Behind India’s success in curbing tuberculosis
Getting places in space quickly has been the goal of propulsion research for a long time. Rockets, our most common means of doing so, are great for providing lots of force but extraordinarily inefficient. Other options like electric propulsion and solar sailing are efficient but offer measly amounts of force, albeit for a long time. So scientists have long dreamed of a third method of propulsion – one that could provide enough force over a long enough time to power a crewed mission to another star in a single human lifetime. And that could theoretically happen using one of the rarest substances in the universe – antimatter. A new paper from Sawsan Ammar Omira and Abdel Hamid I. Mourad at the United Arab Emirates University looks at the possibilities of developing a space drive using antimatter and what makes it so hard to create. Antimatter was initially discovered in 1932 when physicist Carl David Anderson observed positrons – the antimatter form of an electron – in cosmic rays by passing them through a cloud chamber. He won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1936 for his discovery. It took 20 years to create it artificially for the first time. Since then, antimatter has been poked and prodded in as many ways as scientists could think of – including literally, but that causes the thing that antimatter is most famous for – self-annihilation. When an antimatter proton comes into contact with protons or neutrons of normal matter, they annihilate one another and release a combination of energy (typically in the form of gamma rays) and also high-energy short-lived particles, known as pion and kaon, which happen to be traveling at relativistic speeds. So, in theory, a ship could contain enough antimatter to intentionally create this annihilation explosion, using the relativistic particles as a form of thrust and potentially using the gamma rays as a source of power. The overall amount of energy released from a gram of antiprotons being annihilated is 1.8×1014, 11 orders of magnitude more energy than rocket fuel and even 100 times greater energy density than a nuclear fission or fusion reactor. As the paper puts it, “one gram of antihydrogen could ideally power 23 space shuttles.” All this begs the question – why don’t we have these awesome propulsions systems yet? The simple answer is that antimatter is tricky to work with. Since it will self-annihilate with anything it touches, it must be suspended in an advanced electromagnetic containment field. The longest scientists have been able to do that was for about 16 minutes at CERN in 2016, and even that was only on the order of a few atoms – not the grams or kilograms needed to support an interstellar propulsion system. Additionally, it takes absurd amounts of energy to create antimatter, which makes it expensive. The Antiproton Decelerator, a massive particle accelerator at CERN, makes about ten nanograms of antiprotons a year at a cost of several million dollars. Extrapolating that out, producing one gram of antimatter would require something like 25 million kWh of energy—enough to power a small city for a year. It would also cost over $4M at average electricity rates, making it one of the most expensive substances on Earth. Given this expense and the massive scale of the infrastructure needed to do it, antimatter research is relatively limited. Around 100-125 papers per year are produced on the subject, dramatically increasing from around 25 in 2000. However, that compares to around 1000 papers per year on large language models, one of the more popular forms of algorithms powering the current AI boom. In other words, the overall expense and relative long-term horizon over any payout limit the amount of funding and, therefore, advancements in antimatter creation and storage. That means it will probably be quite some time before we end up with an antimatter ship drive. We might even need to create some preliminary energy-producing technologies like fusion that could significantly lower the cost of energy and even enable the research that would eventually get us there. However, the possibility of traveling at near-relativistic speeds and potentially getting actual humans to another star within a single lifetime is an ambitious goal that space and exploration enthusiasts everywhere will continue to pursue, no matter how long it takes. Learn More: Sawsan Ammar Omira & Abdel Hamid I. Mourad – Future of Antimatter Production, Storage, Control, and Annihilation Applications in Propulsion Technologies UT – It’s Official, Antimatter Falls Down in Gravity, Not Up UT – Are There Antimatter Galaxies? UT – Spectrum of Antimatter Observed for First Time Lead Image: Artist’s conception of an antimatter rocket system. Credit – NASA/MFSCShare Tweet Share Share Email It’s a way to compute the average of your grades in a structured and accurate manner. Rather than manually adding upgrades and credits, a GWA Calculator simplifies the process, saving time and effort. The GWA is the General Weighted Average of students in the Philippines, now school, college, and Uni students can compute their results in GWA easily with GWA. Let’s understand how it works and how to calculate the GWA easily and accurately. Why Understanding GWA Matters Your General Weighted Average is more than just a number. It’s a reflection of your academic performance over a term, semester, or even your entire academic journey. Schools and universities often use it to evaluate your overall achievement. Some institutions use it to determine if you qualify for scholarships, honors, or specific programs. For instance, a student with a high GWA might be eligible for academic distinctions or better opportunities in graduate schools. How to Calculate A General Weighted Average Check below the steps to calculate your GWA: Here are the steps: Gather your grades for all subjects and the corresponding number of units. Input the grades and units. Now apply the formula on it. View the result, which is your General Weighted Average. These are the steps to calculate the GWA. But it’s sometimes hard for students to calculate their accurate GWA because applying formulas and put the values is not an easy task, a lot of computation is required before actual calculation. To make the whole process easy, use GWA Calculator Online to calculate the General Weighted Average. Because it makes the whole process of computation easy by just adding the Subject name, Grade, and Units and then just clicking on the calculate button and get the results instantly. The GWA Formula For Calculation To better understand how a GWA Calculator works, let’s dive into the formula. Here’s the general formula for calculating GWA: GWA = (Sum of (Grade x Units)) / Total Units Sounds simple, right? But the manual calculation can get tricky when dealing with multiple subjects, grades, and units. Let’s break it down: Grade : This is the mark you receive for a subject (e.g., 90%). Units : These represent the weight of the subject (e.g., a major subject might carry 3 units). Sum of (Grade x Units) : Multiply each grade by its corresponding units and add them all together. Total Units : Add up the total number of units for all subjects. How GWA Impacts Students’ Results Your GWA can have a significant impact on your academic and professional future. Here’s how: Academic Standing A high GWA often translates to recognition. Universities may award students with high honors or scholarships based on their GWA. On the other hand, a low GWA might place a student on probation or even lead to dismissal in some cases. Job Opportunities Some employers, especially in competitive fields, ask for your academic records. A solid GWA can make a positive impression and show you’re disciplined and hardworking. Benefits of Using a GWA Calculator Using a GWA Computation Cal comes with several advantages: Time-Saving: No need for manual calculations; the tool does it instantly. Accuracy: Eliminates the risk of human error. Convenience: Accessible online anytime, anywhere. Tips to Improve Your GWA If you’re not satisfied with your current GWA, don’t worry. Here are some actionable tips: Prioritize Difficult Subjects : Spend more time on subjects with higher units or lower grades. Time Management : Create a study schedule to balance all subjects effectively. Seek Help : Don’t hesitate to ask professors or peers for assistance. Stay Consistent : Regularly monitor your grades and performance. Conclusion A GWA BSU Calculator is more than just a tool; it’s a gateway to understanding and improving your academic performance. By simplifying complex calculations, it saves time and ensures accuracy. Whether you’re a student aiming for honors or simply tracking your progress, a G W A Calculator can make a significant difference. So, why struggle with manual calculations? Use a GWA Calc today and take control of your academic journey! FAQs Why is GWA important? GWA, especially in the Philippines is crucial because it reflects your academic performance, which can affect scholarships, academic honors, and even job opportunities. Does a higher GWA mean better academic performance? Generally, a higher GWA reflects better academic performance, but other factors like extracurricular activities and leadership roles also contribute to overall success. This GWA Calc free to use? Yes, it is freely available online and user-friendly, and also offers GWA To GPA Calculations. Can a low GWA be improved? Absolutely! With focused effort, better time management, and utilizing resources like a GWA Calculator, you can steadily improve your GWA. Related Items: Calculate General Weighted Average , General Weighted Average Share Tweet Share Share Email Comments
The hits keep coming for the Philadelphia 76ers. Center Andre Drummond will be out at least for three games with a right ankle sprain, the team announced Monday. He will miss at least a week and be reevaluated this weekend. The 13-year veteran left Saturday’s win in Detroit after just 3:33 on the court. Drummond’s absence starts Tuesday night when the 76ers travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets. Drummond has, like the rest of the 76ers, struggled significantly this season around the in-and-out of star players, in particular fellow center Joel Embiid. In 17 games (11 starts), Drummond is averaging 8.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage has dropped to 52.4 after hitting 60.6 two years ago in Chicago. The 76ers are 29th in the league in rebounding. It’s the second game he’s missed this season, the other for an illness. Joining Drummond on the 76ers’ must-read injury report remains Embiid, out with left knee injury management/personal reasons. He’s stuck on four games played this year. But Kyle Lowry is listed as probable after missing the last five games with a right hip strain. Caleb Martin, who missed the last two games with a back strain, is also probable. It’s likely that the 76ers will have to go small against the Hornets. Guerschon Yabusele will likely start at center, with rookie Adem Bona getting an extended run off the bench. Expect some significant minutes as the de facto four for both Martin and Kelly Oubre Jr.
Famed conservationist and primatologist Jane Goodall, who turned 90 this year, is getting the biopic treatment at Appian Way and Disney. Speaking with , Goodall says she’s already given notes on an early draft of a script and will produce the film alongside Jennifer Davisson and Michael Hampton. No word as yet regarding who will play Goodall in the project The project is being penned by New Zealand author and screenwriter Eleanor Catton who won the Booker Prize for “The Luminaries” in 2013. Catton also penned the 2020 film adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma” starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Nighy and Josh O’Connor. Goodall previously worked with Disney through their Disneynature label. A deal was then done between Disney, Appian and Goodall for her life rights. She’s considered the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees, spending sixty years studying the social and family interactions of the creatures. She’s a United Nations Messenger of Peace and honorary member of the World Future Council. Goodall and Appian Way are also teaming up on the live-action film “How” about an abandoned dog and a wolf’s survival journey during a harsh Canadian winter. That film is in pre-production.
SOMERSET COUNTY, N.J. -- A Canadian man has been arrested for the 1997 murder of Tammy Tignor, whose body was found in a New Jersey park after she was strangled to death. Nearly three decades later, authorities say DNA technology and an eyewitness report led them to 60-year-old Robert Creter, who has been charged with first degree murder in Tignor's death. Tignor's body was discovered in a wooded area of Washington Valley Park in Bridgewater 27 years ago, kicking of the investigation that puzzled authorities for years. "The last person who saw Tammy alive saw her get into an orange van," Somerset County Assistant Prosecutor Michael McLaughlin said. The orange van was also seen in Newark, a city Tignor frequented, prosecutors said. County prosecutors used the witness's account and worked with the New Jersey State Police Cold Case Unit to link preserved DNA found on Tignor's body to Creter. "In 2023, there were advancements in DNA testing that resulted in a profile that police were able to match to Robert Creter. Somerset County prosecutors detectives then looked into his prior police reports and they were able to link Creter to an orange van," McLaughlin said. "If you think about when she was killed, there was really no cellphones, license plate readers," said New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Pat Callahan. Investigators said they got a match on Creter in April 2023 and that Canadian authorities took him into custody several months later in Winnipeg. Due to extradition laws, prosecutors said they couldn't tell Tignor's mom about the arrest until Creter was on U.S. soil. She had called detectives every year for updates on her daughter's murder case. "It was incredibly emotional. She was very thankful to our detectives today and the detectives at the time," McLaughlin said. Investigators have not divulged a motive for Tignor's murder, but said she and Creter did not know each other. Creter is expected to make his first court appearance on Wednesday. Christine Sloan is an Emmy Award-winning reporter, who covers New Jersey for CBS News New York. Sloan re-joined the station in January 2023. She also worked at CBS News New York from 2004 to 2016.