Monday, September 21, 2020
Florida to release 750 million genetically altered mosquitoes
Fast Company reports: [edited]
In the Florida Keys, the local mosquito control agency has just approved the release of 750 million genetically engineered mosquitoes. The test, which is likely to begin in 2021, will be the first time that mosquitoes—designed to be “self-limiting,” meaning that they’ll breed offspring that can’t survive—will be used in the United States.
Oxitec, the U.K.-based company that engineered the mosquitoes, plans to place boxes filled with mosquito eggs in the area, releasing male mosquitoes bred with the self-limiting gene. When they breed with female mosquitoes, female offspring won’t survive. Because only female mosquitoes bite humans, this can help stop the spread of disease. The species they’re targeting is the Aedes aegypti or “yellow fever” mosquito, an invasive species that transmits diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.
In previous tests in other countries including Brazil, the company says that the process has worked to dramatically shrink populations. “We’ve had multiyear programs giving over 80% control in every single year,” he says. “And that far exceeds typically what people get trying to control Aedes aegypti with chemicals, because aegypti is very resistant. It’s not usually present in super-high numbers. So it can be difficult to actually reach.”
The startup also claims that it’s a more environmentally friendly way to control mosquitoes, because it’s possible to target only a particular species, and after around 5 to 10 generations, the modified gene will be removed from the population (since the females with the gene die, halving the number of modified bugs each generation), leaving no ecological footprint. Advocacy groups, however, argue that the technology hasn’t been tested enough, and it could potentially have unintended effects.
“If they do work to reduce the number of Aedes aegypti, other mosquitoes might move into their niche,” says Jaydee Hanson, policy director for the International Center for Technology Assessment and Center for Food Safety. “The most likely one is the Asian Tiger mosquito, which is better at carrying some illnesses like West Nile.” (Oxitec says that as it has tested its mosquitoes in other areas, it hasn’t seen significant increases of the Asian Tiger mosquito.)
Image courtesy of: Jimmy Chan ------------
Thursday, September 17, 2020
iOS 14 Home Screen
Is it just me, or does the iOS 14 home screen look like it is just begging for another line of icons?
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London Greenground Map
Time Out reports: [edited]
If 2020 has reignited anything in Londoners, it’s the love of putting one foot in front of the other. In lockdown it became about so much more than getting from A to B – walking is now a way of London life.
Its creator, Helen Ilus, first pitched the idea on Twitter as part of the National Park City campaign. When people responded to the concept, Ilus developed it. It’s now a London-wide map marking 380 parks and open spaces and suggesting green routes to walk or cycle between them all. While it doesn’t detail the exact routes between each park, it helps you plot your way between green spaces, with walking distances between each park also on display so you can calculate your step count.
It includes London’s major parks and well-known nature spots – from Hyde Park to Primrose Hill – but it also maps lesser-known wetlands, commons, moors, woods and reserves all across Greater London.
You can order a fold-out pocket map for £10, here.
Read more about the project and how you can support the map’s development here.
View/download a PDF version of the London Greenground map here.
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If 2020 has reignited anything in Londoners, it’s the love of putting one foot in front of the other. In lockdown it became about so much more than getting from A to B – walking is now a way of London life.
Its creator, Helen Ilus, first pitched the idea on Twitter as part of the National Park City campaign. When people responded to the concept, Ilus developed it. It’s now a London-wide map marking 380 parks and open spaces and suggesting green routes to walk or cycle between them all. While it doesn’t detail the exact routes between each park, it helps you plot your way between green spaces, with walking distances between each park also on display so you can calculate your step count.
It includes London’s major parks and well-known nature spots – from Hyde Park to Primrose Hill – but it also maps lesser-known wetlands, commons, moors, woods and reserves all across Greater London.
You can order a fold-out pocket map for £10, here.
Read more about the project and how you can support the map’s development here.
View/download a PDF version of the London Greenground map here.
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020
How Chuck Feeney gave away 8 billion dollars
Forbes has published an excellent article on Chuck Feeney's philanthropy.
Snippets follow:
Charles “Chuck” Feeney, 89, who cofounded airport retailer Duty Free Shoppers in 1960, amassed billions while living a life of monklike frugality. As a philanthropist, he pioneered the idea of Giving While Living—spending most of your fortune on big, hands-on charity bets instead of funding a foundation upon death. Since you can't take it with you – why not give it all away, have control of where it goes and see the results with your own eyes?
Over the last four decades, Feeney has donated more than $8 billion to charities, universities and foundations worldwide through his foundation, the Atlantic Philanthropies. When I first met him in 2012, he estimated he had set aside about $2 million for his and his wife's retirement. In other words, he's given away 375,000% more money than his current net worth. And he gave it away anonymously.
His extreme charity and big-bet grants have won over the most influential entrepreneurs and philanthropists. His stark generosity and gutsy investments influenced Bill Gates and Warren Buffett when they launched the Giving Pledge in 2010– an aggressive campaign to convince the world’s wealthiest to give away at least half their fortunes before their deaths. “Chuck was a cornerstone in terms of inspiration for the Giving Pledge,” says Warren Buffett. “He’s a model for us all. It’s going to take me 12 years after my death to get done what he’s doing within his lifetime.”
At its height, the Atlantic Philanthropies had 300-plus employees and ten global offices across seven time zones. The specific closure date was set years ago as part of his long-term plan to make high-risk, high-impact donations by setting a hard deadline to give away all his money and close shop. The 2020 expiration date added urgency and discipline. It gave the Atlantic Philanthropies the time to document its history, reflect on wins and losses and create a strategy for other institutions to follow. As Feeney told me in 2019: “Our giving is based on the opportunities, not a plan to stay in business for a long time.”
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Snippets follow:
Charles “Chuck” Feeney, 89, who cofounded airport retailer Duty Free Shoppers in 1960, amassed billions while living a life of monklike frugality. As a philanthropist, he pioneered the idea of Giving While Living—spending most of your fortune on big, hands-on charity bets instead of funding a foundation upon death. Since you can't take it with you – why not give it all away, have control of where it goes and see the results with your own eyes?
Over the last four decades, Feeney has donated more than $8 billion to charities, universities and foundations worldwide through his foundation, the Atlantic Philanthropies. When I first met him in 2012, he estimated he had set aside about $2 million for his and his wife's retirement. In other words, he's given away 375,000% more money than his current net worth. And he gave it away anonymously.
His extreme charity and big-bet grants have won over the most influential entrepreneurs and philanthropists. His stark generosity and gutsy investments influenced Bill Gates and Warren Buffett when they launched the Giving Pledge in 2010– an aggressive campaign to convince the world’s wealthiest to give away at least half their fortunes before their deaths. “Chuck was a cornerstone in terms of inspiration for the Giving Pledge,” says Warren Buffett. “He’s a model for us all. It’s going to take me 12 years after my death to get done what he’s doing within his lifetime.”
At its height, the Atlantic Philanthropies had 300-plus employees and ten global offices across seven time zones. The specific closure date was set years ago as part of his long-term plan to make high-risk, high-impact donations by setting a hard deadline to give away all his money and close shop. The 2020 expiration date added urgency and discipline. It gave the Atlantic Philanthropies the time to document its history, reflect on wins and losses and create a strategy for other institutions to follow. As Feeney told me in 2019: “Our giving is based on the opportunities, not a plan to stay in business for a long time.”
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Sunday, September 13, 2020
London - Somerset - London, 12 & 13-09-20
London to Somerset, 12-09-20
Can't Stop Movin' (Radio Edit) - Sonny J
Cotton Eye Joe (remix) - Rednex
My Perfect Cousin - The Undertones
Who Were You With In The Moonlight - Dollar
Celebration - Kool & The Gang
Rock The Boat - The Hues Corporation
Icarus (Radio Edit) - Madeon
Circles - Kate Tempest
Robert De Niro's Waiting - Bananarama
The Lion & Albert - Jarvis Cocker
Dancing Queen - ABBA
Rock With You - Michael Jackson
Do Re Mi - The Mighty Vikings
Batches & Cookies (feat. Sophia Eris) - Lizzo
You can do magic - America
Futurama Theme - Danny Elfman
Start Wearing Purple - Gogol Bordello
Crying at the discotheque (ext) - Alcazar
I Wanna be a Hippy - Technohead
Sherry - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Happy Days - Pratt & McClain with Brother Love
I Only Wanna Be With You (Alternative Vocal & Mix) - Dusty Springfield
Love Cliché - Bran Van 3000
Dance With Me - Orleans
London Is The Place For Me - Lord Kitchener
Brother Louie - Modern Talking
Jolene - Mindy Smith Feat. Dolly Parton
Shooting Star - Dollar
Moving On Up - M People
High Hopes - Doris Day
Uncle Sam - Madness
Ain't No Other Man Til You Get Enough - Christina Aguilera v. Michael Jackson
Shame (single) - Evelyn "Champagne" King
The Impression That I Get - The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Baby (feat. Ludacris) - Justin Bieber
Lost Weekend - Lloyd Cole & The Commotions
Mah Na Mah Na - Mahna Mahna and The Two Snowths
Just What I Needed - The Cars
Somebody Else's Guy - Jocelyn Brown
Tonight I Fell In Love - The Tokens
Don't Get Me Wrong - Pretenders
Dance! - The Lambrettas
Le Freak - Chic
Every Other Time (Radio Edit) - LFO
What Is Love - Haddaway
Let your love flow - Bellamy Brothers
It's Getting Better (Single Version) - Mama Cass
Knock On Wood - Amii Stewart
You're Gorgeous - Babybird
It Takes A Muscle - M.I.A.
Hungry Like The Wolf - Reel Big Fish
Mr. Sandman - The Chordettes
I Really Like You (Bleachers Remix) - Carly Rae Jepsen
Bend Me, Shape Me - Amen Corner
Somerset to London, 13-09-20
Dum Diddly - The Black Eyed Peas
Just A Little Bit (Motiv8-Radio Edit) - Gina G
Lovin' Each Day - Ronan Keating
Little Willy - Sweet
National Express - The Divine Comedy
Our House - Madness
Never Ending Story - Limahl
Best Of My Love - The Emotions
Shoulda Woulda Coulda - Beverley Knight
Delilah - Tom Jones
Little White Bull - Tommy Steele
Hocus Pocus - Focus
Summer Girls - LFO
Sandstorm (remix, blade techno opener) - Darude (Blow Your Mind vs Zombie Nation vs Blade)
Down Came The Rain - Mister Murray
Fill My Little World - The Feeling
She's Fresh - Kool & The Gang
Go - The Apples In Stereo
Private Number - Judy Clay & William Bell
The Streak - Ray Stevens
Wipe Out - The Surfaris
January - Pilot
You Get What You Give - New Radicals
Twist - Goldfrapp
Brimful Of Asha (The Norman Cook Remix Single Version) - Cornershop
Ooh Stick You - Daphne & Celeste
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher - Jackie Wilson
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! - Erasure
Rock this town - Stray Cats
Stronger than me - Amy Winehouse
Basket Case - Green Day
To Earth With Love - Gay Dad
West Side Story - LFO
Y.M.C.A. - Village People
Disco Inferno - The Trammps
Young Girl - Gary Puckett & The Union Gap
Dance Floor - The Apples In Stereo
Can You Dig It - The Mock Turtles
Centerfold - J. Geils Band
Sad Eyes - Robert John
Along Came Jones - Ray Stevens
I Can't Give You Anything But My Love - Stylistics
Birthday - Katy Perry
Me & You & A Dog Named Boo - Lobo
Tank! (Cowboy Bebop) - Yoko Ishida
I'm Blue - 5,6,7,8s
Whip It - Devo
Shang-A-Lang - Bay City Rollers
Red Dragon Tattoo - Fountains Of Wayne
California Love - 2Pac (feat. Dr. Dre)
Out Of My Heart - BBmak
Video Killed The Radio Star - Erasure
All Over The World - Electric Light Orchestra
Love Is in the Air - John Paul Young
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Can't Stop Movin' (Radio Edit) - Sonny J
Cotton Eye Joe (remix) - Rednex
My Perfect Cousin - The Undertones
Who Were You With In The Moonlight - Dollar
Celebration - Kool & The Gang
Rock The Boat - The Hues Corporation
Icarus (Radio Edit) - Madeon
Circles - Kate Tempest
Robert De Niro's Waiting - Bananarama
The Lion & Albert - Jarvis Cocker
Dancing Queen - ABBA
Rock With You - Michael Jackson
Do Re Mi - The Mighty Vikings
Batches & Cookies (feat. Sophia Eris) - Lizzo
You can do magic - America
Futurama Theme - Danny Elfman
Start Wearing Purple - Gogol Bordello
Crying at the discotheque (ext) - Alcazar
I Wanna be a Hippy - Technohead
Sherry - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Happy Days - Pratt & McClain with Brother Love
I Only Wanna Be With You (Alternative Vocal & Mix) - Dusty Springfield
Love Cliché - Bran Van 3000
Dance With Me - Orleans
London Is The Place For Me - Lord Kitchener
Brother Louie - Modern Talking
Jolene - Mindy Smith Feat. Dolly Parton
Shooting Star - Dollar
Moving On Up - M People
High Hopes - Doris Day
Uncle Sam - Madness
Ain't No Other Man Til You Get Enough - Christina Aguilera v. Michael Jackson
Shame (single) - Evelyn "Champagne" King
The Impression That I Get - The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
Baby (feat. Ludacris) - Justin Bieber
Lost Weekend - Lloyd Cole & The Commotions
Mah Na Mah Na - Mahna Mahna and The Two Snowths
Just What I Needed - The Cars
Somebody Else's Guy - Jocelyn Brown
Tonight I Fell In Love - The Tokens
Don't Get Me Wrong - Pretenders
Dance! - The Lambrettas
Le Freak - Chic
Every Other Time (Radio Edit) - LFO
What Is Love - Haddaway
Let your love flow - Bellamy Brothers
It's Getting Better (Single Version) - Mama Cass
Knock On Wood - Amii Stewart
You're Gorgeous - Babybird
It Takes A Muscle - M.I.A.
Hungry Like The Wolf - Reel Big Fish
Mr. Sandman - The Chordettes
I Really Like You (Bleachers Remix) - Carly Rae Jepsen
Bend Me, Shape Me - Amen Corner
Somerset to London, 13-09-20
Dum Diddly - The Black Eyed Peas
Just A Little Bit (Motiv8-Radio Edit) - Gina G
Lovin' Each Day - Ronan Keating
Little Willy - Sweet
National Express - The Divine Comedy
Our House - Madness
Never Ending Story - Limahl
Best Of My Love - The Emotions
Shoulda Woulda Coulda - Beverley Knight
Delilah - Tom Jones
Little White Bull - Tommy Steele
Hocus Pocus - Focus
Summer Girls - LFO
Sandstorm (remix, blade techno opener) - Darude (Blow Your Mind vs Zombie Nation vs Blade)
Down Came The Rain - Mister Murray
Fill My Little World - The Feeling
She's Fresh - Kool & The Gang
Go - The Apples In Stereo
Private Number - Judy Clay & William Bell
The Streak - Ray Stevens
Wipe Out - The Surfaris
January - Pilot
You Get What You Give - New Radicals
Twist - Goldfrapp
Brimful Of Asha (The Norman Cook Remix Single Version) - Cornershop
Ooh Stick You - Daphne & Celeste
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher - Jackie Wilson
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! - Erasure
Rock this town - Stray Cats
Stronger than me - Amy Winehouse
Basket Case - Green Day
To Earth With Love - Gay Dad
West Side Story - LFO
Y.M.C.A. - Village People
Disco Inferno - The Trammps
Young Girl - Gary Puckett & The Union Gap
Dance Floor - The Apples In Stereo
Can You Dig It - The Mock Turtles
Centerfold - J. Geils Band
Sad Eyes - Robert John
Along Came Jones - Ray Stevens
I Can't Give You Anything But My Love - Stylistics
Birthday - Katy Perry
Me & You & A Dog Named Boo - Lobo
Tank! (Cowboy Bebop) - Yoko Ishida
I'm Blue - 5,6,7,8s
Whip It - Devo
Shang-A-Lang - Bay City Rollers
Red Dragon Tattoo - Fountains Of Wayne
California Love - 2Pac (feat. Dr. Dre)
Out Of My Heart - BBmak
Video Killed The Radio Star - Erasure
All Over The World - Electric Light Orchestra
Love Is in the Air - John Paul Young
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