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Tuesday, March 2, 2021
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Tonight, the Blood Moon Coincides with the Longest Lunar Eclipse of the Century

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Blood moon appearing big on the night sky

The blood moon gets its eerie shade from the eclipse

In the night between July 27th and 28th, people living in the eastern hemisphere will be able to see a blood moon. Apart from this, skygazers will get another exclusive view, namely the longest lunar eclipse of the century. Unfortunately, the phenomenon won’t be visible for people in the US.

What is a blood moon?

A blood moon appears whenever a full moon looks bigger and brighter than usual. In most cases, it also acquires a reddish hue, thus the name of blood moon. However, such a phenomenon is not possible without a lunar eclipse, as this overshadowing is the one that gives the moon this strange color.

During an eclipse, the moon, the sun, and our planet are perfectly aligned. A lunar eclipse occurs whenever Earth falls right between the two, blocking the sunlight from reaching the moon. This alignment also makes possible the phenomenon that gives the moon its color.

Why does the moon appear red during a lunar eclipse?

Therefore, the blood moon appears red because of Rayleigh scattering. Since Earth is placed right in front of the moon, the sunlight first has to pass next to our planet. When this happens, it gets filtered through the atmosphere, highlighting certain shades in the spectrum.

Also, all the elements present in our atmosphere, such as pollution or dust, influence the shade of the blood moon. Dust and other thicker elements stop the blue waves in the light, but the red ones are stronger. Therefore, they are the only ones that reach the moon.

However, this lunar eclipse will be different. It will be the longest in the century, as several factors coincide and make it possible. When the moon is in its furthest point from Earth, it will also fall in the darkest part of its shadow. The blood moon is also the smallest of the year, which means it takes more time to get out of the shadow. As a result, we get the longest lunar eclipse of last 100 years.

Image source: Pixabay

Researchers Invent Miraculous Plaster that Effectively Treats Oral Ulcers

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Five plasters placed on a dark blue textile surface

The plaster perfectly attaches to oral ulcers and is more effective in treating them

Treating oral ulcers can be tricky, since they are located in the mouth. Usually, ointments taste bad, while plasters cannot stick to wet surfaces. Now, a team of researchers from the University of Sheffield created a special patch that could actually stay in your mouth. This isn’t a regular patch, as it contains polymers and different substances that work directly on the lesion.

Finding an effective treatment method for oral ulcers is tricky

There aren’t too many methods to treat oral ulcers, so this plaster comes as a miraculous tool against these lesions. The therapy is perfect against rare conditions that affect only a small percent of the population. These include RAS (recurrent aphthous stomatitis) and OLP (oral lichen planus).

The plasters are great against oral ulcers since they are made of polymers. This means they can stick to the wet oral walls without problem while also isolating the lesion. Most treatments for these conditions include lotions or mouthwashes, but they usually don’t target only the affected area.

The plaster is flexible and it sticks really well to the mouth walls

Since these treatments don’t stay only on the lesion, they aren’t so effective. This is why the innovative plaster is a lot better. First of all, it stays attached to oral ulcers for a long period of time. Then, since it’s made of a flexible material, it can bend and take any kind of shape. Therefore, you won’t even feel that you’re wearing it.

Once you apply the plaster, it will keep the lesion thoroughly covered. Meanwhile, it releases steroids directly on the wound, making it a lot easier to heal. Researchers tested it on patients, and all of them were happy of how flexible and adhesive it was. Therefore, they might soon start producing these treatment methods and make them available for everyone.

The study on this miraculous plaster was published in the journal Biomaterials.

Image source: PxHere

The Theorem of Pythagoras Might Have Been Behind the Building of Stonehenge

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Stonehenge at the sunset

There is a lot of science behind the building of Stonehenge

Stonehenge is one of the most remarkable monuments in the world since it was built with mathematic precision at a time when science achievements didn’t exist. A recent publication released on June 21st claims the builders of the megalithic monument used the theorem of Pythagoras 2,000 years before the birth of the mathematician.

Stonehenge was built 2,000 years before the birth of Pythagoras

Stonehenge is a megalithic monument in southwestern England, perfectly aligned with the position of the sun on solstice days. Also, on certain dates, different rectangles, triangles, and other shapes appear on the ground. However, the monument becomes one of the biggest attractions on June 21st, during the summer solstice, when the sun perfectly aligns with the stones.

Right on June 21st, a team of contributors released a book called Megalith. This paper claims the builders of the monumental ensemble used the theorem of Pythagoras to put it up. However, Stonehenge was built in 2,500 BC, while Pythagoras was born in 570 BC. If this theory is true, it means they were capable of using advanced scientific knowledge when no one else was aware something like this is possible.

The monument could have been unconsciously aware of the theorem of Pythagoras

Of course, the builders weren’t aware they were doing science. However, they had good knowledge of cosmology, astronomy, and had been studying the complex cycles of nature. This allowed them to place the stones in the right positions to align them with the sun.

One of the authors that contributed to the book said they probably used pieces of rope to depict periods of time related to the sun and the moon position. This might have allowed them to make the necessary measurements for the building of Stonehenge.

This book shows that Stonehenge is a product of science rather than being a mythical construction. Since the monument is so old, people tend to regard the builders as primitives who worshipped the sun. However, they possessed great scientific knowledge even if they didn’t know it. Also, the hypothesis with the theorem of Pythagoras is really plausible.

Image source: Flickr

Parkinson’s Medication Might Activate Compulsive Behavior, Turning People into Sex Addicts

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Old person holding their hands on their legs

Dopamine-activating drugs might make people more likely to become sex addicts or gamblers

A recent study revealed some striking findings on the medication prescribed to treat Parkinson’s disease. It turns out these drugs might trigger some compulsive behaviors in the patients, making them more likely to turn into gamblers or sex addicts. This might be a result of the chemicals in the drugs, which activate the dopamine receptors.

Parkinson’s drugs might turn people into sex addicts

If you take drugs to fight Parkinson’s disease, you might keep your brain cells from deteriorating. However, this medication might have some really strange side effects. It turns out people who take dopamine agonists are at a certain risk of becoming sex addicts, gamblers, or of engaging in compulsive shopping or binge eating. These drugs might weaken one’s ability to control one’s impulses.

For the study, researchers selected 411 people from the UK suffering from Parkinson’s. This condition affects the brain cells, so they start degrading over time. When this starts happening, the body can no longer produce dopamine. Since the substance plays an important role in movement, patients are no longer able to control their bodies properly.

These compulsive behaviors can be reversed over a short period of time

Therefore, these patients need to take drugs that can make their brain cells produce more dopamine. Researchers kept the participants under observation for three years, while some of them took the medicine in question. Afterwards, they checked their compulsive behaviors to see how many of them became sex addicts or gamblers.

This way, they noticed a more prominent addictive behavior in those who took the dopamine medicine. Fifty-two percent of those who followed the treatment said they had difficulties in controlling their impulses. In contrast, this applied only to 12 percent of those who didn’t take this type of drugs.

However, these strange side effects can be reversed successfully. A small part of the participants stopped taking the drugs after a certain period of time. Then, they reported feeling a lot better, as their impulses were gone.

Image source: Pixabay

Adobe Launches Exciting AI Updates for Adobe Scan and Microsoft Office

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Business cards placed next to a cup of tea

These new updates will make Adobe programs easier to use

With the sudden expansion of artificial intelligence, more platforms and services have started integrating it in their apps. Adobe joined the ranks of AI supporters, running some updates on Adobe Scan and its other services. The new features will allow you to turn business cards into contacts in your phone, as well as create PDFs in Microsoft Office.

Adobe Scan enters business cards in your phonebook

Adobe Scan is one of the most widely used smartphone scanning apps. Its creators understood the great potential of the app, so they took advantage of it and ran a few updates. By using the power of AI, the app will add some interesting features to scanning. For a start, you’ll be able to take photos of business cards, and Adobe Scan will immediately turn them into contacts.

After you take the photo, the AI will clarify the image and remove possible intruders, such as fingers. At this point, your image should look like an actual scan. Afterwards, the algorithm will identify the text and read it. Based on AI, it will accurately tell when it’s scanning a business card, so you’ll get a special button called “add to contacts”. By tapping on it, Adobe Scan will enter all the information in your phonebook.

You can now edit PDFs on Microsoft Office

However, not only Adobe Scan will get updates. The company has prepared a special update that you must have been endlessly waiting for. As Adobe Acrobat is turning 25, it will get a special pairing with Microsoft Office, namely the latter will get PDF integration.

The update actually comes for Adobe Document Cloud, which will bring this type of content on Microsoft Office. By using the software, you will be able to both create and edit PDFs by using Office apps. Also, you can convert them into Word, PowerPoint, or Excel documents, and the process goes backwards as well.

Image source: Pexels

Overweight Dogs Might Teach Researchers How to Deal with Obesity (Study)

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Black overweight Labrador sitting on a carpet

Both overweight dogs and obese humans prefer only food of good quality

Have you ever thought that extra weight on your body has something in common with overweight dogs? A team of Hungarian researchers have just discovered two traits that obese people and fat dogs share, with the latter being really helpful to us. By studying them, researchers might use dogs to better understand human obesity.

Overweight dogs perceive food as a reward

Although it sounds unlikely, overweight dogs and people are pretty similar from a psychological point of view. According to the researchers, both prefer good food, which sounds natural. However, whenever there is another option of food of poor quality, they tend to refuse in favor of the better version.

At first, researchers assumed that overweight dogs would eat any kind of food, so they ran a few experiments. They filled two bowls with food of good and of poorer quality, and then had several dogs eat it. Dogs with a regular weight checked the second bowl after they finished the first, while the overweight ones refused it after consuming the good food.

Overweight dogs and people might share some psychological traits

Researchers explained the behavior as such. Overweight dogs want the best food without spending too much effort. If they have to move to a second bowl with poor quality food, they prefer not to do the effort at all. In fact, these dogs perceive this food as a reward, and people might exhibit the same behavior.

Obesity is probably the biggest problem among Americans. The CDC reports from 2015 and 2016 showed around 93.3 percent of Americans struggling with obesity. This situation is extremely serious, as the condition can lead to other diseases and premature mortality.

The research on overweight dogs offered an insight on the psychology behind obesity. Methods like healthy diets and physical exercise can help a person lose weight. However, they become a lot more effective if you work on the psychological domain. The study was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

Image source: Flickr

Researchers Discovered How Flying Spiders Travel through Air (Study)

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Crab spider floating in the air

Flying spiders accurately measure wind conditions before ballooning

Have you ever wondered how flying spiders manage to travel through air? A recent study developed by scientists from Technische Universität in Berlin discovered the mechanism behind this behavior. It all starts with their ability to identify proper atmospheric conditions. If the wind can help them travel, they start producing nanoscale fibers that act like parachutes.

Flying spiders perform ballooning

Most spiders engage in regular activities, like building webs and traveling on the ground. However, some of them can sense when a wind is coming and travel in the air for several hundreds of miles. They do it during the mating season, to find food, or simply to abandon a place and find a new site to colonize. Flying spiders are usually young and small, but some bigger species might also do it.

This behavior is called ballooning and has been quite a mystery for researchers. Even this is not the first study on flying spiders, the German researchers performed the first accurate measurements of the nanoscale fibers, and also monitored the spiders’ ability to predict wind. The main object of their study was the large crab spider, which measured only 5 millimeters in length.

Researchers measured all conditions necessary for ballooning

These flying spiders could measure the speed and direction of the wind by raising their front legs. This way, they could orient themselves and find out how to produce their parachuting nanoscale fibers. Overall, they produced around 60 fibers of about 3 meters each. It turns out the creatures can identify the ideal wind conditions and only then do they start producing the parachuting silk.

After studying flying spiders right in the middle of ballooning, they performed more calculations. This way, they could identify the ideal conditions for flying. It turns out light winds are perfect for a ballooning attempt to be successful. The study on this interesting behavior was published in the journal PLOS Biology.

Image source: OpenCage

NASA’s Opportunity Rover Is Struggling with a Severe Dust Storm on Mars

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Opportunity Rover on the surface of Mars

The Opportunity Rover is caught in the middle of a severe dust storm

Curiosity wasn’t enough to cover the entire surface of the Red Planet, so NASA decided to send a second machine, the Opportunity Rover, to study Mars. However, the space agency was forced to delay the observations, as the little rover is currently facing some issues. Opportunity is struggling with a strong dust storm near the Perseverance Valley on Mars.

The Opportunity Rover is facing a tough moment

While facing all kinds of problems, Curiosity has at least one thing it shouldn’t worry about, and that is power. Unfortunately, the Opportunity Rover is less lucky, as it needs solar panels to function. This shouldn’t be a problem unless a dust storm comes along.

On June 1st, NASA spotted the emergence of the storm and then, during the weekend, it saw it getting worse. By June 8th, the storm spread over a huge area of about 7 million square miles, which is a lot more than the surface of North America. If the dust storm doesn’t calm down, the sunrays won’t reach the Opportunity Rover, preventing it from functioning.

The dust storm is the toughest the rover has ever experienced

The tiny machine is quite used to facing problems, as this isn’t the first issue it experienced. In 2007, for instance, it became non-functional for 12 days, while NASA had to interrupt communication with it to help it save power. However, this storm is a lot more serious than what Opportunity has ever experienced.

Researchers measure the level of darkness in the atmosphere in tau. During the 2007 incident, the Martian atmosphere reached 5.5 tau. Now, the current dust storm has brought the atmosphere to a darkness of 10.8 tau. This doesn’t only block the sunlight, but also makes the planet really cold. Since the Opportunity Rover relies entirely on solar power, it has been in crisis mode since June 6th.

The situation is quite critical for the survival of the Opportunity Rover. While the lack of sun can be a serious blow, the dust might really help it by raising the general temperature at the surface.

Image source: USGS Astrogeology

Australian Woman Dies from Hepatitis A after Eating a Frozen Pomegranate

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Pomegranate half with dark red arils inside

The woman must have developed liver failure after eating the pomegranate

An Australian woman lost her life after eating a frozen pomegranate that doctors later discovered was contaminated with the hepatitis A virus. The company that produced them was aware of the contamination and, two months ago, issued a mass recall on all products. However, it takes between 15 and 20 days for the symptoms to become visible. When the woman started exhibiting them, it was already too late.

The company recalled all contaminated frozen pomegranates

A 64-year-old woman from Australia wanted to have a nice treat and bought a pack of frozen pomegranate arils from Creative Gourmet. Unfortunately, the products from this line turned out to be contaminated with the hepatitis A virus. As soon as the company found out, it issued a major recall on all the affected products.

All stores and supermarkets removed the frozen pomegranate arils from their shelves, but people had already had time to buy them. Therefore, everyone had to check their freezers several times and make sure they threw away anything contaminated.

The woman must have suffered liver failure

Unfortunately, there is one bad thing about hepatitis A. It takes people between 15 and 20 days to exhibit any symptoms, so it’s hard to spot an infection at the beginning. Since the recall in April, the woman developed symptoms only later, and doctors could do nothing at that time.

The case was extremely unfortunate, since people usually recover from hepatitis A. Therefore, the woman’s case was the only death coming from the recall of the frozen pomegranates. Most likely, the infection had led to liver failure, which usually affects one in 250 people with hepatitis A.

In April, Creative Gourmet sold 2,000 packs of frozen pomegranate arils, but recalled only 226 of them. Only these frozen products were dangerous, so buying fresh pomegranates should be a safe alternative. However, just in case you fear a hepatitis A infection, here are a few symptoms. They include fever, appetite loss, yellowing skin, pale fecal matter, and dark urine.

Image source: Max Pixel

Doctor who Decapitated Baby during Breech Birth Pronounced Guilty

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Baby feet sticking out of a fluffy blanket

The woman pulled the baby on its legs after its head got stuck inside

A gynecologist from Scotland performed an improper delivery during a breech birth which resulted in the accidental death of the baby. The doctor pulled the baby on its legs when its head got stuck, which caused its decapitation. This issue was brought in front of the medical tribunal who found the doctor guilty. It turns out she could have used a different technique to deliver the baby.

The doctor had to deliver a baby during a breech birth

Dr. Vaishnavy Laxman from Dundee, Scotland was performing a delivery of a 30-year-old woman’s baby. Soon after the started the procedure, she discovered she was about to face a breech birth. This term means the baby gets out feet first and requires a lot of attention.

However, the gynecologist adopted an improper technique for the delivery. She asked the mother to push the baby while she was pulling on its legs to get it out. The procedure didn’t go too smoothly, and the baby’s head got stuck in the way. As the doctor was pulling, the baby got decapitated. This called for the intervention of two other doctors who performed a C-section to get the head out of the woman’s body.

The doctor’s action led to the body’s decapitation

A breech birth is really difficult to face and calls for special safety measures. When she had to perform this delivery, Dr. Laxman was near the end of a 24-hour shift. She thought a C-section wouldn’t be a good solution for a breech birth since the baby would have died. However, the medical tribunal thinks her delivery method was the one that killed the baby.

Breech births don’t occur too often, but they are still relatively common. They occur as a result of different causes, but the good news is they can be diagnosed. The baby should start getting in its birth position several weeks before they are born, so doctors can check if it’s going to be a breech birth or not.

Image source: Pixnio

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