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☆ Human metapneumovirus: Doctors say this is the most important virus you’ve never heard of
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-29 | by ( Brenda Goodman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Cases of human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, spiked this spring, according to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s respiratory virus surveillance systems. An underestimated threatStudies show that HMPV causes as much misery in the US each year as the flu and a closely related virus, RSV. Like those infections, HMPV can lead to intensive care and fatal cases of pneumonia in older adults. Leigh Davidson caught human metapneumovirus during a family celebration in early April. The new virus was dubbed human metapneumovirus.

☆ Japan's Nikkei powers to 1990 'bubble' era high
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Kevin Buckland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

TOKYO, May 19 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikkei share average rallied on Friday to the highest since August 1990, the country's so-called "bubble" era, driven by a confluence of positive factors from strong earnings to optimism over a U.S. debt ceiling deal. The broader Topix (.TOPX), which had reached the post-bubble milestone on Tuesday, extended its climb to as high as 2,171.37. Foreign buying thanks to increased investment by Warren Buffett and a push for better corporate governance by the Tokyo Stock Exchange also provided some impetus. The Nikkei had rocketed 6.2% from the May 10 close - when sweeping rally began - to reach Friday's high. "Investors are going to spend today thinking hard about whether this Nikkei rally will continue," said Kazuo Kamitami, an equity strategist at Nomura Securities.

HONG KONG, May 16 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Investing in China need not be too stressful, provided you avoid investing in Chinese companies. A spending pop in the transport, food and beverage and hospitality sectors helped lift first-quarter GDP to 4.5%. But that data was flattered by comparison to a grim 2022, and April data on imports, inflation and bank loans all disappointed. While Beijing’s crackdowns on domestic technology companies and property developers have eased, other risks are rising. Separately, quarterly revenue at Alibaba is expected to rise 3% year-on-year to 211 billion yuan ($30.5 billion) in the three months to March, according to the average analyst forecast on Refinitiv.

☆ Rocket Lab revenue increases slightly, company adds NASA launch contract
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Rocket Lab's revenue increased slightly in the first quarter, but losses grew as well, as the spacecraft and launch company added a NASA contract and continued to invest in its future Neutron vehicle. Rocket Lab said an increase in R&D spending for its Neutron rocket and Photon spacecraft drove a rise in expenses. The development of our larger rocket Neutron is continuing at pace," Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck said in a statement. It had $450 million in cash on hand at the quarter's end, down from $484.3 million the prior quarter. Shares of Rocket Lab were little changed in after-hours trading from its close at $3.94 a share.

☆ Elon Musk once praised a rocket CEO who didn't go to college for beating Jeff Bezos to orbit, new book reveals: 'Bezos has spent a shitload of money, and he hasn't made it'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Britney Nguyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A new book reveals Elon Musk once praised a rival New Zealand rocket CEO in a 2018 phone call. Musk said it was "impressive" that Rocket Lab launched a rocket into orbit before Blue Origin, per the book. Like SpaceX, Rocket Lab has been able to launch rockets into orbit — something Bezos' Blue Origin company has not yet achieved. In March, Rocket Lab launched its 35th Electron rocket just a week after launching its 34th Electron rocket. Neither Rocket Lab, Blue Origin, nor Musk responded to Insider's requests for comment.

☆ Loaf-size mission to improve hurricane forecasting is ready to launch
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —A new mission designed to improve hurricane forecasting is ready to launch, just ahead of the June 1 arrival of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. The NASA mission includes a constellation of CubeSats called TROPICS, or Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats. The launch of this first mission, nicknamed “Rocket Like a Hurricane,” will stream live on NASA’s website and Rocket Lab’s website. Two additional CubeSats, nicknamed “Coming to a Storm Near You,” will launch from the same location later this month. The TROPICS satellites will launch from New Zealand.

☆ Rocket builder Firefly takes on high-speed Space Force mission for crucial next launch
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Michael Sheetz | In Michaeljsheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The Alpha rocket for the Space Force's Victus Nox mission stands on the launchpad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The mission for the military's Los Angeles-based Space Safari team calls for flying a Millennium Space Systems-built satellite on Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket — on remarkably short notice. The Alpha rocket for the Space Force's Victus Nox mission stands on the launchpad at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. Space Force selected Firefly and Millennium for the Victus Nox contract in October, setting off a chain of events starting with the build phase. Firefly's opportunitywatch nowFirefly originally planned to fly a NASA mission on its third Alpha rocket launch, after the company reached space with its second launch in October.

☆ Oral sex is the leading 'risk factor' for a throat cancer, expert says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-29 | by ( Isobel Van Hagen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Oral sex is now the leading "risk factor" for a throat cancer, an expert said. He said there has been a rapid increase in throat cancer cases in the West in recent decades. In both the US and the UK, oropharyngeal cancer is now more common than cancer of the cervix, he wrote. Because HPV is sexually transmitted, "for oropharyngeal cancer, the main risk factor is the number of lifetime sexual partners, especially oral sex," Mehanna said. Michael Douglas partly atributed his throat cancer diagnosis on oral sex.

☆ Investing in Space: Relativity CEO bets on bigger rockets, A.I. capabilities
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Morgan Brennan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

While it didn't reach space, the most powerful rocket ever built marked a milestone and shined a light on a broader industry trend: building bigger rockets. Take Relativity Space, a CNBC Disruptor 50 company valued at more than $4 billion, that has emerged as the posterchild of the trend. Even Rocket Lab is busy developing a more powerful rocket than its current small launch-focused Electron. CNBC's weekly "Manifest Space" podcast focuses on the billionaires and brains behind the ever-expanding opportunities beyond our atmosphere. In "Manifest Space," sit back, relax and prepare for liftoff.

☆ SpaceX and Rocket Lab are the only consistent and reliable launch companies as other space stocks have trouble raising capital, Bank of America says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Meanwhile, most other companies have had trouble raising capital in the risk-averse environment. "Fast forward to 2023, and there are truly only two launch companies that have proven consistent and reliable operations, only one of which is publicly traded Rocket Lab," analysts wrote. "When presented this reality, most satellite companies expressed their reluctance to being over reliant on certain launch companies, namely SpaceX." But other launch companies like Richard Branson's firm Virgin Orbit have run into trouble. "Also, contrary to popular belief, the space industry is not blind to the importance of profitability, and most are aggressively seeking this milestone," the note added.

☆ Fact Check-Document mentioning cryogenic-electron microscopy does not prove Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine contains graphene oxide
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Graphene oxide is not an ingredient in the vaccine,” she said. When contacted by Reuters, a Pfizer spokesperson sent a link with the full list of ingredients of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (here, see page six). No graphene oxide is listed. “We confirm that graphene oxide is not used in the manufacture of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine,” the spokesperson said. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine does not contain graphene oxide.

☆ China urges Japan not to back U.S. chip export restrictions as Washington tries to rally allies
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Washington has been trying to convince allies to back its chip export restrictions to China. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang urged Japan not to support U.S. curbs on China's semiconductor industry, as Washington continues to try to rally nations behind its chip export restrictions. Japan on Friday announced export restrictions on 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, but did not specifically name China. While these countries have put some export restrictions in place, they are still trying to maintain trade ties with China. Japan, whose biggest trading partner is China, has maintained that its chip export curtailments are not aimed at any specific country.

☆ Japan to restrict chipmaking equipment exports as it aligns with US China curbs
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Japan, home to major global chip equipment makers such as Nikon Corp (7731.T) and Tokyo Electron Ltd (8035.T), did not specify China as the target of those measures, saying equipment makers will need to seek export permission for all regions. Japan and the Netherlands in January agreed join the U.S. in restrict chipmaking equipment exports to China that could be used to manufacture sub-14 nanometre chips, but did not announce the pact to avoid provoking Beijing, sources earlier said. The Netherlands' government in a letter to parliament this month said it plans to restrict chipmaking equipment exports. The ministry said it will impose export controls on six categories of equipment used in chip manufacturing, including cleaning, deposition, lithography and etching. Tokyo Electron and Screen were little changed.

☆ Factbox: The Japanese chipmaking equipment manufacturers navigating export curbs
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Here are some of Japan's leading manufacturers of tools used to make semiconductors. In October-December, its chip equipment sales in China fell 22.3% from a year earlier to 102.7 billion yen, accounting for 22.4% of its total chip equipment sales in the quarter. SCREEN HOLDINGS CO LTD (7735.T)Screen is the world's largest manufacturer of equipment used to clean silicon wafers. The company expects shipments to China to make up 20% of chipmaking equipment sales of 375 billion yen for the year to March. About 40% of sales from its lithography machines business, which combines semiconductor lithography and flat panel display lithography equipment, is generated in China.

☆ Japan to restrict chipmaking equipment exports as it aligns with U.S. China curbs
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It did not specify China as the target of those measures, saying equipment makers will need to seek export permission for all regions. Japan and the Netherlands in January agreed join the U.S. in restrict chipmaking equipment exports to China that could be used to manufacture sub-14 nanometre chips, but did not announce the pact to avoid provoking Beijing, sources earlier said. A nanometre, or one-billionth of a meter, refers to a specific semiconductor industry technology, with fewer nanometres generally meaning the chip is more advanced. The Netherlands' government in a letter to the country's parliament this month also said it plans to restrict chipmaking equipment exports. China, which has accused the U.S. of being a "tech hegemony" because of its export restrictions, urged the Netherlands "not to follow export control measure by certain countries".

☆ Japan to restrict chipmaking equipment exports, aligning it with U.S. China curbs
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TOKYO, March 31 (Reuters) - Japan's government on Friday said it plans to restrict exports of 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, aligning it with a U.S. push to curb China's ability to make advanced chips. It did not specify China as the target of those measures, saying equipment makers will need to seek export permission for all regions. The Netherlands' government in a letter to the country's parliament this month also said it plans to restrict chipmaking equipment exports. Japan and the Netherlands in January agreed join the U.S. in restrict chipmaking equipment exports to China, sources earlier said, although Tokyo has never publicly acknowledged that there was an agreement. China has accused the U.S. of being a "tech hegemony" because of its export restrictions.

Hong Kong/Tokyo CNN —Japan will restrict the overseas sale of chip manufacturing equipment, joining the United States and the Netherlands in curbing the export of key technology to China. The ministry said it would require stricter procedures to export to about 160 destinations such as China, while 42 territories — including the United States, South Korea and Taiwan — are recognized by Japan as having adequate export controls in place. All exports to countries not formally recognized will now require approval from the Japanese trade ministry, it added. The restrictions are not aimed at a specific country, the trade ministry told CNN on Friday. In October, the United States banned Chinese companies from buying advanced chips and chipmaking equipment without a license.

☆ Japan to restrict chipmaking equipment exports as it aligns with U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Employees move semiconductor testers on the assembly line of the Advantest Corp. plant in Ora, Japan on Aug. 10, 2012. Japan's government on Friday said it plans to restrict exports of 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, aligning its technology trade controls with a U.S. push to curb China's ability to make advanced chips. The trade and industry minister in a press release said it will impose export controls on six categories of equipment used in chip manufacturing, including cleaning, deposition, lithography and etching. The export restrictions, which will come into force in July, are likely to affect equipment manufactured by a dozen Japanese companies, such as Nikon , Tokyo Electron , Screen Holdings and Advantest . Washington, however, needs Japan and the Netherlands, which are key suppliers of such equipment, to join it to make those restrictions effective.

☆ Rocket Lab targets $50 million launch price for Neutron rocket to challenge SpaceX's Falcon 9
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Michael Sheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

During its fourth-quarter report last month, Rocket Lab said it had begun producing the first tank structures of Neutron, as well as construction of the launch pad for the rocket. That means Neutron is targeting a "$50 million to $55 million launch service cost," Spice said. "We don't have any hard data on that but certainly, if that was to happen, that'd be an incredibly bullish thing for Neutron," Spice said. More than rocketsSpice also emphasized to the Bank of America audience that Rocket Lab is "much more than" just a rocket company. As CEO Peter Beck has previously noted, Rocket Lab aims to create an "end-to-end platform for customers" who need space-based services.

☆ Watch Relativity attempt the first launch of its 3D-printed rocket Terran 1
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Michael Sheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

3D-printing specialist Relativity Space is attempting its first rocket launch on Wednesday, a mission that marks the most significant test yet of the company's ambitious manufacturing approach. The company's Terran 1 rocket is launching from LC-16, a launchpad at the U.S. Space Force's facility in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The company's Terran 1 rocket stands on its launchpad at LC-16 in Cape Canaveral, Florida ahead of the inaugural launch attempt. The company says that 85% of this first Terran 1 rocket was 3D-printed. Relativity Space | gif by @thesheetztweetz

Last month he applied the brakes, slowing BP's planned cuts in oil and gas and scaling back planned renewables spending in the wake of the war in Ukraine. The oil major isn't backing away from renewables though, its green chief Anja-Isabel Dotzenrath stresses, it's simply changing the terms of the relationship. "I'm (now) just reviewing the onshore renewables part - so the onshore wind and solar part." BP's head of renewables and gas didn't elaborate on the nature of the latest review. The green stakes are high, though, given solar alone comprises more than half of BP's 43-gigawatt renewables project pipeline.

☆ Factbox: Chinese chipmaking equipment manufacturers filling void left by U.S. export restrictions
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Naura's most advanced etching machine supports 55 nm and 28 nm chipmaking technology, well behind the leading edge of chip manufacturing. The firm also makes deposition machines, which apply chemicals and gases to silicon wafers throughout the chipmaking process. It produces machines that can service the 14 nm to 28 nm process nodes of its deposition machines. ADVANCED MICRO-FABRICATION EQUIPMENT INC CHINA (AMEC) (688012.SS)AMEC makes etching equipment used to remove excess material from the surface of silicon wafers. BEIJING E-TOWN SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY CO LTD (BEST)BEST produces degumming equipment used to remove photoresist chemicals during the lithography process.

☆ Inside the fierce debate over clean hydrogen, with $100 billion in federal subsidies on the line
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Catherine Clifford | In Catclifford | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +13 min

The impact of the tax credit on emissions reductions depends on how federal agencies implement it. On one side of the debate, some energy providers say that making the rules too strict could kill the clean hydrogen industry before it ever gets off the ground. CERAWeek returned in-person to Houston celebrating its 40th anniversary with the theme "Pace of Change: Energy, Climate, and Innovation." This hourly approach to energy accounting has been adopted by Google, which has been a forerunner in adopting clean energy, for example. In the long run, Garabedian says, his stance is about protecting his company, the industry's reputation, and the tax credit.

☆ Rocket Lab quarterly revenue stays steady as space company doubles order backlog
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Michael Sheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Rocket Lab conducted two successful launches of its Electron vehicle during the quarter, generating $12 million in revenue. Rocket Lab began production of the first Neutron tank structures, as well as construction of the launch pad for the rocket. Alongside its results, Rocket Lab announced a contract for four Electron launches from satellite company Capella Space. Shares of Rocket Lab are up 19% so far this year, as of Tuesday's close at $4.50. For the first quarter of 2023, Rocket Lab expects to see launch revenue of about $18 million, and between $32 million to $35 million in Space Systems revenue.

☆ FDA says Guillain-Barre syndrome is possible risk of Pfizer's RSV vaccine for older adults
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Guillain-Barre syndrome, or inflammatory neuropathy, is a rare disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves. There was also a possible case of Guillain-Barre syndrome in GSK 's RSV vaccine trials, but the company said there was insufficient evidence to confirm a diagnosis. They will also vote Wednesday on GSK's RSV vaccine for older adults. The Guillain-Barre casesIn Pfizer's trial, a 66-year-old man in the U.S. with a history of hypertension developed Guillain-Barre symptoms seven days after vaccination. He was hospitalized again after suffering a fall and was subsequently diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

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