Apple’s WWDC 2015 will be live streamed on June 8, at 10:00 A.M.
As the much-awaited conference is getting near, here are the latest updates and news from Apple’s WWDC 2015. The iPhone maker has suggested that many new product upgrades will be presented during this year’s edition of the conference, even though the new Apple TV set won’t be present at the event.
U.S. analysts have used every possible means to express their discontent in relation to the company’s recent decision to postpone the launching of a new Apple TV set. Consumers have been anticipating the new product for a long time, but Apple’s officials have declared that the live streaming set is not yet ready for production.
There could be many marketing motives as to why Apple chose to suspend the production works for the new Apple TV set. Experts believe the company has encountered difficulties when trying to obtain streaming licenses from major TV companies such as Fox News, ABC, CNN and CBS. Those rumors have been partially confirmed when the smartphone producer declared in a recent interview that the product was not ready for prime time.
Customers had high hopes for the new online streaming set. Apple promised them in the past that the new version will feature an improved built-in remote controller and Siri assistance.
Although Apple TV won’t be available on store shelves any time soon, there are still many reasons why consumers will most likely want to take part at the Worldwide Developers’ Conference. The giant enterprise plans to introduce its customers to iOS 9. Also, new updates are expected for the company OS X software.
Apple consumers, who have been waiting the company to upgrade existing music programs or release new applications, will be happy to hear that this year’s conference will see the introduction of a new music streaming service.
A new Apple Watch toolkit is also in the making, according to the recent declarations made by the developing company. The new wearable program will enable developers to create many more Watch apps in the future.
The great news for analysts, however, is that the event will be live broadcasted from Moscone West Center in San Francisco. Interested attendees will simply have to access their MACs and tune in on June 8, at 10:00 A.M. local hours.
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WHO Report: 545 Meningitis victims in Nigeria.
Authorities are now alarmed because of the new WHO meningitis report: 545 victims in Nigeria were registered since the first disease outbreaks were found last week. In spite of the alarmingly high figures, the World Health Organization calms people by telling them that the meningitis epidemic has reached its peak.
More than 8,234 people were brought to the Nigerian hospitals in the past months as medical authorities have diagnosed them with meningitis. Great parts of the patients received vaccines, but physicians worried that the supplies were too little to suffice to all meningitis victims. Their worries were further fueled by recent medical researchers showing that the new meningitis cases have an unusual strain that has never been identified before in Africa.
During the first half of the month of May meningitis incidence grew rapidly, but now statistics show that the epidemic has reached its peak. There are far less meningitis cases identified now that volunteers working at the World Health Organization have carried out a complex vaccination campaign all throughout the affected areas.
Nevertheless, many Nigerians have fallen victims to the dreadful epidemic. Approximately 545 meningitis patients lost their lives as a result of the epidemic and figures could change in the future, depending on individuals’ evolution.
Meningitis outbreaks are specific for the Nigerian territory, especially for the region between Senegal and Ethiopia, which is called “the meningitis belt” due to the powerful epidemics occurring between December and June. The most recent meningitis outbreak was registered in 2009, when around 80,000 cases were identified.
The 1996-1997 outbreak has caused great problems to medical experts as numerous Africans fell victims to the disease. Reports show that 200,000 cases were identified during that period and more than 20,000 people died.
Meningitis outbreaks are so common in these regions, that the World Health Organization does not always warn people about new incidences. Spokespersons have stated that the organization declares an epidemic when disease outbreaks exceed normal values or when they appear outside the specific time interval.
WHO is constantly leading a battle against meningitis and other rare diseases. The organization develops stronger campaigns and adopts stronger measures whenever epidemics occur.
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President Obama offers a speech on healthcare back in 2009
Getting closer to the end of his second mandate, President Barack Obama is reluctantly looking back at his time in the office, judging his “legacy.” Most presidents like to show off their accomplishments and shine the best light on their terms, and in this respect, Obama follows faithfully.
After a speech he gave on Monday commending the steady recovery of the American economy, the new healthcare plan and the updated foreign policy, Obama offered a glimpse of how he hopes that history will remember his presidency: “Fondly.”
His response was prompted by a question during a Q&A session that took place at the White House with young Southeast Asian. Standing in front of his final 20 months in the office, Obama is hesitant to talk about his presidential legacy mostly because of the increasing shots fired on his administration by the growing number of Republican presidential candidates.
When asked about how he wishes history to remember him, Obama seemed to want to ignore the obvious question and answer the underlying one, saying that he has a lot more plans for his remaining time before he will do a retrospective.
But he then went on saying he already has plenty of things he’s proud to have accomplished, such as avoiding a terrible second depression that was looming over the United States back in 2009 when he first assumed office. He added that he believes the U.S. leadership did its part in avoiding a catastrophic international economic crisis.
Making health insurance more available was the next thing on the list, emphasizing that it was in alignment with his governing principles. But foreign policy is where Obama really feels he left a positive footprint.
The president argued that U.S. has experienced a 360-degree change in its international standing, reaching a place where the U.S. is “the most respected country on earth.”
His critics might have a completely different opinion on his point of view, as Obama’s response serves his legacy-building purposes, as well as a counterpoint to the disapproval that GOP presidential contenders show about his foreign policy.
Even though Obama argues that the international community has never been as engaged as it was during his administration, there are plenty of people who feel like the president hasn’t done enough to protect the American citizens from radical Islam and terrorism.
Instead, Obama pointed to the fact that two wars were ended and international relationships are going stronger than ever; Cuba and Iran are among the nations negotiating a better standing.
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Medical tests performed in South Korea.
Authorities in the East Asian region have released South Korea’s MERS outbreak report: 10 new cases confirmed. Medical experts are trying to identify how the current Middle East Respiratory Syndrome differentiates itself from the Sever Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak found in 2003.
South Korea is facing a new health challenge as authorities disclosed on early Friday morning that 10 new patients have been diagnosed with MERS. Worries began when a 44-year-old man had tested positive, thus setting China’s first confirmed case. Further investigations have been performed in order to establish whether other men living in the close vicinity of the said patient have been infected with the virus.
The 44-year-old man told doctors he had been in contact with 38 other persons ever since he began experiencing the first symptoms. He did not take the signs into consideration as he initially thought he had caught a cold sore. He only came to the hospital when things got really complicated as the man thought he developed pneumonia. Medical tests showed he had been infected with the MERS virus, one of the most dangerous viruses at present in the Asian regions.
Luckily, the other persons who have been in contact with the first MERS victim did not get infected. Nevertheless, 9 more cases were found on the South Korean territory and experts are trying to identify how the disease was spread. One thing is for sure, the newly found virus is not transmitted orally, but rather develops as an infection. Scientists are now worried that new mutant forms could appear and spread during man to man contact.
The first cases of MERS were identified in 2012 and the virus was linked to the famous SARS outbreak in 2003 responsible for approximately 800 deaths and 7,000 disease cases. The past outbreak was prevented from spreading thanks to the new vaccines that doctors developed. At present, no new remedies have been discovered, but scientists are making developing new studies each day.
Officials at the World Health Organization released new medical reports saying that the Arabian Peninsula is the main regain where the disease has reached alarming levels at present. The situation need not be neglected in South Korea, either as the Health Ministry said 1,142 cases of MERS were identified in 23 countries and 465 deaths had been reported since May 16.
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As part of a broader project that designs machines capable of mimicking the adaptive qualities of humans and animals, scientists have uncovered on Wednesday a new tiny robot that is able to continue pursuing the given mission even after suffering damage.
Researchers hope to one day provide the world with first-responder robots which would not be stopped or put out of function by dangerous crisis situations.
Leading scientist Jean-Baptiste Mouret of the Pierre and Marie Curie University in Paris reported that the feat is trying to create robots with survival capabilities when faced with hostile environments, even if it’s the nuclear disaster kind.
Sending robots in recon mission inside a reactor hasn’t been possible before, as they would be damaged and become inactive. The article posted in the journal Nature was inspired by the adaptive qualities the natural world is presenting.
For example, scientists noticed that if a dog’s paw has been hurt, the dog will alter the way it walks in order to avoid pressure on the painful wound. Learning to become adaptive can only come from experience. When you know how a body moves or reacts, the options that can be explored are endless.
This ability is what Mouret’s team tried to clone in the six-legged 50-centimeter robot, which is guided and powered by an ingenious computer program. They attempted to teach the program to create a database with information on how the robot moves, and then learn how each movement can be used in a crisis.
These bits of knowledge are called “values,” or in other words, hints of intuition. In the case of the wounded dog, for instance, the animal is aware that in order to walk again, it has to shift its weight according to the levels of pain.
This is how Intelligent Trial and Error was then created, a learning algorithm comprising a collection of “values.” Researchers proceeded to conduct experiments to see if the robot would use compensatory behavior in order to continue its mission even when damaged.
It was impressive to see that, in the end, the prototype robot learned that it could walk even if it was missing two legs, relying on an intelligence which rules out a walking type if it becomes useless – if walking mostly on its hind legs seems to hinder the mission, the robot will switch to waking mostly on its front legs.
The most surprising feat was getting the damaged robot up and running in less than two minutes after it was crippled. Limping away without six functional legs became the new norm in no time.
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Sperm fertilizing ovule egg.
Medical researchers claim there is a two-step process involved during male’s ejaculations. Uncovering these steps could help against infertility as the first part of semen is more efficient for fertilization, doctors have stated in a recent study.
Young couples and families struggling to conceive might be relieved by the recent medical findings that experts have made. Recent semen analyses performed by the reproductive laboratory in the Ginemed Clinic in Seville have proven that ejaculation occurs during a two-step process, which is usually preceded by a pre-ejaculatory moment.
This aspect was not known until recently and scientists believe it could help prevent infertility. According to them, the first part of semen is more efficient for fertilization due to its enhanced properties. The first fraction of ejaculate contains larger amounts of sperm and a highly qualitative DNA. Given these characteristics, the first part of semen that is normally ejaculated during an intercourse has many more chances of fertilizing the ovule and, thus, leading to a pregnancy.
Doctors think the findings of the new study may not be applied by regular patients as it is very difficult, if not downright impossible to control the two phases of the ejaculation process. However, they believe reproductive laboratories will most certainly take into account the recent information when performing in-vitro fertilization.
In doctors’ opinion, in-vitro fertilization could suffer significant changes in the future due to the recent find. Doctors will most likely distinguish between the first part and the last part of semen. The first ejaculate fraction is expected to be frequently used in in-vitro fertilization as it can increase pregnancy chances.
Moreover, the recent tests have shown that the DNA contained in the first part of semen has a very good quality compared to the samples withdrawn from other semen parts. This means the use of good quality DNA in in-vitro fertilization can prevent the occurrence of genetic disorders in embryonic development. Weak DNA quality is considered the main responsible for many children diseases and it has been linked to many genetic disorders.
The ejaculation moment is preceded by a pre-ejaculatory phase, which also presupposes the release of a substance that was labeled for a long time as semen. Yet, Maria Hebles, the leader of the scientific team in the reproductive laboratory claims the substance that is released during this stage is not semen but rather a fluid coming from the urethra.
The study that was carried through by the reproductive laboratory in Ginemed Clinic in Seville involved the careful analysis of many sperm samples. Their composition was subject to a thorough microscope investigation allowing doctors to determine the levels of sperm contained therein.
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Ecstasy pills, which contain MDMA as their main chemical, will be tested for medical purposes.
According to a recent report released by the U.S.A.’s Drug Enforcement Administration, Ecstasy will be tested as an anxiety reducer for terminally ill patients. The decision was adopted after therapists working for the Administration have proven that MDMA, commonly known as ‘Ecstasy’ could have good results on depressed patients.
The debate whether hallucinogens should be used in the medical treatments of terminally ill patients has been going on for decades. Therapists have persuaded the Food and Drug Administration into accepting the use of light drugs, such as, marijuana to alleviate the pains of patients suffering from advanced forms of cancer and AIDS.
The stiffest drug to be used so far for medical purposes has been morphine. Doctors have been using this medicine on cancer patients suffering from severe pains during metastases, more specifically bone metastasis. As wide-spread as this pain alleviator may be, doctors still show reluctance when it comes to prescribing it. Morphine is usually administered under the close surveillance of authorized medical personnel.
Therapists working within the Drug Enforcement Administration think they could soon be using another hallucinogenic substance, MDMA, to cure depression among patients suffering from cancer. They have thus, secured their medical facilities for what appears to be a “Shutter Island”-inspired experiment.
According to the medical personnel in charge of the experiment, the 18 patients have only 9 months to live. 13 patients will be administered MDMA, whereas the remaining participants will be given Placebo. During the eight-hour long therapy sessions, patients will work closely with Dr. Philip Wolfson, a San Anselmo psychiatrist and his colleagues to determine whether the psychological state of the patient has changed in any way or another.
Wolfson was not able to at least hint to some of the benefits that Ecstasy could lead to among cancer patients. The drug has been previously linked to severe heart failures, kidney failures and high blood pressure. Moreover, previous tests have shown that MDMA is usually responsible for severe panic attacks and anxiety. According to the test results published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, MDMA has been prohibited precisely because it has led to a significant increase in patients’ restlessness, irritability, aggression, impulsiveness and sadness.
Judging by the data provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the last hallucinogen that therapists could use to diminish depression among terminally ill patients is MDMA. Yet, the Food and Drug Administration is one step away from accepting the medical experiment, even though many efforts have been made to banish or at least, to prevent Ecstasy consumption among U.S. inhabitants.
As one might expect, the immanency of MDMA’s use in medicine has triggered many disapproving voices on behalf of organizations fighting to prevent drug abuse. The latter claim similar experiments could cause a general loosening of authorities’ control over MDMA use. They make reference to the recent increase in marijuana use that was registered after the plant was accepted as an alternative medical treatment, to support their point of view.
Do you think the recent MDMA experiment will lead to an increase in Ecstasy consumption? Will FDA’s approval loosen drug abuse regulations? Share your thoughts with us and leave your comment below.
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Scientists have written that new 11 chameleon species were found hiding in plain sight in Madagascar. The discovery proves that the panther chameleon species could in fact comprise a larger number of subspecies than it was initially thought to.
Chameleons have always been of great interest to scientists as this species has the ability to turn itself invisible using thousands of nuances and colors. The disguising abilities of the reptile may still be unknown to experts as recent studies have led to the identification of more 11 chameleon species.
The newly found reptiles belong to the species of panther chameleon, scientifically known as Furcifer pardalis, which is specific for the Madagascar fauna. The most interesting aspect related to the recent discovery that scientists have made is the fact that the chameleons were hiding in plain sight.
Many more researches were carried out by Michel Milinkovitch, professor of genetics, evolution, and biophysics at the University of Geneva and his contributors in Madagascar to determine the exact characteristics of the newly found subspecies. The team of researchers had to take part in two expeditions in order to gather data for their new study.
DNA samples were withdrawn from small drops of blood belonging to the chameleons. Scientists managed to identify 324 exemplars of chameleon, whose behavior has been documented through photographs.
The snapshots that researchers have made during the expeditions have led to the inference of several important behavioral patterns. According to Milinkovitch, the chameleon species may be determined by simply taking into account the color nuances that the chameleon uses to adapt to a specific environment. The genetic lineage will most certainly make the subject of numerous future studies, as scientists think that many things are still left to be discovered.
The recently discovered 11 species of chameleon have triggered significant changes in the universal classification of reptile species. Milinkovitch believes some subspecies could account as independent species, depending on the geographical area they are found in.
Regular people may not be able to distinguish between a certain type of chameleon and other less known species. To the majority of us, the chameleon is a beautifully colored reptile that you might just as well avoid. Genetic experts, believe the new classification could help even inexperienced people distinguish between the various types of chameleon.
The aim of the study was not purely scientific as the Professor at the University of Geneva has stated. The endeavor was carried through because researchers want to draw people’s attention to the rich, yet fragile biodiversity existing in Madagascar.
The findings of the study will be published in the study Molecular Biology together with the professor’s personal opinion on the matter.
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Are you tired of abiding by social conduct? Do you dream of living off the land after your heart delight in a remote part of this Earth? The egg-shaped home dubbed as the “Ecocapsule” might just be the escape solution you’ve been waiting for.
Bratislava-based company called Nice Architects is responsible for building the Ecocapsule in the form of a mobile house. According to its advertising, its inventors claim the pod has yet to be matched in the dwelling experience it offers.
Due to the Ecocapsule’s impressive off-grid lifespan, flexibility and worldwide mobility, its designers believe it is suitable for many purposes.
Besides offering individuals the chance of living on the edge, the capsule also has the potential of an independent research station, it can offer emergency housing and participate in humanitarian initiatives.
Inside the little capsule measuring 4.5 meters long by 2.4 meters wide by 2.5 meters tall, two adults can live comfortably. Designers thought of everything indispensable that could fit in the small layout, so they included a built-in kitchenette with running water, a shower and a toilet.
When it comes to transporting the Ecocapsule anywhere worldwide, the compact size is a great advantage: all you need is a standard 40-foot shipping container. Without any special preparations or safety measures, the abode is ready for shipping, towing, pack-animal travelling or airlifting.
On the outside, the Ecocapsule is fitted with storage spaces and two windows; on the inside, it comes with a folding bed, two chairs and a table. The portable home is packed with all essentials that ensure a prolonged stay, and the owner doesn’t have to worry about recharging or re-supplying it.
If you’re wondering how is that possible, know that the Ecocapsule uses a built-in wind turbine for its power. In case of emergency, a solar cell array comes in handy as back-up. On the surface of an Ecocapsule, 2.6 square meters are covered in powerful solar cells.
Besides dual power system, the inventors added a high-capacity battery for the times and places where solar or wind activity is reduced. Therefore, dwellers benefit from enough power for almost an entire year in any of the off-grid locations worldwide.
The egg-shaped home is prepared to collect rainwater and dew, which can be used inside as water sources through the built-in water filters.
Later this month, Nice Architects is set to unveil its first Ecocapsule during the Pioneers Festival in Vienna. By the end of the year, the company plans to start taking orders for the pods to be delivered in early 2016.
However, Nice Architects did not reveal the pricing of the Ecocapsule, but it won’t be cheap. The pod will start selling under the slogan “Dwelling with the Spirit of Freedom.”
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Erectile dysfunctions may be cured with caffeine, new study confirms after doctors have performed a thorough analysis on a large number of male respondents. Their recent findings are in keeping with previous experiments showing that caffeine could have a positive impact on patients suffering from heart diseases, diabetes and erectile malfunctions.
Caffeine was long considered an enemy for our health, but recent medical findings come to contradict the traditional believes. Physicians claim now, based on real medical findings that a balanced coffee intake per day could in fact improve the patient’s condition.
The recent research was carried out on 3,724 men, who were asked to answer a given number of questions related to their lifestyle and their health conditions. The respondents were chosen based on their age, too, as erectile dysfunctions usually occur at people over 40. Thus, the participants were all aged 40 or above.
Based on the answers they have provided, doctors have found that 85 to 170 milligrams of caffeine per day could be extremely benefic for their health. The majority of the respondents suffered from heart affections, obesity and diabetes, who in turn, have experienced ED on a regular basis.
Statistics have revealed that patients who consumed the aforementioned quantity of caffeine were 42 percent less likely to develop erectile dysfunction. However, there was no real explanation that scientists could find for this improvement.
They have logically inferred that caffeine contributes to the improvement of blood circulation and, therefore, helps reduce erectile dysfunctions caused by little blood flow in the penis. Two cups of coffee per day have the ability to relax blood vessels, regulate blood pressure and improve cardiovascular functions.
Patients, who suffered from diabetes, however, did not register any change in their health condition. According to researchers, diabetes is the main risk factor contributing to ED and there is little that remains to be done for these men.
Many efforts are been carried through in order to reduce the occurrence of erectile dysfunctions among men. The National Institute of Health says 30 million men in America suffer from this affection. Erectile dysfunctions are extremely common among men aged over 40 (44%). Their number is directly proportional with the age, as 70% men over 70 admitted suffering from ED.
Physicians have concluded the study by saying that there are many additional sources of caffeine for patients who do not tolerate coffee. They have suggested respondents to replace coffee with tea, soda and several popular sport drinks if they don’t like the taste of genuine coffee.
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