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Category Archives: Transhuman News

2023 GMC Sierra EV Reveals Its Futuristic Front End – Car and Driver

Posted: December 22, 2021 at 1:32 am

GMC is looking to be the first automaker to sell not just one but two electric pickup trucks. The 2023 GMC Sierra EV is set to join the existing GMC Hummer EV soon, and we now know what its front end will look like thanks to this teaser photo. With a blocked-off grille and a futuristic lighting setup, the electric version of this pickup is likely to look far more futuristic than the gas-powered Sierra.

Like the Hummer EV and the closely related Chevy Silverado EV that's also scheduled to debut in 2022, the electric Sierra will use GM's Ultium battery packs that should provide up to 400 miles of range. Many of the tidbits about the Silverado EV that Chevy has sharedsuch as its fixed glass roof and rear-wheel-steering setupshould apply to the GMC model as well. Predictably enough, the GMC EV will offer a range-topping Denali trim level.

We don't have an exact reveal date for the Sierra EV yet, but look for it to debut within the first half of 2022. GMC plans to build it alongside the Hummer and Silverado at its Factory Zero plant in Michigan.

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Keanu Reeves and futuristic stars at The Matrix Resurrections premiere – Metro.co.uk

Posted: at 1:32 am

The original stars and creator of The Matrix were joined by famous friends and co-stars on the green carpet (Pictures: FilmMagic/Rex/Reuters)

The Matrix Resurrections premiere saw star power galore as franchise leads Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss walked the green carpet alongside plenty of futuristic fashion choices from Hollywoods finest.

The event, at Castro Theatre in San Francisco,California,on Saturday reflected the location of Keanus iconic Neo character, who starts the new film living a seemingly ordinary life under his original identity of Thomas A. Anderson in San Francisco.

Keanu, 57, looked sharp in a dark suit, white shirt and a striped red, blue and white tie, while co-star Carrie-Anne, 54, who plays Trinity, pushed the boat out in plunging black gown with sheer floor-length cape and silver embellishments dripping down to the hem.

Franchise creator and the films writer and director Lana Wachowski also walked the carpet in an eye-catching ensemble, sporting a black mini-dress with latex bust and her trademark multi-coloured neon hair.

The series consists of four feature films, starting with The Matrix (1999) and continuing with back-to-back sequels, The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and The Matrix Revolutions (2003), all of which Lana helmed with sister Lily Wachowski, who opted not to return for The Matrix Resurrections.

Star Jada Pinkett Smith, who features as Niobe in the films, opted for a stunning red gown with a dramatic train, which she paired with red tights and red stilettos.

The 50-year-old also sported an intricate silver earpiece.

She posed alongside son Jaden Smith, 23, who she brought as her plus one and posed in both a puffer jacket and overcoat over his black suit ensemble, which he paired with fresh white trainers.

The franchise has also welcomed a number of new stars into the family, including Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who replaces Laurence Fishburne as a new version of Morpheus and wore a leather trench coat and black boots.

Priyanka Chopra also joins as Sati, and rocked up in shimmery style in a silver fishtail gown with a fanned embellishment of red across one shoulder, in a nod to her character.

The star recently shared her enthusiasm for being cast in the movie, writing on Instagram: They had me at Neo and Trinity are back! The Matrix trilogy defined my generation of cinema. It was the gold standard something we all role played and referenced all our lives. So, here I am a small, excited little fish in the huge cinematic pond that is THE Matrix!

She added, Needless to say, I am honoured and thrilled to be a part of this legacy and to have had the experience of working under the tutelage of Lana Wachowski and alongside this incredible, iconic cast.

Other new additions include Mindhunter star Jonathan Groff as Agent Smith, who attended the event in a black suit and mesh shirt with his boyfriend, and Neil Patrick Harris who plays The Analyst and almost stole the show in a green, purple and pink double-breasted suit with matching polo neck and purple nail varnish.

Doctor Who actress Freema Agyeman wore a metallic black draped dress, with her hair in braids and gold eye make-up, while Jessica Henwick also chose black for her gown, which featured a dramatic one-shoulder ruffle.

The Matrix Ressurections is in cinemas from December 22.

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MORE : Keanu Reeves returns to Toronto for a stylish appearance at Canadian premiere of The Matrix Resurrections

MORE : Keanu Reeves once wore Dolly Partons iconic Playboy bunny outfit as Halloween costume because why not?

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This Is the Futuristic Game Boy You’ve Been Waiting For – gearpatrol.com

Posted: at 1:32 am

It's finally here. The Analogue Pocket ($219) a gorgeous new portable console that can play old Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advanced games in really high definition was announced more than two years ago but, because of mostly pandemic-related production delays and supply chain issues, it's only now being released to the world.

If you pre-ordered the Pocket this past summer, you should be receiving the console very shortly (shipping started December 13). If you preordered early on December 14, your Pocket will arrive sometime in Q1 of 2022. If you preorder now, there's a chance your Pocket won't come until 2023. Demand is very high.

I've been lucky enough to test several of Analogue's high-end retro consoles over the last few years, including the Nt mini and the Super Nt, but the Pocket just feels different. Maybe it's because it is company's first portable console, or that it looks so damn sleek, or that it hits home more because I spent so much time playing Game Boy and Game Boy Color when was a kid, but after spending the last two weeks with the Pocket I can say that it's easily the coolest retro gaming console I've ever tested. It's fucking awesome.

Tucker Bowe

The Pocket does exactly what Analogue's other retro consoles do: it plays old games, but upscales them so they look and sound way better. According to Analogue, the Pocket is plays games at 10x the resolution of the original Game Boy and Game Boy Color and 6x the resolution of Game Boy Advanced (although there's a slight difference in screen aspect ratio). And it really does make a huge difference.

When comparing the Pocket side-by-side with my old Game Boy Color it's night and day. The Pocket's screen is a bigger and way more pixel rich, so games are so much more vibrant and colorful. It's also way brighter and, thanks to its backlit LED panel, you can easily play games in the dark. In fact, I found myself wondering how my kid-self was even able to see the screen of the Game Boy Color, which, even in the wrong light, becomes almost impossible to see.

Tucker Bowe

Admittedly, I never owned a Game Boy Advance so I'm not as well-suited to make a comparison, but Analogue did send over some old GBA cartridges (Mario Kart, Castlevania and Advanced Wars 2, specifically) and they worked without a hitch, even if I was frustratingly bad at each. Turns out, old games are hard.

But the Pocket isn't just special for its ability to make old games look good. Analogue gave it a bunch of new features and abilities that make it kind of feel like a new portable console. It has a USB-C charging port, loud stereo speakers, re-mappable buttons and 3.5mm headphone jack so you can play games with sound in private. There's even a built-in synthesizer, which is a cheeky wink to the modding and music communities who have turning original Game Boys into chiptune synths for years.

Tucker Bowe

The most convenient new feature, at least for me, is the Pocket's new sleep/wake feature. It allows you to quick press the power button and put the Pocket in a low power mode instead of turning it off; that way you can quickly boot up and pick up the game right where you left off, like in the middle of a Bomberman level or in the middle of Pokemon battle, without having to reboot the game. So it's a huge deal if you forget to save your game before turning it off, either.

Additionally, Analog is releasing a number of accessories for the Pocket, including various cables that will allow you trade and battle friends, as well as cartridge adapters for Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket and Atari Lynx games as if there weren't enough game options. However, maybe the coolest thing is a dock ($100) that, just like the Nintendo Switch, allows you to play games on your TV with wired or wireless controllers.

Tucker Bowe

The Pocket costs $219, which doesn't actually feel that much considering its cool factor and how well made it is. The only downsides, as far as I can tell, is that the Pocket doesn't have built-in Bluetooth (so no wireless headphones, unless you get an adapter) and it's 6-hour battery life isn't sensational (it takes about two hours to charge its 4,400mAh battery).

The biggest cost will probably be buying the game cartridges, which can be tricky because some of the most popular games can be difficult to find (and there are a lot of fakes out there). But if you have a lot of games already, you're good to go and you've probably ordered the Pocket months ago.

Due to component price increases, Analogue has increased the price of the Pocket from $200 to $219, meaning if you were on the first wave of Pocket preorders you saved $19.

Analogue Pocket

$219.00

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Astrophysicist Says That Supermassive Black Holes May Have "Friends" – Futurism

Posted: at 1:32 am

At least someone in the universe isn't alone. But Bestie!

Oh my god, yall the supermassive black holes at the heart of galaxies like our Milky Way may have BESTIES.

As researchers at the University of California Los Angeles announced today, theres new evidence to suggest that Sgr A* the supermassive black hole at the center of our home galaxy may have a friend, or neighboring black hole that orbits it.

But first, lets back up to a larger astrophysics theory to get the full picture of this galactic bromance.

Nobody is exactly sure, UCLA astrophysicist Smadar Naoz wrote in the announcement, why most galaxies revolve around supermassive black holes like Sgr A*. Noazs and her teams theory is that they do so because we are orbiting not one but two black holes that may be in similar formations to binary star systems.

The prevailing concept behind galaxy formation is that way back, around 100 million years into the universes existence, when the first stars began dying, their deaths also created the first black holes, whose gravitational pulls were so densethat they became the center of modern galaxies.

Galaxies evolved, Naoz wrote, by colliding and merging with each other and those collisions resulted in supermassive black holes that are exponentially denser than our Sun.

But what if, instead of just creating one black hole around which galaxies formed, these intergalactic mergers and acquisitions resulted in two one supermassive, and one smaller?

Naoz wrote that theres no way our galaxy is host to an orbiting pair of supermassive black holes because, as they study a star called SO-2 that orbits the black hole at the heart of the Milky Way every 16 years, the scientists whove been studying supermassive black holes since their existence was confirmed more than 20 years ago would have found it by now.

But that doesnt mean that a smaller companion black hole cannot still hide there, she wrote, adding that its possible Sgr A*s smaller friend may not alter the orbit of SO-2 in a way we can easily measure.

While its just a theory for now, this insight into galactic formation and its symbiotic relationship with these gigantic atom-eating celestial bodies could change the game when it comes to how we study black holes, both supermassive and otherwise.

And if nothing else, its nice to know that even black holes may not be alone in the universe.

READ MORE:Supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy may have a friend [UCLA]

More on black holes: Uh Oh, Turns Out the Universe Might Be Making Black Holes Even Bigger

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Dominate the Competition with the Best Nintendo Switch Controllers – Futurism

Posted: at 1:32 am

Offering unprecedented versatility, the Nintendo Switch has enabled you to take your game room into the wilds (or the subway) since 2017, and then bring it home to finish up on the TV. A handheld gaming consoles controls have never been so multifaceted. The Switch gives you many ways to play right out of the box. You can attach the Joy-Con controllers to the devices sides for hand-held mobile play, link the device to a television and use the Joy-Cons as two separate controllers, or combine the Joy-Cons into one linked controller.

However, even with all these options, some Nintendo Switch games call for a level of precision that just isnt available with Joy-Cons. The small flat construction of Joy-Cons also might not fit every hand size. Thats why its worth considering pro-style controllers.

With so many ways to play, its not surprising that the Nintendo Switch platform has also inspired an extensive library of available game controllers. Along with pro-style controllers, the market is also rife with often excellent controllers modeled off older systems, like the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System), or arcades. In this guide, well steer you through some of the spike-traps and point you to the best Nintendo Switch Controllers out there.

Best Overall: Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Best Budget: PowerA Wired Controller Best Retro: 8Bitdo Sn30 Pro Bluetooth Gamepad Best Joy-Con Replacement: Hori Nintendo Switch Split Pad Pro Best For Switch Lite: 8Bitdo Lite Bluetooth Gamepad

Nintendo Switch controllers come in lots of shapes and permutations. For this list I researched controllers from the most popular makers, comparing them for numerous quality and novelty points, and stacking them up against each other.

Nostalgia: With gaming nostalgia as one of the clearest selling points of the Nintendo Switch, the competition includes lots of controllers that hearken to designs from older systems, while usually updating them with the buttons needed for modern Switch gaming. These legacy designs compete with high performance models like the proprietary Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.

Longevity: While all controllers have the capacity to wear down over time, Joy-Con control sticks have an unusual propensity to drift over time, when compared to the proprietary controllers of other console systems. With lots of use, these controllers sometimes cease tracking the stick as well as theyre supposed to, either from mechanical wear, or issues with digital sensor longevity. This drift can be helped by using a second controller as your main when your Switch is plugged into the television and saving your Joy-Cons for hand-held mobile play.

Precision And Ergonomics: Some of the more nostalgia-oriented controllers, as well as included Joy-Cons, dont offer the best ergonomic precision for every hand type. Pro-style controllers are often the solution to this problem. Modeled after the classic designs found with Xbox and Playstation controllers (as well as Nintendo controllers past, like the GameCube controller), these ergonomically designed performance units yield a level of precision and comfort unavailable from the flat and relatively-squashed bodies and button configurations offered by Joy-Cons.

Bluetooth Connections: Bluetooth connections are always nice when it comes to gaming controllers, but with the Switch Lite they are especially nice. Some of the Bluetooth-compatible models also work with the Nintendo Switch Lite, which doesnt feature detachable Joy-Cons or TV play, and wont connect to most line-based controllers without aftermarket adapters. These Bluetooth-compatible controllers open up the Switch Lite to new types of play.

Related: The Best Gifts for Gamers

Why It Made The Cut: With excellent ergonomics and a tuned button array, this controller feels and works great.

Specs: Connection: Wireless Battery: Charges with USB-C to USB-A Features: HD Rumble, Motion Controls, Amiibo Reader

Pros: Ergonomic design Accurate controls Wireless connection allows it to sync with Switch Lite

Cons: Expensive

Theres a certain precedent thats come to feel like the gold standard in precision gaming controllers. Its that style of controller design that the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller hits on the head so well. For adult hands, this controller just feels good, and with its long-lasting control sticks and performance button builds, it works just as well as it feels which is why this controller is the best Nintendo Switch controller overall. Using Bluetooth wireless technology, this controller is an excellent supplement to your out-of-the-box Joy-Cons for cross-room play when your Switch is hooked up to the TV, but it also functions beautifully as a supplemental controller to the Switch Lite. With the Switch Lite you wont need to buy any sort of aftermarket controller line connection like the Switch Dual USB Playstand By HORI, instead the Pro Controller seamlessly links to your device.

The one downside to the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is that it is expensive, and its often on backorder. Sometimes it can be hard to get one of these from a reputable seller. The available stock is often bought up online by scalpers who charge exorbitant fees. Meaning youll have to wait for the next release to get one at a good price.

Why It Made The Cut: This no-frills wired controller still does an excellent job where it counts.

Specs: Connection: Wired 10 ft USB Battery: N/A Features: Lots of fun color options

Pros: Cheap Get one with your favorite Nintendo character on it Good functionality and feels good

Cons: No rumble No Bluetooth Wont work with Switch Lite

Looking for a controller that fits in your hands better than your Joy-Cons? Want to save money on some secondary controllers for multiplayer Super Smash Brothers Ultimate Game Night? This wired Switch controller from PowerA doesnt come with special features like HD Rumble or Motion Controls, but it does do its job, and it does it well making it our pick for the best budget Nintendo Switch controller. With a 10-foot cord, wired doesnt have to mean on the floor at the foot of the TV. The buttons and stick controller work well, and the controller feels good. That means that this controller is situated at the perfect position between price and function to make it an excellent pick to fill out your controller collection without having to empty your wallet. We also love the fun print designs on these controllers, that make it truly yours.

If youre attracted to the lower price point of the PowerA Wired Controller but you want a little more, the PowerA Wireless Enhanced does most of the things we love about the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller for a price thats substantially lower.

Why It Made The Cut: This retro controller is packed with features, like Bluetooth compatibility, solid rumble, and motion controls.

Specs: Connection: Wireless Battery: Charges with USB-C Features: Rumble, clickable joysticks, motion controls

Pros: Classic D-Pad Connects to Switch Lite with USBCompatible with PC, Mac, Steam and others

Cons: Might not have the best build quality for great longevity

Miss the glory days of SNES gaming? Some game classics just feel better on the types of controllers they were built for, whether you experienced playing them back in their heyday, or your Dad did. The 8Bitdo Sn30 Pro Bluetooth Gamepad takes you back to 1990 while still delivering the functionality you expect today. Capable of syncing with your Switch Lite with a Bluetooth pairing, or delivering great control wirelessly for a multiplayer session on the home theater, this retro controller is also pairable with PC, Mac, Steam, and Raspberry Pi. The controller charges with a USB-C connection. It serves up powerful rumbles, delivers motion-detection support, and even includes a screenshot button.

8Bitdo isnt constrained to one SNES design port, however. They also offer an incredible arcade-style controller in the 8Bitdo Arcade Stick for Switch & Windows, which makes a beautiful fighting game controller thats as fun to play on as it is impressive to look at. It might have the best design as a (somewhat) novelty controller of anything on the market. The company also offers an excellent retro option with handles in the 8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller, which does everything the Sn30 does with a slightly different design.

Why It Made The Cut: With its ergonomic design, these Joy-Con replacements make your Nintendo Switch more comfortable than ever in handheld mode.

Specs: Connection: Plug in Battery: N/A Features: Larger buttons, assignable rear triggers

Pros: Great ergonomics for larger hands Less drift issues with control stick

Cons: No rumble No motion support

If youre like many of us and the Nintendo Switch with Joy-Cons is just a little too small for long gaming sessions, then the Hori Nintendo Switch Split Pad Pro is a solid ergonomic solution making it the best Joy-Con replacement. These large Joy-Con replacements can revolutionize hand-held gaming on the system for those with larger hands. With rear triggers, solid control sticks unmarred by some of the drift tendencies youll find in out-of-the-box Joy-Cons, and mappable buttons, this controller makes your Switch feel like a Pro controller even in handheld mode.

That said, these do come with some drawbacks. Unlike the Joy-Cons, these arent removable for play when your device is connected to a television. The lack of rumble and motion support can also be an issue, as many games make motion support a critical part of how theyre played. However for shooters, and twitchy fast-paced games, these responsive Joy-Con replacements can really make the difference.

Why It Made The Cut: With a remarkably clicky D-pad control, this controller is meant as a supplemental SNES-style controller that does a sincerely great job at that.

Specs: Connection: Bluetooth Battery: Rechargeable USB-C Features: Clicky D-Pad, rear triggers

Pros: Optimized for 2D play Works with Switch Lite Bluetooth compatible

Cons: No joy sticks Missing some of the higher end features

Often on the road with the kids? Like 2D party games? This is a controller meant for specific situations and types of gameplay. While the 8Bitdo Lite Bluetooth Gamepad will never compare to a pro-style controller for shooters, its not meant to. This retro controller is Bluetooth compatible and perfect for group play on any of the Switchs 2D multiplayer games. Pairable with a Nintendo Switch Lite, this works great for multiplayer sessions in the back of the car. Its also an excellent choice for anyone who simply misses the feel of old SNES controllers and wants to experience some classic platformers on the controller type they were meant for. With an excellent clicky D-Pad, this will live up to your memories of SNES controllers past.

For something even more portable, the Zero 2 brings an even tinier controller. At an extremely low price point for a USB controller, its a perfect solution when youve got lots of hands crowded around the Switch Lite.

While some controllers like the PowerA Wireless Enhanced will work well for most any type of game, there are others that excel at specific genres. If youre a platformer fan, or 2D-party-game connoisseur (and Nintendo Switch is the right place to be if youre either), the 8Bitdo Lite Bluetooth Gamepad has one of the nicest clicky D-Pads weve seen. In some games, a clicky D-Pad might be more important than all the rest. If youre a fan of high-end shooters, you should consider investing in the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller with its excellent build quality.

Right out of the box the Nintendo Switch comes with some excellent controllers. The Joy-Cons are innovative. Compatible with so many modes of play, youll be ready for lots of genres and play situations without investing a dime more. However, Joy-Cons do present limitations with their small size and their propensity for joy-stick drift. For certain games, you might want something more.

With the Switch OLED hitting the market in October 2021, the platform now has three main families. That said, most controllers that work on any Nintendo Switch will work on all, with the Switch Lites limitations being the exception. The Switch Lite only connects to USB controllers or controllers connected via the Switch Dual USB Playstand By HORI.

Q: Do you need extra Joy-Cons for Switch?No, the included Joy-Cons work perfectly well and even work for multiplayer. However, you can always add more or sub in a different type of controller for other play options.

Q: How much does a Nintendo Switch controller cost?Most Nintendo Switch Controllers cost between $20 and $100. For most users, it shouldnt be necessary to spend more than $100. Youll be hard pressed to find a really good controller for less than $20.

Q: What controller is best for Fortnite Nintendo Switch?We love the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller for Fortnite. Its perfectly calibrated for shooters with its quality control sticks and its ergonomic design makes it fit the hand excellently. Alternatively, the PowerA Wireless Enhanced is a great option that has many of the same features as the Pro.

Q: What controller is better for small hands?For really small hands we love the 8Bitdo Zero 2 which makes for an excellent Bluetooth compatible group controller for the Switch Lite. The performance 8Bitdo Sn30 Pro is also a solid choice that updates a classic SNES-inspired design with modern features.

Q: Is a Pro Controller or GameCube Controller better?GameCube controllers do make excellent controllers; they even have motion controls and rumble. The PowerA Wireless GameCube Style Controller also makes a nice contemporary alternative. However, the Pro is still our pick as the best overall controller for Nintendo Switch, and thats because of its top-line ergonomics, excellent button and control stick design, and special features that bring it up-to-date in a way that a classic GameCube controller just isnt quite.

With its emphasis on versatility and nostalgia, the Nintendo Switch remains one of the most exciting platforms in modern gaming. Its community of controllers comes with a breadth of options that sails beyond the competition. No matter your play style the Switch has something for you. With the OLED edition updating the systems visuals, the platform just keeps getting better. For the best performance Joy-Con controller alternative out there, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is our overall favorite. However, we cant help but love the interesting retro-inspired updates that 8Bitdo keeps dishing out, and the 8Bitdo Sn30 Pro Bluetooth Gamepad is no different. Whether youre into high-end shooters, or 2D classic platformers, theres a Nintendo Switch Controller out there for you.

This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurisms owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.

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Texarkana ISD student research project selected for microgravity experiment at the International Space Station | Texarkana Today – TXK Today

Posted: at 1:31 am

A microgravity experiment developed by a group of Texarkana ISD sixth graders is heading to the International Space Station in 2022, following a rigorous selection process through the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP).

This fall, all fifth-grade students at Martha and Josh Morriss Mathematics & Engineering Elementary School, and all sixth, seventh and eighth-grade Texas Middle School students enrolled in Science Honors spent six weeks learning about microgravity experimental design and developed more than 140 proposals that competed for inclusion in the SSEP Mission 16 to the International Space Station. The top three projects from TISD were then submitted to the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE) for consideration by the SSEP Mission 16 Step 2 Review Board, and on Thursday, the program announced the final selections.

The Effects of Space Travel and Microgravity on Hybrid Brine Shrimp Eggs, an experiment created by TISD sixth graders Tiffany Bowen, Jaeden Rios and Rivers Glass, is now bound for the International Space Station in the Spring/Summer of 2022.

We are extremely proud of all our student researchers in TISD, as they have shown a tremendous amount of commitment and dedication during the last few weeks, said Todd Marshall, Director TISD CTE and STEM Education. We are thrilled to have these sixth graders representing our district at the national and global level.

Texarkana ISD is one of 23 participating communities in three countries (USA, Canada, and Ukraine) that are participating in this years SSEP program. The program gives students the ability to design and propose real microgravity experiments that are proposed to be conducted aboard the International Space Station.

Following this weeks announcement, and in accordance with SSEP guidelines, the group of TISD students will continue to refine and optimize their experiments design so that it can be cleared for the mission.

About the SSEP:The Student Spaceflight Experiments Program [or SSEP] is a program of the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education (NCESSE) in the U.S. and the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space Education internationally. It is enabled through a strategic partnership with Nanoracks LLC, which is working with NASA under a Space Act Agreement as part of the utilization of the International Space Station as a National Laboratory.

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NASA’s Perseverance Rover Confirms the Presence of Organic Molecules on Mars – Why the Discovery Could Be More Important Than Ever – Optic Flux

Posted: at 1:21 am

Mars is the place of hope for many astronomers. Its very far away for us: the average distance is roughly 54 million kilometers. But the distance is nothing for the unfathomable distances that traverse the Universe.

Whats for sure is that long ago, there were floods of water on Mars, similar to how it happens on Earth. Those times are far gone, but the Red Planet still poses interest for astronomers today. The reason is that humanity might have a chance to colonize it, although its highly unrealistic to believe that it shall be possible in the near future.

However, scientists continue to take steps towards understanding in a better way how habitable or inhabitable Mars is. Its indeed great to see that astronomers keep struggling to uncover the Red Planets secrets!

According to ScienceAlert.com, scientists reveal that by using the Perseverance rover of NASA, organic molecules were discovered in rocks and dust from the Jezero Crater of Mars. A new instrument of the rover was used for the discovery: the Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals (SHERLOC for short).

While were not talking about the first time when organic compounds have been found on the Red Planet, the new discovery is important because it suggests the ability of Martian rocks to preserve organic compounds well. This leads to the idea that biological organic material can also be preserved.

Luther Beegle, a planetary scientist of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA from Southern California, explained as cited by ScienceAlert.com:

What SHERLOC adds to the story is its capability to map the spatial distribution of organics inside rocks and relate those organics to minerals found there.

But celebration could still be far away, as the same scientist says as quoted by the same source:

This helps us understand the environment in which the organics formed. More analysis needs to be done to determine the method of production for the identified organics.

Therefore, organic molecules exist on Mars, but finding any complex life dwelling there is still unlikely, at least for now.

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Prediction hits and misses for 2021 – Bangkok Post

Posted: at 1:21 am

It is time once again to look back at 2021 to see what happened and how my predictions panned out.

- There were two major items influencing the IT world in 2021. One was the chip shortage and the other was of course Covid-19. My prediction about the need for a Covid passport for travel came true and for many countries is still very relevant. The Omicron variant may change that, but for the moment vaccine passports will remain.

- I was correct about the increasing collection of all types of personal data but wrong about any of the social media giants being broken up. If anything, they seemed to have gained even more power across the globe. As for the usual assortment of hardware, there was nothing other than incremental upgrades. Hard drives did hit 20TB, but only 18TB in the regular consumer market, so I'll give myself half points. Standalone monitors via Bluetooth or wireless also became quite affordable this year. As predicted the 1TB microSD became affordable and still the biggest easily available size. While 2-4TB thumb drives did appear, there were also a lot of fake ones in that range on eBay and elsewhere. Hint, a 2 or 4TB thumb drive does not cost 500 baht.

- Despite some crazy assertions of it affecting people's brains, 5G technology spread more widely this year but not as much as I expected. New smartphones from the mid-range and up support this technology for faster data transfers, but I didn't get a 5G connection all that often. I did see some general connectivity issues working from home but not as many as I thought. The main letdown was from applications like Outlook and Teams having multiple problems throughout the year. As expected, we did see many companies finding the work from home model works well enough to share time in the office with some at home. This helped many with office accommodation requirements and costs.

- Also as expected many small to medium companies did not survive a year of Covid, while many of the larger companies thrived. Social media giants and others doubled their revenues in 2021. The travel industry took a big hit and some airlines have either collapsed or are in trouble. I made some predictions about the Amazon Halo Band. This did not spread as widely as I expected so that prediction failed.

- Finally, as far as my predictions, the vaccine rollout ended up causing more problems than it solved and we have had more than my predicted single variant in the past year. Vaccine manufacturers had a year of stellar profits and they are unwilling to see that money train slow down. So, all in all I did about usual, a bit above 50% but not all that well, particularly with the chip shortages.

- In a trial at Brown University using a transmitter in a human brain, a patient was connected to a computer to control robotic limbs with thought alone, ie, by imagining their movements. This is very promising for those with spinal cord injuries. A private citizen, Richard Branson became the first to reach space in his own spaceship. Others followed throughout the year but that was a great achievement. So was the Mars rover Perseverance using Moxie, or the Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment, to convert some of the Mars atmosphere into oxygen. This is a first step in the colonisation of Mars.

- Proving yet again that Einstein was right, light was observed for the first time coming from behind a black hole. El Salvador was the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, alongside the US dollar. Other countries have announced their own cryptocurrency initiatives to add one to their current banking system but not necessarily Bitcoin, rather a country controlled one. China was one of the first to announce this. The industry seems to have some concerns about this direction so we will see where we are in a few years.

- A piece of digital artwork named Everydays: The First 5000 Days by the artist Mike Winkelmann was sold by the auction house Christie's for US$69.3 million (about 2.3 billion baht). This also marked the first time that cryptocurrency was accepted as a form of payment. Since we also need to include the not-so-nice uses of technology, according to a UN report the first autonomous drone was used to hunt down and kill human targets in Libya. This would be the first example of the forerunner of Skynet-like technology where an AI based system was given control to hunt humans. Plarium's RAID: Shadow Legends won worst mobile game for the year.

- Before you do any travel, you may want to turn off Google's tracking. Login to your google.com account, click on your icon letter top right and then on Manage your Google account. Now click on Privacy & personalization then Things you've done and places you've been. Now inside the History Settings box click on Location History opening Activity Controls. Under Location History, click the button on the right that reads Turn off and in the pop-up windows scroll down and click Pause. This prevents Google from storing location markets linked to specific actions and the storing of information collected from searches or other activities. See how easy they make it? Happy New Year.

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Prediction hits and misses for 2021 - Bangkok Post

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Ear eczema: Symptoms, causes, and treatment

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Eczema can appear anywhere on the body, including the outside of the ear or inside the ear canal.

People with ear eczema may notice dry, flaky skin in or around their ears. This symptom may develop after contact with specific triggers, such as beauty products or metal jewelry.

Ear eczema may lead to infection and inflammation of the ear canal, called acute otitis externa. Using a range of treatment and prevention methods, people can often reduce ear eczema symptoms and flares.

Ear eczema is a red, itchy rash that develops on the outside of the ear or inside the ear canal.

Ear eczema can sometimes arise without any triggers, in which case it is called aural eczematoid dermatitis. People who are prone to seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis are more likely than others to have aural eczematoid dermatitis.

Contact with certain irritants can also cause ear eczema. This type of eczema is called contact dermatitis. Soaps, hair dyes, and metal jewelry can all trigger contact dermatitis in and around the ears.

Babies and children commonly get areas of eczema on the face, including the ears. This inflammatory skin condition is not contagious.

Ear eczema causes symptoms that are similar to those of eczema on other parts of the body. People with ear eczema may experience:

The symptoms of ear eczema can also affect the area behind the ear and the crease where the ear attaches to the head.

For most people, the symptoms of eczema will be mild to moderate. However, in some cases, the itching can become intense and lead to the following:

People should avoid scratching eczema, as this can lead to very inflamed areas of skin that may bleed and make eczema symptoms worse.

Doctors and researchers are not sure exactly what causes eczema, but they believe that many factors may play a role.

These factors might include a gene mutation that affects a protein called filaggrin, which develops a protective barrier on the skin. This mutation could leave the skin vulnerable to irritation and infection.

Many people with eczema also have overactive immune systems. When they encounter a trigger, their immune system reacts by causing skin inflammation.

Common triggers for eczema include:

Doctors can often diagnose eczema, including ear eczema, with a routine physical examination. As well as carrying out a visual assessment of the area, they will ask the individual about any symptoms.

In some cases, doctors may order skin tests to help diagnose the specific form of eczema or identify which allergens are triggering the persons symptoms.

The primary treatment for people with eczema generally involves using home remedies and making lifestyle changes.

Home remedies for ear eczema include the following:

For some people with ear eczema, home remedies and lifestyle changes are insufficient to manage the condition.

It may take some trial and error to find an effective treatment for ear eczema. However, a doctor can recommend different treatment options or combinations of treatments.

The treatment for ear eczema may include a combination of the following:

People may mistake ear eczema for other skin conditions with similar symptoms, including:

In most cases, a doctor can identify eczema and recommend suitable treatments.

Ear eczema is not usually severe. However, the itchiness and dry skin can be frustrating, and these symptoms can get worse if people scratch the affected area. Eczema inside the ear can also make people prone to ear canal infections.

However, with proper treatment, eczema generally clears up with no long-term effects. Most people with ear eczema can successfully manage their condition with the help of a doctor and some home remedies and lifestyle changes.

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Ear eczema: Symptoms, causes, and treatment

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Dermatitis – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

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Overview

Dermatitis is a general term that describes a common skin irritation. It has many causes and forms and usually involves itchy, dry skin or a rash. Or it might cause the skin to blister, ooze, crust or flake off. Three common types of this condition are atopic dermatitis (eczema), seborrheic dermatitis and contact dermatitis.

Dermatitis isn't contagious, but it can make you feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. Moisturizing regularly helps control the symptoms. Treatment may also include medicated ointments, creams and shampoos.

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Atopic dermatitis can cause thickened dry skin and a rash.

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Atopic dermatitis can cause small, red bumps, which can be very itchy. Atopic dermatitis most often occurs where your skin flexes inside the elbows, behind the knees and in front of the neck.

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Seborrheic dermatitis causes a rash with yellowish and somewhat "oily" scales. In addition to the scalp, seborrheic dermatitis can occur on the sides of the nose, in and between the eyebrows, and in other oil-rich areas.

Each type of dermatitis tends to occur on a different part of your body. Signs and symptoms may include:

See your doctor if:

A common cause of dermatitis is contact with something that irritates your skin or triggers an allergic reaction for example, poison ivy, perfume, lotion and jewelry containing nickel. Other causes of dermatitis include dry skin, a viral infection, bacteria, stress, genetic makeup and a problem with the immune system.

Common risk factors for dermatitis include:

Scratching the itchy rash associated with dermatitis can cause open sores, which may become infected. These skin infections can spread and may very rarely become life-threatening.

In people with brown and Black skin, dermatitis might cause the affected area to darken or lighten (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation). It might take months or years to return to your usual skin color.

Wear protective clothing if you are doing a task that involves irritants or caustic chemicals.

Avoid dry skin by adopting these habits when bathing:

Dermatitis care at Mayo Clinic

Sept. 22, 2021

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Dermatitis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

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