Regulation on mask purchases for foreigners in Taiwan

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  • 菲律賓國旗

  Baby saber-toothed cat mummy found in Siberia with intact skin, fur and toes is ‘mind-blowing,’ scientists say

  A mummified saber-toothed cat cub discovered in Siberia is creating excitement among paleontologists as the first known Homotherium latidens mummy. Its exceptional preservation, including intact fur, skin, and forelimbs, offers a glimpse into the species' anatomy and hunting adaptations. The cub's fur is short, dense, and surprisingly soft, while its claws and paw pads remain intact. Radiocarbon dating revealed the cub is over 35,000 years old, providing insights into its life during the Pleistocene epoch.The new mummy findings reveal that saber-toothed cubs differed dramatically from modern lion cubs of a similar age. The image above highlights differences in the skulls of the mummifed Homotherium latidens (A, B) and Panthera leo (C, D) at 3 weeks old. courtesy Prof. Alexey V. LopatinCompared to modern lion cubs, the saber-toothed cub displayed distinct features, such as a darker coat, shorter ears, longer forelimbs, and a larger mouth. Its circular paw shape, resembling a bear’s, suggests reliance on strong forearms to immobilize prey. Scientists noted this mummy allows for deeper understanding of saber-toothed cats' evolutionary history, as prior research relied on fossil scanning and modeling. Genetic analysis revealed Homotherium split from other ancient cats around 18 million years ago, making this mummy a rare link to feline evolutionary origins. Researchers are now examining its DNA and anatomy further, marveling at the discovery's historical significance.

  2024-11-24 09:00
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  • 菲律賓國旗

  McDonald's spends $100 million to lure customers back after E. coli outbreak

  McDonald’s is allocating $100 million to address the fallout from a recent E. coli outbreak linked to its Quarter Pounders, which sickened over 100 people across 14 states and damaged sales. The company is spending $35 million on marketing campaigns, including a value deal featuring 10-piece chicken nuggets for $1, and $65 million to support franchisees in affected states.The outbreak, traced to slivered onions on Quarter Pounders, caused a significant decline in sales and visits in October. McDonald’s stock dropped 7% over the past month, and multiple lawsuits have been filed. However, the company announced that recent tests found no E. coli in its food, and Quarter Pounders with onions have returned to menus nationwide. McDonald’s is spending $100 million on marketingIn a memo, McDonald’s emphasized its commitment to rebuilding trust, with North America chief impact officer Michael Gonda and chief marketing officer Tariq Hassan highlighting the brand's legacy of responsibility. CEO Chris Kempczinski stated that McDonald’s is prepared to deploy further resources to regain customer loyalty.The marketing push also includes the continuation of its $5 meal deal, aiming to attract customers back to its restaurants.

  2024-11-22 09:00
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  • 菲律賓國旗

  Findings from the first lunar far side samples raise new questions about the moon's history

  The Chang’e-6 mission has provided groundbreaking data with the first-ever lunar samples from the moon’s far side, raising fresh questions about its volcanic and geological history. Conducted by China, the mission collected 1.9 kilograms of lunar soil in June 2024 from the South Pole-Aitken basin, a 4-billion-year-old crater, and returned them to Earth.Key findings published in *Science* and *Nature* revealed that the volcanic basalt samples are about 2.8 billion years old, significantly younger than those from NASA’s Apollo and Russia’s Luna missions. Unlike Apollo-era samples, the Chang’e-6 materials lack radioactive elements like potassium, rare-earth elements, and phosphorus (KREEP), which traditionally explain prolonged volcanic activity.This absence leaves scientists questioning how these magmas formed, as the moon’s molten state was thought to have cooled more than 3 billion years ago. “The young age and unique composition of these basalts challenge our understanding of the moon’s evolution,” said Clive Neal, a researcher on the project. The far side of the moon has a thicker crust than the near side. NASA/GSFC/Arizona State UniversityThe mission also reinforced the stark contrasts between the moon’s near and far sides. The far side, with its thicker crust and distinct basalt composition, remains an “unresolved mystery,” said Qiu-li Li of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.While initial analyses offer tantalizing clues, more research and collaboration, including with international scientists, will be crucial to fully decode the moon’s enigmatic history.

  2024-11-23 09:00