Solar Maximum , Could Reveal Secrets of the , Sun.
'The Independent' reports that an upcoming period
of increased solar activity could help scientists
understand some lingering uncertainties about the Sun.
The imminent "solar maximum" means that
our star is currently spewing gamma rays,
the highest energy form of light.
Gamma ray numbers are far higher
than scientists ever expected.
.
The intense stream of energetic solar emissions
offers scientists a better understanding of
gamma rays, including where they come from.
We have found results
that challenge our current
understanding of the Sun
and its environment, Elena Orlando, co-author of the study from the University of
Trieste, INFN, and Stanford University, via 'The Independent'.
We demonstrated a strong correlation of
the asymmetry in the solar gamma-ray
emission in coincidence with the solar
magnetic field flip, which has revealed
a possible link among solar astronomy,
particle physics, and plasma physics, Elena Orlando, co-author of the study from the University of
Trieste, INFN, and Stanford University, via 'The Independent'.
We demonstrated a strong correlation of
the asymmetry in the solar gamma-ray
emission in coincidence with the solar
magnetic field flip, which has revealed
a possible link among solar astronomy,
particle physics, and plasma physics, Elena Orlando, co-author of the study from the University of
Trieste, INFN, and Stanford University, via 'The Independent'.
Currently, leading theories include that
gamma rays are connected to solar flares
and coronal mass ejections or potentially linked
to changes in the Sun's magnetic configuration.
'The Independent' reports that a better
understanding could improve the physics
models used to predict solar activity.
.
Those models are used to make
predictions that protect vital
instruments in orbit around the planet.
.
Scientists have warned that increased solar
activity has the potential to cause significant
damage to Earth's technology and infrastructure.
.
The team's findings were described in an article
published by 'The Astrophysical Journal.'
McDonald's Posts , Disappointing Q1 Results , Amid Ongoing Boycotts.
'The Independent' reports that McDonald's posted weaker-
than-expected results in the first quarter of 2024, as a result
of a boycott over the company's perceived support for Israel. .
'The Independent' reports that McDonald's posted weaker-
than-expected results in the first quarter of 2024, as a result
of a boycott over the company's perceived support for Israel. .
According to McDonald's, higher sales in the
United States helped the fast-food giant overcome
weakness in markets where the brand is being boycotted.
According to McDonald's, higher sales in the
United States helped the fast-food giant overcome
weakness in markets where the brand is being boycotted.
The company saw same-store sales rise by
1.9% worldwide between January and March,
below the Wall Street forecast of 2.1%.
Increased menu pricing and delivery demand
saw same-store sales in the U.S. increase by 2.5%.
In international markets, sales fell
by 0.2% for the first time since 2020.
Despite this, McDonald's said the company's revenue
increased 5% to reach $6.17 billion, while net income went
up 7% to $1.93 billion, in-line with Wall Street estimates.
'The Independent' reports that Muslim-majority
markets like Indonesia, Malaysia and the Middle East
have been boycotting McDonald's for months.
The boycotts started after a McDonald's franchise in
Israel announced in October that it would provide free
meals for Israeli troops amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
In the months since then, the company has tried to limit
the fallout by taking over all 225 McDonald's in the country
with the purchase of Alyonal Limited, its Israeli franchise.
Our hearts remain with
the communities and families
impacted by the war in the Middle East.
We abhor violence of any kind and
firmly stand against hate speech,
and we will always proudly
open our doors to everyone, McDonald's statement, via 'The Indepndent'.
Our hearts remain with
the communities and families
impacted by the war in the Middle East.
We abhor violence of any kind and
firmly stand against hate speech,
and we will always proudly
open our doors to everyone, McDonald's statement, via 'The Indepndent'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Negotiations on Global Treaty , to End Plastic Pollution , Reach Critical Phase .
'The Independent' reports that negotiators from around
the world have met to discuss what could become
a global treaty meant to end plastic pollution. .
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on
Plastic Pollution has begun agreeing on treaty language
at their fourth of five scheduled plastics summits.
The most ambitious and contentious
idea revolves around limiting how much
plastic can be manufactured globally.
As most plastics are made from fossil fuels
and chemicals, oil and gas exporters
have strongly objected to the limitations, along
with plastic-producing countries and companies.
According to Stewart Harris, an industry spokesperson
with the International Council of Chemical Associations,
the treaty also focuses on recycling and reuse. .
We want to see the treaty
completed. We want to work
with the governments on
implementing it. The private
sector has a role to play, Stewart Harris, an industry spokesperson
with the International Council of Chemical
Associations, via 'The Independent'.
'The Independent' reports that the Scientists’
Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty provided
scientific evidence on plastic pollution at
the negotiations.
I heard yesterday that there’s
no data on microplastics,
which is verifiably false:
21,000 publications on micro and
nanoplastics have been published, Bethanie Carney Almroth, an ecotoxicology professor at Sweden's University of Gothenburg who co-leads the coalition, via 'The Independent'.
Ecuador's chief negotiator, Walter Schuldt stressed that
countries present at the negotiation share a common
vision of moving forward in the treaty process.
Because at the end of the day,
we’re talking about the survival
of the future of life, not only
of human life but all sorts
of life on this planet, Walter Schuldt, Ecuador's chief
negotiator, via 'The Independent'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal.
Google Fires More Staffers , Following Protests Over , $1.2 Billion Israel Deal.
'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least
20 more workers following protests over the company
supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war.
'The Independent' reports that Google has fired at least
20 more workers following protests over the company
supplying Israel with technology amid the Gaza war.
A group representing the fired
workers said the total number of staff
terminated for protesting is now over 50. .
Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around
'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and
Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. .
Internal turmoil at the tech giant revolves around
'Project Nimbus,' a 2021 contract for both Google and
Amazon to provide the Israeli government with technology. .
The $1.2 billion contract includes
cloud computing and artificial
intelligence services. .
The $1.2 billion contract includes
cloud computing and artificial
intelligence services. .
Last week, workers held sit-in
protests at Google's offices in both
New York and Sunnyvale, California.
The protests were organized by the group
No Tech For Apartheid, who said that 30 workers
were fired following the initial sit-in. .
According to Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for
No Tech For Apartheid, Google has now fired
"over 20" more workers, “including non-participating
bystanders during last week’s protests.”.
Google’s aims are clear:
the corporation is attempting
to quash dissent, silence
its workers, and reassert
its power over them, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
In its attempts to do so,
Google has decided to
unceremoniously, and
without due process,
upend the livelihoods of
over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
In its attempts to do so,
Google has decided to
unceremoniously, and
without due process,
upend the livelihoods of
over 50 of its own workers, Jane Chung, a spokeswoman for No Tech For Apartheid, via 'The Independent'.
Google has disputed the group's claims,
stressing that the company carefully found that, “every single one of those whose employment
was terminated was personally and definitively
involved in disruptive activity inside our buildings.”
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Upcoming , Lyrid Meteor Shower , May Be Hard to See.
'The Independent' reports that skywatchers
looking to catch the Lyrid meteor shower
may be foiled by the moon. .
This year's peak activity occurs
on April 21 and 22, with up to
20 meteors expected per hour. .
Potential viewing should
last through April 29. .
However, the American Meteor Society
warns that strong moonlight
may interfere with viewing. .
Every year, multiple meteor showers
occur and don't require special
equipment to see them. .
For the most part, meteor showers originate
from debris left behind by comets, like the Lyrids,
which come from the comet Thatcher. .
As these space rocks enter the Earth's atmosphere,
air resistance makes them extremely hot,
which causes the air around them to glow.
This glow leaves a fiery trail behind
the meteor, which can be observed
from the ground as a "shooting star.".
Look to the northeast and just
keep staring at the same spot
in the sky. It's always impressive
when you see these things, Don Pollacco, University of Warwick
astronomer, via 'The Independent'.
The Lyrids are best viewed from the Northern Hemisphere,
while the upcoming Eta Aquarids meteor shower
can best be seen from the Southern Hemisphere.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Microsoft Makes $1.5 Billion , Investment in Leading , UAE Technology Firm.
Microsoft Makes $1.5 Billion , Investment in Leading , UAE Technology Firm.
'The Independent' reports that Microsoft has announced
a $1.5 billion investment in a leading United Arab
Emirates-based artificial intelligence firm. .
'The Independent' reports that Microsoft has announced
a $1.5 billion investment in a leading United Arab
Emirates-based artificial intelligence firm. .
The deal, overseen by the UAE's powerful national security
adviser, will see Microsoft president Brad Smith join
technology holding company G42's board of directors.
The deal, overseen by the UAE's powerful national security
adviser, will see Microsoft president Brad Smith join
technology holding company G42's board of directors.
The UAE's national security adviser,
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the
current chairman of G42's board of directors. .
In a statement released on April 16, Microsoft
said the deal “was developed in close consultation
with both the UAE and U.S. governments.”.
In a statement released on April 16, Microsoft
said the deal “was developed in close consultation
with both the UAE and U.S. governments.”.
G42, which runs data centers in the Middle East
and elsewhere, has built the world's leading
Arabic-language AI model, Jais. .
According to Microsoft, G42 will move its
AI applications and services over to the U.S.
tech giant's cloud computing platform. .
According to Microsoft, G42 will move its
AI applications and services over to the U.S.
tech giant's cloud computing platform. .
The deal will also look to bring digital infrastructure
to regions that G42 has already established
a presence, including the Middle East and Africa.
'The Independent' reports that G42 previously cut ties with
Chinese hardware suppliers to limit U.S. concerns that
the company was closely tied to the Chinese government.
'The Independent' reports that G42 previously cut ties with
Chinese hardware suppliers to limit U.S. concerns that
the company was closely tied to the Chinese government.
Prior to Microsoft's investment, the company
reportedly faced allegations of spying for its
connection to a mobile phone app identified as spyware.
The tech company also faced accusations
that it gathered genetic material from
U.S. users for the Chinese government. .
The tech company also faced accusations
that it gathered genetic material from
U.S. users for the Chinese government.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
10 Reasons Why Walking Is
Beneficial to Your Health.
1. A 2016 study from the
National Institutes of Health says
walking can put you in a "better mood.".
2. Another report in 'JAMA Psychiatry'
says it can also help prevent depression.
3. According to a Stanford University analysis,
walking pumps more oxygen into your brain,
therefore increasing alertness.
4. A 2014 study from the California college
adds that your creative output will
receive a boost as well.
5. A University of Missouri study found that
walking reduces stress by increasing blood flow.
6. Researchers from the National Cancer Institute
say walking an hour on a daily basis
can increase longevity.
7. A study from Appalachian State University adds that your immune system can be boosted
by moving 30 to 45 minutes each day.
8. According to the
American Cancer Society,
walking every day lowers
your risk of getting cancer.
9. A 2011 study from the
'International Journal of General Medicine'
adds that it also helps with digestion.
10. Have painful inflammation?
The Arthritis Foundation says
walking can even help with joint pain
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Aging Energy Infrastructure, Plus Climate Change, Are a Growing Risk.
NPR reports that Texas investigators say that a power pole , "that appeared to be decayed at the base", was the cause of the worst wildfire in the state's history.
Xcel Energy, the state's electric
utility, said in a statement that , "its facilities appear to have been involved
in an ignition of the Smokehouse Creek fire.".
Rob Gramlich, president of consulting firm
Grid Strategies, warns that many of the U.S.'s
power lines were built 60 to 70 years ago. .
According to Gramlich, most electric utility providers
in the U.S. lack the technology to let them know
when power lines are overheating or sagging.
Combined with increased temperatures
and drier vegetation, this aging infrastructure
could spark larger, more intense wildfires.
There are some utilities
that are really leaders and
are getting ahead of the risk, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy
Policy Program at the Woods Institute for
the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR.
And then there are others
that we look at and think are
walking into a catastrophe, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy
Policy Program at the Woods Institute for
the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR.
According to experts, wildfire prevention
can not only impact safety, but also the
cost of energy bills across the nation.
We cannot afford – literally,
in terms of our pocketbooks –
to have utilities be perceived
by their investors as high risk, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy
Policy Program at the Woods Institute for
the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR.
There is a set of practices
that utilities can take that
do not cost an arm and a leg
that can dramatically cut
the risk of outcomes
like we saw in Texas, Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy
Policy Program at the Woods Institute for
the Environment at Stanford University, via NPR
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
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