[PennySerenade]

Toronto Maple Leafs cleared to host home games against other Canadian teams, Ontario government says



TORONTO -- The Ontario government has announced that the Toronto Maple Leafs will be allowed to host other teams across Canada for homes games this upcoming NHL season.

Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries Lisa MacLeod made the announcement in a statement published to Twitter Thursday, saying the decision was made following “close scrutiny of the rigorous health and safety protocols that will be adopted to keep players, staff, and our communities safe from the spread of COVID-19.”

MacLeod said this means that the Ottawa Senators will also be clear to host Canadian teams in their arena.

The news comes after months of negotiations between the respective franchises and the Ontario government, as well as members of the Ministry of Health.

The Leafs are set to host the Montreal Canadiens on Jan. 13 for their home opener. The buds will then make their way to Ottawa on Jan. 15 for the Senators home opener.

It’s unclear if the Leafs or the Senators will be able to compete against teams in the United States this upcoming season as the Canada-U.S. land border remains closed until at least Jan. 21.

Instead, the 2020-2021 season will feature a new North Division that will see the seven Canadian franchises only play one another instead of crossing into the United States for games.

In the Spring, the remainder of the suspended 2019-20 NHL season was played out in two hub cities, Toronto and Edmonton, in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Manitoba is now the only province not to grant final approval. However, acting deputy chief public health officer Dr. Jazz Atwal said Wednesday that the province is "confident things will move ahead as planned" during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quebec, B.C. and Alberta have already given their respective teams approval to play at home.

It’s worth noting that moments before MacLeod made the announcement Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams, said at a news conference that he and his team were still determining whether or not to approve the NHL’s proposal.

“We are assessing that, at this time, we have not made a final decision,” he said.

Last month, the league said it believed it was free to play in Canada after discussions with health authorities, but that the provinces with NHL franchises needed to give their approval.

[hija]

Raphael Warnock became Georgia’s first black senator



The pastor of a church that was at the heart of the civil rights movement has become the first black senator to represent Georgia, a former confederate state that fought for slavery during the American civil war.

Rev Raphael Warnock, a Democrat, beat his Republican rival, Kelly Loeffler, in one of the state’s two runoff elections on Thursday, a day that was overshadowed by the storming of Washington’s Capitol building by Trump supporters.

In his victory speech, Warnock acknowledged the social progress that had been made in Georgia, where his mother worked many years ago as a cotton-picker. “The 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody else’s cotton went to the polls and picked her youngest son to be a United States senator,” he said.

[HogwartsExpress]

Birds Have a Mysterious 'Quantum Sense'. For The First Time, Scientists Saw It in Action

Seeing our world through the eyes of a migratory bird would be a rather spooky experience. Something about their visual system allows them to 'see' our planet's magnetic field, a clever trick of quantum physics, and biochemistry that helps them navigate vast distances.

Now, for the first time ever, scientists from the University of Tokyo have directly observed a key reaction hypothesised to be behind birds', and many other creatures', talents for sensing the direction of the planet's poles.

Importantly, this is evidence of quantum physics directly affecting a biochemical reaction in a cell – something we've long hypothesised but haven't seen in action before.

Using a tailor-made microscope sensitive to faint flashes of light, the team watched a culture of human cells containing a special light-sensitive material respond dynamically to changes in a magnetic field.



The change the researchers observed in the lab match just what would be expected if a quirky quantum effect was responsible for the illuminating reaction.

"We've not modified or added anything to these cells," says biophysicist Jonathan Woodward.

"We think we have extremely strong evidence that we've observed a purely quantum mechanical process affecting chemical activity at the cellular level."

So how are cells, particularly human cells, capable of responding to magnetic fields?

While there are several hypotheses out there, many researchers think the ability is due to a unique quantum reaction involving photoreceptors called cryptochromes.

Cyrptochromes are found in the cells of many species and are involved in regulating circadian rhythms. In species of migratory birds, dogs, and other species, they're linked to the mysterious ability to sense magnetic fields.

In fact, while most of us can't see magnetic fields, our own cells definitely contain cryptochromes. And there's evidence that even though it's not conscious, humans are actually still capable of detecting Earth's magnetism.

To see the reaction within cyrptochromes in action, the researchers bathed a culture of human cells containing cryptochromes in blue light caused them to fluoresce weakly. As they glowed, the team swept magnetic fields of various frequencies repeatedly over the cells.

They found that each time the magnetic field passed over the cells, their fluorescent dipped around 3.5 percent – enough to show a direct reaction.

So how can a magnetic field affect a photoreceptor?

It all comes down to something called spin – an innate property of electrons.

We already know that spin is significantly affected by magnetic fields. Arrange electrons in the right way around an atom, and collect enough of them together in one place, and the resulting mass of material can be made to move using nothing more than a weak magnetic field like the one that surrounds our planet.

This is all well and good if you want to make a needle for a navigational compass. But with no obvious signs of magnetically-sensitive chunks of material inside pigeon skulls, physicists have had to think smaller.

In 1975, a Max Planck Institute researcher named Klaus Schulten developed a theory on how magnetic fields could influence chemical reactions.

It involved something called a radical pair.

A garden-variety radical is an electron in the outer shell of an atom that isn't partnered with a second electron.

Sometimes these bachelor electrons can adopt a wingman in another atom to form a radical pair. The two stay unpaired but thanks to a shared history are considered entangled, which in quantum terms means their spins will eerily correspond no matter how far apart they are.

Since this correlation can't be explained by ongoing physical connections, it's purely a quantum activity, something even Albert Einstein considered 'spooky'.

In the hustle-bustle of a living cell, their entanglement will be fleeting. But even these briefly correlating spins should last just long enough to make a subtle difference in the way their respective parent atoms behave.

In this experiment, as the magnetic field passed over the cells, the corresponding dip in fluorescence suggests that the generation of radical pairs had been affected.

An interesting consequence of the research could be in how even weak magnetic fields could indirectly affect other biological processes. While evidence of magnetism affecting human health is weak, similar experiments as this could prove to be another avenue for investigation.

"The joyous thing about this research is to see that the relationship between the spins of two individual electrons can have a major effect on biology," says Woodward.

Of course, birds aren't the only animal to rely on our magnetosphere for direction. Species of fish, worms, insects, and even some mammals have a knack for it. We humans might even be cognitively affected by Earth's faint magnetic field.

Evolution of this ability could have delivered a number of vastly different actions based on different physics.

Having evidence that at least one of them connects the weirdness of the quantum world with the behaviour of a living thing is enough to force us to wonder what other bits of biology arise from the spooky depths of fundamental physics.

This research was published in PNAS.

source
https://www.sciencealert.com/birds-have ... -in-action

[Fivetide]

Socialite says he bought out entire flight to travel privately


Richard Muljadi, a famed socialite from Jakarta, Indonesia, said he and his wife were the
sole passengers on a Batik Air flight to Bali after he bought out the other available seats
on the plane.

A wealthy Indonesian man who shared photos from a plane where he and his wife were the sole passengers said he bought all available tickets for the flight to prevent exposure to COVID-19.

Richard Muljadi, a Jakarta-based socialite famous for his extravagant lifestyle, posted a series of photos to his Instagram story showing he and his wife traveling alone on a Batik Air flight from Jakarta to Bali.

Muljadi said he bought as many tickets as possible for the flight -- which boasted 12 business class seats and 150 economy class seats -- because he and his wife, Shalvynne Chang, were "super paranoid" about being exposed to COVID-19.

He did not disclose how much he paid to keep the flight private, but he wrote the amount was "still cheaper" than chartering a private plane.

The Lion Air Group, which operates Batik Air, confirmed Muljadi and Chang were the only passengers on the flight. The company said Muljadi had only booked two tickets in his name, but it was unclear whether he had purchased other tickets in a separate booking.

[johngriffen]

I sometimes get REALLY DEPRESSED reviewing the news these days.
It's always about a global pandemic threatening life as we know it,
protests around the world, stupid politicians, natural disasters,
or some other really bad story.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Welcome to The mobi weekly news magazine
IN OTHER NEWS
SATURDAY JANUARY 9
What is it?
Here is your chance to become an "ACE REPORTER" for our weekly news magazine.
It is your job to fine weird, funny or "good feel" stories from around the world and share them with our readers in our weekly magazine

How do you play?
Just post a story that you have come across that made you smile, laugh, feel good...
BUT NOTHING DEPRESSING

EXAMPLE POST

​Naked sunbather chases wild boar through park after it steals his laptop bag

A naked sunbather was seen chasing wild boar through a park after it stole his laptop bag.
Amusing photographs from Germany show the man running after the animal to try and claim the plastic bag back.
But the cheeky boar and its two piglets appear to be too quick for the sunbather, who can't keep up with their speedy little trotters.
As the incident unfolds, groups of friends and family sat on the grass watch on and laugh.
Heads are seen turning in surprise and amusement in the hilarious photographs.
The incident happened at Teufelssee Lake - a bathing spot in the Grunwell Forest in Berlin, Germany.

Rules:
Each Edition of IN OTHER NEWS will be open for 7 days...
You may post One Story in any 24 hour period
So in other words, you can enter only once a day
Each news day will start when I post announcing it
OR at:
9:00 AM CHICAGO TIME (UTC -6)
3:00 PM GMT (UTC -0)
on those days I space out and forget to post or can't due to Real Life
Stories may be accompanied with images - but No big images, please! 800x800 pixels wide maximum
Videos are allowed, but please keep them to under a minute, and post a short summary for those that don't like to click on videos
No Duplicate stories - Where a post has been edited resulting in duplicates, then the last one in time gets disallowed.
And please limit this to reasonably family friendly stories

Reward:
Each news story posted that I feel is acceptable (must be a real story, too few words or simply a headline are not considered acceptable) will earn you 50 WRZ$
If you post multiple stories on any given day, you will only earn 50 WRZ$ for the first story of the Day
Special Bonus - Each week I will award "The Pulitzer Prize" for the best story of the week
The weekly winner of the "The Pulitzer Prize" will receive a 100 WRZ$ bonus
It's just my personal opinion, so my judgement is final

So help bring GOOD news to the members of mobi, and join our reporting team...

IN OTHER NEWS

[HogwartsExpress]

‘Grandfather’ of Homeless Animals Graduates From Veterinary Program to Care for Stray Dogs



The “grandfather” of homeless animals has been awarded for his volunteering efforts looking after stray dogs—graduating from a veterinary medicine program in his seventies, he now travels hundreds of miles a week to care for them.

Retiring from his career as a biology teacher after serving his community of 42 years, Turkey’s Fevzi Uyar has been dedicating his time to animals in need for the past five years.

He has cared for many stray dogs—including building over 80 plywood animal shelters to house them during the winter months. To each one, he adds carpets, rugs, and blankets for insulation and comfort.

Uyar also travels more than 90 miles every two days to provide homeless dogs with food and water. With the help of other animal lovers, he supplies eight to ten tons of dog food and meal to strays each month. Up to 1,000 dogs now recognize his van and follow it along the path of food stops he has established.

Often encountering animals in need of medical attention, Uyar incurred several thousands of dollars in debts to the local veterinarian. To continue providing care, he enrolled in a veterinary medicine program despite being past retirement age. Recently graduating, the 71-year-old now vaccinates, treats, and dresses any wounds.

For his efforts to provide stray animals with a better life, Uyar has been awarded the first Gladiator Award from The Babbitt Family Foundation. They say, “We hope Mr. Uyar’s story will inspire you to discover how ‘a single individual can contribute to changing the world and benefitting all humanity’.”

source
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/fevzi-uyar-grandfather-of-homeless-animals-vet/

[HogwartsExpress]

U.S. Is Building a Bike Trail That Runs Coast-to-Coast Across 12 States



Stretching almost 6,000km and crossing 12 states, the Great American Rail-Trail will enable cyclists, hikers and riders to traverse the entire US.

The multi-use trail will run from Washington DC in the east to Washington state on the Pacific coast. Launched in May 2019, the route will eventually connect more than 145 existing paths. So far more than 3,200km of it has been completed.

Decades in the making, the project is led by the Rail-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), which has raised more than $4 million in public and private funds. It will serve 50 million people within 80km of the trail once finished.

COVID-19 Lockdown Proves Rail Trails Invaluable
Rail trails – paths built on disused railway tracks – and other recreational routes have proved invaluable respites for many during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing alternative commuting routes and space for people to exercise, often near built-up urban areas.

"This year has proven how vital projects like the Great American Rail-Trail are to the country. Millions of people have found their way outside on trails as a way to cope with the pandemic," said Ryan Chao, president of RTC.

"As the Great American Rail-Trail connects more towns, cities, states and regions, this infrastructure serves as the backbone of resilient communities, while uniting us around a bold, ambitious and impactful vision."

Cycling Increasingly Popular During Pandemic
While multi-use trails can be used by anyone from joggers to horse riders, cycling has become particularly popular during lockdown both as a form of exercise and a method of transport. Bike sales soared across the world as people sought to avoid public transport.

There are the obvious health benefits of traveling by bike. Not only does it provide an aerobic workout and trigger the body's feel-good chemicals, endorphins, cycling is also easy on the joints, builds muscle, increases bone density and helps with everyday activities. Cycling is also seen as a way of handling post-pandemic pollution levels.

Paris is just one place planning to become a '15-minute city', where everything you need is within a 15-minute radius by foot or by bike.

Milan is implementing a similar program, while Buenos Aires has introduced free bike rental schemes. Europe has spent 1 billion euros on cycling infrastructure since the pandemic began, according to the European Cyclists' Federation.

Cycling Routes Across the World
At around 5,955km, the Great American Rail-Trail may be particularly ambitious in terms of scale, but it is one of many innovative cycling projects across the world. The 4,450km EuroVelo 6 route runs through 10 countries as it crosses Europe between the Atlantic and the Black Sea.

The 346km Transpennine Trail across the north of England, which opened in 2001, uses disused railway tracks left empty after the decline of the coal industry and passes through city centers, heritage sites and national parks on its way between coastlines.

Last year, the UK launched the 1,300km Great North Trail running from the Peak District in the north of England to John O'Groats at Scotland's north-eastern tip.

In the Belgian province of Limburg, the Cycling Through Water path enables cyclists to cut through the ponds of Bokrijk. The 200-meter path is at eye-level with the water, allowing riders to glide across the lake.

Meanwhile the 7.6km Xiamen bicycle skyway is the world's longest elevated cycle path and runs above the Chinese city's road network. It has capacity for about 2,000 cyclists during rush hour, with much of it suspended under an elevated bus lane, providing shelter from the weather.

source
https://www.ecowatch.com/great-american ... belltitem5

Indian athlete does 85 four-finger pushups in 1 minute, sets record

An Indian athlete broke a Guinness World Record when he managed to complete 85 four-finger pushups in 1 minute.



Laithangbam Vidyasagar Singh, a former weightlifting champion, took on the record for four-finger pushups and completed 85 of the exercises with only two fingers from each hand touching the ground

Singh beat the previous record of 70 pushups in 1 minute, which was achieved by fellow India resident Deepak Shamra in 2018.

Singh previously set a Guinness record when he connected 275 elbow strikes on a kick pad in 2 minutes.

https://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2021/01/08 ... 610137453/

[HogwartsExpress]

Two cats hailed ‘heroes’ for saving owner from house fire



On Boxing Day this year a resident living in a block of flats in Edinburgh had a narrow escape all thanks to two brave cats. Dexter and Daisy woke suddenly from a snooze and stormed into their owner’s bedroom.

Fearing an intruder, the owner got up and looked through the spyhole of their front door. To their horror the owner – who wishes to remain anonymous – spied a common-way engulfed by flames and smoke.

Startled by something
The resident described the shocking incident to Edinburgh Live: “I was laying in bed with Dexter and Daisy when they both suddenly popped up and ran out into the hall obviously startled by something.

"There hadn’t been a noise but I thought it was maybe the postman or an Amazon driver. They were both over by the front door clearly freaked out and on high alert. Something wasn’t right.

"I looked out the peep hole to see the stairway filled with flames. I thought I was seeing things! I opened the door to a fire."

Saviours of the day
"I was in complete shock,” added the resident. “I called 999 and was screaming HELP in the stairway. A neighbour bravely rushed out his flat and managed to put out the fire, and the emergency services followed quickly behind.”

The owner believes that if the cats had not picked up on the presence of the fire, escape would have been impossible.

source
https://wamiz.co.uk/news/28621/two-cats ... house-fire

[BigGlen]

Lacrosse-style goals are officially a thing, even in the KHL: SEE IT!



Daniil Vovchenko scored the game-winner in Severstal’s 4-3 win over Spartak Moscow on Friday with the move invented by Michigan player Mike Legg in 1996 and duplicated by Andrei Svechinikov of the Carolina Hurricanes last season.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1337482079068696578

Vovchenko, a right-handed shot, didn’t have a good angle to try to get a normal shot on goal or an open teammate to pass to, and instead deftly lifted the puck up and tucked it behind an unsuspecting Spartak goaltender.

Svechnikov, a skilled 20-year-old Russian, sent shockwaves through the NHL with this goal on Oct. 29, 2019.

[Fatima99]

Japan is Building Wooden Satellites to Cut Down on Space Junk

A wooden satellite will be launched into space in 2023 to study how the organic material holds up in the vacuum outside our atmosphere.



Wooden satellites would create a harmless alternative to metal ones, and significantly cut down on space junk orbiting the Earth which is expected to become a serious problem for spacefarers in the near future.

Researchers and space experts from Kyoto University, including a former Japanese astronaut, are working with the Sumitomo Group, a nearly 400-year old company, on the development and testing of special kinds of wood that can survive in the harsh environment of space.

A translation of a press release regarding the innovation, known as the LignoStella project, explains some of the benefits of using wood.

“Since wood transmits electromagnetic waves and geomagnetism, if the artificial satellite is made of wood, an antenna and attitude control device can be installed inside the satellite, and the satellite structure can be simplified.”

“The wooden artificial satellites that enter the atmosphere after the operation is completed will be completely burned out. This will lead to the development of cleaner and environmentally friendly artificial satellites that do not generate minute substances (alumina particles) that can be a source of [air pollution] during combustion.”

These particles can float in the air for many years, and Takao Doi, a visitor to the International Space Station and a researcher at the Kyoto University Space Research Unit, where he founded a new field called the “Basic Research on the Practicality of Wood Resources in Space,” has some worries about their effects on life down below.

“We are very concerned with the fact that all the satellites which re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere burn and create tiny alumina particles which will float in the upper atmosphere for many years,” Takao Doi told the BBC.

There are about 6,000 satellites orbiting the Earth now, and many thousands more will be launched over the 21st century, including over 1,000 from Elon Musk’s universal internet access program, Starlink, alone.



LignoStella holds hope for Kyoto University scientists of leading to the development of unique building materials that, as so many space technologies beforehand have, can eventually move back down to Earth to create more sustainable societies.

Wood has been used in every conceivable way for thousands of years, and so it’s perhaps appropriate that we should be employing its versatility in space now too.

[Fivetide]

Mayor of Houston suburb chosen by pulling a name from hat


Outgoing Dickinson, Texas mayor Julie Masters, right, holds up a ping-pong ball bearing the name of Sean Skipworth at Dickinson City Hall
on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. The drawing settled a tie between Dickinson mayoral candidates Jennifer Lawrence and Sean Skipworth. (Stuart
Villanueva/The Galveston County Daily News via AP)

The race to be the mayor of a Houston suburb ended this week with the winner’s name being drawn from a top hat.

Sean Skipworth and Jennifer Lawrence were vying to be the next mayor of Dickinson, but they each ended up with 1,010 votes after a runoff election last month and a recount earlier this week.

According to Texas law, a tie in a race for public office can be resolved by casting lots.

Skipworth became mayor after a ping pong ball with his name was pulled out of a hat during a ceremony Thursday that lasted about 10 minutes, the Galveston County Daily News reported.


Friendswood, Texas mayor Mike Foreman draws a name out of a hat held by outgoing Dickinson, Texas mayor Julie Masters to settle a tie
between Dickinson mayoral candidates Jennifer Lawrence and Sean Skipworth at Dickinson City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. (Stuart
Villanueva/The Galveston County Daily News via AP)

“I just thank everyone for coming out and voting,” Skipworth said after he became mayor. “Literally, every vote counted.”

Lawrence, meanwhile, said she trusted the process and believed the drawing “went how it was supposed to go,” TV station KTRK reported.

“I’ve had dozens and dozens of people praying about this,” she said. “I told Sean I would support him, and I will, and I think unity is the way to go to get stuff done.”

Dickinson, located about 40 miles southeast of Houston, has more than 21,000 residents.


Newly chosen Dickinson, Texas mayor Sean Skipworth hugs his wife Melissa Skipworth after his name was drawn from a hat to break a tie
with opponent Jennifer Lawrence at Dickinson City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. (Stuart Villanueva/The Galveston County Daily News via AP)

[hija]

Online archive helps elderly people through lockdown



As millions of elderly and vulnerable people in the UK face yet more time stuck inside with limited social contact, a new archive service is offering them a valuable lockdown lifeline.

The Living Memories portal contains more than 2,000 archive films and newsreels from the 1930s to the 1970s. The idea of the service is to encourage older people, including those with dementia, to reminisce with families, friends and carers about the ‘good old days’.

“Archive films are a wonderful way of prompting older people to share memories and life experiences,” said founder Brian Norris. “This is important in combating isolation, especially now that Covid-19 means many elderly people are unable to access community groups or even see their own families.”

Mexican farmers find rare female statue in citrus grove




MEXICO CITY - Farmers digging in a citrus grove near Mexico’s Gulf coast have found a striking, six-foot-tall statue of a female figure who may represent an elite woman rather than a goddess, or some mixture of the two, experts said Friday.

The National Institute of Anthropology and History said it was the first such statue found in a region known as the Huasteca.

The carved woman has an elaborate hairpiece and marks of status, and may date to around 1450 to 1521, the institute said. While the site where it was found is nearer to the pre-Hispanic ruin site of El Tajín, the statue shows some influences of the Aztecs.

Farmers digging in the grove found it on New Year’s Day and quickly reported it to authorities. The area where it was found was not previously known to be an archeological site, and the stone statue may have been moved from some unknown original site.

Just who the open-mouthed, wide-eyed statue depicts remains something of a mystery.

Institute archaeologist María Eugenia Maldonado Vite wrote that “this could be a ruler, based on her posture and attire, more than a goddess.”

Maldonado added it could be “a late fusion between the Teem goddesses and women of high political or social status in the Huasteca.” Those goddesses were part of a fertility cult.

Susan Gillespie, an anthropology professor at the University of Florida, said there “there are quite a few pre-Hispanic depictions of elite women and female rulers elsewhere, best known among the Classic Maya but also in Classic Zapotec bas-reliefs and Postclassic Mixtec codices.”



“Colonial era Aztec documents mentioned women ‘rulers’ or at least holders of the crown to pass on to their successors ... so that is not a surprise,” Gillespie added. “Women were highly valued in the pre-Hispanic era, drastically losing their status only after the conquest.”

However, she noted that “if there is only one such find, it’s hard to say whether it is significant, or even correctly identified. Archaeology works best with repeated occurrences, to show a pattern.”

In 1994 in the Mayan ruin site of Palenque, archaeologists found the tomb of a woman dubbed The Red Queen because of the red pigment covering her tomb. But it has never been firmly established that the woman, whose tomb dates from between 600 and 700 A.D., was a ruler of Palenque.

https://www.thestar.com/news/world/amer ... grove.html

[PennySerenade]

Father, daughter swimming duo take to Lake Ontario due to pool closures



TORONTO -- Meet the Hulfords—a father-daughter swimming duo who had to find a way to continue training with all the local pools closed due to the pandemic. Their solution: Lake Ontario.

“We’re comfortable swimming in the lake. And we decided let’s train in the lake,” explained Steve Hulford, who is also a Masters swimmer.

Kate, who is hoping to crack the Canadian Olympic swim team, needed to continue her training and the pandemic wasn’t going to stop her.

“I’m not doing it only for competition, it’s also to make me happy. And it’s fun spending time with my dad.”

The swimming duo have already covered over 150 kilometres with a target of 200 kilometres.

They’ve enjoyed it so much, they plan on making it an annual family event.