Chemical Market Reports

Samuel Roan

Brown University Researchers Discover Unknown Type Of Ancient Crater Lake On Mars

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Several studies have suggested that ancient craters on Mars could hold some crucial data to find out whether life existed on the planet. Researchers have now claimed to discover a new crater lake on the planet. It is an unknown type of ancient crater lake. The crater is different from the previously known craters on the Red Planet. They believe that it could reveal clues about Mars’ early climate. Researchers from Brown University said that the unnamed crater has characteristics that are puzzling. They said that its floor has geologic evidence that suggests stream beds and ponds on the planet. However, there is no evidence of inlet channels that could suggest where water entered.

Researchers said that the crater was mainly fed by runoff from a glacier. They said that water flowed atop the Martian glacier into the crater. This means that water flowed on the Martian surface and no valley was left behind. The water likely emptied into a crater that is low-lying and left a geological mark on the soil there. This Martian lake is different in characteristics from other crater lakes. Researchers said that signs of drainage are present. Everything happened inside the crater. This makes the newly discovered crater lake different from others. This is something that has never been characterized in past studies. NASA is currently exploring the Gale and Jezero craters. The agency is looking for signs of life in Martian soil.

The study said that the crater could provide clues that could tell about Mars’ early climate. Researchers managed to map the details about the ancient crater lake using images sent by Reconnaissance Orbiter. NASA sent the orbiter on Mars more than a decade ago to study the planet’s geology and climate. It is still a mystery that how Mars lost its atmosphere and whether the planet’s climate was similar to the neighboring Earth’s. Scientists estimate that there are 43,000 impact craters on Mars with each having 3 miles of diameters.

NASA To Attempt First Controlled Mars Helicopter Flight On April 8

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NASA has announced that it will fly its helicopter on Mars in the first week of April. The agency said that all modalities are in place for the flight. This will be the first time when a helicopter will fly on the Red Planet. According to the agency, engineers will attempt to fly Ingenuity on April 8. Ingenuity is a mini-helicopter that is attached to Perseverance. The helicopter weighs 1.8 kg. It will be a controlled flight and the first since the rover landed on the planet in February 2020. NASA said that the successful flight will see engineers achieving a series of daunting milestones. It will also pave the way for planning similar flights on Moon and other celestial objects.

NASA said that scientists want to demonstrate how this helicopter flight will redefine the approach towards Mars. It said that the scientific approach for Mars was changed in 1977. It was in 1977 when the Sojourner rover arrived at the Red Planet. It proved that roving Mars was possible. The future missions were then redefined accordingly. Data obtained during the upcoming helicopter flight will tell scientists about the expansion of research horizons on Mars. The agency is confident that technology used in Ingenuity will give expected results. Besides, it will broaden the scope of the planet’s exploration. Perseverance has already deployed the shield that protected Ingenuity at the time of landing. The rover is in transit to the airfield where the mini-helicopter will attempt the powered and controlled flight.

A controlled flight on Mars is much more difficult than a similar flight on Earth. The planet’s gravity and atmosphere are different from Earth’s. According to NASA, Ingenuity will have 30 days after deployment for the flight. It will take almost six days to complete the deployment process. Mars’ surface during the daytime receives nearly 50 percent of the solar energy that reaches Earth’s surface. The night temperatures drop as low as -90 degrees Celsius. These extreme weather conditions can damage electrical components. To survive the Martian nights, the helicopter needs to have enough power to keep its internal heaters active.

Internet Service Company Angie’s List Gets Rebranded With Name Change, Updated App

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Those who often search Angie’s List will now have to change their searcher going forward as the company has rebranded itself as Angi Inc. The company has not just officially changed its name but also revamped its websites. With the aim to have deeper penetration in the home services industry, the company has even launched a new app. The company says that with the new name it simply wants to highlight that it will offer consumers a single platform where they can connect contractors for all work related to their home. The changes are justified as CEO Oisin Hanrahan has said that there is an opportunity to address a market of USD 500 billion.

“This is a very huge market and we have built a reputation for ourselves. Angie is a trusted and well-known name. People understand that what the company stands for. The change is to highlight that we have much more to offer to our customers. They have been so confined by the literal meaning of the name. It was a much-needed step to tap the market,” Hanrahan was quoted as saying in news reports. The portfolio of services offered by the company includes Fixd Repair, HomeStars, HomeAdvisor, and Handy. The company said that it has also made some functional changes to the technology in its app to give customers a better experience.

The company said that now its customers can have access to the entire home repair process. “From booking to payment, everything is available under one umbrella. The new app will let out customers make payments through the app. Moreover, financing options to have been included in it.” According to the company, the platform has 250,000 businesses for hire and they were used by more than 18 million households in the United States last year. The best thing for the company was that it registered double-digit growth even during the pandemic. Angi reported around USD 1.47 billion in revenue in the year 2020. This is was up by around 10.7 percent from the previous year.

Apple Says No To Parler’s Re-Entry Into App Store Over Objectionable Content

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Social media app Parler is trying to return to App Store but Apple has reportedly has refused re-entry. The re-entry to its App Store means that Apple users would be able to download the app on iPhones. The tech giant has reportedly told Parler that the changes made are not sufficient to comply with the guidelines of App Store Review. “After having reviewed the updates, we found that they are not sufficient. App Store cannot allow racist, hateful, discriminatory content. Developers must make considerable changes to filter such objectionable content. This is very important as protecting the health and safety of our users are our prime concern,” Apple said.

It had joined Google in removing the social media app from App Store following the Capitol Hill riots in January this year. The move excluded Parler from all smartphones of Apple. A similar decision was taken by Amazon as it removed the social media app from its web hosting services. Because of this, Parler went offline for quite a few days. It came back online only after finding another hosting service provider last month. Apple said that derogatory comments, as well as Nazi symbols, were still available on the platform. “For these reasons, we cannot allow your app to return to App Store for distribution. For this, you need to comply with all the guidelines.”

Reacting to it, Parler issued a statement where the company insisted that it had always worked on removing violent content and opposed content that can incite violence. According to Breitbart, Parler showed Apple they have incorporated several changes to remove content that has the potential of inciting violence. “We have used a combination of algorithmic filters and human review for this. We also explained our new feature that allows users to filter out persona attacks. We are hopeful that the tech giant will differentiate with other ‘Big Tech’ companies by accepting its customers’ choice,” Parler said in the statement.

Apple Claims 86 Percent iPhones Running iOS 14; New Update To Bring Exciting Features

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Tech giant Apple has said that iOS 14 installation has increased significantly in the last few years. The company said that over 86 percent of the iPhones launched in the last four years have iOS 14 installed. iOS 14 is a mobile operating system. It is Apple’s fourteenth operating system for its devices. The operating system was released in September 2020. According to Apple’s Developer webpage, 80 percent of all devices use iOS 14. Around 12 percent are running iOS 13. The remaining 8 percent are still using iOS 12 or an earlier version. As many as 70 percent of the iPads are using iPadOS 14. Nearly 14 percent are running iPadOS 13 and the remaining 16 percent are using an older version.

Apple launched iOS 14 with exciting features and new improvements. The company introduced the new OS as a free software update to iPhone 6s and later. The company redesigned the widgets, picture-in-picture video and also improved Maps. The redesigned widgets display timely information at a glance. The picture-in-picture support allows users to watch a video. Users can also take a FaceTime call as they use another app. Other features also saw major improvements in iOS 14 including new options for third-party apps. Users can even pin conversations in iOS 14 to the top of the messages list. Apple has made the Maps application easier than ever to explore and navigate.

Apple said that it will soon release another iOS update. Apple said that it will provide support to set a default music streaming service with 14.5 while using Siri to play music. This means that users can select a third-party music service to play songs while using Siri. Apple has already released the update to developers. Public beta testers are also able to use iOS 14.5. Apple promised that iOS 14.5 will offer several exciting features to users. Meanwhile, Apple has claimed that its base of iPhone users has reached a new high. There are more than 1 billion iPhones currently active on Earth.

Apple’s Third-Generation AirPods To Feature New Look, To Come With Active Noise Cancellation Support

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Tech giant Apple is working on the next-generation AirPods. Wireless earbuds are among hugely popular devices offered by Apple. Apple claims that AirPods delivers an unparalleled listening experience to users. The third-generation AirPods will come with some major changes. The iPhone maker has slightly changed its design. It will feature a flat edge. Apple has also changed the placement of the devices’ sensors. It will have the H1 chip at the core. It will be fixed in a SiP enclosure. A South Korean supplier of AirPods is developing the new SiP. It is said to be in a square shape. The AirPods Pro SiP previously came in a round-shape.

Apple has more to offer with the new AirPods. It will add features that are currently available in the Pro version. The company is unlikely to offer upgrades in sound quality but it will be providing support for Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). It is a popular method that reduces unwanted sound to deliver the best quality sound. The technique involves adding a second sound that is designed especially to cancel the first. Apple will offer the new AirPods at a much cheaper rate than the previous ones. It will be priced at least 20 percent cheaper. If all goes as per the plan, Apple could launch the device in the first half of 2021.

The charging case of the new device will be similar to the Pro variant. It will, however, be smaller in size. The company will add a charging indicator on the front. It will support wireless charging. The case will be rectangular instead of square in shape. The new device will also feature pressure-relieving technology. Apple offered this feature previously on the AirPods Pro. The technology is very helpful as it removes the discomfort when someone uses it for long. It equalizes the pressure within the ears of listeners. The overall new design of the new device will be an amalgamation of AirPods2 and AirPods Pro.

Investment Unit Of Morgan Stanley Reportedly Exploring Investment In Bitcoin

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Bitcoin has been the talk of the town of late and now there is some more news related to it. Reports suggest that the USD 150 billion investment unit of Morgan Stanley is exploring options to bet on Bitcoin. Counterpoint Global, an investment arm of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, is accessing if it would a viable option for investors. However, regulatory approval will be required for any such investment. The cryptocurrency has been in the news recently because of the recent surge in prices. The surge is because of the renewed interest of investors in Bitcoin. The price of the volatile digital currency has surged around 1,200 per cent since mid March last year.

Morgan Stanley has not reacted to the development yet. A spokeswoman of the multinational bank refused to comment when contacted by a media house. If the investment by Counterpoint Global materialises, it would join the list of several high profile companies that have invested in it. But it must be noted that some analysts at Morgan Stanley have been bearish on Bitcoin. An analyst had earlier said that the real value of the cryptocurrency was zero. When he made this comment, Bitcoin was trading at about USD 14,400. Now, one of the Bitcoin backers has predicted that its price would climb to USD 100,000 by end of the year. However, some analysts have urged investors to stay away from it.

According to reports, Bank of New York Mellon is planning to offer Bitcoin transactions. The bank is the country’s oldest financial institution. Mastercard too has announced that it would allow merchants to accept certain cryptocurrencies. Such announcements by some of the biggest corporations in the United States can help Bitcoin enter the mainstream. This will also allow the cryptocurrency to be accepted as a form of payment. Tesla has also invested USD 1.5 billion into the cryptocurrency. This resulted in a 16 per cent rise in the price. Microblogging site Twitter too has said that it was mulling adding some Bitcoin to its balance sheet. These announcements have to lead to wide acceptance of the cryptocurrency. It is also evident by the fact that it has gained around 60 per cent so far in 2021.

Global Electric Vehicle Sales To Increase Exponentially In The Decade Ahead

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Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) surged in 2020, globally, though there was a drop in total passenger vehicles (PVs) sales. However, EV sales was up 39% at a global scale, reaching almost 3.1 Million cars, while PV sales dropped nearly 14%. Moreover, electric cars segment accounted for around 5% of overall new vehicle sales last year. The Europe electric vehicle market accounted for highest sales in global market in 2020, contributing 11.5% of overall automobile sales in the region. This can be due to properly placed emission-related regulations, ban of internal combustion engine-based vehicles, penalties, incentives, proper EV charging infrastructure, availability of various EVs to choose from, initiatives taken to spread customer awareness, among others.

In 2020, total of 83% of EVs were sold globally, out of which, 42% were sold in Europe and rest 41% were in China.  New and stringent standards regarding emissions by fuel-run vehicles played an important role in EV sales in Europe. Automobile manufacturers had to make changes in already produced vehicles or sell them before 2020, as they knew that the new set of rules and regulations were being set for 2020 and further. Additionally, if these new standards are not meet, the penalty for manufacturers is hefty. Similarly, stringent regulations by authorities in China resulted in high sales in the country. Another reason for high EV sales is that the customers or EV buyers were mostly working population such as from IT industry, as their source of income was strong. Work from home transition, increased purchasing power, clubbed with steady income were factors that enabled pacification of one of the worst economic impact of global pandemic for buyers as wee as sellers.

Sales of electric vehicles in the US were as low as 2.4% of new car sales, which was up by 4% in 2019. This is due to minimal demand for EVs in the country, and lack of options, particularly in highly popular vehicle segments that are SUVs and pick-up trucks. This factor is putting the US customers off and pushing to switch, which is working as a restraint for US EV sales.  However, new series of electric vehicles are set to be launched this year and next year, which means customers will have a wide range of vehicles from numerous brands to choose from. This is projected to accelerate the sales of electric vehicles in the country in 2022 and years ahead. Moreover, stringent federal policies has compelled the automobile manufacturers to launch more electric vehicles and offered subsidies and incentives to customers to increase sales. The cost of making Lithium-Ion batteries for electric vehicles has reduced, however still expensive compared to fuel-based vehicles, and fuel economy standards are easier to achieve. On the other hand, fuel prices are still relatively lower and lack of incentive for buyers is hindering shift over to EVs. Automakers are now more committed towards electric vehicle production, which is expected to result in increasing pace of EV adoption in the US.

Production of electric vehicles rely majorly on electronics and semiconductor, and currently, the automotive industry is facing semiconductor shortages. Moreover, disruptions is supply of chips used in power electronics, processors due to Covid-19 pandemic could pose as a restraint for EV sales. Thus, resolving future supply chain issues, could help increase sales. Last year, demand for personal computers, laptops and smartphones skyrocketed due to pandemic and work from home trend, due to this, the chip manufacturers shifted the focus to produce chips for electronics industry, adversely impacting automobile production. Nevertheless, demand for EVs is expected to increase, and slow but steadily chip manufacturers will be supplying chips to automotive industry.

Global electric-vehicle sales is projected to increase continuously throughout the next ten years, with EVs accounting for 48% of total new cars sold by 2030. This can be attributed to launch of new and technologically advanced electric vehicles and government policies across various countries to encourage electric vehicle production and sales. Eradicating the fact that there are less options to choose from by increasing number of EV production and enhancing charging infrastructure is of utmost importance currently to entice higher number of buyers.

Einsteinium Is Mysterious Radioactive Element Named After Albert Einstein

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Einsteinium is an artificial element with atomic number 99, symbol Es, 252-u atomic mass, and period 7. This mysterious and highly radioactive element, is named after legendary physicist – Albert Einstein, though he did not discover it. In 1952, this element was discovered for the first time in airborne debris of a hydrogen bomb explosion (detonation of a thermonuclear weapon called ‘Ivy Mike’ at Eniwetok Atoll in the South Pacific). On 1st November 1952, detonation of Ivy Mike, as a part of an experiment at a remote island location called Elugelab in the South Pacific, produced an explosion nearly 500 times more destructive than Nagasaki explosion. Subsequently, this fallout material was sent to Berkeley Lab, California, which was examined by Stanley Thompson, Bernard Harvey, Albert Ghiorso, and Gregory Choppin.

Since the discovery, Einsteinium has been one of the most challenging elements to study as it is highly radioactive and difficult to create, thus, there is not much information about this element. Discovery of this element was not revealed for almost three years, it was in 1955 that scientists suggested that it should be named after Albert Einstein. After almost 70 years, on 17th November 2020, scientists studied about the element at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and reported a few properties of Einsteinium, which is placed at bottom row of periodic table. This study was published in a journal – Nature – on 3rd February 2021.

Scientists conducted experiment using microscopic amount of less than 250 Nano-grams, which was produced at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s High Flux Isotope Reactor, which is one of the few labs capable of manufacturing Einsteinium. The element is one of the most stable isotopes that has a half-life of 276 days, which means it takes 276 days for half of the element to decay. Even if the element occurred on Earth during its formation, due to its shorter half-life and high radioactivity, it had most certainly decayed. Hence, the element cannot be naturally found and needs to be synthetically produced using intense and precise processes. Einsteinium, so far, has been manufactured in diminutive quantities and it is currently used only to create heavier element – Mendelevium (Md). The high rate of decay and radioactive nature makes it less useful in any other area, except for research purposes.

Einsteinium is minute that it is invisible to naked eyes and it took more than nine years to produce enough of it to see with the naked eye. For the recent research, using a precise X-ray produced by a particle accelerator, the scientists were able to examine this element to find out how it bonds with atoms. By studying this atomic arrangement, scientists can find out interesting chemical properties of other elements and isotopes that may be useful for nuclear power production and radiopharmaceuticals, Rebecca Aberge who co-led the study was quoted as saying in a release.

Telegram Becomes Most Downloaded App In Non-Gaming Category Amid WhatsApp New Privacy Policy Row

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Instant messaging app Telegram is gaining popularity. It has just achieved a new milestone in downloads. Telegram has now become the most downloaded app in the world. Data showed that Telegram in January 2021 was downloaded more than 63 million times. This is the highest number in the non-gaming category. This translates into 3.8 times of the apps total downloads in the corresponding period a year ago. The massive surge was mainly driven by Indian users. Indians contributed around 24 percent to the 63 million downloads. This means India saw the largest number of Telegram installs. No country was close to even half of the total downloads in India. The second country on the list was Indonesia with 10 percent.

On the Play Store, Telegram was at the ninth spot in December last year in the overall downloads in the non-gaming category. On the App Store, Telegram entered the list of top 10 most downloaded in the non-gaming category. It has grabbed the fourth spot. Telegram’s popularity increased dramatically after a massive row over WhatsApp. WhatsApp brought a new privacy policy for which it faced a backlash. It was sending notifications to users in India asking them to accept the new policy. The company said that accounts not accepting the new policy will be deleted from the platform. The policy was slated to come into effect from February 8. But WhatsApp delayed the implementation by three months.

Telegram saw people shifting from WhatsApp to the platform in the wake of the controversy. The messages on the platform are encrypted. In another related development, Telegram said that it will allow the users to bring chat history to the platform from WhatsApp and other apps. The facility is for both individuals and groups. Users can import messages, photos, and videos. The moved messages and media will not occupy extra space. Telegram was launched in 2013. Telegram chats and calls are end-to-end encrypted. Telegram was ranked the eighth most downloaded app in 2020 in the world. Telegram founder Pavel Durov has promised to launch new capabilities in the coming days to enhance user experience. It recently launched multiple pinned messages feature among others.

Doctors In The US Suggest Pregnant Women Should Get COVID19 Shots Despite Differing Advice

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Prominent medical groups in the US have recently said that pregnant women should consider being inoculated against COVID19. Dr. Richard Beigi from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Immunization Infectious Disease, Public Health Preparedness Expert Work Group has said that pregnant women should take the vaccine shots. He has said that there is no solid evidence, which proves that taking the COVID19 vaccine will harm either the mother or the unborn child. Experts have said the vaccine will provide a considerable amount of benefit to the mother and their unborn child. They have claimed that only those who have a history of severe allergies and anaphylactic shock or people who are dealing with advanced-stage cancer should avoid the vaccine. Health experts have said that any pregnant women with such concerns should get in touch with their Gynecologists. Renowned medical groups and experts have said that pregnant women should have a choice to get the vaccine. They hope this new recommendation will help pregnant women and their families, who might be confused due to conflicting recommendations, to decide about their vaccination. The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised that pregnant women should not receive the Moderna vaccine unless the benefits of inoculating pregnant women outweigh the possible risks of the vaccine. The agency has advised against using the Pfizer vaccine during pregnancy as well. The WHO officials have said that there is a lack of safety data on vaccinating pregnant women. Pregnant women have been excluded from the original trial of the Pfizer vaccine.

Doctors from the US have said that possible vaccine risks mentioned by the WHO are purely based on speculative measures as compared to risks posed by the COVID19 for pregnant women and their unborn child. Pregnant women are at a higher risk of preterm delivery, stillbirth, severe disease, and death due to COVID19. A maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Kjersti Aagaard has said that medical science does not show how and why vaccinating pregnant women can cause harm. Experts have said that there are decades of safety data available, which show that inactivated vaccines do not harm pregnant women and their unborn babies. They hope this data will apply to Pfizer and Moderna vaccines as well as these vaccines are not developed from a live virus. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines, which train the body to produce a protein, which can trigger an immune response. Experts have said that as soon as instructions are passed, the cell splits and gets rid of the mRNA. Therefore, the concerns of the WHO are based on hypothetical risks at the cost of identifying the benefits of vaccination.

There are enough data, which shows that the COVID19 adversely affects pregnant women and their unborn child. Pregnant women are at five times higher risk of hospitalization due to COVID19. They are three to four times more likely to be admitted to the ICU. Women who are expecting are at two to three times higher risk of being put on lifesaving measures such as breathing tube or life support. Pregnant women are also at a higher risk of stillbirth, preterm delivery, and maternal death due to COVID19. Black and Latino women are at a greater risk of death and severe disease due to COVID19. Such women can suffer from reduced lung capacity as the baby grown inside the womb. Experts have said that the heart of a pregnant woman pumps 1.5 times harder than normal to provide enough blood for the baby and the placenta. Therefore, due to higher cardiac output, pregnant women are at a higher risk of heart failure as well, which can be a possible cause of death from COVID19. Pregnant women are more likely to have an over-reactive immune system, which can cause cytokine storm in the case of COVID19 and lead to severe COVID19 disease.

NASA’s Juno Spacecraft Observes FM Radio Signals From Jupiter Moon Ganymede For 5 Seconds

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The US-based space agency NASA has claimed that it detected FM radio signals from one of the moons of Jupiter. It said that signals were received from Ganymede which is the largest moon in our solar system. It is also the ninth-largest object. It doesn’t have a substantial atmosphere. Past studies determined that it has a diameter of 5,268 km. NASA said that it recently came to light that FM radio signals were emanating from Ganymede. This is for the first time such signals have been reported. The agency, however, clarified that signals are not a sign of extraterrestrial life. It termed the signals a result of a natural function on the moon.

NASA said that the signals were received by Juno spacecraft. Juno is an orbital probe launched by NASA to explore the gas giant. It was launched in 2011. It entered a polar orbit of the planet after five years of journey. It has unlocked many secrets hiding within the solar system’s largest planet. NASA said that Juno detected the signal and located its source from Ganymede. It said that the cyclotron maser instability process led to the creation of signals. The spacecraft observed the signal for just five seconds. Ganymede possesses a metallic core. It is estimated that the moon contains more water than all of Earth’s oceans combined. It orbits Jupiter in seven Earth days.

Meanwhile, NASA has authorized a mission extension for its Juno spacecraft. Juno will continue to conduct scientific experiments around Jupiter till September 2025. The future targets for exploration include the ice-covered liquid ocean of Europa. Europa is also one of the 79 moons. Last year, astronomers claimed to observe the effect of volcanic activity on Io’s atmosphere. All the three Ganymede, Europa, and Io are three of the four Galilean moons. The fourth one is Callisto. All the four moons are visible from Earth with binoculars. The gas giant is too visible to the naked eye from Earth at night.

As Chip Shortage Worsens, Ford Decides To Close Plant In Germany For 1 Month

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Automakers were expecting some shortage as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic but it’s certain that not at this point in time. But carmakers are now facing a shortage of computer chips because of the massive demand worldwide. Following this, Ford has halted production at one of its German plants. The shortage of chips is making the recovery of automakers from the pandemic tougher. The US automaker said that its factory in Saarlouis, Germany will remain inactive till February 19 over weak demand as well as the shortage of chips. This German plant of Ford makes its most popular four-wheelers in Europe – the Focus – and around 5,000 workers are employed here.

“The situation is being closely monitored. We are adjusting production schedules to minimize the effect on customers, employees, suppliers, and dealers in Europe,” a spokesperson of the company said. The spokesperson said that Ford is not anticipating such a situation at other facilities in Europe. Last week, the carmaker was forced to shut an SUV plant in Louisville, Kentucky. The decision was taken because of the shortage of semiconductors. But the decision of shutting down a plant in Germany hints towards that bigger problem about the shortage of chips. The situation is expected to get worse and it could affect a large number of automakers around the world.

Automakers are still short of chips and the struggle is likely to continue for some time as supplies remain tight. Some of the leading semiconductor manufacturers got a revised list of requirements after sales of cars nosedived following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Experts believe that the shortage of chips comes at a very crucial time as they suffered a huge loss recently. Despite all this, automakers are under pressure to invest heavily in electric vehicles. Several carmakers have said that they will reduce the number of cars produced from their plant following the shortage of chips.

Outgoing Trump Administration Blacklists Smartphone Maker Xiaomi, 8 Other Chinese Companies

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The outgoing Trump Administration has blacklisted the smartphone maker Xiaomi for ties with the Chinese military. Xiaomi is among 9 companies that have been added to the list of Chinese military companies of the Defense Department. It must be noted that Xiaomi surpassed Apple in terms of smartphone sales in the third quarter. With this, these companies will be banned from American investment. Also, American investors will not be able to buy shares of all these companies. As a result of a recent order signed by the outgoing president, investors owning any shares of these companies are required to sell them before November 11, 2021.

While announcing the update list, the Defence Department said that it is committed to counter the Military-Civil Fusion development strategy of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The Defence Department said that it help the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to have access to advanced technologies. “This is done by means of companies and universities who conduct programs that look to civilian.” However, Xiaomi has time and again denied these connections. The smartphone maker reiterated that it will take all necessary steps to safeguard the company and its shareholders. “Xiaomi reiterates that it provides services to civilians and gives products for commercial use. The company would like to assure you that it is neither owned nor controlled by the Chinese military.”

Chinese foreign ministry has firmly opposed the new sanctions and said that the move is against the international economic trade rules. “It is totally against the trend of the times.” Later, China’s Ministry of Commerce said that the United States was using all means to suppress Chinese companies. The Ministry also urged America to correct its wrongdoings. The announcement comes close on the heels of the decision to ban 60 Chinese companies. The decision is likely to increase tensions between the two countries. The will become one of the major challenges for the incoming Biden administration which has so far not reacted to the development.

New Research Claims Identical Twins Might Not be Perfect Clones Of Each Other

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Identical twins more often resist being called a clone of their siblings; however, new research has proved they might not be genetically the same. Scientists from Iceland have analyzed DNA sequences from 372 identical twins and from their parents as well. Identical twins are born out of a single fertilized egg. The co-author of the study and geneticist at the University of Iceland and the company deCode, Kari Stefansson has said that the study has helped him to find out early mutations, which are responsible for separating identical twins. The findings of the study have been released in the journal called Nature Genetics. A mutation can be defined as an alteration in a sequence of DNA, a slight change, which is not inherently good or bad but can affect physical features and vulnerability to certain diseases in children. Such mutations take place when a cell divides and makes a tiny error in replicating DNA.

The study has found that around 5.2 of these initial genetic differences are found in identical twins. However, nearly 15 percent of identical twin pairs have been found with even more genetic differences. Some of them have been found with more than 100 genetic differences, said the experts. The co-author of the study has said that these differences show a tiny bit of the genetic code of each twin but they might explain why one twin is taller and why one twin is at a higher risk of chronic disease such as cancer. Earlier, many scientists have thought that physical differences between identical twins have been linked to environmental factors such as lifestyle and nutrition. A geneticist at Uppsala University in Sweden, Jan Dumanski has said that the findings of the study have made a great contribution to medical research. He has said that the only implication of this study is that scientists will have to be very attentive while using twins as models for testing the impacts of nature and nutrition. Past studies along with a paper, which has been published in 2018 in the American Journal of Human Genetics, have reported that there are some genetic differences between identical twins.

The new study has included the DNA of parents, children, and spouses of identical twins, unlike other past studies. These inclusions have helped experts to identify when these genetic differences take place in two different types of cells, which exist in just one individual and are inherited by the children of that person. They have been able to find mutations, which take place before the developing embryo splits into two, which sets the stage for twins. The team of experts has identified some pairs of identical twins where a mutation exists in all cells of the body of one twin but that mutation is not found in the other twin. However, at times the other twin might have this mutation in some of the cells, but not in all cells. Many experts have lauded the findings of the study and have said that it is a heroic success. They have said that the study has the potential to change people’s thinking about the effects of genetics and the environment.

Alphabet’s Waymo Decides To Replace Term ‘Self-Driving’ With ‘Fully Autonomous’

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At a time when self-driving cars are considered to be the future of transpiration, Alphabet-owned Waymo has decided to drop the term ‘self-driving.’ The firm said that it has decided to drop the phrase because few automakers are using it erroneously. Waymo said that it will now use the term ‘fully autonomous’ to describe its vehicles. It said that there is a minor difference in language but it means a lot. The company hopes that the change will differentiate it from other competitors. “The change may look very small but it is a very important one. Precision in language matters and could be life-saving as well,” the company said in a blog post.

While Waymo refrained from taking any specific automaker’s name, it is apparent that the move is a dig at rival Tesla. Elon Musk’s electric-vehicle maker is offering a feature for USD 10,000 that purports to offer ‘full self-driving capability.’ The company is facing heat over it as experts claim that it not only oversells the ability of the technology but also has the potential to create safety issues. Tesla claims that it has all the required hardware and the necessary software for the feature will come later. Experts define a “full self-driving” car as a vehicle wherein the person behind the wheel could safely fall asleep.

Tesla is yet to roll out the “full self-driving” feature for the public but it launched a beta version to some owners in October 2020. Those who have tested the feature are of the view that a lot of work is needed before that requirement of an attentive driver behind the wheel can be removed. Even Tesla has warned drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and pay extra attention to the road. But Tesla CEO continues to grandiose the feature and had claimed that the company will launch self-driving robotaxis in 2020, which didn’t materialize.

People Might Need To Have COVID19 Passport To Travel And Get Together In 2021

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People might need to show two passports while traveling in 2021. As per the latest report, many countries around the world are going to develop a ‘passport’ app, which will show a person’s COVID19 vaccination and test status. This verification method will be used for traveling on planes and attending large gatherings such as meetings and concerts. The Common Trust Network has developed such a COVID19 passport. The agency is going to team up with airlines such as JetBlue, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Swiss Air Lines, Cathay Pacific, and Lufthansa. It will join forces with health systems as well in the US and Aruba. This passport is called the CommonPass app. People can easily upload their COVID19 test results on it and proof of their COVID19 vaccination status given by a medical professional. The app will not make personal information public rather it will make a certificate in the form of a QR code, which will be scanned by flight attendants or security officers. The app will record health requirements at the time of passengers’ departure and arrival destination as well.

An official from the Common Trust Network, Thomas Crampton has said that people might be tested for the disease whenever they cross the border but they cannot be vaccinated. As per the report, tech giant IBM as well is going to develop a Digital Health Pass. This will help venues to set health requirements for entry, such as a negative COVID19 test, vaccination status, and temperature check. However, the information will be stored in the digital wallet. Some companies are planning to come up with a smart card, which will be able to record the credentials of people who do not have smartphones.

The lead author of the COVID19 Credentials Initiative Lucy Yang has said that they have come up with such a plan to digitally store and present the credentials not only via a smartphone but in other ways as well for those people who do not have access to a stable internet connection and do not have smartphones. He has said that there are many companies, which are doing incredible work to make it possible. Some experts have said that it will be effective in channelizing the right kind of information, however, there is no way to understand how these passports will make people’s travel safe. An Infectious Disease Expert, DR. Julie Parsonnet has said that health experts are still unsure whether a vaccinated person can spread the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

NASA Discovers The Internal Composition Of Mars Resembles Like A Three Layer Cake

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NASA has recently revealed that the internal composition of Mars looks like a three-layer cake. The Red Planet lander of the space agency has found that the planet has a formation like a three-layer cake under its crust. The probe has revealed that the Red Planet consists of different types of rocks heaped on top of each other just like a cosmic cake. This data from the Mars lander will help astronomers, geologists, and aerospace engineers to understand the history of murky origins and evolution of the Red Planet. The InSight Mars lander of the agency has sent the very first geological analysis of the Red Planet to scientists. The lander has faced difficulties in using its digging mole probe in the Martial soil and deployment. However, it has been able to extract details about the rocky layers under the crust of the Martian soil with the help of a domed seismometer. This domed seismometer has been provided by the French space agency Center National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES).
Scientists have been able to observe the thickness of each slice of Martian crust by capturing the nature of many storms of seismic waves. They have been able to identify the duration of waves and resistant path by these marsquakes. A short form for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, InSight has been launched in 2018. It is a Geodesy and Heart Transport Mission. It is a specific robotic lander, which aims to probe the mysteries of the formation of Mars. The main objective of this lander is to explore the deeper interior of nearby planets. It has landed in the Elysium Planitia region near the equator of the Red Planet in 2018. Since then, it continues to observe and gather data, which helps astronomers to understand the origin and structure of rocky planets of the inner solar system.
This year, InSight has been able to identify hundreds of small quakes. Most of them have not been higher than 3.7 magnitudes. It has collected the most inclusive weather data of any past surface mission, which has happened on Mars. The lead InSight scientist Bruce Banerdt from NASA has said that after probing around 480 marsquakes, they have been able to collect enough data to answer some of the unanswered questions. Preliminary data collected by InSight has shown that each of Mars’s planetary layers is around 12 to 23 miles thick. Scientists have said that it means it is thicker than the Earth’s oceanic layer. However, the planetary layer of Mars is thinner than the Earth’s continental crust. The authors of the study continue to study more data collected by InSight lander.

Study Finds Flavors Added Vaping Devices Can Cause Cardiac Rhythm Disturbances

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A new study has revealed that flavors added to vaping devices are dangerous for the heart. Researchers said that such devices can cause serious damage to the heart and lungs as well. The latest findings are an indication that vaping is as toxic as conventional cigarettes. Alone in the United States, fruit and candy flavors vaping devices expose millions of youngsters to cardio related problems. It can disrupt the normal electrical activity of a healthy heart. The study, however, underlined that there has been no clear understanding about what actually happens when vaporized flavoring molecules reach the heart after inhaling. The research was published in an American journal. It was authored by Professor Sami Noujaim from the University of South Florida.

The study noted that vaping surely interferes with the normal functioning of the heart. It has the potential to cause rhythm disturbances. Researchers arrived at the conclusion after they studied the data from a series of experiments on the toxicity of vape flavorings in cardiac cells. Researchers said that they tested the toxicity of fruit flavor, cinnamon, and vanilla custard in mouse cardiac muscle cells. The cells were then cultured in a laboratory. Researchers also derived cardiac cells from human pluripotent stem cells. These cells were then exposed to the vapors. The findings concluded that it affected the beating rate of cells.

This means flavoring chemicals to vaping devices can increase the risk of damaging the heart even more than what nicotine can do. Notably, flavored vaping is hugely popular among teens and young adults in recent times. The electronic nicotine delivery system has gained the attention of the governments due to its adverse impact on health. The battery-powered device converts liquid into a vapor that is inhaled. In other terms, it is also called an electronic cigarette. The device comes with cartridges that are refilled. As many as 40 counties have banned e-cigarettes. In the US, the administration has asked health officials to begin cracking down on most flavored e-cigarettes.

The UK Government Releases Anaphylaxis Warning On Pfizer Vaccine After Two Adverse Cases Of Side Effect

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The UK Medicine Regulating body has issued an anaphylaxis warning stating that people who have a history of anaphylaxis to a drug or food should not receive the Pfizer and BioNtech vaccine. Experts from the agency have given full-fledged guidance on an earlier allergy warning on Pfizer shots. The UK has commenced mass vaccination with the elderly and frontline workers this week. It is part of the global drive, which has one of the biggest logistical hurdles in history. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has reported nearly two cases of anaphylaxis and one case of possible allergic reaction since vaccination has begun. MHRA Chief executive June Raine has said that the majority of people will not suffer from anaphylaxis. He has said that the efficacy of the vaccine in protecting the people outweighs the risks. June Raine has claimed that the vaccine has met the MHRA’s standards of safety, efficacy, and quality.

Anaphylaxis is a side effect of the immune system. The National Health Services has said that it can be severe and at times life-threatening as well. Experts have said that anaphylaxis is the main side effect of the vaccine, and a warning has been issued after consulting many experts on allergies. Earlier MHRA has urged people not to get a vaccine shot if they have a history of any significant allergic reaction. Pfizer and BioNtech have agreed to support MHRA in their further investigation. The UK is the first country in the world to approve the vaccine, which has been developed by German company BioNtech, and Pfizer. The US and European Medicines Agency are still assessing the data from the clinical trial of the vaccine provided by the companies. A US official has said that Pfizer with a known allergic reaction might not be a suitable candidate for Americans.

The officials from MHRA have said that such allergic reactions have not been a part of the clinical trial of the Pfizer vaccine. Pfizer has said that people who have a history of severe allergic reactions to vaccines or ingredients of the vaccine have been excluded from the final stage of the clinical trial. This has reflected in the MHRA’s emergency use protocol. As per the experts from Pfizer and BioNtech, a component of the vaccine called polyethylene glycol (PEG) might have caused severe allergic reactions. The PEG is used to stabilize the shot and it is not available in any other form, said the experts. An expert in allergy and Immunology Paul Turner from Imperial College London has said that PEG, which might be the cause of the allergic reaction, is not linked to things, which lead to food allergy. Turner has said that people who have a known allergy to a particular drug might not be at a risk.

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