text:
Q: Increment, preincrement and postincrement Help me to resolve this please. The steps that follows that expressions are:
//Expression
offSpring1[m1++] = temp1;

//Steps:
1.- increment m1
2.- assign temp1 to offSpring

I have always thought that the expression inside the brackets was the first to be done. But now I am confuse. So if a write this:
//Expression
offSpring1[++m1] = temp1;

//Steps would be:

1.- assign temp1 to offSpring
2.- increment m1

If the steps would be the same as first ones, what is the difference between i++ and ++i?

A: int i = 0;
std::cout << i++ << std::endl;
std::cout << i << "\nreset" << std::endl;
i = 0;
std::cout << ++i << std::endl;
std::cout << i << std::endl;

output:
0
1
reset
1
1

i++ returns the value as it currently stands in the expression, then increments the variable.
++i will increment the variable, then return the value to use in the current expression.

A: offSpring1[m1++] = temp1;

is
offSpring1[m1] = temp1;
m1 += 1;

and
offSpring1[++m1] = temp1;

is
m1 += 1;
offSpring1[m1] = temp1;

A: Just run these two different test programs to understand the difference between the post-increment and the pre-increment operators
For ++i (pre-increment)
int main()
{
    int* offSpring = calloc(20,sizeof(int));
    int m1 =1;
    offSpring[++m1] = 10;
    printf("%d,%d",offSpring[m1],m1);
}

In the first one you will get 10 as the value of offSpring[m1].
Why? Because this is the pre-increment operator which means that first m1 gets incremented and the the rest gets evaluated.
For i++(post-increment)
int main()
{
    int* offSpring = calloc(20,sizeof(int));
    int m1 =1;
    offSpring[m1++] = 10;
    printf("%d,%d",offSpring[m1],m1);
}

In the second because the post-increment operator is used you will get a 0 value since you are first assigning 10 to offSpring[m1] and then m1 gets incremented.

A: *

*j = ++i is the same as i = i+1; j = i;

*j = i++ is the same as j = i; i = i+1;

A: offSpring1[m1++] = temp1; doesn't do what you said.

*

*assign temp_m1 = m1.

*increment m1.

*index offSpring1[temp_m1]

*assign temp1 into indexed value.

On the other hand offSpring1[++m1] = temp1; works like this:

*

*increment m1.

*index offSpring1[m1]

*assign temp1 into indexed value.

A: The description of the first is the correct description for the second.  The correct description of the first is very similar, you just need a "copy current value of m1" step added before the others.
But you do have a distinct lack of sequence points here, if m1 has a primitive type.  The rules change somewhat between C++03 and C++11.
If m1 has a user-defined type, then there are function calls involved which influence sequencing.

This code
offSpring1[m1++] = temp1;

performs the following (if m1 is a primitive type):
auto const old_m1(m1);
auto const new_m1(old_m1 + 1);
auto& lhs(offSpring[old_m1]);
parallel { lhs = temp1; m1 = new_m1; }

This code
offSpring1[++m1] = temp1;

is exactly the same except that lhs is bound using new_m1 instead of old_m1.
In either case, it is unspecified whether lhs is written to before or after m1.
If m1 is not a primitive type, it looks more like:
auto const& index = m1.operator++(0); // one argument
auto& lhs = offSpring.operator[](index);
lhs = temp1;

vs
auto const& index = m1.operator++(); // no arguments
auto& lhs = offSpring.operator[](index);
lhs = temp1;

In both these cases, the change to m1 is definitely made before the write to lhs.

A: Even though postfix increment is the first to be evaluated in your first example, its value is the original value of the variable being incremented.
offSpring1[m1++] = temp1;

So even though m1 is incremented before array idexing, the value of temp1 is assigned at position m1 - 1.

A: It works precisely the opposite of what you described:
offSpring1[m1++] = temp1 is the same as
offSpring[m1] = temp1; m1 = m1 + 1;
OffSpring1[++m1] = temp1 is the same as
m1 = m1 + 1; OffSpring1[m1] = temp1;
Prefix notation increments before evaluating the expression
Postfix notation increments after evaluating the expression

A: There are two aspects to an expression (or sub-expression): its value,
and its side effects.  The value of i ++ is the value of i; the
value of ++ i is the value i + 1, converted to the type of i.
This is the value used in the expression.  The side effects of both is
to increment the variable i.  This may occur at any time after the
preceding sequence point and before the next.  Supposing i is a global
variable, and you write something like:
i = 0;
f()[i ++] = g();
f()[++ i] = g();

The standard says nothing about whether the value of i seen in f()
or g() is that before the incrementation, or after.  In neither case.
All the standard says is that the effects of the incrementation will
take place after the start of the full expression (but perhaps as the
first thing in the full expression) and before the end of it.  (And that
they won't be interleaved with a function call, so that if f()
reads i twice, it is guaranteed to see the same value.)

A: Unfortunately, in those 2 code snippets you've posted there, there's no guaranteed order of evaluation. If your expressions are inappropriate, more or less anything could happen.
To start with the difference between a++ and ++a:

*

*a++ will increment a but the expression using it will see the value of a before the increment

*++a will increment a, and the expression using it will see the incremented value.

*List item

with
buffer[a++] = b;

the compiler can decide to do the ++ at any point within the expression. Thus if 'b' is actually an expression involving a, you can get different results on different compilers. Both of the following would be valid:

*

*get the value of a;

*increment a

*work out where buffer[old value] points to

*evaluate b

*store b

or this

*

*evaluate b;

*work out where buffer[a] points to

*store b

*increment a

if 'b' should happen to involve a, those 2 implementations would produce different results. Both are valid.


text:
/**
 * Created by jianxi on 2017/5/26.
 * https://github.com/mabeijianxi
 * mabeijianxi@gmail.com
 */
#ifndef JIANXIFFMPEG_JX_JNI_HANDLER_H
#define JIANXIFFMPEG_JX_JNI_HANDLER_H

#include "jx_user_arguments.h"
class JXJNIHandler{
    ~JXJNIHandler(){
//        delete(arguments);
    }
public:
    void setup_video_state(int video_state);
    void setup_audio_state(int audio_state);
    int try_encode_over(UserArguments* arguments);
    void end_notify(UserArguments* arguments);

private:
    int start_muxer(UserArguments* arguments);
private:
    int video_state;
    int audio_state;

};

#endif //JIANXIFFMPEG_JX_JNI_HANDLER_H

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Perspective is everything. If you're a small child waiting for Christmas morning, nine days can seem like an eternity. If you're an adult working on your federal tax return, having nine days left to file can seem like no time at all.
Praying a novena is often a little of both. At some point, it seems too difficult to persevere to the end. Then, before you know it, the ninth day has arrived. Over the years, I've learned a few simple ways to greatly improve my chances of having a meaningful novena experience. By meaningful, I just mean that I am able to pray faithfully each day with intention.
First, I write down something specific that I am entrusting to Blessed Pier Giorgio. Sure, I would like world peace and for purgatory to be emptied as much as the next person. But I stay more focused and motivated during the nine days when my intention is something a little simpler and more personal to me. I like to think it also makes it easier for Blessed Pier Giorgio to help me, as well.
Second, I try to pray as early in the day as possible. "Now I lay me down to sleep, a novena booklet at my feet," never seems to work out well for me.
Third, I try to pick at least one line from the prayers for the day to actually pray. Being the queen of distraction, it's so easy to just read words without giving any thought to them. Recently, I was praying the litany to St. Joseph and was struck by the line, "Terror of demons." I never knew St. Joseph had that title so it motivated me to do a little research. From the whole litany, those were the three words that stuck. Three words are better than none.
Fourth, I ask Pier Giorgio to pray with me and help me to be intentional for the entire nine days. Even though I am usually praying for some favor, it is also a gift to him in his honor. Keeping the focus more on him than me also helps me pray with intention. It feels more like nine days of talking with a really good friend than a spiritual discipline. By the time the novena ends, I find I have grown closer to Pier Giorgio and lived the Beatitudes a little better.
Lastly, I remind myself daily that whether the prayer is answered depends wholly upon the will of God. No matter what, I owe it to Him to give my best effort and avoid the vending-machine-approach to prayer. You can waste a lot of quarters that way. After all, as Pier Giorgio wrote to his friend Marco, "the future is in the hands of God and better than that it could not be."


text:
Home » Member Page
Mary Ellen Desmond
Originally from Westfield, NJ, Mary Ellen has made Philadelphia her home and has been performing professionally as a vocalist, in and around the area, for the past twenty years, while accepting occasional invitations to perform in Japan. Classically trained, she is recognized as a crossover artist covering a variety of styles and repertoires. Her primary focus is jazz. She attended The Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, and also studied privately with operatic soprano Judith Rosenfeld, Grammy nominated jazz vocalist Janet Lawson, and Philadelphia's own premier vocalist Anne Sciolla. Ms. Desmond currently teaches on the vocal faculty of Philadelphia's University of the Arts School of Music and Community College of Philadelphia. She performs regularly in the Philadelphia area at clubs, churches, concerts, and private functions. She can be heard performing with pianists Tom Lawton, Bill Schilling, and Lucas Brown, guitarist Michael Kennedy, bassist Lee Smith, and tenor sax greats Larry McKenna and Robert "Bootsie" Barnes. She is active as a program and music coordinator for fund raising concerts most notably her self conceived annual holiday jazz program Comfort & Joy, which raises money for lives affected by AIDS and HIV through the Church of St. Luke and The Epiphany in Center City , Philadelphia. She was also the program director and music coordinator for the same church's fund raising effort , Fine & Mellow : A Tribute to Billie Holiday Concert , of October 2009. Her debut CD recording Darn That Dream was chosen as a 1998 Top Ten Critics' Pick in Cadence Magazine. Her second release , A Tribute to Peggy Lee & Rosemary Clooney , was recorded with Philadelphia vocalist Meg Clifton, and granted them the opportunity to perform along with Linda Ronstadt at The Annual Rosemary Clooney Music Festival in Ms. Clooney's home town of Maysville, KY in 2004.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Where Are They Now? The Beloved Stars of CSI
Nov 26, 2020 | Abby Bakke | This article originally appeared on our sister site: daily-choices.com
"CSI" captured audiences with its gripping, suspense-filled plot lines and, even since its last season in 2015, is still beloved by fans through reruns. "CSI" has since become a household name and made its mark in pop culture, but what happened to the cast after 2015? Some of the cast continued to appear in various films and tv shows while others, in true CSI fashion, seemed to disappear from the public eye.
Louise Lombard – Then
The character of Sofia Curtis, who appeared on season five, was actually working towards a career as a detective when she was called to work in the CSI unit.
Eventually, she was included as a part of the main cast in the seventh season and made her last appearance on season eleven.
Louise Lombard – Now
Originally from London, Louise Lombard is a versatile actress who began her career in tv movies and on BBC TV shows like "The House of Elliot," a period series about two sisters who start their own hat-making business. In addition to "CSI," Louise has also appeared on the silver screen in the film "Hidalgo" but since then has remained mostly on tv.
She was most recently in the "Lethal Weapon" TV series but will also appear on the big screen again in the film "After We Collided."
Jorja Fox – Then
Sara Sidle began as a reoccurring character on "CSI" but transitioned to a regular cast member during the final five seasons. Sara's character had a gritty background, but she became one of the most essential forensic scientists on the team.
She eventually became an audience favorite with the fanfiction about her to prove it.
Jorja Fox – Now
Jorja Fox is a veteran of tv show dramas having starred not only in "CSI" but also in the "West Wing" and "ER." She began work as a model but eventually found her way into acting in the mid-nineties. Since "CSI," Jorja has mainly been seen on smaller projects and tv movies and was most recently in the futuristic film "3022."
Getty Images Photo by Tara Ziemba
Though she may not be a familiar, on-screen face today, Jorja is also the co-founder of a production company called Seafox Productions as well as a human and animal rights activist.
Marg Helgenberger – Then
One of the most recognizable faces on "CSI" is Marg Helgenberger's, Catherine Willows. The character of Catherine Willows had a rich backstory. It was actually based on a real-life forensic scientist, Yolanda McClary, who worked for the Las Vegas Police Department for 26 years.
Marg Helgenberger received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe award nominations for her portrayal of Catherine Willows but eventually left to pursue other projects and was last seen in season twelve.
Marg Helgenberger – Now
After "CSI," Marg Helgenberger had a relatively slow-paced career with a couple of films and tv movies. Outside of acting, she also works to raise awareness for cancer research and is passionate about environmental activism.
Presently you can see her back in the dramatic crime genre playing Judge Lisa Benner on the TV show "All Rise."
David Caruso – Then
Probably the most recognizable face of "CSI: Miami" is Horatio Caine, played by David Caruso. The character of Horatio (also called "H") became central to each episode and the series as a whole and was the head of the forensic lab.
Most notable was his trademark of slipping on his sunglasses while dropping a one-liner about the case featured for that episode. This move not only made Horatio Caine stand out to the audience on the screen but also became a popular parody in pop culture.
David Caruso – Now
Throughout his career, David Caruso was typecast in authoritarian roles such as policemen and therefore, will most likely be best known for his role as Horatio Caine. Surprisingly, despite being one of the most iconic characters in the CSI franchise, David Caruso's career flickered out after "CSI: Miami" wrapped in 2012.
It is reportedly both expensive and challenging to bring Caruso onto a project, so it appears that he remains more or less a retired actor, not appearing in any well-known projects since 2012.
Emily Procter – Then
Emily Proctor began her career in lesser-known tv shows, and small, tv movies, but her first big film was "Leaving Las Vegas," which also starred Nicolas Cage. Her character on "CSI: Miami," Calleigh Duquesne, was an intelligent, bilingual ballistics expert who was given the nickname "bullet girl" for her depth of knowledge about firearms.
Calleigh's beautiful and brilliant character on the show had staying power, lasting for every season through the series finale.
Emily Procter – Now
After "CSI: Miami," Procter's career also diminished as she only made a couple of appearances on the TV series "White Collar", but she also starred in the 2016 film "Love Everlasting."
Getty Images Photo by Paul Archuleta
Outside of acting, Emily is also a singer, poker player, and philanthropist who enjoys her life outside the spotlight with her husband and daughter.
Laurence Fishburne – Then
Dr. Ray Langston, played by Lawrence Fishburne, brought a calm and contemplative character to the "CSI" storyline. Before joining CSI, Fishburne had one of the most impressive resumes of any cast member, having starred in multiple films and TV shows, including "Apocalypse Now," "Predators," "Mission Impossible 3," and of course, "The Matrix."
He became one of the show's stars in seasons nine through eleven but shockingly did not renew his contract, and he was written out of the show.
Laurence Fishburne – Now
Leaving "CSI" in no way hindered Fishburne's career as he went on to star in multiple films and TV shows, including "Man of Steel," "Hannibal," "Contagion," and "Where'd You Go Bernadette," just to name a few. You can currently see him playing the sassy grandfather, Pops, on the TV show "Blackish."
Fishburne has received multiple Emmy award nominations and wins and was also nominated for an academy award for his role in "What's Love Got to Do with It." With so much versatility and longevity as an actor, Fishburne's career is far from over.
Aisha Tyler – Then
Though only appearing on the show for one season, Aisha Tyler played the memorable character, Mia Dickerson. Dickerson appeared on season five as a DNA lab technician and was defined by her exacting and almost neurotic behavior, commonly complaining of her colleagues contaminating her workspace.
Tyler also appeared in an episode of "CSI: Miami" but later left "CSI" altogether when she became busy with multiple projects in her career.
Aisha Tyler – Now
Aisha Tyler also managed to have a successful career after CSI. Her career continued to flourish in 2001 after taking over as one of the hosts of The Talk and she has also starred in a variety of movies and tv shows like Bedtime Stories, Criminal Minds, and Diary of a Future President, among others.
In her career so far, Aisha has managed to gracefully pivot towards different avenues; becoming an author, producer, and director. Next, you can see her in the upcoming film, "Friendsgiving."
Lauren Lee Smith – Then
One of the most challenging circumstances that producers can find themselves in is the need to replace a long-standing role with a different actor. Lauren Lee Smith joined the cast during season nine as the main cast replacement for Jorja Fox's Sara Sidle. The character of Riley Adams, who initially got along with her colleagues, was tough and rebellious and was often combative with her superior, Catherine Willows.
The character of Riley Adams disappeared well before "CSI" ended, as her contentious relationship with Willows resulted in a scathing review of Catherine during her exit interview.
Lauren Lee Smith – Now
Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Lauren Lee Smith is probably not very well-known to American audiences outside of "CSI." Before joining "CSI," she was in a handful of lesser-known tv shows and tv movies, primarily for the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC).
Getty Images Photo by Pascal Le Segretain
After "CSI," Lauren managed to return to the CBC on the show, "The Listener," which unfortunately ended in 2014. She last had the starring role in the series "Frankie Drake Mysteries," but since then has not picked up any new projects.
Elisabeth Shue – Then
After Catherine Willows, who was played by Marg Helgenberger, left the show, the producers were in a desperate search of another female lead. They decided upon Academy Award nominee Elisabeth Shue to take her place as Julie Finlay. As a blood splatter specialist with the team, Julie Finlay brought a unique specialty to the cast.
She stayed on the show for four seasons, joining during season twelve and staying on until the end of the show. The character of Julie Finlay, unfortunately, did not last till the finale, as she fell into a coma following a brutal beating.
Elisabeth Shue – Now
Before CSI, Elisabeth Shue was already a seasoned actress having starred in various movies and tv shows. She is probably best known for playing Jennifer, Marty McFly's girlfriend, in "Back to the Future" parts one and two. After "CSI," Elisabeth maintained a relatively low-key career, appearing briefly on a handful of TV shows.
However, she appeared alongside Tom Hanks in the World War Two drama, "Greyhound," and will also be seen on the tv series, "On the Verge," a show centered on women navigating life in their forties.
Paul Guilfoyle – Then
Paul Guilfoyle began acting in the mid-seventies, and though he was not a blockbuster star, he did have a versatile career as he took on projects from different genres. Paul Guilfoyle played the captain of the homicide team, Jim Brass, who was a former Marine and Vietnam Veteran before his career began in the homicide unit.
Brass became a fan favorite from the very beginning and appeared in 317 episodes over the first fourteen seasons of the show. Sadly, the producers decided to discontinue the plotline for Jim Brass, and they wrote him out of the show.
Paul Guilfoyle – Now
After departing from CSI, Paul Guilfoyle was seen on a couple of tv movies and shows. He did have an uncredited appearance in Alfonso Cuaron's sci-fi thriller, Gravity, and though the role was small, the movie won seven Academy Awards. In his next film, Spotlight, Guilfoyle played Pete Conley, which also starred Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, and took home two Academy Awards.
His most recent film projects include the dramedy, "The Good House," and the thriller "The Seville Communion."
Elisabeth Harnois – Then
Morgan Brody, played by Elisabeth Harnois, stepped onto the show in season eleven but became a cast regular in season twelve. Brody came to the Las Vegas CSI unit from the Los Angeles Police Department, and despite having a relatively simple backstory, she did have a connection to Catherine Willows in her past.
Five years before Harnois worked on "CSI," she had an appearance on an episode of "CSI: Miami" as a separate character. After joining the cast, Harnois continued in the role of Brody to the end of the show and in the series finale.
Elisabeth Harnois – Now
Though Elisabeth Harnois was a child actress and did multiple commercials growing up, her career never grew into A-list status. Following the end of "CSI," Elisabeth Harnois's public persona faded as she only appeared in small TV movies.
Her last TV movie was completed in 2019, but outside of this project, she seems to keep an extremely private life.
Eric Szmanda – Then
Greg Sanders, played by Eric Szmanda, was a great source of comic relief in a show built around murder and drama. Greg began as a recurring character, but by season three was a part of the main cast as a technician on the homicide investigation crew. Greg was characterized by his deadpan humor but often irritated his superior, Gil Grissom.
He started the show as a trainee but worked his way into being one of the better investigators on the team.
Eric Szmanda – Now
"CSI" has been the biggest project that Eric Szmanda has taken on so far in his somewhat spotty career. He has appeared in various television programs but remained relatively unknown as an actor. Since the show ended, he has had only two non-CSI related projects that he has acted in.
Szmanda joined co-star Jorja Fox in a benefit to raise money for saving animals around the world from animal cruelty, and he also traveled to Thailand to speak with Burmese refugees. Hopefully, his acting career will bloom again after his crime-drama film, "Adverse" is released in 2020.
Wallace Langham – Then
Lab technician David Hodges, played by Wallace Langham, joined the team in season three, spending five seasons as a recurring character before he was promoted to the main cast in season eight. As a germophobic over-explainer, the character of Hodges was not exceptionally charming.
Langham described his character as a "pain in the (butt)" and a suck-up, but the role added narrative texture to the cast as a whole.
Wallace Langham – Now
Wallace Langham began his acting career in the mid-80s, with roles peppered through numerous tv shows in the nineties. From the earliest part of his career, he is probably most well-known for his role as Mark Ratner on the "Fast Times" TV series. Since CSI ended, Langham has successfully sustained his career, maintaining the same pattern of work till now.
He has appeared on "Grey's Anatomy," "Veronica Mars," and can also be seen in the new short film, "The Ball Method."
Robert David Hall– Then
Robert David Hall took on the role of Dr. Robbins, who was the Chief Medical Examiner. Dr. Al Robbins did not have his first appearance until a few episodes into season one, Robert David Hall had the distinction of appearing in most cases in the CSI franchise. Tragically, Hall lost his legs in a car accident in 1978, but this did not at all hinder his performance as Dr. Robbins.
The injury was written into the role of Dr. Robbins, who is seen in a wheelchair in almost every scene, except for a few scenes in which he wears prosthetics.
Robert David Hall – Now
Although both of his legs were amputated in 1978, Robert David Hall never ceased acting. Many of his characters share his disability, including Dr. Robbins. Outside of acting, Hall is also a talented musician; he plays guitar, piano, percussion, and mandolin. He worked as a DJ for years in Los Angeles and has also recorded voiceovers for other projects.
Getty Images Photo by Araya Diaz
Though he had a brief break in his career, the end of "CSI" has not ended his acting legacy as he still has two films in post-production – but the 70-year-old has continued to grow his career.
Liz Vassey – Then
Wendy Simms, played by actress Liz Vassey, first appeared in the sixth season of "CSI". Simms began a rivalry with David Hodges in her recurring role, but she eventually grew to have feelings for him as they worked closely together in the lab. Following four seasons as a recurring character, she was ultimately promoted to star alongside the main cast.
As many of the show's actors renegotiated their contracts, Vassey permanently left the show following a season eleven episode.
Liz Vassey – Now
Liz Vassey made small appearances on quite a few television shows in the 90s and early 2000s before finding a stable platform for her career on "CSI." She appeared in 40 episodes of the 1995 show "Brotherly Love" with Andrew, Matthew, and Joey Lawrence.
Since leaving "CSI," Vassey also appeared on "Two and a Half Men," in addition to the TV show, "Necessary Roughness," and most recently, "The Tick."
Jon Wellner – Then
Jon Wellner first appeared on "CSI" as a zookeeper in season five but patiently waited for his chance to join the main cast in season thirteen. His character of Henry Andrews was the toxicology expert on the show, so his presence was not consistently required on set.
Henry Andrews was a rather uptight character with a lot of failed attempts at humor, but he still managed to be an endearing addition to the cast.
Jon Wellner – Now
Jon Wellner is probably best known for his role on "CSI," but has had numerous appearances on shows like "Bones," "Drop Dead Diva" and "NCIS," just to name a few. Before his role in "CSI," Wellner also rubbed shoulders with some of today's biggest stars – George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon in "Ocean's 13."
Unfortunately, since "CSI" ended in 2015, Wellner's career also came to a halt as he has not taken on any projects since.
Gary Sinise – Then
CSI producers began yet another spinoff of the CSI franchise with another star leading the way. Gary Sinise became Mac Taylor in "CSI: NY," a military veteran who had a sobering backstory where his wife died in the September 11th terrorist attacks. The character of Mac Taylor was a likable one and an excellent leader to those under him.
He was a CSI supervisor and directed his team through nine seasons of gritty, New York crime. Sinise became a familiar face on "CSI" as he appeared in 200 episodes of the franchise.
Gary Sinise – Now
Gary Sinise had a well-polished career before coming to "CSI" and has won multiple Emmys for his roles in "George Wallace" and "Truman." He also received an Oscar nomination for his memorable character, Lieutenant Dan in "Forest Gump." After the end of the show, he joined another successful CBS crime franchise as Jack Garrett, in "Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders."
The show was canceled, but Sinise has continued to grow his career. In addition to acting, Gary Sinise is also a proud supporter of the U.S. Military and has his philanthropic foundation that provides aid to veterans.
Ted Danson – Then
After Lawrence Fishburne's contract was not renewed and he left the show, the producers yet again found themselves lacking a high-powered star. They turned to one of the most winsome actors in all of Hollywood, Ted Danson. Dr. Langston's departure left a void, but Danson's D.B. Russell character filled the void with his calming presence.
Jorja Fox with Ted Danson in a Season 13 episode of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"
He maintained the role for the last four seasons, but also made an appearance in season two of "CSI: Cyber."
Ted Danson – Now
Ted Danson is a highly accomplished actor, having been in front of the camera with relatively no pauses, since 1970. Following the finale of "CSI," Danson joined the cast of "Fargo" as Sheriff Hank Larsson, but he will always be a familiar face from his performance as Sam Malone on the show "Cheers."
Presently, Danson stars with Kristen Bell on NBC's "The Good Place" as the architect of a neighborhood in a pseudo-heaven, and he will also be starring in the new comedy series, "Mr. Mayor."
David Berman – Then
Not many "CSI" cast members stayed a part of the show for as long as David Berman in the role of Assistant Coroner, Dave Phillips. Dave earned the nickname "Super Dave" and was the assistant to Dr. Robbins.
David Phillips was a recurring character for the first nine seasons of the show from the fifth episode of season one, till the series finale.
David Berman – Now
David Berman had roles both in front of the camera and behind the scenes while he also worked as the show's full-time researcher. After "CSI," his career slowed down but did not completely stop.
He went on to star in the TV series "Bones," "Daybreak," and, as of 2020, "The Blacklist."
Archie Kao – Then
In season two, the audience was introduced to Archie Johnson, the man responsible for the crime lab's audiovisual work. Archie Johnson was an interesting character who was tech-savvy, rode a motorcycle, and was also a Star Trek fan. Archie Kao was only supposed to appear on the show for one episode.
Still, executive producer Jerry Bruckheimer was so impressed that he told his agent that he wanted him back as a recurring character.
Archie Kao – Now
Before "CSI," Archie Kao made little appearances, primarily on tv shows, but also did voice-over work for video games. Kao might be best recognizable to kids from the turn of the century as he played Kai Chen (or the Blue Ranger) on Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy.
After "CSI," Archie was a part of the "Chicago P.D." cast and also had the opportunity to add the 2015 thriller, "Blackhat" (starring Chris Hemsworth), to his resume. Soon he will appear as David Wu in the film, "The Gift."
Larry Mitchell – Then
The "CSI" world includes every possible aspect of crime-solving. Officer Mitchell was an important part of the Las Vegas Police Department. Larry Mitchell played the character that shared the same name but was called by the nickname "Mitch." Mitch could frequently be spotted clearing crime scenes before the CSI team arrived.
Mitch became very close to them, and they have a shared level of respect for them.
Larry Mitchell – Now
Larry Mitchell had one of the shortest filmographies before being added to the "CSI" cast. Mitchell also did work behind the scenes as a technical consultant on over 100 episodes of the show between 2004 and 2011.
However, after leaving the show, Mitchell's acting career ended with his only credit being that of a technical consultant on the 2018 tv series, "Snowfall."
Marc Vann – Then
Marc Vann was well-known to "CSI" fans as Conrad Ecklie, the Assistant Director of the crime lab, and appeared in all seasons (except three and four) of the franchise.
In the early days of the show, Ecklie was presented as more of an antagonist to the team but received a promotion to Undersheriff in season ten and eventually reached the rank of Sheriff of Clark County by season thirteen.
Marc Vann – Now
Marc Vann holds a substantial body of work in his career with appearances on tv-series and movies that stretch back to 1992. Vann appeared in four episodes of "Lost" and also made appearances on "Modern Family," "Monk," "Without A Trace," and "Grey's Anatomy."
Unfortunately, Vann's career made a visible halt in 2016 and he has not been in any projects since then.
Alex Carter – Then
Louis Vartann, played by Alex Carter, came to "CSI" with a richer backstory than most homicide detectives. Carter was previously a detective for the homicide unit of the Las Vegas Police Department, had battled alcoholism, and managed to become very personally entangled in one of the cases.
He eventually became quite close with one of the team leaders and, in season ten, particularly with Catherine Willows. Throughout the show, Detective Vartann appeared in forty-one episodes of "CSI."
Alex Carter – Now
Alex Carter originally hails from Canada but currently lives in California with his family. Carter sustained his career with roles in many tv shows and a few movies before, during, and after "CSI."
He frequently took on projects that kept him within the crime-drama genre and can most recently be found playing the role of Freddie on the show, "Stumptown."
Paula Francis – Then
To bring as much realism to the show as possible, the producers of "CSI" introduced real-life journalist Paula Francis to the "CSI" world. Indeed a unique addition to the cast, Francis appeared in 11 episodes between 2005 and 2014 as herself.
This extra dose of realism from the perspective of a journalist only enriched "CSI's" storyline and further captivated viewers.
Paula Francis – Now
Paula Francis was born in Queens in 1952 and began her career as a broadcast journalist in Madison, Wisconsin, before moving to Las Vegas. Paula served as the evening anchor on both KTNV and KLAS in Las Vegas.
Over her time in Las Vegas media, she was an eight-time winner of the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Best of Las Vegas award and also won some humanitarian awards. In April of 2016, Paula retired from her broadcast journalism career.
Romy Rosemont – Then
Jacqui Franco, played by Romy Rosemont, appeared throughout seasons three, four, and five. Jacqui was the fingerprint lab technician who became indispensable to the team. Jacqui's character was a serious one in both work and life, but she revealed a lighter side in the season three episode, "A Night at the Movies."
In this episode, she made a bet with Greg about who could process the results of a weapon quickest and, upon being declared the loser, agreed to wear a rather humiliating hat.
Romy Rosemont – Now
Though Romy Rosemont only appeared in 14 episodes of "CSI," she made appearances in plenty of projects before joining the cast, such as "Fringe" and "Brothers and Sisters." After "CSI," she found a sweet spot in her career as Carole Hudson on "Glee."
You can currently watch her on the tv series "A Million Little Things" and also on the show "Better Things."
William Petersen – Then
The "CSI" franchise, more or less, does not exist without Gil Grissom leading the way on its source material. He appeared in every episode from the pilot through season eight, a nearly irreplaceable cast member. As the supervisor of the team, Gil went from a witty and enthusiastic, to irritated and unapproachable due to the loss of his hearing.
Despite being the center of the show, he was eventually replaced by Lawrence Fishburne after retiring from the show in season nine but will never be forgotten by devoted fans.
William Petersen – Now
After starring in 196 episodes of "CSI," Petersen left the show in 2009 as an Emmy-nominated actor. He has taken his time getting back into every day acting but has appeared in some projects. In 2012, he appeared in "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World," which also starred Steve Carell.
Getty Images Photo by David Livingston
He joined the cast of "Manhattan" in season two for ten episodes, but unfortunately, the show was canceled at the end of the year.
Gary Dourdan – Then
Gary Dourdan's character Warrick Brown became one of the most popular characters in "CSI" history. He appeared in every episode from season to season eight, where he was tragically killed off by being shot to death by undersheriff Jeffrey McKeen.
His death carried over briefly into season nine as Grissom discovered Brown bleeding to death, marking his last appearance on the show. Fans and critics were shocked and saddened by Brown's death as he had become a well-liked character.
Gary Dourdan – Now
After disagreements over his contract with CBS, Gary Dourdan left "CSI." And though he made some appearances in other shows and films, his personal life began to unravel. Dourdan was arrested for possession of illicit substances and, a few years later, was also charged with possession of paraphernalia following a car crash.
Unfortunately, Dourdan's personal life only continued to spiral as he was sentenced to five years of probation for a domestic assault case and then filed for bankruptcy in 2012.
Eva LaRue – Then
Eva LaRue joined the cast of "CSI: Miami" in 2005 in season five as Natalia Boa Vista. She enters the storyline with a mysterious background that comes into full light when she is revealed as an FBI informant at the end of the season. Once she became a show regular, she eventually earned the trust of her on-screen team and the "CSI" audience.
Natalia Boa Vista stayed on the show till the series finale.
Eva LaRue – Now
In the past, Eva LaRue was known as Dr. Maria Santos Grey on "All My Children." Sadly, when "CSI: Miami" was canceled in 2012, Eva only made brief appearances on tv shows in the succeeding years.
Recently, she returned to her place on daytime soaps in her role of Celeste Rosales on "The Young and the Restless" in 2019, and, as of 2020, she can be seen on "Finding Love in Quarantine."
George Eads – Then
George Eads successfully launched his career thanks to his role as Crime Scene Investigator, Nick Stokes. A veteran cast member, he appeared in an incredible 335 episodes of "CSI" and worked as a member of the main cast from the beginning until the end of the last season.
Stokes was known to be one of the most personable and empathetic members of his unit, managing to have a good rapport with most of his colleagues. Sadly, Nick Stokes was written out of the show and did not make it into the series finale.
George Eads – Now
Regrettably, Eads left "CSI" due to an altercation with a writer in which they reportedly argued over the creative direction of his character. After "CSI," Eads became involved in another crime drama, a reboot of the classic show "MacGyver" as Jack Dalton, but he exited in 2019.
Getty Images Photo by Jace Downs
Next, he will be starring in the Korean war drama, "The Battle of Jangsari."
I While giant black holes are pretty common in space, a supermassive one has been found thats 40 billion times larger than the Sun. The black hole was located right smack in the middle of a humongous galaxy called Holmberg 15A, which can be found in the middle of the galaxy cluster, Abell 85. The gargantuan beast is 700 million light-years away from Earth.
II Found via star movement tracking, this black hole is one of the biggest finds astronomers have made. Early calculations suggested the Holm 15A galaxy is 310 billion times as massive as ours. However, a more recent and reliable measurement has confirmed its actual mass.
III Astronomers made use of axisymmetric Schwarzschild models to examine the galaxy more accurately. They were able to classify the giant as a supermassive black hole (SMBH). While it may be on the larger end of the scale, it pales in comparison to another beast TON 618 which clocks in at 66 billion times larger than the sun, making it the largest SMBH known to humanity.
IV To give you an idea of just how humongous this newly discovered black hole is, at 40 billion solar masses, it can easily swallow our whole solar system and more. Its Schwarzschild radius (also known as its event horizon) is believed to measure up to 123 astronomical units (AUs). Again, to give you an idea of how broad that is, Pluto, which is located at the edge of the Solar System, has a distance of 39.5 AUs from the sun.
V Further research into the Holm 15A galaxy determined its actual Schwarzschild radius which is about 790 AUs. The massive discrepancy between the first estimate and the updated one goes to show how challenging it is to use indirect methods of measurement. This SMBH is four to nine times bigger than expected.
VI Researchers speculate that the black hole was formed from a collision of two galaxies that had depleted cores. However, much is still a mystery, so more research is needed to determine exactly how the colossal beast was formed. Finding out how such galaxy collisions occur could help scientists locate more SMBHs in the future.
I August 6, 2012, was a memorable day for mankind: NASAs Curiosity Mars rover successfully landed on Mars after a 6-month expedition. Its now been on the Red Planet for seven years, and it has never failed to bring us amazing images. Curiosity is currently the only active rover on the planet, hanging out mainly in the Gale Crater. Its predecessor, Opportunity, which served NASA for 15 years, was unfortunately swallowed by a storm just this year.
II Fun fact: the little rover was only supposed to go on a two-year mission. However, it brought us so many interesting discoveries that NASA decided to extend its contract indefinitely. As of yet, Curiosity has traveled 21 kilometers along the Gale Crater. It has also climbed 368 meters of Mount Sharp.
III In 2013, we found out through the little rover that a dried-up streambed was once host to water on Mars. This revelation confirmed that Gale Crater had once been a giant lake and set speculations flying that there could still be water somewhere on the planet. Considering that Mars was initially thought to be a desert planet, this discovery (confirmed by orbiting satellites) was a huge deal.
IV Curiosity also discovered that Mars could once have hosted microbes. Chemicals critical to building DNA such as phosphorus, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon, and sulfur were seen in bedrock samples brought to us by Curiosity. And now that we know Mars once had water, its within the realms of possibility that the Red Planet was once habitable.
V When Curiosity started its journey up Mount Sharp, it discovered the presence of Boron in its rocks. Why is this a huge deal? Well, back on Earth, boron is created through evaporation. It means that the water present on Mars had temperatures ranging from 0 to 60 degrees Celsius. These temperatures, as you may have guessed, are life-supporting.
VI Heres a more recent discovery: a year ago, our friendly little rover provided us with proof of organic compounds on Mars. Specimen samples contained dimethylsulfide, thiophene, methanethiol, and 2- and 3-methylthiophenes. These compounds are present in Earths mudstones, meaning the Red Planets composition is similar to Earths.
I John Barber passed away around 200 years ago, but he remains one of the most-studied human bodies of all time. His name may not sound familiar, but DNA experts know him well as an ancient vampire. Barbers body has a broken collar bone, missing upper front teeth, and an arthritic knee. He most likely died of tuberculosis.
II While his remains dont seem vampiric, for some reason, people during his time believed him to be one. His family was convinced they were being haunted by his ghost, so they dug his body up years after his death and rearranged it in the way customary for vampire deaths in 1800s New England.
III While John Barbers coffin was discovered in 1990 in Griswold, Connecticut, information about his death and unusual burial were brought to light thanks to modern technology. As the only alleged vampire body ever examined, his remnants are valuable to forensic scientists. His discovery revealed more about the vampire scare that haunted New England in the 1700s and 1800s, particularly in Rhode Island and Connecticut.
IV The vampire scare was actually a disease called consumption, or as it is called today, tuberculosis. As we now know, TB is highly infectious. Back then, people believed that those who passed away from it had the ability to rise from the grave and spread the disease to the living by draining their blood.
V The practice of burning a TB victims heart was done out of fear and love. People in the early days had no idea how the disease spread and so resorted to desperate measures to stop the plague. They were convinced the dead would infect the living, despite having crossed to the other side. To stop this from happening, people would dig up the bodies, take out their hearts, and burn them.
VI John Barbers heart was already decomposed when his family dug up his grave four years after his death. As an alternative, his head and limbs were removed and placed over his torso in a skull-and-crossbones formation. They reburied his body but changed the lid of the coffin to wood. The simple inscription, JB 55, symbolized his initials and age.
I According to the giant impact hypothesis, the moon came to be 150 million years after the solar system was formed. A Mars-sized planet named Theia crashed into our planet. During the collision, Theia and a part of the Earth melted and combined as one rock that began circling the Earth. This is the satellite we now know as the moon.
II The widely accepted thesis is now being challenged by new findings which suggest that the Moon is actually much older than we initially perceived. According to scientists from the Institute of Geology and Mineralogy at the University of Cologne, the moon could actually have been formed 50 million years after the formation of the Solar System, not 150 million.
III This new study is critical in learning how old the Earth is. The moon rocks used in this study are incredibly reliable as they have barely changed from the moment of their conception. Earth rocks, on the other hand, have undergone numerous geological transformations over billions of years; as such, they do not provide reliable information in our quest to determine our planets age.
IV Researchers arrived at this new conclusion by comparing the elements (i.e. tungsten and hafnium) present in rocks formed at different stages. When Theia and Earth collided, a cloud made of magma was formed. The magma cooled and various kinds of rocks were formed. If we can get a hold of more of these rocks, well be able to see a clearer picture of how (and when) the moon was actually formed.
V Resting on the moon are huge chunks of basaltic and igneous rocks called mares (Latin: seas). These rocks were studied to learn how interactions between tungsten, hafnium, and uranium formed the mares. Studying the lifecycle of hafnium and tungsten led scientists to believe that the moon was solidifying just 50 million years after the formation of the solar system.
VI This new evidence, which was discovered from rocks collected during the Apollo 11 expedition in 1969, is causing much debate among scientists. Nevertheless, it is pretty impressive that our technology now enables scientists to make precise assessments those of the late 60s just could not.
I Scientists have now designed artificial cells that can react to external signals, just as real cells do. Specifically, these artificial cells will light up when they are exposed to calcium. With this advancement, humans are now a step closer to applying synthetic biological formations in addressing real-life problems such as pollution.
II As a basal capability, biological cells use calcium to communicate with one another. The ability to replicate this in synthetic cells means we can now form ones that are programmable and easily manipulated. Its a giant step for biotechnology. For instance, such cells could be designed to detect cancer in the body and harmful metals in the environment, James Hindley, a chemical biologist from Imperial College London, UK, explains.
III To build the cells, Hindleys team used a bunch of small vesicles with edge membranes made of lipids. These membranes have pores in them for calcium to infiltrate. The vesicles have fluorescent properties that are activated by calcium ions. While its a far cry from what actual cells are capable of, it does open up the possibility of creating cells that serve a purpose.
IV The great thing about these artificial cells is that the scientists designed them such that their pathways are much shorter and less complex than the real ones found in the environment. Doing so creates a more efficient pathway capable of delivering the same results. Aside from being less complicated, it also eliminates the unwanted and possibly toxic by-products formed by other pathways. And of course, less toxicity means a healthier cell.
V In an earlier experiment, scientists were able to create another form of artificial cell that was capable of producing its own energy via the process of photosynthesis. This was possible thanks to a specially designed membrane. With this scientific breakthrough, humans may actually be able to create self-sustaining cells in the near future.
VI In another experiment, scientists developed artificial cells that are so intelligent they fooled actual cells into believing they were real. Can you imagine a world where synthetic and natural cells harmoniously collaborate with one another? If this could be done, the possibilities would be immeasurable.
I A team of scientists at the University of California, Berkeley invented a tiny robot that can survive being stepped on by a 132-pound person. The AI is just 10 millimeters long and has strength and resilience like no other. Though, if you think about it, this sounds a lot like a pesky little creature we already know.
II Just like the sneaky little cockroaches that are able to survive even the most vigorous stomping, the tiny robot can withstand being stepped on with considerable force. The fascinating AI was created using a narrow sheet of polyvinylidene fluoride covered in an elastic polymer.
III Unlike cockroaches, this artificial critter is far from nasty. Its so strong that electrocuting it wont kill it, either. When zapped by a high-voltage wire, its body curls up, straightens back out, and then jumps forward using its front leg. The bot is also an insanely fast sprinter. It can run up to 20 body lengths per second.
IV While minute robots were in existence prior to the roachbot, they have no match for the strength and agility of this newbie. Old tiny robots are usually built with rigid elements, and as such, move slowly and tend to be clumsy. The one-legged roachbot, on the other hand, is built with flexible parts that make it fast and agile.
V Scientists conducted an experiment to test the roachbots capabilities. They put different weighted object atop it and monitored how fast it could move. As it turns out, the bot can climb up 7.5-degree slopes, can run up to seven body lengths per second, and carry weight six times its own body mass. It can even survive being stomped on by a human foot, which is about a million times heavier than the bot.
VI While the bot has some similarities with the roach, its life goals are much more desirable. The amazing capabilities of this tiny critter make it a perfect ally for search-and-rescue operations. For instance, in the event of a catastrophic earthquake, bigger devices will prove almost useless in locating life beneath heavy debris. This is where the roach bot will come in.
I For the longest time, we all thought that the Milky Way had a flat disc shape. However, two recent studies have revealed that the galaxy actually warps and twists around the edges. Researchers from the University of Warsaw, Poland designed a 3D map of the Milky Way with the help of cepheid variable stars young giants that are much brighter than the sun (up to 10,000 better!).
II Cepheid variables are stars that emit light pulses at various intervals. Scientists used their light pulses to spot them, mark them on the map, and confirm the shape of the Milky Way. According to astrophysicist Przemek Mroz and the team, the true shape of our galaxy is far different from what we initially thought.
III With the help of the telescope OGLE (Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment), scientists were able to identify more cepheid stars in our galaxy, which in turn helped in identifying its actual shape. The second study made use of the telescope, which further validates the accuracy of the initial findings.
IV The Milky Way is, in fact, shaped like a spiral. The cepheids follow a curve shaped like an S, depicting a twisted disc. Over the years, scientists had no other means of understanding the galaxys shape and size apart from measurements of other galaxies. With the 3D map, astronomers are now able to assess our galaxy with far more accuracy.
V According to scientists, it is actually pretty common for galaxies to warp at the edges. So, what makes this discovery special? Well, unlike other galaxies, the Milky Ways warping involves young stars. Scientists believe that the S-shaped warping is created as the outer disc is pulled by the inner disc.
VI This knowledge allows us to study the universe as a whole. It gives us an idea of how to find other galaxies and dark matter too. So, while its extremely challenging to map out an entire galaxy without an outside perspective, astronomers are determined to keep going. The Milky Way is believed to contain around 400 billion stars and 100 billion planets, so we still have a long way to go.
I Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is now so effective in HIV management that people dont always bother taking the pill religiously. An invention introduced by Merck & Co has presented an even better solution: an implant made of an antiretroviral (ARV) drug that can stay inside the body for one year and prevent the contraction of HIV.
II Merck has conducted tests on 12 people, and so far, the results are impressive. The next step is to conduct the tests on a larger scale. Once the implant is proven effective and safe, it could be a game-changer in the field of medicine, says Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland.
III In order to create this PrEP regimen, the drug company used two doses of MK-8591 or islatravir the compound responsible for preventing the production of enzymes that HIV thrives in. To test its effectivity, researchers injected the implants underneath the skin of subjects who did not have HIV. The implants remained in place for 12 weeks. Results showed that the MK-8591 levels in the subjects blood were significant enough to prevent infection for up to 12 to 16 months.
IV According to Fauci, researchers have been attempting to develop such an ARV implant for more than two decades. So, if this product proves itself effective, it will be a marvelous achievement. Yamasa, a soy sauce company from Japan, supplied Merck with the MK-8591. George Hanna, Mercks vice president over at Upper Gwynedd, Pennsylvania, explained that the compound lasts longer in implant form because the fluorine atom present in it delays its degradation.
V MK-8591 is enough to prevent people from contracting HIV. However, those who already suffer from AIDS need a combination of the compound with other medicines. In a test conducted on 121 HIV patients who took the drug mixture over a period of 24 weeks, results were promising.
VI Another ARV treatment technique has made waves recently. The drug has done well in large-scale trials and received a priority review from the FDA in April. If the results of the review are positive, the drug could be available on the market as soon as December of 2019.
I A recent discovery in the bed of the Baltic Sea has fascinated scientists: a well-preserved and untouched shipwreck that is believed to have sailed during the 15th and 16th centuries AD. The ancient wreck is in near-perfect condition, allowing archaeologists a glimpse into the oceangoing vessels of the Renaissance period the era of Leonardo da Vinci and Christopher Columbus.
II Archaeologists are yet to determine the exact origin of the ship. For now, its been called Okant Skepp, a Swedish phrase meaning unknown ship. Rodrigo Pacheco-Ruiz, a maritime archaeologist, said the ship is so well-preserved that its almost as if it only sunk yesterday. Aside from its main mast being intact, another amazing find was the tender boat; a small vessel used to transport crew on and off the ship.
III In 2009, a side-scan sonar conducted by the Swedish Maritime Administration showed signs of a shipwreck beneath the waters of the Baltic Sea. However, it was only this year (a decade later) that the ship was finally discovered and by accident, mind you. The MMT, a marine survey company, was conducting a seafloor survey when the tall ship appeared before their eyes.
IV The ship is about 16-18 meters long, making it just smaller than the Santa Maria, Columbus flagship. Apart from the tender boat and mast, the ships bowsprit, rigging, and transom also remain intact. Archaeologists believe that this pristine preservation is thanks to the cold, salty, and oxygen-deficient waters of the Baltic Sea. This environment is almost uninhabitable, meaning theres nothing to destroy the ship.
V This sunken ship is a critical discovery in history. Aside from being almost perfectly preserved, it predates other shipwrecks found in the Baltic Sea, such as Mars (1564) and Vasa (1628). The Unknown Ship is now classed as the oldest shipwreck ever discovered in the Baltic. In fact, it is the only ship discovered that came from the Renaissance period.
VI Archaeologists are yet to uncover the story behind the Okant Skepp. In fact, research about the wreck is far from being over. One major question remains: how and why did the ship sink when no significant damage has been found so far?
I For the longest time, our knowledge of black holes has been purely theoretical. The existence of these immense objects was difficult to prove until earlier this year when scientists were finally able to take a picture of one. The photo was made possible by the use of a network of telescopes called Event Horizon Telescope (EHT).
II While in-vitro fertilization has been around for decades, a pivotal moment took place as a baby boy with three biological parents was born. The process is called mitochondrial donation the structure of the mothers egg cells is altered so that the mitochondria can be replaced with the donors. As such, the baby shares the DNA of three people.
III Australian researchers have built and anti-AI machine. This wearable device can detect robots through their voices. The machine captures the voices and uses a Google-developed software called Tensorflow to identify the sound. If its a human voice, the machine does nothing, but if its a robot, the machine will literally send you chills down your spine.
IV Oxford-based Ai-Da is an emerging artist whose work is making a buzz in the art community. Her artwork varies from sketches and paintings to sculptures. Her abstract style has earned the adoration of other artists. Some even called her paintings hauntingly beautiful. Perhaps the most amazing thing about Ai-Da, though, is that shes not human, but a robot.
V Because of the movie, RoboCop, many of us have imagined AI cops roaming the streets in the not-too-distant future. However, did you know that in Dubai, a fully-functioning robot cop is already a member of the police force? His name, if youre wondering, is none other than Robocop. Among his responsibilities are reporting unattended belongings and reporting dubious vehicle plate numbers.
VI If you think Dubais robotic cops are amazing, then wait until we tell you about the latest in sex robots. Apparently, people are predicting that sex robots will become a common household item by the year 2025. And, by 2050, people will be having sex more frequently with robots than with humans. It is believed that eventually, people will separate their sex lives from their romantic relationships.
I With the use of the ever-reliable 3D printer, scientists have been able to create a liquid magnet. You might be thinking, hasnt science done that already? And youre right, to a certain extent. Scientists did invent ferrofluid, but this new liquid magnet is completely different. Unlike ferrofluid, this brand new invention is able to keep its magnetic properties despite the lack of an independent magnetic field.
II Ferrofluid was invented by Steve Papell from Nasa in 1963. While its pretty amazing, these liquids are categorized as superparamagnets as they cant retain magnetization without an external magnetic field. Inspired by this, scientists from the University of Massachusetts theorized that perhaps there is a way to make these liquids magnetic permanently, all the while retaining their liquid properties.
III What the scientists came up with is a lot like ferrofluid. The magnetic liquid and ferrofluid are both made of ferromagnetic nanoparticles suspended in a liquid base. They also both use iron oxide nanoparticles. The difference is that the scientists used 3D printing that allowed them to combine two liquids to form an elastic film that can hold water.
IV The scientists printed one-millimeter droplets and used those for their nanoparticle suspension. The iron oxide nanoparticles moved toward the surface of the droplets and created a sort of case between them and the oil suspension. This process is called interfacial jamming. In order to magnetize the droplets, the scientists put them near a magnetic coil.
V Through this process, the scientists were able to create permanent liquid magnets. In the absence of a magnetic field, the particles simultaneously rolled towards one another. When exposed to a magnet, the particles tend to align in one direction. The nanoparticles also seem to be able to transfer their magnetic property to other free-floating nanoparticles.
VI The permanent magnetic liquid could also amazingly alter its shape, from a tall cylinder to a flat pancake to a perfect sphere. Surprisingly, it could even change into more complicated shapes such as that of an octopus. Scientists believe that this breakthrough innovation opens a lot of doors, particularly in the fields of robotics and artificial cells.
I Astronomers have discovered two white dwarfs that orbit one another merely 7,800 light-years away from our planet. While scientists are more used to observing slow-moving orbits, this binary system is breaking every record. At 6.91 minutes, it is the shortest recorded orbital period for an eclipsing binary.
II A white dwarf is basically a dead star. When alive, it was a small star with a size no bigger than ten times the sun. Scientists believe that this is what the sun will turn into once it dies. Once the suns hydrogen supply diminishes, it will combine helium and carbon, which will make it turn red. Once the sun runs out of these two elements as well, its outer layers will explode, and expose a bright shiny core: the white dwarf.
III The two white dwarfs in the J1539 binary system have recently gone through this very process. The primary star has a core thats about the same size as our planet. The secondary star may be a little bit bigger, but its density and brightness are much less. When it orbits between the Earth and the primary star, it blocks it from our view, forming an eclipse.
IV So far, astronomers have only detected gravitational waves from greater objects such as black holes and neutron stars. However, they believe that the binary system is capable of generating such waves in the distant future as they grow closer and closer together (about 26 cms every day). In 130,000 years, their orbital period will shorten to just five minutes.
V In a matter of decades, the two dwarf stars will detach a bit. The primary star will accumulate matter from the secondary star and produce an AM Canum Venaticorum star. In the event that the accumulation isnt stable, the two stars will fuse together, forming one star called R Coronae Borealis variable.
VI While we currently do not have the technology to witness this possible ending for the binary system, astronomers believe that we will be able to as soon as LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) is completed hopefully by 2034. The equipment is said to be capable of detecting gravitational waves.
I Astronomers recently discovered an exoplanet orbiting three suns. Named LTT 1445Ab, it orbits three red dwarfs that make up the LTT 1445 system. These beings are found about 22.5 light-years from Earth. From the planets point of view, you will see one sun and two red spots that look like eyes staring back at you from the sky.
II NASA has a space telescope specifically designed to go searching for planets. Called TESSA, it was responsible for discovering the LTT 1445Ab. It did so by detecting a subtle dimming whenever a planet obstructed a small area of the star. This dimming is also used by scientists to estimate just how big and heavy the planet is.
III While this seems like a unique discovery, the LTT 1445Ab is actually not the first triple system exoplanet ever located. In 2016, the massive HD 141399Ab was found. It is a lot bigger than the LTT 1445Ab, and has been orbiting one of its three stars for 550 years. The planet is 340 light-years from Earth.
IV The new exoplanet is also 1.35 times bigger than Earth. It is a whole lot denser than our beloved planet with scientists estimating it to be around 8.4 times our planets density. It can be categorized as a rocky planet, just like Mars, Venus, and Earth. However, the possibility of it being habitable is very low.
V The planet orbits its stars every 5.36 days. This means its temperature could go as high as 155 degrees Celsius (or 311 degrees Fahrenheit). There is a possibility, though, that the planet has an atmosphere somewhat similar to our own. As a planet, having an atmosphere means that it is prone to changes. These changes may then be studied by scientists to help in determining the planets composition.
VI While our technology today is not yet capable of executing such studies, scientists are hopeful that the James Webb Space Telescope will not disappoint. The Hubble successor is intended to be launched by 2021, and the LTT 1445Ab is the perfect planet for observation. Its proximity is ideal, and its star is just bright enough to light the planet up.
I Over the past few decades, astronomers have discovered countless planets, but only a few have garnered excitement. Recently, however, scientists found a new system merely 73 light-years from Earth. Whats so amazing about this? Well, thanks to its proximity, we can likely learn more about it than were able to with distant systems. Even more exciting than that is the fact that it could have habitable planets.
II TESS, NASAs planet-hunting satellite, discovered three planets orbiting around a strangely silent red dwarf (TOI-270). The first one is rocky and just a little bigger than Earth (TOI-270b), and the other two (TOI-270c and TOI-270d) are almost the size of Neptune. Together, they form one orbital pattern.
III Sadly, these planets are not habitable. The rocky one is nearest to the star and completes its orbit in 3.4 days. And even though its star is only 40% the size of the sun and much cooler, the planet is still too close to support life. TOI-270c is 2.42 times the size of the Earth. However, it is also way too close to the star to be habitable.
IV The third planet orbits the star for 11.4 days. Thus, its cooler temperature may be considered habitable. But, it seems to have a thick atmospheric layer that most likely produces a greenhouse effect. This makes the planet way too hot for any organism to survive, just like Venus.
V However, the planetary system still provides us with lots of opportunities. The red dwarf is a relatively old star. And since it is so close to our planet, its relatively bright. The proximity of the planets will allow astronomers to study their atmospheres by observing shifts in brightness. This will allow us to understand how planets are formed.
VI It is extremely rare to discover such exoplanets near the Earth. The fact that the red dwarf is a quiet star makes it unique as well. Studying the system will allow scientists to know where to go looking for other planets. And while TOI-270d is not habitable, it is highly possible for it to have exomoons that are.
I After over a decade of research and planning, stem cell biologist Hiromitsu Nakauchi has finally gotten the green light he needed to accomplish his extremely controversial scientific study. Many countries have prohibited his experiments, but Japan has officially lifted the ban disallowing human-animal embryo studies.
II Hiromitsu Nakauchi is a leading stem cell researcher at the University of Tokyo and Stanford University. He has gone to numerous countries in the hope of having his experimental study granted. His goal is to transform the lives of over 116,000 patients in need of organ transplants.
III The approval of the Japanese government will allow Nakauchi to proceed to the next step of his research. He will inject human stem cells into mice and rat embryos that were genetically modified so that they cannot produce a pancreas. The target is for these embryos to form the missing pancreas with help from the human cells. If successful, the researcher will seek approval to try the process on pigs next.
IV The biggest concern about the delicate experiment is the type of cells these human stem cells could grow into once they are inside the animal embryos. As such, one of the governments caveats is that in the event that Nakauchi identifies that over 30 percent of the rodent brain is composed of human cells, the experiment will be put to a halt.
V Previously, Nakauchi and his team at Stanford were able to develop the very first human-sheep embryo. They destroyed the hybrid 28 days after its conception. Nakauchi explained that the embryo only had a very small percentage of human cells present in the body about 1 in 10,000.
VI While many ethical concerns arise from the approval of the experiment, Nakauchis study has been designed to ensure that the human cells will only help in the generation of targeted organs. They are 100 percent opposed to having these cells assimilate with other organs of the animals bodies.
I When somebodys liver is barely or no longer functioning, there is only one medical option to keep the person alive: organ transplant. However, a recent discovery has the medical field positive that a safer and less invasive alternative may be possible. Scientists discovered a certain kind of liver cell that has similarities to a stem cell.
II The hepatobiliary hybrid progenitor cell, or HHyP, present in the human liver, is a cell that has a resemblance to progenitor cells. Tamir Rashid, a hepatologist from Kings College London, explains that this discovery means that in the future, the cell could possibly reconstruct damaged livers. With this groundbreaking finding, there might no longer be a need for liver donors and transplants.
III Progenitor cells are similar to stem cells, but they are different in the sense that they have the capacity to separate themselves from other types of cells. Unlike stem cells, progenitor cells are limited to a certain amount of regenerations. They can also only produce certain types of cells.
IV Further research revealed that HHyPs are precursors of hepatocyte and cholangiocytes (BECs), two types of liver cells. These cells are found to help restore liver function. Additionally, these cells work as each others back-up in the case of impairment. Interestingly, when HHyP cells were injected into mice, they showed a proliferation of HHyPs and hepatocytes in just four weeks.
V While these newly discovered progenitor cells havent yet been developed into a treatment protocol capable of completely replacing liver transplants, the findings show a lot of potential. Scientists believe that when HHyP cells are injected into a damaged liver, they could help reconstruct the damaged tissue.
VI The challenge now is how to convert pluripotent stem cells into HHyPs. Once this is achieved, scientists could then start injecting the cells into damaged livers. In the future, researchers will also be looking into converting these HHyPs into drug form, so that a simple tablet could significantly help in repairing livers without the need for an organ transplant.
I Say goodbye to the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate folks because it only has a few moments left before it subducts under the North American continent. With the death of one of the smallest tectonic plates on the planet looming, geologists are now trying to find out how these plates die.
II The Juan de Fuca tectonic plate originated from the Panthalassas oceanic crust, which has long-since been subducted beneath the Eurasian and North America plates. It has divided itself into three fragments: the Gorda Plate to the south, the Explorer plate to the north, and the central portion.
III The Juan de Fuca Plate is the only surviving remnant of the once-massive Farallon Plate. Today, the majority of the Farallon plate is subducted under the North American Plate. There is a crack on the Juan de Fuca Plate thats believed by researchers Richard Allen and William Hawley to be a sign of tearing underneath the plates surface.
IV The crack in the Juan de Fuca Plate may result in further fragmentation. The smaller fragments will then latch onto other nearby plates. The tear may cause volcanic reactions as well. When the plates are subducted, breakages and deformations will most likely take place. This is a challenge for scientists as these occurrences will be very difficult to predict.
V The subduction of the Juan de Fuca plate is causing rocks to be displaced. With the help of data from over 30,000 seismic waves and 200 earthquakes, Allen and Hawley have managed to piece together a 3D image of the Cascadia Subduction Zone, where rocks from the Juan de Fuca plate are found. They discovered a crack that is over 150 kilometers deep. Scientists believe that fragments of the Juan de Fuca plate are detached every time the plate twists and turns. This causes volcanic activity.
VI The Cascadia subduction zone is a plate boundary in North America. This is the zone where the Juan de Fuca, the Explorer, and Gorda plates slid under the North American Plate. States impacted by turmoil happening in the zone include British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon.
I The discovery of the fastest moving star is shocking astronomers. The star, discovered within the Milky Way, charges at a super speed of 1,700 kilometers per second. It is also the first known star to have been forced out of the galactic center. It was likely ejected by the giant black hole, Sagittarius A*.
II S5-HVS1 was discovered by professor Sergey Koposov from Carnegie Mellon. He and Daniel Zucker from Macquarie University were working on a survey that aimed to study stars in stellar streams. As a side project, Koposov went to observe the spectra for stars running on high speed. The rest is history.
III S5-HVS1 is a relatively young star. Its core is still going through hydrogen fusion and is only 500 million years old. With a life expectancy of a billion years, this star still has a long way to go. It is 2.35 times bigger than the sun and is categorized as an A-type star that shines super-bright. These characteristics are weird for a hypervelocity star (HSV). An HSVs lifespan is only around 10 million years, and it is usually always O- or B-type (hot and heavy stars).
IV Aside from S5-HVS1, hypervelocity dead stars have also been discovered. RX J0822-4300, for example, has a velocity of 1,500 kilometers per second. In 2006, it was the fastest star on record. However, two white dwarfs were discovered last year that showed record-breaking speeds of 2,200 kilometers per second. The reason for this hyper-velocity is that as a star dies, it goes supernova (exploding at a super-fast speed).
V The fastest known main sequence star recorded in the galaxy prior to S5-HVS1 is US 708, an O-type with a velocity of 1,200 kilometers per second. Clearly, it is no match to the A-type star with its speed of 1,700 kilometers per second.
VI You might be wondering how on Earth these main sequence stars are able to run so fast? Well, astronomers believe that these stars could have been booted out by interactions with three cosmic beings: a black hole, and two stars that form a binary system. Astronomers call this a three-body exchange interaction.
I A new planet has been discovered just 31 light-years away from the Earth. The planet is believed to have water beneath its atmosphere. NASAs telescope TESS found two planets orbiting a star in the Hydra constellation. The first planet, GJ357d, could possibly have water in liquid form as it appears to be composed of rock with a thick atmosphere.
II The planet is located within the habitable zone of its star. It gets close to the same amount of energy from its star as Mars gets from our sun. If its atmosphere is dense enough, it may also be hot enough to allow water to exist. The planet is around twice the size of the Earth and about 6.1 times as heavy. It orbits its small star for 55.7 days. Aside from this information, very little is known about GJ357d.
III The other planet discovered in the system is named GJ357c. It is 3.4 times the weight of the Earth. It orbits its stars over a period of 9.1 days, and its surface temperature is most likely around 260 degrees Fahrenheit or 127 degrees Celsius.
IV TESS, or the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, is NASAs space telescope, built specifically for the Explorer program. It is made to look for exoplanets with the use of the transit method. In April of 2018, the telescope was launched on a Falcon 9 rocket. Its main mission was to spot the brightest stars near the Earth.
V TESS is NASAs most powerful telescope when it comes to hunting planets. It has the ability to observe thousands of stars and planets by studying an area of the sky for 27 straight days and then switching to the next section. By mid 2020, the spacecraft will have completed its mission of observing more than 85 percent of the galaxy.
VI The space-based telescope has discovered more than 850 potential planets. Once TESS has completed its mission, the ground-based telescopes then need to study whether the planets stars exert a gravitational pull. Out of the 850, only 24 exoplanets were confirmed to be valid. Recently, astronomers were able to prove the validity of three planets.
I Heracleion was an ancient city in Egypt which was once a booming trading port. 20 years ago, remnants of the once-prosperous land were discovered deep in the Mediterranean Sea. Today, a new discovery has been found 45 meters beneath the seas surface. European and Egyptian experts located what appears to be a massive temple, along with numerous ships loaded with jewelry and coins.
II A group of archaeologists, headed by Franck Goddio, the same man who led the first underwater expedition to Heracleion, believe they have discovered the stone columns from the main temple of the city called Amun Garp. They also found what seems to be the remnants of a small Greek temple.
III The amazing findings would not have been possible without the help of scanning tools that allowed archaeologists to identify objects despite being covered by thousands of years worth of mud and sediment. Bolstered with information gathered from nuclear magnetic resonance magnetometers, echo sounders, satellite positioning, and side-scan sonar, scientists were able to locate previously unknown ports nearby Heracleion.
IV Archaeologists also discovered bronze coins that originate from the era of King Ptolemy II (283 to 246 BCE). Another set of coins was discovered which is believed to be from the Byzantine period (the 4th century BCE). They also found the missing part of a boat which they had previously discovered, along with other ships laden with jewelry, storage utensils, and pottery.
V Heracleion is believed to have been built around the 8th century BCE. Located on the Nile river banks, the city is named after Hercules who, according to legend, used to visit the ancient city. Also called Thonis, the city is informally referred to as the Atlantis of Egypt. The items recovered during the excavation serve as evidence of how beautiful and glorious the city once was.
VI Another lost city called Canopus also now lies on the bed of the Mediterranean Sea. Archaeologists discovered coins, earrings, and jewels believed to be from the Ptolemaic era. It is not clear as to how these remnants ended up under the water, but they most likely did so as a result of rising sea levels and various seismic activities.
I A recent groundbreaking discovery was made by Egyptian archaeologists: the untouched 4,400-year-old tomb of a high priest, adorned with hieroglyphics. The high priests resting place is located at Saqqaras ancient necropolis. Surprisingly, the tomb remained unlooted. Archaeologists are positive they will find further exciting discoveries in the area.
II The tomb is full of images of the priest with his mother, wife, and other relatives. From the evidence at hand, its clear that the high priest valued his mother. Her name is regularly mentioned in the tombs drawings, statues, and hieroglyphics. Surprisingly, the colors of the tomb have remained intact despite its age.
III The high priests name is Wahtye. He lived during the reign of King Neferirkare of the Fifth Dynasty and served in the necropolis of Saccara. Apart from his name, his titles are also specified above the door of his tomb. Wahtyes grave is adorned with inscriptions, sculptures, and paintings that are all still in great condition.
IV The paintings, statues, and hieroglyphs of Wahtyes tomb show his wife, Weret Ptah, and mother, Merit Meen, as well as his daily activities such as sailing, hunting, and manufacturing goods. After removing layers of debris from the priests resting place, archaeologists discovered five shafts inside. Four are sealed, while one was open and empty. Archaeologists are hoping to find the priests sarcophagus or coffin in one of the shafts.
V The tomb is almost 10 feet high, 33 feet long, and 9 feet wide. The discovery of drawings showing pottery, boat sailing, musical performances, manufacturing of furniture, wine-making, and hunting says a lot about the ancient civilization. The Fifth Dynasty held rule over Egypt for 150 years from 2500 BC to 2350 BC. For two millennia, Saqqara was the necropolis of Egypts capital, Memphis.
VI Meanwhile, eight limestone sarcophagi were unearthed in November 2018 at a dig 25 miles away from Cairo. The sarcophagi all contained mummies that dated back to 664-332 BC, the Late Period. The sarcophagi all have an outer layer made of linen or papyrus, and are covered in plaster. Out of the eight, three mummies remain in excellent condition.
I Thanks to advances in dating technology, scientists have discovered that a species of freshwater fish called the bigmouth buffalo can live for up to 112 years. This is amazing considering that scientists initially believed it to only live for 26 years. While its longevity is extraordinary in and of itself, this also means it exceeds the lifespan of any other freshwater fish by almost 40 years.
II Biologists had been speculating that the bigmouth buffalo, also known as the gourd head, had a longer life expectancy than had previously been recorded. Determined to prove their theory, they took a huge quantity of gourd heads to gather data. A percentage of the fish were measured, photographed, tagged, and then released back into the water. This allowed scientists to monitor their development over the years.
III Gourd head specimens had to be dissected in order for scientists to accurately determine their age. By taking small sections of their otoliths (the part of the fish body responsible for balancing), they were able to identify that some of the specimens were as old as 90. This was a significant finding as the oldest freshwater fish previously recorded was a freshwater drum that lived to 73.
IV The scientists found that most bigmouth buffalos are aged 80 to 90, which suggests lack of reproduction. The main reason for this is that river dams stop them from accessing spawning habitats. As such, the species collectively fail to receive cues from the environment telling them its time to spawn.
V Bigmouth buffalos are natives of America and Canada. They can reach 4.1 feet in length and can grow up to 79 pounds, making them the largest of the buffalo fish family. Despite their population being at risk, the harvest of bigmouth buffalos remains unmonitored. Scientists are hopeful that with this recent discovery, efforts will be made to help save them.
VI The bigmouth buffalo likes shallow waters and thrives in low-oxygen areas. However, living in the shallow water makes it susceptible to being captured via bow and arrow or spearfishing. Despite its countless small bones, people enjoy its flavor, so it has become a popular catch.
I Scientists recently discovered a red giant star residing 35,000 light-years away from the Earth. Called SMSS J160540.18-144323.1 (because scientists are a creative bunch), the star is estimated to be of the oldest in the known universe. So, just how old is this star? Well, based on its extremely low iron levels, scientists believe it has been in existence for 13.8 billion years thats only a few hundred years after the Big Bang happened.
II The red giants iron levels are 1.5 million times lower than the suns. To give you an idea of how low that is, imagine a drop of water in an Olympic-sized pool. This revelation proves just how ancient the red giant is. Billions of years ago, the universe barely had any metals. The first stars, called Population III, were composed of helium and hydrogen and had a short lifespan.
III When stars reach the end of their lives, they go into majestic supernova explosions, ejecting parts of their bodies out into the galaxy, later forming into new stars. As such, a stars metal composition is reliable in determining its age. Based on the metal present in the sun, scientists are able to identify that it has been burning for 100,000 generations from the Big Bang.
IV Before the discovery of the red giant, the star that held the record for the lowest iron content was 2MASS J18082002-5104378 B (another super-creative name). This stars metal content was 11,750 times lower than that of the sun.
V When a star goes into a supernova, it triggers a bunch of nuclear reactions that create new elements. However, the red giant does not seem to contain any of these elements. Scientists believe that a now-dead star went into a supernova, captured back some of its elements, but lost the iron which became part of the red giant.
VI According to the team studying SMSS J160540.18-144323.1, the star may belong to the second generation of stars ever formed. It is almost at the end of its life, though, and it is now running low on hydrogen. Once it runs out, it will shift to helium fusion.
I A previously unknown aspect of gold has been discovered, and scientists are excited about it. Apparently, when gold is exposed to crushing levels of pressure very quickly, its atomic structure is altered. For a split second, its properties become similar to other metals that are more compact than gold. This discovery opens new doors to understanding the behavior of elements when exposed to pressure.
II Gold was formerly believed to remain stable despite extremely high pressure. Its atoms are arranged following a face-centered cubic (fcc) composition. As the name suggests, these atoms are arranged in cubes. The cubes center, as well as its corners, all contain one atom. This structure is similar to that of silver, aluminum, nickel, and platinum. In previous experiments, the structure maintains its stability despite being exposed to high pressure.
III In the most recent experiment, scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory discovered that golds composition is altered under shock compression at 223 gigapascals or GPa (this is 2.2 million times more than the pressure under the ocean). The specimens composition changed into a looser body-centered cubic structure (bcc).
IV Body-centered cubic structures differ from face-centered cubic structures in that they have only one atom in the center of the cube. This structure is present in softer elements like sodium and lithium, as well as tougher elements like chromium and tungsten. The transition from fcc to bcc is commonly found in metals used in steel manufacturing, and apparently, in gold as well.
V At 262 GPa, the gold specimen began to melt. When exposed to 322 GPa, almost the same level of pressure found at the center of the Earth, the gold turned into liquid. Golds transformation at this GPa level has never been observed before.
VI Why is this discovery significant? Well, this new finding means a lot to the manufacturing industry. It is important to identify how metals react to a change in temperature and pressure. For instance, knowing that higher temperature fcc iron is more absorbent of carbon than lower temperature bcc is critical to steel manufacturing.
I Today, millions of people around the globe do not have access to clean water. Fortunately, scientists have been able to invent a groundbreaking method to transform seawater into potable water. With the help of a super-hydrophilic filter and carbon nanotubes that absorb light, almost 100% of salt may now be extracted from water. The idea came from the traditional process of heating water and catching its sodium-free steam.
II The method is powered by solar energy, so no electricity is required. However, the process will fail if the thermal materials are blocked by salt crystals. To deal with the problem, salt crystals are eliminated early in the filtration system. This increases the efficiency and effectivity of the whole process. The result is affordable and practical desalination.
III As the desalination occurs, the salt crystals are expelled towards the filtration discs edges. In a day, the device can produce 6 to 8 liters of potable water per square meter. Chemical engineer Xiwang Zhang from Monash University, Australia, explained that this discovery could serve as the starting point for future studies on how to provide clean and safe drinking water.
IV Another purification method was discovered in 2018 by a group of American scientists. The technique uses a solar-powered and hydrogel-based material that eliminates salt from seawater. It is so effective that it can purify water from the Dead Sea. The next step is to increase the amount of water these devices can desalinate per day.
I Perus ever-increasing population is challenged by its insanely arid dry seasons. Fortunately, researchers re-discovered an old technique for conserving water. 1,400 years ago, the indigenous people of the country redirected stream water to mountain slopes during the rainy season, forming natural springs. They stored the water for long periods of time, giving themselves ample supply in the dry season.
II Ancient Peruvians created canals and ponds to change the path of water. This was necessary because Lima (Perus capital) doesnt have regular access to clean water. While water is abundant during rainy seasons, long droughts are common. Researchers are now looking into reviving the old systems to address water shortages in Peru.
I You probably know by now that using the infamous FaceApp (the app that took the world by storm a few months ago) allows its owners, a Russian company called Wireless Lab, to basically do whatever they want with your photos. By merely signing up and using the face-altering application, you are consenting to Wireless Lab posting humiliating versions of your face on social media and even billboards.
II However, experts have explained that while all of this is technically true, it is highly unlikely the company will actually dupe its users. The real value for the company is in the development of facial recognition software. Additionally, Wireless Lab has announced that photos are temporarily stored in American servers, with most deleted after 48 hours of their upload.
III So, how does FaceApp do its magic? Using AI technology called a neural network, the software is able to modify a persons face without filters. The algorithms in the app can make you look younger or older and change your gender. Some celebrities who are known to have used the app include LeBron James, Hilary Duff, and Drake.
IV Apart from owning your photos, the more pressing issue is that the apps terms are a legally binding contract. According to section 15 of the contract, users are prohibited from taking legal action against the Russian company. If you want to opt-out of this agreement, you may do so up to 30 days from registration. Unfortunately, if youve had the app for over a month, its too late to back out.
V Section 17 of the agreement is another problem area as it allows the company to change its terms anytime it wants. They MAY notify users about changes but have no obligation to. This means theres no stopping the company from charging you for the app without warning.
VI Section 10 of the terms prevents any of the companys employees from being held accountable for any damages you may incur while using the app. In other words, if you suffer from humiliation and a damaged reputation from the company using your photos, they cannot be sued.
I A special kind of band-aid inspired by how human embryos heal from wounds has recently been invented. It is a jelly-like dressing that responds to the heat of the skin by contracting and pushing the wounds edges closer together. Through this process, the wound closes at a much faster rate. The new invention has been tested in mice, and so far, the results are amazing.
II If this band-aid proves effective in human trials, it could lead to faster and safer healing for all sorts of wounds. Even chronic injuries would benefit from this breakthrough. While traditional bandages and gauzes are effective, this new dressing uses nanoparticles that can eliminate microbes. Unlike traditional bandages, this gelatinous bandage heals wounds more actively.
III One of the innovators of the bandage is Serena Blacklow, a bio-engineer at the University of California, San Francisco. She shared that the study was initially an undergraduate thesis project at Harvard. Their goal was to design an improved bandage that could expedite wound healing, regardless of its size. The inspiration came from how embryos are able to heal without scarring.
IV The protein responsible for the quick healing of embryos is actin. Thin threads of the protein pull together the edges of the wound, just like a drawstring would a bag, facilitating scar-free and seamless healing. However, as adults, the healing process is different. Instead of actin, keratinocytes cover our open wounds, but at a slow pace.
V To replicate the embryo healing process, researchers used alginate, a gelatinous material extracted from seaweed. They needed the substance to contract upon contact with heat, so they incorporated a polymer that is temperature-sensitive. This material shrinks when exposed to temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius. As it shrinks, it draws together the edges of the wound.
VI Apart from alginate and polymer, another component of the wound dressing is chitosan: a sugar molecule found in shellfish. It can infiltrate the gel and the skin and fuse them together. The three ingredients combined make the dressing 17 times stickier than a Band-Aid. With this bandage, you wont ever need to worry about unwanted peeling and exposure of the wound.
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