Light ablation production method
Scientists at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and at the University of Western Australia develop a faster, scalable method to develop few-layer graphene. Current methods for production currently require toxic chemicals and lengthy and cumbersome processes that result in low yield that is not scalable for commercial applications. The ultra-bright lamp-ablation method surmounts the shortcomings and has succeeded in synthesising four to five layer graphene in higher yields. An optical system reconstitutes the immense brightness within the plasma of high-power xenon discharge lamps at a remote reactor, where a transparent tube filled with simple, inexpensive graphite is irradiated. The process is relatively faster, safer and devoid of any toxic substances. Following this proof of concept, the BGU-UWA team is now planning an experimental programme to scale up this initial success toward improving the volume and rate at which few-layer and single layer graphene is created.
Four-legged snake
Scientists at the University of Portsmouth say the discovery of a four-legged snake shows that snakes evolved from burrowing lizards and not from marine lizards. The fossil, discovered in Brazil, and kept in Germany, has been named Tetrapodophis amplectus, (grasping four-legged snake), because its four limbs each ends in five seemingly functional digits that scientist say may have been used to grasp. It dates from the Cretaceous period and is 110 million years old, making it the oldest snake fossil discovered. Research head Dr. Martill:
It is generally accepted that snakes evolved from lizards at some point in the distant past. What scientists don’t know yet is when they evolved, why they evolved, and what type of lizard they evolved from. This fossil answers some very important questions, for example it now seems clear to us that snakes evolved from burrowing lizards, not from marine lizards.
Paleontologist Longrich:
It is a perfect little snake, except it has these little arms and legs, and they have these strange long fingers and toes. The hands and feet are very specialized for grasping. So when snakes stopped walking and started slithering, the legs didn’t just become useless little vestiges – they started using them for something else. We’re not entirely sure what that would be, but they may have been used for grasping prey, or perhaps mates.
Six spiders species found
Researchers at the Biodiversity Research Centre of Christ College, Irinjalakuda, claim to have spotted six previously unknown six species of spiders at Harithavanam. The investigating team had carried out the study coinciding with the World Environment Day. The spiders spotted include Argyrodes, which comes from the family of black widow; two other species belonging to the genus Tetragntha; Trachelas, a member of ant-mimicking spiders characterised by the presence of eight diamonds like sparkling eyes located in the anterior part of dark brown head; and a Dendrolycosa. which feeds only on insects in water bodies. There are white lines in the brown coloured body and prominent spines on the legs. The eight eyes are located in two rows of inverted U-shaped pattern
Sister, attorney make statement
Bland’s sister, Sharon Cooper, and the family attorney respond to Waller County’s statements. Cooper:
We still feel very misinformed. Although we have asked time and time again.
Cooper says Bland should be remembered as:
someone who was unapologetically confident — and that’s OK in today’s world — somebody who was assertive, and somebody who truly stood for what she believed in.
Discusses follow-on investments
Following Sam Altman’s commitment to offer follow-on investments to all companies that go through Y Combinator, McClure says 500 Startups has a different approach:
We make follow-on investments when we think we are going to make money and we don’t when we don’t think we are going to make money. It’s pretty simple. I think if other investors are worried more about my opinion than they are about the company’s performance, there is already a problem. I recognize it happens but that’s just part of the market. We generally wait until after Demo Day and after they have a term sheet from another investor. Signaling is important before Demo Day but we don’t worry about it after Demo Day.
McClure says 500 Startups does follow-on investments for 20-30% of its companies.
Protests innocence
Brown Tweets about not being able to leave the Philippines:
This is a very serious situation and someone needs to be held accountable for mixing my name up in all this. I’ve done nothing wrong!!!
I have nothing to do with anything going on right now. I came back to Manila to do a make up show for New Years
Price gouging investigation
The US Department of Transportation is investigating five airlines (Delta, JetBlue, American, United and Southwest) for increasing fares following the Amtrak 188 crash of May 12th. The letter is due in 30 days and there is a separate investigation by the Justice department. According to a copy of the letter sent to Delta’s chief counsel the DOT wants a spreadsheet of the average fare by market, day, and fare class for flights on routes in the corridor from April 28th to May 26th. It also wants the number of tickets sold and passengers carried, as well as comparison data from last year, as well as ten other requests. Transportation Secretary Foxx:
The idea that any business would seek to take advantage of stranded rail passengers in the wake of such a tragic event is unacceptable. This department takes all allegations of airline price-gouging seriously, and we will pursue a thorough investigation of these consumer complaints.
The airlines have denied wrongdoing and have pledged to co-operate.
Bans Des Moines Register from Iowa event
After the paper issued an editorial that called on Trump to pull out of the race, Trump bans the paper from his campaign event in Iowa, although they may reconsider for later events. Campaign manager:
We’re not issuing credentials to anyone from The Des Moines Register based on the editorial that they wrote earlier in the week.
The Register’s editor:
As we previously said, the editorial has no bearing on our news coverage. We work hard to provide Iowans with coverage of all the candidates when they spend time in Iowa, and this is obviously impeding our ability to do so. We hope Mr. Trump’s campaign will revisit its decision instead of making punitive decisions because we wrote something critical of him.
Heart shape sharper image
NASA releases a sharper image of Pluto showing that the left half of the Tombaugh Regio heart region is different than the right. The left half is more filled in. Scientists believe some process, possibly wind, is blowing material from the left half to the right half.
Our interpretation is that material in the right lobe — the source for that material — is coming from the western [or left] lobe.
Glaciers
NASA releases a photo which suggests that glaciers are flowing on Pluto’s surface in the region of Sputnik Planum. Scientists believe the ice is made of nitrogen, carbon monoxide and methane.
To see evidence of recent geological activity is simply a dream come true. The appearance of this terrain, the utter lack of impact craters on Sputnik Planum, tells us that this is really a young unit.
Eclipses the sun
NASA releases a photo of Pluto eclipsing the sun showing a haze in Pluto’s atmosphere which extends at least 160 km (100 miles) above the surface.
This is one of our first images of Pluto’s atmosphere. [It] stunned the encounter team. For 25 years, we’ve known that Pluto has an atmosphere. But it’s been known by numbers. This is our first picture. This is the first time we’ve really seen it. This was the image that almost brought tears to the eyes of the atmospheric scientists on our team.
Iran says Kerry using empty threats
Iran accuses Kerry of threatening military action against Tehran if it does not hold true to a nuclear deal agreed to on 14 July. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif:
Unfortunately the US Secretary of State once again talked about the rotten rope of ‘the ability of the US for using military force.’ [I decry] the uselessness of such empty threats against the nation of Iran and the resistance of the nation of Iran. Such remarks should be consigned to the last century. Kerry and other US officials “have repeatedly admitted that these threats have no effect on the will of the people of Iran and that it will change the situation to their disadvantage. Therefore, it would be better for Americans to abandon their old habit and put aside once and for all their threatening language and sanctions against this great people.
Pluto and Charon’s natural color
NASA releases this photo which shows Pluto’s reddish color and Charon’s gray tone. Scientists think Pluto’s red color is the result of particles created in its atmosphere, through methane’s interaction with UV light. The particles stick together, growing heavier, and eventually rain down on the surface. Observations show that Charon does not have much of an atmosphere.
For now, all that we can say is, it’s a much more rarefied atmosphere [than Pluto’s]. It may be that there’s a thin nitrogen layer in the atmosphere, or methane, or some other constituent. But it must be very tenuous compared to Pluto — again, emphasizing just how different these two objects are despite their close association in space.
Apologizes for racist slurs
Hogan apologizes for racial remarks made eight years ago in unauthorized sex tape. The apology comes after The National Enquirer releases a transcript that includes the n-word.
Eight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation. It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it. I believe very strongly that every person in the world is important and should not be treated differently based on race, gender, orientation, religious beliefs or otherwise. I am disappointed with myself that I used language that is offensive and inconsistent with my own beliefs.
Accuses McConnell of lying
Cruz accuses McConnell of lying to him, after McConnell says there will be a vote on whether to renew the federal Export-Import Bank, after telling Cruz there will be no such vote.
Not only what he told every Republican senator, but what he told the press over and over and over again, was a simple lie. It saddens me to say this. I sat in my office, I told my staff the majority leader looked me in the eye and looked 54 Republicans in the eye. I cannot believe he would tell a flat-out lie. We now know that when the majority leader looks us in the eyes and makes an explicit commitment that he is willing to say things that he knows are false.
Tweets Louisiana support
Schumer tweets support for the victims of the Louisiana theater shootings, which happened during a showing of Trainwreck.
https://twitter.com/amyschumer/status/624419088924741632
‘An awful night for Louisiana’
Louisiana Gov. Jindal speaks from just outside a Lafayette movie theater after the shooting.
This is an awful night for Lafayette. This is an awful night for Louisiana. This is an awful night for the United States. But we will get through this.
Jindal also says that two of the patrons in the theater were schoolteacher friends, one of whom may have shielded the other from a fatal bullet — and one who likely saved even more lives.
One of the teachers jumped on top of the second teacher in an act of braveness. Both teachers got shot but the second one, the one who got saved, even though she got shot she had the presence of mind to pull the fire alarm and save other lives
Misunderstood comments
Swift apologizes to Minaj on Twitter and receives a ‘thank you’ response:
https://twitter.com/taylorswift13/status/624240681750536192
That means so much Taylor, thank you. @taylorswift13 ❤️❤️❤️
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) July 23, 2015
Will meet Hariss’ parents
Harris is ready to introduce Swift to his family after just four months of dating. Sources:
They’re planning a trip to the UK with a few days in Scotland so she can meet his parents…This is the real thing. Taylor spent a long time being single, waiting for the right guy like him…Her parents love him. They think he’s the greatest.
Walker surprised by allegations
Walker expresses surprise that Cosby drugged women:
I actually thought that everybody knew about all these women… The thing that shocks me the most is the drugging because the times that I’ve worked with Cosby … [I witnessed] nothing with the drug thing. But the women, I knew about that.
He also says:
I love Bill Cosby. The thing that upsets me the most is that we’re never going to see his work again because he’s gone forever and ever, and it’s unfortunate.