Copying the Creator
Once again, nature has provided engineering a path forward. Australian researchers have proved that concrete is even stronger and more durable when poured in patterns that mimic a lobster’s shell. Though thin, the lobster’s shell is actually comprised of hundreds of layers with patterns running in opposite directions. Even at a depth of 3,000 ft the shell has to withstand a pressure of over 1300 psi. Some are known to live as deep as 12,000 ft (approximately the depth of the Titanic) where pressures reach well over 5,000 psi. Great progress is being made in 3D printing technology, using concrete as a medium, to actually “print” buildings or homes. By copying the lobster shell patterns during construction researchers and builders hope to be able to incorporate more intricate designs and reach greater heights while improving strength and longevity.
The Space Race – Round 2?
NASA has successfully landed the Perseverance rover on Mars. Perseverance is the fifth such vehicle to be landed on Mars and being roughly the size of an SUV, the largest to date. Its primary mission is to search for evidence of microbial life from previous eons. It will also harvest rock samples to be retrieved by future missions and test out a new machine to collect oxygen out of the carbon dioxide heavy atmosphere. An attempt to fly a small helicopter will also be made which, if successful, will be extremely useful for further exploration.
Other countries are also interested in the red planet. Those with satellites in orbit include Russia, India, the UAE, and the multinational European Space Agency. China also hopes to land a rover later this year. The spacecraft is already en route. Additionally, Turkey is planning a mission to the moon inside of two years while the ESA and Japan have probes headed to Mercury. Countries hope that these and other feats, such as landing on asteroids, will produce beneficial results. Prestige is certainly a factor, as is the potential to discover valuable minerals. Most especially hope for the kind of technological innovations produced by the race between the US and USSR which undeniably revolutionized many aspects of modern life.
Breaking Curfew
The Netherlands has been imposing strict lock-down measures including a 9 pm curfew. These virus related restrictions have not been well received in all parts of the country however. Amsterdam in particular has seen many nights in which mobs have taken to the streets in violent protest. Mobs have repeatedly battled the police, forcing them to bring in water cannons, dogs, mounted officers and to deploy tear gas. Cars have been burned in the riots and property damaged, though many arrests have been made. Officials have sought to lay the blame on a wantonly criminal element rather than acknowledge the frustration with many of their measures. Likewise, the media prefers to downplay any such incidents. While lawless violence is not the answer, the source of their frustration is fairly obvious since a Covid testing facility was intentionally incinerated.
Hazardous Employment Imperiled
Good intentions sometimes have unforeseen consequences, though this situation strains that statement in all directions. The current state of affairs being what it is, city councils across California have sought to reward the “heroes” who work in grocery stores. Not at their own expense mind you, the stores themselves are being required to pay each employee an extra $4 (and in some cities $5) an hour. For many this has turned into a lose-lose scenario. Predictably, some stores simply cannot afford this unexpected and drastic increase and have been forced to close. No doubt the employees were as delighted as the customers. This is a good example of how government intervention hurts many of those it seeks to help. All mandated pay increases have consequences. Businesses must cut employees, raise prices or both. Then when the remaining employees have to spend more for essentials, like groceries, it’s hard to figure out who actually benefited from the arrangement. Minimum wage in California is currently $12 an hour and set to reach $15 by 2022.
Turning Plague into Profit
Scenes from Kenya and other areas battling swarms of desert locusts are staggering. Devouring everything in sight, they can travel up to 100 miles a day. Many farmers have had their crops completely devastated. Now some businesses are trying to help them get a little back from the plague that has taken so much. In the dark of the night the locusts settle and can be easily harvested. Large sackfuls are gathered rapidly. Once processed, the locusts can be used in fertilizers and animal feed. While not a solution, this measure can provide some relief to those who have suffered most.
A Disputed Altar
There is wrangling in Israel over a site on Mt. Ebal claimed to be an altar built by Joshua after leading the Israelites into the promised land. The account is in the book of Joshua, chapter eight. Verses 30-31 read, “ Then Joshua built an altar unto the Lord God of Israel in mount Ebal, As Moses the servant of the Lord commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the Lord, and sacrificed peace offerings.” The location in dispute is undoubtedly an altar of great antiquity on Mt. Ebal though some archaeologists dispute its Biblical significance. The issue has been brought to a head recently as stones from the outer walls have been removed for road repairs. The area is currently under the control of the Palestinian Authority, unmarked and unprotected by any historical designation –– circumstances that many are hoping to change.
Novavax
Still considered one of the front-runners in the race to produce a vaccine approved for use in the United States, success is by no means certain for Novavax. This smaller American company has yet to receive final approval for ANY of its vaccines, though one flu shot is nearly ready for market and expected to succeed. In preliminary Covid studies Novavax was one of the top performers. Now clinical trials are underway but are only just beginning in the US. Results from the UK boasted 90% efficacy but a South African study reported a dismal 60%. The South African study was only 1/3 the size but it has already been confirmed to be less effective against the variant first identified in that country, a problem they hope to overcome with a booster. Unfortunately, the variant has already been identified in the US as well and may present a major obstacle to eventual approval. Certain persons are not waiting to find out.
Significantly, Novavax is valued at about 44 times more than it was just a year ago. This is partly because of perceived demand for their potential product and massive cash contributions such as $1.6 billion from “Operation Warp Speed.” Naturally, this has driven their stock price way, way up. Stock options have long been used as incentives for executives and at Novavax a few of them have chosen this moment to give themselves a large payday. By selling significant portions of stock in their own company they have locked in over $46 million in profits. While this practice is not unknown, it has spooked many other investors who perceive it as a lack of confidence in Novavax’s product actually reaching market. A significant loss in value would be inevitable in such an instance.
