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☆ 'Assuming that I'm just a little old lady was your first mistake': Retired boomers are rejecting the idea they're lonely or sad
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Helen Brown Helen BrownGetting over the psychological hurdleThe retired boomers told BI that transitioning from working to retirement can be difficult. AdvertisementClive Hook Clive HookHook told BI that the complete loss of structure was the toughest change. Related storiesThere's a misconception that life becomes boring in retirement, Hook told BI. Falconer told BI she revels in saying no to anything she no longer wants to do. I was too young," Feest told BI.

Persons: —, Helen Brown, Brown, Helen Brown Helen Brown, Clive Hook, He'd, Clive Hook Clive Hook Hook, purposeless, Hook, Jackie Harrison, Harrison, It's, Jackie Harrison Jackie Harrison Sandra Falconer, Falconer, Parkinson's, hadn't, Kathy Feest, Sandra Falconer, Sandra Falconer Sandra Falconer, Feest Organizations: Service, Business, WHO, Open University Locations: New Zealand

☆ A Harvard professor is risking his reputation to search for aliens. Tech tycoons are bankrolling his quest.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +26 min

The Harvard professor's research is bankrolled by tech tycoons "pissed off" at academia's dogma. But this boundary-pushing is exactly why he's backed Loeb's research. AdvertisementDesch, the astrophysicist from Arizona University, posted a critique of Loeb's work on arXiv alleging "multiple fatal flaws with the manuscript's arguments." Asked whether he no longer believes in a possible technological origin for the meteor, Loeb said they need to investigate further. As he plans more extravagant expeditions to prove the origin of the interstellar meteor, Loeb likens his critics to crows pecking at the neck of an eagle.

Persons: Avi Loeb, Loeb, —, Steven Desch, they're, Loeb's, they've, Charles Hoskinson, that's, Anibal Martel, Mark Zuckerberg, Stephen Hawking, Lucas Jackson, Oumuamua, Desch, It's, Meech, Hoskinson, Rather, Lane Turner, James Webb, Bill Diamond, Stenzel, AARO, UAPs, Loeb hasn't, Joe Rogan's, Eugene Jhong, Galileo, ", Frank Laukien, Laukien, Charles Alcock, Seth Shostak, Stephen Wolfram, Richard Branson's, Vera, Rubin, Avi Loeb Loeb, what's, Rob McCallum, Mariana Trench, James Cameron, Avi Loeb Hoskinson, spherules, Harvard's Stein Jacobsen, Loeb didn't, Monica Grady, Patricio Gallardo, it's, Diamond, That's Avi, Adam Glanzman Organizations: Harvard, Service, Arizona State University, Netflix, Galileo, Anadolu Agency, Reuters, University of Hawaii, Boston Globe, James Webb Telescope, NASA, SETI Institute, Pew Research Center, Department of Defense, UAP Department of Defense, Jhong, Bruker Corporation, Smithsonian's, for Astrophysics, MIT, Wolfram Research, Harvard University, Survey, US Space Command, Hoskinson, UK's Open University, University of Chicago, Arizona University, U.S . Government, The Washington, Getty, Loeb, Astronomy, Astrophysics Locations: Lexington , Massachusetts, United States, Getty, Loeb's, New York, Cambridge, Massachussetts, UAPs, Colorado, Chile, Papua New Guinea, 2401.09882, IM1

That prompted an outcry, leading the Israeli military to overhaul the system. But elite reservists are deployed in Gaza, some in units that include professional soldiers. On Monday, Israeli news media reported that an air force reservist was fired for criticizing Mr. Netanyahu in a private WhatsApp group. “Political comments while serving in uniform is against the rules,” an Israeli military spokesman said. Gen. Ari Singer, a former chief reserves officer of the Israeli military.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel, ‘, don’t, ’, Erez, “, Mr, Netanyahu, ”, Yagil Levy, ” Sergeant Schnider, Ari Singer, Manuel Trajtenberg Organizations: West Bank, Mr, Military, Open University of Israel, Tel, Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies Locations: Lebanon, Lebanese, Gaza, Brig, Tel Aviv

☆ Mercury is slowly shrinking, and it's giving the planet wrinkles
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementMercury, the smallest planet in the solar system, is getting even — and getting more wrinkles as it does, a new study suggests. Mercury is wrinkling like an old appleLike any other planet, Mercury is losing heat. The study, published in Nature Geosciences on Monday, identified 48 definite and 244 likely grabens on pictures snapped by NASA's MESSENGER probe in 2015. AdvertisementAdvertisementMercury is likely constantly shaking with quakesThe study also suggests Mercury is constantly shaking with quakes, Rothery said. ESA/BepiColombo/MTM, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGOThe next step for Mercury, Rothery said, will be the arrival of a space probe called BepiColumbo.

Persons: —, David Rothery, Rothery, Ben Man, Nat, it's, we've, BepiColumbo Organizations: Service, UK's Open University, Nature Geosciences, Mercury, ESA, European Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Locations: et

General view of flood water covering the area as a powerful storm and heavy rainfall hit Al-Mukhaili, Libya September 11, 2023, in this handout picture. As the storm moved along the North African coast, Egypt's authorities sought to calm its worried citizens by telling them Daniel had finally lost its strength. For Greece, the storm that formed on Sept. 4 followed a period of blazing heat and wildfires. Before Storm Daniel struck, hydrologist Abdelwanees A. R. Ashoor of Libya's Omar Al-Mukhtar University had warned that repeated flooding of the wadi posed a threat to Derna. Yet even better-resourced Greece struggled to deal with the power of Storm Daniel.

Persons: Daniel, Storm Daniel, Suzanne Gray, Christos Zerefos, Leslie Mabon, hydrologist, Omar Al, Mukhtar University, Edmund Blair, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Ahram, Britain's University of Reading, International Federation of, Red Crescent Societies, Academy of Athens, The Open University, Homes, Thomson Locations: Mukhaili, Libya, Handout, Greece, Derna, ATHENS, LONDON, Thessaly, Britain

☆ Climate change: Parts of tropical rainforests could get too hot for photosynthesis, study suggests
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Some leaves in tropical forests from South America to South East Asia are getting so hot they may no longer be able to photosynthesize, with big potential consequences for the world’s forests, according to a new study. They found that average forest canopy temperatures peaked at 34 degrees Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) but some exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). This level of warming is not expected under current climate policies, which are estimated to bring 2.7 degrees Celsius of warming above pre-industrial levels. While these figures may seem small, the risk is significant given how critical tropical trees are for life, the climate system and the planet. But, he added, there are more immediate concerns for tropical forests, including deforestation, wildfires and droughts.

Persons: photosynthesize, Christopher Doughty, ” Doughty, Martin Zwick, ”, Kevin Collins, Christopher Still, there’s, it’s, “, Chloe Brimicombe, ” Joshua Fisher Organizations: CNN, Northern Arizona University, Getty, Open University, Science Media, Oregon State University, University of Graz, Chapman University Locations: South America, South East Asia, Nature, Australia, Brazil, ecoinformatics, Mobuku, Uganda, ”, Austria

☆ A Millennium Falcon-shaped comet heading toward Earth is so bright you'll able to see it with your naked eye, say astronomers
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Ellie Zolfagharifard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Astronomers have spotted a "once-in-a-lifetime" comet shaped like the Millennium Falcon. The comet will make its closest approach to the sun next year, just weeks after a solar eclipse. The comet, known as Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, abruptly brightened 100-fold on July 20 as plumes of debris and ice were blasted off it into space. While it may be possible to see the comet with the naked eye, Miles advised using binoculars. A decades-old mysteryAstronomers aren't sure exactly why Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, which orbits the sun every 71 years, has brightened so drastically in recent weeks.

Persons: Pons, Brooks, It's, Richard Miles, Miles, Dr Edward Gomez, Elek Tamás, Helen Usher of Cardiff, Carrie Holt, Gomez Organizations: Service, British Astronomical Association, Wales, Harsona, Comet, Open University, University of Maryland Locations: Wall, Silicon, Cardiff, Nyiregyhaza, Hungary

☆ The world's top alien hunters explain why a Harvard physicist's discovery of 'alien' tech is likely a false alarm
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Adam Barnes | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Harvard physicist Avi Loeb announced the discovery of tiny "spherules" at the bottom of the Pacific. But three of the world's top experts on the search for aliens are skeptical the tech is from aliens. The fragments "could be a spacecraft from another civilization, or some technological gadget," Loeb told CBS News. This will constitute independent evidence for the interstellar origin of IM1 in addition to its measured speed," Loeb wrote. Loeb told Insider that, when ready, the team will publish their findings in a scientific paper that will be "shared openly and submitted for a peer-reviewed journal."

Persons: Avi Loeb, Loeb, Dan Werthimer, IM1, aren't, Douglas Vakoch, Vakoch, Monica Grady, Werthimier Organizations: Service, CBS, SETI Research, University of California, Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence, SETI, Center, Object, Sun, Space Command, NASA, DOD, The Open University, HMS Locations: Wall, Silicon, Berkeley, Papua New Guinea

☆ How long you breastfeed may impact your child’s test scores later, study shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Madeline Holcombe | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Whether children were breastfed as infants and for how long may have an impact on their test scores when they are adolescents, according to new research. What the study team found was that there was a modest improvement in test scores associated with being breastfed longer, Pereyra-Elías said. Consequently, the results only show a correlation between breastfeeding and test scores — not causation. The researchers tried to control for many factors that might influence their results, like the mother’s cognitive ability, but they couldn’t account for everything in an observational study, Pereyra-Elías said. The difference this study showed was modest, Pereyra-Elías added, meaning that it does not make a big enough difference on the test scores that it should cause parents worry, Pereyra-Elías said.

Persons: Reneé, Elías, Kevin McConway, McConway, ” McConway, It’s, ”, “, Andrew Whitelaw, Whitelaw Organizations: CNN, Disease, University of Oxford, Open University, University of Bristol Locations: England, United Kingdom

☆ Kremlin document shows how Russia is instructing state news outlets to handle potential losses in Ukraine counteroffensive: report
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Kremlin has prepared media talking points about Ukraine's expected counteroffensive, per Meduza. Sources told independent Russian outlet Meduza the document is aimed at priming the public for potential losses, or to capitalize on any Russian success. Reporters have been told "not to downplay expectations for the NATO-supported counteroffensive," and not to say that "Kyiv is unprepared for a 'counteroffensive," Meduza reported. Dr Precious Chatterje-Doody, an Open University lecturer in politics and an expert on Russian media, told Insider that the reported guidance fits "perfectly" with Russia's existing coverage of the war. Most Russian media is subject to strict controls over how the Ukraine war is discussed.

☆ As Gaza Celebrates Eid, a Gift for Women — and a Duty for Men
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Raja Abdulrahim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

GAZA CITY — On the morning of Eid al-Fitr, Arafat Helles will start the day with a special prayer at the mosque to mark the end of Ramadan, and eat a breakfast of salty cheeses to line his stomach for what is to come. Then, he will set out with his three brothers and father across the Gaza Strip. At each home, the men will be plied with coffee and sweets. After little more than 15 minutes, the social calls will end — a rarity in a society where such visits may last for hours, and often end in an invitation to stay for dinner. “This is the eidiya visit,” said Mr. Helles, 48, a professor of social services at Al-Quds Open University, in Gaza.

☆ The moon could have up to 297 billion tons of water stored in tiny glass beads on its surface, scientists say
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-28 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Researchers say glass beads found on the moon's surface could contain billions of tons of water. The scientists say the water was created from solar winds, which blow hydrogen — one of the two elements in water — onto the lunar surface. The glass beads themselves form when small meteorites hit the surface of the moon and melt with material on the surface, per the study. Hu said the water extracted from the glass beads shows promise that it could be used in future lunar missions. NASA also plans to once again send astronauts to the Moon in 2025, 50 years after man last set foot on the lunar surface.

☆ Explainer: Why was the Turkey-Syria earthquake so bad?
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Gloria Dickie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] A damaged vehicle is seen on top the rubbles after an earthquake in Iskenderun, Turkey February 6, 2023. The epicentre was about 26 km east of the Turkish city of Nurdagi at a depth of about 18 km on the East Anatolian Fault. During the 20th century, the East Anatolian Fault yielded little major seismic activity. But in 1822, a 7.0 quake hit the region, killing an estimated 20,000 people. The East Anatolian Fault is a strike-slip fault.

☆ Putin purges Russia's Human Rights Council, replacing critics with pro-war cheerleaders
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia's Human Rights Council was reshuffled to exclude critics and bring in pro-war cheerleaders. It comes ahead of a key annual meeting where free speech about the Ukraine war was to be discussed. This system — often referred to as controlled opposition — is what Chatterje-Doody said had allowed organizations such as the Human Rights Council to express genuine criticism. On October 7, Russia rejected a UN Human Rights Council draft resolution condemning what the body called "the significant deterioration of the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation." Top Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that membership rotations at the Human Rights Council are normal.

☆ The UN rejected Russia's push to hold a secret vote on its attempts to annex parts of Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Russia wanted a UN vote over whether to condemn its actions in Ukraine to be a secret ballot. The UN roundly rejected that on Monday, and the vote is set to be held in public later this week. A secret vote may have made some Russian allies more likely to vote to support it, experts told Insider. Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia had argued that the vote should be a secret one. The resolution was drafted before Russia's bombardment on Monday of numerous cities and regions of Ukraine, including some that had not been attacked in months.

LONDON — British Prime Minister Liz Truss on Monday ditched her signature plan to cut taxes for the country's top earners after it triggered market turmoil and a huge domestic outcry. The pound rose after the announcement to around $1.12 — about the value it held before the Sept. 23 budget announcements. The dramatic reversal comes just hours after Truss defiantly defended the tax cut and her broader radical economic agenda, saying it was necessary to solve the country’s long-term economic woes. Faced with a growing political rebellion after days of economic chaos, the government said early Monday it was abandoning the plan. The plan to cut taxes for the wealthy was part of a broader "mini-budget" announced soon after the new administration took office.

☆ Rising Covid-19 cases in the UK may be a warning for the US
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-27 | by ( Brenda Goodman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —There are signs that the United Kingdom could be heading into a fall Covid-19 wave, and experts say the United States may not be far behind. A recent increase in Covid-19 cases in England doesn’t seem to be driven by a new coronavirus variant, at least for now, although several are gaining strength in the US and across the pond. Spector runs the Zoe Health Study, which uses an app to let people in the UK and US report their daily symptoms. After seeing a downward trend for the past few weeks, the Zoe study saw a 30% increase in reported Covid-19 cases within the past week. In the US, some models have predicted that Covid-19 cases will begin to rise again in October and continue to increase into the winter.

Marie-José Enders says office pets can help lower cortisol levels. Those with dogs are perceived as friendlier, so office pets could improve work relationships too. Office cat Sammie is sat on a desk, waiting to be fed breakfast and given a fresh bowl of water. For bigger companies like Google, it's nothing unusual to take your dog to the office but the same seems to be the case for a lot of Dutch companies too — on LinkedIn, there are currently 75 active vacancies at Dutch companies that mention an office dog. In spite of this, both Jonker and Kusse think office pets are also good for team morale.

☆ NASA: „Tocmai am gasit apa...
▼ + stars: | 2020-10-27 | by ( ) www.realitatea.md time to read: +1 min

Agenţia spaţială americană NASA a publicat luni, 26 octombrie, dovezi despre existenţa apei pe satelitul natural al Pământului. Descoperirea motivează NASA de a amplasa o bază acolo. A fost posibil cu ajutorul unui observator montat pe un Boeing 747 modificat în stare să zboare deasupra a 99% din atmosfera terestră. Scientists think the water could be stored inside glass beadlike structures within the soil that can be smaller than the tip of a pencil. A recap: https://t.co/lCDDp7pbcl pic.twitter.com/d3CRe96LDm — NASA (@NASA) October 26, 2020Următorul obiectiv al Agenţiei spaţiale este să trimită prima femeie sau următorul bărbat în locul cu pricina.

Persons: Agenţia, Hannah Sargeant, Milton Keynes . ? Organizations: NASA, Open University, NASA, SOFIATelescope

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