Monthly Archives: September 2021

CISOs need to step up against cyber threats, report finds – SecurityBrief New Zealand

Posted: September 16, 2021 at 5:51 am

More than half of Oceanias cybersecurity leaders (52%) say they have never felt as concerned as they do now about their ability to manage the cyber threat, according to the EY Global Information Security Survey 2021 (GISS).

As businesses in Oceania embrace digital transformation, the CISO is being left out of discussions and is failing to play a meaningful part in the change process, the report finds.

In addition, more than half (51%) of Oceania's cybersecurity leaders are working with budgets that fall short of what is required to manage the cyber related challenges they've seen in the past 12 months, according to the report. This compares with 42% of respondents worldwide.

Four in 10 Oceania respondents believe it is only a matter of time until they suffer a major breach that could have been avoided had they been able to invest more in their defences.

To add to the pressure, Oceania's CISOs need to focus on additional safeguards and security in the context of the digital transformation agenda that so many are pursuing.

Around half (47%) of organisations in the region are investing significantly in data and technology over the next 12 months, and 39% will embark on at least one comprehensive transformation initiative in the coming year.

The survey suggests that CISOs in Oceania are struggling to make the case for elevating cybersecurity to a business priority. Even when boards recognise the gravity of the threat, they do not necessarily respond with additional support.

Less than 30% (27%) of cybersecurity leaders in the region believe their boards and executive management teams fully understand the value and needs of the cybersecurity function. By contrast, a more reassuring 42% of CISOs in other regions take the same view.

Just one in four (26%) Oceania CISOs think this understanding leads directly to additional funding, compared to 41% globally.

EY Oceania cybersecurity, privacy and trusted technology partnerNicola Hermansson urges executives to start repositioning themselves as agents of change, as this will put them in a stronger position to secure additional resources.

She says, CISOs in our region are often great at the technical side of cybersecurity, but the gap is in their ability to articulate risk and secure the investment they need to make a bigger impact.

"One of the senior executives we spoke to in the region agrees that business understanding is key for CISOs.

"Cyber risk is probably the second or third biggest operational risk of any major government department or private enterprise, and the individuals who have accountability for it have to be senior business executives who know how to get on with people."

Hermansson says,One way forward is for Oceania's CISOs to find more engaging ways to communicate the technical nature of the threat.

There is certainly good cause for doing so, 61% flag that their boards are making decisions on cybersecurity even when they do not possess the expertise to understand the issues at hand.

"The bigger challenge is to frame the cybersecurity imperative in a commercial context."

She continues,CISOs point to the need for security by design during digital transformation projects, so new initiatives come to market with cyber protections baked in rather than retrofitted.

"But many are not yet demonstrating why the cybersecurity function is instrumental to new value creation. Typically, you see the security function sitting within the IT function in this region, and that results in cyber being seen as an IT risk, when it is actually a business risk.

"If security teams get closer to the business, they will have more chance of getting the business to understand and own that risk."

CISOs need to step up against cyber threats, report finds - SecurityBrief New Zealand

Posted in Oceania | Comments Off

Goodbye, darkness: Light pollution has increased 49% over past 25 years, study finds – USA TODAY

Posted: at 5:51 am

There are only a few places left in America with a pristine night sky

The bright city lights in the United States are impeding stargazers views of the night sky. Researchers broke down the light pollution by county and found there are not many places left to see a pristine night sky.

Buzz60

Earth'snight sky really isn't as dark as it used to be.

In fact, according to a new study, global light pollution has increased by at least 49% over the past 25 years.

"The global spread of artificial light is eroding the natural night-time environment," said study lead author Alejandro Snchez de Miguel of the University of Exeter in the U.K.

"This study provides clear evidence not only of how bad light pollution has become as a global problem, but also that it is continuing to get worse, and probably at a faster and faster rate," he added, in a statement.

The study found increases in light pollution were most pronounced in Asia, South America, Oceania and Africa.

Climate Point: Subscribe to USA TODAY's weeklyguide to climate, energy and environment news

It also details what it callsthe "hidden impact" of the transition to solid-state,light emitting diode (LED) technology.

LEDs emit more blue light than previous lamp technologies, the study said, but satellite sensors are "blind" to this blue light and so underestimate the level of light pollution. Correcting for this, the study authors say the actual increase in the power emitted by outdoor lighting, and thus of light pollution, may be as high as a whopping270%.

This is likely the case in Europe and North America, where satellites appear to be detecting a leveling off or even a decrease in light pollution.

"To take the U.K. as an example, if you ignore the effect of the switch to LEDs which has been extensive you get the false impression that light pollution has recently declined," said Snchez de Miguel. "However, correcting for this effect shows it has really increased, and potentially very markedly.

"Contrary to popular belief, the installation of 'broad white' LED streetlights, whilst potentially providing some energy savings, has increased light pollution and also the impacts on organisms such as moths," he said.

A study earlier this year, also from the University of Exeter, found that animals such as moths can be confused by artificial nighttime lights, which can affect their place in the food chain.

Many otherstudies have indicated that light pollution, from streetlights and other sources, can have major impacts on the natural environment. Such pollution is likely to have played a role in the massive declines of insect populations in some areas.

TheInternational Dark-Sky Association suggests the increased and widespread use of artificial light adversely affects the environment,ourhealth and safety, andenergy consumption.

"There is no clear scientific evidence that increased outdoor lighting deters crimes," according to the IDSA. In addition, research suggests that "artificial light at night can negatively affect human health, increasing risks for obesity, depression, sleep disorders, diabetes, breast cancer and more."

The purpose of the association, which was not affiliated with the study, is "to protect the night from light pollution," according to its website.

Ruskin Hartley, executive director of the association, said in a statement that the transition to LED lighting has contributed to the increase in light pollution.

"Without concerted action to reverse this trend, the impact on the natural environment will accelerate," Hartley said,"further exacerbating the biodiversity crisis, wasting energyand meaning a whole generation will grow up in perpetual twilight."

The study was published in the journal Remote Sensing.

Go here to see the original:

Goodbye, darkness: Light pollution has increased 49% over past 25 years, study finds - USA TODAY

Posted in Oceania | Comments Off

The global recreational boat market size is projected to grow from USD 16.4 Billion in 2021 to USD 23.6 Billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 6.2% – Yahoo…

Posted: at 5:51 am

Factors such as growing tourism industry and increasing disposable income levels of people will boost the market. Developments in autonomous marine technology will further increase the demand for recreational boating, increasing demand for less skilled recreational boaters.

New York, Sept. 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Recreational Boat Market by Boat Type, Size, Engine Placement, Engine, Material, Activity Type, Power Source & Region - Global Forecast to 2027" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05777834/?utm_source=GNW The presence of a large number of manufacturers in this well integrated and fragmented industry ensures a stable supply for the demand of recreational boats around the world.

Outboards are estimated to account for the largest market size during the forecast periodThe outboard boats segment is currently the largest segment in the recreational boat market around the world. it will continue to be the largest segment during the forecast period due to high demand across US and Europe. This is because these boats have better speed, are easier to dock and cost much less to maintain compared to other variants. They also have a lower chance of catching fire due to the engine being located outside the boat. This leads to outboard boats being the most popular boat for boating enthusiasts.

North America is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period.The recreational boat market in North America is expected to be the largest and fastest-growing across the world due to high demand for leisure boating and water-sports in the region.US is expected to be a fast-growing market in the region with government helping grow the recreational boat market over the years.

However, Emission regulations could limit the growth rate of the market in both these countries by reducing recreational boating demand in the coming years.Canada also has a high demand due to recreational boating being a traditional pastime in the region.

Mexico is also a fast-growing market with recreational boating gradually finding its place in the country.

Aluminium to be the top boat building material during the forecasted periodThe aluminum boats segment is currently the largest boat segment in the recreational boat market around the world.Due to its strong usability and low cost, these boats are mostly used for small-sized boats for recreational boating.

Personal boats are mostly made of aluminum due to their lower costs, less servicing and maintenance requirements and ease of use for general boating operations.These boats are easy to manufacture and are the most easily available recreational boats in the market.

North America will be the largest market for aluminum boats followed by Europe, Asia Oceania and rest of the world. This is due to the high demand of these boats as private boats for people in the North American and European regions.

In-depth interviews were conducted with CEOs, marketing directors, other innovation and technology directors, and executives from various key organizations operating in this market. By Company Type: Tier I - 33%, Tier II - 17%, and OEMs - 50% By Designation: C Level Executives - 45%, Directors - 35%, and Others - 20% By Region: North America - 37%, Europe - 26%, Asia Oceania- 22% and RoW- 15%The Recreational boat market is dominated by established players such as Brunswick Corporation (US), Groupe Beneteau (France), Malibu Boats (US), Polaris Inc. (US) and MasterCraft Boat Company (US). These companies have been developing new products, adopted expansion strategies, and undertaken collaborations, partnerships, and mergers & acquisitions to gain traction in the recreational boat market.

Research Coverage:The report covers the Recreational boat market by Boat Type (Yachts, Sailboats, Personal Watercrafts, Inflatables, Others), Boat Size (<30 Feet, 30-50 Feet, >50 Feet), Engine Placement (Outboards, Inboards, Others), Engine Type (ICE, Electric), Material Type (Aluminium, Steel, Fiberglass, Others), Power Range (Up to 100 kW, 100-200 kW, Above 200 kW), Activity Type (Cruising+watersports, Fishing), Power Source (Engine Powered, Sail Powered, Human Powered), Distribution Channel and Region (Asia Oceania, North America, Europe and RoW). It covers the competitive landscape and company profiles of the major players in the recreational boat ecosystem.

The study also includes an in-depth competitive analysis of the key players in the market, along with their company profiles, key observations related to product and business offerings, recent developments, and key market strategies.

Key Benefits of Buying the Report: The report will help market leaders/new entrants in this market with information on the closest approximations of revenue numbers for the overall recreational boat market and its subsegments. This report will help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to better position their businesses and plan suitable go-to-market strategies. The report also helps stakeholders understand the pulse of the market and provides them information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05777834/?utm_source=GNW

About ReportlinkerReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

__________________________

Story continues

EUROPE/SWITZERLAND – Missionary Month inspired by the example of the Church of Vietnam – Agenzia Fides

Posted: at 5:51 am

Friborg (Agenzia Fides) - With the slogan "To be silent? Impossible!" Missio Switzerland, the Pontifical Mission Societies of Switzerland, present the Church of Vietnam during the Universal 2021 Missionary Month of October. This Church testifies to the Gospel more with deeds than with words, underlines the note from Missio sent to Fides. A charisma that is all the more exemplary since the government offers little public space to the Catholic Church. The verse It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard of the Acts of the Apostles (4:20) inspired the motto of this year's Missionary Month. "Peter and John must justify themselves before the authorities of Jerusalem for having publicly proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus. But it is 'impossible' for them to remain silent. Like the apostles Peter and John, the Church of Vietnam has never been silent", explains Martin Brunner-Artho, National Director of Missio. The Catholic Church in Vietnam has a very troubled history, the beginnings of which date back to the mid-16th century. Just under 7% of the population is Catholic, or about 7 million people. The Church of Vietnam is marked by the separation of the Country, a long war, the exodus of a large part of the population and the repression of the communist government. "The Church is free to manage its internal affairs, because freedom of religion and belief is enshrined in the Country's Constitution. But it still has to act with caution on the outside, as it is monitored by the Vietnamese government", adds Martin Brunner-Artho. Parishes and religious orders are very active in the care of internal migrants and are involved in kindergartens. On the other hand, the Catholic Church does not have the right to have its own schools or hospitals.During the pandemic, many parishes distinguished themselves by supporting families in need, the elderly and the sick, by running soup kitchens for the poor and offering free medical care. Like many other local Churches, the Vietnamese Church also thrives on universal fundraising, which dropped dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic. Pastoral and social works have become difficult because the measures to combat the pandemic have paralyzed public and ecclesial life. Many Catholics therefore depend on aid from the Universal Church's Solidarity Fund, both in Vietnam and in the rest of the world. "The collection of solidarity organized around the world on the occasion of Universal Mission Day - which will take place on October 24, 2021 - is a sign that we consider the populations of Latin America, Africa, Asia and Oceania, as our brothers and sisters in faith. With this fundraiser we strengthen their work. We also give them a strong signal: we do not abandon them, neither materially nor spiritually", concludes the Director of Missio. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 16/9/2021)

View original post here:

EUROPE/SWITZERLAND - Missionary Month inspired by the example of the Church of Vietnam - Agenzia Fides

Posted in Oceania | Comments Off

U.K. navy to station new vessels in Indo-Pacific for 5 years – Nikkei Asia

Posted: at 5:51 am

LONDON -- The U.K. will station two new patrol vessels in the Indo-Pacific region for "at least the next five years" as part of plans by the U.S. and its allies to check China's naval expansion, Tony Radakin, a senior Royal Navy admiral, told Nikkei in a recent interview

Britain has been strengthening its presence in the region since leaving the European Union, and has already dispatched an aircraft carrier strike group led by the HMS Queen Elizabeth to the region. Concerns include the security of Taiwan.

Radakin said that the Taiwan Strait is clearly "part of the free and open Indo-Pacific."

His comments follow a joint statement from the Group of Seven leaders' summit in the U.K. in June that emphasized for the first time "the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." He was speaking before the announcementon Wednesday that theU.S., Australia and the U.K. have unveiled a new Indo-Pacific security alliance.

It is "very clear that the Taiwan Strait is international waters," said Radakin. "It is a waterway that can be used by different nations."

He stressed that "this is part of the free and open Indo Pacific, and part of the rules-based order. I think it's been a very clear U.K. position, along with other nations that are signatories to [the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea]."

Radakin did not specifically mention China's moves against Taiwan, but he made clear that it is important to maintain freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait.

Earlier this month, the Queen Elizabeth carrier group made a port call at the U.S. military's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Radakin said that security cooperation between Japan and the U.K. will become even stronger, noting that the two countries are able to share facilities and equipment, and the armed forces of both countries use the highly advanced F-35 stealth fighter aircraft.

Observers believe two sides are considering closer collaboration, such as using each other's aircraft carriers for flight operations ahead of deployment of the F-35B in Japan.

In a July meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, British counterpart Ben Wallace outlined a plan to station two patrol vessels in the Indo-Pacific region separate from the carrier strike group. The two ships left the U.K. in early September.

Radakin said the additional ships would be in the region for "at least the next five years." He added, "They're smaller ships. We want them to complement the carrier group, which will be in the region for a relatively short period of time."

The ships will also help guard against illegal activities like maritime smuggling, according to the British government.

However, Britain has few military bases in the region and support from friendly nations is essential to make the deployment work. "Over 80% of the time they will be at sea ... [and will make] very short visits to countries in the region ... for logistics and fuel and supplies," said Radakin. "We would look to link with Japan as a friend and ally in the region in the same way as we would with Australia."

However, many still believe there are limits to Britain's military involvement in Asia given the need to respond to threats posed by neighboring Russia. According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies in the U.K., Britain's military spending for fiscal 2020 was $61.5 billion. That is about 20% more than Japan but much less than the U.S. or China. In terms of personnel, British troops deployed in Asia and Oceania, excluding the Middle East, account for about 0.2% of the total strength of the British military.

Asked about this, Radakin replied, "This is not about basing or stationing troops." He noted that the carrier strike group had conducted a series of joint exercises with allies and friendly countries, adding that the U.K. involvement is a chance "to come together to discuss our trading relationship and to support the trade in the region and the free flow of trade."

The U.K. aims to strengthen relations with Asian countries by helping maintain maritime order, including freedom of navigation, in the Asia-Pacific region, while also benefiting from the region's economic growth. Its ongoing negotiations to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership are also a part of this effort.

Regarding future prospects for the Royal Navy, Radakin explained: "We want to have the ships that are operating, much more strongly with Oman, with India, using Diego Garcia and operating down the east coast of Africa."

The U.K.'s presence in the region is "the reality of the Indo Pacific becoming this phenomenal trading hub for the whole world. We're an outward-facing maritime Island trading nation, and therefore we're playing our part in the region with that as a backdrop."

Japan has welcomed the deployment of British patrol vessels, which will enable more joint responses and training among Japan, the U.K. and the U.S.

Tokyo also sees the deployment as a part of a broader international pushback to China's attempts to change the status quo.

See the rest here:

U.K. navy to station new vessels in Indo-Pacific for 5 years - Nikkei Asia

Posted in Oceania | Comments Off

Discover the hilariously epic failure of a crypto-fueled libertarian cruise – Boing Boing

Posted: at 5:50 am

The Guardian has a wonderful chronicle of the rise and fall of an experimental libertarian society built on a cruise ship armed with little more than crypto-mining rigs. Yes really. Did I mention one of the founders was Milton Friedman's grandson? Here's how the journey began

In 2017, Patri Friedman and the "seavangelist" Joe Quirk wrote a book, Seasteading, in which they described how a seasteading community could constantly rearrange itself according to the choices of those who owned the individual floating units. (Quirk now runs the Seasteading Institute; Friedman remains chair of the board.) "Democracy," the two men wrote, "would be upgraded to a system whereby the smallest minorities, including the individual, could vote with their houses."

In the decade following Friedman's talk, a variety of attempts to realise his seasteading vision were all thwarted. "Seavilization," to use his phrase, remained a fantasy. Then, in October 2020, it seemed his dream might finally come true, when three seasteading enthusiasts bought a 245-metre-long cruise ship called the Pacific Dawn. Grant Romundt, Rdiger Koch and Chad Elwartowski planned to sail the ship toPanama, where they were based, and park it permanently off the coastline as the centrepiece of a new society trading only in cryptocurrencies. In homage to Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonym of bitcoin's mysterious inventor (or inventors), they renamed the ship the MS Satoshi. They hoped it would become home to people just like them: digital nomads, startup founders and early bitcoin adopters.

Surely a bunch of Silicon Valley Tech Bros could hack their way into disrupting the regulatory apparatus of the ocean to create a Libertarian Utopia, right?

Welp, much like that libertarian community in New Hampshire that was overrun by bears, it seems their focus of hyper-individualism meant overlooking a few key details. For example, you couldn't cook your own food in your unit, not even with a microwave you were forced to engage in commerce with the ship's restaurant. And then of course, there was the issue of what to do with all the waste, both human and otherwise. Which, maybe there'd a solution between "No food" and "What do we do with this poop?" but the founders neglected to consider things like fuel costs and crew costs, too.

What's even more absurd is that this cruise ship was merely intended as a stepping stone to achieve a society of SeaPods little independent Jetson-like pods that sit on a pole above the ocean, where (according to their website) you just sip wine and Bitcoin-mine all day, for freedom.

If these men were more diabolical, they could have probably pulled off something akin to the Scientology Sea Org but alas, they did not. If you're interested in learning more though, the Seasteading website is still up and offering information on other aspirational libertarian communities.

The disastrous voyage of Satoshi, the world's first cryptocurrency cruise ship [Sophie Elmhirst / The Guardian]

Image: Rapid-fire / Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA 3.0)

See the article here:

Discover the hilariously epic failure of a crypto-fueled libertarian cruise - Boing Boing

Posted in Seasteading | Comments Off

Five Doomed Attempts at Planetary Colonization – tor.com

Posted: at 5:50 am

Artist rendition of Lunar Colony exterior. (Credit: NASA; art by Rick Guidice)

Recently, there has been on Twitter a discussion of a cryptocurrency-driven seasteading effort so visionary, so unconcerned by petty questions of practicality, legality, and due diligence as to rival Scotlands Darien scheme. A cynic might focus on the entirely predictable outcomeabject failurebut where would humanity be without people willing to commit themselves to bold colonization schemes unburdened by any chance of success? Considerably less amused.

Science fiction, of course, is not restricted to the Earth. It can, when its authors so choose, provide readers with delightful tales of ill-considered and/or unlucky attempts to settle worlds that prove to be much more challenging than anything Earth might offer. Take these five classic examples.

Products of an implausibly successful eugenics project, the long-lived Howard families become the focus of the mayfly masses paranoia that the Howards lifespan is not thanks to inherent genetic gifts but some secret they will not share. Life on Earth swiftly becomes untenable for the Howards. Those who can flee commandeer a sublight starship and flee to the stars, hoping to find a new world they can call home.

Earthlike worlds prove to be surprisingly common. There is however a small catch: the planet the Howards first encounter is already occupied. The alien Jockaira appear roughly comparable to humans. They are in fact property. The planets true masters are godlike, and they have no place for humans. An act of functionally divine will sends the Howards on their way to a world whose gentle natives prove just as advanced in their way as the gods and even more disquieting to mortal humans.

With the right air, the right gravity, a thriving biosphere, and a Sun-like star around which it orbits at the right distance, Fenris appears to qualify as a Class III Earthlike world, a planet unprotected humans can easily settle. Fenris day is the worm in this particular apple. Two thousand hours long, it guarantees extremes of temperature humans cannot survive without advanced, expensive technology.

At its peak, the planet had a quarter million people. Now it is down to ten thousandthose too poor or too stubborn to emigrate to Class III worlds. Fenris rudimentary economy depends on the export of tallow wax. However, exports are controlled by the Hunters Collective, and the Collective is in turn controlled by Steve Ravnick. Ravnick insists tallow wax prices are falling. Is Ravnick lying and pocketing undeclared profits? Unclear. What is clear is that Ravnicks goons will do their best to kill anyone who asks that question.

Mishaps in space tend to produce corpses in abundance. The eight survivors who find themselves on an empty, alien world appear to be extraordinarily fortunate exceptions. They did not die with their starship. While rescue can be ruled out, at least the world on which they will spend the rest of their lives is comparatively habitable.

Eight people equipped with meagre supplies retrieved from a dying starship cannot reasonably expect to colonize an unfamiliar world. Their numbers ensure inbreeding, their lack of equipment leaves them vulnerable to misfortune. The castaways have not so much survived as fallen victim to a more protracted form of death. Not that the certainty of failure deters some from resolving to trying to establish a thriving community in the name of preserving a human species that is flourishingelsewhere.

The unnamed narrator has no desire to be some sort of castaway queen bee. Nor will she allow others to force her to comply. Pressing the point will prove, as her companions discover, quite fatal.

Faster than light travel comes with an insurmountable catch: hyperspace cannot be navigated without a hyperspace beacon at the destination. Such beacons can only be delivered at sublight speeds. By the 25th century, humanity knows of only a dozen life-bearing worlds, only two of which are habitable to humans, one of which is Earth and the other, Sule, is a world whose native civilization is equal to ours. Dreams of New Earth, empty and free for the taking, remain only dreams.

Now, however, a sublight probe proclaims Earth Three has been found. Even better, this pristine world has no cities, towns, or farms. There is no evidence that anything like Sule or Earths civilizations calls this world home. This is because, as unfortunate explorers will discover shortly before their painful demises, this world hosts something quite superior to their forms of life.

Despite incessant seismic activity, the planet Erna was too tempting to pass by. Earthlike worlds are rare. Frequent earthquakes are a small price to pay for a world on which humans can thrive without advanced life support equipment. As the first generation of colonists discovered to their considerable alarm, Erna has characteristics to which human technology is blind, characteristics that would have ruled out settling Erna.

Erna is home to the Fae, a mysterious force that transforms human whim into often horrifying reality. Mundane science and technology depend on natures predictable laws. Thanks to inherently unpredictably Fae, human technology swiftly regressed. Having lost the ability to flee Erna, the colonists distant descendants have no choice but to find some way to co-exist with the Fae or die trying.

No doubt there are far more recent examples of ill-fated colonization attempts, some of which are not Kim Stanley Robinsons Aurora. Feel free to mention them in the comments!

In the words of Wikipedia editor TexasAndroid, prolific book reviewer and perennialDarwin Award nomineeJames Davis Nicoll is of questionable notability. His work has appeared in Publishers Weekly and Romantic Times as well as on his own websites,James Nicoll Reviewsand the Aurora finalistYoung People Read Old SFF(where he is assisted by editorKaren Lofstromand web person Adrienne L. Travis). He is a four-time finalist for the Best Fan Writer Hugo Award and is surprisingly flammable.

Read the original here:

Five Doomed Attempts at Planetary Colonization - tor.com

Posted in Seasteading | Comments Off

Asgardia: What the first space nation in human history wants to create – Market Research Telecast

Posted: at 5:50 am

Is Asgardia a cult or a sect?

The organization firmly rejects the accusation, which has been raised again and again. In fact, there is one element that all UFO cults have that Asgardia clearly lacks: the belief in being in contact with extraterrestrial civilizations. Asgardia does not support such a narrative. Even a self-proclaimed prophet or spiritual leader does not appear at Asgardia. Politically, the organization is therefore more in line with self-proclaimed micro-nations or libertarian projects such as Seasteading, which want to establish a free state on a platform in international waters that is only guided by entrepreneurial principles.

Is Asgardia a real state?

A state can only be recognized by other states under international law. The recognition of a state presupposes that it actually has the characteristics of a state within the meaning of international law, writes the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in an information leaflet on the subject of the recognition of states. According to the prevailing three-element doctrine, this requires a state territory, a state people and state power (ie an independent government that is effective against outside and inside as an expression of state sovereignty).

Both the items population and government are covered, at least in principle. Asgardia has a constitution and held its first elections in 2018. Critics accuse Asgardia founder and head of state Igor Ashurbeyli, it is more of a constitutional monarchy than a real democracy. Formally, however, the organization is actually open, democratic and self-determined: Everyone who pays a fee of 100 euros receives resident status, an identity document and is allowed to participate in political life. Whether the new state is a democracy or not is in any case irrelevant from a legal point of view.

As for the national territory, however, the situation is less clear. Asgardia launched a micro-satellite into space in 2017 that contains an SSD with 512 GB of data photos and messages from Asgardians. However, it is questionable whether this is enough to symbolically mark ones own national territory, so to speak.

Can Asgardia claim an area in space for itself?

The question has not been finally clarified from a legal point of view. Actually, the so-called Outer Space Treaty officially the Treaty on the Principles for Regulating the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Space is also known as the Outer Space Treaty. This treaty treats the universe in the same way as the high seas on earth.

This article is from issue 5/2021 of the Technology Review. The magazine will be available from July 8th, 2021 in stores and directly in the heise shop. Highlights from the magazine:

The aim of the 1967 treaty was to prevent the militarization of space through the establishment of military bases or the stationing of weapons. According to the treaty, space missions therefore serve all of humanity. According to the treaty, space, including the moon and other celestial bodies may not be occupied or occupied. In addition, every nation is formally legally responsible for objects that it sends into space. The Asgardia satellite is therefore subject to US law.

Whether it follows from all this, however, that no private property can be acquired in space or on celestial bodies, is a matter of dispute among lawyers. In 2015 the US government passed the Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act. The law explicitly allows US citizens to commercially use resources in space. Similar laws are being discussed in other countries such as Russia, China, Japan and Luxembourg.

Is Asgardia the only private organization committed to the colonization of space?

No. Asgardia is the only organization that wants to establish a colony on a space station. The exploration and colonization of other planets is also supported by at least two other large international organizations: The Planetary Society and the Mars Society.

The Planetary Society was founded in 1980 by the American astronomer Carl Sagan, the planetologist Bruce Murray and the aerospace engineer Louis Friedman. Although it does not work directly on plans for alien colonies, it finances the development of novel space technologies such as solar sails as a propulsion system and does public relations and lobbying in support of space activities. The non-governmental organization Mars Society, founded in 1998, is committed to the exploration and colonization of Mars. To this end, the organization also runs its own research projects.

Article Source

Disclaimer: This article is generated from the feed and not edited by our team.

More here:

Asgardia: What the first space nation in human history wants to create - Market Research Telecast

Posted in Seasteading | Comments Off

What is the difference between atopic dermatitis and eczema? – Medical News Today

Posted: at 5:49 am

People often use the terms atopic dermatitis and eczema interchangeably to refer to conditions that cause dryness, itchiness, rashes, and other skin lesions. While atopic dermatitis is a type of eczema, the term covers several different types of skin inflammation, such as contact dermatitis, discoid eczema, and dyshidrotic eczema.

Eczema refers to a group of conditions that cause the skin to become itchy, inflamed, or have a rash-like appearance. Evidence suggests that more than 31 million people in the United States are affected by eczema, with atopic dermatitis being the most common type.

This article defines eczema and atopic dermatitis and discusses other types of eczema, including how to identify, treat, and prevent them.

Both dermatitis and eczema are umbrella terms that people may use to refer to conditions that cause inflamed, irritated, and often itchy skin. There are many different types of eczema, such as neurodermatitis, stasis dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis (AD).

AD is a condition that makes the skin itchy and dry. The term atopic refers to being prone to developing an allergic hypersensitivity reaction to a trigger. AD is the most common type of eczema, which is why many people often simply call it eczema. Evidence suggests it affects roughly 13% of adults and 1520% of children worldwide.

AD is a chronic skin condition that may come and go and currently has no cure. It has associations with other atopic conditions such as hay fever and asthma. In AD, a combination of genetic, immune system, and environmental factors likely cause the skin to experience inflammation against typically harmless substances in the environment.

Other types of eczema can include the below.

Like AD, asteatotic eczema, also known as eczema craquel or xerotic eczema, has associations with dry skin. However, most skin lesions in asteatotic eczema are in the legs and look like plates of dry skin separated by cracks, showing a distinctive dry riverbed appearance. This type of eczema is typically more common in older adults, likely due to skin changes associated with aging.

AD and contact dermatitis go through the three stages of eczema and show similar features. However, with contact dermatitis, a persons skin experiences irritation or an allergic reaction after contact with a trigger, causing the skin to sting, burn, and become inflamed.

There are many known potential irritants, including hair dyes, nickel, certain antibiotics, preservatives, and chemicals. There are two types of contact dermatitis: irritant and allergic contact dermatitis.

Learn more about contact dermatitis triggers.

Similar to AD, discoid or nummular dermatitis is a long-term condition. It presents with similar symptoms of itchy patches of skin that may sometimes ooze fluid. However, in discoid dermatitis, skin patches have a distinct round shape.

Common triggers can include dry skin, insect bites, chemical burns, and other skin trauma. People with AD and allergic contact dermatitis are also prone to developing discoid eczema. A 2021 study found a relationship between contact dermatitis and discoid dermatitis.

Dyshidrotic eczema, which some health experts call pompholyx, causes small, itchy, and painful blisters to develop on the soles of the feet and palms of the hand.

Similar to AD, this condition tends to run in families. Dyshidrotic eczema is more common in adults aged under 40 years and females. Some people only have a single flare-up, but a majority can have it over the long term. Common triggers may include allergies, hot weather, moist hands, stress, and exposure to metals.

While AD and neurodermatitis can result in itchy lesions, skin thickening (lichenification), and discoloration, lesions in neurodermatitis are usually limited to one or two patches of skin. Itchy patches can develop anywhere but commonly appear on the feet, ankles, wrists, elbows, scalp, back of the neck, and groin area.

Neurodermatitis, which doctors call lichen simplex chronicus, develops when a person scratches an itchy skin patch. These lesions are often very itchy, while scratching may cause bleeding and scarring.

Seborrheic dermatitis affects skin areas that produce a lot of oil, including the scalp, nose, and upper back. The skin can appear swollen and greasy, while crusty scales may appear. The skin condition is due to an overproduction of Malassezia yeast, which causes an overreactive immune response, leading to skin inflammation.

It can occur in infants, known as cradle cap, and in adults. In infants, it often resolves by itself and does not come back. However, it often persists in adults and may come and go.

Also called stasis dermatitis, venous eczema, and gravitational dermatitis, this condition usually affects people with reduced circulation. While it is more common in older adults and women, it can also occur in young people with a predisposition to developing varicose veins. Aside from varicose veins, an individual with this skin disorder may notice ankle swelling and skin discoloration due to blood vessel bursting. It can also cause ulcers.

Learn more about different types of eczema.

Since all eczema types commonly present with symptoms, such as skin dryness and inflammation, it can be challenging to differentiate. However, each type has its differences, which are below.

AD most often affects young children and infants, with the majority occurring in those aged 1 to 5 years of age. In contrast, other types may occur at any age but are typically more prevalent in adults.

While most types have similarskin lesions, others have distinct characteristics. Discoid eczema has a distinctive round shape, while dyshidrotic eczema often comes with small, painful blisters. Contact dermatitis lesions typically appear in the area exposed to the irritant and have clear visible borders.

In infants and young children, AD lesions are typically present on the cheeks or the creases of elbows and knees, while adults often have AD around their eyes. Similarly, skin lesions in other types occur in other areas. Asteatotic and varicose eczemas have lower body lesions, dyshidrotic eczema affects the soles and palms, and seborrheic eczema most often affects the scalp.

Blood tests may reveal atypical immunoglobulin E levels for people with extrinsic AD, while these levels may be standard in other types of eczema. Patch testing can identify irritants in contact dermatitis, and doctors may detect reduced blood flow in people with varicose eczema.

AD often occurs with other atopic conditions. A 2021 review states asthma is a common comorbidity in people with AD. Additionally, individuals with varicose eczema have reduced circulation and may indicate heart and kidney problems.

While eczema currently has no cure, there are several ways to prevent or reduce flare-ups. These include:

Usually, most mild eczema cases are manageable. However, people who notice the following should speak with a doctor:

Additionally, individuals should watch out for signs of infection, including:

Eczema is a common term for a group of conditions that cause skin irritation and inflammation. Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema many individuals often simply refer to it as eczema. However, there are several other types of eczema.

While they have similar symptoms and features, each type differs in its causes and progression. Being able to identify which type of eczema a person has is crucial for its prevention and treatment.

Posted in Eczema | Comments Off

Mother, 43, Discovers Rashes Covering Her Body Are Not Eczema But Incurable Skin Lymphoma: I Am Living Proof That Docs Can Be Wrong For Many Years -…

Posted: at 5:49 am

A Skin Lymphoma Diagnosis After 20 Years of Suffering

Its itchy; the itching is so bad that I have to keep my nails short; I need to take anti-histamines because I wake up with blood all over my covers due to the fact Ive been scratching myself in the middle of the night.

That is how Vivian Neill, 43, describes the rash that has covered her body for the past 20 years.

The mother-of-two assumed she was dealing with an aggressive case of eczema until the rash started to change colors in 2018, prompting her to visit with her doctor.

A biopsy soon revealed that Neill had not been dealing with eczema for the past two decades but rather a rare and incurable form of skin lymphoma known as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

This is one of the very few lymphomas that are found in the skin. There is no cure for the disease at this time, and it can be fatal if tumors start to develop.

The condition affects the skin; it looks like eczema, but what it does is that too many white blood cells are getting produced in my body, but its worse than eczema. It inflames, Neill said of the rash in an interview with Daily Record.

Ive got it over 90% of my body, Ive got red patches everywhere, my whole back is just a big massive patch, it inflames like hives so it can be really, really sore to the point that I cant even put clothes on.

Related: Shattered Mother Says Daughter, 27, Died From Stage IV Cancer After Doctors Insisted She Had Long COVID Despite Negative Tests

Neill said that she struggled in the wake of her surprise diagnosis, in large part because her doctor informed her that she would be living with this condition for the rest of her life.

I was in a very, very bad place after I was diagnosed, and I was very depressed, explained Neill of her mindset after the skin lymphoma diagnosis. I didnt even bother coming out of my bed for about six months, but then I decided to give myself a kick up the butt.

Neill began taking walks to get out of the house and found herself often visiting the peacocks that reside in a local park. She now volunteers at the park, allowing her to spend her free time with the majestic birds.

I cant work anymore; Im not able to have a relationship for the last five or six years because Ive got to concentrate on myself, pointed out Neill. Sometimes I have good and bad days, the fatigue can hit me like a wall, sometimes I stay in bed for four or five days cause I feel sick.

She said that fatigue along with itching and hot flashes are the most difficult things to deal with, especially because they often come without warning.

Neill is taking an oral chemotherapy treatment and will soon be undergoing radiation to dull the effects of the rash caused by her skin lymphoma.

The procedure is called Total Skin Electron Beam Therapy (TSEBT) and it works to kill the white blood cells that are causing the rash that covers her body.

Neill does not deny the reality of the situation, though, noting: Im still going to have the cancer, Im always going to have the cancer, but I want it to be monitored and managed and not cause me as much pain.

TSEBT is a form of radiotherapy that treats the entire skin surface using low-energy beams generated by a linear accelerator.

The beams can only penetrate the skin, meaning that there is no risk of damaging any of the internal organs.

The treatment has successfully treated patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma for some time, but it is often used as a last resort after all other treatment options have been exhausted.

How Focused Radiotherapy Treatments Work

Neill is sharing her experience to help other women who may be unsure about symptoms, reminding them that they know their bodies best.

You will know your own body, and if you feel like something is off, like I did for years, push the doctors that little bit more and dont just take their word for it that their diagnosis is right just because they are from the medical profession, stressed Neill.

I am living proof that docs can be wrong for many years, and I am just glad that one (doctor) that took that little bit more time to look at my skin and sent me for a biopsy rather than just flinging more cream at me without even looking my skin over.

Related: Mother With Terminal Cancer Needs Her Lung Drained at the ER But Fears Contracting Covid And Dying: The Brutal Choices Facing Cancer Patients

When Shelia Johnson was diagnosed with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, she headed straight for the kitchen.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

Chris is a senior reporter at SurvivorNet. Read More