NEWS & BLOG

Carlene Knight faced difficulties going about her daily routine as a result of a rare congenital eye disorder.

Her office at work was hard to maneuver initially, but since a new experiment, this has changed.

Medical experiment participants had their DNA modified by doctors in an attempt to improve their rare eye diseases. The modification required an injection directly into the cells in their bodies with the gene-editing tool called CRISPR.

Recent evidence has shown researchers that some patients are starting to see an improvement in their vision, allowing them to identify objects, utilize peripheral vision, and see colors.

Original Post by Rob Stein/NPR-All Things Considered

Read More Here: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/09/29/1040879179/vision-loss-crispr-treatment

Latinos’ uncontrollable absence in all forms of media can impact the way Americans view them, according to a new government report.

The report stemmed from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus requesting an investigation on it last October. The investigation was held by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

The report found that in 2019, the percentage of Latinos working in media (newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers) was 8%. Around 11% of Latinos were news analysts, reporters, and journalists. These percentages include Spanish-language networks. Latinos have between 5 and 6 percentage of representation in TV and film as main cast members.

With the small percentage of Latinos in the media, Latinos are often defined by negative stereotypes portrayed on screen.

Original post by Astrid Galvan/Associated Press News

Read More at: https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-media-business-e1194e7ff90b15af5cafe65555b9359b

Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week but later was extended to a month in 1988. It takes place from September 15^th to October 15^th.

This national observance is celebrated through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings, and more. The celebration of several Latin American countries takes place during this month as well.

On September 14, 2021, President Joe Biden issued a presidential proclamation on National Hispanic Heritage Month. In this proclamation, Biden gives recognition to Hispanic history and culture.

The acknowledgment of the observation brings awareness to citizens and allows more opportunities for support.

Original post by U.S Department of Education

Read More Here: https://sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/national-hispanic-heritage-month/

See the proclamation here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/09/14/a-proclamation-on-national-hispanic-heritage-month-2021/

Michael Brown was the lead astronomer of the campaign that demoted Pluto from the ninth planet in our solar system in 2006. Now he is in the process of discovering a ninth planet that is many times the size of Earth.

Along with being an astronomer, Brown is also a professor of planetary astronomy at the California Institute of Technology. Brown and coworker Konstantin Batygin created a study in 2016 with the hypothesis of a ninth planet. This study has recently been revisited.

Their latest study of the planet has been updated with observations of objects and asteroid clusters.

The planet has not been seen yet but their search continues.

Original post by Tom Metcalfe/NBC News

Read More Here: https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/astronomers-are-still-looking-elusive-planet-9-rcna1872

In Richmond, Virginia state officials searched for the 134-year-old time capsule that was believed to be buried at the pedestal of the Robert E. Lee statue.

The statue was removed after the yearlong order from Governor Ralph Northam. The order was placed after protests over racism and police brutality erupted across the country in the summer of 2020.

The removal of the 1887 time capsule was scheduled to be removed on the same day. After removing the statue and many heavy stones the state officials were not able to find it.

The crew worked and searched throughout the entire workday. The results left them disappointed with a small possibility for a continuation of the search.

Original Post By The Associated Press

Read More Here: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/search-comes-empty-1887-time-capsule-site-downed-robert-e-n1278883

A change in climate and an increase in natural disasters have caused disruption in the growth of crops in Indigenous communities.

Corn is very important to the farmers in these communities. Corn pollen or meal is traditionally used to pray for rains to nourish the crops and protect them.

New Mexico, Arizona, and other areas have been suffering from the climate change, which also affects animal feeding schedules and migration.

The impact of climate change has become more noticeable by the farmers and the people within their communities. This change also complicates their everyday life now that water and crops are scarce.

Original Post By Dan Ninham/Indian Country Today

Read More Here: https://indiancountrytoday.com/news/climate-chaos-indigenous-communities-hit-by-change

The Allen Coral Atlas is the first online map researched have created to act as a reference to the coral reef.

The atlas will give users detailed information about the local reefs, various types of submarine structures, and insight into areas as deep as 50 deep.

The researchers’ goals for the map are to inform policy decisions about protected areas, spatial planning for infrastructure, and to bring awareness to global warming and other factors that may stress the coral.

The idea of the digital atlas originated from the co-founder Paul Allen’s company, Vulcan Inc.

The company’s collaboration with Hawaiian researcher, Ruth Gates created the idea of “super coral” for reef restoration. In an attempt to save the reefs, Allen funded the project for $9 million.

Original Post By Caleb Jones/Associated Press

Read More Here: https://apnews.com/article/technology-climate-environment-and-nature-corals-coral-reefs-6ae12534db7c3c92c94aeed638853908

The impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast in 2005 was not only a local or regional tragedy, but it also became a national one.

“Disaster-collecting” was done by David Shayt not only for New Orleans but for the entire Gulf Coast affected area. His team traveled to the areas and found things and people to talk to right away.

Upon meeting residents and listening to their stories he collected a 1930s metal clarinet that was moldy and in a rotten case from the storm, photographs of a jazz performer, and other things that reflected the experiences of everyday people affected, like signs.

Original Post by Erin Blasco/Smithsonian Magazine

Read More Here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-american-history/2021/08/30/hurricane-katrina/