In NASA signed a third contract for the delivery of astronauts on the ISS

On the eve of the third NASA signed a contract for the delivery of astronauts on board the ISS. This will the company Boeing, for which the planned flight will be the second mission, approved by the American space agency.
As reported in NASA, the second contract with Boeing provides for the delivery of astronauts to the International Space Station manned spacecraft Boeing CST-100 Starliner. The agreement on another flight was achieved agencies and companies before, in May this year. In addition, another contract for the launch of spacecraft to the ISS NASA has concluded with the company Elon Musk SpaceX. "After passing the certification of ships NASA launches Boeing CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX Crew Dragon crews on board will take place twice a year", - explained the managing program NASA's development of private manned spacecraft (Commercial Crew Program) Katie Leders.
In general, within the framework of Commercial Crew Transportation Capability US space agency plans to sign four contracts (three in view of the latter have already been signed). Terms launch vehicles not yet been approved, but the first one is scheduled for late 2017. The International Space Station, according to specialists, will remain in orbit until at least 2028.

The power of nature in the pictures Dave Sanford

Photographer Dave Sanford Canada published a stunning series of images surging waves of Lake Erie. Erie - the fourth largest lake in the Great Lakes. Dave shot his project on windy days, when the lake rose particularly large wave.
"These days people are trying to stay away from the lake. And in those days, when the Erie alive, you can see its true power. I looked forward to this time of year to make those shots, "- says Sandford.

Solar System - an anomaly on the background of the rest of the galaxy

Over the past four years due to the Space Telescope "Kepler" we have learned that in our galaxy are so many planets. But the most interesting fact that we got for "Kepler" - is that among these planets there is nothing like our own solar system. Faktrum telling details.

This fact is well seen on the example of the animation "Planetarium Kepler IV», created by a graduate student at the Department of Astronomy at the University of Washington Ethan Cruz. It Kruse compares hundreds of exoplanets orbit of Kepler's database to our own solar system, which is represented in the animation on the right and catches the eye. The animation shows the relative size of the planets Kepler (although, of course, not comparable with the scale of the stars), and the surface temperature.

In the animation it is very easy to see how strange it seems the solar system compared to other systems. Prior to the mission, "Kepler" in 2009, astronomers expect, the majority of exoplanet systems will be arranged by our type: Small stone closer to the center of the planet, a huge gas giants in the middle, and chunks of ice stone in the periphery. But it turned out that everything is arranged much more bizarre.

"Kepler" found "hot Jupiter", a huge gas giants that almost touch the stars system. As he explains Kruse, "device" Kepler "dictates that it is much better to pinpoint the planet with more compact orbits. In smaller systems, the planets will revolve in their orbits, so the telescope is much easier to detect them. "

Of course, the abnormality of the solar system from the crowd could be due to the fact that our knowledge of other systems are still insufficient, or because, as explained above, we mostly notice the smaller system with fast frequency movement. However, the "Kepler" has found 685 star systems, and none of them is not like ours.

Far beyond the orbit of Neptune may be hiding unknown planet

Astronomers from Sweden and Mexico reported the first observation of a large object on the far edge of the solar system. We know about him is very little: it does not emit their own light, and may be at a distance of about 300 radius of Earth's orbit. An object can be both a planet several times larger than ours, and the brown dwarf - its orbit and mass of the unknown.

With ALMA, astronomers planned a telescope to study the Alpha Centauri system in the submillimeter range - as far as is known today, it consists of three stars. However, the 5.5 seconds of arc from the star saw a new, previously unknown source of radiation. Looking to the catalog compiled from observations of powerful cosmic infrared telescope WISE, the authors did not receive aid when WISE shot right part of the sky, a potential object passed the Alpha Centauri star system and can be invisible in their bright background.

The mysterious body time to get the name of αCen D, as a new fourth member of Alpha Centauri. However, the findings rule out that it belongs neighboring star system. For nearly a year elapsed between observing sessions (July 2014 and May 2015 gg.), ΑCen D too much shifted to the background stars A and Alpha Centauri (Rigel and Bunguly). It is also unlikely that he belongs to the Kuiper Belt, is not like a star and did not correspond to any of the nearly 800 thous. Of known objects in the solar system ... Researchers concluded that the most likely is a "trans-Neptunian objects extreme» (Extreme Trans Neptunian Object , ETNO), previously unknown, and large body rotating far beyond the orbit of Neptune.

Available observations is not enough to draw definite conclusions. However, the hypothesis of building did not forbid, and, according to the authors, the best available data corresponds to a hypothetical planet-class super-Earths. The existence on the distant edge of the solar system rocky, several times bigger than our planet Earth was supposed before: the radius of the Earth 1.5, the orbit of 300 AU Another option is no less interesting - αCen D may be even larger objects, a brown dwarf, "transitional form" between the planets and the full-fledged stars, the orbit radius of about 20 thousand. AU

However, with the sensation worth the wait. As already mentioned, the observations is totally inadequate, and they may get less exciting explanation. In the end, it may be large, but accidentally drops out of sight of astronomers asteroid flying somewhere for Jupiter.

In China, we discovered the graves of Confucius

In China's Henan Province discovered a large burial ground, pre-dated 771-476 years BC, according to Tass. This is the time referred to Chunqiu era in which he lived Confucius.

The complex is 200 square meters consists of 200 graves, eight burial pits, with chariots and horses, 10 kilns and 30 ash pits.

Period of Chunqiu noted the rapid development of the economy and as a result - an increase in the population of ancient China. Also, while the sharp struggle between different kingdoms.

The technical advances of the time include the transition to iron agricultural tools, the use of bulls when plowing fields and improving irrigation systems.

It is believed that Chinese philosopher Confucius was born in 551 BC and died in 479 BC. His teachings formed the basis of religious and philosophical system called Confucianism. The basic idea of ​​course is to create a harmonious society, where the individual performs a specific function, subordinate to the common good.

Have you heard of CRISPR? You may even have heard the full transcript of the term: short palindromic repeats regularly spaced bands (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats). Or heard. If not, you will have very soon to remember this acronym. It is a kind of cause and effect of the revolution. It is the most powerful tool for editing the genome of all that ever existed.

In fact, CRISPR allows anyone to edit the DNA of an organism, enable or disable certain features and introduces a brand new one.

In the past, editing DNA was extremely difficult, time consuming and inaccurate. CRISPR is a completely opposite: cheap, easy and accurate.

It consists of a "guide" RNA, which can detect a specific piece of DNA, and skalpelepodobnogo enzyme called CAS9, which is exactly this part of the cuts. It can also be fitted to replace the DNA portion to fill that has been cut out.

Over the past few years, there was a flurry of research CRISPR, because the scientific community is trying to determine the limits of this technique - which seem limitless - as well as hone their understanding of how it can and should be used.

This part of science seems quite fantastic, but it can affect the lives of people around the world.

Here are several options CRISPR challenge the problems of people in the coming years.

Infectious diseases

Many infectious diseases are choosing a roundabout way, getting to the person. Lyme disease, for example, is caused by bacteria that are picked up ticks Ixodida (in most cases), and after landing on mice and bite them. Then the tick bites a human, causing fatigue, illness, the need for antibiotics and a significant reduction in quality of life.

Malaria comes about as transmitted parasites loved us all: mosquitoes.

From 300 to 500 million people are infected and more than 1 million, primarily children under 5 years die of malaria each year.

With CRISPR scientists will be able to cut out the genes that allow mosquitoes carry the parasite that carries malaria, and then make sure that this change will take place through the generations, and take hold of the whole population. If successful, this will put an end to malaria, which kills millions of people and leaving families without a breadwinner, that will begin the fight against poverty.

Genetic diseases

Very many diseases and abnormalities are inherited from cystic fibrosis to Down syndrome, from sickle cell anemia to mental disorders and myopia.

Other diseases arise from random mutations in the human genome. CRISPR may be able to fix the human genome so that he will never suffer from terrible diseases that appear from time to time.

Particularly interesting prospect for the poor people, who often lack the resources to fully recover from the disease. Moreover, once the disease will be excluded from the human genome, it will be protected from future generations. It is the most effective way to protect society for a long time.

Cancer

One of the main enemies of human life, cancer affects people from all walks of life. But the main risk factor is the poor man in poverty under stress, is located in an environment with increased toxicity, which increases the chance of developing cancer. He also hardly get timely treatment and unlikely to be able to pay for it in full.

Cancer is known to be unpredictable and difficult to control. Everyone, it seems, has its own type of cancer that can challenge the procedures appropriate for the treatment of others.

With CRISPR may be possible to develop "therapeutic road map" for cancer of each individual and accurate prediction and an indication of possible mutations that may occur. In theory, this makes all of the cancer can be treated.

Agriculture and food

Food, agricultural industry and the scientific community was able to bury all the benefits of GMOs. And why do they insist on such a strange name - genetically modified organisms - I'll never know.

When tested, and correct information in the beginning of the fall roundup, people were filled with fear of GMOs; It left too little room for important information that could affect people.

GMOs do not present any risk to humans (this is, in fact, an accelerated form of natural selection), and will be critical in the current and future fight against food insecurity and climate change.

But while they are fighting for public recognition.

Some scientists believe that the CRISPR may be a more acceptable concept, but there are fears: it is still a complicated process, which may alarm the public.

CRISPR will not include foreign DNA in crops, but instead modifies the existing genomes, increasing their resistance to drought, bad weather, extreme heat and other conditions, as well as increase the volume of receiving nutrients.

Soybeans, potatoes, and rice has been improved. Scientists will also be able to remove allergens from food, such as peanuts. Such achievements to strengthen the control of food around the world, especially to help people living in poor conditions.

Saving trees

Trees - the best there is in the world. They allow us to live, provide us with food and generally causing pleasant emotions. However, people cut down trees billions pests also significantly hinder them. For example, higher temperatures and longer warm seasons in North America allows pine beetles to flourish. These beetles eat the pine woods throughout the western United States and Canada.

CRISPR allow scientists to eliminate certain genes that attract pests, and enable others to protect them.

Organ transplant

Last week, I ate pork. It was delicious. Like many other people, I have no problems with the absorption of pork (not every day, of course). But what if the pork is to be a part of me? Would I kind of pig?

Scientists have long wanted to use pig bodies to put an end to the eternal deficit of human organs. Usually, a person has to wait a long time until it receives available to the transplant organ.

Pig organs are similar to human, but the DNA of pigs teeming with retroviruses that infect humans after transplantation. CRISPR allow scientists to remove these viruses and, theoretically, to open the door to an abundance of safety. This can significantly reduce the black market, which operates thanks to the people living in poverty.

Antibiotics

Powerful bacteria - a terrible thing. Fears postantibioticski era only grow when the antibiotics will not be able to save us from bacterial infections.

The prevalence of superbugs is increasing every year, and the prospect of the development of more powerful antibiotics remains elusive distant. But CRISPR can greatly help the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Water purification

783 million people worldwide do not have access to clean water. Most people get the disease from contaminated water, which can kill or leave them in a terrible state of health.

CRISPR can help in the development of enzymes that can effectively and cheaply purify water. Dissolve the tablet in water and make it clean - what better way to help poor people?

Biofuels

Humanity is desperately looking for an alternative to fossil fuels. Biofuels are considered to be ineffective: for its use required a large area, it is difficult to extract, process, and it still pollutes the atmosphere. But scientists believe that the CRISPR can significantly improve the technology of biofuels.

These are just some of the many possible uses CRISPR. The full range of possibilities is very, very great. Of course, you need to approach it is not without caution. The ethics of genome editing has to be carefully worked out at the highest level. I'm not exactly been thrilled with the fundamental change in the human genome. The idea of ​​a significant change in the human condition scares me. But CRISPR seems tool that can help us to overcome poverty and to overcome the abyss of global inequality. And it is worth to try.

Scientists have tried to find differences between male and female brains


Scientists have found out, there is a difference in the device of male and female representatives of the brain and why a strong and beautiful half of humanity in many ways behave.


The results of a large study, the work of neuroscientists from Israel, Germany, Switzerland and the United States, were published in the edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Scientists have set ourselves the task: to find out whether there is a "male" and "female" brain? It is a physiological, evolutionary and chemical characteristics. It turned out that the fundamental differences in the apparatus of the brain in men and women do not. Thus, the similarity between the two sexes is actually stronger than previously thought.

Used data from magnetic resonance imaging of individual sections of the brain in 1400 men and women. Scientists, in particular, have attempted to estimate the volume of gray matter in certain areas, and compare them. The focus was sexual dimorphism - anatomical differences between males and females of the same species. In the case of the human brain, such a phenomenon may be due to evolution. Men, for example, were able to get food, and it could affect some features of the device of the brain. These "men" of the structure, of course, be present in only one sex.

To the surprise of scientists, no purely "female" or "male" brain structures were found. Experts have compared the human brain with a mosaic of the different features present in one or the other sex. Up to 53% of all of the samples had a "female" and a "male" portion. A maximum of only 8% could be talking about a purely "male" or purely "female" structure.

It is the differences in the brain sometimes explained device "sanity male" and "female emotionality." A new study in the meantime tend to think about the impact of culture and education. One of the study's authors Daphne Joel (Daphna Joel) is confident that the human brain does not characteristic of sexual dimorphism, and the differences in the behavior of men and women were not caused by certain decisions of evolution. Now Joel emphasizes the need for an integrated approach to the study of gender differences.

It was previously shown that a woman's brain in male average less by volume, but this does not affect the level of human intelligence. In addition, it is believed that with age the brain decreases faster man.

Perhaps not everyone agrees with the conclusions of Daphne Joel. For example, a scientist from the US Madhura Ingalhalikar (Madhura Ingalhalikar) and her colleagues believe that certain areas of the brain in men and women in different ways to communicate with each other, and similar differences are very important. Scientists curled that men are characterized by a close connection of front and rear sections of the hemisphere, and for women is visible well-developed hemispheric relationship.

In the fight with a deadly staphylococcus scientists helped oil


Australian scientists on the basis of linseed oil have developed the world's first organic antimicrobial agent capable of killing deadly bacteria - Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus is the causative agent of many diseases - from skin infections to pneumonia and meningitis. In the United States recorded more than 100 thousand. Cases of infection with this bacterium, many of which are fatal. Staphylococcus aureus has become a problem for Australia. According to "Xinhua", in 2013-2014 with him was hospitalized more than 1.5 thousand. Australians. About 20% of infected died within 30 days.

Scientists used to combat bacteria linseed oil contains α-linolenic acid, also known as omega-3. In medicine, it is used widely, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer prevention. Funds based on linseed oil has been developed by Australian startup Kayban project supported by the Australian community Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIRO). Developers intend to organize production in Melbourne and includes a rich alpha-linolenic acid in the oil lotions and cleanser.