Month: August 2021

Categories
Science

Astronomy and geophysics are stuffed with bullying and harassment

Astronomy and geophysics are full of bullying and harassment

It is a general insurance policy from adults to teenagers and adolescents who are constantly exposed to the threat of violence, cyberbullying and marginalization: “It gets better.” Once you graduate, when you are adult and entering work, all abuse will be and stop mistreatment and people will appreciate you for who you are. All of the hard work and perseverance you have shown over these many years will finally pay off.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case and the MINT fields are not immune either. This is the conclusion of the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) based on a recent survey of 650 astronomers and geophysicists. They found that 44% of respondents reported workplace bullying and harassment in the previous year, which was disproportionately high among women and minorities.

The survey was commissioned by the RAS Committee on Diversity in Astronomy and Geophysics and conducted by two key people – Aine O’Brien, the RAS Diversity Officer; and Dr. Sheila Kanani, RAS Education, Public Relations and Diversity Officer. The results were presented by O’Briend during the National Virtual Astronomy Meeting held on Thursday, July 22, 2021. Specifically, the first results of the survey showed the following:

  • Disabled and Black and Ethnic Minority Astronomers and Geophysicists are 40% more likely to be bullied than their non-disabled and white counterparts (respectively).
  • Women and non-binary people in the field are bullied and harassed 50% more often than men.
  • 50% of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer astronomers and geophysicists have been bullied in the past 12 months, and 12% of bisexual astronomers reported having been bullied at least once a week.

Jerrie Cobb was the first woman to undergo the same selection tests as the Mercury astronauts. She and 12 others became the Mercury 13 candidates, none of whom became astronauts due to NASA’s recruitment policy. Photo credit: NASA

As O’Brien explained in a recent RAS press release, the results of this survey make it clear that STEM subjects also suffer from a culture of discrimination:

“This is the first time that such data is being collected in our area. It’s grim, unfortunately not surprising, but it’s clear evidence that we need to improve the workplace culture in science. We have a well-reported STEM diversity problem and that doesn’t help. Women and minorities feel they are being ousted. “

These results may surprise many, considering that the STEM areas are seen as bastions of tolerance, open-mindedness, and the pursuit of scientific truth. However, this does not change the fact that science and science have suffered from systemic gender and racial discrimination for so long, which is evident in the underrepresentation of women and people of color in all areas.

In short, the MINT subjects and their related professions have long been considered “boys’ clubs”. That this attitude will persist well into the 21st century is worrying, to say the least. Professor Emma Bunce, President of the RAS said:

“The results of the survey are indeed very worrying and we must act to change this unacceptable situation. The RAS is doing important work to uncover these facts, and we are committed to working with the community to urgently improve the astronomy and geophysics environment. “

Katherine Johnson, a NASA “computer” that helped make the Mercury program a reality. Photo credit: NASA.

Unfortunately, attempts to be more representative have often encountered difficulties in the past due to a culture of harassment and eligibility in the workplace where certain people felt unwelcome. Although progress and movement has been made over the past few decades, it is clear that significant work remains to be done. Dr. Natasha Stephen, Chair of the RAS Committee for Diversity in Astronomy & Geophysics (CDAG):

“Our RAS community is becoming more and more diverse, but anything but fair. This survey highlights the inequality of lived experiences in our global community and paints a worrying picture of how people from marginalized communities are often treated. We recognize that these largely intersectional issues cannot be resolved overnight, but CDAG will work with RAS fellows and the wider field to understand and address these systemic issues. “

The data was collected as part of a broader survey aimed at characterizing workplace culture in astronomy and geophysics based on the experiences of its employees. The main objective was to identify and combat all cases of suffering, bullying and harassment that were allowed to continue. The full survey results will be released by the RAS later this summer.

While these results are cause for concern, it is comforting to know that there is no shortage of people in the scientific community willing to look into the problem.

Further reading: RAS

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Sport

Steelers vs. Cowboys rating, outcomes: Najee Harris, Kalen Ballage key Pittsburgh win in Corridor of Fame Sport

Steelers vs. Cowboys score, results: Najee Harris, Kalen Ballage key Pittsburgh win in Hall of Fame Game

The NFL on Thursday returned to the field for its first exhibition since 2019. The Steelers and Cowboys squared off in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

The contest was filled with the typical preseason miscues, and the Steelers came out on top 16-3.

The Steelers’ running game was more consistent than the Cowboys’ rushing attack. While Dallas’ Rico Dowdle led with 43 yards on eight carries, Pittsburgh’s backs were able to generate yardage throughout the game.

Rookie running back Najee Harris was solid in his preseason debut. The Steelers’ 2021 first-round pick notched a team-leading 22 rushing yards on seven carries. Kalen Ballage helped the Steelers’ cause by scoring the game’s lone rushing touchdown.

IYER: Steelers show Najee Harris will have big role in 2021

Joshua Dobbs was the only quarterback to throw a touchdown. The Steelers’ third-string option on Thursday completed 4 of 6 passes for 37 yards and the score. Mason Rudolph notched 84 yards on 6-of-9 passing (he also fumbled), while Dwayne Haskins completed 8 of 13 for 54 yards in his Steelers debut.

Cowboys backup Garrett Gilbert paced the field with 104 yards on 9-of-13 passing.

The Cowboys outgained the Steelers 347-250 for the game, but Pittsburgh won the turnover battle, forcing three Cowboys turnovers while committing only one. 

Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from Steelers vs. Cowboys in the 2021 Hall of Fame Game. Below are the key moments from the NFL’s preseason opener.

MORE: Watch NFL games live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)

Steelers vs. Cowboys score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F
Steelers 0 0 9 7 16
Cowboys 3 0 0 0 3

Steelers vs. Cowboys live updates, highlights from Hall of Fame Game

(All times Eastern)

10:55 p.m. —  An incomplete pass ends the game. The Steelers emerge with a 16-3 victory over the Cowboys in the Hall of Fame Game.

10:54 p.m. —  Well, DiNucci just scrambled for about 25 yards to pick up the fourth down. There are four seconds left.

10:53 p.m. —  DiNucci completed a couple of downfield passes but was sacked by Abdullah Anderson to force a fourth-and-19.

10:49 p.m. —  Dobbs rolled out on what appeared to be a bootleg, but he didn’t have a running lane. He tried to pass, but it fell incomplete. The Cowboys will get the ball back with a chance to try out a two-minute drill.

10:46 p.m. —  We’ve reached the two-minute warning. The Steelers lead 16-3 and have the ball inside the Cowboys’ 10-yard line. It’s fourth-and-1. They’ll probably go for it to try to get a first down and run out the clock.

10:44 p.m. —  Josh Dobbs completes another pass, this one to Anthony Johnson. The Steelers get a first down and an opportunity to bleed more time off the clock.

10:41 p.m. —  Reggie Davis muffs the return for the Cowboys. The ball bounced up into his chest and fell back in front of him. Anthony Johnson jumps on the ball and the Steelers retain it in good field position.

10:40 p.m. —  The Steelers go three-and-out as well. The two teams are content to keep the clock moving at this point in the contest. Under six minutes left.

10:36 p.m. —  The Cowboys go three-and-out and punt back to the Steelers. There’s 7:47 left and the Steelers have a 16-3 lead that they’re unlikely to relinquish.

Score: Steelers 16, Cowboys 3

10:30 p.m. — Touchdown , Steelers. Joshua Dobbs throws a nice pass to an open Tyler Simmons in the end-zone. That, plus Sam Sloman’s extra point, gives the Steelers a 16-3 lead with 8:44 left in the fourth quarter.

10:29 p.m. —  Matthew Sexton makes a nice catch, but the throw is well out of bounds. Third and goal for the Steelers, who are up six.

10:26 p.m. —  Joshua Dobbs has checked in to the game for the Steelers. He is the third quarterback to play for them and completes a 17-yard swing pass to Trey Edmunds to start the Steelers’ drive.

10:22 p.m. — After JaQuan Hardy came up short of a first-down by one yard, the Cowboys elected to go for it. Ben DiNucci attempted a deep downfield pass, but the Steelers perfectly defended it. The pass fell incomplete and the Steelers get the ball back in great position; inside the Cowboys’ 35-yard line.

10:18 p.m. —  Dwayne Haskins hits Rico Bussey coming across the field on third down, but Bussey couldn’t quite get by the Cowboys defender guarding him. On fourth down, Pressley Harvin III comes out and punts it down to Dallas’ 11-yard line.

End of third quarter: Steelers 9, Cowboys 3

10:14 p.m. —  Anthony Johnson had a catch for the Steelers but fumbled it. Steelers receiver Isaiah McKoy was able to jump on the ball after it went across the line of scrimmage. First down, Steelers.

10:09 p.m. — After the long completion, the Cowboys can’t move any further. Dallas punts and the Steelers get the ball at the 20-yard-line after a touchback.

10:03 p.m. —  DiNucci completes a ball deep downfield to Aaron Parker for 34 yards. The Cowboys are now in Steelers territory.

Score: Steelers 9, Cowboys 3

9:57 p.m. —  After missing his first two kicks of the game, Sam Sloman nails a 48-yard field goal. The Steelers extend their lead to six, 9-3.

9:56 p.m. —  The Steelers’ offense stalls out. Here comes another field goal attempt.

9:52 p.m. —  The Steelers go for it one fourth-and-1 after Anthony McFarland Jr. was tackled just shy of a first down. Kalen Ballage converts.

9:50 p.m. —  Right on cue, DiNucci tosses a downfield pass that is intercepted by undrafted rookie Donovan Stiner. Stiner got a nice jump on the ball and had a solid return on the play.

9:49 p.m. —  Simi Fekoho draws a pass interference call on the Steelers to jumpstart the Cowobys’ offense. Can Ben DiNucci do anything with the improved field position?

Score: Steelers 6, Cowboys 3

9:43 p.m. —  Touchdown , Steelers. Kalen Ballage gets the Steelers on the board with a 5-yard touchdown run. The first TD of the game makes it 6-3 after Sam Sloman misses the extra point, wide right. 

9:41 p.m. — A Dwayne Haskins completion and nice runs by Anthony McFarland Jr. and Kalen Ballage sets the Steelers up with a first and goal from the 5-yard line.

9:40 p.m. —  Nice return for Matthew Sexton! The Steelers returner breaks a 34-yard return and nearly got through for a score before the punter slowed him down.

9:39 p.m. —  DiNucci’s first series didn’t go well. The offensive line struggled to block for him and allowed a tackle for loss on a run and a sack. DiNucci completed his only pass for one yard. Punt upcoming.

9:37 p.m. —  Halftime is in the books. Ben DiNucci will lead the Cowboys onto the field for the second half.

9:30 p.m. —  Najee Harris logged 22 rushing yards on seven carries in the first half. His day is probably over. Meanwhile, Micah Parsons has three tackles and a fumble recovery for Dallas. A solid showing for both of the first-round rookies.

End of second quarter: Cowboys 3, Steelers 0

9:23 p.m. —  The Steelers take a knee. Halftime is here.

9:22 p.m. —  Hunter Niswander tries a 52-yard field goal. It’s way off to the right. There’s one second left in the half and the Cowboys have a 3-0 lead.

9:20 p.m. —  Isaiah Buggs is whistled for the Steelers’ first penalty of the game. It’s a roughing the passer call. The Cowboys have life; first-and-10 on the 35-yard line with 33 seconds left in the half.

9:16 p.m. —  Rico Dowdle gets the Cowboys out of trouble. He breaks off a 25-yard run to give the Cowboys ample breathing room.

9:14 p.m. —  Wow, Steelers punter Pressley Harvin III just unleashed a perfect punt. It comes to rest just inches ahead of the goal-line. The Cowboys are backed up big-time for their two-minute drill.

9:11 p.m. —  Haskins got one first down, but he can’t lead the team to a second. His pass to Zach Gentry is broken up by a Cowboys defender. It’s fourth-and-5 at the two-minute warning.

9:09 p.m. —  Haskins completes his first pass for nine yards. Solid start.

9:08 p.m. —  Dwayne Haskins is now in the game for the Steelers. Here’s how the former first-round pick of the Washington Football Team landed with the Steelers.

9:05 p.m. —  The Cowboys choose to go for it on fourth-and-15. They actually convert thanks to a catch by Malik Turner, but Turner fumbles it. The Steelers recover and Antoine Brooks gets a nice little return out of it.

9:02 p.m. —  There’s our first penalty of the game. The Cowboys are whistled for holding. That sets up a third-and-15 that is nearly intercepted by the Steelers. The Cowboys line up to go for it on fourth-and-15 but then call the first timeout of the game.

8:58 p.m. —  Cooper Rush is in at quarterback for the Cowboys. He completes his first pass for 13 yards to Sean McKeon.

8:57 p.m. —  Claypool walked off the field under his own power, according to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.

Chase Claypool atones for the earlier drop with a very, very nice 45-yard catch. Reached out for it and had to dive to catch it. Tried to get up and run for a few extra yards before he’s tackled.

He was down on the field for a while, but walks off. I’d say that’s it for Claypool

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 6, 2021

8:55 p.m. —  The two teams are a combined one for three on field goals now. Sam Sloman misses the field goal wide-right. It’s still 3-0 Cowboys.

8:54 p.m. —  The Steelers only go backward after Claypool’s injury. They lose two yards on two Najee Harris runs and a Mason Rudolph incompletion that was well behind James Washington. Field goal attempt upcoming.

8:50 p.m. —  Uh oh. Chase Claypool makes a great, diving catch for a 45-yard gain, but he’s down after the play. Claypool had 62 catches for 873 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie. 

8:49 p.m. —  Erin Andrews is interviewing Ezekiel Elliott on the sidelines. He’s down 10 pounds after “cleaning up” his diet during the offseason.

8:45 p.m. —  Well, so much for Knight’s heads-up play. The Cowboys’ short field goal is blocked by the Steelers. The score remains 3-0 in Dallas’ favor.

8:44 p.m. —  Heads up play by left tackle Brandon Knight. He lets his man get by Garrett Gilbert who was strip-sacked, but Knight jumps on it. That gives the Cowboys an opportunity to kick a field goal on fourth down.

8:43 p.m. —  Peyton Manning is talking about his new, alternate ESPN broadcast with Eli Manning where the two of them will watch football together. He’s also joking about the size of his neck and forehead. Never change, Peyton. Never change.

8:42 p.m. —  The Cowboys start the second quarter with a 17-yard catch and run by Sewo Olonilua and a 9-yard run by Rico Dowdle. They’re nearing the red-zone once again.

End of first quarter: Cowboys 3, Steelers 0

8:37 p.m. —  On third down, Garrett Gilbert converts again. He completes a 13-yard pass to Sean McKeon. The Cowboys needed 12 yards. First down, Cowboys at the end of the first quarter.

8:34 p.m. — Cedrick Wilson records the biggest catch of the game so far. Garrett Gilbert hits him for a gain of 21.

8:32 p.m. —  Najee Harris already has four carries for 18 yards for the Steelers. He also has a 3-yard catch. The Steelers are certainly looking to get him some touches at the beginning of his NFL career.

8:30 p.m. —  The Steelers moved the ball out around midfield but Chase Claypool dropped a pass on third down. It was a bit out in front of him, but it was catchable. The Steelers put down to the Cowboys 10-yard line.

8:26 p.m. —  Pittsburgh’s offense gets back on the field and Rudolph completes a screen pass to Diontae Johnson. He takes the ball for a first down.

Score: Cowboys 3, Steelers 0

8:22 p.m. —  The Steelers get a third-down stop. The Steelers get pressure on Gilbert again and Tre Norwood nearly gets an interception. The Cowboys settle for a field goal and take a 3-0 lead.

8:21 p.m. —  The Steelers notch the first sack of the preseason. Alex Highsmith beats Ty Nsekhe at left tackle to bring down Gilbert. It’s Highsmith’s second pressure of the game; he forced Gilbert into an incompletion on the first.

8:20 p.m. —  Another third down, another conversion. Gilbert has plenty of time in the pocket and finds Rico Dowdle out of the backfield. Dowdle takes it to the five. First and goal for the Cowboys.

8:18 p.m. —  On third down, Gilbert completes another pass. Noah Brown makes a strong-handed catch. First down, Cowboys, at the Steelers’ 20-yard line.

8:16 p.m. —  Garrett Gilbert starts at quarterback for the Cowboys. He finds Dalton Schultz for a 15-yard gain on his first pass.

8:13 p.m. —  And there’s the first big play of the game. Mason Rudolph drops the ball after hitting Chase Claypool as he came across the formation in the backfield. Cowboys linebacker and first-round pick Micah Parsons jumps on the fumble in the backfield. The Cowboys get the ball for the first time.

8:12 p.m. —  Mason Rudolph hits Chase Claypool down the field for another first down. It was an 11-yard gain. Rudolph has looked good throwing the ball so far.

8:10 p.m. —  Najee Harris gets his first carry on the next play. He bulls forward for a gain of about five yards and a first down.

8:10 p.m. —  First play of the NFL season is a short pass from Mason Rudolph to Diontae Johnson. The Steelers gain seven.

8:09 p.m. —  Hunter Niswander kicks it off and Anthony McFarland Jr. catches it for a touchback. The game is on!

8:08 p.m. —  Mike Tomlin seems excited to be at the Hall of Fame Game with so many Steelers being honored. He’s looking for “fundamentals” out of rookie Najee Harris. Meanwhile, Mike McCarthy noted that the Cowboys have had a “very good” camp so far.

8:05 p.m. —  The Steelers — and more specifically, starting quarterback Mason Rudolph — won the coin toss. They’ll receive.

7:58 p.m. —  Almost time for kickoff!

7:52 p.m. —  It doesn’t look like Ben Roethlisberger is suited up tonight. That’s not a big surprise, but it looks like it will be the Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins and Joshua Dobbs show on Thursday night for Pittsburgh. Dallas, meanwhile, will roll with Cooper Rush, Garrett Gilbert and Ben DiNucci.

7:51 p.m. —  The 2020 inductees have been introduced. After the commercial, we’ll see the eight from the 2021 class. Then, it’s time for football.

7:46 p.m. —  They’re introducing the Hall of Fame inductees on the field right now. There are 28 this year, 20 from the class of 2020 and eight from the class of 2021. Click here for the full list of honorees.

7:43 p.m. —  Cowboys owner Jerry Jones just announced on the Fox broadcast that Jimmy Johnson will be inducted into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor. Johnson is being inducted into the Hall of Fame this weekend as part of the class of 2020.

7:35 p.m. —  Earlier, the NFL shared the Cowboys’ entrance to the field. Now, here’s the Steelers’ entrance.

7:33 p.m. —  Fox’s Jay Glazer provided an update on Dak Prescott’s shoulder injury. He’s not expected to miss time to start the season, but he’s dealing with a unique injury that more often occurs in baseball players. As such, Dallas has reached out to the Texas Rangers for advice about it.

What’s the latest on the Dak and Wentz injuries, and how likely is it that Deshaun Watson stays with the Texans all season? @JayGlazer gives us updates on those stories and more: pic.twitter.com/saXdNGscvj

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) August 5, 2021

7:30 p.m. —  In case you’re wondering, this is what Najee Harris looks like in a Steelers uniform. Tonight will be the first NFL action for the team’s 2021 first-round pick out of Alabama.

7:28 p.m. —  According to Dale Lolley of DK Pittsburgh Sports , the Cowboys have left 16 players back at their California training facility. With joint practices on deck for them Saturday, we may not see many, if any, Dallas starters.

I’ve heard the Cowboys are going to have a joint practice with the Rams on Saturday — which seems a bit ambitious — so I don’t know that they’ll play anyone of import in this game. In fact, they left 16 players back in California.

— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 5, 2021

7:25 p.m. — The Cowboys are taking the field in their usually white and blue uniforms. The Steelers, meanwhile, will wear black and yellow.

Steelers vs. Cowboys start time

The 2021 Hall of Fame Game between the Cowboys and Steelers will kick off at 8 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, which is located next to the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. The stadium is named after legendary former Saints owner Tom Benson.

How to watch the 2021 NFL Hall of Fame Game

Tonight’s Steelers vs. Cowboys game will be broadcast live on Fox with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on the call. You can also stream the Hall of Fame Game live at FoxSports.com or with fuboTV, which offers a free seven-day trial .

Here is the full TV schedule for the NFL’s Hall of Fame weekend:

Event Date Time (ET) Channel
Hall of Fame Game Thursday, Aug. 5 8 p.m. Fox, fuboTV
2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony Saturday, Aug. 7 6:30 p.m. NFL Network, fuboTV
2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony Sunday, Aug. 8 7 p.m. NFL Network, fuboTV
Categories
Entertainment

Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt Recall Ghosts at Playboy Mansion

Holly Madison and Bridget Marquardt Recall Ghosts at Playboy Mansion

Additionally, Holly, who lived at the mansion from 2001 to 2008, recalled allegedly seeing a ghost in the basement gym, detailing how a woman left the bathroom and crossed in front of the star while moving toward a doorway. When Holly investigated, she realized that the woman had vanished and that the door opened into a small closet, meaning she would have had to pass by Holly again in order to exit the gym. “I never saw that woman again in my life,” she added. 

Holly said that she when things like this would happen, she would “try to rationalize them away.” At one point, she said aloud in Bridget’s room that she wanted a sign of supernatural activity, and a TV suddenly turned on at full volume.

“For me, it took a bunch of different experiences before I thought, ‘OK, there’s something weird going on here,'” Holly, 41, shared. “I said, ‘I wish I had more proof it was real,’ and right away when I said that, her TV turned on by itself, and the volume went all the way up.”

Categories
Health

Third Covid vaccine shot excessive precedence for the immune-deficient

Third Covid vaccine shot high priority for the immune-deficient

Federal health officials are working “as quickly as possible” to authorize a third Covid-19 vaccine shot for Americans with weakened immune systems, White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci said Thursday.

It is clear now that such people – including cancer and HIV patients or those who have had organ transplants – in general do not produce an adequate immune response after receiving two doses of a Covid vaccine, Fauci said.

“Immunocompromised individuals are vulnerable,” Fauci said during a White House briefing. “It is extremely important for us to move to get those individuals their boosters, and we are now working on that and we will make that be implemented as quickly as possible. … It is a very high priority.”

Immunosuppressed populations represent only about 2.7% of the U.S. adult population. Still, they make up about 44% of hospitalized Covid breakthrough cases — an infection in a fully vaccinated individual, according to recent data from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory group.

Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, listens during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing in Washington, D.C., May 26, 2021.

Stefani Reynolds | Pool | Reuters

Studies suggest that a third vaccine shot might help patients whose immune systems don’t respond as well to a first or second dose.

Four small studies cited by the CDC last month showed that 16% to 80% of people with weakened immune systems didn’t have detectable antibodies to fight Covid after two shots. Among immunosuppressed patients who had no detectable antibody response, 33% to 50% developed an antibody response after receiving an additional dose, according to the CDC.

“It is clear now from observational data that was made that they do not, in general, do not make an adequate response that we feel would be adequately protected,” Fauci said Thursday.

Other countries, such as France, are already giving out third shots to people living with cancer or other immune impairments. Israel announced last month it would offer booster shots to people over age 60 as the shot’s effectiveness appears to wane in those individuals.

Some doctors have been pushing for the U.S. to allow immunosuppressed populations to get an extra dose, and many immunosuppressed Americans are already finding additional doses of the vaccines on their own, medical experts say.

Dr. Scott Gottlieb, who led the Food and Drug Administration from 2017 to 2019 during the Trump administration, told CNBC on Monday he believes booster shots will be given to older and immunocompromised people by September or October.

Disclosure: Scott Gottlieb is a CNBC contributor and is a member of the boards of Pfizer, genetic testing start-up Tempus, health-care tech company Aetion Inc. and biotech company Illumina. He also serves as co-chair of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ and Royal Caribbean’s “Healthy Sail Panel.”

Categories
Science

Is international warming an emergency – anticipate it?

Is global warming an emergency - expect it?

Newsweek’s The Debate podcast invited James Taylor to join their program to discuss Heather Goldstone, the chief communications officer for the Woodell Climate Research Center.

Kudos to the podcast moderators at Newsweek for the fair and balanced broadcast of this topic.

You can listen below.

Here is the link to James Taylor’s Newsweek article

JAMES TAYLOR , PRESIDENT OF THE HEARTLAND INSTITUTE
ON 8/3/21 at 8:05 a.m. EDT

During the vast majority of human civilization, temperatures were significantly warmer than today. More than 30,000 scientists have signed a paper saying we are not facing a climate emergency.

Throughout Earth’s history, a more normal level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has been around 1000 ppm, not the 420 ppm we see today. The fact that carbon dioxide levels are so high and yet temperatures are lower than most parts of human civilization compared to the last 100 or a few 1,000 years tells you that carbon dioxide is not the control button for global temperatures.

I believe humans could play some role in this warming. But to say you know exactly – I think that’s really a leap of logic. The American Meteorological Society is the only scientific body in the world whose full members have been questioned extensively on this subject. And when asked, “How worried are you?” only 30 percent say they are very concerned.

I believe humans could play some role in this warming. But to say you know exactly – I think that’s really a leap of logic. The American Meteorological Society is the only scientific body in the world whose full members have been questioned extensively on this subject. And when asked, “How worried are you?” only 30 percent say they are very concerned.

We know for sure that the earth is green; NASA satellites measured it. We also know that crop production is breaking records almost every year in most countries. According to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, they have very little confidence in the observed negative effects between global warming and severe weather events. NASA satellites have measured a decrease in global forest fires. We’re seeing positive effects from more atmospheric carbon dioxide and warmer temperatures.

It is very important to have affordable and abundant energy; this is the lifeblood of every economy. There’s a reason new energy projects are being built and implemented in virtually every country in the world, primarily coal and natural gas. I do not believe that the heads of state or government in practically every country in the world are lacking in intelligence; I don’t think they’re stupid. There’s a reason coal and natural gas dominate power generation. When the day comes when wind power, solar power can compete with coal and natural gas, I’ll be the first to cheer them on.

You can read the rest of the article here.

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Categories
Sport

Chicago Bears TE Jimmy Graham airs frustration with NFLPA over COVID-19 testing, 17th sport

Chicago Bears TE Jimmy Graham airs frustration with NFLPA over COVID-19 testing, 17th game

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Close End of the Chicago Bears Jimmy Graham spoke up Thursday on a variety of topics across the NFLPA, including the union’s proposal to increase the frequency of COVID-19 testing for vaccinated players and a 17th game to add in the regular season.

“I’ve been in the league for 12 years now and it was frustrating with them at times [the NFLPA]Said Graham. “I won’t hold back. I am a grown man. And I wish someone would talk to me and talk to me like a grown man and let me have a say in some things. I’ll be playing for free in week 17 too. How does that make sense? Who even applied for that? I certainly don’t. “

1 relatives

Graham initially tweeted his complaints to the NFLPA about the vaccination proposal with two tweets on Thursday morning.

“I was basically forced to get the vaccine. Now I’m just confused @NFLPA, “Graham tweeted, and later wrote,” I’ve done everything I was asked and now I feel punished for a test you suggest every day. I will be fined no more than 150,000! How does that make sense. How is the sentence 100 times worse than last year and I am vaccinated now? “

The NFLPA released a memo this week recommending that vaccinated players and staff be tested every day when they enter the team facility. The recommendations are based on updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the NFLPA medical experts. The union did not recommend that fully vaccinated players be tested on their days off or during the weeks off.

According to the NFLPA memo, 65 players and staff have tested positive for COVID-19 since the training camps opened.

The Bears have four players on the Reserve / COVID-19 list: nose tackle Eddie Goldman, long-snapper Patrick Scales, linebacker Christian Jones and offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson.

Graham didn’t give in to his comments when he reached out to the media after training.

“For me, it’s one of those things that I understand last year and what happened last year,” said Graham. “We are all committed to making this season the way this season happened, to try to get a run and win the Super Bowl. I understood what it was about. You know there wasn’t a vaccine much less known about it, so we had to take these steps to do it. “

“I thought we had a schedule for this season too, and now we’re kind of taking that out and pulling it back. So it’s a little bit frustrating for me who went out and got the vaccine just so I could, you know? do the same and have another successful, healthy season. That’s all I will say about it. “

Earlier Thursday morning, coach Matt Nagy said he had not raised the matter with Graham, but noted that the team was working hard to educate players and staff on all coronavirus-related safety protocols.

“All of these guys have opinions and beliefs, and I’m not going to criticize anyone for their beliefs. We all have them and we all have the opportunity to express them, ”said Nagy before training on Thursday. “He [Graham] didn’t come to me, and Jimmy and I have a close relationship so close that if there was a problem he and I would have one on one.

“Something happens with it every day, and I think everyone is figuring out what best to do to be safe. And not just in the sports world, but in life in general; every state is a bit different in what it is doing. Masks, not masks, things are sure to change. “

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Science

Two spaceships fly previous Venus solely 33 hours aside

Two spaceships fly past Venus only 33 hours apart

When Longfellow wrote about “Ships Going By At Night” in 1863, he probably wasn’t thinking of satellites passing near Venus. He probably wouldn’t have considered 575,000 km to be “temporary” either, but on the scale of interplanetary exploration, it might as well be. And that is exactly what two satellites will do near Venus in the next few days – two flybys of the planet within 33 hours in a row.

The two spacecraft in question are Solar Orbiter and BepiColombo. Both do not focus on the Venus system itself, but simply use the planet as a gravity support to get to their final destinations – the poles of the sun and Mercury, respectively. It just so happens that they pass our sister planet around the same time.

Depiction of BepiColombo’s flyby of Venus.
Credit – ESA / ATG Media Lab / SciTechDaily YouTube Channel

This is not Solar Orbiter’s first carousel with the planet as Venus was previously used as a gravity assist and there may be 6 more to come. All of these aids are designed to help the probe go where no machine has been before – high enough above and below the sun to get clear images of its poles, from which it hopes to get more information about the solar cycle.

BepiColombo, on the other hand, is on its second and final flyby of Venus, though it has much more support from Mercury itself before it finally settles into stable orbit in 2025. It will pass much closer to Venus than its travel companion. with an altitude of 550 km compared to 7,995 km for Solar Orbiter.

Depiction of the second (of possibly six) Venus flybys of the Solar Orbiter.
Credit – ESA / ATG Media Lab / SciTechDaily YouTube Channel

Unfortunately, the distance between them is too great to expect a picture of one craft of the other. In fact, this time around, Solar Orbiter will not be taking any visible-light images of Venus as the probe itself must remain facing the sun. BepiColombo will not be able to point its main camera at the planet either, but two of its three “surveillance cameras” will snap as it drives by. In fact, the spacecraft could also capture its own antenna and solar cells in the image. Although the images only have a resolution of 1024 × 1024, they will gradually be sent back to earth after the BepiColombo’s flyby on August 10th.

Image of the first flyby of the Venus of BepiColombo. The same cameras will be available this time.
Credit – ESA / BepiColombo / MTM

However, other non-visual instruments on both spacecraft will be in full swing. These include Solar Orbiter’s SoloHI imager, which is typically used to image the solar wind, magnetic field sensors, and plasma sensors. Additionally, there is already a Venus orbiter around the planet – Akatsuki by JAXA – that can collect additional data at the same time, so scientists can try to collect data points from many different physical locations as well as sensor modalities.

UT video of the Solar Orbiter mission.

Close flyby like this is a great side benefit of the real science that these orbiters will pursue once they reach their final destination. It also provides them and their handlers with a good warm up to get the nervousness out of their system. The fact that they pass each other so close together on their journeys to their final destinations makes the story all the more interesting.

Learn more:
ESA – ESA is preparing for the double flyby of Venus
spacewatch.global – Solar Orbiter and BepiColombo make history with a double flyby of Venus
New Atlas – Venus receives two visitors from Earth next week
S&T – TWO SPACE PROBES THAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE VENUS THE NEXT WEEK

Mission statement:
Representation of BepiColombo & Solar Orbiter passing Venus in quick succession.
Credit – ESA

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Categories
Entertainment

Miley Cyrus presents DaBaby help in an Instagram put up – “Would love to speak and see how we will be taught from one another”

Miley Cyrus offers DaBaby support in an Instagram post - "Would love to talk and see how we can learn from each other"

Roommate, DaBaby has remained the focus of controversy almost two weeks after he made his remarks at this year’s Rolling Loud festival where he commented on the LGBTQ + community and HIV / AIDS – and although many celebrities spoke out against him, he just did Supported by Miley Cyrus. In a recent Instagram post, Miley Cyrus spoke directly to DaBaby and offered to speak to him while highlighting the impact and extreme nature of the abandonment culture.

Miley Cyrus posted and wrote the following message to DaBaby on Instagram:

“As a proud and loyal member of the LGBTQIA + community, I have dedicated a large part of my life to promoting love, acceptance and open-mindedness. The internet can generate a lot of hatred and anger and is at the core of the abandonment culture … but I believe it can also be a place of education, conversation, communication and connection. It is easier to cancel someone than to find forgiveness and compassion within ourselves or to take the time to change hearts and minds. There is no more room for division if we want to keep seeing progress! Knowledge is power! I know that I still have so much to learn! “

Miley then subtitled the photo by telling DaBaby to check his DMs while asking her to speak in person. “@Dababy check your DMS – would love to talk and see how we can learn from each other and help create a fairer and more understanding future!” She wrote.

This gesture follows one of over 11 national LGBTQ + and HIV / AIDS organizations that wrote an open letter to DaBaby offering him a private educational meeting to better understand why his comments were taken as hurtful.

Would you like tea right in your text inbox? Call us at 917-722-8057 or click here to join!

Categories
Health

The winter technique might lead to unvaccinated individuals going through stricter restrictions

The winter strategy could result in unvaccinated people facing stricter restrictions

Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn on the way to the presentation of the National Reserve Health Protection at the Federal Press Conference on July 21, 2021 in Berlin.

Andreas Gora | Getty Images News | Getty Images

LONDON – The German Ministry of Health is preparing comprehensive measures next month that could exclude unvaccinated people from many areas of public life if Covid-19 infection rates continue to rise.

Health Minister Jens Spahn has submitted proposals to parliament and representatives of the 16 federal states on how the state should deal with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in the coming months.

It is because German authorities remain suspicious of the potential impact of the highly transmittable Delta Covid-19 variant at a time when many pandemic restrictions have been dropped. Covid-19 cases have risen gradually across the country in recent weeks, albeit from a relatively low level.

Respiratory diseases like Covid-19 tend to thrive in cooler weather conditions, as people typically spend more time indoors with less ventilation and less personal space than in summer.

The country’s new Covid-19 plan entitled “Safe through autumn and winter” was reported for the first time by the German media DPA and the Süddeutsche Zeitung.

What is suggested

The measures, which would be among the strictest in Europe, would ensure that only those who have been vaccinated against the virus, have recovered from infection or have a negative test result have access to many facilities.

Shops, restaurants, hairdressers, beauty salons, indoor sports and large outdoor events were all listed as venues that could become inaccessible to those who did not comply with the proposed changes.

This was known as the “3G rule” and refers to the German terms for vaccinated, recovered (recovered) and tested (tested). The directive already applies to several areas of public life, including air travel and hotel accommodation.

The Ministry of Health said the government was also considering restricting unvaccinated people if infections and hospital stays continued to rise. This has been called the “2G rule” because only vaccinated or recovered people are allowed to visit certain facilities, while unvaccinated people are excluded.

A woman will be tested for the coronavirus on July 23, 2021 in a mobile test station next to a nightclub in Berlin-Kreuzberg amid the ongoing coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic.

STEFANIE LOOS | AFP | Getty Images

In parallel with these measures, the ministry recommended that face masks remain in place until spring 2022; Test, ventilation and hygiene guidelines would have to be implemented nationwide in schools and day-care centers; and the country should get rid of free Covid-19 testing. Hopefully the latter will provide some incentive to vaccinate, as vaccinations are offered free of charge to all adults.

However, free rapid tests would still be offered to those who cannot be vaccinated or who do not recommend it, such as pregnant women, under the required age for vaccination, allergy sufferers, or other risk groups.

The Covid-19 plan is to be debated at a summit meeting between Chancellor Angela Merkel and the prime ministers of the federal states on August 10th. If the measures are approved, the measures are expected to take effect from September.

Legislators split

Civil rights groups have warned that vaccination-like measures are likely to be counterproductive from a public health perspective, and lawmakers should instead give priority to educating people about vaccination.

At a press conference last month, Merkel warned that measures that constitute “indirect vaccination” must be carefully considered and indicated that the focus would remain on encouraging people to get their Covid-19 vaccinations for the time being to obtain.

Legislators in the country seem divided on this issue. Merkel’s chief of staff, Helge Braun, said late last month that those who oppose the vaccine shouldn’t expect the same freedoms as those who have been fully vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Family and Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht has rejected this view, defended the country’s current application of the “3G Rule” and called on the government to consider other ways of promoting vaccine uptake.

To date, more than 44.5 million people in Germany, around 53% of the total population, have been fully vaccinated against the virus.

At her last summer federal press conference as Federal Chancellor at the end of last month, Merkel again spoke out in favor of a vaccination against Covid-19: “The more of us are vaccinated, the more freedom we will regain.”

Stressing the importance of people encouraging their family, friends and colleagues to consider vaccination, Merkel warned that the German Robert Koch Institute for Infectious Diseases could see another sharp rise in Covid- 19 cases expected.

“I tell everyone who is still unsure: A vaccination not only protects you, but also the people who are important to you, who mean a lot to you, your loved ones,” said Merkel.

Categories
Science

UK MPs Condemn Authorities’s 2030 Ban on New Fossil Fueled Automobile Gross sales and The Sick-Knowledgeable Push for Us All to Drive Electrical – Watts Up With That?

UK MPs Condemn Government’s 2030 Ban on New Fossil Fueled Car Sales and The Ill-Informed Push for Us All to Drive Electric – Watts Up With That?

Guest post by Howard Cox

  • 13 MPs and Lord Lilley have endorsed a ground-breaking new report from the APPG for Fair Fuel for UK motorists and UK hauliers. It brings to the attention of decision makers that UK’s 37m drivers also want clean air to breathe. But at the same time to show that the current unilateral Government policies for road users, whilst on the surface seem laudable, are instead set to be damaging for the economy and the Nation’s role in ‘helping out’ with global climate change.
  • APPG Chair, Craig Mackinlay says: “The only thing that’s protecting the Government from electoral harm on this matter is the seeming Westminster consensus and lack of courage to stand up to the climate fanatics and say: enough!  Sooner or later the public will rebel against this madness. Better to have the rational debate now before we fully embark on a failing and expensive experiment.”
  • The Government should immediately remove the threat of the 2030 ban on the sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles. Instead, they should incentivise the move to clean fuels by motivating industry and entrepreneurs to develop technologies that will not impact adversely on the economy, drivers, or businesses. Allow the market to dictate what clean fuel technology is best and affordable for all drivers, not through a very costly, divisive ineffective Government mandate.
  • 7 Practical Recommendations to lower emissions without banning new diesel and petrol vehicles by 2030.
  • A plethora of expert opinions on recent Government edicts and their effective ways to reduce emissions and avoid economic doomsday.
  • Several questions of the Government on behalf of UK’s 37m drivers as to the viability and cost of the Government’s unexpected target date to ban new fossil fuelled cars and vans in 2030.
  • A ‘cradle to grave’ review of Electric Vehicles compared to Petrol/Diesel driven Transport. Highlighting safety, production, electricity supply and practicality of EVs.
  • Whether the Government has truly recognised a fair and equitable replacement for £35bn of annual Fuel Duty and VAT.
  • The largest ever survey of road user opinion that back a series of recommendations from the APPG as to meeting the needs of reducing vehicle emissions without adopting the Government’s highly unpopular road user policies.  50,000 took part.
  • A better way to lower vehicle emissions than using ineffective ‘Pay to Pollute’ policies and cliff edge vehicle sales bans.

The Chair of the APPG, Craig Mackinlay MP said: “In producing probably one of the most authoritative reports on the subject ever written, we have listened to thousands of road users, from cyclists, bikers, motorists, through to our vital frontline and essential much undermined commercial vehicle drivers.”

“We have put together a range of recommendations to Government that are both constructive and economically viable to help reduce emissions without hurting 37m drivers or UK’s economy.”

 “It is imperative we bring the majority of the electorate along with us in the changes being demanded of them. Not using a ton of un-consulted millstones. It must be through consultation and consensus and a rational debate about the cost and alternatives. That will mean compromises on all sides of the green agenda. Above all, using common sense and practical, achievable solutions.”

“We have shown evidence in this measured report that the current Government Road user transport plans are at best unwise and worst of all, ill-advised. It is not too late for a change of overall policy. A change that will be supported by the majority of the electorate, businesses, and all road users for a long time to come.”

Sir John Redwood MP said: “There is a lot of common sense in the APPG Fair Fuel Report. Greener transport needs to work for the people it wishes to attract as users. You cannot get to work or run the children to school on a government target. Government needs to explain how these changes are going to be better, popular and affordable.”

Julian Knight MP said “This policy was wrong headed from the start, dreamt up in the kitchen diners of Notting hill, with no understanding of real people’s daily lives. It’s clear that the switch to electric will cause more environmental damage than running clean diesel. What’s more who is to say electric won’t be superseded soon making this whole costly charade a waste of time and money.”

Andrew Lewer MBE, MP said: “This is a serious and well-researched report that should force policy makers to face facts and to level with the British public about the costs – to them – of bans on petrol and diesel vehicles and the timescale intended for this.”

James Sunderland, MP said: “I welcome the recommendations of this report that highlights the need for a viable move to clean fuels that does not impact adversely on the economy, drivers or businesses. We must also ensure that all road users are involved in the development of road transport strategy and so I particularly support the idea of a Road User Consultative Group. I urge policy makers to consider very carefully the recommendations of this well-researched and informative piece of work by the Fair Fuel APPG.”

Other quotes from 12 MPs and a Lord including Steve Baker, Sir Greg Knight, Andrew Bridgen, Philip Davies, Bob Blackman, Karl McCartney, Graham Stringer, Sir John Hayes, and Lord Peter Lilley can be accessed at https://fairfueluk.com/APPG-FFUK/4/ and https://fairfueluk.com/APPG-FFUK/6/

Howard Cox, Founder of FairFuelUK and Secretary to the APPG said: “The economic recovery would collapse if fossil fuelled car use is squeezed through these needless cliff edge bans. Motorists did not vote for the Green Party in the General Election. But that is what we have got. There also, seems to be a deliberate policy to divide road users under the cover of a well-financed ill-informed emotive green agenda.”

“Why hasn’t the Government produced a full post Covid recovery cost benefit analysis as to the impact of the 2030 ban and the unpopular push to drive electric, on the economy, UK’s drivers, specifically low-income motorists and small businesses? Most of all, they must dispassionately demonstrate their policy will achieve lower vehicle emissions and be more beneficial than the mammoth cost of implementing the ban itself. What are they scared of, if they believe this policy is so right? Dozens of backbench MPs, have told me they are very uneasy with current road transport polices and their inevitable negative affect on their constituents.”

The APPG Report has been produced by the APPG for Fair Fuel for Motorists and Hauliers, with considerable editorial and research input by Howard Cox, Secretary to the APPG and Founder of the FairFuelUK Campaign.

The APPG Report can be downloaded at https://fairfueluk.com/APPG-FFUK/

FairFuelUK is backed by the RHA & Logistics UK. Other contributors to this report include the Alliance of British Drivers, the Motorcycle Action Group, and the Global Warming Policy Foundation.  

Report Contributor Contacts include:

  • FairFuelUK Campaign – Howard Cox, Report Editor
  • Alliance of British Drivers – Paul Biggs
  • Motorcycle Action Group – Lembit Opik
  • GWPF – Harry Wilkinson

Background: Since 2011 the APPG for Fair Fuel for UK Motorists and UK Hauliers has examined major issues that impact on UK drivers. Along with FairFuelUK, it has been a major influencer on keeping Fuel Duty frozen since 2011.  As well as fuel taxation, other issues addressed by the APPG that impact on drivers, have included congestion charges, ULEZ/CAZs, parking costs, roads investment, unfair treatment for fossil fuelled vehicle owners, solutions to lower emissions, cleaner fuel incentives, alternative technology options and transparent pricing at the fuel pumps. With the expected decline in Fuel Duty revenue, the APPG will also formulate a long-term approach to the future of road taxation and a positive transport strategy for all road users.

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