622a49> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/enhanced-optical-modulation-depth-of-terahertz-waves/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141716970.77/warc/CC-MAIN-20201202205758-20201202235758-00000.warc.gz | en | 0.884285 | 520 | 2.9375 | 3 | 207 |
Imagine a personalized diet based on your unique biological makeup, where just by opening an app you can see if a food is healthy — for you. Biologists in Israel think they might be able to make that happen, though their research, published Thursday in Cell, remains preliminary.
The research focused on the way the body’s blood sugar changes after a meal, using a marker known as postprandial glycemic response. High PPGR has been shown to be associated with obesity and to be a risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and liver cirrhosis.
In a study of 800 participants, the scientists showed that PPGR varies widely among individuals, even when they eat the same meals. This may explain why many diet plans don’t work for many people, said Eran Segal, a computational biologist at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel and one of the report’s authors.
The scientists collected data through health questionnaires, body measurements, blood tests, and stool samples. Then, over the course of a week, participants completed a daily diary of their meals, exercise, and sleep habits, and had their blood sugar levels continuously monitored.
Using that data, the team developed an algorithm to predict how individuals would respond to a particular meal.
They only tested it on 26 people, so it’s not fully vetted, but they’re already working on commercializing it. Segal’s company, Israel-based DayTwo, is currently developing the technology for consumer use.
Segal said he hoped pre-diabetics could use the tool to keep their blood sugar under control. He said he also hoped that it would help people stick with their diets, if they realized that certain foods were not as detrimental to them as they might have thought.
“One of the features of our personalized diets is that they contain ‘surprising’ foods like ice cream, or chocolate, that can appear on one’s diet and that would not normally appear in universal dietary guidelines,” said Segal. In fact, the blood sugar levels of some people rose more after eating sushi than after eating ice cream, researchers found. | <urn:uuid:2407daac-1060-48ef-b760-87666c9c3139> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.statnews.com/2015/11/19/algorithm-diet-blood-sugar/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141716970.77/warc/CC-MAIN-20201202205758-20201202235758-00000.warc.gz | en | 0.965904 | 456 | 3.171875 | 3 | 208 |
Caltech’s Latest Camera Shoots 3D at 100 Billion Frames Per Second
Earlier this year, Caltech’s Lihong Wang showed off a camera that could shoot 70 trillion frames per second – that’s fast enough to watch light travel. His most recent creation, however, goes a step further. While “only” 100 billion frames per second, it shoots in three dimensions.
The technology in it is similar to that 70 trillion frames per second camera, but it sacrifices speed for the ability to shoot in three dimensions. Even though the camera is significantly slower than Wang’s previous camera, it’s still fast enough to take 10 billion photos in the time it takes a person to blink.
In a new paper, titled Single-shot stereo-polarimetric compressed ultrafast photography for light-speed observation of high-dimensional optical transients with picosecond resolution, Wang condenses the technology down to a much more succinct SP-CUP. In this particular SP-CUP design, Wang based the idea off how humans perceive depth. We can see distances and measure differences because we have two eyes, which make it much easier to determine if an object is close or far away.
According to Science Mint, Wang described the method akin to putting the camera in stereo.“We have one lens, but it functions as two halves that provide two views with an offset. Two channels mimic our eyes.”
Wang believes the technology can best be put to use helping researchers better understand the physics of what is called sonoluminescence, which is a phenomenon where sound waves create small bubbles in water or other liquids. As those bubbles collapse rapidly after formation, they emit a burst of light.
“When a bubble collapses, its interior reaches such a high temperature that it generates light. The process that makes this happen is very mysterious because it all happens so fast, and we’re wondering if our camera can help us figure it out.” Wang says that some people consider that to be one of the great mysteries of physics.
The whole journal posted here is pretty high level, but if you’ve got the smarts to keep up with what Wang describes, the technology is sure to impress.
(Via Science Mint) | <urn:uuid:df16a4a0-2e07-48c9-869e-362f767e5c15> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | http://besttechmagazine.com/caltechs-latest-camera-shoots-3d-at-100-billion-frames-per-second/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141735395.99/warc/CC-MAIN-20201204071014-20201204101014-00080.warc.gz | en | 0.928285 | 472 | 3.296875 | 3 | 209 |
Gout comes as acute attacks, but it is really a chronic inflammatory disease that isn't just going away. If your diet is high in meat and alcohol, that uric acid will keep building. Medications seem like the best solution. Gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the bloodstream that crystallizes in the joints. It can also materialize in the tendons and bursa-the cushion between the bones and tendons and muscles around a joint. The big toe is the joint most commonly affected by the condition, but the disease can also cause inflammation of the knee, ankle, wrist, hand and elbow joints. | <urn:uuid:8aafb7c8-b723-47d1-b0d7-7f8c6ba59d9a> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.arthritis-advisor.com/pain-management/getting-a-hold-on-gout/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141735395.99/warc/CC-MAIN-20201204071014-20201204101014-00080.warc.gz | en | 0.980603 | 130 | 2.65625 | 3 | 210 |
Common thought used to be that a person shouldn't sleep after suffering a concussion. Turns out that isn't the case, according to Marshfield Clinic experts.
The longstanding concern was that you wouldn't wake up if you slept following a concussion.
A concussion is a functional injury. It didn't cause physical damage. Instead, concussions affect a brain's ability to function at 100 percent for varying amounts of time depending on how severe the concussion was.
Concussions are injuries often caused by a hard blow or jolt to the head, such as those experienced in sports or vehicle crashes. They are treatable and the primary treatment is cognitive rest.
"That means limit activities and allow the brain to rest," said
Laurel Rudolph, M.D., a Marshfield Clinic Sports Medicine physician and concussion expert. "Therefore, sleep actually is good and helps the brain recover."
A person can go to sleep following a concussion if he or she is awake and able to hold a conversation. No other symptoms, such as dilated pupils or trouble walking, should be present before sleeping.
Dr. Rudolph treats concussions regularly in children, teens and adults. She says anyone who suffers a concussion should seek treatment advice from a health care provider experienced in evaluating and managing concussions, especially when symptoms are present.
More information about concussions is available at our blog, Shine365.
Cattails magazine is now Shine365, your source for healthy living information from Marshfield Clinic. Every day you’ll find helpful ideas and advice on a wide variety of health topics to help you and your family live well.
Visit Shine365 today. | <urn:uuid:cb1a413c-3ad9-4fb0-9593-6d8c3b98520d> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/news/cattails/2014-winter-cattails/medical-myth-busters-concussions | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141735395.99/warc/CC-MAIN-20201204071014-20201204101014-00080.warc.gz | en | 0.957247 | 336 | 2.90625 | 3 | 211 |
The Sword verse, found in the fifth verse of the ninth chapter of the Qur’ān (Q 9.5), is arguably the most powerful verse in Islam’s holiest book. According to Muslim scholars, the Sword verse abrogates or nullifies over a hundred pacifist verses that call for peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance with non-Muslims. This aptly named verse (“…slay the idolaters wherever you find them…” ) allegedly was revealed to Muģammad after the earlier pacifist verses, which means its command takes precedence.
- What is the history and application of the Sword verse since its revelation?
- How does the Sword verse impact the politics, culture, and traditions of Islam?
- How do Muslim moderates view jihad?
- When Islamic terrorist groups, such as Islamic State, apply the Sword verse, are they radical or righteous Islamists?
- Is Islam really a religion of peace?
This book is an extensive examination of the Sword verse, providing the historical context that preceded its introduction and analyzing the Qur’ānic challenges to its supremacy. It also presents the interpretations of this controversial verse by notable Muslim scholars, past and present, and how these explanations influence its application in today’s world.
Noteworthy resources in this study include a detailed table of 129 verses abrogated by the Sword verse, with commentary and references, paired with its own index to help readers locate particular abrogated verses by specific topic and issue.. | <urn:uuid:74a9aa27-4d84-4e19-b95e-dffc605680ea> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://waterlifepublishing.com/Store/tabid/40/ProductID/59/List/1/Default.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141748276.94/warc/CC-MAIN-20201205165649-20201205195649-00160.warc.gz | en | 0.929734 | 306 | 2.8125 | 3 | 212 |
Turning garbage into energy is an attractive idea: When done right, it reduces waste being sent to landfills and incinerators while producing low-carbon natural gas as a renewable energy source.
NJBIA supports this idea, but the legislation making it a requirement has two problems with it, which NJBIA Vice President Ray Cantor says can be easily fixed with amendments.
The bill cleared the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on Monday without amendments, and the Senate version is scheduled for a floor vote on Monday.
Both bills would require companies that produce 52 tons of food waste a year and are located within 25 road miles of a recycling facility that uses anaerobic digestion to produce the gas.
The problem with the definition, as Cantor pointed out when he testified before the committee, comes from companies that have more than one place of business, such as a chain of restaurants. If all of the facilities of one company collectively meet the 52-ton threshold, does that mean all its facilities have to recycle food waste? And if some of those places of businesses are located outside the 25-mile limit for recycling facilities, would they still have to recycle food waste because of their parent company?
“In the last session, legislators clarified that the mandate would only apply to individual establishments that meet the requirements,” Cantor told the committee. “We are asking the committee to add that clarification to the bill again.”
The second problem involves costs, specifically a provision in the bill that allows recyclers to charge up to 10% over disposal costs. Cantor said that is a recipe for making New Jersey even more unaffordable.
“By ignoring market principles, the bill would needlessly drive up the cost of recycling, thus harming businesses seeking to comply. It would also create an economic incentive to try to avoid compliance,” Cantor said.
The committee released the bill without amending it, but a number of lawmakers have indicated they are open to the changes. NJBIA will continue to push for these changes so that any food waste recycling requirement is practical and does not burden employers. | <urn:uuid:5ef0c72d-b6d8-4a79-bc5b-e8b9a8511f4d> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://njbia.org/2-easy-ways-to-fix-the-food-waste-bill/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141176922.14/warc/CC-MAIN-20201124170142-20201124200142-00520.warc.gz | en | 0.965668 | 428 | 2.78125 | 3 | 213 |
Shipping has been vital to the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE). Ships have transported people, equipment and supplies for ANARE, since it's establishment in 1947.
Ships have been crucial in scientific research and Antarctic operations. Surveying the coastline, conducting marine science, and resupplying stations, have all relied on shipping.
Over the years, the AAD has chartered polar icebreakers and other vessels to support its program. The Aurora Australis, launched in 1989, initiated a new era of research and resupply capability. Australia’s new icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, will further advance Australia’s Antarctic capabilities.
The following pages provide an overview of each of the ANARE vessels. Learn about each ship's specifications and key Antarctic voyages. | <urn:uuid:1876eb3a-d44e-43e6-a372-ec3c2cb9119f> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/history/transportation/shipping/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141176922.14/warc/CC-MAIN-20201124170142-20201124200142-00520.warc.gz | en | 0.927606 | 162 | 3.03125 | 3 | 214 |
A number of eight eagle talons discovered over 100 years ago at the prehistoric archaeological site of Kravina, in Croatia has researchers from Kansas University believe that they could be the oldest known example of jewelry made by an anthropomorphic species.
The eight claws – that were found in a disparate state when discovered at the beginning of the last century – display matching cut marks that suggest they were at some point bound together, probably with sinew. Layering data from the Kravina site also imply that the pieces are about 130,000 years old – implying that it was manufactured by Neanderthals, the closest evolutionary relative of modern humans.
Past archaeologists have dismissed the pieces as being separate weapons, ignoring or not observing the cut marks they presented. The talons display overall signs of polish rather than sharpening specific to bone weapons, and seem to have been taken from a white eagle.
This conclusion was announced in a research published in the Public Library of Science One journal, done by a mixed team of Croatian archaeologists and KU researchers led by Dr. David Frayer.
Dr. Frayer suggests that this might shift the perspective about the cultural side of Neanderthals, which were widely regarded in the past as not being capable of symbolic manifestations and abstract thinking leading to art.
This comes after a string of recent developments concerning study of Neanderthals that challenges the idea of them being just rudimentary cavemen; a December 2013 research suggests that they intentionally buried their dead and practiced burial rituals, while theories are being made about how they could have developed a primitive form of religion.
Recent genetic study also confirmed interbreeding between Neanderthals and modern humans about 50.000 years ago, which led to them contributing to our own DNA. The Neanderthalian genome was also mapped out in 2013, suggesting that the differences from human DNA are as low as 0.12 percent.
The discussion regarding Neanderthals in scientific communities revolves mostly around the nature of their cohabitation with modern humans and if they could be classified as a subspecies of the Homo Sapiens. This was dismissed by most academic figures until now, but if evidence suggesting the presence of an artistic side in our closest relative continues to amass, it might deem necessary an overhaul of our current views on Neanderthals.
Image Source: Sci-News | <urn:uuid:14f3b1a4-1957-4eac-81b3-fa0f01aa331f> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.mirrordaily.com/tag/neanderthals-homo-sapiens/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141185851.16/warc/CC-MAIN-20201126001926-20201126031926-00600.warc.gz | en | 0.968743 | 468 | 3.59375 | 4 | 215 |
Four-mile-long iceberg breaks off Greenland glacier in dramatic video
Many consequences of climate change can be imperceptible, but others can catch our eye in the most dramatic of ways. One such example is a monumental chunk of ice breaking off a glacier and washing into sea, something dramatically captured on video by a team of scientists in eastern Greenland last week.
"Global sea-level rise is both undeniable and consequential," says David Holland, the leader of the research team and a professor at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematics. "By capturing how it unfolds, we can see, first-hand, its breath-taking significance."
The team was observing the edge of the Helheim Glacier, one of Greenland's largest outlet glaciers and the fastest flowing glacier along the eastern edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Scientists have been keeping a close eye on the frozen river as a key indicator of global warming and sea-level rise, with its front retreating around 2.5 miles (4 km) between 1998 and 2013.
Holland and his team managed to capture dramatic footage of the process by which this retreat takes place, something known as calving. The video shows a four-mile (6.4-km) iceberg, which the scientists point out would reach from lower Manhattan to Midtown in New York City, breaking away from the glacier and washing into the sea, .
"Knowing how and in what ways icebergs calve is important for simulations because they ultimately determine global sea-level rise," adds Denise Holland, the logistics coordinator for NYU's Environmental Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, who filmed the calving event. "The better we understand what's going on means we can create more accurate simulations to help predict and plan for climate change."
The event plays out over 30 minutes, though the video has been condensed to around 90 seconds and shows a front-on angle of the glacier's edge, followed by a perspective further down the fjord. Check it out below.
Source: New York University | <urn:uuid:1d4e28bc-152a-4e3e-9e88-a52ea92114a4> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://newatlas.com/video-iceberg-greenland-glacier/55382/?0000016e-d4b4-d036-a77f-defe204f0000-page=2 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141191511.46/warc/CC-MAIN-20201127073750-20201127103750-00680.warc.gz | en | 0.944067 | 409 | 3.625 | 4 | 216 |
More so today than ever, students are buckling under the pressure of everyday stress. They often come to Architects For Learning exhausted after a full day of school, anxious about an upcoming test, or overwhelmed by seemingly insurmountable assignments that lay ahead.
While a certain amount of stress is necessary to kick start many of us into “work mode,” too much can lead to neurological flooding, which essentially shuts down our brain’s ability to work effectively. Psychologist, Daniel Goleman, refers to this neural state as “frazzle.” In his book Social Intelligence, Dr. Goleman explains the neurobiology behind frazzle. Essentially, when we experience the tipping point of stress, our brain becomes flooded with stress hormones which cripple its ability to function effectively. We are left operating from our older, deeper brain structures (namely the amygdala) in “fight or flight” mode.
The automatic fight or flight response can certainly be useful if we are faced with a bear in the woods, but it can really get in the way of getting day-to-day tasks done. Have you ever noticed how hard it is to talk when you’re completely stressed out? Finding words, forming sentences, organizing thoughts, making thoughtful decisions – all of these take extra effort when you’re flooded with emotion. Writing a decent paper or preparing for an exam? Nearly impossible when you’re frazzled.
Essentially, students can’t perform well if their brains are in fight or flight mode. When they are in that state of frazzle, even the most effective learning strategies will go to waste if their underlying stress isn’t addressed first. To be effective educators, we must not only recognize frazzle in our students but also know how to address it. Sometimes students just need to spend a few minutes decompressing and chatting about the day with someone who is truly listening before they can work productively. Other times, we need to use research-proven strategies before we ask them to focus on learning something new. Occasionally, we see chronic states of frazzle in students that really need more expert guidance than educators can provide, so we need to get other professional involved.
Always, we need to acknowledge the ways in which stress and anxiety influence communication and learning in our students and address it on an individual basis. | <urn:uuid:0f049dfa-117f-4fb7-bfe0-3e92025cb585> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | http://www.architectsforlearning.com/follow-schools-teachers/teaching-frazzled/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141195745.90/warc/CC-MAIN-20201128184858-20201128214858-00040.warc.gz | en | 0.956342 | 484 | 3.1875 | 3 | 217 |
Third grade writers will be tasked with writing longer and more complicated sentences. This guided lesson in understanding, constructing and punctuating sentences can support kids as they learn to build bigger and better sentences in their writing. Grammar instruction and practical examples were written by our curriculum experts, complete with a list of recommended building sentence worksheets for third graders.
Spelling is a core language arts skill in the third grade curriculum. You can support kids' spelling skills with this guided lesson that features targeted instruction in common spelling patterns, as well as plenty of chances to practice. The content of this lesson was created by our team of teachers and curriculum experts. For even more spelling practice, consider downloading and printing our recommended spelling worksheets.
Looking for third grade punctuation help? Look no further than these third grade punctuation resources, sure to liven up your language skills practice. Try the narrative writing lesson plan or the postcard writing activity, both of which provide targeted instruction on punctuation. If you would like to offer your third graders more advanced material, peruse our fourth grade punctuation resources. | <urn:uuid:4fd354ff-e12a-49f7-870f-e50651dd333d> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.education.com/resources/third-grade/punctuation/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141195745.90/warc/CC-MAIN-20201128184858-20201128214858-00040.warc.gz | en | 0.963581 | 223 | 4.375 | 4 | 218 |
Geriatric check-ups are especially important and should be scheduled regularly to keep older pets healthy and their spirits youthful. Because of their age, geriatric pets can be exposed to higher medical risks which are preventable like glaucoma and obesity.
When is a pet considered geriatric? The old classic "one human year equals seven dog years" is an easy way to calculate and relate to your dog's age, but isn't the most accurate. Large breed dogs (i.e. Great Danes) are considered a senior at 6 or 7 years of age, whereas small breeds (i.e. toy poodle) aren't considered a senior until their teen years. At ten, felines have aged to the human equivalent of 56 - or late middle age.
Some pet owners are reluctant to bring older pets in for check-ups for fear of finding something wrong, but ignoring the needs of geriatric pets can actually pose serious health situations. Pet owners can take simple actions to significantly reduce these risks by bringing their pet in for annual check-ups and primary diagnostic testing.
Regular geriatric blood work is necessary to identify conditions and uncover diseases like diabetes in its earliest stages, even if a pet is not showing symptoms. Early detection not only lengthens your pet's life, but also can prevent more severe problems that may require more expensive treatment later. A physical exam is also a crucial part of any check-up for geriatric pets, as it can uncover heart murmurs, tumors, etc. that can then be dealt with swiftly and appropriately.
More modern diagnostic techniques and treatments are also helping pets with even the most severe conditions like heart disease, cancer, etc. making them capable of living longer lives with a greater quality.
Older dogs and cats can often deal with painful stiffness and arthritis; owners can ask their veterinarian about supplements that may assist pets with these conditions.
Be sure to ask your veterinarian about the best way to care for your geriatric pet. | <urn:uuid:1cf5d6b1-e6e5-4cda-8b98-8062a4ba5404> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.longisland.com/articles/08-03-11/aging-pet-concerns-and-awareness-what-to-look-for-and-ask-about-during-check-ups-for-geriatric-pets.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141195745.90/warc/CC-MAIN-20201128184858-20201128214858-00040.warc.gz | en | 0.955915 | 402 | 2.859375 | 3 | 219 |
The refrigerant cycle is the core technology behind every Arlington air conditioning system. Refrigerant, popularly called Freon, is a chemical that is easily converted from liquid into a gas and back again. As the Freon loops through the system, it “conditions” the air by extracting heat from it. During air conditioner repair or maintenance services, the experts at Metro Express Service may adjust Freon levels to ensure that cooling systems operate at peak performance.
How the Refrigerant Cycle Works
The three primary working parts of an air conditioner are the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator. All three are designed to support the refrigerant cycle process.
- Compressor. Freon arrives at the compressor as a cooled gas. The compressor squeezes the refrigerant, raising its temperature as the molecules are forced closer together and converting it into a hot liquid.
- Condenser. The condenser works something like a car’s radiator. The refrigerant passes through loops of coils encased in metal fins. This process converts the refrigerant into a cooled liquid.
- Evaporator. The cooled liquid is forced through a small opening into the lower pressure environment of the evaporator. This drop in pressure triggers the evaporation process. As the evaporating Freon moves through a second set of coils, it pulls energy from heat in the surrounding air. The cooled air is then distributed throughout your home by a network of air ducts.
Maintaining a Balanced Air Conditioning System
An inadequate amount of refrigerant in an air conditioning system upsets the system’s operating pressures. Often, low Freon levels mean that the evaporator won’t be able to extract enough heat from the surrounding air to keep the evaporator coils from freezing. Ice can then form on the coils, causing the system to seize up and fail.
When an air conditioner is installed, the system is “charged” with a specific amount of Freon based on the system’s size. If the system is improperly sized, inadequately charged, or poorly maintained, a Freon addition may be necessary from time to time.
Enrolling in a maintenance program at Metro Express Service is the most cost-effective way to ensure that your AC runs at peak efficiency. To schedule a repair or maintenance visit, call us today at 817-516-0700. | <urn:uuid:8ea9f413-cd73-4a45-8d52-67e872c2fbaf> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://mes-ac.com/how-freon-cools-homes/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141205147.57/warc/CC-MAIN-20201130035203-20201130065203-00120.warc.gz | en | 0.915158 | 492 | 2.8125 | 3 | 220 |
Last year, a group of scientists said they’d measured neutrinos traveling faster than the speed of light. This caused a huge uproar. If true, it would contradict Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. All of modern physics would be in doubt. Everything we thought we knew about gravity, black holes, and nuclear power would be called into question. Pigs would start flying, dogs would stop chasing cats, and the world as we know it would come to an end!
But now everyone can calm down. Researchers found a problem with the original experiment. There was a faulty cable somewhere which may have created an inaccurate measurement. Also, the experiment has been repeated, and the new test results show neutrinos travel at the speed of light, not faster than light. The Theory of Relativity is saved!
Personally, I never believed the original experiment would hold up. Relativity works too well and explains too many weird things in the universe. It’s hard to imagine it being so fundamentally flawed. But I wanted to believe, because the discovery of a faster-than-light particle would begin an exciting new era in science, one that might even allow faster-than-light travel.
For more on the second neutrino experiment, click here. | <urn:uuid:4d923635-ed80-47d2-a4f4-70d775253830> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://planetpailly.com/2012/03/20/slower-than-light/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141205147.57/warc/CC-MAIN-20201130035203-20201130065203-00120.warc.gz | en | 0.960765 | 259 | 3.03125 | 3 | 221 |
The Scots Irish in the Virginias and Carolinas
In the 17th and 18th centuries, thousands of Scots-Irish came through Philadelphia and Baltimore, moving westward and then south, often down the Shenandoah Valley, into the Virginias and the Carolinas. They found life most congenial in the hills of the Appalachians, where they soon defined and articulated a culture and social outlook long associated with their name. This is the history of their migration and of their development in the heart of Appalachia. Professor Bond, a direct descendant of Scots-Irish settler Henry McWhorter, here provides a fascinating history of these hearty pioneers who were so important to the shaping of the new American nation. | <urn:uuid:684fb2c3-903e-4c02-9406-08807d671f8d> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://scottishtartansgiftshop.com/collections/book-collection/products/the-scots-irish-in-the-virginias-and-carolinas | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141674594.59/warc/CC-MAIN-20201201135627-20201201165627-00200.warc.gz | en | 0.942644 | 143 | 3.390625 | 3 | 222 |
Venetian patrician wives of the late Middle Ages brought to their marriages material goods and family loyalty, both vitally important to the prosperity of conjugal families. The crucial resource was the dowry. During the marriage it sustained the family economy under the husband’s administration. Afterward, as the wife’s inherited property, it returned to her, supporting her widowhood and benefiting her children and kin. The economic connection established by the dowry, which included a corredo, a gift to the groom, encouraged collaboration between families, demonstrated in spouses’ appointment of both agnates and affines as testamentary executors. Moreover, accompanying the financial contents of the dowry were trousseaux consisting of clothing and furnishings for the bride, bestowed by her family and supplemented by the groom. These items further enhanced the relationships forged in marriage by giving visual testimony of a married woman’s position as the bridge between her natal and marital families. | <urn:uuid:fa21d373-9f1f-46b2-80ac-ea639be7a3fa> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.berghahnjournals.com/abstract/journals/historical-reflections/43/1/hrrh430109.xml?rskey=nmEbnE&result=5 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141674594.59/warc/CC-MAIN-20201201135627-20201201165627-00200.warc.gz | en | 0.972248 | 199 | 3.25 | 3 | 223 |
Antioxidants have been found to successfully treat yet another medical condition: pre-eclampsia, a condition experienced by 5% of pregnant women that is marked by abnormally high blood pressure.
According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, taking a dietary supplement containing an amino acid and antioxidant vitamins significantly reduced pregnant women’s chances of developing pre-eclampsia.
A trial involving 228 women at high risk of pre-eclampsia were given either a food bar containing the amino acid L-arginine and antioxidant vitamins or a bar containing only vitamins or a placebo food bar. Results showed that only 12.7% of women taking the amino acid-antioxidant supplements developed pre-eclampsia. This was compared to 22.5% who received antioxidants and 30.2% who received the placebo.
Researchers are now wondering how L-arginine and antioxidants work together and whether there are any contraindications to this natural therapy.
Source: Science Daily | <urn:uuid:46a00ff8-5236-4f08-8846-259bf6e13787> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.naturaleyecare.com/blog/natural-supplement-helps-pregnant-mothers-with-pre-eclampsia/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141674594.59/warc/CC-MAIN-20201201135627-20201201165627-00200.warc.gz | en | 0.940882 | 208 | 2.640625 | 3 | 224 |
Shinto ("the way of the Kami") is the name of the formal state religion of Japan that was first used in the 6th century C.E., although the roots of the religion go back to at least the 6th century B.C.E. Shinto has no founder, no official sacred texts, and no formalized system of doctrine. Shinto has been formative in developing uniquely Japanese attitudes and sensitivities, creating a distinct Japanese consciousness. Belief in kami—sacred or divine beings, although also understood to be spiritual essences—is one of the foundations of Shinto. Shinto understands that the kami not only exist as spiritual beings, but also in nature; they are within mountains, trees, rivers, and even geographical regions. In this sense, the kami are not like the all-powerful divine beings found in Western religion, but the abstract creative forces in nature. Related to the kami is the understanding that the Shinto followers are supposed to live in harmony and peaceful coexistence with both nature and other human beings. This has enabled Shinto to exist in harmony with other religious traditions. As the foundation for Japanese culture, Shinto has also played a significant role in the political realm. For centuries, Shinto religious festivals and ceremonies have become indistinguishable from the affairs of the government. | <urn:uuid:127408e7-0818-4c6e-ae5d-518a6d3b767f> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.patheos.com/library/shinto | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141674594.59/warc/CC-MAIN-20201201135627-20201201165627-00200.warc.gz | en | 0.957905 | 269 | 3.984375 | 4 | 225 |
© Getty Images
Last June, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom issued an executive directive phasing out the city’s bottled water use, citing environmental concerns and the excellent quality of municipal tap water (see "Message in a Bottle," cover story, September/October 2003). The Hetch Hetchy reservoir, located within Yosemite National Park, supplies what the directive calls some of the "purest, safest drinking water in the nation" to San Francisco, Santa Clara, Alameda and San Mateo counties. In the past four and a half years, the city spent more than $2 million supplying bottled water to government employees. Since July 1, city departments and agencies have been prohibited from purchasing single-serving bottled water using city funds. By December 1, the city must switch from bottled water dispensers to water dispensers using Hetch Hetchy water. The initiative is an adjunct of the city’s Local Climate Action Plan.
Americans buy 28 billon single-serving water bottles each year and more than 80 percent end up in landfills or incinerators, according to the Container Recycling Institute. Supplying this plastic to American consumers requires more than 47 million gallons of oil, which is equivalent to one billion pounds of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. Newsom says it is important the San Francisco government sets a good example by fighting significant contributors to climate change. | <urn:uuid:09a8cd36-2fb1-4741-ab18-25f14a4eec2d> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://emagazine.com/san-frans-bottled-water-ban/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141717601.66/warc/CC-MAIN-20201203000447-20201203030447-00280.warc.gz | en | 0.935164 | 281 | 3.140625 | 3 | 226 |
Where do artistic, imaginative, or inventive ideas come from? For that matter, why does one particular concept spark interest in one person and leave another completely bored?
Curiosity, I believe, provides a root answer to both questions. If a person is inquisitive about the world, they see a plethora of opportunities to ask questions. When they are comfortable inquiring about phenomenon they observe, it automatically and exponentially increases the possibility for learning and engagement. Once engaged, their creative mind is unleashed; they then feel at ease interacting and inventing within that world that they have expressed wonder about.
Creativity comes from the exploration and examination of personal thoughts and ideas based on an understanding and knowledge of the world around us. It is hands on, experimental, and quite often messy. Because, the only way to really learn something, for life, is to just do it.
Think about a child sitting happily in a mud puddle, splashing and playing with a twig and leaf boat. Or, a child standing on a stool in a kitchen peeling and slicing an apple as they help Grandpa make a pie. How about the girl who decides she wants to learn how to weld, and asks to apprentice in a welding shop. Or, the boy who thinks chemical reactions are beyond amazing and sets up his own chemistry lab in the garage. These are experiences that inform all those questions just waiting on the tip of every child's tongue and the ones that will stay with those kids for a lifetime.
Join me in honoring the people, environments, places and spaces, who celebrate curiosity, that fundamental point where all self-directed, student-centered learning begins. Congratulate the person who sat patiently, listened to a child's questions and offered a variety of paths for that student to explore and find the answers, instead of simply providing the solution. Compliment the facility that provides access to tools of all kinds, to all ages. Thank your librarian, local artist, and other professionals in your community who share their talents and knowledge with others.
By showing appreciation for those who understand that fostering curiosity is the building block to producing whole, creative, imaginative, inventive kids, we are in actuality supporting a vibrant, healthy, whole community for those children to grow up in, and they will in turn model those same experiences for the next generation of youth. | <urn:uuid:fee959f5-253c-4dad-b236-22d7084fead3> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.deeprootcenter.org/blog/a-celebration-of-curiosity | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141717601.66/warc/CC-MAIN-20201203000447-20201203030447-00280.warc.gz | en | 0.951806 | 477 | 2.6875 | 3 | 227 |
Buffleheads (Bucephala albeola) are one of the smallest ducks in North America. They’re also very skittish. Combine those two things, and you get pictures like this:
Hopefully this won’t be the last of my bufflehead photos.
Why are buffleheads called buffleheads?
“Buffle” is derived from buffalo; the name refers to the duck’s large, bulbous head. (American buffalos have ginormous heads.) The male’s head looks especially big because of contrasting white coloring on his crown. When he puffs out these headfeathers, it looks gargantuan.
Guess what? The bufflehead’s genus name means almost the same thing! Bucephala is a Latinized version of the Ancient Greek boukephalos, which means “bull-headed” (bous=bull, kephale= head). The species name, albeola, comes from the Latin for “white” and refers to the white markings on both males and females—although males have a higher proportion of white to black in their overall coloration.
Buffleheads share the Bucephala genus with goldeneyes. | <urn:uuid:51352837-9a20-48ff-9d06-261d885480bb> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.seasonofplenty.com/birds-day-buffleheads-bucephala-albeola/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141717601.66/warc/CC-MAIN-20201203000447-20201203030447-00280.warc.gz | en | 0.925215 | 265 | 3.296875 | 3 | 228 |
A turtle that looks like an adorable omelet was recently rescued. On Tuesday, October 27th residents spotted the rare yellow turtle near the Burdwan village pond in West Bengal.
This is the second rare yellow turtle they’ve found this year. The first was found in July 2020 in Balasore District, Odisha. Indian Forest Service officer Debashish Sharma posted images of the turtle online and netizens were happy to see the little guy.
The color is due to a deficiency of pigment called tyrosine. The pigment is present in many different reptiles including crocodiles. Scientists say that when a deficiency like this occurs it is due to a genetic mutation or a congenital disorder.
The turtle that was rescued was identified as a “yellow morph” of an albino Indian flapshell turtle. The turtle is rare because it’s not just specific parts of the turtle with this mutation but the entire thing. Making it a bright yellow all over.
These turtles are usually found in South Asian countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. They have a soft shell and live mostly in freshwater. Their food sources are typically frogs, snails and vegetation making them omnivores. | <urn:uuid:59823a52-ef1f-4032-94ba-337592ed90af> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://nerdbot.com/2020/11/01/rare-yellow-turtle-found-in-west-bengal/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141735600.89/warc/CC-MAIN-20201204101314-20201204131314-00360.warc.gz | en | 0.97468 | 254 | 2.953125 | 3 | 229 |
Diarrhea affects everyone on some occasion, and it is usually only present for a few days before the symptoms go away. However, if the condition lasts longer than a few weeks, it can indicate a serious medical condition, and the patient should seek medical attention.
Unusually loose and watery stools are classified as diarrhea. Other symptoms may also be present, and can include:
- Abdominal cramping
- Bloody stool
- Pain in the abdomen
- Intense urge to defecate
There are many causes of diarrhea, and not all of them require medical intervention. Sometimes foods can upset the digestive tract, and encourage a watery release. Other times, diarrhea is the body’s response to a bacterial or viral infection. Medications may also cause runny stools, but consistent and prolonged diarrhea is unusual.
Complications from diarrhea can quickly arise and develop into more serious conditions that require medical attention. Dehydration can result from the body’s continual use of water in the bowel movement, and children are especially vulnerable to losing a dangerous amount of water.
In most cases, diarrhea goes away on its own. If the problem persists, antibiotics may be used to fight off an infection and reduce symptoms. It is important to drink lots of water to replenish the body and help the digestive tract return to normal, solid bowel movements. If you frequently experience diarrhea, it may be symptomatic of an underlying condition. Contact GastroCare LI at (516) 219-8876 to speak with a Glendale or Valley Stream gastroenterologist near you today. | <urn:uuid:5ab22129-4132-4736-ad13-d64f3032c642> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.gastrocareli.com/diarrhea/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141735600.89/warc/CC-MAIN-20201204101314-20201204131314-00360.warc.gz | en | 0.940288 | 325 | 2.921875 | 3 | 230 |
Although scientists have long known that tantalizing whiffs of energy radiate from WiFi and other radio frequency waves, it’s only recently that the alternative energy industry has started to explore ways to harness this somewhat overlooked resource.
Last year, RCA showcased a prototype device that it claimed can turn WiFi signals into a ready supply of power. And just last month, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology announced a breakthrough that may enable consumers to produce an energy collecting antenna using an inkjet printer. Now researchers at Nihon Dengyo Kosaku Co., Ltd, a Japanese tech firm, have created the “rectenna,” a soon-to-be-commercialized device that harvests radio waves and converts them into useable electricity.
The current model two models are designed to collect energy from either WiFi or standard broadcast signals. The WiFi version, which can tap into signals located 10cm away from the source, generates an electrical output at the microwatt level while the terrestrial version, geared toward broadcast signals, produces about 1.2mV and 0.06µW of power. Both devices are also very portable, with the dimensions of the WiFi model measured at 12 mm thick and the terrestrial model at 30 mm.
Admittedly, the amount of electricity provided by the technology isn’t much when compared to other forms of renewable energy conversion technology like solar or wind. But the researchers believe that even such a modest boost should be sufficient enough to have practical applications in low-powered electronics, such as sensors. | <urn:uuid:cbad2fc3-4921-4792-bb07-f7c3a53c7e37> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.innovationtoronto.com/2011/08/invention-turns-energy-in-the-air-into-electricity-video/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141735600.89/warc/CC-MAIN-20201204101314-20201204131314-00360.warc.gz | en | 0.944294 | 313 | 3.296875 | 3 | 231 |
Neuroscientists team with engineers to explore how the brain controls movement
Scientists have made remarkable advances into recording the electrical activity that the nervous system uses to control complex skills, leading to insights into how the nervous system directs an animal’s behavior.
“We can record the electrical activity of a single neuron, and large groups of neurons, as animals learn and perform skilled behaviors,” says Samuel Sober, an associate professor of biology at Emory University who studies the brain and nervous system. “What’s missing,” he adds, “is the technology to precisely record the electrical signals of the muscles that ultimately control that movement.” Dr. Sober is a NS faculty member.
The Sober lab is now developing that technology through a collaboration with the lab of Muhannad Bakir, a professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The researchers recently received a $200,000 Technological Innovations in Neuroscience Award from the McKnight Foundation to create a device that can record electrical action potentials, or “spikes” within muscles of songbirds and rodents. The technology will be used to help understand the neural control of many different skilled behaviors to potentially gain insights into neurological disorders that affect motor control. | <urn:uuid:8bc71d37-1624-4240-9025-f84bcd573cbd> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | http://biomed.emory.edu/news-events/news-releases/2018/08/neuroscientists-team-with-engineers-to-explore-how-brain-controls-movement.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141750841.83/warc/CC-MAIN-20201205211729-20201206001729-00440.warc.gz | en | 0.931537 | 263 | 3.25 | 3 | 232 |
Rigorous research conducted at various reputable universities around the world should put to rest any notions of the novel coronavirus being some sort of conspiracy.
Sadly, it won’t. A plethora of theories about the virus has swamped the net, most suggesting COVID-19 was of U.S. manufacture and designed to incapacitate its main rival – China – in world influence and economic might.
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Yet one study published in Nature Medicine clearly shows that the virus, which first appeared in China last December, resulted from natural evolution. Kristian Anderson, associate professor of immunology and microbiology at Scripps Research, said: “By comparing the available genome sequence data for known coronavirus strains, we can firmly determine that SARS-CoV-2 originated through natural processes.”
The above-mentioned study clarifies that the virus is simply part of the family of coronaviruses. It probably emerged from Chinese wild animal markets and jumped the species barrier. | <urn:uuid:2b8cc273-9d73-41f1-bb64-02bab0ef58de> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/hassan-the-many-coronavirus-conspiracy-theories | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141750841.83/warc/CC-MAIN-20201205211729-20201206001729-00440.warc.gz | en | 0.94925 | 213 | 2.890625 | 3 | 233 |
Pending Royal Assent, schools and coaches will soon have to comply with a new Ontario law that aims to protect athletes from suffering concussions. Rowan's Law will change the safety culture around concussions, which are often not recognized as brain injuries. The law arose from the 2013 death of the 17-year-old rugby player, Rowan Stringer, who suffered a fatal head injury after several prior concussions.
The goal is to provide training and education to coaches, parents, athletes and other authorities to bring about a better understanding of the dangers posed by concussions. Once the new bill becomes an act of parliament, safety precautions designed to prevent head trauma will be mandatory. Codes of conduct will be established that will ensure that any athlete whose injury is deemed a concussion will receive the necessary recovery time to make sure he or she is healed before returning to the sports field.
All athletes that play hockey, soccer, rugby and other contact sports are at risk, and authoritative figures like coaches must be held accountable for allowing concussed athletes back too soon. However, the primary aim will be to prevent concussions from happening because even if sufficient recovery time is allowed, repeated concussions can cause severe brain damage that might be life-altering or even fatal. A hockey coach noted that, unlike other injuries, the brain cannot be bandaged, put in casts or braces until it is healed.
Ontario parents will now have even more reasons to expect their children to come home unharmed and safe after sports matches, training or practices. However, any parent who believes that his or her child was not protected from such harm may have grounds to sue those believed responsible. An experienced brain injuries lawyer can assess the allegations and determine the viability of a lawsuit, and if grounds exist, he or she can assist with the ensuing legal proceedings.
Source: thestar.com, "Concussion laws passed in Ontario to protect youth athletes", Kristin Rushowy, March 6, 2018 | <urn:uuid:6e40e673-9883-4305-9bb2-c8b0a47161a5> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | http://www.klaimanedmonds.com/blog/2018/03/new-law-aims-to-prevent-brain-injuries-among-ontario-athletes.shtml | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141163411.0/warc/CC-MAIN-20201123153826-20201123183826-00001.warc.gz | en | 0.967857 | 400 | 2.921875 | 3 | 234 |
On Monday, federal and state officials joined with California-American Water Co. (CALAM) in signing a declaration to cooperate on removal of the San Clemente Dam on the Carmel River in Monterey County. The Planning and Conservation League Foundation was also on hand, having worked for the last decade to help the parties reach this historic milestone. As Michael Chrisman, Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, noted at the ceremony, “projects like this are all about partnerships.”
The 106-foot tall dam, built in 1921, is nearly filled to the brim with silt. The structure is also seismically unsafe, jeopardizing downstream residents. Removal of the dam would provide access to one of the top steelhead streams on California’s Central Coast.
“Dam removal will help us improve river habitat and comply with a directive from the Department of Safety of Dams,” said CALAM President Rob MacLean. “We’ve altered our operations over time to minimize impacts to the river and the dam no longer serves its original purpose as a water storage facility for our customers. Instead, its removal provides an opportunity to work in partnership with natural resource agencies toward protection of the river and its habitat.”
MacLean says demolition work could begin in 2013, with the project completed by 2016. | <urn:uuid:62b20fa4-52db-4035-a906-954a06e20433> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.pcl.org/2010/01/cooperation-leads-to-breakthrough-restoration-on-carmel-river/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141163411.0/warc/CC-MAIN-20201123153826-20201123183826-00001.warc.gz | en | 0.953577 | 272 | 2.65625 | 3 | 235 |
Have you ever wondered how they differ?
The Asteroid Belt, shown above, consists of hundreds of thousands of rocks, with all kinds of different shapes, ranging in size from the Dwarf Planet Ceres at 950 Km in Diameter, down to small bits the size of dust particles. It lies between Mars and Jupiter.
The Kuiper Belt (pronounced Kai-per) consists of Icy rocks, and it a major source of short-period Comets in the Solar system. Extending beyond the planet Neptune, Pluto was discovered to be one of the largest objects in the belt.
The mysterious Oort cloud is a collection of Comets, thought to extend far beyond the planets of the Solar System. ‘Cloud’ is a correct term, as the Oort comets are distributed spherically about the Sun, possibly extending as far as half way to the next star. The Oort orbits are not regular or planar like the Asteroid and Kuiper belts, and are often perturbed through gravitational interactions during their long journeys on highly eccentric orbits.
The belts and the Oort cloud show just how many rocks there are in the Solar System. The Planets may be the largest objects, but they are certainly not alone. | <urn:uuid:f830d47d-8b9c-4b31-9c39-5b3c12f2823e> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | http://ryanmarciniak.com/archives/390?replytocom=181104 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141177607.13/warc/CC-MAIN-20201124224124-20201125014124-00081.warc.gz | en | 0.93183 | 256 | 3.859375 | 4 | 236 |
Last month, the National Post published an article entitled «A country called Macedonia» that contained scathing commentary about Greece – commencing with a reference to Greece’s economic strife and segueing into a critique of Greece’s opposition to the use of the name «Macedonia» by its northern neighbour. These accusations require a response.
Macedonia and the Macedonian identity have been integral parts of Greek history and culture since some of the first Hellenic tribes (known as Macedonians) settled northern Greek lands almost 4,000 years ago. Many renowned historians dispute the claims contained in the above-referenced article. Συνέχεια | <urn:uuid:25739da7-97f9-47a0-ace6-3eb993e8ebbd> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://mysatelite.wordpress.com/tag/invade/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141177607.13/warc/CC-MAIN-20201124224124-20201125014124-00081.warc.gz | en | 0.901 | 142 | 2.875 | 3 | 237 |
For people with glaucoma, regular monitoring of intraocular pressure (IOP) is important for making sure that their treatment is effective. But testing involves going to the eye doctor, which can be a burden, especially for older patients. Can glaucoma patients safely and accurately measure their own IOP at home?
To test that concept, researchers recruited 100 glaucoma patients (average age, 67) and taught them how to measure their own IOP with a rebound tonometer. This handheld and battery-powered device consists of a tiny plastic ball on a steel wire, held in place by an electromagnetic field. When the device is held up to the eye and activated, the ball touches the cornea and decelerates. The speed of deceleration is measured and converted into IOP.
Study results, which were reported in 2017 in JAMA Ophthalmology, were encouraging: 73 participants successfully measured their IOP, meaning they reported a reading within 5 mm Hg of that obtained by a researcher using the same device. Most people reported being comfortable doing the test.
The device used in this study was recently approved by the FDA as a home tonometer, called Icare Home. It is available through optometrists and ophthalmologists, who typically charge patients a fee to take it home and use it for a limited time to get a more complete picture of IOP levels throughout the day and night.
The device sends the results to the doctor via a computer hook-up. Medicare does not cover the cost. To find out more, talk to your eye specialist. | <urn:uuid:17fea56b-a020-4136-a69d-6f207247c2e3> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.healthandwellnessalerts.berkeley.edu/topics/state-of-the-art-glaucoma-care-at-home-iop-monitoring/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141177607.13/warc/CC-MAIN-20201124224124-20201125014124-00081.warc.gz | en | 0.970724 | 326 | 3.125 | 3 | 238 |
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a drone. Introducing the PigeonBot, a new UAV designed to soar like a real-life pigeon using bird-like feathered wings.
Developed by a team of researchers at Stanford University, the experimental drone boasts a pair of “biohybrid morphing wings” which are constructed from real feathers and help to propel the device through the skies.
From the outset, building a robotic pigeon may seem a little high-school science class, and the makeshift construction won’t disabuse you of that notion. But the device is actually attempting to solve some pretty complex problems, like how to build more agile unmanned aerial vehicles that can make better turns in tighter spaces.
PigeonBot may also help us to better understand how birds fly—specifically, the dynamic wing shape and the complex positions of individual feathers—which, up until this point, has remained something of a mystery.
So, how exactly did PigeonBot take flight? The head of Stanford’s Bio-Inspired Research & Design (BIRD) Lab David Lentink challenged his graduate students to “dissect the biomechanics of the avian wing morphing mechanism and embody these insights in a morphing biohybrid robot that features real flight feathers,” according to TechCrunch.
The students began by analysing bird skeletal motion, taking as their muse the humble pigeon, which Lentink admires for its resilience. They discovered that it only took a couple of motions—or flaps—to move 20 primary flight feathers and 20 secondaries. Then, they took all that research and created a lightweight robotic frame. Forty real pigeon feathers were affixed to the frame, and PigeonBot was born.
With a little help from a propellor attached to the front, PigeonBot can steer and maneuver through dense urban environments or forests, just like one of our regular feathered friends.
PigeonBot’s morphing wing tech could help improve wing design within aircraft and ensure drones operate more safely. As an added bonus, Lentink says the softness of the feathered wings will make it harder for the drone to injure people if there are any accidents.
At this stage, PigeonBot is just a prototype, and Lentink is currently working on a tail to match the wings. The industrious engineer is also working on a new robotic falcon that could feature both legs and claws, according to TechCrunch. Can an EagleBot be far behind? | <urn:uuid:a167e166-3a92-425a-a4d9-73ebb35f48f9> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://robbreport.co.uk/motors/aviation/meet-the-pigeonbot-a-new-drone-that-uses-feathered-wings-to-fly-like-a-real-bird-2797651/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141186761.30/warc/CC-MAIN-20201126055652-20201126085652-00161.warc.gz | en | 0.953865 | 531 | 3.5 | 4 | 239 |
The recent oil production boom in the United States, while astounding, has created a misleading narrative that the United States is no longer dependent on oil imports. Reports of surging domestic production, calls for relaxation of the crude oil export ban, labels of “Saudi America,” and the recent collapse in oil prices have created a perception that the United States has more oil than it knows what to do with.
This view is misguided. While some forecasts project that the United States could become a self-sufficient oil producer within the next decade, this remains a distant prospect. According to the April 2015 Short Term Energy Outlook, total U.S. crude oil production averaged an estimated 9.3 million barrels per day in March, while total oil demand in the country is over 19 million barrels per day.
This graphic helps illustrate the regional variations in crude oil supply and demand. North America, Europe, and Asia all run significant production deficits, with the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Former Soviet Union are global engines of crude oil supply. | <urn:uuid:ca783987-3d68-497f-94c8-3a4e236a56c8> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | http://www.energyfuse.org/tag/conocophillips-ryan-lance/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141193221.49/warc/CC-MAIN-20201127131802-20201127161802-00241.warc.gz | en | 0.950532 | 210 | 2.875 | 3 | 240 |
Travel back in time to the earliest days of American history and experience the excitement of a brand new nation! Explore the settlement of Jamestown and spend a day in the life of a Colonial-era kid, set foot on Plymouth Rock, visit a Quaker meeting, or learn about how modern-day interpreters recreate historical life at Sturbridge Village. Learn what life was really like on a southern plantation—including for the people who were enslaved there—and discover the details of lesser-known conflicts like King Philip’s War. Have you ever wondered how people spent their days in Colonial America? Find out how people worked, studied, and played, and meet a real blacksmith! For those interested in archaelogy, a special issue of DIG Magazine uncovers real skeletons found on the remains of the original Jamestown fort! | <urn:uuid:63ad907c-126b-48e3-a6e0-cc0e7adad508> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://shop.cricketmedia.com/single-issues/by-subject/colonial-history?price=6-7 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141193221.49/warc/CC-MAIN-20201127131802-20201127161802-00241.warc.gz | en | 0.937077 | 171 | 2.90625 | 3 | 241 |
Why Playgrounds Are Important for Your On-Site Child Care Center
But child care experts would say that misses an opportunity. In fact, if you're planning an on-site child care center (and if you're doing it right), playgrounds, like curriculum, should have very specific educational goals.
"They may be the richest classrooms we have," says Susan Brenner, Bright Horizons senior vice president of education, of Bright Horizons' playgrounds. "Done right, they're perfect laboratories for risk and exploration."
Playgrounds here are taken seriously, created with the same kinds of care and science used for math or language, with goals laid out that are to be learned, and corresponding lesson plans for how the child care center teaches it.
The Child Development Benefits of Playground Play
Appropriate risk taking, for example, is integral to a solid early childhood experience. But it's also something children often miss out on. "Children need physical challenges which are just above their current skill level," says Susan. "But in today's risk-averse society, children aren't getting enough opportunities to do that."
In a thoughtfully created playground, appropriate risks are offered in a controlled environment, with structures built to offer opportunity, and teachers trained to keep children safe but not adventure-free. Similarly, things like carefully placed plants, tree stumps, and surfaces encourage children to take an interest in nature and explore their environment.
Academics aside, inspiring outdoor spaces also encourage movement and exercise, a big bonus in this screen-obsessed world where children are more likely to explore plants and flowers on their tablets - versus out the window. And there's ample evidence that physical activity positively impacts brain activity, meaning that monkey bars and math may be more connected than you think.
The important takeaway, says Susan, is that recess for young children is more than just play time. And playgrounds deserve every bit the same thoughtfulness as a classroom.
"Child care centers with state-of-the-art playgrounds offer a great variety of opportunity," she says.
"And smart child care center designers know how to get it right." | <urn:uuid:a30aeffc-5760-48ea-ae93-f45ecd5a1b5d> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.brighthorizons.com/employer-resources/why-playgrounds-are-important-on-site-child-care-center | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141193221.49/warc/CC-MAIN-20201127131802-20201127161802-00241.warc.gz | en | 0.960684 | 438 | 2.671875 | 3 | 242 |
Tap into thousands of years of plant knowledge. The belief that all life-forms are interconnected and share the same breath – known in the Rarámuri tribe as iwígara – has resulted in a treasury of knowledge about the natural world, passed down for millennia by native cultures. Ethnobotanist Enrique Salmón builds on this concept of connection and highlights 80 plants revered by North America’s indigenous peoples. Salmón teaches us the ways plants are used as food and medicine, the details of their identification and harvest, and their important health benefits, plus their role in traditional stories and myths. Discover in these pages how the timeless wisdom of iwígara can enhance your own kinship with the natural world. | <urn:uuid:ef95cbf0-bde3-4867-b4c0-daa045fc77da> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.wildbear.org/product/iwigara-the-kinship-of-plants-and-people/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141193221.49/warc/CC-MAIN-20201127131802-20201127161802-00241.warc.gz | en | 0.931498 | 152 | 2.953125 | 3 | 243 |
Inspired by diets commonly followed in the middle of the 20th Century by residents of Italy, Greece, Spain, and other nations around (or within) the Mediterranean Sea, the Mediterranean Diet consists primarily of vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, whole grains, seafood, and a healthy supply of virgin olive oil. It also means only moderate consumption of dairy products, rare consumption of red meat, and almost total avoidance of processed foods and sugary beverages.
Experts have long noted the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, which include a decreased risk of heart attack, stroke, and/or type-II diabetes, as well as weight loss and lower blood pressure.
Now, a new study conducted by the United States Air Force has found that a Mediterranean diet may also improve cognitive abilities—at least when it's paired with plenty of exercise. The Air Force study used a double-blind test and control group, both of which followed an identical, strict exercise regimen for 12 weeks. During that period, one group was given daily supplements that mimicked the nutritional properties of Mediterranean diet foods while the others got a placebo. (Related: 100 Unhealthiest Foods on the Planet.)
At the end of the trial period, the group that had taken the real supplement showed a significant improvement in six out of eight cognitive tests, while those taking the placebo improved in only four out of the eight tests.
The results suggest that the Mediterranean diet along with exercise may improve working memory, mental reaction time, and provide other cognitive benefits as well.
Hey, if healthy food can make you smarter, we're all for filling up on the good stuff! Here's a list of all the foods you can eat on the Mediterranean Diet. And for more healthy eating news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter. | <urn:uuid:22841926-45e0-45a7-8f65-d884c42f12a7> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/following-diet-smarter-study-suggests-130043282.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141193221.49/warc/CC-MAIN-20201127131802-20201127161802-00241.warc.gz | en | 0.952158 | 362 | 2.71875 | 3 | 244 |
Photo by Nicole Fara Silver
They’re the main ingredient in lemonade, but lemons are good for so much more than a refreshing, front porch staple — they’re packed with health-boosting vitamin C and antioxidants known as flavonoids. The C contributes to collagen synthesis in the body and may help prevent you from catching a cold. Plus the rest of those flavonoids contribute to fighting off damaging free radicals in the body, which could decrease the risk of heart disease, reduce inflammation, and help fight some cancers.
Wondering what else there is to do with lemons? Add to seltzer water instead ofdrinking soda, or substitute for the sugar in a cocktail. Use it to flavor foods with iron, like leafy greens to help the body better absorb the greens’ iron. Just try to stick to fresh, whole lemons, as pre-squeezed juice can rapidly lose its vitamin C.
The Takeaway: Integrate whole, fresh lemons into your diet for better-tasting foods and health bonuses like a lessened chance of catching a cold and even a potentially decreased risk of cancer.
Not a chef? Lemons have practical purposes, too, like repelling insects and lightening hair (no salon required).
To get all the juice out of a fresh lemon, roll it firmly against the counter before cutting into it. Still feeling firm? Microwave it for 20 seconds before squeezing. The average lemon should yield 2 to 3 tablespoons of juice. | <urn:uuid:32e15db1-0b77-4be2-b9a3-4339b0f96e88> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://greatist.com/tips/add-lemons-boost-flavor | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141195929.39/warc/CC-MAIN-20201128214643-20201129004643-00321.warc.gz | en | 0.909991 | 312 | 2.78125 | 3 | 245 |
Because of the adverse health effects associated with consuming trans-fats, foodservice companies continue to reduce/eliminate the amount of trans-fats used to prepare doughnuts and other foods. People eat doughnuts because they like the taste, however, meaning companies must reduce/eliminate trans-fats in a manner that has minimal impact on consumer preference. This study evaluated the sensory characteristics of doughnuts fried in three shortenings- one trans-fat and two trans-fat-free. Overall, the doughnuts prepared with trans-fat-free shortening compared favorably to those made using trans-fat shortening-a significant accomplishment with enormous implications for consumers and the industry.
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Food Science | <urn:uuid:db0f30a1-08d3-4b51-9e56-6f1b89cafeaf> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://pennstate.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/comparing-the-sensory-characteristics-of-doughnuts-made-with-tran | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141195929.39/warc/CC-MAIN-20201128214643-20201129004643-00321.warc.gz | en | 0.908501 | 154 | 2.765625 | 3 | 246 |
Four Unknown Beatrix Potter Illustrations Found in England
Four previously unknown Beatrix Potter illustrations were found tucked away in the library at Melford Hall, a Tudor mansion and National Trust property in Suffolk, England.
The drawings focus on interior and exterior scenes of Melford Hall itself, which was frequently visited by Potter between 1899 and 1938 when her cousin Ethel Leech lived there with her husband and three children.
Conservation work unearthed the drawings. House manager Josephine Waters and a colleague were moving bookcases when they discovered the drawings tucked away in some of the old books. Waters immediately recognized Potter's unique style.
"I am never going to forget it, it was the most amazing moment. It made me catch my breath, a real spine-tingling moment," Waters said in an interview with the Guardian. "Still now, when I think about it, I get that special feeling. It is the sort of thing you dream of when you are working with a historic collection, that you will discover something new."
It's been quite a year for Beatrix Potter fans, with a previously unpublished Potter story set to be released in September, Peter Rabbit showing up on a Brisith coin, and the author's 150th birthday just around the corner on July 28.
[Image from the National Trust] | <urn:uuid:0a9d1416-b144-40c1-a213-acdc5df9ba5c> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.finebooksmagazine.com/blog/four-unknown-beatrix-potter-illustrations-found-england | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141195929.39/warc/CC-MAIN-20201128214643-20201129004643-00321.warc.gz | en | 0.964996 | 267 | 2.5625 | 3 | 247 |
#Building Efficiency, #Consumption & Lifestyle, #Energy, #Mobility, #Waste
Over two weeks of international climate negotiations in Madrid at COP25 ended in mid-December. However, with low ambition and slow pace, little progress was made.
What is COP25?
COP25 is the 25th annual conference held under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. These conferences are for states and other stakeholders to coordinate international action on climate change.
What were the key outcomes?
States recognised that tougher carbon targets are needed globally. However, many onlookers regard COP25 as a failure, as few countries came up with new targets, and consensus about a global carbon market proved elusive.
2020 will be the year where countries submit new emissions reduction commitments. This year was therefore important for building ambition and advancing implementation. With pressure mounting on a more comprehensive agreement, hopefully the urgency of the climate crisis will set the stage for more cooperation and higher ambition next year.
Chema Vera, the interim executive director of Oxfam International, said: “The world is screaming out for action, but this summit responded with a whisper. The poorest nations are in a sprint for survival, yet many governments have barely moved from the starting blocks. Instead of committing to more ambitious cuts in emissions, countries have argued over technicalities.” | <urn:uuid:376f3ad3-f8b0-40e7-8baa-2ec3f5278c2c> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.hk2050isnow.org/2019/12/13/what-happened-at-the-cop25-climate-talks/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141195929.39/warc/CC-MAIN-20201128214643-20201129004643-00321.warc.gz | en | 0.95313 | 274 | 3.109375 | 3 | 248 |
The Earth has entered its sixth mass extinction phase, a new study warns, and the time we have to avoid dramatic consequences is rapidly running out.
Vertebrates -- which include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish -- are disappearing at a rate 114 times faster than normal, according the study published Friday in the journal Science Advances. The study, led by Stanford, Princeton and the University of California-Berkeley, stated the number of vertebrate species that have gone extinct in the last century normally take 800 to 10,000 years to disappear under natural extinction rates.
"These estimates reveal an exceptionally rapid loss of biodiversity over the last few centuries, indicating that a sixth mass extinction is already under way," the researchers wrote. The last such extinction was 65 million years ago, The Telegraph noted, when dinosaurs were wiped off the face of the planet.
Human activity related to development and climate change are exacerbating the problem, the study argued.
"Our analysis emphasizes that our global society has started to destroy species of other organisms at an accelerating rate, initiating a mass extinction episode unparalleled for 65 million years," the researchers wrote. "Avoiding a true sixth mass extinction will require rapid, greatly intensified efforts to conserve already threatened species and to alleviate pressures on their populations -- notably habitat loss, overexploitation for economic gain, and climate change ... However, the window of opportunity is rapidly closing."
The study found that given these extinctions, the benefits of biodiversity like crop pollination and water purification could disappear in as little as three lifetimes, putting the human species in serious danger before others.
"If it is allowed to continue," lead study author Gerardo Ceballos told BBC News, "life would take many millions of years to recover and our species itself would likely disappear early on." | <urn:uuid:d6ceed23-80cb-4bae-a491-cf241b89136c> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.huffpost.com/entry/earth-extinction-phase_n_7629330 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141195929.39/warc/CC-MAIN-20201128214643-20201129004643-00321.warc.gz | en | 0.946177 | 369 | 3.625 | 4 | 249 |
In the old-growth forests of Ontario there are still trees more than 400 years in age. They existed before Europeans set foot upon Canada’s shores. As the trees reach the end of their lifespan, they may die standing and later fall to the forest floor. Over decades and centuries, these trees undergo natural weathering as they endure the elements of the passing seasons. When repurposed for hardwood flooring, this old-growth wood offers an authentic, exceptionally tight grain only found in virgin timber – a look that cannot be duplicated in new materials. | <urn:uuid:71175b00-0ae2-42dc-85b1-956c090712af> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | http://www.jhbarn.com/reclaimed-barn-flooring.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141211510.56/warc/CC-MAIN-20201130065516-20201130095516-00401.warc.gz | en | 0.945496 | 114 | 2.765625 | 3 | 250 |
Mary Beale (1633–99) was one of the earliest professional women artists in Britain. Her successful career as a Baroque-era portrait artist was documented by her husband, Charles, whose almanacs provide a unique record of Beale’s patrons, painting technique, and family affairs. Her portraits of politicians, clergy, aristocracy, and intellectuals reflect the vibrant literary, scientific, and political scene of the seventeenth century.
Beale is recognized as a feminist icon for her success in the male-driven world of portrait painting, and in addition to being a professional artist, she was also as a poet and author. Her book Discourse on Friendship, published in 1667, argued for the equality of husband and wife in marriage—a radical concept at that time. My Dearest Heart, the first biography of Mary Beale, features more than 120 color illustrations of her ground-breaking artistry. | <urn:uuid:3c09c808-7f81-4558-a727-741b9775422d> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://gift.gardnermuseum.org/products/my-dearest-heart | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141211510.56/warc/CC-MAIN-20201130065516-20201130095516-00401.warc.gz | en | 0.9769 | 187 | 2.9375 | 3 | 251 |
Doctors have sped up how quickly they treat heart attack patients, but it’s not saving more lives.
Hospitals have worked hard to decrease what’s known as door-to-balloon time — the period needed to insert a small balloon inside the blocked arteries responsible for heart attacks. That time is a major factor in the way hospitals are assessed for the quality of care they deliver. The assumption is that the shorter that time, the more heart muscle is saved, and the more likely patients are to survive heart attacks.
Except that they don’t, according to the latest research published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Scientists from the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center question the theory that when it comes to treating heart attack patients, faster is better at every step. Over the last decade, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology established guidelines to help doctors limit door-to-balloon time to 90 minutes or less. In their research , the scientists of the latest study looked at a national sample of 100,000 hospital admissions for heart attack between 2005 to 2009. During this period, doctors introduced significant advances to bring down treatment time from 83 minutes to 67 minutes, and about 4.7% of the patients died. While that rate was relatively low, it was virtually unchanged from years earlier, when care was slower.
How could faster care not translate into fewer deaths? It may be that doctors’ speedier actions are putting some patients at more risk of complications by moving in too quickly with the radical intervention. “The pendulum may have swung too far,” study author Dr. Daniel Menees, an interventional cardiologist and assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, said in a statement. “In our rush to provide treatment even faster, we may be taking patients for angioplasty who don’t need one and possibly even placing those patients at-risk.”
Door-to-balloon time is only one part of evaluating a hospital’s ability to provide quality heart attack treatment, and the results suggest that hospitals may have given it too much sway. Instead, the researchers say deaths from heart attacks may be reduced with more focus on strategies like improving education of heart attack symptoms and lowering the time it takes to transfer patients from one hospital to another if needed. | <urn:uuid:20efba0f-156f-4e18-9929-55214bf7f352> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://healthland.time.com/2013/09/05/faster-care-is-not-lowering-heart-attack-death-rates/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141211510.56/warc/CC-MAIN-20201130065516-20201130095516-00401.warc.gz | en | 0.94772 | 487 | 3.0625 | 3 | 252 |
Researchers from Australia say they have set a new record for the fastest data transfer yet: 44.2 terabits per second. That writes research magazine Nature Communications Friday. At that speed, users could theoretically download a thousand HD movies in one second.
The researchers reached the record speed by using a device known as a 'micro comb'. The micro comb was tested outside the laboratory on an optical fiber used in fiber optic connections worldwide.
The micro comb was placed in the fibers of the cable, providing a more efficient and compact way to transmit data. According to the researchers, this is the first time the technology has been used outside of a laboratory.
As the technology gained speed on existing connections, the researchers hope that their findings provide a glimpse of what internet connections might look like in the future.
"Our research demonstrates the potential of fibers we already have in the ground. Micro-combs provide an opportunity to meet the insatiable demand for bandwidth in the world," one of the researchers told the BBC . | <urn:uuid:addb1181-24bd-47f5-9bf8-e3b7fcba4f90> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.tellerreport.com/tech/2020-05-22-researchers-set-new-record-internet-speed--44-2-terabit-per-second.ByVz0QDHo8.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141211510.56/warc/CC-MAIN-20201130065516-20201130095516-00401.warc.gz | en | 0.942031 | 205 | 2.953125 | 3 | 253 |
Power brushes drive electric oral health improvement
Using an electric toothbrush could help prevent tooth loss, according to a new study.
Published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, the 11-year observational study investigated the association between electric toothbrushing and periodontitis, caries and number of teeth present.
The study included 2,819 adults from the Study of Health in Pomerania, who were examined in 2002 to 2006 and were followed-up after six and 11 years. At baseline, 18% used an electric toothbrush, rising to 37% at the 11-year follow-up.
‘Electric toothbrushes have become increasingly popular among all age groups in Germany, but few studies have tested their long-term effectiveness,’ said study author Dr Vinay Pitchika.
‘Our study shows electric toothbrushes are most beneficial in maintaining good oral health and are linked with slower progression of periodontal disease.’
Overall, electric toothbrush users experienced 20% less tooth loss during follow-up than manual toothbrush users. This translated to an average of 0.4 more teeth retained (out of 28 teeth). The benefits were slightly greater in regular (at least twice a day) electric (versus manual) toothbrushers.
When participants were divided into groups according to the severity of periodontitis, the association between electric toothbrushing and tooth retention was significant only in those with no/mild periodontitis.
The study also found electric toothbrushing was linked with fewer pockets and better attachment of teeth to the gums and bone.
This was shown by 22% and 21% lower progression of probing depth and clinical attachment loss, respectively, compared to manual toothbrush users.
When divided into groups according to the severity of periodontitis, significant associations with probing depth were observed in people with no/mild and moderate periodontitis, while the link with clinical attachment loss was found only in those with moderate periodontitis.
There was no association between electric toothbrush usage and dental caries. | <urn:uuid:100e344c-98c6-4ea1-a26a-f18802243a81> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.dentistry.co.uk/2019/09/06/power-brushes-drive-electric-oral-health-improvement/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141681209.60/warc/CC-MAIN-20201201170219-20201201200219-00481.warc.gz | en | 0.961134 | 424 | 3 | 3 | 254 |
9 of the world's most amazing aquariums
Bringing people face to face with the underwater world.
(Photo: digidreamgrafix / Shutterstock)
A look under the surface of the ocean
A majority of the earth's surface is covered by water, but a majority of its population has never ventured below the waves. To most, the ocean depths seem as otherworldly as Mars or the surface of the Moon. Even scuba enthusiasts, who regularly explore underwater, don't often come in contact with really rare aquatic life.
This is why aquariums are so popular. They offer a chance to visit underwater habitats without getting wet, as well as guarantee that visitors will see some species that are extremely elusive in the wild. By shedding light on hidden habitats, aquariums hope to build understanding and create a concern for the conservation of the world's oceans, seas, lakes and rivers. Here are nine awesome aquariums that bring aquatic creatures and surface dwellers face to face. | <urn:uuid:b20d19ee-8fc6-49d5-87c2-42ee572e0476> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.fromthegrapevine.com/slideshows/nature/9-worlds-most-amazing-aquariums | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141681209.60/warc/CC-MAIN-20201201170219-20201201200219-00481.warc.gz | en | 0.946454 | 199 | 2.671875 | 3 | 255 |
McMaster University researchers have discovered that floc–“goolike” substances that occur suspended in water and that host large communities of bacteria–also contain high levels of antibiotic resistance.
“This has important public health implications because the more antibiotic resistance there is, the less effective our antibiotic arsenal is against infectious diseases,” said Lesley Warren, professor of earth science, in a recent press release.
The research was led by Warren and Gerry Wright, scientific director of the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, along with Ian Droppo, a research scientist at Environment Canada.
They examined floc collected from Ontario’s Hamilton Harbour, which is impacted by sewer overflow; Sunnyside Beach in Toronto, which is impacted by wastewater; a rural stream near Guelph, impacted by light agricultural activities; and a remote lake in a natural preserve area in Algonquin Park, accessible only by float plane.
Researchers analyzed the water and floc samples for trace element concentrations and the presence of 54 antibiotic resistant genes. They were surprised to discover that genes encoding resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics were present in floc bacteria at all four sites, although resistance varied in intensity based on human influence. That is, there was less antibiotic resistance detectable from Algonquin Lake compared to Hamilton Harbour, which harbored the highest concentration of floc trace elements.
“What this tells us is that antibiotic resistance is widespread in aquatic environments ranging from heavily impacted urban sites to remote areas,” said Warren. “Yet, it also demonstrates that areas with greater human impact are important reservoirs for clinically important antibiotic resistance.
Floc are vibrant microbial communities that attract contaminants such as trace metals that are markers of resistance, Wright said. Warren added the study of antibiotic resistance in floc has never been done, “and we are only scratching the surface. The presence of environmental bacterial communities in aquatic environments represents a significant, largely unknown source of antibiotic resistance,” she said. “The better we understand what is out there, the better we can develop policies to safeguard human health as best we can.” | <urn:uuid:17089791-2feb-49d1-987c-636d98766bf5> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.watercanada.net/researchers-discover-resistance-in-ontario-freshwater/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141681209.60/warc/CC-MAIN-20201201170219-20201201200219-00481.warc.gz | en | 0.945109 | 437 | 3.5625 | 4 | 256 |
Scientists from the University of Missouri – St. Louis used infrared scanners to look at the tattoos of ancient Egyptian mummies and found many interesting discoveries.
While investigating a site at Deir el-Medina, they examined the skin of each of the mummies found at the site. Six of the mummies had elaborate tattoos, something not understood until now.
The mummies were nearly all artisans and craft workers from the site, which dates back to around 3,000 years ago.
Previously, archaeologists had found a few tattoos on Egyptian mummies, six in total. However, they did not have adequate technology for finding them easily until now.
Seven of the Deir el-Medina mummies have yielded tattoos so far. Previously, researchers thought that the tattoos on females were for “fertility”. However, the Deir el-Medina mummies paint a different picture.
Most of the tattoos found at the site seem to highlight the roles of women as healers and priestesses. One woman had tattoos of hieroglyphs on the back of her neck and another had a human eye tattooed on her neck as well as two seated baboons.
One female mummy had 30 tattoos. Based on their findings, scientists believe the tattoos highlighted the way in which roles of females in Ancient Egypt were surprisingly progressive.
Tattoos in the prehistoric world, while not common, have been found elsewhere as well.
The oldest tattoo ever found was on the Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,000 year old body found in the ice of the Italian Alps. He was found to have three tattoos on his lower legs. | <urn:uuid:0d7773eb-8a42-4920-81a2-94c5851bdc7f> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://buzzesque.com/ancient-egyptians-had-tattoos/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141718314.68/warc/CC-MAIN-20201203031111-20201203061111-00561.warc.gz | en | 0.979874 | 337 | 3.28125 | 3 | 257 |
Screen time can also impact humans vision. Eighty-percent of adult Americans report being on their devices for more than a couple of hours a day. The prolonged screen time can lead to digital eye strain.
Digital eye strain includes blurry vision, tired eyes, and dry irritated eyes.
Seventy percent of American parents report that their children spend 2 or more hours a day on their screens. That leads your children to experience the same digital eye strain symptoms that adults can have.
Specialized lenses can help reduce glare and filter out the blue light. The conversation starts with an eye exam. | <urn:uuid:7df1d1e1-eb32-46c0-87db-88406d487344> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.californialifehd.com/2019/07/02/discover-why-hours-spent-on-digital-devices-requires-eye-check-ups/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141718314.68/warc/CC-MAIN-20201203031111-20201203061111-00561.warc.gz | en | 0.946563 | 120 | 2.859375 | 3 | 258 |
iFoodDS is a co-principal investigator in a Cornell-led project that will develop strategies to minimize COVID-19 transmission among workers in meat, dairy and produce food processing facilities. The project will use computer modeling and outreach relating to how a facility produces food and how COVID-19 spreads in facilities.
“Protecting the workforce from the virus is of paramount importance, however, it is also a priority to maintain a needed level of food production while we implement improved methods that prevent the spread of COVID-19,” explains Diane Wetherington, executive chair of the iFoodDS Board. “This research will better inform us of how to achieve both.”
Claire Zoellner, a food safety scientist at iFoodDS who received her doctorate degree at Cornell, will participate in the research while Wetherington will serve as an industry advisor to Cornell.
According to Cornell, on the research side, the project aims to develop mathematical models relating how a facility produces food to how COVID-19 spreads in plants, and how one affects the other. Once a model has been developed and validated, it will be scaled up and applied in several specific meat, dairy and produce processing facilities to further validate it in real world settings.
Cornell plans to also develop and deliver online extension programs for industries to communicate the findings of this research.
“iFoodDS is excited to work with Cornell and apply its scientific and technical expertise on a project that protects essential food workers from the spread of human viruses,” Wetherington says. “This work will yield long-term results that will benefit both employees and companies working to keep a continuous supply of food available to consumers.”
The project was made possible thanks to a two-year, $1 million rapid-response grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. | <urn:uuid:ed7b7c7a-53b2-4724-95ad-a13a89b72298> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.foodlogistics.com/safety/press-release/21203985/ifooddecisionsciences-cornell-partners-ifoodds-partner-to-protect-food-workers | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141718314.68/warc/CC-MAIN-20201203031111-20201203061111-00561.warc.gz | en | 0.942021 | 391 | 2.8125 | 3 | 259 |
Although the mating habits and biology of wild birds differs by species, specific behavioral and physical characteristics are virtually universal. As it pertains to mating, what this means is the real means males impregnate females is typically the exact same from types to types, despite small variants. Typically, avian habits that are reproductive significantly distinctive from those of animals, down seriously to the organs which make it all feasible.
While wild wild wild birds have a similar organs that are internal allow animals like people to conceive, such as for instance testes and ovaries, one organ is oftentimes conspicuously missing: your penis. In many types, men would not have penises, and their testes are housed deep in the human body in the place of in a scrotum that is dangling. Which means that, from the surface, males and females usually indistinguishable by their genitals, and needs to be identified by other real markers like color habits. While females create their eggs via an ovary, they often just have one — the left ovary — in the place of two.
The behavior prior to mating and conception additionally differs by types, plus some could be extremely discriminating. Some types of bird, like budgies, pair down for a lifetime and stay monogamous, while some are promiscuous. Budgies additionally prove just how certain kinds of bird could be particular about where when they mate, because they have distinct seasons that are mating choose to copulate in private areas. In the great outdoors, this consists of places like hollow logs and woods, whilst in captivity, it may necessitate making use of a nesting field. Continue reading | <urn:uuid:4343396c-b769-4d48-99c2-592a4decd640> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.londonlungcanceralliance.co.uk/category/ukrainian-dating-free-2/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141718314.68/warc/CC-MAIN-20201203031111-20201203061111-00561.warc.gz | en | 0.961463 | 330 | 3.359375 | 3 | 260 |
Brain functions, such as language, are shaped by experience during windows of heightened plasticity in early life. For example, children raised in an English- speaking environment will easily distinguish the phonemes /la/ and /ra/, whereas those growing up in Japan find it increasingly difficult. The underlying sites of plasticity along the auditory pathway, as well as potential mechanisms engaged during such ‘critical periods’ remain largely unknown.
Passive exposure to sound stimuli (tones) powerfully enhances response strength and expands topography within primary auditory cortex (Fig 1). Tania Rinaldi Barkat, a Harvard Fellow in the lab of Takao Hensch, has now isolated the refinement of connections specifically linking the mouse auditory thalamus to cortex. Such plasticity was strikingly restricted to a brief three-day critical period shortly after hearing onset in mice. Systematic, voltage-sensitive dye imaging in acute brain slices was confirmed (in collaboration with D. Polley, MEEI) by microelectrode recordings from intact animals.
Importantly, sound frequency maps were unaltered in the thalamus itself, suggesting this auditory plasticity originates in the cortex. Direct examination of dendritic spines, the sites of synaptic contact upon cortical neurons, revealed a preferential maturation of thalamo-cortical circuits over the timecourse of the critical period. Moreover, genetic deletion of a cortical cell-adhesion molecule (Icam5) induced precocious stubby spine maturation and accelerated the rate of auditory plasticity.
Early acoustic experience thus impacts the evolving postnatal connectivity between thalamus and cortex in the days following hearing onset. The ability to trace systems level plasticity to individual spines in the auditory pathway may offer novel therapeutic insight and educational strategies for language development and its disorders.
Read more in Nature Neuroscience
[July 31st, 2011]
Figure 1. Sound frequency maps in auditory cortex (ACx) shaped by early acoustic experience. Neuronal activity recorded in the intact animal (a, upper panel) or in acute brain slices that preserve connectivity from auditory thalamus (MGv) to cortex (a, lower panel) exhibits a balanced sound spectrum in ACx (color). Passive tone exposure (7kHz) during a brief developmental critical period distorts the map so as to over-represent the stimulus (b, green).
Black and grey lines (upper panels) indicate reference blood vessel patterns on the cortical surface. Colored dots and bars represent best frequency in vivo (color scale) or MGv input in vitro (colored arrows), respectively, to that cortical site. | <urn:uuid:cd5df730-9225-4d5c-a994-cea82075c713> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.mcb.harvard.edu/department/news/sculpting-sound-space-in-the-developing-brain/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141718314.68/warc/CC-MAIN-20201203031111-20201203061111-00561.warc.gz | en | 0.912293 | 533 | 3 | 3 | 261 |
| Year 5
To inspire scientific thinking, Year 5 carefully observed changes when different liquids were mixed together.
During our first week, the children in Year 5 conducted a ‘Magic Rainbow Milk’ science experiment: the perfect launch to our ‘Potions and Explosions’ topic.
Using just 3 materials (milk, food colouring and washing-up liquid) the children observed something unusual when the 3 liquids were mixed together. As soon as the soap was added to the food colouring and milk, the children watched closely as the colours quickly dispersed to the edge of the plate.
Struck with awe and wonder, the children tried to hypothesise why this happened.
We wonder if milk with different levels of fat content would make a difference?
It is certainly something to investigate at home! | <urn:uuid:78595fd6-1954-4291-a5ef-15ef87b93d8e> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.sherbornehouse.co.uk/school-life/latest-news/magic-rainbow-milk-science-experiment | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141164142.1/warc/CC-MAIN-20201123182720-20201123212720-00281.warc.gz | en | 0.964898 | 166 | 3.59375 | 4 | 262 |
Lower white arrows in this image of Mercury’s surface show small fault scarps, indicating the planet is still tectonically active. Upper white arrows in the inset show small troughs that were likely formed due to the bending of the planet’s crust as it was uplifted. Image Credit: NASA/JHUAPL/Carnegie Institution of Washington/Smithsonian Institution
Mercury is a tectonically active planet that is likely forming new faults even today, according to a new study using data from NASA’s MESSENGER spacecraft.
Evidence was revealed in images captured by MESSENGER during its final 18 months orbiting the planet, which showed small fault scarps on the surface.
Fault scarps are ridges or cliff-like landforms that form when one side of a fault moves vertically in relation to the other side.
Larger, older fault scarps are already known to exist on Mercury, possibly caused by the planet’s contraction as it cooled over time.
But these newly discovered scarps are much smaller and measure just a few kilometres in length and tens of metres in relief.
Scarps of this size would be relatively quickly destroyed by meteor bombardment, indicating they must have formed quite recently.
This means Mercury can be grouped with Earth as another tectonically active planet in the Solar System.
“The young age of the small scarps means that Mercury joins Earth as a tectonically active planet in our Solar System, with new faults likely forming today as Mercury’s interior continues to cool,” says lead author Thomas R. Watters of the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies at the National Air and Space Museum. | <urn:uuid:b6334024-5028-42da-a5c3-58717764b545> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/mercury-is-tectonically-active/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141164142.1/warc/CC-MAIN-20201123182720-20201123212720-00281.warc.gz | en | 0.960023 | 353 | 4.3125 | 4 | 263 |
Independence is the key principle in ensuring the sound operation of central banks all over the world given their role in achieving price-stability, according to a research paper released on Monday by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The IMF said that transparency about banks' multifaceted decisions and actions needs to be strengthened, and clear communication with the public is paramount, which paves the way for accountability.
"Only by simultaneously enhancing central banks’ governance, transparency, and accountability can their long-term independence be assured. This is the surest step to help rebuild public confidence in central banks as reliable defenders of non-inflationary, job-creating economic policies," the IMF said.
The paper said that bridging independence and accountability is the notion of transparency, a vital component allowing independent central banks to prove their effectiveness and public accountability.
Transparency, independence, and accountability are vital components of achieving and strengthen central banks' governance, moreover, they prevent likely institutional downward spirals over the long term. Poor governance and corruption not only harm the economy through short-term disruption, but also take a significant toll on institutions, weakening their effectiveness, thus, central banks are not immune.
The IMF called on governments to reinforce central banks governance through boosting their independence, transparency and accountability.
This call stems from the consequences of the global financial crisis of 2008, when many central banks pursued strategies that led to significant expansions of their balance sheets. In some cases, governments tasked them with new or additional financial stability functions on top of their mandate of price stability. | <urn:uuid:e66747de-a897-4eb7-a722-7b8b7ab51412> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/3/12/356607/Business/Economy/Central-banks-must-reinforce-their-independence-to.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141180636.17/warc/CC-MAIN-20201125012933-20201125042933-00361.warc.gz | en | 0.941204 | 317 | 2.78125 | 3 | 264 |
Cerebral Palsy Support Group
Cerebral palsy or CP is the most common childhood physical disability. It is a permanent physical condition that affects movement. There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but various forms of therapy can help a person with the disorder to function more effectively. If you or a loved one has cerebral palsy, join the group to share your experience or get advice from others. | <urn:uuid:b05b4f89-e782-426f-be7d-e7b7a513b98d> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.dailystrength.org/group/cerebral-palsy/discussion/getting-child-to-stop-hitting-scratching-biting | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141180636.17/warc/CC-MAIN-20201125012933-20201125042933-00361.warc.gz | en | 0.925638 | 84 | 2.75 | 3 | 265 |
PARIS (AP) — The Eiffel Tower went dark briefly to mark Earth Hour, the campaign to raise awareness about climate change.
The five-minute dark-out on Saturday night was a symbolic gesture in the City of Light. Cities around the world also marked the event, with other landmarks like the Kremlin and the Empire State Building going dark.
France has been preparing for months to host an international climate conference in Paris at the end of the year, pressing nations to set attainable goals for reducing greenhouse gases and mobilizing international finances to fight climate change.
Earth Hour was launched in 2007 by the World Wildlife Fund to encourage awareness of environmental issues. The idea is to turn off lights for an hour — not possible for safety reasons for the Eiffel Tower. | <urn:uuid:b9469e90-a5dc-4a0c-a9a0-3fd6c1adf4a0> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.salon.com/2015/03/29/eiffel_tower_goes_dark_in_symbolic_move_for_earth_hour_2/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141180636.17/warc/CC-MAIN-20201125012933-20201125042933-00361.warc.gz | en | 0.928451 | 157 | 2.859375 | 3 | 266 |
In October 2015, researchers from the Dartmouth College released a study entitled “Geographic Dispersion of Economic Shocks: Evidence from the Fracking Revolution” for the National Bureau of Economic Research. The study addresses the economic benefits to the shale producing counties from shale development and their propagation within the regional economy.
In order to assess those benefits, researchers thoroughly analyzed the economic impacts of shale oil and gas development on income, employment and crime. For every million dollars earned from shale production, they estimated that it generates $66,000 in wage income, $61,000 in royalty payments, and 0.78 jobs within the producing counties.
According to their results, the researchers concluded that “[f]irst, the counties where extraction occurs enjoy significant economic benefits. Second, the effects grow larger as we widen the geographic area being examined. The state-level impact on jobs and income is approximately five times as large as the immediate county effect with most of the impact happening within 100 miles of the drilling sites. Third, we find no significant change in crime rates.”
Written by Chloe Marie - Research Fellow | <urn:uuid:336de240-ebbd-4730-86af-00f2582d72ea> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | http://www.pennstateshalelaw.com/2015/11/dartmouth-college-releases-study.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141187753.32/warc/CC-MAIN-20201126084625-20201126114625-00441.warc.gz | en | 0.952093 | 226 | 3.125 | 3 | 267 |
In the Hindu pantheon of 330 million gods, the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva tower over the rest. Brahma is the creator and Shiva is the destroyer. And Vishnu? He merely maintains order.
The laws of thermodynamics tells us that the entropy of the universe is constantly increasing. In other words, the default nature of the universe is to lapse into disorder – our homes accumulate dust, the wind strews leaves and dust around, water degrades dams, floods fields and erodes everything it encounters.
However, the very essence of staying alive is to bring order to the world around. Beavers build dams, bees gather honey, trees combine minerals, sunlight and water to produce fruits with kernels that can turn once again into trees. As living beings, we strive to reduce entropy. Once we are dead, our bodies disintegrate and we join the rest of the universe in its unrelenting march towards higher degrees of disorder.
Preserving order is central to leading a more meaningful life. Both a monk seated deep in meditation and the CEO of a multinational firm direct their effort and conscious energy towards preserving order amidst ever increasing complexity.
Chaos is the default state. Chaos happens, while order needs to be maintained – a role important enough to merit a place even if you had to choose 3 among 330 million supernatural beings. | <urn:uuid:b5757d7a-9d3d-4b50-9d5d-a48b6382e364> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://anupamobserved.com/2020/05/05/an-ode-to-order/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141187753.32/warc/CC-MAIN-20201126084625-20201126114625-00441.warc.gz | en | 0.930313 | 274 | 2.5625 | 3 | 268 |
Sign Language Archaeology: Understanding the Historical Roots of American Sign Language
This engrossing study investigates the infancy of American Sign Language (ASL). Authors Ted Supalla and Patricia Clark highlight the major events in ASL history, revealing much of what has not been clearly understood until now. According to tradition, ASL evolved from French Sign Language. The authors analyze the metalinguistic assumptions of these early accounts and also examine in depth a key set of films made by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) between 1910 and 1920. Designed by the NAD to preserve classic ASL, the films feature 15 sign masters, the model signers of that time. In viewing these films, the authors discovered that the sign masters signed differently depending on their age. These variations provide evidence about the word formation process of early ASL, further supported by data collected from dictionaries of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
By tracing the writings of selected individuals, this study reconstructs the historical context for early ASL grammar. It describes the language used in each century and how it changed, and focuses on the rediscovery of the literary legacy of the Deaf American voice. Sign Language Archaeology reveals the contrast between folk etymology and scientific etymology and allows readers to see ASL in terms of historical linguistics.
We would LOVE it if you could help us and other readers by reviewing the book | <urn:uuid:68534a94-ca8f-4eb3-90f9-0f3bf0b0013f> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://booksrun.com/textbooks/9781563684937-sign-language-archaeology-understanding-the-historical-roots-of-american-sign-language-1st-edition | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141187753.32/warc/CC-MAIN-20201126084625-20201126114625-00441.warc.gz | en | 0.925194 | 285 | 3.75 | 4 | 269 |
As the corrugating industry’s workhorse, adhesives are diverse and cover a wide range of chemistries, forms, applications, and necessities. Packaging itself varies from heat-sealed polymers to plastics, foils, and paperboard.
Adhesives and sealants have a long history in shipbuilding and marine industries, providing protection against water, chemicals, weather, and environmental degradation. In the earliest days of seafaring, natural sealants such as pine resins were cooked down and applied liberally, requiring regular re-treatments.
Currently, mastic is available to commercial and DIY consumers primarily in squeeze tubes and 10-oz cartridges. Although the sausage packaging format exists as an alternative, in a 20-oz size and a smaller “mini” option (2-3.5 oz), its availability is limited—as a stroll down the sealant aisle of Home Depot or Lowes will confirm.
As continued research and development races to meet the growing appetite for sustainable adhesives, manufacturers must also push innovations in processing that reduce both waste and energy consumption.
Manufacturers and scientists are continually pushing the envelope on eco-friendly adhesives, sealants, coatings, and potting and encapsulation compounds. Demand for green and sustainable formulations is expected to keep growing due to tightening legislation, consumer awareness, and new opportunities.
By 2050, the United Nations expects the global population to reach approximately 9.5 billion people. The expectations are that millions of people will be lifted out of poverty, increasing living standards and driving demand for chemical products.
Consumer sentiment continues to drive sustainability throughout the economy and society. Consumers often view packaging as wasteful, and they demand more sustainable options as a result. Many terms, such as reuse, recycle, compost, and reduction, resonate positively with consumers.
When Kermit the Frog (voiced by Jim Henson) first sang “Bein’ Green” in 1970, few consumers were concerned about climate change. Most manufacturers didn’t focus on sustainability or tout their products’ “green” qualities (if they happened to have any). Oh, how times have changed.
Surfactants are widely used in a range of adhesives and sealants, primarily to promote the wetting of surfaces to promote adhesion. Unfortunately, some of them have been found to have suspect toxicity profiles or environmental issues. | <urn:uuid:ea9fd468-c819-46af-add6-29b6e88eba04> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.adhesivesmag.com/publications/3/editions/1312 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141187753.32/warc/CC-MAIN-20201126084625-20201126114625-00441.warc.gz | en | 0.944468 | 496 | 3.046875 | 3 | 270 |
Missing Neutrons May Be Visiting Parallel Universe
Neutrons may be traveling from our universe into parallel worlds and back again, according to a new theory that explains a rather odd phenomenon. Experiments at ultra-low temperatures carried out by Anatoly Serebrov at the Institut Laue-Langevin in France have revealed a phenomenon known as neutron loss, whereby neutrons appear to vanish for short periods.
Now, theoretical physicists Zurab Berezhiani and Fabrizio Nesti of Italy’s University of l’Aquila, Italy, have reanalysed the experimental data and come up with a possible explanation. They’ve shown that the loss rate of very slow free neutrons appears to depend on the direction and strength of the magnetic field applied, an anomaly that can’t be explained by known physics. What could explain this finding, though, is a hypothetical parallel world consisting of ‘mirror particles’. Each neutron would have the ability to transition into its invisible mirror twin and back, oscillating from one parallel universe to the other. | <urn:uuid:4fdc8f6c-7c42-4cd2-8896-6d4820040001> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.metanexus.net/missing-neutrons-may-be-visiting-parallel-universe/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141187753.32/warc/CC-MAIN-20201126084625-20201126114625-00441.warc.gz | en | 0.923155 | 222 | 3.015625 | 3 | 271 |
A NASA study provides the most detailed look yet at plant life across Alaska and Canada.
Temperatures are warming faster in the Arctic than anywhere else on Earth. This has led to longer growing seasons for plants at high latitudes and changes to the soils. To determine how vegetation across Alaska and Canada is responding to these conditions, scientists analyzed 29 years’ worth of measurements from USGS-NASA Landsat satellites. The satellites can identify the amount of healthy plants on the ground by detecting visible and near-infrared light reflected by the green, leafy vegetation of grasses, shrubs and trees. Scientists found that 30 percent of the landscape had an increase in vegetation between 1984 and 2012, while 3 percent showed a decline. The findings will help scientists investigate what other environmental factors might impact plant growth in the Arctic. Watch the video to learn more. | <urn:uuid:c46a0252-8d25-4a9d-91bf-be62e5889d67> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/12276 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141193856.40/warc/CC-MAIN-20201127161801-20201127191801-00521.warc.gz | en | 0.944051 | 172 | 3.953125 | 4 | 272 |
It is every parent’s nightmare — you send your child outside to play with friends, and he returns home bloodied and crying. First, you wash off the blood and assess the damage. With dog bites, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends seeking medical care under certain conditions such as extreme bleeding, intense pain or exposed bone. Other serious symptoms, like swelling and fever, may appear hours or days later.
Do not let financial concerns dictate the care your child will receive going forward. Pet owners are responsible for taking care of the monetary aspects, and their insurance may cover everything. Your priority is ensuring that your child gets all the care he needs.
Your child’s injuries will determine your course of action. Puncture wounds may get infected, calling for antibiotics. Any long or deep cuts may require stitches. If the dog is familiar or you can contact the owner, ask about rabies vaccinations. If necessary, a physician may begin a rabies protocol to help prevent or treat possible exposure.
Long-term medical care
Bite wounds may go much deeper than surface cuts and bruises. A bite may cause breaks or fractures in the small bones of forearms, wrists and hands. Also be sure to check for damaged or severed tendons.
Injuries on the face, head and neck may require plastic surgery, and growing children may need more than one procedure. Whatever the case, be sure you go to all follow-up appointments as advised by medical professionals.
Your child’s physical injuries may seem minor, perhaps just a few cuts or bruises. However, the mental and emotional effects may be more serious. To minimize long-term negative effects, talk about the incident with your child. Encourage him to recount the situation, communicating openly about how he felt at the time and how he feels now. Children need to know that they are not to blame and that they need not be fearful of every dog they encounter in the future. | <urn:uuid:549858f3-f487-4589-b6a6-8ee70ce67ec2> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.zumbado-elmore.com/blog/2020/02/a-dog-bit-my-child-what-should-i-do/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141193856.40/warc/CC-MAIN-20201127161801-20201127191801-00521.warc.gz | en | 0.944694 | 398 | 2.53125 | 3 | 273 |
The report summarizes published information concerning the concentrations of uranium in 89 994 U.S. surface, ground and domestic waters. Sources surveyed included the open literature, state health departments, federal agencies, and personal contacts. For each state, samples were geographically located, identified by type and use, and tabulated by decreasing uranium concentration. Histograms covering 14 concentration ranges were prepared for all surface, ground, and domestic water samples of each state and for the entire United States. Estimates were made of the population-weighted average concentrations of uranium in domestic waters of each state. Based on these averages, alpha radiation bone doses were computed for lifetime consumptions of each water. In addition, the fractions of water supplies in each state producing water containing uranium in excess of 1, 5, 10 and 20 pCi/L were estimated. An extensive discussion of analytical methods used to determine uranium in surface and ground waters was also included. | <urn:uuid:a9333c1d-0125-4006-9cac-f6299344b56a> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://cfpub.epa.gov/ols/catalog/advanced_brief_record.cfm?FIELD1=AUTHOR&INPUT1=Ensminger%20AND%20J.%20AND%20T.&TYPE1=ALL&LOGIC1=AND&COLL=&SORT_TYPE=MTIC&item_count=6&item_accn=114822 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141195967.34/warc/CC-MAIN-20201129004335-20201129034335-00601.warc.gz | en | 0.965382 | 185 | 2.796875 | 3 | 274 |
The Space talks were introduced by Niels Eldering, Head of Space Solutions Section in ESA, who informed students about the work and mission of ESA. Shortly after, lights were dimmed and the opening of the European Space talks at HEC in Paris was broadcasted live.
The first part of the program featured European astronaut Thomas Pesquet. Based upon live polls on the implications of space engineering for mankind, Pesquet discussed real-life applications from the exploration of space.
The highlight of the evening was the live stream to the International Space Station (ISS) with Commander Luca Parmitano. While hovering around in zero gravity, Parmitano answered questions from students from all around the world. Remarkable were his reports on the Mars Mission and the testing’s undertaken by his colleagues to support the landing.
The event ended with a panel discussion led by Dr Wim Hulsink, Niels Eldering, and Dr René Olie. The diversity in academic backgrounds of the participating students evolved in exciting discussions around multidisciplinary lessons from discoveries in space travel. Interestingly, the usage of data from global navigation systems such as Galileo and Copernicus were among the hot topics. | <urn:uuid:689d952f-6ad7-49d3-833f-67f190cdd6c2> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://honeursassociation.nl/event/event-test/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141195967.34/warc/CC-MAIN-20201129004335-20201129034335-00601.warc.gz | en | 0.959868 | 240 | 2.578125 | 3 | 275 |
The Catskill Park is a mountainous region of public and private lands in Southeastern New York's Ulster, Greene, Delaware and Sullivan Counties. Evidence of the area's unique natural history can be seen in the impressive skyline formed by the ninety-eight peaks over 3,000 feet in elevation. Human activities such as logging, quarrying, tanning, trapping, and fishing have also shaped the Park's more recent history. Today, tourism and recreation play a prominent role in both supporting the region's economy and creating an awareness of the Catskills' ecological significance.
The Catskill Forest Preserve is defined as the 287,500 acres of state land within the Catskill Park. These public lands are primarily forested, but also include meadows, lakes, rivers, wetlands, waterfalls, cliffs, and many species of fish, wildlife, and plant life. Afforded Constitutional protections that prevent the removal of timber, lands within New York's Forest Preserve provide an abundance of both recreational opportunity and plant and wildlife habitat. Depending on park-wide land classifications and specific unit management plans, there are a variety of opportunities for public enjoyment of the Forest Preserve, including hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, canoeing, and snowmobiling. | <urn:uuid:26b4b655-5d7b-4662-865e-36081674f0fc> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.cabinfeveroutfitters.com/products/catskill-park-tshirt | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141195967.34/warc/CC-MAIN-20201129004335-20201129034335-00601.warc.gz | en | 0.943211 | 262 | 3.15625 | 3 | 276 |
The longest navigable underground river in the United States is home to countless blind and albino animals.
The river that flows through the Bluespring Caverns, a 21-mile-long cave system, harbors a staggering concentration of albino—sometimes nearly see-through—amphibians and other aquatic creatures.
The Bluespring Caverns were first discovered in the 19th century, and further entrances to the caves continued to be discovered well into the 1940s. Wide limestone caves stretch for miles beneath the ground, acting like a canopy for the river that runs along their floor.
A River Full of Life
The river that ripples through the caverns is the longest known underground river in the United States. The moist, churning environment, combined with the constant darkness, has created an ideal habitat for blind and albino species to thrive.
In addition to bugs like crickets, beetles, and spiders, larger creatures such as salamanders, frogs, and crayfish all live under, above, and upon the flowing waters, many of them purely white or nearly translucent. There is even an extremely rare species of blind cavefish that swims within the subterranean waters.
Tours down the river are available, letting visitors meander across the underground waters for about an hour. Sightings of albino wildlife are abundant, if you have a keen eye. While most caves are known for their stony splendor, the Bluespring Caverns are the rare subterranean wonder that is renowned for its thriving life, not lack of it.
Know Before You Go
The caverns are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from March through October. Tours leave on the hour and cost $18 for an adult ticket and $10 for a youth ticket.
Content originally created for Atlas Obscura.
More experiences nearby | <urn:uuid:58cbf876-3187-42a8-b7d8-f02e7c8b195b> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.gousa.in/experience/bluespring-caverns | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141195967.34/warc/CC-MAIN-20201129004335-20201129034335-00601.warc.gz | en | 0.939249 | 387 | 3.34375 | 3 | 277 |
Philosophers didn’t always busy themselves with life’s big questions. The earliest ancient philosophers were primarily concerned with the world of nature, including phenomena such as earthquakes and eclipses. But one enigmatic Greek named Socrates began to explore abstract ideas about human existence. What makes us happy? What is the nature of the soul? And what is our purpose in this universe?
Professor William Prior elegantly guides readers through philosophy’s formative years and key ancient texts. Organised into four themes - nature, reality, the soul and ethics - Ancient Philosophy: A Beginner’s Guide is a lively introduction to the great thinkers who still send our minds reeling today. | <urn:uuid:6636f46d-2888-42fe-a2df-fee01951913d> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Ancient-Philosophy/William-J-Prior/Beginners-Guides/9781780743424 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141195967.34/warc/CC-MAIN-20201129004335-20201129034335-00601.warc.gz | en | 0.934996 | 139 | 3.34375 | 3 | 278 |
The letters of Alessandra Strozzi provide a vivid and spirited portrayal of life in fifteenth-century Florence. Among the richest autobiographical materials to survive from the Italian Renaissance, the letters reveal a woman who fought stubbornly to preserve her family's property and position in adverse circumstances, and who was an acute observer of Medicean society. Her letters speak of political and social status, of the concept of honor, and of the harshness of life, including the plague and the loss of children. They are also a guide to Alessandra's inner life over a period of twenty-three years, revealing the pain and sorrow, and, more rarely, the joy and triumph, with which she responded to the events unfolding around her.
This edition includes translations, in full or in part, of 35 of the 73 extant letters. The selections carry forward the story of Alessandra's life and illustrate the range of attitudes, concerns, and activities which were characteristic of their author. | <urn:uuid:b0483547-baf2-4cad-9137-76ed13e8c88f> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520203907/selected-letters-of-alessandra-strozzi-bilingual-edition | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141195967.34/warc/CC-MAIN-20201129004335-20201129034335-00601.warc.gz | en | 0.956576 | 196 | 2.609375 | 3 | 279 |
Country/Culture: Syro-Palestinian Coast
Dimensions: 7 5/16 × 3 1/2 in. (18.6 × 8.9 cm)
Classification: Decorative Arts, Glass
Credit Line: Gift of Ann and Henry Brunnier. In the Ann and Henry Brunnier Collection, Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
The invention of blowing glass after 50 B.C. in the Roman Empire revolutionized glassmaking, enabling artisans to manipulate molten glass more efficiently. Blown-glass drinking vessels quickly supplanted ceramic vessels because of their pleasing array of colors, light weight and transparency. Glass became so affordable that wealthier Romans spurned its use. The Roman Emperor, Galienus, who despised glass vessels, drank only from gold cups. He said nothing could be more common than glass.
Variations in glass shapes from the time period seem endless. Elegant pitchers, such as this one, were often decorated with elaborate handles and applied decoration. A simple flared funnel rim could be pinched into a practical pouring spout. Ancient glass, originally a dull green or brown, was transformed to a brilliant iridescence due to centuries of exposure to the elements. It was these ancient glass wares, discovered in archeological digs during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, that inspired the production of early twentieth-century Art Nouveau glass, also known for its iridescence. | <urn:uuid:46e43256-b041-4074-a022-8f9130d50344> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | http://umsm003.its.iastate.edu/view/objects/asitem/21358/22/title-asc?t:state:flow=7db1cdbe-1933-405f-b576-3b06a727d2f1 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141213431.41/warc/CC-MAIN-20201130100208-20201130130208-00681.warc.gz | en | 0.940008 | 302 | 3.515625 | 4 | 280 |
Aerial refueling is an incredibly difficult procedure that requires precision controls and flawless teamwork conducted by a number of highly-trained military aviators. Given how difficult the maneuver can be, understandably, the situation does not always go as planned.
Check out some unfortunate mid-air refueling mishaps in the compilation video below.
Aerial refueling requires at least two aircraft to fly in tandem with one another. The larger of the two, a tanker, will extend its fueling hose out towards the aircraft in need. The second plane, often a fighter jet or combat aircraft, then must attach itself to the fueling hose – all while maintaining a constant speed and altitude.
If successful, the entire process can take just a couple of minutes. The delicate procedure is invaluable in allowing military aircraft to extend their flying range, continue engaging targets without landing, or avoiding hotspots altogether.
When things go wrong with the aerial fueling process, the situation can quickly become dangerous. In the best-case scenario, a missed fuel hose will spill hundreds of gallons of jet fuel into the air before the flight crew can regain control of the situation.
If things take a turn for the worst, the two aircraft involved in the refueling process could even collide. After all, the aircraft must maintain a close enough distance to one another in order to successfully attach themselves for the fuel transfer.
In the video, the mishaps mainly involve missed fueling lines. If the pilots cannot come together properly and successfully refuel, the two aircraft will usually distance themselves in order to reset and try again. Fortunately, the pilots are not alone. An aerial refueling procedure usually includes multiple spotters and other crewmen directing the entire operation. Sometimes, a third or fourth aircraft will fly nearby as well to offer an additional set of eyes.
Aerial refueling began as an experiment in the mid-1920s when pilots wanted to attempt record-breaking long-distance flights. By the end of the 1930s, the process was refined and proved successful. In 1949, it allowed for the first non-stop circumnavigation of the globe.
Today, many different forms of aerial refueling exist and assist in allowing military from all over the world to fly farther and longer in various situations. | <urn:uuid:5674d375-b5c8-4941-a37c-be13e41031f4> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://americanmilitarynews.com/2017/02/watch-the-biggest-air-refueling-mishaps-ever-caught-on-video/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141685797.79/warc/CC-MAIN-20201201231155-20201202021155-00041.warc.gz | en | 0.953577 | 456 | 3.03125 | 3 | 281 |
Cardiac catheterization is a procedure in which a heart specialist inserts a small tube (called a catheter) through a large blood vessel in the arm or leg, and then passes the tube into the heart. Once inside the heart, doctors use the catheter to evaluate how the heart is working by measuring pressure and oxygen levels within the heart’s chambers. Through the catheter, doctors inject a special dye that provides an X-ray image of the heart’s internal structure and blood flow patterns.
The dye may also be injected into the three main coronary arteries to look for narrowing and blockages in the blood vessels that supply the heart. This is called angiography and can confirm whether narrowing in the arteries leading to the heart is a cause of your heart failure.
Although the catheterization itself usually takes an hour or less, you will stay in the hospital for several hours to make sure there are no complications from the procedure. Coronary angiography should not be painful and is very safe when performed by experienced physicians. | <urn:uuid:2dc180d5-5588-41bb-b818-c67a129f625c> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.vhfclinic.org/what-is-cardiac-catheterization/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141685797.79/warc/CC-MAIN-20201201231155-20201202021155-00041.warc.gz | en | 0.939823 | 213 | 3.125 | 3 | 282 |
Levosimendan is in clinical development for the treatment of respiratory function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive disease of the nervous system, where nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary movement gradually deteriorate, causing loss of muscle function and paralysis. The gradual loss of neurons leads to a paralysing effect on muscles used for breathing, which usually leads to death from respiratory failure. Treatment options for patients with ALS are extremely limited with current treatment revolving around supporting breathing.
Levosimendan works through binding to a protein called troponin C, which sensitises cardiac and skeletal muscles to calcium and increases their force of contraction. This increased force of contraction is thought to increase diaphragm function and support respiratory dysfunction. Levosimendan is given as an oral capsule and if licensed, it will offer a treatment option for patients with ALS, potentially delaying the need for mechanical ventilation support. | <urn:uuid:cb00fcad-2cec-4b10-b849-59572b2eaa8a> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | http://www.io.nihr.ac.uk/report/levosimendan-for-respiratory-function-in-amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141727627.70/warc/CC-MAIN-20201203094119-20201203124119-00121.warc.gz | en | 0.923351 | 191 | 2.828125 | 3 | 283 |
Thorstein Bunde Veblen (30 July 1857 – 3 August 1929) was an American economist and sociologist, who during his lifetime emerged as a well-known critic of capitalism. In his best-known book, The Theory of the Leisure Class (1899), Veblen coined the concept of conspicuous consumption and conspicuous leisure. Historians of economics regard Veblen as the founding father of the institutional economics school. Contemporary economists still theorize Veblen's distinction between "institutions" and "technology", known as the Veblenian dichotomy. As a leading intellectual of the Progressive Era in the United States of America, Veblen attacked production for profit. His emphasis on conspicuous consumption greatly influenced economists who engaged in non-Marxist critiques of capitalism and of technological determinism. | <urn:uuid:18f0738d-ece3-4ee2-8af6-ab212193b075> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://autovenray.nl/people-detail.php?name=Thorstein+B.+Veblen | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141727627.70/warc/CC-MAIN-20201203094119-20201203124119-00121.warc.gz | en | 0.952194 | 165 | 2.828125 | 3 | 284 |
Lily Pond is a man-made urban pond located within Mill Creek Park in Youngstown, OH. The park is surrounded by suburban residential neighborhoods with Lily Pond having residential homes situated atop steep inclines to the north and the west. This year, park staff installed an aeration system within the pond in an attempt to reduce occurrences of fish die offs that happen once every few years. It is hypothesized that the addition of the aeration system will improve dissolved oxygen and overall quality of the pond for wildlife. Field readings from May to October were sampled at four location, three in the pond and one at the small creek outflow. Water quality parameters were measured using standard methods including dissolved oxygen at various depths, temperature, pH, solids, phosphorus, and E. Coli. The first three sampling times were prior to installation of the aeration system which showed a trend of decrease dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. After the aeration system was installed, DO levels increased and were maintain to greater than 6 mg/L for most of the summer. Soluble phosphorus as well as total volatile solid levels spiked in late July. The cause behind this spike is still being investigated. Preserved samples were analyzed for diatoms in December. Further sampling and analysis will aid park officials in management practices for future pond activities. | <urn:uuid:e8522d83-f58c-458b-804e-46d10797d3d5> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://oaks.kent.edu/search?f%5B0%5D=author%3A7944&f%5B1%5D=collections%3A10065&f%5B2%5D=collections%3A10066&items_per_page=100 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141727627.70/warc/CC-MAIN-20201203094119-20201203124119-00121.warc.gz | en | 0.980197 | 264 | 2.59375 | 3 | 285 |
For people with rare diseases in Ohio, misdiagnosis and the consequent inappropriate treatment may present additional threats to their health and well-being. Around the world, there are over 400 million people with rare diseases, but most of these illnesses are the subject of little research or attention. Because relatively few people are affected by each condition, most rare illnesses receive little funding that could help to move research forward. As a result, many patients with these conditions are often inaccurately diagnosed and may receive useless or even harmful treatments.
In the United States, diseases are considered rare if less than 200,000 Americans are affected annually. A full 50 percent of patients affected by these conditions are children, but they can affect people throughout the human lifespan. For example, around 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. This cancer is generally caused by asbestos exposure and develops later in life. However, it is frequently misdiagnosed as pneumonia, asthma or even the common cold. When there is a failure to diagnose cancer at an early stage, patients could miss out on a critical stage where it may have been possible to treat the malignancy more effectively.
Around one-quarter of rare disease patients experience a significant delay in receiving a proper diagnosis, ranging from 5 years to 30 years in one study. Another cancer that is often diagnosed late is gallbladder cancer. Gallbladder issues are often misdiagnosed as less serious diseases, and people may receive treatment for an inaccurate diagnosis. More significantly, the cancer is not treated at an early stage and can progress substantially while undiagnosed.
People who have received a misdiagnosis and experienced a worsened health condition or endangered prognosis as a result may want to consult with a medical malpractice attorney. A lawyer may review their case to discuss the potential of pursuing compensation for their damages. | <urn:uuid:1eaec999-a590-47f5-8a79-91826f54ec84> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.mmfllaw.com/blog/2019/02/rare-disease-patients-often-face-misdiagnosis/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141727627.70/warc/CC-MAIN-20201203094119-20201203124119-00121.warc.gz | en | 0.975608 | 374 | 2.984375 | 3 | 286 |
Cell phone towers can do more than just satisfy our need for constant communication; they might be able to save us from major floods, according to researchers from Tel Aviv University. Professor Pinhas Alpert and colleagues report in the April 2009 issue of Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics that they have figured out a way to exploit the phenomenon of atmospheric humidity influencing radio signals to provide information about “critical moisture distribution” levels that predict big floods.
The researchers used data from two Israeli cellular providers to show how microwave links in a cell phone network correlate with surface humidity. By monitoring moisture levels near multiple cell phone towers, the researchers were able to detect anomalies that could hint at future floods. In a post-analysis of two floods in Israel’s Judean Desert, Alpert and team found that they could estimate the size of the disasters before they happened when moisture information was combined with rainfall distribution measurements.
Now that the formula for flood prediction has been proven, Alpert plans to bring his cell phone tower technology to the U.S. grid. It should be easy to implement since cell phone providers already collect moisture data to keep communication quality high no matter what the humidity level. If the Tel Aviv team’s discovery works in the real world, it could prevent false alarms that leave residents of flood-prone areas jaded by the time forecasters make legitimate warnings. | <urn:uuid:7f793d1f-9ba8-45ca-974e-45b25bbc8555> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.fastcompany.com/1306968/cell-phone-towers-could-predict-next-hurricane-katrina | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141743438.76/warc/CC-MAIN-20201204193220-20201204223220-00201.warc.gz | en | 0.936906 | 274 | 3.390625 | 3 | 287 |
Paleontology takes patience. Even though we live during a time of frenetic fossil activity, the process of finding, excavating, preparing, studying, and describing previously-unknown creatures from Deep Time often takes years. And that's just when things go smoothly. Sometimes extinct species get hung up in scientific limbo, waiting even longer to receive their names. That's what happened to Gengasaurus nicosiai.
Named for the Italian town where it was found and the paleontologist who prepared the nearly-complete skeleton, Gengasaurus nicosiai was a big-eyed ichthyosaur that swooped through Jurassic seas around 152 million years ago. Its body was found in 1976, one of the most complete "fish lizards" ever found in Italy, but, as paleontologist Ilaria Paparella and coauthors explain in their paper describing the seagoing reptile, the fossil was forgotten about for two decades before expert Umberto Nicosia set about cleaning up the old bones. Another twenty years later, Paparella have recognized "L’Ittiosauro di Genga" as something new to science.
Gengasaurus is one of the ophthalmosauid icthyosaurs. This is a specific group of the shark-like marine reptiles that was widespread through Late Jurassic oceans. And in addition to upping the ichthyosaur count by one, the relationships of Gengasaurus to other ichthyosaurs underscores longstanding questions about how these marine reptiles moved around the planet.
Ichthyosaurs like Gengasaurus have often thought to be fast-swimming, migratory animals, Paparella and coauthors write, but the emerging picture is that many ichthyosaur species have narrow geographic ranges. Rather than being global swimmers, many Late Jurassic ichthyosaur species may have patrolled smaller areas, evolutionary convergence creating a false image of global travelers. The full story of the Jurassic seas has yet to be drawn from the reptiles who called the ancient waters home.
Name: Gengasaurus nicosiai
Meaning: Gengasaurus means "Genga lizard", after the town where the fossil was found, while nicosiai honors Italian paleontologist Umberto Nicosia.
Age: Jurassic, around 152 million years old.
Where in the world?: Camponocecchio, Italy.
What sort of critter?: An ichthyosaur belonging to a big-eyed group called ophthalmosaurids.
Size: Over eight feet long.
How much of the creature’s body is known?: A nearly-complete skeleton of one individual.
Paparella, I., Maxwell, E., Cipriani, A., Roncacè, S., Caldwell, M. 2016. The first ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaur from the Upper Jurassic of the Umbrian–Marchean Apennines (Marche, Central Italy). Geological Magazine. doi: 10.1017/S0016756816000455
Previous Paleo Profiles: | <urn:uuid:6cedeb96-0e32-40cb-a33c-d5e0827bdea6> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/laelaps/paleo-profile-the-genga-lizard/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141168074.3/warc/CC-MAIN-20201123211528-20201124001528-00561.warc.gz | en | 0.911226 | 647 | 3.5 | 4 | 288 |
On December 12, 2019 the United States Senate adopted Resolution 150 to officially recognize and remember the genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire against Armenians, Greek, Assyrian, Chaldean, Syriac, Aramean, Maronite and other religious minority subjects. The resolution calls on the commemoration of the genocide through education and public understanding, while explicitly rejecting denial by the United States Government of the Armenian Genocide, or any other genocide.
Eyewitness accounts from foreign workers in the Ottoman Empire of arbitrary arrests, forced labor, massacres, rape, plunder and death marches of entire communities into the desert were forwarded to United States Ambassador Henry Morgenthau Sr. in Constantinople, who called the acts “a campaign of race extermination.” During World War II such atrocities were given a name: genocide.
Co-sponsored by Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Democratic Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey, the text of the resolution mirrors that of House Resolution 296 passed on October 29, 2019. In support of the resolution Senator Cruz declared, “We have a moral duty to acknowledge what happened to 1.5 million innocent souls. It’s the right thing to do.”
The unanimous recognition of the genocide by the Senate commemorates the historic American response to one of the greatest humanitarian crises of the twentieth century and honors the legacy of the heroic leaders and relief workers of Near East Relief.
The Near East Relief Historical Society is grateful for this renewed acknowledgment of the victims of the genocide and the tragedies endured by the survivors. The resolution stands as an important reminder of America’s commitment to the humanitarian values of compassion and justice for all. | <urn:uuid:9101d347-8ccd-497b-86ee-9df7d3dad9df> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://neareastmuseum.com/2019/12/13/unanimous-senate-resolution-150-recognizing-and-remembering-the-armenian-genocide/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141181179.12/warc/CC-MAIN-20201125041943-20201125071943-00641.warc.gz | en | 0.914878 | 334 | 2.78125 | 3 | 289 |
Know Your Rights
The Department of Civil Rights is responsible for management, development and implementation of Chapter 39 of the Madison General Ordinances. The Department of Civil Rights is responsible for ensuring that the rights of all people are respected and that all persons are given the equal opportunities to succeed based upon their personal merits.
To this end, the Department of Civil Rights is created to vigorously pursue the policies and principles embodied in this Chapter both within the City as an employer and within the City as a community of people who respect the rights and the contributions of every community member.
We see the Department of Civil Rights as a focal point for affirmative action, disability rights, equal opportunities, racial equity and social justice in the region. Our partnerships and programs serve to establish the City of Madison as a dynamic place, where the inherent worth of every individual is nurtured, enabling each to reach their full potential. | <urn:uuid:0e4ab069-77da-4bf9-92ec-a8512240796e> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.cityofmadison.com/civil-rights/know-your-rights | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141181179.12/warc/CC-MAIN-20201125041943-20201125071943-00641.warc.gz | en | 0.953193 | 178 | 2.5625 | 3 | 290 |
The saliva pH test can be done at home after purchasing a pH test kit at a nutritionist’s office or a local heath food store. It involves testing your saliva first thing in the morning before putting anything in your mouth.
The test is done by wetting a strip of special paper with saliva and then measuring the results, which indicate whether the body is acidic or alkaline. Urine can be tested as well.
In its natural state, the body is slightly alkaline. As we age, many people become overly acidic. That’s because nearly everything we are exposed to—foods, environmental toxins, even stress—contribute to acidity in the body. Over time, the body can become less efficient at neutralizing acid and go from being in a more or less alkaline state to chronic acidosis.
Imbalanced pH affects all cellular activity in the body, leading to the progression of degenerative diseases, like cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, and obesity.32 Imbalanced pH can lead to mental health problems as well, including anxiety, depression, fatigue, and neurodegenerative problems, like cognitive decline.
One of the most effective ways to reduce acidity is through diet. For example, most green vegetables alkalize, as do many minerals. All meats are acidic, as is rice, pastas, cheese, soft drinks, coffee, alcohol, condiments, and most sweeteners. If you need to eliminate some of these offending foods from your diet, a nutritionist can help you to find healthy alternatives. | <urn:uuid:39c56a20-90ca-48fc-8d94-c85b00139904> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | http://naturalmentalhealthcare.net/the-saliva-ph-test/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141188800.15/warc/CC-MAIN-20201126142720-20201126172720-00001.warc.gz | en | 0.935091 | 325 | 3.078125 | 3 | 291 |
When Fuzzy the little sheep is afraid of loud noises such as thunder and lightning, and the big farm animals that make big sounds, his father gently encourages and reassures him, while giving him practice in simple imagery, coping scripts, and step-by-step behavioral changes. Fuzzy’s fears are depicted in ways that the young child can recognize. Examples of coping strategies are interwoven with humorous imagery, self-soothing thoughts, and realistic expectations. Full-color illustrations. Ages 3 and up. | <urn:uuid:c82c1185-a39c-41d1-8135-2dcfc4037759> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://nhfv.org/library/when-fuzzy-was-afraid-of-big-and-loud-things/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141188800.15/warc/CC-MAIN-20201126142720-20201126172720-00001.warc.gz | en | 0.942647 | 107 | 3.265625 | 3 | 292 |
Fifteen-year-old Sarafina, a female student in the capital city of Liberia, had a distressing problem at school: Her math teacher refused to give her a report card unless she had sex with him.
Enter UNICEF’s U-Report, a social reporting bot that enables young people in developing countries to report issues in their community via SMS and other messaging platforms. U-Report polled 13,000 users in Liberia to ask if teachers at their schools were exchanging grades for sex. An astonishing 86 percent of reporters said yes.
Within a week of the U-Report discovery of the “Sex 4 Grades” epidemic, help hotlines around the country were inundated with reports of child abuse. Simply exposing a pervasive taboo inspired victims to speak up and reach out for help. Since then, UNICEF and Liberia’s Minister of Education have collaborated on a plan to stop the issue.
“U-Report is not just about getting questions answered, but getting answers back out,” explains Chris Fabian, co-lead of UNICEF’s Innovation Unit. “We get responses in real time to use the data for policy change.” With over 2.6 million U-Reporters worldwide and deep expertise building technology for developing economies, the U-Report team is uniquely positioned to tackle challenging social issues like violence against children, HIV/AIDs policy, climate change, and war and conflict. | <urn:uuid:5b26d784-aecf-49d1-a21b-a145e642c142> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.climatechangenewsservice.org/single-post/2016/11/12/Online-Humanitarian-Bots-Can-Even-Help-Climate-Change-Efforts-Not-Just-Parking-Tickets | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141188800.15/warc/CC-MAIN-20201126142720-20201126172720-00001.warc.gz | en | 0.952486 | 300 | 2.71875 | 3 | 293 |
The Ford Foundation was founded in 1936 and believes that all people should be given the opportunity to reach their potential, contribute to society, and have a voice in decisions that affect them. The foundation promotes collaboration among the nonprofit, government, and business sectors. The Ford Foundation works primarily by making grants or loans that build knowledge and strengthen already existing organizations and networks. They support a wide range of social issues, but focus mainly on improving the effectiveness and accountability of the government, taking a stronger stand against gender discrimination, and funding programs that enable families to move out of poverty.
Current World Population
Net Growth During Your Visit | <urn:uuid:61d29a78-d8ee-4228-8bf4-ec342b544e86> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.populationmedia.org/funders/ford-foundation/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141188800.15/warc/CC-MAIN-20201126142720-20201126172720-00001.warc.gz | en | 0.935791 | 123 | 2.796875 | 3 | 294 |
What Can Cause Body Temperature to Be Too Low?
Prolonged exposure to a cold environment, such as water or weather, is the most common cause of low body temperature, known as hypothermia, Mayo Clinic states. Medications and health conditions, such as anorexia nervosa, hypothyroidism and stroke, may also interfere with the bodyﾒs temperature regulation, increasing the risk of hypothermia.
Hypothermia develops when heat loss occurs faster than heat production, causing body temperature to fall from normal temperature of around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit to below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Mayo Clinic. Cases of harmful cold exposure are often exacerbated by risk factors such as wearing clothing that isnﾒt warm enough for the harsh environment or being stuck in a cold or wet area after a fall. Young children and the elderly are most vulnerable to hypothermia because their bodies are less efficient at preventing heat loss.
In cold water, heat loss occurs as much as 25 times faster than in cold air temperature, WebMD notes. The body attempts to preserve heat in cold environments by narrowing the blood vessels and triggering repetitive muscle activity, commonly known as shivering. If the body can't conserve heat, vital organs gradually go into protective mode and try to reduce further heat loss by shutting down. The onset of hypothermia slows down heart rate, brain activity and breathing rate, causing fatigue, drowsiness, memory loss, impaired coordination and slowed speech. | <urn:uuid:12fa0eab-df51-4377-96f4-98341b1c7819> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.reference.com/world-view/can-cause-body-temperature-low-e0a9b31f29c3a59a | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141188800.15/warc/CC-MAIN-20201126142720-20201126172720-00001.warc.gz | en | 0.941948 | 300 | 3.84375 | 4 | 295 |
Kopler's paintings feature urban landscapes that appear to have been severely damaged or partially destroyed. The desolate, vertical and horizontal outlines of buildings assimilated into vestiges of nature, point to traces of a lost culture. Various architectural forms - such as a geodesic dome reminiscent of an ecological structure, or a series of concrete pools - inhabit the same rocky, empty landscape; the mountaintop on the horizon is marked by the memory of a structure - a temple or an observatory. These compositions, which cannot be encompassed at a single glance, allude to the history of landscape painting. Yet whereas in Romantic painting the sublime is associated with a sense of awe, in these images its presence provokes instead a sense of anxiety. The fictional expanse created by Kopler appears to include the figure of a gatherer, who has taken upon himself to preserve the vestiges of a lost culture. These paintings allude to the possibility that following its destruction, the remnants of our culture will become exotic archeological artifacts to be studied by future unknown cultures. | <urn:uuid:6bd03c0a-0d21-484c-93e3-0ff451f16fee> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://st-art.co.il/now/welcome-elad-kopler-to-start-studio | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141194634.29/warc/CC-MAIN-20201127221446-20201128011446-00081.warc.gz | en | 0.954038 | 216 | 3.03125 | 3 | 296 |
Oxford University Press has now published Amy Olberding’s The Wrong of Rudeness: Learning Modern Civility from Ancient Chinese Philosophy.
A short description follows. I also recommend that people look at the brief blog entry that introduces some major themes and the remarkable first-person approach of the book to these issues. Anyone familiar with the look-to-oneself-first methodology and tenor of so much Confucian reflection will particularly appreciate this approach, and it makes the book all the more compelling reading as well.
In a time of fractious politics, being rude can feel wickedly gratifying, while being polite can feel simple-minded or willfully naïve. Do manners and civility even matter now? Is it worthwhile to make the effort to be polite? When rudeness has become routine and commonplace, why bother? When so much of public and social life with others is painful and bitterly acrimonious, why should anyone be polite?
As Amy Olberding argues, civility and ordinary politeness are linked both to big values, such as respect and consideration, and to the fundamentally social nature of human beings. Being polite is not just a nicety–it has deep meaning. Olberding explores the often overwhelming temptations to incivility and rudeness, and the ways that they must and can be resisted. Drawing on the wisdom of early Chinese philosophers who lived through great political turmoil but nonetheless avidly sought to “mind their manners,” the book articulates a way of thinking about politeness that is distinctively social. We can feel profoundly alienated from others, and others can sometimes be truly terrible, yet, as the Confucian philosophers encourage us to see, because we are social, neglecting the social and political courtesies comes at perilous cost.
The book considers not simply why civility and politeness are important, but how. It reveals how small insults can accumulate to damage social relations, how separating people into tribes undermines our better interests, and how even bodily and facial expressions can influence our lives with others. Many of us, in spite of our best efforts, are often tempted to be rude, and will find here tools for fighting that temptation. | <urn:uuid:38ed618e-3185-40a3-baca-82ae0ea601e1> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://warpweftandway.com/new-book-the-wrong-of-rudeness/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141194634.29/warc/CC-MAIN-20201127221446-20201128011446-00081.warc.gz | en | 0.942573 | 448 | 2.609375 | 3 | 297 |
⚠ Before you head to the water check the latest COVID-19 updates. We encourage you to follow CDC recommendations.
From Russia, With Ballast
During a recent fishing trip, my crappie jig snagged a small, striped shell. I placed it in an empty water bottle and sent a photo to Dr. Jim Long at Oklahoma State University to confirm my suspicions.
“This is significant,” he stated as he verified it as a zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha).
Native to the Caspian Sea, this tiny critter hitchhiked in the ballast of a ship. Well, not this particular mussel, but its ancestors did. And not that long ago. “Great, great grandpa zebra mussel” (life span may average about 6 years) disembarked from a freighter in the Great Lakes by about 1990. Since then, Oklahoma has listed 20 lakes as having zebra mussel populations. Now, thanks to a slow day of fishing and rather unorthodox bivalve sampling methods, Lake McMurtry is #21.
Biologists are concerned because zebra mussels can dramatically alter their environment with staggering numbers. These filter feeders can outcompete native mussels and larval fish for plankton. Plus, they clog pumping equipment for municipalities. Freshwater drum and channel catfish consume these mollusks, but cannot control the population.
To minimize the spread and effect of these and other invasive species, take these precautions such as cleaning and drying your boat between different bodies of water. Zebra mussels can live out of water for several days. And if they happen to be hitting minnow tipped crappie jigs in your lake, report it on the NAS Alert System. By gathering this biological data, hopefully we can learn how to control and manage these uninvited guests.
For more information on invasive species, click here. | <urn:uuid:c4ca940e-2c8b-42f7-b131-1587842a0e2e> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://www.takemefishing.org/blog/june-2012/from-russia,-with-ballast/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141197278.54/warc/CC-MAIN-20201129063812-20201129093812-00161.warc.gz | en | 0.920558 | 401 | 2.984375 | 3 | 298 |
Whanganui River, New Zealand
Glimmers of hope. Details here.
Mind you, human rights tend to be honoured a lot more on paper than in practice. So it will be with river rights. Rivers, lakes, oceans and their defenders will continue to face countless challenges and battles. But at least now two rivers have some legal rights to defend.
Meanwhile in the USA, rivers have no more rights than do sewers or highways, both of which purposes they serve. In sharp contrast, corporations in the USA won long ago the same legal rights as individual citizens, which they deploy to commit horrible crimes against humanity and nature, including the poisoning of rivers, lakes and oceans. Of course, unlike actual human persons, corporations regularly get away with murder.
In Canada the picture isn’t much better. The late Conservative regime decimated environmental protections for all but 159 lakes and rivers in this country, leaving more than 31,000 lakes and 2.25 million rivers wide open to destruction. Breaking election promises to reverse their predecessors’ crimes against nature, instead the current Liberal regime is deferring to corporate pressure to maintain the status quo.
In such a grim context, the hard-won court decisions in New Zealand and India represent a huge step forward, rare signs that we can act sanely and respectfully in relation to the natural world, our life support system. | <urn:uuid:e685e8bb-c3aa-4e2a-9576-6a78ecdfe742> | CC-MAIN-2020-50 | https://michaelriordon.com/category/sustainability/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2020-50/segments/1606141216897.58/warc/CC-MAIN-20201130161537-20201130191537-00241.warc.gz | en | 0.932328 | 280 | 2.5625 | 3 | 299 |
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