Russia’s Only Space Telescope Has Stopped Responding to Commands

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Russia's Spektr-R space telescope sitting in a bay before its launch

Uh, Korolev?

The Spektr-R space telescope is now a mere ghost of what it once was.

Russia’s only space telescope recently stopped responding to commands issued from the ground, according to BBC. The details of the problem have not been made entirely clear and while the it isn’t possible to issue commands to the telescope it is still transmitting data.

The Spektr-R began facing troubles on January 10 when Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, noted problems in the telescopes communication system had rendered the device unable to hone in on specific targets. Specialists began work to attempt to restore communication to the system but as of today Roscosmos announced via Twitter that despite repeated attempts to reestablish connection “it was not possible to reconnect with the radio telescope.”

A Toast to Spektr-R

Launched in 2011, the telescope was originally only expected to continue working until 2014 but is has far outlived that expectation. Once slated for launch in 2004 or 2005, Spektr-R encountered “multiple delays” during construction. With it’s 33-foot radio antenna, Spektr-R works together with a network of telescopes on the ground to conduct research into the origins and structure of radio signals from within and beyond our galaxy. The telescope also contains instruments for observing solar wind and the Earth’s outer magnetosphere.

Blackout

Attempts to restore communication with Spektr-R are still underway, though so far they have no been successful. Yuri Kovalev, head of research for the Spektr-R project, told BBC that “there is still hope.”

With Spektr-R currently unable to take on new missions and a data transfer issue impacting Russia’s other science satellite, the Mikhailo Lomonosov, Russia has no active science satellites for the time being. A Russian-German joint telescope project, Spektr-RG, was originally planned to launch in 2011 but is now expected to be put into service in March 2019. Until then, Roscosmos can only hope that its specialists are able to restore Spektr-R to good working order.

READ MORE: Spektr-R, Russia’s Only Space Radio Telescope, Stops Responding to Commands [Gizmodo]

More on Space Telescopes: The James Webb Telescope Is Delayed. Again. Here Are 4 Things to Know About it

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Russia’s Only Space Telescope Has Stopped Responding to Commands

Harvard Astronomer Predicts What First Alien Contact Will Be Like

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In a new interview, a Harvard astronomer opens up about the hunt for alien life — and what first alien contact would mean for human civilization.

Alien Life

Avi Loeb, the chair of the Harvard Astronomy Department, has long been preoccupied with the question of whether humans are alone in the universe. He’s speculated that fast radio bursts could be messages from extraterrestrials, theorized about alien megastrucutres, and suggested that an interstellar object that cruised through our solar system could be a probe from another civilization.

Now, in a new interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel, Loeb opened up further about his thoughts about the hunt for alien life — and what First Contact would mean for human civilization.

Biggest Step

If humankind were contacted by aliens, Loeb said, it could be the one of the most extraordinary incidents in human history.

“If you think about the history of humans, the perspective has changed as we have evolved — from a single individual to a family, a tribe, a country, and finally we even found other continents with people living there,” he told Der Spiegel. “If we were now to find other beings beyond planet Earth, this would be the biggest step ever.”

First Contact

What first contact would be like, Loeb said, is almost impossible to predict because of all the different ways that life could evolve outside of Earth.

“I can’t tell you what this moment will look like,” he said. “But it will be shocking. Because we are biased by our own experiences. We imagine other beings to be similar to us. But maybe they are radically different.”

Favorite Alien

But when Der Spiegel asked Loeb what he favorite fictional alien was, he demurred.

“To be honest, I don’t like science fiction personally,” he told the magazine. “I have a problem when the action in a movie violates the laws of physics. In those cases, I cannot enjoy the experience aesthetically.”

READ MORE: ‘Thinking About Distant Civilizations Isn’t Speculative’ [Der Spiegel]

More on alien life: Astronomers Are Gearing Up to Listen for Evidence of Aliens from a Mysterious Interstellar Object

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A New Class of Drugs Could Make Safer Sleeping Pills

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A sleeping woman on a sofa who may have taken sleeping pills to aid her slumber

ZZZ

If your house caught fire in the middle of the night, you’d want to wake up to deal with that emergency, right?

In a new prescription sleeping pill study published this week in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, half of the study participants slept through a fire alarm as loud as someone vacuuming next to their bed. Researchers from Kagoshima University, Japan estimated that millions of people taking prescription sleeping pills like Ambien and Halcion would sleep through a fire alarm. They propose that a new class of hypnotic drug might be used as an alternative which would function like a sleeping pill while still allowing the brain to wake up during an emergency.

DORA The Hypnotic Drug

The most widely prescribed type of sleeping pills, benzodiazepines, are really effective at getting the brain into “sleep mode”. Unfortunately, they act as a sort of blanket, suppressing areas of the brain that they don’t need to. That includes the area of the brain that decides which external information, such as noises in the night, to pay attention to.

Over the past decade scientists have been developing a new class of hypnotic drugs called dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs). DORAs more selectively target the brain’s sleep/wake pathways making them a safer alternative to benzodiazepines while also leaving the user with a reduced hangover-like affect these drugs can cause.

Wake-up Call

When tested in lab mice, those that had been given the benzodiazepine triazolam were slower to rouse than those given DORA-22 when presented with the sounds of a fox, a serious threat to a mouse. Better still, once the danger had passed the mice given DORA-22 fell back asleep as fast as the mice that had been given a sleeping pill, and significantly faster than mice that hadn’t been given anything at all.

More human testing is needed in order to show DORAs have potential applications as sleep aids. Since 2014, a DORA called surovexant has gained regulatory approval in Japan, the USA and Australia. High costs and limited clinical testing of surovexant have stymied its use but new types of DORAs currently in development could some day offer better results at a lower cost.

READ MORE: Millions on prescription sleeping pills would sleep through a fire alarm [EurekAlert]

More on Sleep: Here’s How Sleeping Too Little Literally Transforms Your Brain

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Researchers Repurposed CRISPR to Help Develop Better Antibiotics

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Scientist repurposed CRISPR to develop better antibiotics

Antibiotic Bust

The world faces a potential antibiotic crisis. A lack of new antibiotic drugs combined with increasing amounts of antibiotic resistant bacteria is setting the stage for a potential pandemic. The calamitous potential has researchers trying all kinds of ways to develop new drugs. From super enzymes to synthetic microbes… heck, even AI has been thrown into the ring.

Now, researchers at the University of Washington-Madison and at the University of California, San Francisco are taking a new approach by repurposing the gene-editing tool CRISPR to study which genes are targeted by particular antibiotics. By observing how antibiotics interact with genes, the researchers hope to find clues to improve existing medicines or develop new ones.

Cover Up

CRISPR is a tool used to edit DNA by slicing out one segment of genes and inserting a new one while the cell is repairing. The new system, developed by UW-Madison professor Jason Peters uses a somewhat modified technique. “Most people, when they think about CRISPR, think about gene editing,” said Peters.

But Peters and team employed a modified version of the technique known as Mobile-CRISPRi. A sort of defanged form of CRISPR, CRISPRi is engineered not to be able to slice DNA but instead sits on top of it blocking off proteins that would otherwise activate certain genes. By selectively blocking different genes the researchers are able to reduce the amount of proteins produced from those genes. They found that if they decreased the amount of protein targeted by an antibiotic, bacteria became much more sensitive to lower levels of the drug. Other researchers could replicate this in order to gather data on thousands of genes at a time.

Clip on, Clip off

The Mobile-CRISPRi system is very versatile and easy to use. By exploiting a form of bacterial sex called conjugation, CRISPRi can be easily introduced to different types of bacteria. Peters and team demonstrated this by applying CRISPRi to lab-grown E. Coli bacteria and also a much less commonly encountered kind of bacteria called V. casei which they collected from a rind of French cheese. In both cases the CRISPRi easily adhered to the bacteria’s genetic information.

Peters is offering up Mobile-CRISPRi to other researchers to study their germs of choice. “So now it’s going to be completely available to the community,” said Peters. “Now this gives people a path forward.”

READ MORE: Gene-editing tool CRISPR repurposed to develop better antibiotics [EurekAlert]

More on New Antibiotics: There’s a new antibiotic in town, and we can create it in the lab

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Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering – HRF

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Manipulation of genes in natural organisms, such as plants, animals, and even humans, is considered genetic engineering. This is done using a variety of different techniques like molecular cloning. These processes can cause dramatic changes in the natural makeup and characteristic of the organism. There are benefits and risks associated with genetic engineering, just like most other scientific practices.

Genetic engineering offers benefits such as:

1. Better Flavor, Growth Rate and NutritionCrops like potatoes, soybeans and tomatoes are now sometimes genetically engineered in order to improve size, crop yield, and nutritional values of the plants. These genetically engineered crops also possess the ability to grow in lands that would normally not be suitable for cultivation.

2. Pest-resistant Crops and Extended Shelf LifeEngineered seeds can resist pests and having a better chance at survival in harsh weather. Biotechnology could be in increasing the shelf life of many foods.

3. Genetic Alteration to Supply New FoodsGenetic engineering can also be used in producing completely new substances like proteins or other nutrients in food. This may up the benefits they have for medical uses.

4. Modification of the Human DNAGenes that are responsible for unique and desirable qualities in the human DNA can be exposed and introduced into the genes of another person. This changes the structural elements of a persons DNA. The effects of this are not know.

The following are the issues that genetic engineering can trigger:

1. May Hamper Nutritional ValueGenetic engineering on food also includes the infectivity of genes in root crops. These crops might supersede the natural weeds. These can be dangerous for the natural plants. Unpleasant genetic mutations could result to an increased allergy occurrence of the crop. Some people believe that this science on foods can hamper the nutrients contained by the crops although their appearance and taste were enhanced.

2. May Introduce Risky PathogensHorizontal gene shift could give increase to other pathogens. While it increases the immunity against diseases among the plants, the resistant genes can be transmitted to harmful pathogens.

3. May Result to Genetic ProblemsGene therapy on humans can end to some side effects. While relieving one problem, the treatment may cause the onset of another issue. As a single cell is liable for various characteristics, the cell isolation process will be responsible for one trait will be complicated.

4. Unfavorable to Genetic DiversityGenetic engineering can affect the diversity among the individuals. Cloning might be unfavorable to individualism. Furthermore, such process might not be affordable for poor. Hence, it makes the gene therapy impossible for an average person.

Genetic engineering might work excellently but after all, it is a kind of process that manipulates the natural. This is altering something which has not been created originally by humans. What can you say about this?

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Pros and Cons of Genetic Engineering - HRF

Human Genetic Engineering: Wrong | [site:name] | National …

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(Ralwel/Dreamstime)Conservatives and progressives both have reasons for opposing it.

The genetic engineering of human beings has been a dream and a nightmare since scientists first speculated about it a century ago. Futurists and transhumanists have long thought that genetic engineering could radically improve the human race, extending our lifespans or boosting our intelligence, while more responsible scientists have suggested that genetic modification could be used to cure diseases like Huntingtons, Tay-Sachs, and other deadly inherited conditions.

Over the past few years, a new technology has emerged that seems to finally make precise genetic modifications of human beings possible. This week, scientists, ethicists, and policy experts from the American, Chinese, and British national academies of science are gathered for a conference in Washington, D.C., to discuss the prospects of editing human genes.

The new technology that has brought questions about genetically modifying humans back on the agenda is called CRISPR-Cas9. It stands above previous methods for genetic engineering in both its precision and its simplicity. CRISPR-Cas9 relies on a single enzyme system that can be guided by small strings of RNA molecules to any site in the genome. Older methods for genetic engineering required scientists to find or design new proteins to target different sites in the genome, a technically demanding and labor-intensive task. The RNA molecules that CRISPR-Cas9 relies on, on the other hand, can simply be ordered from any number of biotechnology companies.

What makes this new technology especially controversial is the prospect that it could be used to modify the human germline that is, that it could be used to make changes that would not only affect a particular patient but would also be passed on to that patients children, and so on through the generations. Modifying genes in a human embryo is one way to accomplish this, and speakers at the meeting also discussed a different form of germline engineering, one that involves modifying the stem cells that produce sperm. This can be done either by performing gene therapy on men directly or by extracting their stem cells and then genetically modifying them in the lab to produce genetically modified sperm that could be used for in vitro fertilization or artificial insemination.

RELATED: U.S. Prepares to Push Human Genetic Engineering

All too often, deliberations about new biotechnologies seem to focus on managing public opinion so that scientists wont have to worry about the pesky obstructions of democratic oversight or moral arguments. Those who take a strong moral stance against the manipulation of human genetics or the destruction of human embryos are generally not welcome at these kinds of meetings. After all, the suggestion that we should not pursue some scientific avenues because they represent the unjust exploitation of human beings spoils the whole idea of coming to a consensus about how best to move forward.

Deliberations about new biotechnologies seem to focus on managing public opinion so that scientists wont have to worry about the pesky obstructions of democratic oversight or moral arguments.

This consensus-based approach was well on display in the statement released by the meetings organizers recommending that modification of the germline not be done until the technology can be made safe and there is broad societal consensus about the appropriateness of the proposed application, and furthermore that as scientific knowledge advances and societal views evolve, the clinical use of germline editing should be revisited on a regular basis. Recommendations like these ignore the possibility that there might be some wisdom in the view that it is morally wrong to genetically design our children, or that some future consensus that we come to hold as our societal views evolve might be foolish and misguided. Whats more, the organizers recommended allowing the genetic modification of human embryos, on the condition that the modified cells should not be used to establish a pregnancy.

There were unfortunately no conservative or pro-life scholars at this meeting who might have pushed back against this technological boosterism and callous disregard for unborn human life. Yet the absence thus far of conservative and pro-life voices does not mean that everyone at the conference was resolutely in favor of genetic engineering. There were a number of liberal critics of biotechnology, notably Marcy Darnovsky of the Center for Genetics and Society, who made a compelling case against using gene editing to modify the human germline. On the other side were ethicists like John Harris, a utilitarian philosopher at Manchester University, who demanded that genetic engineering be made available with only minimal restrictions. Many of the scientists were very excited about what this technology might enable us to do, though some, like Eric Lander, a geneticist at MIT, expressed skepticism about whether the genetic modification of human embryos would have much practical use.

#share#The scientists speaking at the conference tend to see the moral issues in terms of individual patients. Their focus is on whether these new technologies can be safe and effective ways of treating disease and satisfying the preferences and desires of individuals. But progressive critics argue that these scientists are missing the broader social context in which the technologies would be implemented, and the ways in which biotechnology might contribute to the oppression of marginalized groups.

Both these perspectives can be valuable. Focusing on what is good for individual patients can be an important corrective to the tyrannical impulse to use medicine and public-health measures not for actual human beings, but for whatPaul Ramsey calledthat celebrated non-patient, the human species. But the progressives are also right that medical procedures, especially those dealing with reproduction, are not simply about the patient and the doctor: The child must also be considered, and we should remember as well the kinds of social and economic pressures that might be driving individuals to seek medical interventions to prevent the birth of a child with disabilities.

Conservatives and todays progressives ought to share a concern about the risks of a potential new type of eugenics to harm minorities and the disabled.

Both the scientists, with their emphasis on individuals, and the progressives, with their emphasis on group oppression, draw lessons from the dark history of eugenics, the Progressive Era movement to sterilize the unfit that had a baleful influence on the laws of many nations, including the United States, in the early 20th century. At the conference, science historian Daniel J. Kevles gave a presentation on the origins of eugenics in the sciences of genetics and statistics and discussed the crude racial stereotypes and prejudices held by many Americans in the early 1900s. He described how the eugenics movement harmed and oppressed racial minorities and people with disabilities. (Kevless bookIn the Name of Eugenicsis an excellent introduction to this dark chapter in our history.) Conservatives and todays progressives ought to share a concern about the risks of a potential new type of eugenics to harm minorities and the disabled.

But conservatives are uniquely suited to point out that gene editing unites two errors characteristic of our age: genetic perfectionism and an overemphasis on individual autonomy. First, we conservatives understand that the family is the foundational unit of society, and that its basic structure a married man and woman having children whom they love and care for unconditionally should not be tinkered with by social or biological engineers. The eugenics movement put an abstraction, the human gene pool, above that fundamental unit of society, the family.

Second, biotechnologies like gene editing risk combining the problem of genetic perfectionism with an extreme emphasis on individual autonomy. Gene editing is thought to offer a way for parents to maximize their control over the properties of their offspring, transforming a relationship that should be characterized by unconditional love and acceptance into one in which children are seen as products of their parents desires and wishes, to be provisionally accepted and molded in accord with parental preferences.

This is how we should look at the debates over emerging biotechnologies: by focusing on the relationship between parents and children, and on how that relationship might be undermined by increasing the power of parents to control the biological properties of their offspring. That this conservative insight has been largely absent from these debates over gene editing is unfortunate. Conservatives should be doing more to make their voices heard on this issue.

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Elon Musk shows off SpaceXs massive Starship test rocket …

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Elon Musk tweeted this image of SpaceX's new Starship rocket.

The latest creation from Elon Musks SpaceX looks like it was ripped from the pages of a 1950s comic book.

Musk on Thursday night tweeted an image of the completed Starship test-flight rocket from a SpaceX facility in south Texas. Silver and shimmery, with prominent curved tail fins, the spacecraft is reminiscent of something out of Buck Rogers or Tintin.

A video of the reusable rocket standing against a cloudy sky was tweeted by a rocket enthusiast, and retweeted by Musk:

That test rocket wont be flying through space though it will be used for suborbital test flights. Orbital version is taller, has thicker skins (wont wrinkle) & a smoothly curving nose section, Musk said in another tweet.

The Starship rocket is intended to be a key component of Musks plan to land on and one day colonize Mars. The plan is for the 100-passenger Starship to be blasted into space by SpaceXs upcoming Super Heavy rocket, which itself may take its first test flight later this year. The Starship will then land on Mars, and take off and return to Earth. Musk has said he hopes to launch a Mars mission by the early 2020s.

The engines are expected to be test-fired next month, and Musk has said he expects the first Starship test flights in March or April.

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Genetic Medicine Clinic at UW Medical Center | UW Medicine

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Directions to CHDD from Main Information Desk at UWMCThe Patient Information Desk on the main (3rd Floor) of UWMC has detailed directions and a map to CHDD and may be able to provide an escort. From the Information Desk take the Pacific Elevators to the 1st Floor of the hospital. Walk through the Plaza Caf and exit the back glass doors of the hospital. CHDD is the four story brick building directly across the street. Check in at the reception desk on the main (2nd Floor) of CHDD.

Access the lot from 15th Avenue N.E. Stop at gate house 6 to obtain a parking permit.

Look for CHDD- designated or UWMC disability parking stalls. Walk out of S1 at the east end and enter CHDD Clinic building. Patients can be dropped off at the CHDD entrance from which vehicles can return to S1 for parking. A cash payment of $15.00 is required upon entry. Please leave the permit on your dashboard. A partial discount voucher will be given at appointment check-in for patients or family members.

CHDD Parking Brochure (PDF)

Disability ParkingFor All CHDD patients and families with mobility parking needs, the closest parking is in the S1 Garage. Please request a disability placard at the gate house. A cash payment of $15.00 is required upon entry. Please leave the permit on your dashboard. A partial discount voucher will be given at appointment check-in for patients or family members. Valet parking is available at the main entrance of the Medical Center; wheelchairs and escort services are available from the Information Desk.

Valet ParkingValet parking service for patients and their visitors is located in front of the Medical Center, near the main entrance. Allow extra time if you choose to use valet parking.

From valet service, walk east to the main entrance of UWMC. The Information Desk has detailed directions and a map to CHDD and may be able to provide an escort.Triangle Parking GarageThe Triangle Parking Garage is located on N.E. Pacific Place, across the street from UW Medical Center. From Montlake Blvd., turn left onto N.E. Pacific Street and right onto N.E. Pacific Place. The Triangle Garage has a height restriction of 6 8. Allow extra time if you choose to use the Triangle Parking Garage.From the Triangle Garage, take the pedestrian tunnel to the front entrance of the UWMC. The Information Desk has detailed directions and a map to CHDD and may be able to provide an escort.

Surgery Pavilion Parking GarageThe Surgery Pavilion Parking Garage is accessed off of N.E. Pacific Street next to the Emergency Room entrance. The Surgery Pavilion has a height restriction of 9 6 on Level P1. Levels P2 & P3 (2nd & 3rd floor) have a height restriction of 6 7. Allow extra time if you choose to use the Surgery Pavilion Parking Garage.

From the Surgery Pavilion Parking Garage, take the elevator to the third floor. Walk across the pedestrian overpass to the main hospital building lobby. The Information Desk has detailed directions and a map to CHDD and may be able to provide an escort.Payment Rates for parking in S-1, Valet, Triangle, Surgery Pavilion:Patients parking in S-1 will need to pay $15 up front which will be partially reimbursed with validation upon exiting the parking lot (see rates for parking in link above). Credit/Debit cards will be reimbursed on the card, while patients paying cash will be given a cash reimbursement.

Getting to UW Medical Center

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About the Fred A. Litwin Family Centre in Genetic Medicine

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singularity | Definition of singularity in English by Oxford …

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noun

1mass noun The state, fact, quality, or condition of being singular.

he believed in the singularity of all cultures

More example sentences

Synonyms

uniqueness, distinctiveness, difference, individuality, particularity

it is a singularity of the book that it contains such a wealth of illustrations

More example sentences

Synonyms

idiosyncrasy, quirk, trait, foible, peculiarity, oddity, eccentricity, abnormality

2Mathematics Physics A point at which a function takes an infinite value, especially in spacetime when matter is infinitely dense, such as at the centre of a black hole.

Example sentences

3usually the singularityA hypothetical moment in time when artificial intelligence and other technologies have become so advanced that humanity undergoes a dramatic and irreversible change.

maybe the singularity just happened, and we didn't notice

More example sentences

Middle English: from Old French singularite, from late Latin singularitas, from singularis alone (of its kind) (see singular).

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singularity | Definition of singularity in English by Oxford ...

Singularity – reddit

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My grandfather is an engineer and really loves science, technology, etc. The only thing I really know that he fears is singularity. He has explained that he believes robots will be programmed to become increasingly smart, and as they do that they will rapidly because more intelligent than humans and will soon after dominate or eradicate the human race. His explanation usually involves numbers so hell talk about if AI is programmed to become more intelligent at, say, 2xs the rate of humans then it will be a very rapid change.

Stopping there, one question I have is if it is possible/will be possible to program AI to become more intelligent? Or do we merely have to program them to a certain intelligence level where they will remain from then on?

My concerns about AI, with regard to singularity, are 1. if they are somehow connected to the Internet to obtain information and use all the available information to improve themselves and advance themselves to where they could dominate humans and 2. if AI used in the military goes rogue.

Is one, all, or none of these arguments more reasonable or likely to occur? Should we be truly concerned about singularity?

Thank you for your time and input! Im sorry if my questions are meaningless - I dont know much about AI at all but the idea of singularity intrigues me.

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Singularity - reddit

Gambling Is Morally Wrong, Politically Unwise, says …

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Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Council of the Twelve, speaking at a Ricks College devotional assembly January 6, said gambling is both morally wrong and politically unwise.

He noted that lotteries and other forms of gambling are immoral and said that it is regrettable that governments would tolerate gambling and reprehensible that they would promote it.

Elder Oaks quoted the current First Presidency and earlier Church leaders in emphasizing the Churchs unyielding opposition to gambling in any form. He also quoted journalists, representatives of other religions, and government agencies who warn of the evils of gambling.

Gambling is a game of chance that takes without giving value in return, he said, adding that news coverage of lotteries and other gambling only tells of the winners. All are encouraged to ignore the reality that the winner has been enriched at the expense of a multitude of losers.

A state-sponsored lottery, he said, is sugar-coated with the phony sweetness of a good cause, such as responding to state financial needs, while both moral and financial costs are ignored.

Gambling tends to corrupt its participants, Elder Oaks said. Its philosophy of something for nothing undermines the virtues of work, industry, thrift, and service to others.

Elder Oaks, a onetime state supreme court justice and former president of Brigham Young University, said gamblers commonly deprive themselves, often impoverish their families, and sometimes steal from others to finance their indulgence.

Seemingly innocent state-sponsored lotteries, he said, can ultimately lead to highly visible public gambling with its associated immoral influences of crime, prostitution, and alcohol.

Regarding political objections to gambling, Elder Oaks said, Gambling is bad political policy. A law that permits gambling is hard to justify, and a law that sponsors or promotes gambling is a sure loser.

He cited several reasons gambling is politically unwise, including the fact that gambling undercuts productivity and encourages crime.

The philosophy of something for nothing or sometimes for far less than it is worth is at the root of a multitude of crimes: theft, robbery, looting, embezzlement, fraud, and many other kinds of plunder.

Elder Oaks quoted the editor of Saturday Review who said of New York States legalization of gambling, The first thing that is obvious is that New York State itself has become a predator in a way that the Mafia could never hope to match.

Gambling is also a costly way to raise revenue for public purposes, he said, citing the fact that between sixty to seventy-five cents of every dollar spent on lottery tickets goes to operating expenses and prizes. In contrast, most methods of state taxation cost only one to two cents to bring in each dollar of revenue. Elder Oaks quoted the 2 September 1986 issue of Newsweek: The strongest case against lotteries may simply be that they are inefficient.

Experience has shown, Elder Oaks said, that the effects of gambling impose increased government expenditures for social welfare and law enforcement.

The social effects of gambling have been noted throughout history, he said, citing the experience England had with lotteries in the nineteenth century. A Parliamentary committee described the effects of lotteries in 1808. The committee noted that people who had lived in comfort and respectability were reduced to poverty and distress, domestic quarrels, assaults, and the ruin of family peace; fathers deserting their families, mothers neglecting their children, wives robbing their husbands of the earnings of months and years, and people pawning clothing, beds, and wedding rings in order to indulge in speculation. England abolished lotteries a few years later.

Elder Oaks said advocates of legalized gambling argue that their games will eliminate illegal gambling, but there is no evidence that this has occurred. Instead, legalized gambling wins new participants, which expand the market and the potential revenues of illegal gambling.

He also noted that state lotteries provide only a small percentage of government revenues and that they primarily benefit only businesses such as gambling suppliers and convenience stores.

As should be evident to every thinking person, a high proportion of all legislation has a moral base, he said. That is true of all the criminal law, most of the laws regulating families, businesses, and commercial transactions, many of the laws governing property, and a host of others.

Jesus taught us to give, Elder Oaks said. Satan, the adversary, teaches men to takeforcibly if necessary, deviously if feasible, continuously if possible. Whatever encourages men to take from one another without giving value in return serves the cause of Satan.

Gambling is a game of chance that takes without giving value in return, he added.

Elder Oaks quoted the words of Elder Richard L. Evans, formerly of the Quorum of the Twelve, regarding gambling: At best it wastes time and produces nothing. At worst it becomes a ruinous obsession and fosters false living by encouraging the futile belief that we can continually get something for nothing.

In conclusion, Elder Oaks urged Latter-day Saints to oppose and avoid participation in gambling in every form. If members of our Church do not oppose immoral and pernicious practices, who will? If not now, when? We can make a difference! May God help us to do so.

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American Censorship – The Government’s Act of Altering Media

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Lower back pain has become widely common. To some extent, this is connected with our sedentary lifestyles. Lack of exercise, especially when combined with a desk job, which requires you to stay put at an office for hours, will inevitably cause back pain. However, there are other factors that play a role in the equation. For example, your position impacts the way in which your back feels. And most notably your office chair is more important than it may seem at first glance.

The best office chairs can actually offer relief, promoting healthy blood flow and adjusting the body in the correct position. So, how do you choose an office chair if youre dealing with lower back pain? Well, our guide will introduce you to a range of top products on the market. Aside from that, we will outline the main considerations that go into this lengthy shopping process.

Herman Miller Classic Aeron Chair Loaded Posture Fit

PRICE$$$$

Dimensions : 26 x 28 x 24

Weight : 48 pounds

Features : Tension Control / Rear tilt Lock/ Forward tilt/ Lumbar support

Herman Miller Embody Chair

PRICE$$$$$

Dimensions : 28 x 27 x 38.2

Weight : 51 pounds

Features : Tilt limiter / Adjustable seat depth / Fully adjustable arms

Herman Miller Sayl Task Chair

PRICE$$$$

Dimensions : 26 x 24.5 x 37

Weight : 38 pounds

Features : Suspension back / 93 percent recyclable

Flash Furniture Mid-Back Black Mesh Swivel Task Chair

PRICE$

Dimensions : 34.4 x 26.2 x 25

Weight : 11.25 pounds

Features : Tilt Lock Mechanism / Tilt Tension Adjustment Knob

Our first recommendation is this chair manufactured by Herman Miller. The reason why this is listed as one of the best office chairs for a back pain is its unique design. It is created specifically to support a healthy posture even if you often find yourself shifting positions throughout the day. We all know that staying put for hours can be quite uncomfortable.

At the same time, this chair is suitable for people of various sizes. Expressly, it conforms after your bodys shape, while distributing the weight evenly.

Furthermore, another unique characteristic is the presence of elliptical weaving threads. More specifically, the Classic Aeron Chair incorporates a patented tilt, which is referred to as the Kinemat kilt. This aims at mimicking the bodys pivot points.

The contoured back diminishes the pressure exercised on your back, ensuring your comfort. The padded arms are adjustable, meaning that you can customize them as you find best.

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Our list continues with another product manufactured by the renowned Herman Miller. The Embody Chair distinguishes itself through its unique design, which is great, particularly in regard to adjustability and customization.

That is to say, you benefit from complete adjustability, which is great news if youre struggling with back pain. This includes the position of your armrests and the actual seat position. However, our favorite thing about it is that each time you sit in the chair, the backrest automatically adjusts to your spine.

This is thanks to the dynamic matrix of pixels, as Herman Miller puts it. That is to say, whenever you change your position, the chair adjusts right away.

What is more, the item includes a handy fine-tuning knob designated for the headrest. Therefore, you can customize it depending on your preferences.

Nevertheless, a potential drawback could be that the chair doesnt have a headrest. At the same time, you dont have the alternative of adding a headrest, if you consider it necessary for your comfort.

What is more, if you prefer sitting close to your desk, you might find the lack of back-and-forth adjustability frustrating. Overall, though, this is a good investment.

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This is another product manufactured by Herman Miller. It has reached our list for many reasons. Most importantly, though, it is unbelievably comfortable; even if it might not seem like it at first glance.

Of course, the innovative, modern design is a major draw. This would make it the perfect addition to a modern office facility. Expressly, the concept behind the creation of the chair is identical to the one used for designing the Golden Gate Bridge.

The backbone of the chair represents a unique characteristic namely a Y tower. This offers optimal back support. Another feature that is exclusive to this chair is represented by the ArcSpan on the chairs back.

The purpose of the elastomer strands is to help you preserve a correct posture throughout the day. Nonetheless, in some areas, the strands remain flexible; therefore, enabling you to move freely.

Plus, you might be pleased to find out that this is an environmentally friendly item no less than 93 percent of the chairs construction is recyclable. And while there are contradicting opinions concerning its comfort level, some people say that it is excellent for back pain.

Hence, we could say that this is a pretty subjective topic it depends on your preferences and needs, for the most part.

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If your budget is limited, then you might find this chair a good alternative. The price is definitely appealing, but its reassuring to know that it offers optimal lumbar support. This should be a priority for each person that works at a desk.

Even if the design is rather simplistic, it does the trick. However, its worth mentioning that you dont have the option of adjusting the lumbar support. Still, weve found it to work quite well; therefore, you might not even feel the need to customize it.

The mesh back provides decent support, while being comfortable. As a matter of fact, weve found it to be surprisingly comfortable, even during prolonged periods of use. Thats simply because it conforms to your sitting position.

Concurrently, it offers decent ventilation.

Of course, you still have the standard ways of adjusting the chair were referring to tilt and height. Still, its limitations shouldnt be overlooked. In fact, taller people might consider this a major inconvenience, as it could jeopardize their comfort.

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Ergohuman High Back Swivel Chair with Headrest

PRICE$$$$

Dimensions : 26 x 27.5 x 51

Weight : 64 pounds

Features : 3 position tilt-lock / Tilt tension control / Tilt lock

The Steelcase Leap Chair

PRICE$$$

Dimensions : 24.8 x 27 x 43.5

Weight : 48 pounds

Features : LiveBack technology / 94% RECYCLABLE / Height-adjustable lumbar support

AmazonBasics Mid-Back Mesh Chair

PRICE$

Dimensions : 25.2 x 24 x 40.4

Weight : 23.1 pounds

Features : Contoured mesh back / Pneumatic seat-height adjustment

Modway Articulate Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair

PRICE$$

Dimensions : 27.5 x 26 x 41.5

Weight : 36 pounds

Features : Breathable mesh back, passive lumbar support

This chair has been designed with a core purpose in mind ergonomics. More specifically, you can customize it almost completely, depending on your preferences.

In fact, each individual component can be customized the headrest, the backrest, the seat depth, chair height, and the armrests, in an attempt to enjoy optimal comfort.

Thanks to the synchro-tilt mechanism, as well as the seat depth adjustment, your back will get the support it needs whether youre reclining or sitting upright.

Moving on, the mesh fabric is quite comfortable. Nevertheless, as a potential drawback, the material is quite sticky, which can be frustrating.

At the same time, you might find it a bit inconvenient that the armrests dont lock in place. Additionally, they have the tendency of moving quite easily. Overall, in regard to the construction of the chair, we can say that it is sturdy and durable.

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Right now, this is one of the best-selling chairs on the market. The reason why we have chosen to include it on our list is its optimal lumbar support. What makes it so great is the LiveBack technology.

Basically, the LiveBack technology features an adjustable tension knob. You use it in order to increase or decrease the firmness of the curve of the backrest.

Plus, there is also a height-adjustable lumbar support. This moves throughout the lower back. That is to say, you should expect to experience noteworthy pain relief in this respect.

This is what really makes a difference in terms of back support. Thanks to the natural glide system, the seat glides forward. Thus, you can effortlessly recline without leaving your reach zone, while remaining focused on your work.

Expressly, you can embrace different postures, to diminish the static load exercised on the spine. Additionally, thanks to the lower back firmness control, you can set the level of firmness to remain consistent. This will contribute to maintaining the lower spines natural curve.

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This is another optimal budget option for an office chair suitable for back pain. In truth, the price is surprisingly affordable for what this item has to offer: that is great comfort and support.

At the same time, we like that the chair is entirely adjustable. Specifically, thanks to the simple pneumatic controls, you can either lower or raise the seat. Moreover, if you wish, you may even rock back in the chair. Due to its adjustability, you can embrace a comfortable, correct seating position, which is fundamental when you have a bad back.

Moving on, also in regard to the design of the chair, the back is covered in mesh. If you have a look at the way in which its constructed, youll notice that it is designed in order to facilitate lumbar support which is pretty great, especially for the price.

Even if other chairs on our list might be infinitely more comfortable, we think that the price tag makes up for it.

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This is another item that is worthy of your attention. In other words, it provides excellent value, considering the features it comes with. Firstly, it is described as an ergonomic office chair, offering adequate lumbar support.

At the same time, in order to maximize your comfort, the chair is generously padded. We could say that it is constructed with daily use in mind; thats because the chair feels sturdy and durable. To that end, it is suitable for people weighing up to 331 lbs.

Furthermore, you can choose from the incline or recline function and lock it in place, whenever you feel like it, of course.

As noted by some reviewers struggling with back problems, thanks to this chair, the severity of the pain is alleviated.

On the other hand, there have been some complaints about the height of the armrests. Truthfully, the armrests locked at the lowest position are still too high. This could be an inconvenience, in terms of comfort. So, keep this in mind if you are looking to get this chair.

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Steelcase Leap Desk Chair with Headrest

PRICE$$$$$

Dimensions : 25 x 27 x 52.5

Weight : 65 pounds

Features : Patented LiveTechnology / Highly Adjustable arms

DXRacer Classic Series Big and Tall Chair

PRICE$$$

Dimensions : 24 x 27 x 51

Weight : 66 pounds

Features : Additional lumbar support cushion

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American Censorship - The Government's Act of Altering Media

Elon Musk released a photo SpaceX’s test hopper rocket …

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Elon Musk has published a photo of an experimental rocket meant to help him achieve his mission of conquering Mars.

After teasing the spaceship earlier this month, Musk posted a picture of the vehicle dubbed the "test hopper" in real life on Friday from SpaceX's facility in Boca Chica, Texas.

As Business Insider's Dave Mosher noted earlier this month, the rocket carries the test-hopper moniker because it is not designed to orbit the Earth. Instead, the windowless ship will rocket on "hops" that propel it no more than about 16,400 feet in the air.

In simple terms, it's an experimental vehicle whose successes (or failures) will inform how SpaceX works toward a full-scale, orbit-ready prototype of Starship, which could one day ferry up to 100 people and 150 tons of cargo to Mars.

Read more: Elon Musk says SpaceX is on track to launch people to Mars within 6 years here's the full timeline of his plans to colonize the red planet

In a tweet explaining the rocket, Musk made clear it was for "suborbital" tests. The orbital version will be "taller, has thicker skins (won't wrinkle) & a smoothly curving nose section," Musk added. The operational ship will also have windows. In a tweet earlier this month, Musk said the rocket would run its first test in four to eight weeks, nearly a year ahead of schedule.

Musk has said the final Starship rocket will look like "liquid silver" during the blazing-hot reentry into Earth's atmosphere. But because of the test hopper's imperfections, like the ridges between the steel panels, it already has a liquid silver shine.

SpaceX fans have also been posting images of the ship:

A full-scale Starship is scheduled to launch people for the first time in 2023. Musk has said he hopes to launch the first crews to Mars in the mid-2020s, perhaps as early as 2024, to arrive at the red planet in 2025.

He has described Starship as a "Tintin" rocket, referring to the 20th-century Belgian comics series. "I love the 'Tintin' rocket design, so I kind of wanted to bias it towards that," he said during a press conference in September.

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Elon Musk kicks off Gigafactory in Shanghai, may dodge Trump …

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Elon Musk has kicked off construction of his new Tesla Gigafactory in Shanghai, a project that could help him avoid tariffs on cars that have recently been inflamed by President Donald Trump's trade war with China.

Musk gave a speech at the site of the planned $2 billion factory in the Lingang district of Shanghai at about 3 p.m. local time (2 a.m. ET) on Monday.

The new factory, first announced in July, could be a remedy to problems operating in China, which Tesla attributed partly to President Donald Trump's trade war. Musk said the factory would be finished by the end of 2019 and might be ready in some capacity as soon as this summer.

The site of the new Tesla factory. Reuters

In October, Tesla said tariffs imposed by China to counter those made by Trump "resulted in an import tariff rate of 40% on Tesla vehicles versus 15% for other imported cars in China."

It additionally cited "headwinds we have been facing from the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China" as a problem.

Read more: US companies are using an ingenious method to game the system and avoid the worst of Trump's trade war

Last month China dialed back the 40% tariff rate to 15% as part of the 90-day truce reached by Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

It will revert to 40% on March 1 unless the two nations reach a larger agreement on trade.

Tesla plans for the new Shanghai factory to produce 500,000 cars a year on Chinese soil.

Any cost savings for Tesla will depend on what the tariff regime is when production begins.

It will also hinge on the precise details of the supply chain. For example, Tesla components made in the US and then shipped to the Shanghai factory for assembly would still most likely face some kind of tariff.

Nonetheless, Tesla has previously said the factory will help it deal with the tariff problem. In the October statement, Tesla said it would accelerate construction as a response to the trade problems.

Read more: Elon Musk is worth about $23 billion and has never taken a paycheck from Tesla here's how the workaholic and father of 5 makes and spends his fortune

In November, Tesla cut the price of its cars in China to balance out the cost of new tariffs imposed by the Chinese government.

Musk got permission from the Chinese government on July 10 to build the factory, Tesla's first outside the US.

Musk says the Shanghai factory will produce Model 3 cars and will serve the greater China region. Ng Han Guan, File/AP Images

Tesla also has Gigafactories in Nevada's Storey County and in Buffalo, New York.

The Shanghai factory would double the size of the electric-car maker's global manufacturing, Reuters said.

Tesla has also registered a financial leasing company in China with $30 million registered in capital, Reuters reported. This will allow it to speed up "leasing and consultancy" contracts to get the factory up and running.

On Monday before the ceremony, Musk sent off a string of tweets about the factory:

"Aiming to finish initial construction this summer, start Model 3 production end of year & reach high volume production next year.

"Shanghai Giga production of Model 3/Y will serve greater China region. Shanghai Giga will produce affordable versions of 3/Y for greater China.

"All Model S/X & higher cost versions of Model 3/Y will still be built in US for WW market, incl China."

China's retaliatory tariffs were imposed after Trump ordered tariffs on $34 billion worth of goods imported from China.

The trade war cooled off slightly over the holiday period, with Trump and Xi agreeing, among other things, to an easing of car and car-part tariffs for three months beginning January 1.

The factory will be China's first wholly foreign-owned car plant, Reuters said.

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Elon Musk kicks off Gigafactory in Shanghai, may dodge Trump ...

Elon Musk says SpaceX has assembled shiny Starship test …

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Which is the illustration, and which is the actual Starship Hopper test rocket? The real rocket is on the left and take note of the Starman standing by one of the fins. (Elon Musk via Twitter)

For weeks, photographers have been snapping pictures of a retro-looking, shiny stainless-steel rocket thats been taking shape at SpaceXs launch site in South Texas and tonight, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk declared that assembly of the first Starship short-hop test rocket is complete.

Musk tweeted a picture of what looks to be a roughly 120-foot-tall Starship Hopper, composed of three sections that were put together at SpaceXs Boca Chica facility.

This is an actual picture, not a rendering, Musk wrote. But the rocket does look eerily like the illustration that Musk shared several days earlier or, for that matter, the pointy-topped rockets that were all the rage in the 1940s.

Starship is the latest incarnation of the spaceship formerly known as the Interplanetary Transport System, Mars Colonial Transporter, the Big Falcon Rocket or the BFR.

Musk says the refuelable Starship, when paired with a huge rocket booster known as the Super Heavy, could be used for transcontinental point-to-point trips on Earth, satellite constellation deployment, voyages around the moon and to the lunar surface, and journeys to Mars and back.

A new type of stainless-steel alloy is being used because thats the best way for the craft to shed heat as it zooms through the atmosphere. Starship will look like liquid silver, Musk wrote.

The craft that has been taking shape in Texas is meant to fly short hops to practice launches and landings, just as SpaceXs Grasshopper rocket platform and its successor, the F9R Dev, were used as test beds for Falcon 9 booster landings in the 2012-2014 time frame.

Although Musk declared that assembly was finished, theres more work still to be done. For example, shock absorbers have to be installed on the feet of the landing legs. The engines on the rocket will also be replaced with honest-to-goodness, methane-fueled Raptor engines.

Engines currently on Starship hopper are a blend of Raptor development and operational parts, Musk explained last weekend. First hopper engine to be fired is almost finished assembly in California. Probably fires next month.

Short-hop tests could begin in February or March. This is for suborbital VTOL tests, he said in one of tonights tweets. Orbital version is taller, has thicker skins (wont wrinkle) and a smoothly curving nose section.

Musk said he plans to provide a detailed update on the Starship architecture in March or April. The first scaled-up, orbital-class prototype should be done around June, he said.

The aim is to have the Starship and the Super Heavy booster ready for passengers by the mid-2020s, in order to send Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa and an entourage of artists around the moon and set the stage for Mars trips.

SpaceX has clearly picked up the pace of Starship development in the past month, and the fact that the company is more than halfway through a $500 million funding round could have something to do with that.

Its interesting that Starship assembly has been taking place outside in full view of SpaceX paparazzi. Heres a sampling of pictures from the past month:

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Elon Musk says SpaceX has assembled shiny Starship test ...

Citizen Scientists Find New World with NASA Telescope

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Usingdata from NASA's Keplerspace telescope, citizen scientists have discovered a planet roughlytwice the size of Earth located within its star's habitable zone, the range oforbital distances where liquid water may exist on the planet's surface. The newworld, known as K2-288Bb, could be rocky or could be a gas-rich planet similarto Neptune. Its size is rare among exoplanets - planets beyond our solarsystem.

"It'sa very exciting discovery due to how it was found, its temperate orbit and becauseplanets of this size seem to be relatively uncommon," said Adina Feinstein,a University of Chicago graduate student who discussed the discovery on Monday,Jan. 7, at the 233rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Seattle.She is also the lead author of a paper describing the new planet accepted forpublication by TheAstronomical Journal.

Located226 light-years away in the constellation Taurus, the planet lies in a stellarsystem known as K2-288, which contains a pair of dim, cool M-type starsseparated by about 5.1 billion miles (8.2 billion kilometers) - roughly sixtimes the distance between Saturn and the Sun. The brighter star is about halfas massive and large as the Sun, while its companion is about one-third the Sun'smass and size. The new planet, K2-288Bb, orbits the smaller, dimmer star every31.3 days.

In2017, Feinstein and Makennah Bristow, an undergraduate student at theUniversity of North Carolina Asheville, worked as interns with Joshua Schlieder,an astrophysicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.They searched Kepler data for evidence of transits, the regular dimming of astar when an orbiting planet moves across the star's face.

Examiningdata from the fourth observing campaignof Kepler's K2mission, the team noticed two likely planetary transits in the system.But scientists require a third transit before claiming the discovery of a candidateplanet, and there wasn't a third signal in the observations they reviewed.

Asit turned out, though, the team wasn't actually analyzing all of the data.

InKepler's K2 mode, which ran from 2014 to 2018, the spacecraft repositioneditself to point at a new patch of sky at the start of each three-monthobserving campaign. Astronomers were initially concerned that thisrepositioning would cause systematic errors in measurements.

"Re-orientingKepler relative to the Sun caused miniscule changes in the shape of thetelescope and the temperature of the electronics, which inevitably affectedKepler's sensitive measurements in the first days of each campaign," saidco-author Geert Barentsen, an astrophysicist at NASA's Ames Research Center inCalifornia's Silicon Valley and the director of the guest observer office forthe Kepler and K2 missions.

Todeal with this, early versions of the software that was used to prepare thedata for planet-finding analysis simply ignored the first few days ofobservations - and that's where the third transit was hiding.

Asscientists learned how to correct for these systematic errors, this trimmingstep was eliminated - but the early K2 data Barstow studied had been clipped.

"Weeventually re-ran all data from the early campaigns through the modifiedsoftware and then re-ran the planet search to get a list of candidates, butthese candidates were never fully visually inspected," explained Schlieder,a co-author of the paper. "Inspecting, or vetting, transits with the humaneye is crucial because noise and other astrophysical events can mimic transits."

Instead,the re-processed data were posted directly to ExoplanetExplorers, a project where the public searches Kepler's K2 observationsto locate new transiting planets. In May 2017, volunteers noticed the thirdtransit and began an excited discussion about what was then thought to be anEarth-sized candidate in the system, which caught the attention of Feinsteinand her colleagues.

"That'show we missed it - and it took the keen eyes of citizen scientists to make thisextremely valuable find and point us to it," Feinstein said.

Theteam began follow-up observations using NASA'sSpitzer Space Telescope, the Keck II telescope at the W. M. KeckObservatory and NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility(the latter two in Hawaii), and also examined data from ESA's (the EuropeanSpace Agency's) Gaiamission.

Estimatedto be about 1.9 times Earth's size, K2-288Bb is half the size of Neptune. This placesthe planet within a recentlydiscovered category called the Fulton gap, or radius gap. Amongplanets that orbit close to their stars, there's a curious dearth of worlds betweenabout 1.5 and two times Earth's size. This is likely the result of intensestarlight breaking up atmospheric molecules and eroding away the atmospheres ofsome planets over time, leaving behind two populations. Since K2-288Bb's radiusplaces it in this gap, it may provide a case study of planetary evolutionwithin this size range.

OnOct. 30, 2018, Kepler ran out of fuel and ended its mission after nine years,during which it discovered 2,600 confirmed planets around other stars - thebulk of those now known - along with thousands of additional candidatesastronomers are working to confirm. And while NASA'sTransiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite is the newest space-basedplanet hunter, this new finding shows that more discoveries await scientists inKepler data.

Ames manages the Kepler and K2 missions for NASA's Science MissionDirectorate. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, managedKepler mission development. Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporationoperated the flight system with support from the Laboratory for Atmospheric andSpace Physics at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Formore information about the Kepler and K2 missions, visit:

Kepler

News Media Contact

Calla CofieldJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.626-808-2469calla.e.cofield@jpl.nasa.gov

By Francis ReddyNASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

2019-002

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Stem Cell Therapy and Stem Cell Injection Provider Finder …

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Stem cell therapy can be described as a means or process by which stem cells are used for the prevention, treatment or the cure of diseases. Stem cells are a special kind of cells that have features other types of cells dont have. As an illustration, stem cells are capable of proliferation. This implies that they can develop into any type of cell, and grow to start performing the functions of the tissue. In addition, they can regenerate. This means they can multiply themselves. This is most important when a new tissue has to be formed. Also, they modulate immune reactions. This has made them useful for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, especially those that affect the musculoskeletal system such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and so on. Stem cells can be derrived from different sources. They can be extracted from the body, and in some specific parts of the body. This includes the blood, bone marrow, umbilical cord in newborns, adipose tissue, and from embryos. There are 2 main types of stem cell transplant. These are autologous stem cell transplant, and allogeneic stem cell transplant. The autologous stem cell transplant means that stem cells are extracted from the patient, processed, and then transplanted back to the patient, for therapeutic purposes. On the other hand, allogeneic stem cell transplant means the transplant of stem cells or from another individual, known as the donor, to another person, or recipient. Some treatments must be given to the receiver to prevent any cases of rejections, and other complications. The autologous is usually the most preferred type of transplant because of its almost zero side effects. Below are some of the stem cell treatments. Our goal is to provide education, research and an opportunity to connect with Stem Cell Doctors, as well as provide stem cell reviews

Adipose Stem Cell TreatmentsAdipose stem cell treatment is one of the most commonly used. This is because large quantities of stem cells can be derrived from them. According to statistics, the number of stem cells in adipose tissue are usually hundreds of times higher than what can be obtained from other sources, such as the bone marrow stem cells. Adipose stem cells have taken the center stage in the world of stem cell therapy. Apart from the ease that comes with the harvesting of these cells from the adipose tissue, they also have some special features, that separates them from other types of cells. Adipose stem cells are capable of regulating and modulating the immune system. This includes immune suppression, which is important for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In addition, adipose stem cells can differentiate to form other types of cells. Some of them include the bone forming cells, cardiomyocytes, and cells of the nervous system.

This process can be divided into four parts. These are

Stem cell joint injection is fast becoming the new treatment of joint diseases. Stem cells derived from bone marrow, adipose and mesenchymal stem cells are the most commonly used. The stem cells are injected into the joints, and they proceed to repair and replace the damaged tissues. The cells also modulate the inflammatory process going on. Overall, stem cell joint injections significantly reduce the recovery time of patients and also eliminates pain and risks associated with surgery. Examples of diseases where this treatment is used include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and so on. Researchers and physicians have rated this procedure to be the future of joint therapy.

Losing a tooth as a kid isnt news because youd eventually grow them back, but losing one as an adult isnt a pleasant experience. Youd have to go through the pains of getting a replacement from your dentist. Apart from the cost of these procedures, the pain and number of days youd have to stay at home nursing the pain is also a problem. Nevertheless, there are great teeth replacement therapies available for all kinds of dental problems. Although there are already good dental treatment methods, stem cell therapy might soon become the future of dental procedures. Currently, a lot of research is being done on how stem cells can be used to develop teeth naturally, especially in patients with dental problems. The aim of the project is to develop a method whereby peoples stem cells are used in regenerating their own teeth and within the shortest time possible. Some of the benefits of the stem cell tooth would be:

The quality of life of those that underwent serious procedures, especially those that had an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation done was studied. It was discovered that this set of people had to cope with some psychological problems, even years after the procedure. In addition, allogeneic stem cell transplantation often comes with some side effects. However, this a small price to pay, considering that the adverse effects are not usually life-threatening. Also theses types of procedures are used for severe disorders or even terminal diseases. On the other hand, autologous stem cell transplantation bears the minimum to no side effects. Patients do have a great quality of life, both in the short term and in the long term.

This is one of the many uses of stem cells. The stem cell gun is a device that is used in treating people with wounds or burns. This is done by simply triggering it, and it sprays stem cells on the affected part. This kind of treatment is crucial for victims of a severe burn. Usually, people affected by severe burns would have to endure excruciating pain. The process of recovery is usually long, which might vary from weeks to months, depending on the severity of the burn. Even after treatment, most patients are left with scars forever. However, the stem cell gun eliminates these problems, the skin can be grown back in just a matter of days. The new skin also grows evenly and blends perfectly with the other part of the body. This process is also without the scars that are usually associated with the traditional burns therapy. The stem cell gun is without any side effects.

There is one company that focuses on the production of stem cell supplements. These stem cells are usually natural ingredients that increase the development of stem cells, and also keeps them healthy. The purpose of the stem cell supplements is to help reduce the aging process and make people look younger. These supplements work by replacing the dead or repairing the damaged tissues of the body. There have been a lot of testimonials to the efficacy of these supplements.

It is the goal of researchers to make stem cell therapy a good alternative for the millions of patients suffering from cardiac-related diseases. According to some experiments carried out in animals, stem cells were injected into the ones affected by heart diseases. A large percentage of them showed great improvement, even within just a few weeks. However, when the trial was carried out in humans, some stem cells went ahead to develop into heart muscles, but overall, the heart function was generally improved. The reason for the improvement has been attributed to the formation of new vessels in the heart. The topic that has generated a lot of arguments have been what type of cells should be used in the treatment of heart disorders. Stem cells extracted from the bone marrow, embryo have been in use, although bone marrow stem cells are the most commonly used. Stem cells extracted from bone marrow can differentiate into cardiac cells, while studies have shown that other stem cells cannot do the same. Even though the stem cell therapy has a lot of potential in the future, more research and studies have to be done to make that a reality.

The use of stem cells for the treatment of hair loss has increased significantly. This can be attributed to the discovery of stem cells in bone marrow, adipose cells, umbilical cord, and so on. Stem cells are extracted from the patient, through any of the sources listed above. Adipose tissue stem cells are usually the most convenient in this scenario, as they do not require any special extraction procedure. Adipose tissue is harvested from the abdominal area. The stem cells are then isolated from the other cells through a process known as centrifugation. The stem cells are then activated and are now ready for use. The isolated stem cells are then introduced into the scalp, under local anesthesia. The entire process takes about three hours. Patients are free to go home, after the procedure. Patients would begin to see improvements in just a few months, however, this depends largely on the patients ability to heal. Every patient has a different outcome.

Human umbilical stem cells are cells extracted from the umbilical cord of a healthy baby, shortly after birth. Umbilical cord tissue is abundant in stem cells, and the stem cells can differentiate into many types of cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. They are also capable of differentiating into non-blood cells such as muscle cells, cartilage cells and so on. These cells are usually preferred because its' extraction is minimally non invasive. It also is nearly painless. It also has zero risks of rejecting, as it does not require any form of matching or typing.Human umbilical stem cell injections are used for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. A trial was done on twenty-five patients that had late-stage spinal cord injuries. They were placed on human umbilical stem cell therapy, while another set of 25 patients were simultaneously placed on the usual rehabilitation therapy. The two groups were studied for the next twelve months. The results of the trial showed that those people placed on stem cell therapy by administering the human umbilical cell tissue injections had a significant recovery, as compared to the other group that underwent the traditional rehabilitation therapy. It was concluded that human umbilical tissue injections applied close to the injured part gives the best outcomes.

Stem cell therapy has been used for the treatment of many types diseases. This ranges from terminal illnesses such as cancer, joint diseases such as arthritis, and also autoimmune diseases. Stem cell therapy is often a better alternative to most traditional therapy today. This is because stem cell procedure is minimally invasive when compared to chemotherapy and so on. It harnesses the bodys own ability to heal. The stem cells are extracted from other parts of the body and then transplanted to other parts of the body, where they would repair and maintain the tissues. They also perform the function of modulating the immune system, which makes them important for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Below are some of the diseases that stem cell therapies have been used successfully:

A stem cell bank can be described as a facility where stem cells are stored for future purposes. These are mostly amniotic stem cells, which are derived from the amnion fluid. Umbilical cord stem cells are also equally important as it is rich in stem cells and can be used for the treatment of many diseases. Examples of these diseases include cancer, blood disorders, autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal diseases and so on. According to statistics, umbilical stem cells can be used for the treatment of over eighty diseases. Storing your stem cells should be seen as an investment in your health for future sake. Parents do have the option of either throwing away their babys umbilical cord or donating it to stem cell banks.

The adipose tissue contains a lot of stem cells, that has the ability to transform into other cells such as muscle, cartilage, neural cells. They are also important for the treatment of some cardiovascular diseases. This is what makes it important for people to want to store their stem cells. The future health benefit is huge. The only way adults can store their stem cells in sufficient amounts is to extract the stem cells from their fat tissues. This process is usually painless and fast. Although, the extraction might have to be done between 3 to 5 times before the needed quantity is gotten. People that missed the opportunity to store their stem cells, using their cord cells, can now store it using their own adipose tissues. This can be used at any point in time.

Side effects often accompany every kind of treatment. However, this depends largely on the individual. While patients might present with side effects, some other people wouldnt. Whether a patient will present with adverse effects, depends on the following factors;

Some of the common side effects of stem cell transplant are;

Stem cell treatment has been largely successful so far, however, more studies and research needs to be done. Stem cell therapy could be the future.

Stem cells are unique cells that have some special features such as self-regeneration, tissue repair, and modulation of the immune system. These are the features that are employed in the treatment of diseases.

Our doctors are certified by iSTEMCELL but operate as part of a medical group or as independent business owners and as such are free to charge what the feel to be the right fit for their practice and clients. We have seen Stem Cell Treatment costs range from $3500 upwards of $30,000 depending on the condition and protocol required for intended results. Find the Best Stem Cell Doctor Near me If you are interested in saving money, try our STEM CELL COUPON!

Travel Medcations are becoming very popular around the globe for several reasons but not for what one might think. It is not about traveling to Mexico to save money, but to get procedures or protocols that are not yet available in your home country. Many procedures are started in your home country, then the tissue is set to the tissue lab where it is then grown in a process to maximize live cells, then sent to a hospital in Mexico designed to treat or provide different therapies for different conditions. If you're ready to take a medical vacation call 972-800-6670 for our"WHITE GLOVE" service.

Chen, C. and Hou, J. (2016). Mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy in kidney transplantation. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 7(1).

Donnelly, A., Johar, S., OBrien, T. and Tuan, R. (2010). Welcome to Stem Cell Research & Therapy. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 1(1), p.1.

Groothuis, S. (2015). Changes in Stem Cell Research. Stem Cell Research, 14(1), p.130.

Rao, M. (2012). Stem cells and regenerative medicine. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 3(4), p.27.

Vunjak-Novakovic, G. (2013). Physical influences on stem cells. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 4(6), p.153.

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Stem Cell Treatment/Therapy COST in India| DheerajBojwani.Com

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Get your Stem Cell Treatment in India with Dheeraj Bojwani Consultants

Stem Cell treatment is an intricate process. Stem Cell transplant patients need utmost care with respect to both emotionally and physically. Dheeraj Bojwani Consultants is a prominent medical tourism company in India making world-class medical facilities from best surgeons and hospitals accessible for international patients looking for budget-friendly treatment abroad.

Mrs. Marilyn Obiora - Nigeria Stem Cell Therapy For her Daughter in India

Hi, my name is Mrs. Marilyn Obiora, and I am from Nigeria. I came to India for my daughter's Stem Cell Therapy in India. My daughter had her first stroke in 2011. She couldn't sit, talk and had lost control of her neck. We could not find suitable help for her condition and searched for treatment in India.

We sent a query to the dheerajbojwani.com and received fast reply. Within no time we were in India for my daughter's treatment. We are very pleased with the treatment offered and there has been serious improvement in her condition in just two weeks. Thanks to the Dheeraj Bojwani Consultants, my daughter is regaining proper body functions and recuperating well.

Medical science has come a long way since its practice began thousands of years ago. Scientists are finding superior and more resourceful ways to cure diseases of different organs. Stem cells are undifferentiated parent cells that can transform into specialized cell types, divide further and produce more stem cells of the same group. Stem Cell therapy is performed to prevent or treat a health condition. Stem Cell Treatment is a reproductive therapy where nourishing tissues reinstate damaged tissues for relief from incurable diseases. Stem cell treatment is one of the approaches with a potential to heal a wide range of diseases in the near future. Science has always provided ground-breaking answers to obdurate health conditions, but the latest medical miracle that the medical fraternity has gifted to mankind is the Stem Cell Therapy.

Stem cell therapy is an array of techniques intended to replace cells damaged or destroyed by disease with healthy functioning ones. Even though the techniques are relatively new, their applications and advantages are broad and surprising the medical world with every new research. Stem cells are obtained from bone marrow or human umbilical cord. They are also known as the fundamental cells of our body and have the power to develop into any type of tissue cell in the body. Stem cell treatment is based on the principle that the cells move to the site of injury and transform themselves to form new tissue cells to replace the damaged ones. They have the capacity to proliferate and renew themselves indefinitely and can form mature muscle cells, nerve cells, and blood cells. In this type of therapy, they are derived from the body, kept under artificial conditions where they mature into the type of cells that are required to heal a certain part of the body or disease.

Stem cells are being studied and used to treat different types of cancers, disorders related to the blood, immune disorders, and metabolic disorders. Some other diseases and health conditions that may be healed using stem cell treatment are,

Recently, a team of researchers successfully secured the peripheral nerves in the upper arms of a patient suffering peripheral nerve damage, by using skin-derived stem cells (SDSCs) and a previously developed collagen tube, premeditated to successfully bridge gaps in injured nerves.

A research has found potential in bone marrow stem cell therapy to treat TB. Patients injected with new mesenchymal stromal cells derived from their own bone marrow showed positive response against the TB bacteria. The therapy also didnt show any serious adverse effects.

Stem cells are also used to treat hair loss. A small amount of fat is taken from the waist area of the patient by a mini-liposuction process. This fat contains dormant stem cells, and is then spun to separate the stem cells from the fat. An activation solution is added to the cells, and may be multiplied in number, depending on the size of the bald area. Once activated, the solution is washed off so that only cells remain. Now, the stem cells are injected into the scalp. One can find some hair growth in about two to four weeks.

Damaged cones in retinas can be regenerated and eyesight restored through stem cell. Stem cell therapy could regenerate damaged cones in people, especially in the cone-rich regions of the retina that provide daytime/color vision.

Kidney transplants have become more common and easier thanks stem cell therapy. Normally patients who undergo organ transplants need a lifetime of costly anti-rejection drugs but the new procedure may negate this need, with organ donors stem cells. Unless there is a perfect match donor, patients have to wait long for an organ transplant. Though still in early stages, the stem cell research is being considered as a potential player in the field of transplantation.

Transplanted stem cells serve as migratory signals for the brain's own neurogenic cells, guiding the new host cells towards the injured brain tissue. Stem cells have the potential to give rise to many different cell types that carry out different functions. While the stem cells in adult bone marrow tend to develop into the cells that make up the organ system from which they originated. These multipotent stem cells can be manipulated to take up the characteristics of neural cells.

Experts are using Stem cell Transplant to treat the symptoms of spinal cord injury by transplantation of cells directly into the gray matter of the patients spinal cord. Expectedly, the cells will integrate into the patients own neural tissue and create new circuitry to help transmit nerve signals to muscles. The transplanted cells may also promote reorganization of the spinal cord segmental circuitry, possibly leading to improved motor function.

Stem cells are capable of differentiating into a variety of different cell types, and if the architecture of damaged tendon is restored, it would improve the management of patients with these injuries significantly.

A promising benefit of stem cell therapy is its potential for cardiac tissue regeneration to reverse tissue loss underlying the development of heart failure after cardiac injury. Possible mechanisms of recovery include generation of heart muscle cells, stimulation of new blood vessels growth, secretion of growth factors.

It is a complex and multifarious procedure, with several risks and complications involved and is thus recommended to a few patients when other treatments have failed. Stem Cell therapy is recommended when other treatments fail to give positive results. The best candidates for Stem cell Treatment are those in good health and have stem cells available from a sibling, or any other family member.

India has been recognized as the new medical destination for Stem Cell therapies. Hundreds of international patients from around the world visit to India for high quality medical care at par with developed nations like the US, UK, at the most affordable costs.

The Hospitals in India have the most extensive diagnostic and imaging facilities including Asias most advanced MRI and CT technology. India provides services of the most leading doctors and Stem Cell Therapy professionals at reasonable cost budget in the following cities :

Ms. Olu Adegbenro from Nigeria

Thanks to Dheeraj Bojwani Group for today I can live a happy life. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with optical atrophy due to advanced staged of Glaucoma. Eventually it turned up to as stage where my vision was completely impaired. Then, when I connected with the Dheeraj Bojwani Group after lots of research, evaluation, judgments and discussion, a specialist from the group suggested stem cell therapy. Today its been five years after the Therapy and I am extremely happy with the results of my stem cell treatment in India as my vision has improved a lot post treatment.

India offers outstanding Stem Cell Treatment at cost far below that prevailing in USA or other Western countries. Even with travel expenses taken into account, the comprehensive medical tourism packages still provide a savings measured in the thousands of dollars for major procedures. A cost comparison can give you the exact idea about the difference which shows the low cost stem cell treatment in India :

There are many reasons for India becoming a popular medical tourism spot is the low cost stem cell treatment in the area. When in contrast to the first world countries like, US and UK, medical care in India costs as much as 60-90% lesser, that makes it a great option for the citizens of those countries to opt for stem cell treatment in India because of availability of top stem cell treatment clinics in India, affordable prices strategic connectivity, food, zero language barrier and many other reasons.

The maximum number of patients for Stem Cell Treatment comes from Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, USA, UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh

Below are the downloadable links that will help you to plan your medical trip to India in a more organized and better way. Attached word and pdf files gives information that will help you to know India more and make your trip to India easy and memorable one.

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About Sealand | The Principality Of Sealand

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In the early 60s, Roy Bates, a Major in the British army, established a radio station, situated offshore on an abandoned ex naval fort named Knock John. The theory behind this location was an attempt to bypass the draconian broadcasting restrictions of the time, which permitted little more than formal broadcasting by the BBC. Roys station, Radio Essex, and others like it, were known affectionately by the media as Pirate radio stations, and were much loved by the British public, as they supplied everything that the BBC did not at the time, Pop music and amusing presenters.

In the years than ensued, Roy fought an unsuccessful legal battle with the UK government, which questioned the legality of his occupation of said fort. It was ruled that Knock John fell under UK jurisdiction. Smarting from his setback, Roy weighed his options. Another abandoned fortress, Roughs Tower, identical in construction to the Knock John existed further offshore, and crucially, outside of the three mile limit to which the UK jurisdiction extended. Roy proceeded to occupy Roughs Tower, on Christmas eve 1966, with the intention of revitalising his dormant radio station. This was until he conjured a different plan entirely. After consulting his lawyers, Roy decided to declare this fortress island the independent state of Sealand, Claiming Jus Gentium (Law of Nations) over a part of the globe that was Terra Nullius (Nobodys Land).

On the 2nd of September 1967, accompanied by his wife Joan on her birthday, his son Michael (14), daughter Penelope (16) and several friends and followers, Roy declared the Principality of Sealand. The founding of this country was marked by the raising a newly designed flag, and in an extremely romantic birthday gesture, the bestowing of a new title on his beloved wife, to be know from that moment on as Princess Joan.

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About Sealand | The Principality Of Sealand