Daily Archives: February 22, 2017


Astronomers Discover New Earths In Our Celestial Neighborhood

An international team of astronomers, using an array of ground and space telescopes, has discovered an astonishing seven Earth-sized planets in a system just 40 light years away. Water, water everywhere The seven planets, according to a press release, “all have masses less than or similar to the Earth.” According to scientists, the temperatures on the planets “are low enough to make possible liquid water on the surfaces…” as the planets are in that perfect habitable or “goldilocks zone,” Michaël Gillon, of the STAR Institute at the University of Liège …


US Home Sales Surge to 10-Year High

U.S. home resales surged to a nearly 10 year high in January. Wednesday’s report from the National Association of Realtors says existing home sales jumped 3.3 percent to an annual rate of 5.69 million homes. The report says sales are being hampered by the smaller-than-usual number of homes available for sale.  The real estate industry group also says sales were up 3.8 percent from the same period a year ago.   Sales growth was stronger than many experts predicted, perhaps because they thought rising prices and interest rates might cool …


Study: Cats Not Linked to Mental Illness

There is some good news for cat lovers. Turns out those reports that people who grew up with cats have a higher risk of mental illness are not true. Writing in the journal Psychological Medicine, researchers from University College London say a common parasite associated with cats, Toxoplasma Gondii, which is associated with mental health issues, does not cause mental issues in people who grew up around cats. Lead author Dr. Francesca Solmi said, “The message for cat owners is clear: there is no evidence that cats pose a risk …


SpaceX Aborts Approach to Space Station, Delivery Delayed

A navigation error forced SpaceX to delay its shipment to the International Space Station on Wednesday, following an otherwise flawless flight from NASA’s historic moon pad.   SpaceX’s supply ship, the Dragon, was less than a mile from the orbiting outpost when a problem cropped up in the GPS system. The approach was aborted, and the Dragon backed away. NASA said neither the station nor its six-person crew was in any danger.   Just a few hours earlier, Russia successfully launched a cargo ship from Kazakhstan, its first since a …


Playwright Who Inspired ‘Moonlight’ Wins PEN Award

The playwright who inspired the Oscar-nominated movie “Moonlight” has won a prize from PEN America, the literary and human rights organization.   Tarell Alvin McCraney received an award for best mid-career playwright, PEN announced Wednesday. McCraney’s “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue” is the basis for the acclaimed movie drama, which is up for eight nominations at Sunday night’s Academy Awards. McCraney is also known for his acclaimed “The Brother/Sister” trilogy.   Suzan-Lori Parks, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for her play “Topdog/Underdog,” received a PEN award for “Master American …


US Treasury Chief Tells IMF He Expects ‘Frank and Candid’ Forex Analysis

U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde on Tuesday that he expects the IMF to provide “frank and candid” analysis of exchange rate policies, a Treasury spokesperson said. In a phone call with Lagarde, the spokesperson said, Mnuchin also “noted the importance that the administration places on boosting economic growth and jobs in the United States, and looked forward to robust IMF economic policy advice on its member countries and tackling global imbalances.” The conversation on U.S. priorities occurred as officials from the Group …