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Medicinal Chemistry: A New Hope for Endangered Species

Conservation medicine says chemists and pharmacists can help stop animals from dying out. Timothy Cernak is a professor at the University of Michigan and she thinks medicinal chemistry is crucial for saving animals. Cernak’s lab isn’t just about making medicine for people. They also want to help animals like fighting deadly fungus hurting frogs.

Cernak wants everyone including high school students to join in saving animals. He mentions gorillas and birds like the akikiki from Hawaii are in danger. He believes using medicinal chemistry can quickly help sick animals, like the Panamanian golden frogs.

Cernak wants big drug companies and young scientists to get involved. He is working hard to get money for research and show why this is important. He talks about sea lion pups dying from the flu, showing how animal diseases can affect people too.

Cernak wants chemists and pharmacists to work with vets and conservationists to save lives and nature. He believes in “One Health Pharmacy,” where everyone’s health is connected. Cernak thinks technology like AI can help find medicines faster for both people and animals.

He hopes in the future we can use medicine to help sick animals and stop extinction. This new way of helping animals shows how different fields can work together for a better world for everyone.

May 3, 2024
Biodiversity Conservation: A Key to Sustainable Future

Conserving nature helps save different kinds of plants and animals. A new study says these efforts are working well. It’s published in a science journal called Science on April 25. The study looked at data from 186 different research studies. They did these studies in 665 places worldwide. This is a big step forward in understanding how to save different species of plants and animals.

Penny Langhammer led the study. She works at Re:wild. She says conservation efforts are really important. They help protect thousands of species from going extinct. Many of these species are crucial for keeping the environment stable. They also provide important things for people around the world.

Langhammer says we’re actually doing a good job with conservation. Even though some species are still declining, many conservation efforts are helping to slow this down. She thinks we need to keep supporting these efforts to keep seeing positive changes.

The study looked at different ways we can help protect nature. For example, managing protected areas and controlling invasive species. In about two-thirds of the cases they studied, these efforts had good results. This means they helped to improve or slow down the decline of biodiversity.

In Florida, for example, efforts to manage certain areas helped more baby turtles and birds survive. In the Congo Basin, areas where logging is carefully managed have seen less deforestation. Jake Bicknell, another scientist involved in the study, says when conservation efforts work, they work really well. They found many cases where species populations got bigger because of these efforts.

But not all conservation efforts were successful. In India, for instance, trying to remove a type of invasive algae actually made the problem worse. So, we’re still learning what works best in different situations.

The study found that recent conservation efforts are more successful than older ones. This might be because we’re putting more money and effort into conservation now. Even when a conservation effort didn’t directly help the target species, it often helped other species in the area.

May 1, 2024
Power of AI in Hospitals: Early Warning System for Patient Health

AI is now helping hospitals predict when patients might get sicker. Stanford Medicine did a study using AI at Stanford Hospital. This AI model can tell when a patient’s health might get worse and tells doctors and nurses. Dr. Ron Li led the study and he says the AI helps doctors and nurses work together better. It helps them stop patients from getting very sick and needing intensive care.

The AI looks at the patient’s vital signs, health records, and test results every 15 minutes. It gives a score that shows how likely the patient is to get sicker. If the score is high the AI alerts the medical team so they can act fast.

Dr. Lisa Shieh was part of the study and she says the AI starts conversations between doctors and nurses. This helps them decide what to do for the patient. The AI also makes communication between medical staff better. Jerri Westphal who manages nursing informatics says the AI helps nurses and doctors talk about how to care for the patient.

The AI system was adjusted to focus on predicting when patients might need intensive care. Margaret Smith who helped with the study says nurses were involved in making sure the AI worked well. The study showed that the AI helped reduce how often patients got sicker. There was a 10.4% decrease in patients getting very sick after the AI was used.

This means the AI is good at finding patients who might need urgent help. Using AI in hospitals can improve patient care and make sure people get help when they need it most.

May 1, 2024
Innovative Diamonds: How Flowers are Transforming the Gem Industry

For the first time ever, valuable diamonds are being created from flowers. These diamonds will be priced at around 42,000 dollars each. It takes approximately one month to produce one of these precious diamonds while special customized items may take up to two months.

The Time Promse company which is based in a Chinese city is pioneering the creation of these diamonds from unique flowers. This groundbreaking achievement marks a historic milestone in the diamond industry. Despite the beauty of these flower-derived diamonds, the future market for diamonds is not expected to undergo significant change.

Natural diamonds continue to hold significant value in the market, especially those of high quality which can be very expensive. The journey to develop these flower-based diamonds has been long and challenging for the Time Promse company.

CEO Wang Jing initiated this venture out of love for her husband and children. The official work on producing these diamonds began in 2016 and is expected to be completed by 2023. The path has been far from smooth with numerous obstacles along the way.

The company faced significant challenges and even had to sell their homes to continue their research. Considerable amounts of money were invested in research and development resulting in substantial financial losses. Despite the hardships encountered, the journey has ultimately been successful.

Natural diamonds are inherently rare which prompted the development of cultured diamonds to meet demand. Each cultivated diamond is unique in its own way. The diamonds commonly used by people considered as often very expensive.

May 1, 2024
Toxic Metals in Vaping: Concerns for Teen Health

A recent study by the University of Nebraska Medical Center suggests that teenagers who vape often may be exposed to harmful metals like lead and uranium, which can affect their brain and organ development. This highlights the importance of taking steps to protect young people from these risks.

Many teenagers in the United States vape regularly. In 2022, about 14% of high school students (around 2.14 million) and over 3% of middle school students (around 380,000) reported vaping in the previous month.

The researchers found that certain metals, which can be harmful during growth are present in e-cigarette aerosols and liquids. Exposure to these metals can lead to issues like cognitive problems, behavioral disturbances, respiratory issues, cancer, and heart diseases in children.

The study aimed to understand how the frequency of vaping and the choice of vape flavors relate to levels of toxic metals in teenagers. They looked at data from the PATH Youth Study, which included 1,607 teenagers aged 13 to 17.

Urine samples from 200 teenagers who exclusively vaped were tested for cadmium, lead, and uranium. Vaping frequency was categorized as occasional (1–5 days/month), intermittent (6–19 days), and frequent (20+ days). Vape flavors were classified as menthol or mint, fruit, sweet flavors like chocolate or desserts, and other flavors like tobacco or alcoholic drinks.

Among the 200 vapers analyzed, lead levels were 40% higher in intermittent vapers and 30% higher in frequent vapers compared to occasional users. Frequent vapers also had uranium levels twice as high as occasional vapers. Vapers who preferred sweet flavors had 90% higher uranium levels compared to those who chose menthol or mint flavors. There were no significant differences in cadmium levels across different vaping frequencies or flavor types.

This study only shows an association, not a direct cause-and-effect relationship, between vaping habits and metal exposure. Different vaping devices and brands may have varying metal content, and urine tests only provide a snapshot of exposure at a single point in time.

April 30, 2024
Opportunities and Ethical Dilemmas: Working as Architect in Saudi Arabia

Many UK architects are finding work opportunities in Saudi Arabia where there are plenty of job openings. But what factors should architects think about when deciding whether to work there? Social media reactions to news about Foster + Partners’ involvement in a proposed 2km-tall tower in Riyadh and it was mostly negative.

Some criticized the project as unsustainable and questioned its evacuation plans for such a tall tower. Others raised ethical concerns. But many people simply wondered: Why? Why build a carbon-heavy skyscraper in a city with plenty of available land? And why would Foster + Partners take on such a project?

Foster + Partners’ towering desert project has sparked debates but it is not the only firm working on large projects in Saudi Arabia. Many are attracted by the country’s abundant petrodollars, including retired Premier League footballers and an increasing number of UK architects participating in Saudi Arabia’s monumental 2030 vision development initiative. They often keep their involvement low-key.

British architects are involved in various projects in Saudi Arabia; from the controversial NEOM “giga-project” and the linear city The Line to resort developments, downtown projects, beach resorts, and desert cities. In the wider Gulf region, there has been a significant increase in revenue for firms like Foster + Partners and Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) from work in the Middle East.

Doing business in Saudi Arabia is known for its treatment of women, free speech advocates, the LGBTQ+ community, and other minorities, raises ethical concerns. Many UK architects choose not to work in Saudi Arabia due to these concerns.

So, why are so many UK architects accepting work in Saudi Arabia now? What should they consider morally and financially before making this decision? Some large UK firms have been working in the Middle East remotely for years but are now establishing a presence in Saudi Arabia.

Various firms, including Weston Williamson + Partners’ owner, Egis, and Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), are involved in projects like NEOM’s Spine and Trojena ski resort. Although many firms are entering the Saudi market, some smaller UK practices are also being approached for projects.

April 30, 2024
Earth’s River Water: New Insights from NASA’s Research

Rivers are important for life on Earth. A recent study led by NASA gives new information about how much water is in Earth’s rivers. Before this study, it was hard to know exactly how much water was in rivers because of limited ways to measure it. But now, using new methods, scientists estimate that all of Earth’s rivers combined hold about 539 cubic miles (2,246 cubic kilometers) of water.

Even though this may seem like a small amount compared to all the water on Earth, it’s still very important. Rivers help ecosystems, farms, and people all around the world. This information helps us better manage our water resources.

To figure out how much water is in rivers, scientists used special computer models and real measurements from river sensors. They looked at around 3 million parts of rivers all over the world to get a good picture of how rivers work.

Sometimes, the computer models didn’t match the real measurements exactly. This showed that the models needed to be improved. By making these improvements, scientists can get better at predicting how much water is in rivers.

Knowing how much water is in rivers helps us understand how water moves around the Earth. It also helps us plan for how to use water better, especially as the climate changes. One river basin that stands out is the Amazon River in South America. It holds about 38% of all the water in Earth’s rivers. This shows how important the Amazon is for our planet’s water system.

The Amazon River also sends a lot of water into the oceans. In fact, it’s responsible for about 18% of all the water that rivers put into the oceans. This affects the saltiness of the oceans and even the climate.

The study also points out some areas where water is being used too much. Places like the Colorado River in the United States and the Murray-Darling River in Australia are using too much water. This is a problem because it can lead to shortages of water for people and ecosystems.

Scientists hope that new satellites, like NASA’s SWOT satellite, will help us learn even more about Earth’s rivers. SWOT can measure water levels in rivers from space, which will give us even more information to help manage our water better.

April 29, 2024
New Dinosaur Discovery in China: Meet Fujianipus yingliangi!

A new kind of dinosaur has been found in China. It’s called Fujianipus yingliangi and it’s a megaraptor. This discovery changes what we know about raptors. Most people think of raptors as small, quick hunters like in Jurassic Park. But raptors actually include many different kinds of bird-like dinosaurs with sharp claws.

The Fujianipus yingliangi is a troodontid raptor, known for having big brains compared to their bodies. This one was about 5 meters long with legs 1.8 meters long. The footprints of this dinosaur were found in Fujian Province, China. They are different from other raptor footprints we know about. This means there were big raptors living in China a long time ago.

Before this, we thought big raptors only lived in cold places like Alaska. But Fujian Province is warm. So, maybe temperature isn’t the only thing that affects raptor size. There might be other reasons why some raptors were big. Maybe it was about finding enough food or competing with other predators.

This finding further emphasizes the remarkable diversity of raptors, challenging our preconceptions. “It just goes to show the incredible size range among raptor dinosaurs, highlighting their adaptability and ecological diversity,” Dr. Romilio stated.

This discovery tells us that big raptors might have lived in more places than we thought. It’s exciting because it shows how diverse raptors were. Studying more raptor fossils can help us learn even more about them. Each new discovery gives us a better understanding of these amazing dinosaurs.

April 29, 2024
Afghanistan’s Green Revolution: Beacon of Hope Amidst Climate Challenges

In Afghanistan, especially in Kabul, people are enjoying peaceful days with temperatures around 16 degrees Celsius. This is different from many South and Southeast Asian countries where people are struggling with intense heat.

Afghanistan is ranked 86th in air pollution, which is better than many countries in South and Southeast Asia. The government is taking steps to improve air quality by building parks and gardens in major cities like Kabul.

The government aims to reduce pollution to zero by planting thousands of trees and constructing a new city called ‘New Kabul City’. This new city will have plenty of green spaces and water supply to control temperatures and maintain natural balance.

Surprisingly, Afghanistan’s government is focusing on climate change and protecting the environment, which shows its commitment to creating a natural paradise.

In cities like Kabul, people are taking advantage of the green environment to relax and spend leisure time peacefully. The construction of large parks and gardens across major cities, including the capital, is part of the government’s efforts to combat pollution and create a healthier living environment for its citizens.

The initiative to build ‘New Kabul City’ demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to urban development, with a strong emphasis on incorporating green spaces and sustainable practices. By prioritizing the preservation of natural balance, Afghanistan is positioning itself as a model for environmentally conscious urban planning.

Despite negative perceptions of Afghanistan, the government’s proactive stance on environmental issues is garnering praise and recognition. As the country continues to invest in green infrastructure and promote sustainability, it is transforming into a natural haven amidst the challenges of climate change and pollution.

April 29, 2024
Impact of “Barbenheimer” and the Strikes on Hollywood’s Summer

Hollywood is getting ready for a new lineup of movies after the success of “Barbenheimer” and the challenges of the strikes. People aren’t sure what to expect financially for the summer of 2024 at the movies. Last summer, some unexpected hits like “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” helped boost the box office to over $4 billion. But then the strikes happened and it was shutting down many productions for a while.

Due to the strikes, some big summer movies like “Mission: Impossible 8” and “Captain America: Brave New World” got pushed to 2025. But there are still exciting movies coming out this summer. One of the movies kicking off the summer is “The Fall Guy,” which is a mix of romance and action and pays tribute to stunt performers. Other movies coming out include action-packed films like “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” comedies like “Babes,” and even a Western starring Kevin Costner.

There are fewer superhero movies compared to previous years. Only one Marvel movie, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” is scheduled until the “Joker” sequel in the fall. Despite the challenges, Hollywood is optimistic about this summer’s movie lineup. People are excited to go back to theaters, and there are many movies to choose from.

Some movies were affected by the strikes, like “The Bikeriders,” which was planned for awards season but had to adjust its release plans. Later in June, Kevin Costner’s two-part Western epic, “Horizon: An American Saga,” will debut. And there are several Sundance breakout films to look forward to as well.

For families, there are plenty of options, including “The Garfield Movie,” “Despicable Me 4,” and the highly anticipated “Inside Out 2.” Horror and thriller fans also have lots to look forward to with movies like “MaXXXine” and the prequel to “A Quiet Place” hitting theaters.

April 28, 2024