Author: Adrian Garrett

Infant mortality rates have seen a significant decrease worldwide since 1974, with rates plummeting by over two-thirds by 2021. This positive trend can be attributed to a combination of factors including lower poverty levels, improved nutrition, cleaner air and water, and the widespread availability of vaccines and treatments. A recent study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) has shed light on the crucial role that vaccines have played in reducing infant mortality rates. According to the study, vaccines have accounted for 40% of the decline in infant deaths, preventing a staggering 154 million deaths over the course of 50…

A groundbreaking medical procedure has taken place in New Jersey as 54-year-old Lisa Pisano became the first person to undergo a transplant surgery that combined a mechanical heart pump with a gene-edited pig kidney. Pisano, who suffered from heart failure and end-stage kidney disease, was deemed ineligible for standard transplants due to her chronic medical conditions and the shortage of organs in the US. According to statistics, 17 people die every day in the US while waiting for a suitable organ transplant, with kidneys being in the shortest supply. Xenotransplants, which involve transplanting animal organs into humans, have been seen…

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has been ramping up its oversight of the cryptocurrency industry in recent months, targeting companies that violate sanctions and aid in money laundering. One of the most recent cases involved crypto exchange CoinList, which was fined a hefty $1.2 million for assisting Russian users in bypassing sanctions. According to OFAC, CoinList allowed Russian customers to trade digital assets that were prohibited under existing sanctions, leading to the significant penalty. But CoinList is not the only target of OFAC’s crackdown on illegal crypto activities. The agency also sanctioned a crypto mixer that is believed…

The highly anticipated DolphiniOS emulator, a popular fork of the Dolphin emulator designed for Nintendo Wii and GameCube games, will not be making its way to the Apple App Store. The developer behind the emulator recently confirmed that Apple has denied permission for DolphiniOS to use its crucial performance-boosting technology known as Just-in-Time (JIT). JIT is a compiler that plays a significant role in translating the PowerPC-based code of the GameCube and Wii into a language that can be understood by other devices. This translation process is essential for ensuring that emulated games run smoothly and efficiently. Unfortunately for fans…

The Lyrid meteor shower, the first major meteor shower of the year, is set to peak on Monday night, April 22-23, 2024. However, this year’s viewing conditions will be challenging due to a nearly-full Moon illuminating the sky. Chinese astronomers first reported the Lyrids around 2,700 years ago, with systematic studies of the meteor shower beginning in the 19th century. The radiant for the Lyrids is in the constellation Lyra the Lyre, rising higher as the night progresses during the peak. Despite the bright Moon at 99 percent illumination, astrophysicists expect that only the brightest meteors will be visible, with…

The Volkswagen factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee recently made headlines as its employees voted to join the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, with an overwhelming 73% of votes in favor. This decision marks a significant shift from 2019 when workers had rejected union membership. President Joe Biden hailed the union win, applauding the recent victories for workers across the country. UAW president Shawn Fain, who was supported by Biden, played a key role in leading successful strikes against Detroit’s major automakers last fall. Despite warnings from six Southern governors that joining the union could jeopardize their jobs, Volkswagen workers were motivated…

The 2024 NBA Playoffs kicked off with a bang on Saturday, as four first-round series games took place, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, and Denver Nuggets coming out on top in their respective Game 1 matchups. CBS Sports experts weighed in with their predictions for the first-round series, with many favoring teams like the Knicks, Mavericks, and Pacers to advance. Saturday’s action saw standout performances from players like Nikola Jokic and Miles McBride, while others like D’Angelo Russell and Joel Embiid struggled to find their rhythm. Key moments from Game 1 included Anthony Edwards shining for…

The US Vetoed a Draft Resolution Granting Full UN Membership to Palestine In a move that has sparked international debate and condemnation, the United States vetoed a draft resolution at the UN Security Council that would have granted the State of Palestine full membership in the United Nations. The vote, which saw 12 member states in favor and only two abstentions from the UK and Switzerland, was met with strong reactions from across the globe. The Palestinian Authority, Hamas, Iran, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Norway, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan all voiced their disappointment and condemnation of the…

A rabid raccoon found in College Park, Maryland has sparked concern among residents, as the Prince George’s County Health Department issues an alert regarding the potentially deadly disease. The raccoon, which was captured alive on April 11, tested positive for rabies five days later. Rabies is a serious viral disease that is transmitted through saliva, often through scratches or bites from infected animals. It is crucial for anyone who may have come into contact with the raccoon to seek immediate medical attention. Post-exposure treatment should be initiated as soon as possible to prevent the disease from progressing. In light of…

The Lyrids meteor shower, one of the oldest-known meteor showers, is set to peak on the night of April 21-22. This will be the first major meteor shower since January’s Quadrantids. However, the nearly full moon on the night of the peak may make it a bit difficult to see the meteors. In ideal conditions, the Lyrids can average about 10-15 meteors per hour, but can sometimes reach up to 100. The best viewing time will be in the pre-dawn hours, especially after midnight when the shower’s radiant rises in the east. Dating back to 687 B.C. in China, the…