Sunspots 971

 

Some things that I have spotted that may be of interest to others:

Newsweek reports that humpback whales appear to use tools. Really.

Politifact fact-checks the acceptance speech of Kamala Harris.

NPR presents the latest guidance on COVID.

NPR also reports that medical researchers are finally beginning to use menstrual blood in diagnoses.

NPR also reports that Australia is trying to allow workers to disconnect from the company when working hours have passed, 

CNN reports that marmoset monkeys can send messages to a specified individual monkey. In other words, they use names for each other.

Sunspots 967

Things I've spotted that may be of interest to others:

Gizmodo reports on the discovery of several very large undersea mountains.

A Conversation writer discusses what COVID does to our thinking. It dangerous to the brain.

Another Conversation writer compares Donald Trump to the outlaws of the American past. (Al Capone, for one).

Gizmodo recommends the best computer mice.

An article in The Conversation pays tribute to composer John Williams.

(Image of sunspots from Wikipedia)

Sunspots 934

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*

Computing and Politics: Gizmodo talks to a member of Congress who wants to require acknowledgment of such when deepfake (computer-generated material masquerading as the real thing) technology is used.

Environment:  (and Politics) The Guardian reports on a detailed plan, for an incoming Republican President,  to eliminate the effectiveness of the Environmental Protection Agency, and other such governmental entities.

The heat is so high, in Arizona, that even saguaro cactus plants are dying.

Food: Does Subway's tuna really contain tuna?

Health  (and Politics): Gizmodo reports that Republican people have been more likely to get COVID than Democrats, at least partly because of misinformation about the vaccines by prominent Republicans.

Science: The Associated Press and other outlets report that the  family of Henrietta Lacks has been compensated for the use of her cells, which were taken without her knowledge or permission. They have been used widely in science.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 932

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*

Christianity: NPR reports that some really large churches are growing even larger.

Environment: (or something) NPR reports that a Burmese python, over 19 feet long, was caught in Florida.

Another report, from the Tampa Bay Times, says that a different Burmese python, in Florida, had laid 111 eggs.

Health: (and Christianity, and politics) A Conversation article discusses the influence of religious belief on whether you get COVID vaccine.

Humor: (or something) Grammarphobia discusses words related to bobby, as in bobby socks, bobby pin.

Politics: NPR interviews an author who has written a book about how crack cocaine harmed African-Americans.

FiveThirtyEight tells us about some creative (and possibly illegal) ways that Republican presidential candidates are trying to raise enough money, from enough donors, to be included in a debate.

A Conversation writer tells us about Target Letters from the Justice Department.

Science: NPR reports on a company that is trying to turn stem cells into human eggs.

SciTcchDaily reports on the use of genetic engineering to improve the usefulness of the fibers in trees.

Gizmodo reports that a French woman was struck by a meteorite. (She was bruised)

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

 

Sunspots 885

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

Christianity: Relevant has an article that discusses the harmful effects of watching pornography -- it leads to a decline in desire for sex with real people. The article mentions the effects on Christian young people.

Computing: Gizmodo tells us that Chicago (and other) police, with help from the FBI, are using fake social media accounts to trap criminals (or innocent people).

Environment: Gizmodo reports that legislators in Utah are considering piping ocean water into the Great Salt Lake, which is at record low levels, with no natural fix in sight.

Health: (and politics) NPR reports that the death rate from COVID has been significantly higher in counties that voted for Trump.

Politics: NPR reports that American right-wingers are praising the autocratic leader of Hungary.

Science: The Scientist reports that significant malaria transmission occurs, due to daytime mosquito bites.

Gizmodo reports that dolphins in the Red Sea apparently rub their bodies, or parts thereof, on corals, for medicinal reasons.

The graphic used in these posts is from NASA, hence, it is free to use like this.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 871

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

Education: Grammarphobia discusses watching "on the TV," vs. watching "on TV."

Environment:  Gizmodo reports that the number of serious earthquakes in Texas increased markedly recently. Fracking is probably the main cause.

Gizmodo also reports that Florida utility companies are fighting solar panel installation in the state.

Gizmodo also reports that about 25% of wild large cats in Zambia had been injured by traps or guns before death.

Gizmodo reports on "rogue waves," waves twice as tall, or more, as those surrounding them.

Finances: Gizmodo discusses the causes of inflation. It's not simple.

Health: NPR shows us a graphic history of the connections between the variations of the SARS-COVID comples of viruses. There are some surprises.

Politics: Gizmodo reports that a majority of donations to the supposedly Canadian "Freedom Convoy" are from the US. Canada has taken action to require reporting of large donations to such groups.

The graphic used in these posts is from NASA, hence, it is free to use like this.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 869

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

Christianity:  (sort of) Christianity Today on Jerry Falwell, Jr.'s, hypocrisy, and sin.

A church in Oregon has filed a lawsuit, complaining that feeding the hungry and homeless is a right under freedom of religion. (They have been doing that for years.)

Environment:  Gizmodo reports that QAnon followers have attacked a butterfly sanctuary.

ListVerse shows us videos of 10 areas that are, scenically, on a par with the National Parks.

Health: NPR reports that Malawi, and perhaps some other poor countries in Africa, have mostly beaten COVID, and how this has happened.

Politics: Christianity Today reports that Florida's governor DeSantis is taking action to present charitable groups from helping care for migrant children, which action is legal in the US (including Florida).

Science: The Scientist reports that mutation rates of especially important genes are lower than for genes in general.

Gizmodo reports that peat bogs in the UK, which are a source of archaeological material, are being lost to global climate change.

Gizmodo also reports on all-female termite colonies.

The graphic used in these posts is from NASA, hence, it is free to use like this.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 868

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

Christianity:  (and other religions) Christianity Today points out recent advances in religious freedom in five countries.

Relevant reports that women are more accepted as pastors than they used to be.

Finances: Relevant reports on a study finding that the children of women who are given money have more  vigorous brain development.

Health: The Scientist reports that some mild cases of what seems to be COVID are actually a placebo effect, in reverse.

NPR has information on how to pick a good mask, where to buy them, if you aren't using one from the government, and how (or not) to re-use them.

Science: The Scientist reports on beetle larvae that can jump.

Gizmodo reports on a disease that is usually fatal to rabbits. It's spreading.

Gizmodo also reports on a study indicating that some microorganisms can live well at 250 degrees F.

Sports: NPR reports that the first woman drafted by the NBA (she chose not to sign), who was also the first woman to score points in Olympic basketball, has died.

The graphic used in these posts is from NASA, hence, it is free to use like this.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 865

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

Computing: Gizmodo tells us that an 8K TV may not show a picture any better than a 4K one.

Environment: Listverse discusses wildlife bridges, which are supposed to make it much less dangerous for animals to move around in populated areas.

Health: (and Politics) Gizmodo describes the worst COVID lies on Fox News, 2021.

Science: Gene editing has worked, on a case of sickle-cell anemia, according to NPR.

Gizmodo reports on the discovery of parasite eggs in a toilet used about 2700 years ago.

The graphic used in these posts is from NASA, hence, it is free to use like this.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 862

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

Christianity: Christianity Today reports on a survey that indicates that most Americans don't believe that Christ existed before His birth.

Relevant on why many Christians do not follow the Biblical mandate to care for the poor.

Environment: Gizmodo summarizes the ways in which oil companies have controlled our thinking and actions.

NPR reports that temperature records have recently been broken, all over the earth.

Finances: Gizmodo describes a study that indicates that Lego sets are a better investment than gold or stocks.

Health: Gizmodo reports that a court decision has caused county health departments in Missouri to stop all work, and all restrictions, related to COVID.

Politics: FiveThirtyEight analyzes Donald Trump's endorsements. He's endorsing more people earlier, and, in some cases, endorsed Republican challengers to a Republican incumbent.

Science: Astronomers have discovered a very large planet in a nearby solar system, according to Gizmodo.

The graphic used in these posts is from NASA, hence, it is free to use like this.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

 

Sunspots 861

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

Christianity: Relevant tells us that Christmas was not largely stolen from pagan celebrations.

Computing: Gizmodo reports that Microsoft is making progress on storing information in DNA, rather than on tape or in other ways usually used in computers.

Environment: The Biden administration is approving fossil fuel leases at a higher rate than the Trump administration did, according to Gizmodo.

Health: (and Politics) NPR reports that counties that were strongly pro-Trump in the last election have "far higher death rates. [from COVID]"

Politics: FiveThirtyEight tells us what Americans really think about abortion.

Science: Gizmodo reports on a study that indicates that dog breeds are highly inbred.

Gizmodo reports that four states experienced record high temperatures for December.

Gizmodo also reports on bees that survived a volcanic eruption.

The graphic used in these posts is from NASA, hence, it is free to use like this.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 860

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

Christianity: Christianity Today reports on a study that shows that contemporary worship songs last for a shorter period than they used to. (In other words, they are sung for a while, then dropped.)

Relevant interviews an author who says that, according to the Bible, most views on what happens after death are wrong.

Health: Gizmodo describes some of the things we want to know about the omicron variant of COVID.

Humor:  (or something) FiveThirtyEight asks people when each of the four seasons should start. Whatever your opinion on this, it's in the minority.

Politics: NPR reports that the CIA has published a new edition of its book on the interactions between the CIA and recent presidents. The book is free. As I understand it, it does not include President Joe Biden, presumably because he is not done interacting with the CIA.

Science: Gizmodo and other outlets report on tiny constructions, made from frog stem cells, that can capture food and reproduce, in their own way. Living robots, sort of.

The graphic used in these posts is from NASA, hence, it is free to use like this.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading. 

Sunspots 856

 Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

The Arts: (or something) Gizmodo reports on an esthetic advance in the design of screws.

Education: (and politics) NPR reports that the Texas governor, and some other officials, are trying to get some books removed from public school libraries.

Health: NPR reports on how our future interaction with COVID may develop.

History: Grammarphobia explains how first names became last names. (Example: Davidson) A lot of last names are based on first names, most not so obvious as the example I gave.

Politics: NPR reports that former Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio has cost the taxpayers $100,000,000 in legal fees.

Science: Gizmodo reports that two California condor females had offspring by virgin birth -- no mating involved. Some birds can do this occasionally.

(or something) Gizmodo also reports on how a gun shooting blanks could kill someone.

The graphic used in these posts is from NASA, hence, it is free to use like this.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 855

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

The Arts: (or something) Gizmodo reports on an esthetic advance in the design of screws.

Christianity: BioLogos has an article on whether anti-COVID vaccines are the mark of the beast.

A Relevant writer warns against bibliolatry, putting the Bible as equal to God.

Education:  Grammarphobia discusses the "boo" in peekaboo.

History: Gizmodo reports that Vikings had reached North America by 1021 AD.

Science: NPR reports that a pig kidney as been successfully attached to a human, and that it functioned as kidneys are supposed to.

The Scientist reports on another way that plants communicate with other plants.

Sports: (or something) NPR reports on cricket fighting in China.

The graphic used in these posts is from NASA, hence, it is free to use like this.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 854

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

Christianity: (and Health) A Relevant writer discusses the "aborted fetuses were used in developing the vaccine" objection to COVID vaccination.

Relevant discusses the Jon Gruden affair, and concludes that he was not the victim of "cancel culture."

Education:  Grammarphobia discusses the idea of the four corners of the earth.

Health: Lungs are difficult organs to use in transplants, because they are sensitive to bumps during travel, but two Toronto hospitals were able to use a drone to deliver lung material, which was quickly and successfully transplanted into a patient. Reported in Gizmodo.

Science: NPR displays the 10 best nature photos of the year. The pictures showed up well on my computer.

Gizmodo reports that a NASA simulation indicates that, should we be threatened by an asteroid collusion, it may be possible to prevent such a happening.

Sports:  Gizmodo reports on a study that indicates that horseback riding is more likely to cause injuries than football and some other sports.

The graphic used in these posts is from NASA, hence, it is free to use like this.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

 

Sunspots 851

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

Christianity (and Health): Relevant reports that public support for allowing religious exemptions against being vaccinated is declining. Christianity Today has a somewhat different take on this matter.

Education: Grammarphobia discusses the history of the expression "put English on the ball."

Environment: (and Computing) Gizmodo reports on the amount of environmental damage from bitcoin transactions.

Relevant reports that 27 species have recently been moved from "endangered," to "extinct." The article also mentions a joint statement by the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Orthodox Patriarch, on climate change.

Health: (and Politics, unfortunately) NPR reports on ivermectin, which has been used to treat COVID, without solid evidence than it works.

Science: The Scientist reports on successful attempts to potty-train cows, and why it's a good idea to do so.

Gizmodo reports that Martian colonists could produce concrete-like building materials from Martian soil mixed with their own blood.

Gizmodo also reports that two more murder hornet nests have been found in Washington State.

Gizmodo also reports on a new tool that should help remove stuck screws.

The graphic used in these posts is from NASA, hence, it is free to use like this.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.

Sunspots 848

Things I have recently spotted that may be of interest to others*:

Christianity: Relevant reports that a majority of self-identified Christians under 40 think that Christ isn't the only way to salvation.

Relevant also reports that a significant portion of guitar sales are for church worship purposes.

(and Politics) FiveThirtyEight on why white evangelicals have such a low COVID vaccination rate.

(and Politics) Relevant on what the Bible says about how to treat refugees. Christianity Today on the same subject.

Education: Grammarphobia explains why "duck" has so many meanings.

Environment: Gizmodo reports that, for the first time ever known, it rained in the heart of Greenland's ice sheet.

Gizmodo also reports that (surprise!) Texas isn't requiring big petroleum companies to follow practices that are supposed to be required, and would cut down on climate change effects.

Health: Gizmodo reports on a study indicating that the number of people with hypertension (high blood pressure), worldwide, has risen a lot in the past 30 years.

Science: Gizmodo reports on a study of types of rhinoceros, and their ancestry. The five species now alive are all in danger, from poaching or habitat destruction.

Gizmodo also reports that some paper wasps make fluorescent nests. Their function is unclear at present.

Gizmodo also has a good article on how fossils are dated.

Sports: FiveThirtyEight on how the NCAA treats women's sports poorly.

The graphic used in these posts is from NASA, hence, it is free to use like this.

*I try not to include items that require a password or fee to view.

Thanks for reading.