Scientists found the complex organic molecules on surface of Pluto with Hubble Telescope

There is a new evidence of complex organic molecules found by the Hubble Space Telescope on Dec 21. Scientists believe that it is the carbon-containing building blocks of life on the surface of Pluto.



On the cold surface of Pluto, there are some substances absorbing ultraviolet ray, the researchers said that it might be organics, possibly complex hydrocarbons or nitrogen-containing molecules.



“This is an exciting finding because complex Plutonian hydrocarbons and other molecules that could be responsible for the ultraviolet spectral features we found with Hubble may, among other things, be responsible for giving Pluto its ruddy color,” study leader Alan Stern, of the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colo., said in a statement.



“The discovery we made with Hubble reminds us that even more exciting discoveries about Pluto’s composition and surface evolution are likely to be in store when NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft arrives at Pluto in 2015,” Stern said.

Ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang

Scientists created the new strains of bird flu could spread easier among the humans -- U.S. government asked them to keep in secret

The lab of the Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands and the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the U.S. both succeeded in creating new strains of bird flu that spread easier. This experiment is paid to the scientists by the U.S. government. After discovering this astonishing and alarming finding, the U.S. government asks the scientists and journals not to publish any details of biomedical experiment, for fear that information could be used by the bioterrorists to make a copy of creating the virus.



On December 20, for the first time, it’s never happened before that the federal officials asked the scientists not to publicize all the details of how they did it. A government advisory panel, the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, overseen by the National Institutes of Health, has asked two journals Science and Nature that only could publish the conclusions, but not the experimental details and mutation data that would encourage the terrorists to replicate the experiments.



Nevertheless, The Dutch researchers presented already their work at a virology conference in Malta in September.



The scientists found that the virus they created a highly transmissible form of a deadly flu virus that does not normally spread from person to person and the so-called H5N1 bird flu could spread easily among at least some mammals. They did the experiment on the little white ferret and inferred a conclusion from it.



Originally the U.S. government paid scientists to figure out how the deadly bird flu virus might mutate to become a bigger threat to people, this kind of research is worthy encouraging after all, although the conclusion is terrified us. We support the decision of U.S. government asked the journals and scientists not to publish any details about it.



As we know that there were only about 200 people died in H5N1 from 2003. But how come if the terrorists or the bad people get the details to make a copy of creating the virus by chance? That’s really bad to the world!

Ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang

An earth-size planet Kepler-20f discovered by NSNA’s Kepler space telescope

On Dec. 20, scientists announced that they used NASA’s Kepler space telescope to discover two Earth-size worlds orbiting a star 1,000 light-years away. Kepler-20f is the first earth-sized planet found orbiting a star like our own Sun.



According to NASA’s news release, NASA’s Kepler mission has discovered the first Earth-size planets orbiting a sun-like star outside our solar system. The planets, called Kepler-20e and Kepler-20f, are too close to their star to be in the so-called habitable zone where liquid water could exist on a planet’s surface, but they are the smallest exoplanets ever confirmed around a star like our sun.



NASA said that Kepler-20f is the closest object to the Earth in terms of size ever discovered. With an orbital period of 20 days and a surface temperature of 800 degrees Fahrenheit (426C), it is rocky and with a composition of iron, it is too hot to host life, as the scientist said so.



We believe that in the universe there are many earth-like and earth-size planets, only few of them discovered by our scientists with Kepler space telescope. Earlier this month the telescope discovered Kepler-22b, a planet 2.4 times the size of the Earth situated in the middle of its habitable zone.



Although we all are interested in the universe, actually we do not know much the knowledge about the universe, nor do we know much about the Earth. Why are we eager to search for the earth-like and earth-size planet? We have our Mother Earth and have to take good care of her! It is the obligation for being an earthman!

Ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang

When will Arab spring really come? When the rich monarchies will give the protesters response?

Moroccan protestors demanded political reform and the release of the prisoners several days ago. They also protested against the country’s high unemployment rate.

Although like the other countries, the moderate religious parties all have fared well in Islamic world, the Islamist Justice and Development Party won November’s parliamentary elections on Nov. 27. The protesters have discontented with the new government and the King.



The King Mohammed VI still holds the real power. They think the king does not put enough the new constitution in practice. The protesters also say that the polls failed to display true democratic reforms and that the US-backed ruling monarchy is not committed to real change.



But why the oil-rich Arab monarchies still hold the real power? In an end of summit, they called “union” rather than “cooperation” after the Arab monarchies of the Gulf Cooperation Council on Dec. 27.



We think the King does not really want to release his power because of the oil. The much power he releases, the much benefit he will loose. The much power he releases, the people will get much benefit from it and finally realize the dream of democracy, so that the Kings just unit together to share the benefits, they do not want to cooperate with people or listen what people really want.



When will Arab spring really come? In this bitter winter, people stood in the street just to demand their small dream – survival dignity. When the rich monarchies will give them response?

Ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang

Thousands of Israelis protest against discrimination against women --Israelis feels strong antipathy towards the utra-Orthodox Jews’ behaviors

Thousands of Israelis gathered together to protest against the ultra-Orthodox Jews who want enforce segregation between men and women in the town of Beit Shemesh on Dec. 27. This Jewish city situated between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. On another side, the ultra-Orthodox Jews also gather there, one of them held a sign written in Hebrew: “Women are asked not to linger in this area.”



Sexual discrimination exists in Israel, among special ultra religious fanatics, like ultra-Orthodox Jews. The ultra-Orthodox men and boys hurled rocks and eggs at the police and journalists and yelled them “Nazis”.



Detonating this resistance is the story of 8-year old girl Naama Margolese televised on an Israel weekend television program. She is a daughter of American immigrants. One day while she was on her way to school, she was insulted by an untra-Orthodox man and he spat on her, that man’s behavior frightened her and made her has a great fear of walking near that area.



The public were outraged by this behavior. Israel president has said a minority in Israel is acting outrageously and violating national solidarity.



According to Jerusalem mass media report, tensions ran high in Beit Shemesh Tuesday night as people gathered to protest against the rise of ultra-Orthodox extremism.



Protesters from Beit Shemesh and the other cities, religious and secular, kids with parents and even the Israeli Hells Angels arrived to speak out against a growing frequency in attacks against a local religious-Zionist girls’ elementary school and the ultra-Orthodox Jews who want enforce segregation between men and women.



The protest took place directly opposite the Bnot Orot School, which has been at the center of controversy in Beit Shemesh since it opened last September.



“Enough is enough,” commented Jenny Zivotofsky, a protester who came all the way from Efrat after watching Naama on the TV program. “This is not only the fight for Beit Shemesh, it’s a fight for everyone in Israel.”



Former Labor leader MK Amir Peretz said, “We can’t hide from this any longer. A young girl spoke out about how she was scared to go to school, therefore it’s time the haredim realize they have to stop acting like this.”



He emphasized that the discrimination against women goes against the tradition of the Bible and the principles of Judaism.

Ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang

Pope Benedict XVI worried the commercialization of Christmas

Christmas Eve, Pope Benedict XVI delivered his Christmas message at a midnight mass in St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. The 84-year-old Pope is celebrating the seventh Christmas season of his pontificate.



Addressing thousands of worshippers, “Today Christmas has become a commercial celebration, whose bright lights hide the mystery of God’s humility, which in turn calls us to humility and simplicity.” Pope Benedict XVI said.



However, as if the Valentine’s day, Christmas has become too commercial; most people seem to see this holiday only as a good time for partying.



He also urged worshippers, “see through the superficial glitter of this season and to discover behind it the child in the stable in Bethlehem”.



In Bethelem, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas joined Christians in celebrating at the Church of the Nativity. It is one of the oldest continuously operating churches in the world. The structure is built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth, and thus it is considered sacred by Christians. The site is also revered by followers of Islam.



The Pope also worried the enduring presence of violence in the world.



About 120,000 visitors were in the Palestinian West Bank town, 30% up on last year, officials said.

Ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang

More than 50 anti-Wall Street protesters arrested including a retired bishop in NY

There were more than 50 anti-Wall Street protesters arrested on Dec. 17 in New York, while they tried to climb over a chain-link fence around a church parking lot in a bid to establish a new encampment. After a retired Episcopal Bishop George E. Packard leading to climb the ladder over the fence to illegally enter Juan Pablo Duarte Square in the west SoHo neighbourhood of the city during the demonstration, he was in cuffs at once.



“We are the 99%.” won the top Yale Book of Quotations for this year, the main slogan of Occupy Wall Street Movement deeply touched and influenced the people around the world. The brave generation X is standing out for social justice, citizen justice, housing justice and antitrust.



Earlier in the day, demonstrators played drums, cymbals and trombones, held group meetings and waved signs with a variety of messages – “Disobedience is civil” and “Sorry to inconvenience your apathy” – as they marked the completion of three months with a major direct action that they hoped would give them a new home as authorities continue to clear off the camps nationwide.



Next day of Dec. 18 , the International Migrants Day, hundreds of protesters rallied again for immigrant rights in New York. They marched from Foley Square to Zuccotti Park.



Ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang 

Nigeria’s Christmas bomb and Afghan’s funeral bomb tore up the Pope’s peace message

Ignoring the Pope’s appeal for peace in Christmas speech, Nigeria and Afghan had series of bomb blasts which caused dozens of innocent people died and wounded. In Nigeria, Militant Islamic group Boko Haram says it is responsible three of the bombings. In Afghan, no group claimed to have carried out the attack.



A Catholic church was attacked after worshippers celebrated the Christmas Mass in Madalla, Nigeria. A suicide bomber killed dozens of villagers after a funeral on Dec. 25, including a member of parliament.



We think the bomb attack in Nigeria was directly responded to the Pope’s peace speech. The bomb attack in Afghan was nothing to do with the religious reason. However, innocent people died.



Pope Benedict XVI addressed the worshippers for the annual tradition “to the city and to the world” message, he said Christ is born for us! Come to save for us! The Pope asked the faithful to repeat the words “Come to save us”! in spiritual union with the many people to are experience particularly difficult situations, people who have no voice. Those people included the many thousands affected by insecurity, hunger and food shortages in the Horn of Africa.



“Renewed vigor to all elements of society in the countries of North Africa and the Middle East as they strive to advance the common good.” The Pope said.



The Pope prayed the peace would bring stability peace and dialogue between Israeli’s and Palestinians, an end to violence in Syria and reconciliation in Iraq and Afghanistan.



Unfortunately there were bomb attacks in Nigeria and Afghan after Pope’s peace message. In a statement, the Vatican called the attacks a sign of “cruelty and absurd, blind hatred” that shows no respect for human life.

Ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang

Morocco erupted the protest movement for political reform

After February 20 movement accomplished its mission, it has restored the confidence in the possibility of change. Now another protest goes on the stage for political change. Thousands of people gathered together in Casablanca, Morocco on Sunday Dec. 25 to express their deep and sincere demand for political reforms.



About 5,000 protesters demonstrated in the street, an AFP reporter said that there were about 3,500 people in all country.



The protesters thought that King Mehmed VI did not put the constitution reform into practice enough. They think Morocco does not have revolution of the kind seen elsewhere in north Africa. King Mohammed is still firmly in charge.



The protesters told the AFP reporter that their demands are legitimate, and what they demanded before have not any change. They want the parliamentary monarchy and more social justice.

Ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang

Humanity concern actions from Taiwan and Malyasia to Thailand flood disaster area

About 100 Malaysian youths helped in providing rehabilitation and cleaning assistance to more than 800 households in Zin Somboon housing estate in Thailand's central province of Samut Sakhon.



The youths, from Kuala Lumpur, had assisted those households by cleaning their houses since a large amount of garbage left in the area after the homes was inundated of about 1.5 metres of water, reported Thai News Agency on Monday.



It’s the third time for Chia Yi Christian Hospital of Taiwan to dispatched the mission of public health and water and electricity service to Thailand several days ago, tomorrow they will dispatch the medical mission to the communities in Bangkok to give the free medical service.



Chia Yi Christian Hospital also has concerned the communities of Bangkok suburbs for a long time. They give the free medical service, provide the consolation money to the people and concern the college students and teenagers in the disaster area.

Ps. original version published on the website of Taiwan News by Theresa Huang