The Helper
Mar
19
A 13-year-old girl in Mississippi has died after allegedly being shot by her nine-year-old brother over a video game, police say.
They said the boy grabbed a gun on Saturday afternoon after his sister would not give up the controller.
He allegedly shot her from behind, and the bullet entered her brain.
A local sheriff announced on Sunday that the teen had died of her injuries in a Memphis hospital. It was unclear how the boy obtained the gun.
It is also unclear what consequences the nine-year-old will face.
"He's just nine," Monroe County Sheriff Cecil Cantrell told the Clarion Ledger.
"I assume he's seen this on video games or TV. I don't know if he knew exactly what this would do. I can't answer that. I do know it's a tragedy."
Read more here. (BBC)
They said the boy grabbed a gun on Saturday afternoon after his sister would not give up the controller.
He allegedly shot her from behind, and the bullet entered her brain.
A local sheriff announced on Sunday that the teen had died of her injuries in a Memphis hospital. It was unclear how the boy obtained the gun.
It is also unclear what consequences the nine-year-old will face.
"He's just nine," Monroe County Sheriff Cecil Cantrell told the Clarion Ledger.
"I assume he's seen this on video games or TV. I don't know if he knew exactly what this would do. I can't answer that. I do know it's a tragedy."
Read more here. (BBC)
Mar
17
Introverts prone to melancholy are exceptionally good at accurately assessing truths about human social behavior, without formal training or tools.
Cognitive curiosity, cognitive ability, melancholy, and introversion predict social psychological skill, a new Yale study shows. Co-authored by Anton Gollwitzer and John Bargh, two Yale psychologists, the study titled “Social Psychological Skill and Its Correlates” explores and investigates social psychological skill; skill at predicting social psychological phenomena. The study was published in the journal Social Psychology, on March 15.
The authors asked more than 1.000 subjects about how people think, act, and feel in social contexts. The two psychologists began the survey – which can be found and taken on the university’s official website – by asking: “Can you accurately infer how most people feel, think, and behave in social context?” Gollwitzer and Bargh did a series of experiments to try and identify traits of those who accurately answered the questions.
Six separate studies were conducted. In Study 1, the authors assessed whether individual differences in social psychological skill exist. In Study 2, the authors examined which psychological variables predict social psychological skill. Study 3 aimed to replicate the findings of Study 2, and Study 4 aimed to...
Cognitive curiosity, cognitive ability, melancholy, and introversion predict social psychological skill, a new Yale study shows. Co-authored by Anton Gollwitzer and John Bargh, two Yale psychologists, the study titled “Social Psychological Skill and Its Correlates” explores and investigates social psychological skill; skill at predicting social psychological phenomena. The study was published in the journal Social Psychology, on March 15.
The authors asked more than 1.000 subjects about how people think, act, and feel in social contexts. The two psychologists began the survey – which can be found and taken on the university’s official website – by asking: “Can you accurately infer how most people feel, think, and behave in social context?” Gollwitzer and Bargh did a series of experiments to try and identify traits of those who accurately answered the questions.
Six separate studies were conducted. In Study 1, the authors assessed whether individual differences in social psychological skill exist. In Study 2, the authors examined which psychological variables predict social psychological skill. Study 3 aimed to replicate the findings of Study 2, and Study 4 aimed to...
Mar
15
Toys "R" Us is closing its doors after 70 years in business.
The iconic toy retailer will shut or sell all of its 735 stores in the United States, according to court documents filed early Thursday. About 31,000 jobs in the United States are at risk.
The announcement marks the end for a company that sold toys to millions of American kids. For half a century, Geoffrey the mascot giraffe invited children to its giant playhouses. Legions of adults who came of age in the 1980s and 1990s can probably still whistle its jingle: "I'm a Toys 'R' Us kid."
But Walmart, Target and other big-box retailers — stores that sold aisles of toys and everything else, too — began to erode its dominance. And then the emergence of Amazon sped its demise.
In September, Toys "R" Us filed for bankruptcy, hoping to shed debt and reinvest in its stores. But the turnaround didn't work. In January the company said it would close 182 stores across the United States.
The fate of hundreds of stores worldwide is unclear. The company said many of its stores in Canada, Europe and Asia "remain strong, viable businesses," and may be saved or sold. On Wednesday, Toys "R" Us said it was closing all of its stores in the UK....
The iconic toy retailer will shut or sell all of its 735 stores in the United States, according to court documents filed early Thursday. About 31,000 jobs in the United States are at risk.
The announcement marks the end for a company that sold toys to millions of American kids. For half a century, Geoffrey the mascot giraffe invited children to its giant playhouses. Legions of adults who came of age in the 1980s and 1990s can probably still whistle its jingle: "I'm a Toys 'R' Us kid."
But Walmart, Target and other big-box retailers — stores that sold aisles of toys and everything else, too — began to erode its dominance. And then the emergence of Amazon sped its demise.
In September, Toys "R" Us filed for bankruptcy, hoping to shed debt and reinvest in its stores. But the turnaround didn't work. In January the company said it would close 182 stores across the United States.
The fate of hundreds of stores worldwide is unclear. The company said many of its stores in Canada, Europe and Asia "remain strong, viable businesses," and may be saved or sold. On Wednesday, Toys "R" Us said it was closing all of its stores in the UK....
Mar
14
The bottled water industry is estimated to be worth nearly $200 billion a year, surpassing sugary sodas as the most popular beverage in many countries. But its perceived image of cleanliness and purity is being challenged by a global investigation that found the water tested is often contaminated with tiny particles of plastic.
"Our love affair with making single-use disposable plastics out of a material that lasts for literally centuries — that's a disconnect, and I think we need to rethink our relationship with that," says Prof. Sherri Mason, a microplastics researcher who carried out the laboratory work at the State University of New York (SUNY).
The research was conducted on behalf of Orb Media, a U.S-based non-profit journalism organization with which CBC News has partnered.
Mason's team tested 259 bottles of water purchased in nine countries (none were bought in Canada). Though many brands are sold internationally, the water source, manufacturing and bottling process for the same brand can differ by country.
Read more here. (CBC)
"Our love affair with making single-use disposable plastics out of a material that lasts for literally centuries — that's a disconnect, and I think we need to rethink our relationship with that," says Prof. Sherri Mason, a microplastics researcher who carried out the laboratory work at the State University of New York (SUNY).
The research was conducted on behalf of Orb Media, a U.S-based non-profit journalism organization with which CBC News has partnered.
Mason's team tested 259 bottles of water purchased in nine countries (none were bought in Canada). Though many brands are sold internationally, the water source, manufacturing and bottling process for the same brand can differ by country.
Read more here. (CBC)
Mar
12
It helps us to make close connections with people, and influences how we behave in a range of situations, from the workplace to a party.
Now scientists say empathy is not just something we develop through our upbringing and life experiences - it is also partly inherited.
A study of 46,000 people found evidence for the first time that genes have a role in how empathetic we are.
And it also found that women are generally more empathetic than men.
Read more here. (BBC)
Now scientists say empathy is not just something we develop through our upbringing and life experiences - it is also partly inherited.
A study of 46,000 people found evidence for the first time that genes have a role in how empathetic we are.
And it also found that women are generally more empathetic than men.
Read more here. (BBC)
Mar
09
A landmark project to make agriculture more sustainable in China has significantly cut fertilizer use while boosting crop yields on millions of small farms across the country, researchers report in Nature1.
As part of a decade-long study, scientists analysed vast amounts of agricultural data to develop improved practices, which they then passed on to smallholders. Through a national campaign, about 20.9 million farmers adopted the recommendations, which increased productivity and reduced environmental impacts. As a result of the intervention, farmers were together US$12.2 billion better off.
The scale of the project has stunned international scientists. With the global demand for food expected to double between 2005 and 2050, they hope that the study’s lessons can be applied to other countries. “This is an astonishing project of a scale way beyond anything I am familiar with,” says Leslie Firbank, who studies sustainable intensification of agriculture at the University of Leeds, UK.
Charles Godfray, a population biologist at the University of Oxford, UK, says that, over the past 30 years, China has achieved an agricultural miracle by producing enough food to feed the vast majority of its 1.4 billion people. But this feat has come at a tremendous cost to the environment, he says. Fertilizers, such as nitrogen, have increased crop production but have also acidified soil, polluted water and...
As part of a decade-long study, scientists analysed vast amounts of agricultural data to develop improved practices, which they then passed on to smallholders. Through a national campaign, about 20.9 million farmers adopted the recommendations, which increased productivity and reduced environmental impacts. As a result of the intervention, farmers were together US$12.2 billion better off.
The scale of the project has stunned international scientists. With the global demand for food expected to double between 2005 and 2050, they hope that the study’s lessons can be applied to other countries. “This is an astonishing project of a scale way beyond anything I am familiar with,” says Leslie Firbank, who studies sustainable intensification of agriculture at the University of Leeds, UK.
Charles Godfray, a population biologist at the University of Oxford, UK, says that, over the past 30 years, China has achieved an agricultural miracle by producing enough food to feed the vast majority of its 1.4 billion people. But this feat has come at a tremendous cost to the environment, he says. Fertilizers, such as nitrogen, have increased crop production but have also acidified soil, polluted water and...
Mar
07
Citizens in an Estonian district have chosen the cannabis leaf as the symbol on their new flag and coat of arms, it's reported.
The Kanepi municipality in southeast Estonia was created last July through the merger of three previously separate districts ;and as a result of the local government shake-up, residents were given the chance to vote on a new symbol to represent the district, state broadcaster ERR says.
The overwhelmingly popular choice among the people of Kanepi was a design based on the cannabis leaf. According to ERR, "kanep" is the Estonian word for cannabis.
Mayor Andrus Seeme told local media that the winning design received 12,000 of the total 15,000 votes cast, and said that he would respect the public's wishes.
The design will now be sent to the Heraldry Department of the State Chancellery in the capital Tallinn for approval, Delfi news agency reports.
Cannabis is illegal in Estonia, however, government official Gert Uiboed says that nobody will stand in any local authority's way if they want to use cannabis-based symbolism.
"Cannabis has been used as a heraldic symbol for a long time," Mr Uiboed said. "It is up to...
The Kanepi municipality in southeast Estonia was created last July through the merger of three previously separate districts ;and as a result of the local government shake-up, residents were given the chance to vote on a new symbol to represent the district, state broadcaster ERR says.
The overwhelmingly popular choice among the people of Kanepi was a design based on the cannabis leaf. According to ERR, "kanep" is the Estonian word for cannabis.
Mayor Andrus Seeme told local media that the winning design received 12,000 of the total 15,000 votes cast, and said that he would respect the public's wishes.
The design will now be sent to the Heraldry Department of the State Chancellery in the capital Tallinn for approval, Delfi news agency reports.
Cannabis is illegal in Estonia, however, government official Gert Uiboed says that nobody will stand in any local authority's way if they want to use cannabis-based symbolism.
"Cannabis has been used as a heraldic symbol for a long time," Mr Uiboed said. "It is up to...
Mar
06
The company behind the hit mobile game Angry Birds has closed its London studio, after warning its profits were likely to fall.
Rovio's head of games, Wilhelm Taht, also resigned on Friday, leaving chief executive Kati Levoranta in charge.
The Finnish games company has warned that its brand licensing revenues could decline 40% this year.
It has blamed tough competition and higher marketing costs for the poor outlook.
Rovio's London studio was opened in 2017 and the company went public in September with a valuation of £786m.
But on 22 February, the Finnish games maker issued a profit warning that caused its shares to drop by 50%.
Announcing the closure of its London studio, Rovio said it wanted to concentrate on its studios in Finland and Sweden.
The company had employed seven games developers in London.
Read more here. (BBC)
Rovio's head of games, Wilhelm Taht, also resigned on Friday, leaving chief executive Kati Levoranta in charge.
The Finnish games company has warned that its brand licensing revenues could decline 40% this year.
It has blamed tough competition and higher marketing costs for the poor outlook.
Rovio's London studio was opened in 2017 and the company went public in September with a valuation of £786m.
But on 22 February, the Finnish games maker issued a profit warning that caused its shares to drop by 50%.
Announcing the closure of its London studio, Rovio said it wanted to concentrate on its studios in Finland and Sweden.
The company had employed seven games developers in London.
Read more here. (BBC)
Mar
06
(TOKYO) — A volcano in southern Japan that appeared in a James Bond film had its biggest eruption in years Tuesday, shooting smoke and ash thousands of meters (feet) into the sky and grounding dozens of flights at a nearby airport, officials said.
The Meteorological Agency said the Shinmoedake volcano on Japan’s southernmost main island of Kyushu erupted violently several times, and some lava was rising inside a crater.
Public broadcaster NHK showed gray volcanic smoke billowing into the sky and orange lava rising to the mouth of the crater. The Meteorological Agency said ash and smoke shot up 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) into the sky in the volcano’s biggest explosion since 2011.
In Kirishima city at the foot of the volcano, pedestrians wore surgical masks or covered their noses with hand towels, while others used umbrellas to protect from falling ash. Cars had layers of ash on their roofs.
Read more here. (Time)
The Meteorological Agency said the Shinmoedake volcano on Japan’s southernmost main island of Kyushu erupted violently several times, and some lava was rising inside a crater.
Public broadcaster NHK showed gray volcanic smoke billowing into the sky and orange lava rising to the mouth of the crater. The Meteorological Agency said ash and smoke shot up 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) into the sky in the volcano’s biggest explosion since 2011.
In Kirishima city at the foot of the volcano, pedestrians wore surgical masks or covered their noses with hand towels, while others used umbrellas to protect from falling ash. Cars had layers of ash on their roofs.
Read more here. (Time)
Mar
06
Adopting a baby-like tone when talking to a dog can help owners bond with their pets, scientists have found.
Most owners can be found changing their voice when talking to their pets, often mirroring the same exaggerated high-pitched sounds that parents use with their children.
Now scientists at the University of York have found that so-called ‘dog speak’ is important for helping owners bond with their animals.
Dr Katie Slocombe from the University of York’s Department of Psychology said: “This high-pitched rhythmic speech is common in human interactions with dogs in western cultures, but there isn’t a great deal known about whether it benefits a dog in the same way that it does a baby.”
Researchers carried out a series of speech tests with adult dogs, where they were given the chance to listen to one person using dog-directed speech containing phrases such as ‘you’re a good dog’, and ‘shall we go for a walk?’, and then another person using adult-directed speech with no dog-related content, such as ‘I went to the cinema last night.’
Attention during the speech was measured, and following the speech, the dogs were allowed to choose which speaker they wanted to physically interact with.
The team found that dogs not only paid more attention to ‘dog speak’, but were motivated to spend more time with the person who had spoken to them in that way.
Read...
Most owners can be found changing their voice when talking to their pets, often mirroring the same exaggerated high-pitched sounds that parents use with their children.
Now scientists at the University of York have found that so-called ‘dog speak’ is important for helping owners bond with their animals.
Dr Katie Slocombe from the University of York’s Department of Psychology said: “This high-pitched rhythmic speech is common in human interactions with dogs in western cultures, but there isn’t a great deal known about whether it benefits a dog in the same way that it does a baby.”
Researchers carried out a series of speech tests with adult dogs, where they were given the chance to listen to one person using dog-directed speech containing phrases such as ‘you’re a good dog’, and ‘shall we go for a walk?’, and then another person using adult-directed speech with no dog-related content, such as ‘I went to the cinema last night.’
Attention during the speech was measured, and following the speech, the dogs were allowed to choose which speaker they wanted to physically interact with.
The team found that dogs not only paid more attention to ‘dog speak’, but were motivated to spend more time with the person who had spoken to them in that way.
Read...
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