Science Academy Episode 10: Hail Formation

Science and Health

SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – Gather your supplies! Available December 17th, this week’s episode is about hail. We will use supercooled water to explore all about hail formation. Science Academy – Sponsored by Knova’s Carpets(ktiv)Download the experiment instructions HERE! *** If for some reason you are having trouble with getting the water to supercool in the freezer, you can accomplish it with an ice bath. You will need a bucket deeper than your bottles, ice, water, 2 cups of rock salt, and a thermometer. Fill the bucket halfway with ice, fill water nearly up to the top of the ice, add salt, and stir. Keep stirring until the ice water reaches 17 degrees. Add water bottles and wait for 15 minutes. ***So, what does super cooled water and hailstones have in common? Frozen water droplets are swept up by updrafts into a thunderstorm. Supercooled water exists in several layers of the storm. Supercooled water droplets touch the frozen droplets and freeze. The baby hailstone will tumble around in the storm. Each time a hailstone gets swept up by the updraft, another layer of ice forms. Eventually, the weight of the hailstone is more than force of the updrafts…so the hailstone falls. Next time you see a hailstone, split it open and you will the rings from the layers of supercooled water deposited! Watch the video above for a look at the full explanation. Submit photos or videos of your students participating to [email protected]. For more fun experiments, check back on Tuesdays, here on ktiv.com or on the KTIV News 4 Now app (available on Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, and Fire TV). Copyright 2024 KTIV. All rights reserved.

Scientists find new forms of life inside human bodies

Science and Health

Every time we think we’re close to fully understanding the human body, something fresh and unexpected shows up. Recently, a team of researchers stumbled upon strange entities, or obelisks, living inside of human bodies that had escaped notice until now.Their surprising presence challenges assumptions and raises pressing questions about what else might be lurking unseen inside us.Hidden presenceThese new visitors appear smaller than the viruses most people learn about in basic biology classes. Rather than behaving like familiar microbes, they introduce themselves as something different.Their discovery came about when researchers began analyzing massive genetic libraries, searching for patterns that did not match any known organisms. This unusual find was led by Nobel Prize winner in Medicine Andrew Fire, from Stanford University.Calling them obelisksWhat the researchers uncovered are entities they have chosen to call “obelisks.” They do not resemble typical life forms, and their name comes from their distinctive shape. “The more we look, the crazier we see,” said Mark Peifer, a cell and developmental biologist at the University of North Carolina.They resemble what scientists call viroids, which are infectious loops of RNA known for their effects on plants. Obelisks share certain traits with these plant pathogens, yet they appear in human-associated bacteria. According to Matthew Sullivan, an integrative biologist at Ohio State University, the health implications for humans remain unclear.Understanding RNA — the basicsRNA, or ribonucleic acid, is a vital molecule that plays several important roles in all living cells. Think of it as the messenger that helps turn the genetic instructions stored in DNA into the proteins that build and repair your body. Unlike DNA, which usually forms a double helix, RNA is typically single-stranded and can fold into different shapes to perform various functions. There are different types of RNA, such as messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA) which is a key component of ribosomes, the cell’s protein factories.But RNA isn’t just about making proteins — it also helps regulate how genes are expressed and can even act as a catalyst in certain chemical reactions. For example, some RNA molecules can turn genes on or off, controlling what proteins are made and when. This regulation is crucial for everything from development to responding to changes in your environment.Strange RNA loopsViruses often have protective shells made of proteins. Obelisks seem to lack that familiar coat. Instead, they carry RNA instructions around in tiny loops.Unlike standard viruses, they do not appear to encode protein shells. These differences suggest that life’s definitions might need some rethinking.Obelisks throughout human bodiesIt is not just a single type of obelisk. Thousands of unique varieties have turned up when scientists comb through genetic datasets.Discoveries have emerged from multiple locations around the world, indicating that these intruders are not rare oddities tucked away in one place.Not only are these obelisks found far and wide, they also appear in different parts of the human body. They have cropped up in bacteria from the mouth and in those dwelling in the intestinal tract.The genetic signatures hint that distinct types prefer particular regions. This suggests an intricate relationship with our internal ecosystems, though it is too soon to say what they are doing there.Evolutionary puzzlesTheir unusual nature stirs questions about how viruses, viroids, and these newcomers might be related. A persistent puzzle has always been whether today’s viruses originated from simpler RNA forms or if they started out more complex and shed traits over time.Entities like obelisks add color to these debates, leaving scientists wondering how ancient these forms might be and how they took shape during the planet’s biological history.Categorizing human obelisksObelisks do not slide neatly into existing categories. They are not standard viruses, not classic bacteria, and not exactly viroids either.Their discovery hints that we may be missing entire classes of RNA-based life that challenge current textbooks. This complicates efforts to catalog and understand the full range of microbial life.This investigation involved scanning colossal gene catalogs derived from human-associated microbes. Researchers used new computational tools to spot circular RNA molecules. These approaches required careful filtering to ensure what they found was not just random noise. The effort paid off, revealing a strange world that had gone unnoticed.A fresh perspective“This is one of the most exciting parts of being in this field right now,” said Simon Roux, a computational biologist at the DOE Joint Genome Institute at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.These sentiments reflect a general feeling among experts who are sifting through molecular data and finding surprises. The study that introduced obelisks was posted on January 21st on bioRxiv, sparking interest among scientists who study microbial communities.Still so many unknownsWhile researchers piece together the story of obelisks, the potential impact on humans remains uncertain. They know these RNA circles live inside bacterial cells that, in turn, inhabit our bodies.If these entities influence bacterial behavior, they could, by extension, shape aspects of our own biology. Nobody can say yet what the long-term implications will be.What’s next for human obelisks?The human body is more than organs and tissues; it is a crowded universe of tiny creatures, many of them strangers we have not fully met before.Obelisks may be just one example of what can happen when scientists look at genetic data in new ways. There could be more discoveries ahead, each one forcing us to adjust how we describe life and its building blocks.Until then, researchers continue to watch, learn, and puzzle over these miniature visitors that have managed to hide in plain sight.The full study was published in bioRxiv and Royal Society Open Science. Current research on circular RNA:—–Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates. Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.—–

Yakima Valley Libraries celebrating Jolabokaflod by giving away free books to youth

Arts & Culture, Books

YAKIMA, Wash. — The Yakima Valley Libraries are giving away free books to kids for the Holidays to celebrate Jolabokaflod.YVL said youth zero to 18 are welcome to go to any YVL location to pick a free book on Monday, December 23 between 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.The libraries include Buena, Granger, Harrah, Mabton, Selah, Sunnyside, Toppenish, Wapato, West Valley, Yakima Central, and Zillah.* Hot chocolate will also be provided.”Books are the perfect gift this holiday season, with something for everyone,” said Madison Gailus, Youth Services Coordinator. “Come celebrate this special tradition by visiting the library to choose a book for yourself or a loved one, and share the love of reading!”Jolabokaflod is a tradition Iceland started during World War II due to paper being one of the only things not rationed. Icelanders gave books as gifts when other things were in short supply, turning the country into book-lovers even current day.MORE ON APPLEVALLEYNEWSNOW.COM

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IPO-bound Ventive Hospitality to buy, develop hotels as temple tourism rises

Travel

Bengaluru: Ventive Hospitality Ltd, a joint venture between Pune-based real estate developer Panchshil Realty and global asset manager Blackstone, is looking to expand its hotel business to capitalize on a surge in leisure travel and temple tourism in India, senior company officials told Mint.

The firm, which owns upscale hotels including Ritz Carlton Pune and Aloft Bangalore, is planning to expand the business both through organic and inorganic routes. It will acquire hotel assets across cities and also develop projects from the ground up.

Blackstone and Panchshil together own more than 80% of Ventive Hospitality, which is set to raise ₹1,600 crore through an initial public offering (IPO). The proceeds of the IPO will be mainly used to pare debt. The offering comprises only a primary share issue and has no offer-for-sale component, and includes reservation of shares worth ₹1 crore for the company’s employees, according to its red herring prospectus. The price band is set at ₹610-643 and the IPO will remain open for bidding during 20-24 December.

The platform has 11 operational hotel properties with 2,036 keys, of which eight are in India including JW Marriott Pune, and three in the Maldives including Raaya by Atmosphere. It also has some office and retail space as part of mixed-use developments.

Ventive Hospitality is currently developing three hotel projects with 367 keys- a Marriot-branded hotel in Varanasi, and one each in Sri Lanka and Bengaluru. 

“The idea of Ventive came about with the whole concept of us setting up scalable platforms in the country. In hospitality, the big play was how one can target the aspirational Indian business and leisure traveller. Our key markets are the business growth markets,” Asheesh Mohta, senior managing director and head of real estate acquisitions, India, at Blackstone, told Mint in an interview. 

Ventive’s key markets are the business growth markets. Besides Bengaluru and Pune, the company plans to expand in some of the other large office markets, he added.

While Ventive Hospitality is a relatively new joint venture between Blackstone and Panchshil, the partnership of the duo goes back to 2008-09, when Blackstone invested in the latter’s commercial office project in Pune.

Temple tourism, or spiritual tourism, in India accounts for 30% of the country’s overall travel and tourism sector, according to a report by property advisory Colliers. More than 1.4 billion tourists visited religious sites across the country in 2022, generating over $16 billion in revenue during the year, according to data by the Union tourism ministry.

“Ventive is exploring relevant places beyond Varanasi as well,” said Atul Chordia, chairman of Panchshil Realty and executive director at Ventive Hospitality.

The firm is also looking to set up premium hotels in non-metro regions such as Sindhudurg, a district in Maharashtra, which is in close proximity to Goa’s Mopa airport.

Blackstone’s Mohta said that Ventive is a unique partnership that combines Panchshil’s development and operational expertise and Blackstone’s acquisition and financing capabilities.

“Today, we are India’s third-largest hotel operator and the vision for the next 5-7 years is to get to number one,” Blackstone’s Mohta added.

Blackstone, which opened its real estate division in India in 2007, has focused largely on investing in the office sector and shopping malls. It later diversified into industrial real estate and warehousing, a platform it has been scaling up very fast under Horizon Industrial Parks.

Hospitality is a new real estate asset class for Blackstone in India, though it has funded large office parks that also have hotels.

“While we have hotels in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, going forward we will be focusing on acquiring or building hotels across cities within the country,” said Chordia of Panchshil Realty, which is the largest office developer in Pune, with a 22 million sq ft portfolio.

In FY24, Ventive Hospitality posted a net loss of ₹66.7 crore, against a profit of ₹15.7 crore in the previous year. Revenue during the financial year ended March 2024 stood at ₹1,842 crore, up 8.4% compared to ₹1,699.4 crore in FY23.

“Bookleggers Library” offers free books, including ones banned in schools

Arts & Culture, Books

MIAMI – It’s the first of its kind in Miami: the one and only free bookstore.”Bookleggers Library” started as mobile store and has since transformed into a storefront in Wynwood.What started to get people reading more has turned into a deeper meaning now that certain books have been banned in Florida schools.Not many things are free any more – but this is. It’s not a library. You don’t check it out and return it. It’s yours to keep. “You can take a book from us and read it in five years,” Nathaniel Sandler, the founding director of Bookleggers Library, said. “It’s OK for the book to sit on your shelf. We don’t want people to feel the pressure to read it within a constricted time.”Sandler started this as a way to give free books to underserved communities but there’s a deeper meaning now.”A lot of the books being banned now are subjects like Black American studies, LGBTQ,” he said. “We have sections for all kinds of people. We do not censor books”Sandler created areas for what could be a banned book. 

He said with literature censored or removed from the reach of young minds, it’s more important now than ever to have bookstores like this. “We consider ourselves the last line of defense against a book being banned,” Sandler said. “We have literally taken them out of the dumpster on several occasions.” The nonprofit stays afloat by donations and volunteers…When this idea came about roughly 12 years ago, without realizing what the future would hold, they named it Bookleggers, which literally means a person who illegally sells books.”Even the name itself is about moving printed material, in secretive and shadowy ways so the organization was conceived in defiance of book bannings,” Sandler said. They’re more than just a book store though. They also bring their mobile book van to neighborhoods and give out books to children.”Books still have magic,” he said. “And we can’t give our entire information ecosystem over to the phone. We need books because the internet does not have everything.”

Bookleggers is in the Bakehouse Art Complex at 561 N. 32nd St. and is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m. Mre information can be found on its website.

Comic Book Creator Matthew Clark Starts Fundraiser After Heart Bypass

Arts & Culture, Books

Posted in: Comics, Comics Publishers, Current News, DC Comics | Tagged: gofundme, Matthew ClarkComic book creator Matthew Clark sees his gamily start a fundraiser after his triple heart bypass.Matthew Clark, is the comic book artist on titles such as Doom Patrol. Outsiders, Superman, Wonder Woman, Inhumans, Harbinger, Ghost Rider, Shaft, Threshold and Injustice, and is the co-creator of Felon, Life & Death In Paradise, and Pantheon. He recently underwent a triple bypass surgery that has left him unable to work for several months. As a result, his family have launched a GofundMe to help with his costs.”Matthew is not only a talented artist and a devoted cat dad but also one of the nicest, kindest people you will ever meet. Recently, he underwent a triple bypass surgery, a life-saving procedure that has left him unable to work for several months while he recovers. During this critical time, Matthew needs our support to manage his basic living expenses, including rent, utilities, and groceries. As an artist, his work requires dedication and focus, but his health and recovery must come first right now. Without income, it’s a challenging road ahead. Every dollar raised will go directly towards ensuring Matthew can stay in his home, care for his beloved cat, and have the nourishment and stability he needs to heal fully. Your contribution will help him recover without the stress of financial uncertainty. Matthew has always shared his creativity and kindness with others. Now it’s our turn to give back. Together, we can help him get back on his feet and back to doing what he loves most.”

Matthew Clark’s sister Renee added more information.
“Matthew had a bit of a blood pressure problem for over an hour last night but the nurses were on top of it. They made sure he was okay but had to be put back on oxygen for the night. The PT took a bit out of him and he slept for 12 hours. He does breathing exercises (like what the Mercury Astronauts had to do) He has a case worker and social works stopping by to gather information about his living situation and other issues regarding his release. Matthew’s  building is old and does not have a elevator and is on the 2nd floor. So things are up in the air for the time being. He might have to stay someplace during his recovery (preferably pet friendly so Barry his cat can come and give aid in my brothers recovery) The workers are also helping with the everyday things he will need like a shower chair and walker etc. Thanks everyone for your support. It means a lot to us. Matthew is still up at OHSU, stop by and visit. He promises to send photo update next time possible of his sexy scar.”
Matthew Clark has received donations from the likes of Jim Valentino, Steve Lieber, Nicola Scott, Arthur Adams, Lee Weeks, Yanick Paquette, Pete Woods, Alex Segura and more, and has raised. At time of writing, it has raised $11,025 against a goal of$14,000 from 134 donations.

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Bluey Creator Will “Take a Break” From TV Series to Focus on Film

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Posted in: BBC, Disney+, Movies, TV | Tagged: bluey, disney, joe brummIn a letter on the show’s blog, Bluey creator Joe Brumm confirmed that he will “take a break” from the TV series to focus on the 2027 film.Published Tue, 17 Dec 2024 14:39:12 -0600 by Ray Flook | Okay, we’re not going to call this “good news/bad news” – it’s more like “good news/not-so-great-but-understandable news.” Earlier today, BBC Studios and The Walt Disney Company announced that Joe Brumm’s hit animated series Bluey would be getting a feature film adventure that will hit theaters in 2027. For Brumm, the opportunity is something they always envisioned for the global phenomenon. “I really enjoyed the experience of working with a longer format on ‘The Sign’ in Series 3, so going even further with a feature film feels like a natural extension of that. I’ve always thought ‘Bluey’ deserved a theatrical movie. I want this to be an experiential event for the whole family to enjoy together. I’m excited to continue to partner with Cecilia Persson, Tom Fussell and the team at BBC Studios, and Dana Walden, Alan Bergman, and Disney to bring this new ‘Bluey’ story to the big screen,” Brumm shared in a statement about the announcement.But over on his blog/website, Brumm addressed what that meant for new seasons of the animated series. “Now, for the trifficult. I always said I wouldn’t keep making the show if I thought I couldn’t make any new season as good as the last. This would have been the case for me with a potential season four, so I’ve decided to take a break from my involvement in the TV series. In the event I can’t wrap my head around doing more seasons myself, ‘The Sign’ will mark my TV finale for ‘Bluey,’ and I wrote it as such,” Brumm shared. But before anyone assumes that means the series has wrapped for good, Burrow makes it clear at the end that’s far from the case. “To be clear, this is not an announcement about the end of the show, but it is an acknowledgment that my focus will be on the film,” Brumm added.
Image: Disney+
Written and directed by Brumm and produced by Ludo Studio (in collaboration with BBC Studios), Bluey: The Movie will continue the adventures of Bluey, a loveable, inexhaustible, blue heeler dog who lives with her Mum, Dad, and her little sister, Bingo. That means fans can expect the voice cast from the animated series to return – including Melanie Zanetti and David McCormack as Bluey’s mum and dad, Chilli and Bandit Heeler – and music from Bluey composer Joff Bush.
The CG animated film is set to be produced by award-winning animation producer Amber Naismith (Happy Feet, The Lego Movie, The Lego Batman Movie), with Richard Jeffery returning to co-direct (Bluey Series 1-3). Brumm is executive producing, as are Charlie Aspinwall and Daley Pearson from Ludo Studio, alongside Justine Flynn for BBC Studios. For Disney, the film will be overseen by David Greenbaum, president of Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios, and his team.
BBC Studios is financing and licensing the picture for distribution. Post-production funding comes from the Australian government through the Producer Offset and Screen Australia, and support comes from the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Post, Digital, and Visual Effects Incentive. Disney will release Bluey: The Movie in theaters worldwide, followed by streaming on Disney+. The movie will also air on ABC iView and ABC Kids in Australia post-theatrical release.
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Conservative Documentary ‘Am I Racist?’ Snubbed By Oscar Doc Voters, Despite Claiming Box Office Crown

2024 Election

Am I Racist?, the controversial documentary that satirizes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, failed to make the Oscar shortlist of nonfiction features today, despite earning more money at the box office than any other documentary this year, by far. The film directed by Justin Folk features conservative author and podcaster Matt Walsh going undercover to…

Jim Carrey Reveals Why He Loves Working on Sonic the Hedgehog Films

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Posted in: Movies, Paramount Pictures | Tagged: film, jim carrey, Paramount Pictures, sonic the hedgehog, sonic the hedgehog 3Sonic the Hedgehog 3 star Jim Carrey shares his thoughts on the current state of the Sonic franchise and if he’d return for more.Published Tue, 17 Dec 2024 17:17:11 -0600 by Aedan Juvet | Article Summary
Jim Carrey shares his love for the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise and its engaging lore.
Carrey is open to returning for more Sonic films, appreciating the current talented cast.
Keanu Reeves and Idris Elba add star power to the beloved Sonic universe.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 promises excitement with Shadow’s mysterious menacing presence.
[embedded content]The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise has become a smash hit, generating three entries and a spin-off series surrounding fan-favorite character Knuckles. After the third film drops with the addition of Shadow the Hedgehog, we can only anticipate more Sonic the Hedgehog content to come. Now, star Jim Carrey (Dr. Robotnik) is sharing his thoughts about the potential for more and why this current cast is a solid group to work with.
When asked if he would be interested in returning for another installment of Sonic the Hedgehog, Carrey explains to Screen Rant, “I’m not against it, for sure.” He then explains why he’s enjoying the current state of the franchise, adding, “I’m having a fantastic time, and I love the fans. I love the whole lore around the piece, and the game and everything. So it’s a really strong circle to be in. And I love also that these new guys, Keanu Reeves and Idris Elba and all these wonderful people, are signing off and going, ‘Wow, these are the guys that every guy would love to be. Why are they jumping into this world?’ [Laughs] They love something about it, and I think it’s the heart of this franchise.”
Jim Carrey as Ivo Robotnik and Gerald Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Plot, Cast, and Official Release Date
Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet. Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.
Director Jeff Fowler returns along with our all-star cast, including Carrey, Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Elba, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Natasha Rothwell, Shemar Moore, Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub, newcomers Alyla Browne and Krysten Ritter, with Reeves as Shadow.
The Paramount Pictures film Sonic the Hedgehog 3 arrives in theaters on December 20, 2024.
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