In cleanup from California fires, lithium-ion batteries are a dangerous challenge
As cleanup efforts get underway in the Los Angeles area neighborhoods marred by wildfires, one of the biggest challenges is the large number of lithium-ion batteries that were caught in the flames. The batteries power most plug-in hybrid cars and electric vehicles, and are used in golf carts, e-bikes, laptops, cellphones and wireless earbuds. They’re also found in power banks that provide backup energy during outages, which have become increasingly popular in homes.
Alabama woman becomes longest living recipient of pig organ transplant
An Alabama woman passed a major milestone Saturday to become the longest living recipient of a pig organ transplant — healthy and full of energy with her new kidney for 61 days and counting. “I’m superwoman,” Towana Looney told The Associated Press, laughing about outpacing family members on long walks around New York City as she continues her recovery. “It’s a new take on life.”
FDA recommends pet food companies revisit safety plans amid bird flu outbreak
As a growing number of cats have gotten sick or died after consuming raw pet food or raw milk contaminated with the H5N1 virus, health officials have advised pet food companies to take extra precautions to protect against bird flu. In recent guidance, the Food and Drug Administration suggested that pet food manufacturers take precautions in their food safety plans, such as “seeking ingredients from flocks or herds that are healthy” and “taking processing steps, such as heat treatment, that are capable of inactivating viruses.”
Robotic dog helps those facing mental health and cognitive challenges
U.S. robotics company Tombot has introduced "Jennie," an innovative AI-powered robotic pet designed to provide comfort and companionship to those facing cognitive health challenges. This groundbreaking creation is set to transform the lives of millions struggling with dementia, mild cognitive impairment and various mental health issues.
Trump vows answers on mystery drone sightings as expert makes eerie prediction
An influx of unexplained drone sightings in parts of the United States began to make headlines in November, and although authorities have said there is no evidence that the drones are a threat to national security or public safety, experts explain the mystery behind the uptick in sightings. Fox News' Peter Doocy questioned President Donald Trump about the drones on Monday, asking, "Anything with these drones — is it anything to be worried about?" "I would like to find out what it is and tell the people. In fact, I’d like to do that," Trump responded. He then redirected to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. "Could we find out what that was, Susie? Why don’t we find out immediately?"
Unusual Martian mounds could help solve one of the red planet’s biggest mysteries
Thousands of mysterious mounds on Mars preserve layers of evidence pointing to ancient water on the red planet that likely sculpted the towering formations. More than 15,000 mounds jut skyward from the lowlands of Mars’ Chryse Planitia, located near a natural dividing line between the planet’s southern and northern hemispheres. The geological features have long intrigued scientists, who up until now weren’t sure what created the mounds.
Trump's executive orders might threaten growth of electric vehicles and wind power
With two executive orders, President Donald Trump on Monday changed the trajectory of two of the fastest-growing climate-friendly technologies in the U.S.: electric vehicles and wind power. The orders took aim at efforts the Biden administration had made to boost both technologies, which have in recent years gained traction in the push to decarbonize the U.S. energy market. Trump also declared that the U.S. would exit the Paris Agreement, through which nations set carbon emissions reduction goals to limit global warming.
Much-needed rain forecast for Southern California this weekend
Some much-needed rain is in the forecast this weekend for Southern California, which could bring welcome relief to firefighters who have spent nearly three weeks battling devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area. But the expected precipitation also brings new risks of mudslides, flash flooding and toxic runoff. Up to 1.5 inches of rain could fall over the San Gabriel Mountains, while most of Los Angeles County could see around half an inch starting Saturday afternoon and lasting possibly through Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
Two mysterious fast radio bursts originated from wildly different places in space
Mysterious fast radio bursts, or millisecond-long bright flashes of radio waves from space, have intrigued astronomers since the first detection of the phenomenon in 2007. The enigmatic signals, known as FRBs, release as much energy in less than the blink of an eye as the sun emits in one day. Researchers are still trying to unravel what the celestial pulses are, as well as how and where they occur. Specialized telescopes have enabled astronomers to track radio bursts within the Milky Way galaxy as well as up to 8 billion light-years away.
Newly discovered asteroid turns out to be Tesla Roadster launched into space
Elon Musk’s sense of humor is out of this world. Seven years after the SpaceX CEO launched a Tesla Roadster into orbit, astronomers from the Minor Planet Center at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Massachusetts confused it with an asteroid earlier this month. A day after the astronomers with the Minor Planet Center registered 2018 CN41, it was deleted on Jan. 3 when they revealed that it was in fact Musk’s roadster.