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Let’s Embrace Technology, Says Mnangagwa After Blocking Starlink – ZimEye – Zimbabwe News

Let’s Embrace Technology, Says Mnangagwa After Blocking Starlink

19 April 2024

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President Emmerson Mnangagwa has rallied Zimbabweans to embrace national values with pride saying it is the foundation of unity and development.

He said this while addressing learners who attended the Independence Children’s party held in Murambinda, Buhera this Wednesday.

It is the eve of the country’s Independence Day celebrations and thousands of students from across the country converged at Murambinda B Primary School in Buhera this Wednesday for the children’s party.

Addressing the gathering, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said citizens should embrace the values of the country’s liberators.

“We should embrace the values of our liberation, by always respecting and loving one another. Your language, culture and traditions might be different but you are all Zimbabweans. You are great, great-grandchildren of Munhumutapa, we are a united people. We fought for our Independence and freedom from colonial rule, now we are a free people. You, our children, must always be proud of being Zimbabwean, our rich history and national identity. You, our boys and girls, will tomorrow ensure that our country reaches greater heights. The extraordinary talents together with the education you are getting are set to give you many career paths to choose from, for successful lives.

“The Government as well as parents and teachers are here for you so that you will grow up to be patriotic and disciplined adults who can transform Zimbabwe into a modern and developed country. I want you to also grow up and become people who are aware of the wealth of our country, land, minerals and environment. These resources must be always used to develop our communities and the country as a whole. You must defend and protect this wealth. I want you our children to know that long-lasting development will only be achieved when you live peacefully with each other, you must also have good character and always respect your elders. These are the values that will protect the independence and freedom we are celebrating today,” he said.

President Mnangagwa also emphasised the need to adopt science and technology in schools.

He added, “The National Development Strategy recognises the role of education towards lifting many out of poverty into prosperity. Education is also a tool to develop skilled workers for the growth of our nation. The government has committed to providing education that paves the way for a brighter future for all of you. Our education system is focusing on Science, Technology, and Innovation, starting from Early Childhood Development. We are transforming and establishing Science Laboratories across primary and secondary schools. This will promote the learning of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. In addition, we are rolling out mobile science laboratories and equipping our schools with centres for Information Communication Technologies.”

He also urged school authorities to create a safe environment for children to shun drug and substance abuse.

“In line with the Global Safe to Learn Commitments, comprehensive programmes are in place to make sure that all our learning institutions remain safe for both pupils and staff. These include safeguards for early reporting and response to all cases of bullying and the abuse of harmful drugs and substances. I call upon school authorities to diligently carry out their duties and create safe and healthy spaces for our children. Similarly, I encourage you our young people to be responsible at your schools, homes and within the community in general.

“You must always listen and accept the guidance of your parents, teachers and those senior to you. Engaging in harmful activities such as drug and substance abuse as well as the irresponsible use of ICTs, destroys the moral fabric of our country. You should use social media, content creation and ICTs for good not to spread bad behaviour. Instead, focus on building a bright future for yourselves, your families and our nation, with education as a stepping stone. Going forward, our national strategies will continue to focus on educating pupils and fostering a positive school environment as well as providing psycho-social support to have well-rounded children in all our communities,” said the President.

The Independence Children’s party was punctuated by entertainment from various schools, while students had an opportunity to interact with the leadership.

Zimbabwe is celebrating its independence under the theme: Zim @44: Unity, Peace and Development towards Visions 2030,’ hence the emphasis by President Mnangagwa on the need to uphold peace.

ZBC News

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Exoplanet found in the habitable zone of a binary star system – Earth.com

In a major advancement in space science, astronomers and citizen scientists have discovered an exoplanet within the habitable zone of a binary star system. This system features not only two stars but potentially another exoplanet as well.

As it passed in front of one of its stars, the planet, similar in size and composition to Neptune, momentarily blocked the star’s light in an event resembling a solar eclipse on Earth.

Scientists typically use this discovery method, known as the “transit method,” to find planets that orbit close to their host stars.

Transiting planets on long orbital periods

The new planet, officially named TOI 4633 c but also known as Percival, breaks the mold with its lengthy 272-day orbit. This makes it a rare find due to its relatively distant position from its star.

“Transiting planets on long orbital periods, in particular, allow for new investigations into the formation, migration, and long-term stability of planetary systems,” wrote the study authors. “The comparison between planets with short and long orbital periods, for example, allows us to probe how equilibrium temperatures affect planet formation.”

Citizen scientists and exoplanet discoveries

Citizen scientists participating in the Planet Hunters TESS program first brought this discovery to light as they sifted through data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).

These volunteers, from all corners of the globe, play a crucial role in identifying celestial bodies that might otherwise be missed by automated systems.

Simon Bentzen, a Danish citizen scientist and an active participant since 2018, shared his excitement about the discovery. “Every time I spot a possible transit, I can feel my heart beat faster and my excitement rise extensively. I’m very happy that I helped find the new system. I hope that the new planets can help contribute to our understanding of planet formation and help answer other interesting planetary questions,” said Bentzen.

Exoplanet in a binary star system

Further investigations show the planet orbits the brighter star of a tight binary system, so close that the stars appear as one from Earth. Historical data over 119 years confirmed their binary nature.

The lead researcher and principal investigator of the Planet Hunters TESS project, Nora Eisner, elaborated on the significance of this system.

“Finding planets in multi-star systems is crucial for our understanding of how you can make different planets out of the same material,” said Eisner. “It’s quite exciting that we found this one because planets are estimated to be half as likely to form in a binary star system compared to single-star systems.”

Prospects for moon discovery and life potential

The excitement surrounding this discovery does not stop at the planet itself. Since TOI 4633 c is in the habitable zone and orbits a particularly bright star, it becomes a prime candidate for future exomoon detection campaigns.

While TOI 4633 c lacks a solid surface and is likely enveloped in a thick atmosphere of water vapor, hydrogen, and methane, any potential moons could offer solid surfaces possibly capable of supporting water and, by extension, life.

“If this planet were to have a moon, that moon would likely have a solid surface, which could then be a great place to find water,” said Eisner. She further noted that the unique orbital dynamics and brightness of the system enhance the feasibility of detecting moons around this exoplanet.

Exploring multi-star systems

Nearly half of all sunlike stars in our galaxy are part of multi-star systems, and the research presents a broader implication for the study of these systems.

“If we were able to constrain where the planets orbit, it would really offer a stepping stone to open up our understanding of exoplanet formation,” noted Eisner. Such insights could eventually allow scientists to make educated guesses about potential planetary bodies around other stars based on their observable properties.

Exoplanet discovery: Inspiring collaboration

The discovery of the exoplanet TOI 4633 c not only expands our knowledge of planetary systems but also underscores the invaluable contributions of citizen scientists in pushing the boundaries of space exploration.

It’s a testament to the synergy between professional scientists and enthusiastic amateurs, and a vivid reminder of the mysteries that still await us in the cosmic expanse.

The study is published in The Astrophysical Journal.

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The big quantum chill: Scientists modify common lab refrigerator to cool faster with less energy – Science Daily

By modifying a refrigerator commonly used in both research and industry, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have drastically reduced the time and energy required to cool materials to within a few degrees above absolute zero. The scientists say that their prototype device, which they are now working to commercialize with an industrial partner, could annually save an estimated 27 million watts of power, $30 million in global electricity consumption and enough cooling water to fill 5,000 Olympic swimming pools.

From stabilizing qubits (the basic unit of information in a quantum computer) to maintaining the superconducting properties of materials and keeping NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope cool enough to observe the heavens, ultracold refrigeration is essential to the operation of many devices and sensors. For decades, the pulse tube refrigerator (PTR) has been the workhorse device for achieving temperatures as cold as the vacuum of outer space.

These refrigerators cyclically compress (heat) and expand (cool) high pressure helium gas to achieve the “Big Chill,” broadly analogous to the way a household refrigerator uses the transformation of freon from liquid to vapor to remove heat. For more than 40 years, the PTR has proven its reliability, but it is also power-hungry, consuming more electricity than any other component of an ultralow temperature experiment.

When NIST researcher Ryan Snodgrass and his colleagues took a closer look at the refrigerator, they found that manufacturers had built the device to be energy efficient only at its final operating temperature of 4 kelvin (K), or 4 degrees above absolute zero. The team found that these refrigerators are extremely inefficient at higher temperatures — a big issue because the cooldown process begins at room temperature.

During a series of experiments, Snodgrass, along with NIST scientists Joel Ullom, Vincent Kotsubo and Scott Backhaus, discovered that at room temperature, the helium gas was under such high pressure that some of it was shunted through a relief valve instead of being used for cooling. By changing the mechanical connections between the compressor and the refrigerator, the team ensured that none of the helium would be wasted, greatly improving the efficiency of the refrigerator.

In particular, the researchers continually adjusted a series of valves that control the amount of helium gas flowing from the compressor to the refrigerator. The scientists found that if they allowed the valves to have a larger opening at room temperature and then gradually closed them as cooling proceeded, they could reduce the cooldown time to between one half and one quarter of what it is now. Currently, scientists must wait a day or more for new quantum circuits to be cold enough to test. Since the progress of scientific research can be limited by the time it takes to reach cryogenic temperatures, the faster cooldown provided by this technology could broadly impact many fields, including quantum computing and other areas of quantum research. The technology developed by the NIST team could also allow scientists to replace large pulse tube refrigerators with much smaller ones, which require less supporting infrastructure, Snodgrass said.

The need for these refrigerators will greatly expand as research on quantum computing, along with its reliance on cryogenic technology, continues to grow. The modified PTR would then save a much greater amount of money, electrical energy and cooling water. In addition to supporting a burgeoning quantum economy, the device would also expedite research because scientists would no longer have to wait days or weeks for qubits and other quantum components to cool.

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‘Masters of the Universe’ Movie Gets 2026 Release Date – Hollywood Reporter

The long gestating, live-action Masters of the Universe film is finally getting a release date. Amazon MGM has dated the Mattel film for a June 5, 2026 worldwide theatrical release.

The film will follow, according to its synopsis, “10-year-old Prince Adam who crashed to Earth in a spaceship and was separated from his magical Power Sword—the only link to his home on Eternia. After tracking it down almost two decades later, Prince Adam is whisked back across space to defend his home planet against the evil forces of Skeletor. But to defeat such a powerful villain, Prince Adam will first need to uncover the mysteries of his past and become He-Man: the most powerful man in the Universe!”

Travis Knight is directing from a script by Chris Butler. Mattel Films’ Robbie Brenner, and Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch are producing.

Mattel’s Masters of the Universe brand was first introduced in 1982 via a line of action figures and later, in 1983, became the beloved animated series He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. A Masters movie has had a long development history in Hollywood, moving from Sony to Netflix to Amazon MGM, with several filmmakers attached at any given time including David Callaham and Aaron and Adam Nee, who are responsible for the original draft of the Amazon MGM movie.

Other films set for June 2026 include Toy Story 5 and the Universal movie from Everything Everywhere All at Once duo Daniels.