News Roundup: Dust Storm, Fake Pilots, NASA Renames HeadquartersNFK Editors - June 28, 2020Sahara Dust Cloud Blows Across CaribbeanEvery year, a large cloud of dust rises from the Sahara Desert and crosses the Atlantic Ocean before arriving in the Caribbean. The pattern is called the Saharan Air Layer. It’s part of a natural cycle that helps develop farmland and beaches in Central and South America.This year’s Saharan Air Layer is the largest in at least 50 years. The cloud covers an area as large as the United States and ranges between 1 mile (1.5 kilometers) and 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) in thickness.Every year, a large cloud of dust rises from the Sahara Desert and crosses the Atlantic Ocean before arriving in the Caribbean. The pattern is called the Saharan Air Layer. The map above shows dust crossing the Atlantic on June 28, 2018.(Source: NASA EarthObservatory.)The dust cloud has blanketed much of the Caribbean and Mexico in a thick haze, raising temperatures and lowering visibility. The dust cloud is also bringing dangerous levels of pollution.Puerto Rico has been hit hard by the cloud. At one point its air quality was rated at 305 – almost twice as high as its previous record of 154. Air quality ratings above 150 are considered “Unhealthy”. Over 300, they’re considered “Hazardous” (dangerous).Embed from Getty ImagesThe dust cloud has blanketed much of the Caribbean and Mexico in a thick haze, raising temperatures and lowering visibility. The dust cloud is also bringing dangerous levels of pollution. Above, Puerto Rico on June 22.Over the weekend, the dust cloud hit the southeastern United States, covering states like Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas.Though the dust cloud will slowly break up over time, a second cloud may be forming behind it.There are two advantages to the dust cloud. The first is that it makes thunderstorms and hurricanes less likely to form. The second is that since red and orange light have an easier time getting through the cloud, the dust can make sunrises and sunsets especially beautiful.Pakistan Discovers 30% of Pilots Have Fake LicensesThe Pakistani Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is in charge of airlines and flying in Pakistan, reported last week that around 30% of the country’s pilots had fake flying licenses. The result is part of an investigation that started back in February, 2019.The CAA says the country has about 860 active pilots, and as many as 262 of them may be flying with fake licenses.The Pakistani Civil Aviation Authority reported last week that around 30% of the country’s pilots had fake flying licenses. As a result, Pakistan International Airlines has told 150 of its pilots that they’re no longer allowed to fly.(Source: Aleem Yousaf [CC BY-SA], via Wikimedia Commons.)The news has caused Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to take a close look at its 434 pilots. As a result, PIA has told 150 of its pilots that they’re no longer allowed to fly.There is a strong focus on the skills of pilots in Pakistan now, following a crash last month that killed 98 people. The crash was judged to be the result of pilot error.NASA Renames Headquarters After Mary JacksonNASA has renamed its headquarters in Washington, DC for Mary Jackson. Ms. Jackson was a math expert who became NASA’s first black female engineer in 1958. At that time, few black people and few women were given jobs with such a high level of responsibility.NASA renamed its headquarters in Washington, DC for Mary Jackson. Ms. Jackson was a math expert who became NASA’s first black female engineer in 1958. Above, Ms. Jackson stands in front of a NASA computing machine in 1977.(Source: NASA [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.)A book (and movie) called “Hidden Figures” told the story of Ms. Jackson and two other highly talented black women who worked for NASA in the early days. The name “hidden figures” refers to the fact that though the women were an important part of NASA’s efforts to put a person on the moon, they weren’t given much credit for their work.Now NASA is trying to make sure the women are remembered. Last year, the street in front of NASA’s headquarters was renamed “Hidden Figures Way.”Sourceswww.npr.orgwww.laht.comwww.voanews.comedition.cnn.comwww.scmp.comwww.voanews.comwww.laht.comwww.npr.orgwww.smithsonianmag.comShare:
Table of ContentsToggleIntroductionFirst, Accept your FeelingsRemember that You are not DisappointedSpend Time with YourselfRelocate on what you Still got in Your LifeDiscuss it with Someone NearbyIf the Expectations are Perfect, Adjust themTake a BreakFind Your Energy and Motivation Again with the Help of OthersFind a Small Step and Start Moving Forward AgainImprove Self-EsteemSo how do you improve your Self-Esteem?IntroductionDisappointment? it can hurt. Sometimes a little. Sometimes a lot. It can drag you into negative funk for days or weeks.But suppose you learn how to deal with that disappointment healthier and more helpful way. In that case, it can be less scary and less painful and a stepping stone or learning experience for further personal growth.First, Accept your FeelingsDisappointment hurts. And that’s fine.Don’t try to push it away. And don’t try to hide it with a big smile.I have found that it would work better not to be swept away by such a fascinating impulse.But instead of accepting my feelings. Put it all in and hurt for a while.Because that way, it goes faster and has less pain in handling what happened in the long run.On the other hand, if I refuse to feel honest, those emotions can appear later at unexpected times. And it makes me grumpy, pessimistic or passive-aggressive.Remember that You are not DisappointedJust because you’re disappointed, frustrated, or made a mistake and let someone down doesn’t mean you’ve been disappointed or unsuccessful.And this situation you are in will not last forever, even if I feel that way today.The Truth is:Just because you are disappointed today, or someone is disappointed doesn’t mean you will be tomorrow or later.It doesn’t label you as a disappointment (unless you label yourself).If you keep moving forward and taking action, you will move on and improve.Spend Time with YourselfInstead of getting lost in the pain of negative emotions that can come from disappointment, choose to see it more as something you can learn valuable things (and help you grow).You can do it by asking yourself a better question.Maybe you will learn that you can probably communicate better when you are in a similar situation or working with someone else on a task or project.Or we need to improve the balance between rest and work to avoid mistakes or think more clearly.You may realize that you need to make a big difference in your life and that you need to spend less time with someone who has let you down many times (or makes you always feel disappointed no matter how hard you are) or not to spend any time at all. Try).Relocate on what you Still got in Your LifeTo move on, shift your effort to what you still got in your life.People, passion, and what you might sometimes take for granted, for example, the roof on your head and clean water.By taking advantage of gratitude in this way, I can put things into perspective and let disappointment overwhelm me and keep the week going crazy.Discuss it with Someone NearbyAs already mentioned, getting a healthier and broader perspective on what happened is an integral part of dealing with disappointment in a better way.And one of the utmost potent ways to do it is in my experience of shed it on the light and discussing it with someone close to you.Venting when your friends are just listening allows you to release that inner pressure, sort things out yourself, and accept what happened instead of pushing it away or ignoring it.And if the two are discussing it, you can see the situation through someone else’s eyes and from a different perspective.This person can help you ground yourself and avoid making mountains from molehills. And the two of you can come together to start an action plan on how you move forward.If the Expectations are Perfect, Adjust themDemanding or expecting perfection from yourself or others often disappoints.So adjust your expectations a little.If you’re disappointed with what you did, what someone else did, or how things in your life have changed, ask yourself.Will this be a problem in 5 years? or five weeks?It’s one thing that helped me a lot, from making mountains out of molehills and adjusting my expectations.Another helpful thing is to remind yourself that if you favour the myth of perfection, you will hurt yourself and the people in your life.Because such myths you may have picked up from movies, songs, and simply what the world or Instagram highlight reels are telling you collides with reality and tends to:It causes a lot of stress and suffering to you and those around you.You’ll be afraid again to let someone else down or let down, so you’ll be caught up in procrastinating.Your expectations are outside of this world so that you will harm or, in some cases, end relationships, jobs, projects, etc.Putting this reminder at the forefront of my mind and sometimes writing it down on paper helped me adjust my expectations and reduce my suffering and disappointment.Take a BreakJust focusing on your goals and always working towards them can cause unnecessary stress and cause loss of your perspective.And sometimes, you need a break to get through the disappointment. So take a break, recharge and have fun.After you take that time out of your goals and dreams, you will probably be in a better place to accept and learn what happened and move forward again.When you’re at this higher level, take a moment to see how to improve the balance between work and restful downtime.I’ve found that balancing these two usually makes it relatively easy to handle setbacks and not go the way you want in a more constructive and mentally central way.Find Your Energy and Motivation Again with the Help of OthersWith the help of others, boost your spirits, motivate and positive thinking.It can be with the help of conversations with friends, family, or colleagues.But help (and sometimes in time) from others far away in the world. For example, update your focus and motivation to keep moving toward your dreams in the following ways:Books (motivating, or perhaps biographies of people you respect) and podcasts.Movies, TV shows and Youtube channels.Online forums and social media channels.Spend anywhere from 10-60 minutes with one or several such sources to find new energy and changes in your thinking.Find a Small Step and Start Moving Forward AgainAfter accepting the situation, you will probably learn something from it, motivate yourself, and move forward again.However, you don’t have to make a giant, bold leap.When I’m in this place myself, I usually try to come up with the start of a small action plan to at least moveforward. I do it with someone, like a wife, for example, or on my own.Next, you’ll break the plan down into smaller action steps. And let’s get down to the first step of these steps.Once we start procrastinating with that step, we will break it down into even smaller steps and act like one of them.Improve Self-EsteemBy improving my self-esteem, I avoided being dragged into self-criticism or negative emotions after disappointment.It also helped me handle setbacks with an equal mind and more emotional stability without disappointing myself as often as I used to.It also makes it easier to feel better about yourself without blaming others, learn more from this situation and get better results next time.So how do you improve your Self-Esteem?Here are some of the most helpful tips and habits I’ve found:Write down three things in the evening that you are grateful for yourself.Spend 20 – 30 minutes at the end of the day asking yourself. What are three things you can evaluate about yourself?Write down your answers on your notebook, laptop, or smartphone. It will help you start to focus on positive things about yourself and stop being so self-critical.
For those who enjoy the thrill of gambling combined with a luxurious lifestyle, the finest gambling guide might be a lifesaver in the world of casinos. Having the correct guide can improve your gaming experience and assist you in making wise selections, regardless of your level of experience or desire to explore the world of gambling. In this extensive blog post, we’ll examine the value of having a trustworthy gambling guide, examine what makes the best guides, and offer advice on how to locate the ideal tool for your needs.Table of ContentsToggleThe Importance of a Complete Gambling HandbookWhich Gambling Guides Are the Best?How to Choose the Best Gambling HandbookConclusionThe Importance of a Complete Gambling HandbookThe best gambling guide is an invaluable tool for casino aficionados, offering a comprehensive array of advice, tactics, and insights to help them navigate the intricate world of gaming.. A trustworthy guide can enable players to make wise decisions and get the most out of their casino gaming experiences by outlining the rules of various games and offering advice on managing bankrolls and engaging in responsible gaming. A thorough gambling guide can be your go-to resource for anything with gambling, regardless of your interests in sports betting, table games, poker, or slots.Which Gambling Guides Are the Best?There are a tonne of gambling guides online, so it’s important to know what makes the best ones stand out. The top gaming guides have several essential characteristics:Accuracy and Reliability: The data in the handbook need to be current, accurate, and derived from reputable sources. Players should be able to rely on the information provided in the guide, whether it is regarding game regulations, odds estimates, or strategy advice.Variety of themes: To accommodate players’ varied interests and preferences, an extensive gambling guide covers a wide range of themes. The greatest guides have something for everyone, from in-depth tactics and business news to game tutorials and beginner’s guidelines.User-Friendly Format: The guide ought to be laid out in a way that makes it simple to read and navigate. A website, ebook, or mobile app should have an intuitive style and design that makes it simple for users to locate the information they require.Expert Insights: The greatest gambling manuals frequently include articles written by analysts, insiders, and experienced gamblers. These observations offer insightful viewpoints and strengthen the guide’s authority.How to Choose the Best Gambling HandbookNow that we know what produces the greatest gambling guides, let’s look at some suggestions for selecting the ideal one for your requirements:Investigate and Contrast: Invest some time in investigating and contrasting the various internet gambling manuals. Examine user evaluations, endorsements, and comments to determine each guide’s reliability and value.Think About Your Hobbies: When selecting a gaming guide, take your tastes and hobbies into account. Find a guide that suits your needs, whether you’re a novice looking for simple tutorials or an experienced player looking for advanced methods.Verify the Credentials: Seek out gambling recommendations that have been written by or approved by reliable people, such as well-known gaming websites, business leaders, or seasoned players. Verifying the qualifications of the writers or contributors can aid in ensuring the authenticity and dependability of the manual.Seek Recommendations: To find the greatest gambling guides, ask other casino fans or members of online gaming forums. Your options can be reduced and trustworthy sources can direct you towards trustworthy resources with the use of personal recommendations.Examine Various Formats: Take into account looking through gambling guidelines available on websites, in e-books, podcasts, or mobile applications, among other formats. Select a format that will allow you to easily access the guide whenever you need it and that meets your preferences.Community Involvement: Take into consideration a gambling guide that helps its users develop a feeling of camaraderie. Players can exchange strategies, tales, and counsel with other aficionados on forums, message boards, or social media pages linked to the book. Interacting with a group of people who share your interests can improve your gaming experience, give you support, and give you insightful information from the viewpoints of other gamers. Seek out resources that place a high value on community involvement; these can improve your entire gaming experience by introducing you to a thriving gaming community.ConclusionTo sum up, casino enthusiasts who want to improve their gaming experience and make wise judgements must locate the greatest gambling guide. A trustworthy gambling guide may be your trusted companion in the world of casino gaming, regardless of whether you’re a casual player trying to brush up on your skills or a serious gambler seeking expert insights and techniques. Through the consideration of several elements like accuracy, range of themes, easy-to-use format, and professional insights, gamers may locate the ideal guide to meet their needs and arm themselves with the necessary knowledge and tools to successfully traverse the thrilling world of gambling. Thus, let the greatest gambling guide serve as your go-to source for luck and lifestyle in the gaming business, whether you’re looking for advice on game methods, casino reviews, or industry news.
Brain Implant Brings Simple Vision to Blind ManNFK Editors - November 28, 2019Los Angeles, California —(Map)When Jason Esterhuizen was 23, an accident left him blind. Now, eight years later, special glasses and a device inside his brain are allowing him to make out some details of the world around him.When Mr. Esterhuizen had his accident in 2011, he was studying to be a pilot. But he had to give that up and focus instead on learning to deal with a world he couldn’t see.When Jason Esterhuizen was 23, an accident left him blind. Now special glasses and a device inside his brain are allowing him to make out some details of the world around him. The picture shows UCLA scientists checking Mr. Esterhuizen’s brain activity.(Source: UCLA.)He learned to read and write Braille – a system of writing created for blind people. He learned how to use a computer without seeing. And he learned how to get around as a blind person.Mr. Esterhuizen is from South Africa. In 2018, he and his wife moved to California in order to take part in a study that offered the possibility of helping him with his vision.After his accident, Mr. Esterhuizen had to learn how to get around as a blind person. In 2018, he and his wife (above) moved to California in order to take part in a study that offered the possibility of helping him with his vision.(Source: UCLA.)The study was being run by UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) and a company called Second Sight. The goal of the study was to test an unusual medical product called Orion.There are three important pieces to Orion. One part looks like a pair of glasses. But the glasses are really for holding a camera on the person’s head. They also send wireless signals. The second part of Orion is a tiny computer that processes the video from the camera.There are three important pieces to Orion. The glasses hold a camera and can send wireless signals. A tiny computer processes the camera’s video. And the brain implant receives signals from the glasses. Mr. Esterhuizen is shown practicing finding objects.(Source: UCLA.)So that’s where the “sight” comes from. But how does it get to the brain? The third part is a tiny device – an implant – that is inserted directly into the patient’s brain. That’s what’s new and different about Orion.For years, Second Sight and other companies have been working on ways to get visual information into the brains of blind people. Most of the efforts have focused on connecting to the retina – a layer at the back of the eye that turns light into electrical signals for the brain.Most efforts to bring sight to blind people have focused on connecting to the retina – a layer at the back of the eye that turns light into electrical signals (above). The light circle to the right is where the optic nerve leaves the retina, taking vision information to the brain.(Source: Alexander Churkin [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)By sending electrical signals to the retina, some visual information can be sent to the brain. So far Second Sight has given about 350 people retinal implants.But a retinal implant wasn’t possible for Mr. Esterhuizen. That’s why Orion’s direct connection to the brain was especially interesting to him. As Dr. Nader Pouratian, the surgeon who gave Mr. Esterhuizen his implant, said, “With the current system we’re testing, you don’t even need to have eyes for the device to work.”A retinal implant wasn’t possible for Mr. Esterhuizen. That’s why Orion’s direct connection to the brain interested him. Dr. Nader Pouratian, the surgeon who gave Mr. Esterhuizen his implant, said, “With the current system we’re testing, you don’t even need to have eyes for the device to work.” Above, Dr. Pouratian points to the location of the device.(Source: UCLA.)Mr. Esterhuizen’s vision isn’t “fixed”. He can’t see normally. But he can tell dark from light. He says he sees “little white dots on a black background, like looking up at the stars at night.”There are six people in the world trying out the Orion. Mr. Esterhuizen is one of two in the US.Mr. Esterhuizen’s vision isn’t “fixed”. He can’t see normally. But he can tell dark from light. “Now I can do things that I couldn’t do before,” he says. “I can sort the laundry, find my way in lighted hallways…and cross the street more safely. It’s making my life much easier.”(Source: UCLA.)“Now I can do things that I couldn’t do before,” Mr. Esterhuizen said. “I can sort the laundry, find my way in lighted hallways without using a cane, and cross the street more safely. It’s making my life much easier.”Sourceswww.voanews.comwww.uclahealth.orgonezero.medium.comwww.insideedition.comucla.multimedia-newsroom.comLos Angeles, CaliforniaView Larger MapShare:In April, Lego announced a new project with its famous bricks: the company is making Braille bricks to help blind students learn to read, write, and do math.Blind Sailor Sails Non-Stop Across the PacificNFK Editors - Apr 28, 2019Mitsuhiro Iwamoto has been blind since he was 16. He wanted to prove that his blindness didn’t limit what he can do. Last week Mr. Iwamoto became the first blind person to sail non-stop across the Pacific Ocean.You might be interested in…Scientists Surprised by Clever Fishing WolfNFK Editors - Dec 3, 2025In 2021, the Heiltsuk Nation in Canada set traps to catch invasive European green crabs. The traps kept getting destroyed, and no one knew how. When scientists set up a camera to learn what was going on, they got a surprise: a clever wolf had used a series of complicated steps to get food from the trap.Pig Kidney Transplant Trial Begins in USNFK Editors - Nov 12, 2025Doctors at a hospital in New York have begun a program that will test whether specially designed pig kidneys can be used to replace human kidneys. The results of the trial program could help thousands of people who are waiting for a new kidney.ISS Celebrates 25 Years of People Living in SpaceNFK Editors - Nov 6, 2025This week marks 25 years of humans living in space. On November 2, 2000, three astronauts became the first full-time workers at the International Space Station. Since then, the ISS has never been empty.Is Seeing Believing? AI Videos Look Extremely RealNFK Editors - Nov 5, 2025Over the last year or so, the quality of AI-generated videos has become so good that it’s extremely difficult to tell whether a video is real or not. An English TV channel recently ran a show about AI. At the end of the episode, the “woman” presenting the show announced that she wasn’t real.
With the rise of social media, an accompanying flood of new influencers has also come to fruition; anyone with a passion and talent within the beauty industry can chase their dreams of becoming a beauty vlogger. Whether it’s sharing your beauty tips, healthy lifestyle, or any other fun aspect of your life with an online audience, the role has become increasingly popular.With the accessibility of technology and the internet, it has never been easier to access an online audience – it all starts with you. So, what exactly might you need to start on this incredible venture? We’ve included a few key essentials below.The right digital equipmentA good camera is item one on the list of necessities for becoming a successful influencer. Starting with a cheap-mid range camera is recommended for first-timers; you can always upgrade depending on your success!To complement the camera, a good lighting tool is crucial – the natural golden hour only comes once a day if we’re lucky, after all. Having a good ring light to circle your camera is a formula for success in beauty vlogging, so their importance can’t be stressed enough. Another key aspect to consider is the ease of moving the equipment; if you’re constantly on the move and vlogging in new places, you need ‘gear-on-the-go’.Knowing exactly what to pack in the limited baggage space you have is tricky. ExpressVPN’s tech survival kit has a great summary of essentials, including power banks, universal adaptors, and a portable hotspot. Having your equipment die or crash while on the road is not ideal. Bringing spares and backups will save you from any dire situations – and from disappointing your fans by not being able to post while you’re away. Stay prepared!A true passionThe most successful vloggers did not reach the position they are in today by simply buying the best equipment. The latest Sony camera can only take you so far: to get to the top, a burning passion for beauty is essential. Viewers are not interested in listening to an influencer drone on about a product or service that they do not like or care about. True influence comes from the sharing of genuine feelings, emotions, and preferences. Therefore, having an actual passion for the beauty industry will see you strive for success out of love for the field, not just the short-term goal of a few dollars (these will come later!).A nicheGrowing to understand your strengths and weaknesses as well as your likes and dislikes is a key process in developing your niche. Your personal brand should not become ‘diluted’ in the sense that you cover too many areas too thinly. Instead, aim for a specific area of interest – like Vlogger Zoella’s ‘Zoella Beauty’, for example. This not only specifies your content but also targets a clearer audience: your new fanbase. Consistent content in your niche means that this audience can continue to tune into your channel, confident that your content suits them.Becoming a beauty vlogger is an attractive path to follow for many, but it is not an easy path to walk. As with anything, there are skills to learn, equipment to buy, and progress to be made. With an understanding of these three key things needed in the industry, be confident that you can give yourself a head start on your beauty journey.
Fashion trends come and go at lightning speed, but one is proving to have lasting effect on wardrobes. Workwear has gone from being associated with the working classes to being embraced by style communities and subcultures around the world, from skateboarders to British punks. It’s a category that has been a fixture on the sartorial landscape for quite some time but today it has gained newfound momentum in mainstream men’s and women’s fashion – helping to shape the way we get dressed and set a new style agenda for 2024. In all four fashion capitals this year, houses grounded their ready-to-wear collections in styles synonymous with workwear. Celine, Ferragamo and Brunello Cucinelli opted for suede trucker jackets in their collections, while Coach offered gabardine and denim dungarees. Versace and Prada paraded utility vests, while Fendi featured leather aprons and tool belts – an homage to the elegant uniforms worn by the workers in its new leather-manufacturing facility in the Tuscan town of Capannuccia. It joins MaxMara, where creative director Ian Griffiths looked to Britain’s Land Army with his dyed drill boiler suits and chore jackets, to inspire his collection for next spring. Designers across the luxury spectrum are referencing humble workwear archetypes, while original workwear brands such as Carhartt WIP and Dickies are enjoying renewed popularity.Utilitarian design by AspesiBut why the sudden appeal? For one, people are drawn to the way that workwear whispers smart-casual, says Lucie Greene, trend forecaster and founder of consultancy Light Years. “Workwear has almost become quiet luxury for the original hipsters,” she says. “As this group reaches financial maturity, it is starting to embrace the workwear aesthetic in a more refined way, looking for indulgent materials. But core design values, such as reductionism, sturdy quality and industrial cues, remain.” Pointing to new-wave workwear-inspired brands, including Alex Mill and Studio Nicholson, Greene notes that their appeal also lies in a unisex approach, creating “a modern uniform for anyone who wants elevated comfort”.Workwear addresses our demand for increased comfort while providing a refreshing alternative to the streetwear wave of the past decade. It also shines a spotlight on the value of embracing classic design and eschewing trends. “This reflects a broader social and cultural shift in values and preferences in which people are seeking authenticity, durability and functionality in their clothing choices,” says Carolyn Mair, author ofThe Psychology of Fashion. Mair notes that workwear fosters a mindset that views clothing as long-term investments. “By prioritising craftsmanship and wear-forever clothing, brands and consumers are embracing a paradigm that reduces consumption, extends the lifespan of clothing and minimises waste.”From a recent Fendi collectionWorkwear on the MaxMara runwaySuch is the continued appeal and success of the original workwear brands in hooking new customers, luxury designers need to elevate and move the design along to offer something fresh. Labels such as Japan-based Sacai (which has recently collaborated with Carhartt WIP), Britain’s Olly Shinder and Fendi have all been helping to diversify the market, so much so that today the swing tags of workwear garments oscillate from accessible to premium. At luxury multibrand retail outfit Matches Fashion, menswear buyer Alexander Francis has bought into workwear styles from Carhartt WIP, Drake’s, RRL and Visvim, some of which are under the £100 mark (€115) and average around the contemporary price bracket. “All these brands offer go-anywhere, do-anything products at a selection of price points,” he says. “We are seeing customers looking for styles that can work in the office and at the weekend. It’s about buying less but buying smarter – and workwear really talks to this shift in behaviour.”While Francis doesn’t predict a return to the head-to-toe workwear dressing of the early 2010s, he points to “die-hard” workwear style icons such as Daniel Day Lewis and John Mayer “who show that a uniform approach to workwear remains a classic look”. The uniform element of workwear strikes a chord: see the rise of the Danish fashion industry or bellwether brands such as Prada using their fashion shows to celebrate uniforms associated with the care sector and workwear (the irony of a €4,000 full-length donkey jacket noted). For Morten Thuesen and Letizia Caramia of uniform specialist Older, a Milan-based business, “uniform means longevity”. In the decade since they left their jobs at Alexander McQueen in London to explore the artistic potential in the industrial side of uniforms (their clients include the Noma Group, Tate Modern, Château Marmont and Flos), they have become experts in the space. “Uniforms have always been a fascinating aspect for fashion – it’s to do with the tailoring and understanding proportion,” says Thuesen. “Our ideology is that the uniform is democratic and that needs to be translated in the design but also the pricing, supply chain and production.” As for Lawrence Steele, a fellow Milan-based designer and creative director at Aspesi, uniforms have gone from symbols of restriction to a form of “liberation” from the daily task of getting dressed. It’s by the same notion that workwear is again in the spotlight. “Craft used to be seen only in terms of hand-sewn garments, while manufacturing had associations with mass production and low quality,” says Greene. “New-wave workwear highlights the intersection of hand craft and old-school manufacturing, associated with true skill in small-batch production, ingenuity in mechanical machines and pride in clothing emerging from factory towns.” It hails a new era. As Mair puts it, this chapter in fashion won’t be defined by a trend for a change but “a fundamental shift in the psychological relationship that people have with their wardrobes”.
Scientists Invent a Lickable “Taste Display”NFK Editors - June 4, 2020Tokyo, Japan —(Map)Scientists at Meiji University in Japan have come up with something they call a “taste display”. The device can create the taste of any chosen flavor when it is pressed against the tongue.Humans are able to identify different flavors through the taste buds on their tongues. If you look at your tongue in a mirror, you’ll see lots of tiny bumps. These aren’t your taste buds, but most of the bumps contain taste buds – hundreds of them.Humans are able to identify different flavors through the taste buds on their tongues. If you look at your tongue in a mirror, you’ll see lots of tiny bumps. Most of the bumps contain hundreds of taste buds.(Source: Anthonylightening [CC BY-SA], via Wikimedia Commons.)Taste buds have tiny openings that take in very small amounts of whatever we’re eating. Special “receptor cells” in the taste buds can then have a chemical reaction to the food, creating one of five basic tastes. The way these basic tastes combine creates the overall flavor of the food we’re eating.The five basic tastes are sweet, sour (or acidic), salty, bitter, and umami. Bitter flavors are sharp, like coffee, unsweetened chocolate, or the peel of an orange or lemon.The five basic tastes are sweet, sour (or acidic), salty, bitter, and umami. Bitter flavors are sharp, like coffee, unsweetened chocolate, or the peel of an orange or lemon. Umami is sometimes called “savory”. Above, a labeled view of the end of the new “taste display”.(Source: Homei Miyashita .)The fifth taste may sound unusual. It wasn’t even given a name until 1908. Umami is sometimes called “savory”. It’s a rich taste, common in soups, gravies, cheeses, and soy sauce. Umami can help bring out other tastes.Together, these five basic tastes create the flavors of everything we eat. Different amounts of these basic tastes create completely different flavors. That’s the main idea behind the “Norimaki Synthesizer” – the new taste display.The five basic tastes create the flavors of everything we eat. Different amounts of these basic tastes create completely different flavors. That’s the main idea behind the “Norimaki Synthesizer” (above).(Source: Homei Miyashita .)The device’s creator, Homei Miyashita, got the idea for calling it a “taste display” from computer screens. Computer screens are made up of thousands of little pixels which are only able to show red, green, or blue. But the color purple, for example, can be displayed by mixing red and blue.The “Norimaki Synthesizer” works roughly the same way, but with tastes. One part of the device is a tube that is held in the hand and touched to the tongue. Inside this tube are five smaller tubes. Each contains a gel with the chemicals needed to create one of the five basic tastes.One part of the device is a tube that is held in the hand and touched to the tongue. Inside this tube are five smaller tubes. Each contains a gel with the chemicals needed to create one of the five basic tastes.(Source: Homei Miyashita .)The tube is covered with copper. When the tip is touched to the tongue, an electric circuit is formed. That electric circuit begins to release tiny amounts of the gels to the taste buds.When the tube touches the tongue with no added electricity, the user can taste all five tastes. But, by using a small box with sliding controls, the amount of different tastes can be lowered, creating different flavors.The researchers have been able to create sweet flavors like a gummy candy and more salty and sour tastes like sushi, simply by moving the sliders around.When the tube touches the tongue, the user can taste all five basic tastes. But, by using a small box with sliding controls, the amount of different tastes can be lowered, creating different flavors. The researchers have created flavors like gummy candy and sushi.(Source: Homei Miyashita .)The device doesn’t create anything you can smell, though. It also can’t produce the effect of spicy foods.The current version of the Norimaki Synthesizer is just a prototype – a rough version to test the idea.Mr. Miyashita believes that in the future, we may be able to share flavors over the internet. He says one day you may be able to see a meal on TV and actually be able to taste it.Check Yourself0/41. There are five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.True False2. Different amounts of the five basic tastes combine together to create different _______________.3. When the tip of the Norimaki Synthesizer is touched to the tongue, an _______________ circuit is formed.4. Can the Norimaki Synthesizer allow you to smell flavors, too?Yes NoDoes the Norimaki Synthesizer sound interesting to you? If you had one, what would you use it for?ResetSourceswww.hackster.iogizmodo.comwww.meiji.ac.jpwww.dezeen.comwww.digitaltrends.comen.wikipedia.orgTokyo, JapanView Larger MapShare: