Difficult number patterns

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Scientists in California are raising the alarm after four sea otters were killed by an unusual strain of a common parasite spread by cats, a concerning but preliminary finding that researchers told Forbes signals a potential health threat to other animals prone to infection, including humans. Key Facts Toxoplasma gondii is a near-ubiquitous parasite that infects a wide variety of warm-blooded animals, including humans, and is transmitted by wild and domestic cats. While it commonly infects sea otters, genetic testing revealed all four had been infected with a particularly unusual strain of the parasite that appears to be capable of rapidly killing its host, according to a study published Wednesday in Frontiers in Marine Science . All infected otters—three were found in San Luis Obispo County and one in Santa Cruz County—housed high numbers of parasites and showed an unusual pattern of severe … [Read more...] about Researchers Warn Cat Poop Parasite Killing Otters In California Could Pose Human Health Threat

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin I’ve never been able to hold my hands steady. No, it’s not from too much caffeine – well, not usually. But as a result, I can rarely use a handheld distance rangefinder out on the course. Which is a shame, because I walk many of my rounds. So I don’t often have a cart GPS screen to cross-reference yardage on. Yes, I could use a GPS watch but literally every model I’ve tried has resulted in a skin rash flare-up underneath the band. But maybe there’s a new product to help. Precision Pro Golf’s new NX10 Slope rangefinder locks in distances super quickly and with accuracy. No it doesn’t have image stabilization like some other models I’ve tried, but this has speed on its side. Billed as the market’s first fully customizable rangefinder with interchangeable skins, it comes out of the box essentially as an all-white unit. But you can buy up to 30-some different custom skins separately. The largest underside panel slides off, so … [Read more...] about A Fast, New Rangefinder For The Course

LONDON – A year of tests run by central banks in Italy, Malaysia and Singapore have spurred hopes for a global instant payments network accessible at the tap of a mobile phone. The ability to send money quickly and cheaply around the world has long been seen as something of a holy grail for policymakers due to the advantages it would bring for both people and companies. Current transfers are slowed by the patchwork of more than 60 different instant payment networks, so central banks involved in the new tests have been working on ways to improve the process. The Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the central bank umbrella body, which helped oversee the “Nexus” trials, said the three countries involved had successfully sent payments between themselves using only mobile phone numbers. Looking ahead, the BIS said further trials would be run by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand with the hope that “Nexus could eventually be implemented globally.” … [Read more...] about Central bank tests spur global instant payment hopes

Ford expects to lose $3 billion on its electric vehicle department this year, the company announced Thursday. The company will be reorganizing its financial reporting into three distinct branches, Ford Blue, Ford Model e and Ford Pro, which will develop gas-powered, electric and commercial vehicles respectively, according to a press release. In the three years starting 2021, Ford Model e is expected to report a $3 billion loss. (RELATED: ‘Sustainable’ Electric Cars Are Getting Junked Over Minor Damage) “We’ve essentially ‘refounded’ Ford, with business segments that provide new degrees of strategic clarity, insight and accountability to the Ford+ plan for growth and value,” CFO John Lawler said.  “It’s not only about changing how we report financial results; we’re transforming how we think, make decisions and run the company, and allocate capital for highest returns.” Ford’s new structure and way of reporting earnings gives new insight into its EV business (which CFO … [Read more...] about Major Automaker Expects It Will Hemorrhage Billions From Its Electric Vehicle Business

The Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened an investigation into an Oregon school district that allegedly created race-based student groups, according to a letter obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation. Parents Defending Education (PDE), a group focused on parental rights, filed a civil rights complaint in January alleging to the OCR that Ashland School District allegedly created exclusive groups specifically for students of color. The OCR notified PDE in a letter that it would be opening an investigation into the school district on Monday. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: ‘Genderqueer Shapeshifter’ Provided School District’s Professional Development Training For Teachers) “We are glad to learn that the Department of Education has opened an investigation into one of our allegations against Ashland School District,” Nicole Neily, president of PDE, told the DCNF. “Student affinity groups like those offered at both Ashland High School and Ashland Middle … [Read more...] about EXCLUSIVE: Biden Admin To Investigate School District That Allegedly Created Race-Based Student Groups

A recall of New Orleans Democratic Mayor LaToya Cantrell has failed due to a large number of petition signatures being deemed invalid, according to The Associated Press. Most of the petition’s 67,000 signatures were deemed invalid by the registrar, leaving the petition short by roughly 18,000 signatures to recall the mayor, the AP reported . Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards declared that just 27,243 were valid, while the petition would need 44,975 to become effective. “Now, with the divisiveness of the failed recall campaign officially behind us, we must heal and recommit ourselves to working collaboratively to continue the progress we’ve made towards reducing crime, increasing public safety, building a more sustainable and resilient city and creating economic and job opportunities that benefit all of our people,” Cantrell said in a statement provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation. The signatures could have been declared invalid for many reasons, like being … [Read more...] about Petition Fails To Recall Mayor Of Crime-Stricken Blue City After Majority Of Signatures Deemed Invalid

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Mortgage rates tumbled last week to their lowest level in over a month, according to data released Wednesday morning by the Mortgage Bankers Association, as waning confidence in the U.S. banking system provides a reprieve to home buyers. Key Facts The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate slipped from 6.71% to 6.48% last week, falling to its lowest level since mid-February and its largest percentage decline since November. Mortgage applications rose 3% last week, according to the survey, as buyers take advantage of rapidly declining home prices. That followed a wild stretch for the banking sector – headlined by the failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, the nation’s second and third-biggest such failures ever – causing investors to pack into safer assets such as government bonds. Yields for 10-year U.S. Treasury notes sank 70 basis points to 3.4% in the two-week period … [Read more...] about Housing Market: Mortgage Rates Sink To 5-Week Low Amid Bank Havoc

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew faced intense questioning from lawmakers in his first hearing before Congress Tuesday morning, defending the popular social media app and insisting it protects U.S. user data from foreign interference, though House members from both sides of the aisle remained skeptical of TikTok's plans as the Chinese-owned platform fights against a possible U.S. ban or forced sale. Key Facts Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.)—chair of the House Energy & Commerce Committee—asked about spying and surveillance on U.S. users by TikTok, which is owned by Beijing-based tech company ByteDance, but Chew said he "disagrees with the characterization" that the social media platform is spying on American users and said TikTok is “committed” to protecting U.S. data from foreign access. Chew claimed in his testimony that he has “seen no evidence” of Chinese government officials accessing U.S. user data, … [Read more...] about TikTok CEO Spars With Congress Amid Growing Calls For Ban—As Lawmaker Calls Privacy Claims ‘Preposterous’

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Amid growing global concern over the social media platform, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee Thursday, where U.S. lawmakers are expected to question Chew over safety concerns for minors and preventing U.S. user data from foreign access. Key Facts In Chew’s first appearance before Congress, he’s expected to discuss the company’s privacy and data security practices, as well as the company’s relationship with the Chinese government, which has come under increased scrutiny in recent months. Prepared Remarks Chair Rodgers, Ranking Member Pallone, and Members of the Committee: Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today to talk about TikTok and our mission to inspire creativity and bring joy to more than 1 billion people worldwide. I look forward to discussing what makes TikTok so special to the diverse audiences it serves, as well as our … [Read more...] about TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew’s Prepared Comments Before Congress

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline A group of progressive Democrats led by Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) are among the first lawmakers in Congress to express their support for TikTok, despite growing bipartisan efforts to ban the popular social media app, amid concerns that an outright ban could lead to a backlash from the app’s most prominent users—Gen Z. Key Facts Bowman was the first major lawmaker in Congress to speak out in support of TikTok earlier this week, criticizing efforts to ban the app as “fear mongering” and suggesting it was fueled by “xenophobia around China.” In a recent video posted to his nearly 160,000 followers on TikTok, Bowman argued that banning the platform won’t solve any problem and said “comprehensive legislation” was instead needed to ensure social media user data is kept safe. The New York Democrat, who is a member of the progressive coalition known as the “Squad,” has since been joined by two other … [Read more...] about TikTok’s Potential Ban Faces Opposition From Some Democrats Amid Concerns It Could Cost Them Gen Z’s Support