Topic Reading-Vol.2857-2/6/2020

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Artificial intelligence-created medicine to be used on humans for first time

By now, most people know that artificial intelligence is applied to analyze, judge and solve a wide range of issues, such as translating languages naturally, analyzing questions and suggesting responses, predicting customer traffic and adjusting inventory, and diagnosing patients, not to mention beating chess or go champions. Indeed, while the automation does what humans used to do physically faster, AI does what humans can think and judge more accurately and swiftly. Also, you might have heard that AI is becoming even creative, innovative and inventive, such as writing stories, playing music with other musicians, and developing new medicine. Now, AI has invented a drug molecule to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD. It was created only in a year or so by using algorithms to check potential compounds against a huge database of parameters, which could have taken years if humans experts had tried. The AI created molecule is going to be tested in humans soon.

Will AI exceed human ingenuity in all aspects?

Enjoy reading the article and learn about this AI invention.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-51315462

Topic Reading-Vol.2885-3/5/2020

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Children facing uncertain future, experts warn

Despite the agreement on 17 sustainable development goals, SDGs, in 2015, very little improvement has seen in hunger, poverty, and climate action in the world. Those who have been enjoying their lives and dying within the next few decades especially in developed countries don’t seem to care so much about climate change. However, those who are growing now are going to have to live in the world that faces a rise in ocean levels, heatwaves, malnutrition and infectious diseases like malaria as a result of global warming. They are also threatened by another human-created health problem, junk foods, and sugary drinks. Over two billion people including children, or roughly 30% of the world’s population, are overweight while 150 million children suffer malnutrition. TV commercials and target ads in social media that promote unhealthy foods and drinks are to blame. Both climate change and junk food ads are created by adults and are threatening the future of their offspring. Does any other creature on the planet do such a self-destructive act?

Read the article and think if human ingenuity is going to save or keep harming the future.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51547441

Topic Reading-Vol.2856-2/5/2020

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

GM and Honda unveil self-driving car with no steering wheel or pedals

Would you like to use a ride-sharing service? If yes, what about a driver-less, six-seater electric van? Such an autonomous vehicle is about to be seen on the road soon. The Origin, developed by an autonomous-vehicle unit of GM and Honda, has no driving features like a steering wheel, gas pedal, rearview mirrors or windshield wipers but has only seats and seatbelts for six passengers. There is no doorknob, either. To get in this boxy car, a rider needs to punch the code that was sent to your smartphone on the keypad outside the vehicle. The sliding door is wide enough for two people to get in or out at the same time. You won’t be able to buy this futuristic autonomous car as it is designed for the ride-sharing fleet. So, someday, you may be picked up by this driverless car somewhere. No matter how accommodating and comfortable the ride may be, it won’t ask you for a tip. That’s for sure.

But wait a minute. Is there space to put your luggage in?

Enjoy reading the article and think if and when you may ride a fully autonomous, electric ride-sharing vehicle without luggage but with five other passengers.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/22/tech/cruise-origin-gm-honda/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2855-2/4/2020

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

France to ban culling of unwanted male chicks by end of 2021

If a chick is born male, his life most likely ends before long. That’s because male chickens are economically unwanted. Male chicks neither grow as fast as nor lay eggs like hens do. Each year, while billions of hens are used in egg and poultry farming, a similar number of male chicks are slaughtered either by gas or grinders as soon as they are sorted after birth. So, most chickens living on the planet are hens. No gender equality for chicks whatsoever.  

France is now taking a new step to end this culling practice after birth. They announced to ban this mass killing of newborn chicks by the end of next year with an expectation that new technologies are going to be developed to identify the gender before hatching. That sounds less inhumane than killing chicks after hatching. Selective hatching, in short.

Read the article and learn about if human laws supersede the law of nature.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51301915

Topic Reading-Vol.2854-2/3/2020

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Here's one way to cut down on plastic pollution: Eat your bowl

In the last century, our priority was to create economical solutions and produce them on a massive scale. Single-use plastic products are the most notable example, such as bags, wraps, and tableware. But they are not bio-degradable so that once used, they become waste. Of the 300 million tons of plastic waste produced each year, less than 15% of that is recycled. Using paper is one of the practical solutions to reduce the use of single-use plastic. Paper bags, straws, and dishes are good alternatives. But they still end up in landfills or incinerators.

Is there anything that is biodegradable and consumable? One South African company came up with an edible bowl that is made from wheat. This began bowl can hold a hot meal for up to five hours and be stored for as long as 15 months. Sounds like a perfect alternative for tableware used in fast-food restaurants, outside events, and airplanes. Though it costs more than plastic tableware, it can be part of the meal like bread. Not so different from an ice-cream cone or taco shells.

Enjoy reading the article and learn about this edible tableware.

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/29/business/edible-bowls-south-africa-intl/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2853-2/2/2020

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Lunar New Year: 11 things to know

Still in New Year holidays? Though China’s Lunar New Year / Spring Festival holiday was supposed to end on January 24, it was extended at least to today nationwide and even longer in some major cities like Shanghai in an effort to contain the fast-spreading, deadly, novel coronavirus outbreak. Public movement, large gatherings, festival events, and businesses are all restricted. Only the shops that sell daily necessities are open but with limited supply.

A novel coronavirus outbreak and traditional spring holidays are taking place in China at the same time. Neither of which is well known outside China, save the fact that both affect many people and all kinds of activities. But at least, you can learn more about the most important holiday and its activities in China. During the holidays, they move to reunite with their family members, relatives and friends and do special things and don’t do certain things that are considered bad luck. They also wear red clothes, make large noises, and watch special movies and dramas. Everyone adds another age as it is the beginning of the new year.

Sounds interesting?

Enjoy reading the article and learn what Chinese do during the Spring Festival holiday season.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/lunar-new-year-things-to-know/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2852-2/1/2020

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Coronavirus: What it does to the body

As over 10,000 people have been confirmed to have been infected, the World Health Organization, WHO, declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. It is now defined as an extraordinary event that constitutes a public health risk beyond China through the international spread of disease, and potentially require a coordinated international response. Previous emergencies have included Ebola, Zika and H1N1. Despite China’s all-time effort to contain the virus, including locking down nearly 60 million people, banning group travels, and extending the Spring Holidays, there were more than 100 confirmed cases in 20 places outside of China at the end of January.

What do you know about this novel coronavirus? What are the symptoms? What does it do to the human’s body and health? Who is more vulnerable to the virus than others?

Read the article to learn about this deadly, fast-spreading coronavirus.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-51214864