Gorillas test positive for coronavirus at San Diego park

Several gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park have tested positive for the coronavirus in what is believed to be the first known cases among such primates in the United States and possibly the world.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-gorillas-positive-coronavirus-san-diego.html

What is Gab, the social network gaining popularity among conservatives?

As Apple and Google crack down on the social media app Parler, conservatives appear to be flocking to another app that claims to "champion free speech."

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-01-gab-social-network-gaining-popularity.html

"Swiss Army knife" catalyst can make natural gas burn cleaner

Reza Shahbazian-Yassar, professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-swiss-army-knife-catalyst-natural.html

Manatees had a terrible 2020. Rainfall and floodgates are partly to blame

In a year when a third of manatee fatalities in Florida were not investigated because COVID-19 restrictions limited necropsies and boat strikes once again topped deaths caused by humans, one indicator stood out: manatees killed by floodgates and locks.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-manatees-terrible-rainfall-floodgates-partly.html

Ready for smart bathrooms? Kohler unveils app-controlled bathtub

In a Kohler future, you step into a bathtub controlled by an app and use a toilet or sink without ever touching it with your hands.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-01-ready-smart-bathrooms-kohler-unveils.html

Analytical measurements can predict organic solar cell stability

North Carolina State University-led researchers have developed an analytical measurement "framework" which could allow organic solar cell researchers and manufacturers to determine which materials will produce the most stable solar cells prior to manufacture.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-01-analytical-solar-cell-stability.html

Levels of stress hormone in saliva of newborn deer fawns may predict mortality

The first-ever study of the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the saliva of newborn white-tailed deer fawns yielded thought-provoking results that have Penn State researchers suggesting predation is not the only thing in the wild killing fawns.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-stress-hormone-saliva-newborn-deer.html

Scientists unveil latest femtosecond laser

Would you like to capture a chemical transformation inside a cell live? Or maybe revolutionize microchips' production by printing paths in a layer that has a thickness of just 100 nanometers? These and many other goals can now be achieved with the latest femtosecond laser created by a team of scientists led by Dr. Yuriy Stepanenko.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-scientists-unveil-latest-femtosecond-laser.html

Parliamentary candidates not picked to fight "winnable seats" in areas with less tolerance

The study found a "systematic and quantifiable pattern" of political parties officers opting against fielding minority candidates where they perceive that their non-white appearance might prevent a win. This includes constituencies already held by the party, and those within reach, requiring just a small swing in the vote to change hands.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-parliamentary-candidates-winnable-seats-areas.html

Scientists make sustainable polymer from sugars in wood

Scientists from the University of Bath have made a sustainable polymer using the second most abundant sugar in nature, xylose.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-scientists-sustainable-polymer-sugars-wood.html

Engineers' reactor converts gas directly into acetic acid

A sweet new process is making sour more practical.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-reactor-gas-acetic-acid.html

Researchers develop new one-step process for creating self-assembled metamaterials

A team led by University of Minnesota Twin Cities researchers has discovered a groundbreaking one-step process for creating materials with unique properties, called metamaterials. Their results show the realistic possibility of designing similar self-assembled structures with the potential of creating "built-to-order" nanostructures for wide application in electronics and optical devices.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-one-step-self-assembled-metamaterials.html

Team expands power grid planning to improve system resilience

In most animal species, if a major artery is cut off from the heart, the animal will struggle to survive. The same can be said for many of our critical infrastructure systems, such as electric power, water and communications. They are networked systems with vulnerable connections.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-01-team-power-grid-resilience.html

Toilet paper, patio heaters and surgical gloves: Amazon vendors hiked prices on pandemic items, report says

Amazon vendors doubled prices last year on 136 products considered essential for consumers, health providers and small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-01-toilet-paper-patio-heaters-surgical.html

Michigan winters, as generations have known them, may be coming to an end

Karl Schwartz wishes he was simply chasing glory on the snowmobile racing track. Instead, in recent years, he has been forced to chase increasingly elusive cold weather.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-michigan-winters.html

Study maps urban-rural catchment areas and points to ways to optimize policy and planning coordination for agriculture

Fewer than 1% of people globally live in truly remote hinterlands, sharpening the need for better understanding of how urban forms impact food systems as well as social and economic development, according to ground-breaking new research by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the University of Twente.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-urban-rural-catchment-areas-ways-optimize.html

Ocean acidification is transforming California mussel shells

The large mollusk known as the California mussel makes its home in the rocky shoreline along the Pacific Coast from Mexico to Alaska. Considered a "foundational" animal, Mytilus californianus provides homes for hundreds of other species and offers a rich food source for species ranging from spiny lobsters to humans.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-ocean-acidification-california-mussel-shells.html

Climate change has caused billions of dollars in flood damages

In a new study, Stanford researchers report that intensifying precipitation contributed one-third of the financial costs of flooding in the United States over the past three decades, totaling almost $75 billion of the estimated $199 billion in flood damages from 1988 to 2017.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-climate-billions-dollars.html

Russ Brown, a Highly Respected Attorney Renowned for His Work and Advocacy for Motorcyclists Has Died

Legendary lawyer Russ Brown, known for his ferocious advocacy on behalf of injured motorcyclists, died in his Los Angeles home with his wife, Hana and his daughter Lauren by his side on January 10, 2021. He was 86. Russ Brown, a celebrated personality in the motorcycle community all across the US, was a fierce advocate for riders for more than 40 years. To everyone in the industry, he was known as a motorcyclist first [PR.com]

Sports Garten Network Kills Media Darlings in Battle for Wagering Clout

Host Tom Barton Crushes Competition in Picks Against the Spread [PR.com]

Acclaimed Artist Elizabeth Cameron Lauder Dies

Abernathy & Smyth publicist, Erin McHugh, announces the death of legendary artist Elizabeth Cameron Lauder, December 22, 2020. She was 72 years old. [PR.com]

Darcy L. Knapp-Fricks Featured as the Biography of the Month for September 2020 by Strathmore's Who's Who Worldwide Publication

Darcy L. Knapp-Fricks of Mansfield, Texas has been featured as the Biography of the Month for September 2020 by Strathmore’s Who’s Who Worldwide for her outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of agriculture, real estate, investments, and self-storage. Strathmore Who’s Who Worldwide features individuals monthly to represent their professions and industries due to their expertise and [PR.com]

GEO and IPEO Specialist Javier Romeu Joins CXC Global North America

CXC Global are pleased to announce Javier Romeu has joined their North America group as Global Solutions Manager. Javier specializes in Global Employment Outsourcing (GEO) and International Professional Employment Outsourcing (IPEO) solutions for North American companies seeking to engage workers globally. Javier is an experienced, solution-oriented executive with diverse expertise and experience directing account [PR.com]

OrthoNeuro Strengthens C-Suite Executive Team with Two Promotions

OrthoNeuro, a multi-disciplinary practice of board-certified physicians has announced the promotion of Jacqueline Petty to Chief Administrative Officer and Brian Hart to Chief Operating Officer. Both Hart and Petty join Dr. Larry Todd, President of OrthoNeuro, and newly elected Senior Vice President Dr. B. Rodney Comisar, and Secretary/Treasurer Dr. Paul Eichenseer as Officers of OrthoNeuro. This move comes after an [PR.com]

Uncovering basic mechanisms of intestinal stem cell self-renewal and differentiation

The gut plays a central role in the regulation of the body's metabolism and its dysfunction is associated with a variety of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, colitis and colorectal cancer that affect millions of people worldwide. Targeting endocrine dysfunction at an early stage by stimulating the formation of specific enteroendocrine cells from intestinal stem cells could be a promising regenerative approach for diabetes therapy. For this, however, a detailed understanding of the intestinal stem cell lineage hierarchy and the signals regulating the recruitment of the different intestinal cell types is critical.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-uncovering-basic-mechanisms-intestinal-stem.html

Transition metal 'cocktail' helps make brand new superconductors

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University mixed and designed a new, high-entropy alloy (HEA) superconductor, using extensive data on simple superconducting substances with a specific crystal structure. HEAs are known to preserve superconducting characteristics up to extremely high pressures. The new superconductor, Co0.2Ni0.1Cu0.1Rh0.3Ir0.3Zr2, has a superconducting transition at 8K, a relatively high temperature for an HEA. The team's approach may be applied to discovering new superconducting materials with specific desirable properties.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-transition-metal-cocktail-brand-superconductors.html

Understanding origins of Arizona's Sunset Crater eruption of 1,000 years ago

Around 1085 AD, along the southern rim of Northern Arizona's elevated Colorado Plateau, a volcano erupted, forever changing ancient Puebloan fortunes and all nearby life. Among the 600 or so volcanoes that dot the landscape of the San Francisco volcanic fields, this one blew. It was the very first (and last) eruption for what came to be known as Sunset Crater, aptly named for its multi-hued, 1,000-foot-tall cinder cone.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-arizona-sunset-crater-eruption-years.html

Latest ezPaycheck 2020 Payroll Software Easily Accommodates Nonprofit Organizations and Churches

The latest version of 2020 ezPaycheck software offers nonprofit organizations and churches the convenience to print forms and checks more easily. Customers can download and test drive it at no risk or obligation at halfpricesoft.com. [PR.com]

Spain shovels out of snowdrifts left by Storm Filomena

Emergency crews in central Spain cleared 500 roads and rescued over 1,500 people stranded in their vehicles, allowing Madrid and other areas on Sunday to slowly shovel out of the country's worst snowstorm in recent memory.

Big differences in how coral reef fish larvae are dispersed

How the larvae of colorful clownfish that live among coral reefs in the Philippines are dispersed varies widely, depending on the year and seasons—a Rutgers-led finding that could help scientists improve conservation of species.

Megalodons gave birth to large newborns that likely grew by eating unhatched eggs in womb

A new study shows that the gigantic Megalodon or megatooth shark, which lived nearly worldwide roughly 15-3.6 million years ago and reached at least 50 feet (15 meters) in length, gave birth to babies larger than most adult humans.

Spain shovels out of snowdrifts left by Storm Filomena

Emergency crews in central Spain cleared 500 roads and rescued over 1,500 people stranded in their vehicles, allowing Madrid and other areas on Sunday to slowly shovel out of the country's worst snowstorm in recent memory.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-spain-shovels-snowdrifts-left-storm.html

China's Geely, Baidu announce electric car ventures

Chinese automaker Geely says it will form an electric car venture with tech giant Baidu, adding to a flurry of corporate tie-ups in the industry to share soaring technology development costs.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-01-china-geely-baidu-electric-car.html

Massive tech show will go on, in virtual format

The big tech show will go on, but online only: the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show kicks off Monday aiming to create connections and showcase the latest in robotics, smart devices, digital health and more.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-01-massive-tech-virtual-format.html

Conservative website Parler forced offline: web trackers

The conservative social network Parler was forced offline Monday, tracking websites showed, after Amazon warned the company would lose access to its servers for its failure to properly police violent content.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-01-website-parler-offline-web-trackers.html

Big differences in how coral reef fish larvae are dispersed

How the larvae of colorful clownfish that live among coral reefs in the Philippines are dispersed varies widely, depending on the year and seasons—a Rutgers-led finding that could help scientists improve conservation of species.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-big-differences-coral-reef-fish.html

Megalodons gave birth to large newborns that likely grew by eating unhatched eggs in womb

A new study shows that the gigantic Megalodon or megatooth shark, which lived nearly worldwide roughly 15-3.6 million years ago and reached at least 50 feet (15 meters) in length, gave birth to babies larger than most adult humans.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-megalodons-gave-birth-large-newborns.html

Positive 'tipping points' offer hope for climate

Positive "tipping points" could spark cascading changes that accelerate action on climate change, experts say.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-01-positive-climate.html

An Introduction to the ProbQa Game Recommendation Engine

A game recommendation engine's benefits are multiplying by the actions of recently released games. The game recommendation engine focuses on the factor that is mostly related to finding a suitable video game for anyone. This report introduces gaming interested people with a program to find top released games and buy them at the same spot where they found their interest. [PR.com]

Centered Mind Therapy Adds Jordan Bunting to Clinical Team

Centered Mind Therapy is a therapy practice that focuses on helping their clients discover healing and build a balanced life through therapy. [PR.com]

In the Cue Podcast Starts Monday Jan 11th at 8pm with Greg Curran from Curran Entertainment & David Hanscom from Y? Entertainment

Greg Curran and David Hanscom Start Entertainment Educational podcast called in the cue found on Facebook and YouTube live @inthecuepodcast [PR.com]

TVS Television Network.com to Expand from 36 to 48 TVS MicroChannels.com in 2021 on WatchYour.TV Platform, Powered by Tulix

The TVS post cable network service is a streaming free to view ad supported post cable network service utilizing the TVS Classic Program Library and TVS Studios for program content. [PR.com]

Golden State Lifeguards to Resume COVID-19 Pool Monitor Program

As a result of the 2020 COVID19 pandemic, many homeowner association pools were shut down due to strict lockdown orders as per California Governor Newsom and LA City Mayor Garcetti. Late last year HOA pools were given the green light to open up to residents only with strict procedures in place. As an experimental service, Golden State Lifeguards began offering COVID19 pool monitors to help HOA pools reopen according to [PR.com]

New CDC Designed "I Got My Covid-19 Vaccine!” Buttons Available to Assist in Rollout and Build Confidence in Vaccines

If you've had the COVID-19 vaccine, or involved in a vaccination roll out team/plan, these "I Got My Covid-19 Vaccine!" buttons effectively let others know you've been vaccinated. These buttons are exactly the same design as stickers given to folks after getting the Pfizer or Moderna Covid-19 vaccination. Using the official CDC design, these I've been vaccinated buttons are a universal indicator that you've been [PR.com]

Nashville Expat Music Producer TheRealJonSmith Launches New Record Label in Los Angeles

Los Angeles based Music Producer Jonathan Smith (a.k.a. TheRealJonSmith) builds upon his Nashville roots in LA as he creates a new multi-genre indie record label that will give incredible new talent a platform to be heard, and seen. [PR.com]