The FAA's DEI Push Is Scarier than You Think

A Chinese startup has developed a tiny nuclear battery that it claims can generate electricity for 50 years without the need for charging. Just the size of a small coin‚ the company suggests that this technology has the potential to power a smartphone in the future (although there’s a lot of work ahead before that becomes a reality). Beijing-based Betavolt unveiled the miniature atomic energy battery on January 8‚ boasting in a press release that the technology is "way ahead of European and American scientific research institutions and enterprises.”Called BV100‚ the battery produces electricity by utilizing the energy emitted by a decaying radioactive isotope of nickel (nickel-63). In between the layers of nickel-63 are sheets of a single-crystal diamond semiconductor that are just 10 microns thick. It can store 3‚300 megawatt hours and reportedly holds an energy density that’s more than 10 times that of conventional lithium batteries. According to Betavolt‚ it will be able to sustain its output for up to 50 years without the need for charging or maintenance.Measuring 15 x 15 x 15 millimeters‚ the battery's power is 100 microwatts and the voltage is 3 volts. Bear in mind‚ that capacity is pretty meager and isn't yet nearly strong enough to power an electronic device like a smartphone‚ let alone a laptop. That said‚ Betavolt notes that several of the batteries could potentially be used in series or parallel to power more demanding devices. Keeping a capsule of radioactive decay in your pocket might sound like risky business‚ but the company insists the battery is “absolutely safe.” So safe‚ in fact‚ they believe it could eventually be used to power medical devices such as pacemakers and artificial hearts.The company states there is no external radiation‚ adding that the battery “will not catch fire or explode in response to acupuncture and gunshots‚” which is always a plus. Today‚ thermonuclear batteries are only used in aerospace engineering. For instance‚ the Voyager probes were fitted with a form of nuclear battery developed during the Cold War. Launched in 1977‚ the pair of Voyager spacecraft are still cruising through the outskirts of our Solar System. However‚ Betavolt believes their new product shows how nuclear batteries could even be used by consumers in everyday use. They say the battery is currently in its “pilot stage” and will soon be put into mass production. Looking ahead‚ the company plans to create more powerful batteries and wants to explore the use of different radioactive isotopes.“The company plans to launch a battery with a power of 1 watt in 2025. If policies permit‚ atomic energy batteries can allow a mobile phone to never be charged‚ and drones that can only fly for 15 minutes can fly continuously‚” Betavolt said in their statement.

A version of this article was first published in 2018 and we are pretty much resharing it as it was because the whole corporate invention of "Blue Monday" continues to be peddled as "science"‚ and there are only a limited number of ways to say this is bullsh*t.It’s the third week of January and with that comes the annual nonsense that is "Blue Monday". Let’s be extremely clear: Blue Monday was a day selected by British holiday TV channel Sky Travel in 2005 for an advertisement to sell sunny holidays to fed-up Brits – not the day calculated to be the most depressing of the year – and yet it continues to be used by retail and marketing companies to sell deals‚ treats‚ treatments‚ and generally prey on people's anxiety each year.The Blue Monday "equation"[W + (D-d)] x T x Q            M x NA The "equation" for Blue Monday is a PR concoction that cobbles together in multiplication form quantifiable but unrelated things like how many days since Christmas (T)‚ your level of debt (D)‚ your salary (d)‚ and the average temperature/weather (W)‚ and then divided by arbitrary values for low motivational levels and the need to take action. If it looks like math it must be real‚ must have been what people thought. And despite being a mess of different and unrelated quantities you always get a very specific date out of it‚ which is always the third Monday in January.Information has always been very vague about the details of this equation because the best lies‚ fabrications‚ and misinformation have as little info as possible. But if we were to seriously believe that this was a real equation then it would mean that our motivational level is calculated in a currency and our need to take action is a temperature (or vice versa).The equation is abysmally bad and solely there to make this nonsense appear scientific. It is a bit like sci-fi plots using made-up‚ sciencey-sounding words for a deus ex machina. Actually‚ this is worse. Sci-fi at least has "fiction" upfront in its title.  IFLScience is not responsible for content shared from external sites.The only laudable thing we have seen coming out of this PR nightmare is that mental health charities in Britain and around the world are using the date as a way to highlight mental health struggles and related stigma. Since one in four people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetime and nearly 1 billion people are currently affected‚ according to the latest UN data (2022)‚ this is more important than ever.Depression is a mental disorder that can affect anyone and it can be the result of several genetic‚ environmental‚ and psychological factors. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues‚ contact your healthcare provider‚ or there are multiple online resources that offer help‚ information‚ and a listening ear‚ for example in the US here or here. Depression shouldn't be trivialized and it definitely shouldn't be used to sell holidays.If you or someone you know is struggling‚ help and support are available in the US at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on1-800-273-8255. In the UK and Ireland‚ the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. International helplines can be found at SuicideStop.com.  A earlier version of this article was published in January 2023.

For the first time‚ a non-human animal has demonstrated the ability to recall events from their past and use them to answer an unexpected question. The breakthrough comes after the possibility was first explored six years ago and could potentially unlock new treatment avenues for patients with memory loss.Episodic memory is the string of past experiences in our lives that we can recall as specific events. From your 16th birthday party to your best friend’s wedding‚ and even where you parked your car this morning‚ that’s all captured as episodic memory. We can access details about these events much later‚ even if they didn’t seem so important at the time.We know from studies that various animals also possess this type of memory‚ and a 2018 study from a team at Indiana University was the first to report that rats can mentally replay a series of events from their past‚ just as humans can. The same team has now delved into this further and discovered that the rodents can access these memories and use them to their advantage.Rats may not appear to be the most obvious model organism to test this on – primates might seem like a more human-like starting point – but first author Cassandra Sheridan disagrees.“Using rats can help further the field of memory by providing a way to identify and measure behavioral patterns and changes that are more sophisticated and complex than mouse models‚ as well as model diseases like Alzheimer's to test treatments before they reach the clinical stages‚” Sheridan explained in a statement. “This is what I am most excited about.”Working with Professor Jonathon Crystal‚ who also supervised the 2018 study‚ Sheridan and colleagues created an experiment that would require the rats to use not only their episodic memories‚ but also their impressive noses.The radial maze the rats had to navigate.Image credit: Mike JacksonFirst‚ the nine rats were presented with a selection of common spices one by one‚ including cinnamon and paprika. They then underwent a memory assessment‚ whereby they were shown two of the scents and then had to choose which scent was the third-to-last that they had smelled.The rats were then put into a radial maze that contained spice containers with scented lids. After sniffing around the maze‚ they were once again given the chance to identify the third-to-last scent from the original list.The researchers only had to run the experiment once: every single rat answered the question correctly after their time in the maze‚ giving a success rate of an astonishing 100 percent.“What we wanted to test is a property of what people do in everyday life that has never been shown in a non-human animal‚” said Crystal. “We remember information even though it was seemingly unimportant when it was encountered. When we happen to need that information‚ we replay the stream of events to identify the information needed to solve our current problem.”The findings not only tell us more about the impressive cognitive abilities of rats‚ but they could also have important implications for research into human disease. Many drugs for Alzheimer’s disease that are tested in animals ultimately do not succeed in human trials. Crystal believes that this could be due to a lack of specific focus on episodic memory‚ and hopes that the team’s findings could help inform the next generation of treatments.“What you really want to know when you test Alzheimer’s patients is that there is relief in remembering that their granddaughter visited last week and talked about interesting things going on in her life. Those are the things that are going to produce huge societal changes when the drugs are effective‚ not just at general aspects of memory but specifically targeting episodic memory.”The study is published in the journal Current Biology.

Parental duties in the animal kingdom cover a whole range of options‚ from those that lay eggs and then sacrifice a normal sleep to care for their young‚ to those that give birth to live young that can move about within a few hours. Most nature shows feature animals growing up and learning the ropes‚ but rarely do squid come to mind when it comes to great animal parents. Now the researchers at Schmidt Ocean have shared incredible footage of a black-eyed squid (Gonatus onyx) taking care of a whole host of eggs.The black-eyed squid‚ also known as the clawed arm squid‚ is a common species that lives in the deep sea – around 1‚900 meters (6‚200 feet) below the surface of the water – in the Northern Pacific Ocean‚ writes the Monterey Bay Aquarium. However‚ little is known about the reproductive habits of this species‚ since it occurs at such depths. The Schmidt Ocean Institute posted this video to their Instagram page showing how the squid was traveling through the water holding its eggs. According to the caption this squid was filmed near the Costa Rica Caballito Outcrop.                      In 2005‚ a study was released showing how female black-eyed squid care for their eggs. The claws on their arms help them hold on to up to 3‚000 eggs; as they swim‚ the females pump water through the egg clusters to keep them supplied with oxygen. At the time this was a different reproductive method than in all other known squid species. However‚ another species‚ Bathyteuthis berryi‚ is also known to brood its eggs after spawning. While the secretive lives of these squids make learning about their ecology difficult‚ the team suspect that the mother will carry the eggs for 6-9 months‚ during which time it will not feed as the egg sac is blocking its mouth. Brad Seibel‚ the lead author of the 2005 study‚ thinks the mothers likely die soon after the eggs hatch‚ according to an interview with Science Friday. 

In 1994‚ the director of the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore‚ Maryland‚ pointed the Hubble Space Telescope at a dark and seemingly empty patch of sky for 100 hours.When Hubble was launched in 1990‚ like with the JWST‚ its capabilities weren't immediately clear. Ahead of being turned on‚ astronomers attempted to analyze what objects it would be able to see‚ based on what we know of ground telescopes. One paper from influential astronomer John Bahcall argued that the telescope would not be able to see distant galaxies that we had not already seen from telescopes on Earth.But in May and June of 1994‚ Robert Williams‚ an astronomer who went on to be President of the International Astronomical Union‚ looked at wide field photos taken with the camera at a wide range of wavelengths‚ and believed it showed more distant objects could be captured by Hubble. Williams was in charge of 10 percent of Hubble's operational time‚ as director of the Space Telescope Science Institute‚ and decided to test its capabilities further‚ pointing the telescope at a patch of sky for a long exposure time to see if it revealed more distant objects‚ further into the past."We didn’t know what was there‚ and that was the whole purpose of the observation‚ basically – to get a core sample of the universe‚" Williams said at the time. "You do the same thing if you're trying to understand the geology of the Earth: Pick some typical spot to drill down to try to understand exactly what the various layers of the Earth are and what they mean in terms of its geologic history."The team needed to look at a patch of dark sky with no other nearby objects that could ruin the exposure‚ ruling out everything on the plane of our own galaxy. So too were any stars that the Earth or Moon would pass in front of during the exposure. Eventually‚ they settled on an area roughly the size of a pin head held an arm's length away‚ near the Big Dipper in the constellation Ursa Major.     The point of sky‚ which looked relatively empty from ground telescopes‚ proved to be anything but. When Williams pointed the telescope at it for 100 hours‚ the result was the Hubble Deep Field‚ the deepest view of the universe up to that point‚ and the furthest back into the past that humanity had ever seen. It was‚ of course‚ filled with galaxies‚ including ones that could not be seen by ground-based telescopes‚ and information about the state of the universe billions of years in the past.

In the depths of a severe winter storm in Eastern China‚ a heartwarming story unfolded that would capture the hearts of many. In Dezhou‚ Shandong‚ a woman stumbled upon a tiny‚ frozen kitten‚ motionless in the snow near her home. The kitten‚ though alive‚ was in a dire state‚ with its tail as stiff as... The post Woman defrosts frozen kitten and nurses it back to health using a hairdryer appeared first on Animal Channel.

These apple biscuits are so easy to make‚ and adding cheese is lovely! Great right out of the oven with butter and honey! If you have never tried cheese and apples together‚ you need to‚ it’s a delicious combination. This Cheesy Apple Casserole is one of our favorite side dishes. Everyone who has tried it...

Madison Marsh of Colorado defeated 50 other Miss America contestants representing the 50 states and the District of Columbia on Sunday‚ thereby taking the crown. The 22-year-old‚ a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force‚ is the first active-duty service member to win. Ahead of her decisive victory‚ Marsh‚ an Arkansas native‚ told the Harvard Crimson that pageantry "really relates to the military a lot because you're serving but in a different way." "When I put on my uniform‚ I serve and I represent our country‚" said Marsh. "When I put on the crown and sash‚ I'm serving‚ representing my community." The USAF was quick to congratulate its own‚ noting that "Marsh is currently pursuing her master's degree in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School through the Air Force Institute of Technology's Civilian Institution Program‚ which falls under Air University." The Air Force added the hashtag‚ "AimHigh." Marsh is attending the Harvard Kennedy School on a Harry S. Truman Scholarship. She credits the Air Force Academy‚ where she earned a degree in physics‚ with helping to shape her into a prime candidate. "I don't think I ever would have gotten into Harvard if I wouldn't have gone to the Air Force Academy‚" Marsh told the Crimson. "I don't think I ever would have become Miss Colorado without the Air Force Academy because they have trained me and honed in on my leadership." Earlier this month‚ the Air Force Academy shared photos of Marsh‚ who earned her pilot's license at the age of 16‚ beside a glider plane‚ captioned‚ "From the flight line to the spotlight." During the talent portion of the Sunday finals‚ Marsh recalled the exhilaration and suspense of her first solo flight. Prior to studying at the Harvard Kennedy School‚ Marsh served both as a graduate intern at Harvard Medical School‚ looking at ways of using artificial intelligence to detect pancreatic cancer‚ and as an intern at NASA‚ researching gamma-ray bursts‚ according to the Miss Colorado website. In addition to her academics‚ Marsh also holds a black belt in taekwondo. Following her win‚ Marsh wrote in an Instagram post‚ "My momma — this one is all for you." Marsh started the Whitney Marsh Foundation after her mother succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 2018. As president of the foundation‚ she has raised over $250‚000 for cancer research. Marsh‚ previously crowned Miss Colorado in 2023‚ indicated that she intends to apply her insights into cancer research and apply them to her policy degree‚ "trying to translate it to make sure that we're enacting policy that's equitable for all patients." The crown comes with a $60‚000 scholarship award and an opportunity to travel the U.S. as Miss America's ambassador. Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade noted on X‚ "Madison‚ the @CityofCOS wishes you great success. You have inspired countless young girls to dream big and reach for the stars. Congratulations!" Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Buffalo Bills fans were hooting and hollering at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park‚ New York‚ on Sunday‚ despite mountains of snow‚ whiteout conditions‚ and an absence of players on the field. The Buffalo Bills were supposed to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday in the AFC wild-card game‚ but Mother Nature had plans of her own. A winter storm‚ characterized as "potentially dangerous and life-threatening" by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul‚ swept the region‚ burying the city — and its stadium — in snow. — (@) "Blizzard-like‚ whiteout conditions are possible‚ especially Saturday night and much of Sunday‚ and wind chills are forecast to dip into the single digits on Saturday night and remain there through mid-week‚" said the governor's office. "Travel in these areas will be difficult to impossible at times‚ and New Yorkers are urged to pay close attention to the weather and make plans accordingly to stay safe‚ especially those planning to attend Sunday’s Buffalo Bills' game." As of Monday morning‚ Buffalo had received nearly a foot of snow‚ whereas other spots in Erie County‚ including Orchard Park‚ where the Bills' stadium stands‚ received far more‚ reported WGRZ-TV. Hochul called the NFL and recommended the rescheduling of the Bills-Steelers game. "I've been in communication with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell regarding the dangerous conditions in Buffalo this weekend‚" Hochul said during a press conference Sunday. "In consultation with our emergency response teams‚ Buffalo Bills leadership‚ and the NFL‚ the Bills game will be postponed." Snow may be cited as justification to indefinitely postpone competitions in kindler and gentler sports‚ but not in football. Despite the state of emergency‚ the Bills-Steelers playoff game was rescheduled for 4:30 p.m. Monday. To ensure that there will be room for frozen bodies in the stands amidst all the snow and ice‚ the Bills began paying fans to shovel the stadium‚ capping the number of volunteers at 200. The Bills put out the call Sunday evening "asking anyone age 18 and over (or under 18 with proper working papers) interested in shoveling snow inside the stadium" to show up at midnight to begin work for $20 an hour. The team also promised complimentary beverages and breakfast in the morning. To sweeten the deal‚ Erie County and the state authorized prospective shovelers to travel to the stadium before it opens to the public. It appears some shovelers are having a winter blast. A viral video shows one fan tearing off his shirt then sliding down a culvert intended for snow down to the field. "Oh hell no‚" says a nearby observer‚ chuckling over the display. "That's crazy! That's f***ing crazy!" — (@) — (@) Others involved in the cleanup effort did not appear so keen to expose flesh to the elements. Snug in multiple layers‚ storm chaser Logan Eschrich noted in a video Sunday that shovelers were having trouble keeping up with the storm. — (@) While most of the travel ban in Erie County had been lifted by early Monday morning‚ County Executive Mark Poloncarz indicated Orchard Park remained a "no man's land‚" reported the Buffalo News. Given the low visibility‚ icy conditions‚ and high winds‚ Monday's game will likely be decided by runs and fumbles. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!