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Boeing Awarded $600 Million Contract to Design the Next Air Force One

September 15, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

air force one
Air Force One is a technology masterpiece that came to symbolize the American presidency and the power of the free world. Its history springs in the year of 1943 when the Air Force predecessor and Secret Service agreed on designating a specific military aircraft for the sole purpose of safely transporting the president through the air. As of recently, Boeing won another contract that awarded it the honor to design the next presidential aircraft for $600 million.

Boeing Will Use the $600 Million Funds to Create the Preliminary Design only

On Tuesday, Boeing received almost $600 million funds in a bid from the U.S. Air Force to design the next generation of presidential aircraft. According to its new contract, the Chicago aerospace behemoth will have first to take care of the preliminary design. The prerequisites for this construction include a medical facility, self-defense systems, mission control platform, electrical power upgrades, and necessary capabilities for autonomous ground operations.

White House designated two existing commercial 747-8 planes to be tweaked into comprehensive military aircraft to transport and guard the presidential community. The current Air Force One plane dates back from the administration of President George H. W. Bush in 1990. This is an upgraded version of a VC-25A plane.

The New Generation of Air Force One Will Be Ready by 2024

As a consequence, the $600 million contract is just the initial agreement between the Air Force and Boeing. After this first stage is completed, the agency is expected to issue a new contract next summer. This will also be the final gig that involves design completion, instating the upgrades in the two 747-8 planes, tests, and delivering the final products. The project scheduled the jets to become usable by 2024.

The two planes that are to become part of the presidential fleet were acquired last month by Air Force from Boeing at a discount. The merchandise was first created for the Russian airline, Transaero. However, the company entered bankruptcy and couldn’t cover the payment for these two jets. Therefore, they remained for several years inactive until Trump decided to buy them instead of creating new jets for his administration from scratch.
Image source: 1

Filed Under: Business

Top Court Refuses the Eastern States to Slash Their Refugee Quota

September 8, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

protest sign
The European Union recorded an important victory in its strategy to curb the refugee crisis. A top court has just defended one of its core solutions. All members of the EU received their own refugee quota in order to disperse the efforts of sheltering those who had to run away from home. Judges endorsed this strategy and didn’t allow several Eastern states to abort this mission.

The European Union Received Negative Criticism for Imposing a Joint Solution of Assigning a Refugee Quota to Each Nation

The Court of Justice rejected claims coming from Slovakia and Hungary to annul their obligations to house a certain quota of emigrants. The reasoning behind this ruling was that this program was one of the main pillars that support the solution for a global emergency.

The refugee crisis had its largest impact on Europe two years ago through the biggest ever recorded wave of emigrants. Therefore, the contribution of each European nation is critical in responding to this overwhelming inflow of refugees.

The European Union generated a lot of interior tensions the moment it requested a joint effort. This move would support more than one million people who have come to this continent over the last two years. Rights advocates criticized this decision as it yielded numerous side effects for the EU members, including resource depletion and political conflicts.

Most European Countries Haven’t Respected Their Obligations Regarding the Refugee Crisis

While the EU won an important victory through this recent ruling, the joint program doesn’t seem to have much of an effect. There are only a few countries that have actually reached their refugee quota in the last two years. However, the majority of them navigated the refugee crisis by adopting a passive diplomacy.

The European Union had to step in and consider the massive wave of immigrants as a real emergency the moment Africa and the Middle East couldn’t harbor any more displaced groups. The 2015 program was instated with the aim to relocate immigrants throughout the entire continent. However, only one-third of the 100,000 vacant places for them have actually been filled.
Image source: 1

Filed Under: World

Humanitarian Groups Claim that U.S. Travel Ban for North Korea Is Detrimental to Them

September 1, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

north korea airport
The North Korea travel ban for U.S. citizens has already begun as of September 1. The few remaining Americans left Pyongyang on Thursday by plane heading to Beijing. Some of these persons were humanitarian workers. They hope Trump administration lifts the ban so that they can return to their humanitarian efforts.

Trump Administration Ordered the North Korea Travel Ban as One of Their Released U.S. Prisoners Returned Home in Coma

The announcement of the ban appeared in July. This was when the Trump administration barred U.S. citizens from visiting North Korea as of September 1. The explanation for this severe change is that the country fears that the communist country might resort to detentions of Americans in order to gain leverage over U.S. government.

At the beginning of this year, the world saw how American student Otto Warmbier was finally released from North Korea. He was incarcerated for shaky allegations of stealing a poster with political message.

Unfortunately, the captive was in a state of coma when he reached his homeland where he succumbed to death. Warmbier was one of the 16 cases of detentions that took place in North Korea over the last decade.

Nonetheless, the newly implemented rule has some exceptions. It can allow humanitarian workers and journalists to bypass it. The travel ban is also available for only a year at which time it can receive an extension.

Humanitarian Groups Can Lose Years of Progress in North Korea if They Don’t Return Soon

The U.S. government avoided this way to offer the North the opportunity to incarcerate Americans for absurd reasons such as leaving a bible in a hotel room. On the other hand, humanitarian groups believe this ban works against them.

The director of charity Christian Friends of Korea in U.S., Heidi Linton, is one of the officials that are waiting for a travel permit. However, it is uncertain if this approval gets in time to resume her work.

Linton’s institution has been fighting hepatitis and tuberculosis in the communist country for 20 years. As a consequence, the U.S. government’s decision could put in jeopardy these humanitarian efforts.
Image source: 1

Filed Under: World

Hurricane Harvey Boost Oil Prices While Euro Hits 2 1/2 –Year High

August 28, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

euro bills
Hurricane Harvey produced large damages throughout the United States and Texas. The natural phenomenon is a category 4 hurricane. The tropical cyclone was powerful enough to cause the first landfall in the U.S. since 2005. On top of that, it also pierced the core of America’s energy industry. As a consequence, oil prices plummeted while the European Central Bank President refused to deliver a clear situation on the euro. Therefore, the currency hit a 2 ½-year high.

The U.S. Registered High Oil Prices after Harvey Despite National Oil Excess

The flooding that Tropical Storm Harvey induced affected the Texas coast heavily. However, this area is crucial for the United States as well. It contains 10% of U.S. crude oil refineries. As a consequence, gasoline futures hit 6.8% at some point only to come down to 5.9% in a yet concerning case for motor fuel. Oil gained almost $48 a barrel.

Hurricane Katrina triggered similar aftermath after it hit Louisiana hard in August 2005. The natural calamity kneeled the U.S. economic growth stealing more than half of its value in the quarter following the hurricane. As the next year in 2006 saw reconstruction efforts and gasoline prices struggling for reaching normal value, the national financial situation started recovery.

The Harvey damages affected almost a quarter of Gulf of Mexico’s oil production. The amount was already at massive numbers as U.S. was heading for low oil prices and oil excess. However, after the hurricane hit the coast, several U.S. traders weighed in to turn to North Asia for imports of products.

The ECB President Mario Draghi Failed to Talk Euro Down

The rain is unlikely to stop before Wednesday. Therefore, the disruptive situation might continue to last until the rain cessation. On Monday, markets were attempting to recalibrate the impact the oil production received from Harvey. As a consequence, prices showed mixed numbers.

At the same time, the euro surged to a 2 1/2 –year high. This event was the result of the speech of the ECB President Mario Draghi where the reassurance regarding the strength of the currency was missing. Therefore, the euro jumped to $1.19665 on Monday and received a small deflation to $1.1924.
Image source: 1

Filed Under: Business

Whisky on Rocks Is Scientifically Proven to Release a Better Taste

August 19, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

glass of whiskey
Whisky is often times the alcoholic beverage choice for those strong hearted. As this drink is mostly correlated with a test of bravery and strength, many connoisseurs dismiss an old traditional trick. The controversial recipe consists of whisky on rocks or sprinkling the distilled drink with a dash of water. This time, scientists confirmed that this seemingly odd mix is actually creating a better taste than the original.

Swedish Scientists Took a Look at the Mix Between Whisky and Water at a Molecular Level

Researchers at the Linnaeus University Center for Biomaterials Chemistry in Sweden did some experiments regarding whisky. Their findings appeared in Scientific Reports and had an interesting edge indeed. The conclusion was that a simple ingredient as water could actually enhance the taste of the alcoholic beverage.

However, researchers didn’t reach this verdict through a series of whisky tastings. Instead, they used science to take a look at the reaction that takes place at a molecular level. While many people are standing by this trick through their own life experience, they now have this study to back up their claims.

Water Guides All the Flavors of the Drink to the Surface Which Renders Better Taste

Chemists Björn Karlsson and Ran Friedman focused on one particular molecule in whisky known as guaiacol. This sole particle is responsible for the familiar smokey scent and flavor that accompany any glass of whisky. Therefore, they ran numerous computer simulations that showed results of different mixtures of ethanol with water.

As a result, researchers discovered that the content of ethanol impacted the way guaiacol performed. For instance, when there is an ethanol concentration of at least 59%, guaiacol was scattered throughout the liquid and stayed away from the surface. However, if the water was added, the molecules of guaiacol would react in such a manner, that they would rise to the surface.

Due to the fact that people are enjoying this golden drink through sips and not mouthfuls, they are actually experiencing the flavors that are located at the surface. As water helps these smokey flavors to go up, it makes the entire glass have a better taste overall.
Image source: 1

Filed Under: Health

NASA’s Open Position for Planetary Protection Officer Explained

August 9, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

guardians of the galaxy poster

NASA’s open position for a planetary protection officer isn’t as glamorous as it sounds.

NASA had recently sparked enthusiastic scenarios when the agency announced that they are basically waiting for a Guardian of the Galaxy to protect Earth. However, as it is often the case, the title is the only feature in this job that seems plucked from the science fiction realm. A Planetary Protection Officer sounds like a compelling career when in fact it requires 100% knowledge of interplanetary science and zero experience of fighting green aliens.

The Planetary Protection Officer Has to Make Sure Astronauts, Equipment or Samples Don’t Contaminate Foreign Planets

NASA is hunting for the ideal professional for their opening. Here’s another expression that sounds cool when in actuality it is a tedious job. One of the main jobs of a planetary protection officer is to protect potentially habitable environments from contamination with microbes brought from Earth.

The task works the other way around as well. When astronauts return with extraterrestrial samples, the officer has to make sure that the foreign material doesn’t infect humans and the Blue Planet.

John Rummel is a biology professor at East Carolina University who occupied this position twice. The first time happened between 1990 and 1993 only to return in 1998 until 2006. He offered more explanations for what this job is really up to.

From his experience, the most challenging part was to make sure astronauts understand the importance of their mission. It was not just about attaining the goal but being also aware of the impact of their success.

“From that aspect, the job was definitely worth it. But as to ‘rewards,’ those were mostly internal.”

Former Officer John Rummel Offered Insights into This Controversial NASA Position

Rummel also revealed that his job was often times in a dependency relation with the associate administrator who is in charge of the project expenses. If he didn’t receive the green light, it meant that there were no more funds to support his side projects as well.

Nonetheless, his contribution was substantial for NASA’s Mars program. It was up to the planetary protection officer to decide whether equipment such as Sojourner was sterile enough to land on other planets and investigate their environment.

Image source: 1

Filed Under: Tech & Science

Moderate Drinking Might Help Ward Off Dementia In The Elder

August 4, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

moderate drinking glass

A new study suggests that, for the elderly, moderate drinking might help ward off dementia.

 

The results of a new study undertaken by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine in La Jolla suggests that the moderate consumption of alcohol may help to stave off dementia in older men and women.

Evidence Collected in Long-Term Study Supports Benefit of Moderate Drinking

Earlier research, reported by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, suggested that heavy drinking contributed to the progress of dementia, including its most common form, Alzheimer’s disease, in older individuals.There is some previous research that suggests moderate alcohol consumption may be advantageous to lessening the chances of dementia, according to the Mayo Clinic. This latest study from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine focused on moderate drinking, was exhaustive, and was undertaken over a period of 29 years.

The study cohort consisted of 1,344 adults, 728 women, and 616 men. Each of the participant’s cognitive health was assessed at baseline. After that, the participant’s cognitive health was re-evaluated at four-year intervals throughout the course of the study.

This research classified cohorts as being moderate, heavy, and excessive drinkers. Researchers involved in the survey defined moderate consumption as one standard drink per day for a woman of any age. Moderate drinking for a man under 65 was defined as two standard drinks per day. A modern alcohol consumption for a man over 65 was defined as one drink per day.

The researchers make clear that the results extrapolated from the study are based exclusively on statistical relationships. Thus, the suggested correlation between moderate alcohol consumption to help ward off dementia in older individuals is not based on a causal link via the findings of the study.

Because the results of the research are based on statistical relationships, the scientists did not recommend that people drink moderate amounts of alcohol to help ward off dementia. The study may result in further research involving the possible correlation between alcohol consumption and dementia.

Image Source: Pexels

Filed Under: Health

New DNA Study Offer New Look At The Mysterious Canaanites

July 28, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

canaanites illustration

A new set of genetic tests offered a new set of answers as to the faith and origin of the Canaanites.

The mysterious Canaanites are quite a source of debate as, although mentioned several times in the Bible, their origin, status, and faith remained open for question. Now, a new series of DNA tests with have just offered an answer to a number of these questions.

For archeologists, the Canaanites were a group of pastoral nomads and settlers which lived in the southern Levant or present-day Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, and Syria. They are believed to have lived sometime during the late second millennium BC.

The Mysterious Canaanites Trace Back their Origins to a Mixture of People?

This new study is based on bones found during archeological digs on the southern coast of modern day Lebanon, at the Sidon site. The discovered human remains, dated as being some 4,000 years old, identified as being of Canaanite origins. Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute scientists collaborated with an international team of researchers and conducted a more detailed study of the remains.

Samples taken from the five discovered individuals identified traces of DNA which was later sequenced. The genome data of these people, believed to have lived in the Levant region in 1,700 BCE, was then compared to that of 99 modern-day individuals with a Lebanese ancestry.

According to the results, the modern-day Lebanese population seems to share some 90 percent of their genes with the old Canaanite remains.

This goes quite against the faith attributed to the Canaanites by Ancient Hebrew texts. These describe how cities and settlements in the Canaanite territory were reduced to rubble by the Israelites. However, the people themselves apparently escaped.

Study results also found an explanation for the 10 percent genetic difference to the present-day inhabitants of the same region. According to them, this DNA came from other migrant populations considered to have settled in the area in between 1,800 and 200 BCE.

This period is seen as the time of cultural shift which saw the disappearance of the Bronze Age Canaanites and the emergence of the Iron Age Phoenicians.

“For the first time, we have genetic evidence for substantial continuity in the region, from the Bronze Age Canaanite population through to the present day. These results agree with the continuity seen by archaeologists,” stated Claude Doumet-Serhal, the Sidon site director.

While this new study might offer a possible answer as to the faith of the Canaanites, specialists are still looking to understand and discover this lost culture.

Current analysis results are available in the American Journal of Human Genetics

Image Source: Wikimedia

Filed Under: Tech & Science

Cute Hedgehog Helps Draw Attention To the Risks Of Prediabetes

July 26, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

hedgehog for prediabetes

A cute hedgehog is helping raise the public’s awareness about prediabetes.

Following last year’s awareness campaign, the CDC in collaboration with several other health associations has released a new one which should draw even more attention. This latest ad campaign makes use of one of the most common internet searches: cute animal videos.

Adorable hedgehogs, baby goats, and puppies aim to help people learn more about prediabetes and the risks and possible consequences attached to it. The campaign is based on 1 minute long videos which advise viewers to take risk tests for the condition.

Prediabetes, a More Common than Believed Condition

The government-backed campaign has a very clear-set purpose with this ad campaign. It is looking to encourage people to find out more about the condition and how they could reduce their chances of developing it.

According to the CDC, over 1 in 3 U.S. adults have prediabetes. Out of the estimated 84 million people affected by it, it believed that almost 90 percent don’t even know they have it.

So the CDC or U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put together an awareness campaign. It collaborated, to this effect, with the Ad Council, the American Medical Association, and the American Diabetes Association.

People with prediabetes return unusually high sugar levels in their blood. Although their rates are not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes, these commonly develop into type II diabetes.

They can also increase the risks of having other health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, or blindness, says the CDC.

William T. Cefalu states that, through these campaigns, “we hope to heighten awareness about prediabetes and help more Americans learn their risk so they can make the lifestyle changes necessary to reduce their risk and delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.”

Dr. Cefalu is the American Diabetes Association chief scientific medical and mission officer. He also stated that the number of American residents at risk of developing type II diabetes is quite “staggering”.

A prediabetes risk test, which can also be accessed online, includes age, and gender related questions. It also analyzes the family history, as people whose relatives have or had diabetes usually present higher risks of developing it as well.

Image Source: Pixabay

Filed Under: Health

1 Million Years Old Rare Fossil Unearthed In Chance Discovery

July 25, 2017 By Deborah Nielsen Leave a Comment

rare fossil skull

An accident led to the discovery of a rare fossil in New Mexico, a complete stegomastodon skull.

In a chance discovery in the deserts of New Mexico, two young boys out for a hike in the wilderness were using their walkie-talkies, when one of the brothers stumbled over a strange formation.

It looked to them like the piece of a cool skull. One of them believed it was “just a big, fat rotten cow”, while young Jude Sparks was sure he saw a tusk. Well, their parents took some photos and contacted an expert at New Mexico State University. It appears the boys found a rare fossil over 1 million years old, and a paleontology team is already on site.

Rare Fossil Turns out to Be Stegomastodon

The boys’ parents emailed biology Professor Peter Hourde, who gets several inquiries per month about potential fossils in the desert. Most of them turn out to be just rocks.

“They sent me a picture on a Friday night. I mean, it was 100 percent immediately obvious that they’d either found a skull or a jaw. I could see teeth,” Houde stated. “I wrote right back to them; I said let’s go out there right away.”

When they arrived, they found out that Jude had been far more correct in his scientific assessment. The jaw and skull are that of a 1 million years old stegomastodon, a relative of the modern elephant and the wooly mammoth. This rare fossil was difficult to find, because its bones are extremely fragile, despite the massiveness of the beast.

Houde added that the Sparks were actually “very responsible” for trying to get in contact with him. He points out that others might have wanted to keep the fossil for themselves.

That’s because the technique is intense to remove such delicate fossils, mostly due to their massive size. They can deteriorate immediately once they leave their supporting medium. The team continues to examine the site to make the most of this chance discovery.

Image Source: Wikimedia

Filed Under: Tech & Science

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