creepyastralemanation

[creepyastralemanation]

Political Pix on Current Events...

1. Republikkkan 'Jesus' is actually Judas!

2. What happens when you vote stupidly...

3. Isolation leads to being left behind.

4. When every fool has guns!!

5. See number three, again...

6. Criminals wear masks to get away with their crimes.

7. Israel just bought our corrupt Rump!

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US plans fly factory in Texas to fight a flesh-eating parasite

US plans fly factory in Texas to fight a flesh-eating parasite https://share.google/1miJ6vJVASXuvbvVq

This $8.5 million dollar facility, at Moore Air Base, will breed millions of sterile, male screwworm flies - to prevent female flies from laying its eggs in cattle wounds!!

Strangely enough, this is only the 2nd such fly factory in the Western hemisphere - the other being in Panama.

Due to these flies being detected some 700 miles South its border, the US has already stopped imports of live cows, horses & bison from Mexico.

The US did the same basic thing back in the 1960s, which defeated the flies in the States.

Before that, screwworm flies had been an annual scourge in the SE USA...

Since Mexico goes to resume their cattle shipments, a Mexican facility had been planned.

But, at this moment, it seems that this facility will be opened in Guatemala - in some 18 months!

Everyone knows that if these flies aren't stopped now, they'll breach the Southern US border by the end of summer!!

Industry officials worry that farmers & ranchers could be hit with huge economic losses - because these flesh eating larvae can infect any mammal - including pets & people...

Other States's officials are also watching this fly's migration.

"We're concerned about any infected animal crossing the border - there's always the risk of infection..."

End?

[creepyastralemanation]

Natural Plant Extract Removes up to 90% of Microplastics From Water

Natural Plant Extract Removes up to 90% of Microplastics From Water https://share.google/4zeEr680CvmbRvFyI

Natural polymers from, okra & fenugreek plants, now offer a safer alternative to the synthetic polymers commercially available.

The plants' sticky substances have a gel-like texture that's perfect for grabbing micro- plastics, clumping them together & sinking them to the bottom of any receptacle.

1st, okra pods & fenugreek seeds were set, in separate water tanks overnight.

The dissolved extracts are dried into powders containing natural polymers.

In tests results, 1 gram - of either powder - trapped micro-plastics best in a quart (1 liter) of water.

Okra removed 67% & fenugreek 93%, of micro-plastics, in 1 hour's time.

A mix of both powders removed 70% - in 30 minutes...

Okra worked best (80%) in seawater.

Fenugreek did best (77%) in fresh water.

The natural polymers were both better than the synthetic ones, are biodegradable & aren't toxic.

This greatly reduces long-term health risks for workers who'd handle their use.

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Pix: Political cartoons that are quite self- explanatory.

Enjoy.

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[creepyastralemanation]

Scientists unveil incredible new technology capable of producing clean water 24/7: 'Easily scalable and accessible'

Early Research:

US scientists created a solar powered system that turns seawater into drinkable water - &, it works at night too!!

STREED, as it's known, works without filters, batteries or another power source!

Finding clean water is a fast growing, world- wide crisis - with more than 4 million people facing water shortages.

Better yet, this is tech - that's made of durable, low maintenance materials - is powered off of the Grid!!

Sunlight heats seawater, which evaporates.

The resulting vapor moves thru a separate channel, where it condenses back into clean, drinkable water - without any salt.

STREED's energy exchange system keeps water production going on - even at night!!

Field tests showed that STREED makes 25 ounces of water every hour.

And, computer simulations reveal that the STREED system outperforms traditional desalination tech by 77%!

Even in areas with little sun...

End?

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Pix: Diana goes 'back' to her basic Wonder Woman identity in yet another reboot - with vital changes, though!

1. WW #201: "Fist of Flame."

Di & I-Ching learn that Jonny Double has been kidnapped...

Two Asian assassins die in trying to kill our heroes, though one mutters a helpful clue!

Ching IDs the Fist of Flame as a large ruby that drives men into the madness of greed.

Di gets a letter ordering her to get the ruby, of else Jonny dies...

So, she sells her boutique to raise money for a trip, to Tibet.

Finding the cultists' mountain, they see the gem, adorning the forehead of a Buddhist statue...

Di is able to fight her way to the statue - only to be attacked - by Catwoman!!

Selina knocks Di down but, is mesmerized by the gem...

Both women wake in another chamber, suspended above a flaming pit & are given swords to fight each other!

The survivor will end up serving the cult...

But, Di frees herself & Catwoman - with the cult leader dying in the resulting fight.

Selina reveals that she's working for Jonny but, another gang (run by Lu Shan, Ching's daughter) is also after the gem...

Suddenly - both women are teleported to Nehwon, a fantasy world!

They look up to see two men before them.

To Be Continued...

2. WW #202: "Fangs of Fire."

I-Ching stops the fight between our female heroines & the two men: Fafhrd & the Grey Mouser - Nehwon.

Ching informs them that the Flame Fist has a 'sister' gem, called the "Eye of the Ocean" - which the two Nehwonians are seeking...

Di looks into the Flame Fist & sees Jonny's face.

He's Lu Shan's prisoner & she already has the Eye of the Ocean!

Shan wants to join the gems together, in a machine, to allow her to loot Nehwon as she pleases...

Coincidentally, Gawron the sorcerer has the same type of machine! (Huh?)

They fight their way into the sorcerer's home - just as Lu Shan's gang (dragging Jonny along?!) teleport into the same lair!!

Di frees Jonny, while Ching uses both gems to teleport them all home - without Shan or her gang!

The Nehwonians, not liking modern Earth, teleport back to their own planet...

3. WW #204: "The Second Life of the Original Wonder Woman."

A sniper kills several people - including I-Ching, who dies in Di's arms!!

She's knocked unconscious but, the killer 'falls' to his death in striking her!

Di wakes up in a hospital - without any memories...

She 'instinctively' escapes, steals an military jet & heads for Paradise Island!!

When other jets shoot her down, she just escapes into the sea!

She's fished out by Amazons & taken home.

Hippolyta has her memory restored - except for something she wants concealed...

Di wakes up, as Wonder Woman again & with all her powers.

But, an armored Amazon wants to fight over the title of Wonder Woman!

So, the two women fight it out - to a draw.

Di's challenger is Nubia, a Black Amazon from the Floating Island. She leaves, with the promise to prove who should be the true Wonder Woman, on some other day.

Di leaves Paradise Island, bound for NYC. There, she gets a translator's job - in the UN!

Further, she finds roommates to share the rent with & begins a new life - 'reborn.'

4. WW #206: "War of the Wonder Women."

Di now learns some hidden facts about her origin.

Mainly, that she was created & given life (by Aphrodite) - with Nubia as her 'twin'!

Their only difference being that black clay was used for Nubia... (Ugh.)

Turns out that poor Nubia was stolen from her cradle & raised to become the adult pupil of Mars!

(Again, not Ares.)

It's his machinations that set both 'sisters' against each other - just as Mars attacks Paradise Island!!

5. WW #212: "The Twelve Labors."

WW rescues Indira Gamal (Prime Minister of Pamanasia) from female assassins at a ceremony being covered by Clark Kent!!

As Diana Prince, she saves Morgan Tracy from another female killer!

Later, Clark asks Di when she got her powers back - &, she doesn't remember that whole part of her life...

Di doesn't even know that she took a leave of absence from the JLA.

She changes into WW & goes to the now deserted Secret Sanctuary, the JLA's original headquarters...

Luckily, Superman takes her up to the JLA satellite - where it's confirmed she's 'lost' some important memories!

The heroes want Di to return to the team but she's afraid of suffering another memory loss - jeopardizing her fellow heroes.

Finally, she declares that she'll return - if she completes 12 labors successfully...

On Paradise Island, Di confronts Hippolyta, who claims her non-powered memories couldn't be returned - because their 'records' are incomplete!! (Huh?!)

Then, Di asks what happened to Steve Trevor.

To which Hippolyta states that the 'Trevor' she's known in the last few weeks is actually a "mentally induced substitute designed to keep Di psychologically stable"!! (Holy...)

The real Trevor is dead.

Crying, Di leaves for a job at the UN Crisis Bureau.

There, she learns of the Cavalier - who wants to control Pamanasia - thru Gamal...

WW is able to track him down & quickly defeats him!

Superman (who was monitoring her - not creepy at all...) gives in his report & assigns Flash as the next creep - err, monitor...

Note: During her non-powered time, Di met & worked with several JLA members but, those memories are now forgotten...

End.

For Now...

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Researchers make game-changing breakthrough with 'breathing' energy tech: 'Combines strong performance with simplicity'

Researchers make game-changing breakthrough with 'breathing' energy tech: 'Combines strong performance with simplicity' https://share.google/a2qiwywEtDsLdrGbW

A new 'breathing' battery tech promises to store green energy & to clean the air as well!!

Early research shows that the lithium mix inside, reacts with CO² to make electricity & at the same time, this mix traps CO² gas & stores the energy released!

A new battery design & an affordable compound lets it charge more efficiently, run longer & hold more energy.

It also loses far less energy as it charges & during its use.

Computer modeling let the research team to see the chemical reactions work - from inside the battery!!

These would make for powerful batteries in solar panels & EVs.

Even better, they'd help reduce emissions & cut energy costs - all while they also help to clean the air...

Strangely enough, this tech would be perfect for use on the planet Mars! There, carbon dioxide is, by far, the dominant gas in the atmosphere.

But, more work is needed before a finished battery is finally available...

Not the End!

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High school students create remarkable invention that transforms discarded grass clippings: 'The future is bright'

High school students create remarkable invention that transforms discarded grass clippings: 'The future is bright' https://share.google/KoDv7Liz5QZZPlpZ2

(Note: This local climate action is 2 & a ½ years old but, it's still relevant today.)

R. Plunkett & K. Farrell, high schoolers from County Offaly, Ireland, created a way to turn mown grass clippings into paper.

(Of course, there's various substances that can be turned to paper - like human skin.)

Anyway, "Grass Sheets" (their creation) has been used to make bags, pouches - even a jacket!!

This real world solution won them the Irish YSI Award in 2022.

The 2 inventors are attending Tullamore College & have probably monetized their 'green' creation by now...

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Experts issue urgent warning on dangerous phenomenon that threatens entire Pacific region: 'We are fast running out of time'

Last year, the SW Pacific showed an unusual warming pattern - due to El Nino.

Heat & acification are damaging marine ecosystems; an Indonesian glacier is set to disappear; the Philippines suffered thru record hurricane activity; Fiji, New Zealand & Australia are flooding due to heavy rain & sea level rise.

Extreme weather is becoming more frequent & severe in this part of the Pacific Rim.

The Philippines was hit by 12 cyclones - in just 3 months!! That's 2X more than usual! 1.4 million people ended up being displaced during these huge storms.

Western New Guinea is expecting a glacier to completely disappear - by 2026!

Fuji's climate adaptations failed last year!!

Their seawalls & mangroves were overrun by erosion & rising sea levels.

In the Philippines, the cyclones alone cost $430 million in damages to homes, crops & infrastructure.

All of this is the result of the human use of dirty energy: coal, oil & gas. Burning these substances produces pollution that traps heat in the atmosphere.

Some 90% of this heat is absorbed by the oceans - which then warm up & expand...

Folk who live in low lying places face difficult decisions about staying in high risk areas - or, relocating...

We can help just by learning about climate solutions, changing our grocery & clothing shopping habits & electrifying our homes - all moves that save us money.

So, the choice is ours...

End?

[creepyastralemanation]

Why taking apart buildings piece by piece is a climate solution

There's a growing movement, in the construction industry, that wants to reuse building materials & keep such 'waste' out of landfills.

Deconstruction has already created a small circular economy that actually shrinks an area's carbon footprint!

Sadly, many communities just don't have the necessary infrastructure - yet...

These places need sorting facilities & resale stores just to keep up with all of the new demands for recycled materials.

Specialist contractors handle both, the deconstruction & the recycling operations.

Basically, disassembling buildings for parts.

Wiring, siding, nails, lumber, joists, pipe fittings & more - everything's sorted & stored in local warehouses.

The reason behind all this is climate change.

Construction & destruction of buildings accounts for 40% of greenhouse gasses & half of that comes from throwing away these materials!

For a long time, experts focused on building operations - the climate impact of heating, cooling & electrifying spaces.

But, in the last few years, they've come to understand the processes involved.

The creation & destruction of buildings create significant amounts of pollution - actually enlarging the carbon footprint involved.

Reusing already manufactured materials helps reduce embodied carbon stores.

Contractors don't have to waste materials.

But, the higher cost of deconstruction is what makes the concept a hard sell.

Homeowners & developers need financial incentives - as the process costs 35 to 40% more than just throwing the material away!!

Yet, in Boulder, Colorado alone - some 140+ million pounds of building materials has been recycled - since 2020!

There, all buildings must be deconstructed & 75% of the material must be reused.

But, Boulder has actually overshot that goal!

For the last 5 years, a full 83% of building materials have been kept out of landfills!!

Next up?

A plan for disassembling a building - before it's even built!

That way, everyone involved knows how to take the building apart, what recyclable materials to use & what is truly waste...

End.

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Researchers catch more than 100 swamp alligators in Georgia – and find something worrying in their blood

100 gators from Georgia found to contain 8 times the amount of mercury as found else- where in the US!!

This includes their hatchlings.

As this neurotoxin passes from the mother to its children thru the egg yolks.

Alligator blood samples, from Jekyll Island, the Okefenokee Swamp & the Yawkee Wild- life Center, revealed the poisoning of these supposedly 'protected' waterways.

There's only 2 ways for the high amount of mercury - industrial runoff or 'acid' rain...

Humans also face the risk, especially if they eat fish from the Suwanee & St. Mary's rivers.

Once in the food web, mercury accumulates slowly.

The mercury amount now found means a widespread contamination or a long time poisoning.

As for seeking out the guilty source, don't hold your breath! Rump has shut down most protective government offices that would have investigated such crimes...

End.

[creepyastralemanation]

Pix: On Addled -

A. Storm winds.

B. Just in case...

C. Professor Farnsworth¹, the perfect addled-plated big brain!!

D. Putrid egg close-up!

E. Mud & mire Bible quote...

F. Barren ground.

G. Morbid, the metal rock band.

H. Morbid, the horror movie.

I. The job of fashion is to be new & eccentric.

J. The Crisis of 1614²...

ADDLED.

Meaning:

A. Momentarily confused, muddled or flustered.

B. A rotten egg.

C. To become confused.

D. A constant, muddled state of mind.

E. To be morbid, corrupt or barren of mind.

Etymology:

Addled only exists due to some translation confusion between 'wind' & 'urine.'

Addled was 1st used in the writings of R. Roche³ around 1599.

The term was taken from the Middle English adyld or adel eye, "putrid egg" - which was 1st used in 1250.

And this came from the Old English adela, "foul smelling urine", "liquid manure" & "mud, mire."

Basically, "liquid filth."

This, in turn, came from Latin ovum urinae, "urine egg."

It's thought that the Latin word is a mistaken translation of Greek ourion oon, "wind (or spoiled) egg."

Some Interesting Uses:

Addle-pated (1614), to be "eccentric."

Drug-Addled (1670s?), "becoming fucked-up due to using cocaine or other mind bending drugs."

(Coke-Addled is from 1980, when David Bowie's described his mental state while filming "The Man Who Fell to Earth!")

Metaphorical:

Addled describes a person's state of mind or their thinking, as being bewildered, having lost its clarity or "gone bad."

This is related to things that are no longer functional, are spoiled & no longer viable.

Symbolic:

Addled is a symbol of disorientation, mental trauma & drug use.

It also describes decline in something once vibrant, like a physical or mental state, a relationship - even society itself!

It's a situation that lacks potential, growth & development.

Notes:

1. Professor Farnsworth is a fictional character in the animated TV series, Futurama.

He's the eccentric, bald & long living (160!) founder of Planet Express.

Farnsworth is Fry's grand nephew - til Fry becomes his own granddad!!

2. The Crisis of 1614 refers to the short lived "Addled Parliament", due to a succession problem when Prince Frederick died & also involved the 1st Anglo-Powhatan War.

The British Parliament met from April 5 til June 7 - without passing any major laws & was then considered a failure...

But, the real reason was Parliament's failure to raise any funds for the crown.

This led to King James the 1st to dissolve it.

The succession fell upon Charles, Duke of York - a sickly child.

Which almost led to Princess Elizabeth getting the throne then...

As for the war, the "Peace of Pocahontas" ended it with a truce.

3. R. Roche seems to be a minor writer who added several words to the Oxford English Dictionary: addled, automatic, matronize, misleading, repelled & residing - these in 1599!

Roche might be a false name or his works were lost, due to not being popular...

End.

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Trump eliminated job security for federal employees. A court wants to fix that. | Vox

The federal Court of Appeals is trying to rein in Rump's illegal firing of federal workers & the unprecedented shutdown of the Merit Systems Protection Board, which previously oversaw such matters - in a non-partisan way...

Rump did this by firing 1 of the 3 members of the MSPB board, effectively ending their forum.

Claims of discrimination, whistleblowing retaliation & violated veteran protection have no court to be heard in!

Rump also fired the special counsel, who investigated such cases.

Efforts to rehire these workers are officially on hold - til Rump gets kicked out of office...

But, the 4th Circuit's Court of Appeals states that if the MSPB is shut down, then the courts must hear any such claims instead!!

This will force Rump to appeal to the Supreme Court yet once again.

Since, this is a problem the Supreme Court created, the Judges may want to fix up the whole thing...

After all, if such a law persists...

Well, the judges can be regarded as federal employees as well.

But, what really hurts, is that Rump's firing of government workers isn't a power that he actually possesses.

Reps keep crying about Rump needing to fire protected appointees - even those that work in protective organizations.

Yet, that's just a fool's belief.

Only Congress can fire such workers & only if they have due cause.

And that last is what Rump's really after - the suspension of due process - so he can finally play dictator for the rest of his life...

Perhaps, the affected workers should look into joining a strong union.

Or, create their own.

When there's no rules, anything can truly be attempted!

If the MSPB can't be an independent office, then the courts must shoulder that legal responsibility.

The continuity, of keeping these important government workers, actually works well for our country's best interests...

Their behind-the-scenes activity makes it possible for officials to work 'together.'

Originally, such government jobs were filled thru patronage. But, as the US grew, this kind of work became more complicated.

Patronage became too disruptive, making the hiring of specialists that much harder.

Filling the patronage rolls overwhelmed most new presidents. Worse, you could be killed by a disgruntled job seeker - just like President J.A. Garfield was!!

His murder is regarded as having helped pass laws to protect these jobs.

So, Rump is destroying some 150 years of positive reform.

At least, more people now realize that the big changes he promised - with a knowing wink & a smile during the election - were actually the Republikkkan plan to hobble our government.

Rump's 2nd election win is the taste of bitter ashes to those of us who tried warning you.

But, we'll survive...

End.

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Pic: Something completely different... To help pass the time in Rump's America.

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[creepyastralemanation]

Pix: Bit of political & business jokes...

1. I read this as referencing how war kills a nation's own youth! Even if your country started the violence.

2. Rump is the poster child for this type of narcissistic behavior. The end product of a lifetime of reading/watching stories about rebel heroes?

3. This is all Musk. And now, he's inspired Rump - who wants his own database on all Americans & their private information...

4. Turns out capitalism is only good for the rich 1%. And that the Founders, most being wealthy by the standards of their time, knew this when they set up our economy.

5. This joke isn't that far off from the truth! Workers spent their time (18+ hours) doing whatever the business of the day might have been... Luckily, unions & strikes freed up some free time from old skinflint bosses.

6. Rump just doesn't care - he's already declined to help Tornado Alley residents with their storm damage - saying the states can handle it... Maybe, states should use a union idea & not pay their taxes!!

Tax Strike!

End?

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Created to destroy electric vehicles — Japan finally shows first-ever 'water-powered' motorcycle

New, renewable energy tech is constantly in development.

EVs aren't the only way to reduce pollution. Hybrid vehicles are also available.

Those who want to abandon the combustion system completely, have the non-fossil & 100% renewable hydrogen fuel to look forward to...

This fuel is already used in some vehicles, engines & states - I'm talking about you, California.

But, the refueling infrastructure is still sadly lacking here in the US.

Now, a Japanese collaboration has made its own breakthru, which has delivered the best hydrogen engine possible - for motorcycles!

The HySE prototype "super bike" was shown off just before the Le Mans endurance race.

Since hydrogen is 3Xs as energy dense, it requires more storage space than a regular motorbike.

This caused several setbacks, so the engine is still being tinkered with today...

End?

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Goodbye to polluting plastic - how a plastic that is “alive” could be the ultimate solution to pollution - regenerates itself

Plastic waste is becoming a growing danger, as micro-plastics have been found in women's placentas, coursing thru our veins & collecting in our mental matter!!

Well, Swiss scientists have now created a biodegradable plastic made out of living material!

This new product is flexible & one can even eat it - since it's made out of living fungus...

The non-toxic Split Gill mushroom's root is turned into a gel known as Living Fiber, that is easy to mold & produces other useful substances.

This material also has other potential uses: such as packaging, trash bags, cosmetics, food & even batteries!!

It's thought that, in the future, this Living Fiber can be turned into clothing...

And, that could be a step towards intelligent materials that adapt to the environment!

These are the kinds of discoveries that will contribute to a cleaner Earth...

End.