Flare

Larger and more frequent solar storms will make for potential disruptions and spectacular auroras on Earth

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, December 30, 2023

Longer nights during the fall and winter also favour seeing more auroras, but the show is best outside of light-polluted cities.

Key Points: 
  • Longer nights during the fall and winter also favour seeing more auroras, but the show is best outside of light-polluted cities.
  • Impressive auroral events allowed bright auroras to be seen as far south as the United States recently.
  • The number of auroras is increasing as the sun’s activity becomes stronger, approaching a solar maximum.

Night visions

  • The Earth, in the sun’s outer atmosphere, is surrounded by hot magnetic plasma which rushes past us at speeds of several hundred kilometres per second in a flow called the solar wind.
  • Earth has a magnetic field, which protects us from the solar onslaught, but is pushed back by it as well.
  • This explains why auroras are seen at night: not only is it dark, but the sun’s energy takes an indirect route by first being stored in the magnetotail.
  • If the magnetic fields change rapidly, they can affect large regions of the Earth, building up to cause problems for power networks.

Solar cycles

  • About 300 years later, American astronomer George Hale showed that sunspots had intense magnetic fields, several thousand times stronger than Earth’s.
  • In the 400 years since Galileo’s observations, we have found that the number of sunspots varies dramatically over an 11-year long cycle.

Energy storage

  • Magnetic fields store energy, and sometimes, as in Earth’s magnetotail or near sunspots, this energy can be changed to other forms.
  • In the strong fields of sunspots, it can be released as X-rays in rapid, unpredictable flares.
  • Sunspots and flares are near the surface or light-emitting layer of the sun, but material can escape from the sun’s strong gravity field.

Space weather forecasts

  • However, in this, the following solar cycle, we have already exceeded predicted numbers of sunspots and had large magnetic storms, so predictions may need to be revised upward.
  • Although direct measurement of incoming disturbances by satellites in the solar wind gives us only about an hour’s warning of stormy space weather, we can also predict a bit further in advance by watching sunspots rotate into view as the sun turns.

Rare storms

  • The strongest flare of Solar Cycle 25 so far occurred on Dec. 14, and was the most powerful eruption the sun has produced since the great storms of September 2017.
  • Large solar storms are rare, but we must calmly prepare for possible space weather impacts that should maximize in a few years.


Martin Gerard Connors receives funding from Canada's NSERC.

knownwell Raises $20M Series A From A16Z to Scale the First Patient-Centered Healthcare Home For Those With Overweight and Obesity

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 20, 2023

knownwell is founded by Brooke Boyarsky Pratt, who has had lifelong obesity, and Dr. Angela Fitch, the President of the Obesity Medicine Association.

Key Points: 
  • knownwell is founded by Brooke Boyarsky Pratt, who has had lifelong obesity, and Dr. Angela Fitch, the President of the Obesity Medicine Association.
  • "Obesity is perhaps our country's greatest healthcare challenge, from both a clinical and cost perspective,” said Vineeta Agarwala, General Partner at A16Z.
  • “Patients with overweight and obesity know how hard it is to find comprehensive, insurance-based, non-stigmatizing and clinically-based healthcare.
  • knownwell makes weight-inclusive healthcare more accessible by accepting patient insurance to provide full suite care without membership fees.

Retro Stage Launches Christmas Collection, Revisiting the Charm of Classic Fashion for the Holidays

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 18, 2023

To add to the excitement, Retro Stage is offering annual ultra-low prices, allowing more consumers to build their ideal Christmas wardrobe with amazing deals.

Key Points: 
  • To add to the excitement, Retro Stage is offering annual ultra-low prices, allowing more consumers to build their ideal Christmas wardrobe with amazing deals.
  • By combining classic retro elements with the latest modern fads, Retro Stage strives to bring their customers a wide range of uniquely vintage clothing that can't be found anywhere else.
  • This Christmas collection represents an opportunity for vintage fashionistas to celebrate the holidays and express their personal style at the same time.
  • "We are so excited to be launching the Christmas collection," said the Retro Stage team.

Climate TRACE Unveils Open Emissions Database of More Than 352 Million Assets, Revealing Where Greenhouse Gases Are Rising and Falling Worldwide with Unprecedented Detail

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, December 3, 2023

DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Today, Climate TRACE published an inventory of unprecedented granularity that pinpoints nearly every major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions around the world and provides independently produced estimates of how much each emits. Encompassing human-caused emissions from facilities — including power plants, steel mills, ships, and oil refineries — and other emitting activities — including fertilizer application, deforestation, and wildfires — Climate TRACE's expanded database now tracks GHG emissions from more than 352 million assets, a 4,400x increase compared to the number of assets covered by the inventory last year. All Climate TRACE data are free and publicly available to help enable action and accountability at the massive scale necessary for global progress.

Key Points: 
  • Major electric vehicle manufacturers Tesla and Polestar have already begun collaborating with Climate TRACE to enhance their emissions data on steel and aluminum suppliers.
  • Derived from satellites, other forms of remote sensing, and additional public and commercial data, Climate TRACE provides emissions data that are unreported in traditional inventories.
  • In fact, the majority of corporate emissions worldwide that are included in the Climate TRACE inventory are still not included in self-reported ESG databases.
  • They can pinpoint where to take action almost immediately," said former US Vice President and Climate TRACE co-founder Al Gore.

HSS Presents New Reproductive Health Research at the ACR Convergence 2023

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Additional research is planned to assess whether demographics, lifestyle and medical conditions may influence this potential association.

Key Points: 
  • Additional research is planned to assess whether demographics, lifestyle and medical conditions may influence this potential association.
  • This study surveyed women of reproductive age with systemic rheumatic disease about their use of contraceptives.
  • Data were collected on 249 women with reproductive capacity, including 147 with inflammatory arthritis and 102 with lupus-like disorders.
  • This study used data from the electronic health record of patients diagnosed with a rheumatic disease in adolescence, seen at HSS, to look at factors associated with HPV vaccination.

HSS Research Shows Obesity Is Associated with Worse Flare Symptoms and Quality of Life in People with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, November 12, 2023

RA is usually treated with a combination of medications to relieve swelling and pain while regulating the immune system.

Key Points: 
  • RA is usually treated with a combination of medications to relieve swelling and pain while regulating the immune system.
  • Joint surgery to relieve pain and disability, including joint replacement, may also be considered when these nonsurgical methods fail to provide lasting benefit.
  • To conduct their research, investigators used data from the prospective RA registry study called the Consortium of Early ArThritis CoHorts-USA Study (CATCH-US).
  • Authors: Margaret Butler, Carlos Aude (HSS, Johns Hopkins University)), Clifton Bingham (Johns Hopkins University), Vivian P. Bykerk, BSc, MD, FRCPC .

Flare Labs commences testing of FAssets on Coston network - Non-Smart Contract Tokens Headed to Flare

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 7, 2023

Leading blockchain research and development company, Flare Labs, has successfully launched a test version of FAssets on Flare’s Coston testnet.

Key Points: 
  • Leading blockchain research and development company, Flare Labs, has successfully launched a test version of FAssets on Flare’s Coston testnet.
  • This marks a significant milestone in enabling smart contracts and DeFi for older tokens.
  • The FAssets system allows non-smart contract tokens such as BTC, XRP & DOGE to be used trustlessly with smart contracts on Flare.
  • By minting these non-smart contract tokens into FAssets it will be possible to put them to work earning yield or rewards in decentralized applications on the Flare network.

Folia Health Announces Groundbreaking Flare Tracking Technology to Bridge Research Gaps and Enhance Chronic Condition Management

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 9, 2023

Folia Health's Flare Tracking Technology provides an innovative solution that reimagines the horizon of acute event management, improving patient care and contributing to vital research endeavors.

Key Points: 
  • Folia Health's Flare Tracking Technology provides an innovative solution that reimagines the horizon of acute event management, improving patient care and contributing to vital research endeavors.
  • 3) Bridging Research Gaps: By analyzing Flare data between clinic visits, Folia Health's technology contributes to the wealth of Real World Evidence (RWE), improving our understanding of chronic diseases and refining treatment strategies.
  • Nell Meosky Luo, Chief Executive Officer and Founder at Folia Health, commented, “Our Flare Tracking Technology represents a significant step forward in the understanding of chronic diseases.
  • To learn more about Folia Health's Flare Tracking Technology and its dual impact on chronic disease management and research, please visit https://www.foliahealth.com/research or reach out to [email protected] .

Global Healthy Living Foundation to Present Pioneering Patient-Centered Research at ACR Convergence 2023

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 9, 2023

The Global Healthy Living Foundation and its digital, arthritis patient centered research registry, formerly ArthritisPower, will collaboratively present eight scientific abstracts and five patient perspective posters at the American College of Rheumatology Convergence 2023 (Philadelphia, PA, November 10-15, 2023).

Key Points: 
  • The Global Healthy Living Foundation and its digital, arthritis patient centered research registry, formerly ArthritisPower, will collaboratively present eight scientific abstracts and five patient perspective posters at the American College of Rheumatology Convergence 2023 (Philadelphia, PA, November 10-15, 2023).
  • Collectively, GHLF researchers will focus on innovative approaches to remote therapeutic monitoring, patient engagement, and personalized care in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.
  • This study offers key insights on innovative disease tracking methods, including those that can happen outside traditional clinical settings, particularly for diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  • GHLF anticipates engaging with fellow organizations and professionals at ACR Convergence to share their year-long accomplishments in rheumatic disease research.

ClearSign Technologies Corporation Announces Hire of Matthew Martin as Chief Technology Officer

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 7, 2023

TULSA, Okla., Nov. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ClearSign Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: CLIR) ("ClearSign" or the "Company"), an emerging leader in industrial combustion and sensing technologies that improve energy, operational efficiency and safety while dramatically reducing emissions, announces the hiring of established industry veteran Mr. Matthew Martin as Chief Technology Officer.

Key Points: 
  • TULSA, Okla., Nov. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ClearSign Technologies Corporation (Nasdaq: CLIR) ("ClearSign" or the "Company"), an emerging leader in industrial combustion and sensing technologies that improve energy, operational efficiency and safety while dramatically reducing emissions, announces the hiring of established industry veteran Mr. Matthew Martin as Chief Technology Officer.
  • "We are excited to have Matthew bring his vast experience and expertise to our team," said Jim Deller, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of ClearSign.
  • Matt will be instrumental in helping further develop and grow our business in the rapidly evolving global energy industry."
  • Before joining ClearSign, he served as the Chief Research Scientist at XRG Technologies, LLC.