Category: Science &Technology

{{An Irish farmer who claims to have bred a cross between a sheep and a goat is launching a charity competition to find a name for the rare creature.}}

Paddy Murphy, who also runs a village pub in Ballymore Eustace, County Kildare, has been overwhelmed by the interest after a YouTube video of his new arrival went viral.

The hybrid – sometimes referred to as a geep or a shoat – is believed to be extremely unusual.

Murphy said he delivered the animal late at night, and it was only the next morning that he realized it was a bit different.

“I only have white-faced Cheviot sheep, and when this one came out it was black,” he said.

“That sometimes happens. But the next morning I said to myself this isn’t a lamb at all, it’s more like a goat.”

He added: “It was moving a bit too quickly for a lamb, its legs were very long and he even has horns like a goat.”

Murphy said he had noticed a goat mating with his sheep on the mountainside but assumed nothing would come of it.

The newborn has been the talk of the village pub.

A video by the Irish Farmers Journal posted on YouTube has reached more than 16,000 hits.

Murphy said he was hoping to raise money for a sick child in the village with a competition for the best name for his young geep.

And he has invited scientists to come to his farm to prove the rare cross-breed. “I have no interest in that side of it at all, but if someone wants to come and do tests they are welcome,” he said.

Similar crossings have been reported before in Chile, Jamaica, Malta and Botswana, where scientists found that a hybrid – known as the Toast of Botswana – had 57 chromosomes, a number in between that of sheep and goats.

In most cases the offspring are stillborn.

Source: the guardian

{{Opticians say people are so addicted to smartphones they may be increasing their risk of eye damage.}}

They are warning overuse from phones and other devices like computers, tablets, and flat screen TVs can lead to long-term damage.

It comes as a survey of 2,000 people suggests under 25s check their phones thirty-two times a day.

Optician Andy Hepworth said: “Blue violet light is potentially hazardous and toxic to the back of your eyes.

“So over a long period of time it can potentially damage your eyes.

“When you’re looking at a smart phone, the light peaking out of that is blue violet.”

He says tests have found that over exposure to blue-violet light has the potential to put us at greater risk of macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.

Opticians say that, although “good” blue light (blue-turquoise) is needed to help regulate biological clocks, it is also thought that extensive exposure to blue violet light can disrupting sleep patterns and affect moods.

“Although we don’t know if there’s a direct link with it creating eye problems, there is strong lab evidence it can potentially do that,” Andy added.

“It’s the combination of not blinking enough and bringing the device closer than you normally look at objects – it strains your eyes.”

‘More headaches’

The survey, commissioned by a group of independent opticians, found that on average, an adult spends nearly seven hours a day staring at a screen with nearly half feeling anxious when away from their phone.

Statistics also suggest 43% of under 25s experience genuine irritation or anxiety when they can’t check their phone when they want.

Alana Chinery says she is never without her smart phone Alana Chinery says she is never without her smart phone.

It also found 55% felt the amount of screen time they’re exposed to affects them with eye discomfort the main problem.

BBC

{{One Laptop Per Child, a nonprofit foundation working in Rwanda for more than 8 years announced Saturday a special donation of 2,800 XO Laptops as part of the ceremonies related to the 20th anniversary of the genocide. }}

The initial 260 laptops will arrive within the following few weeks. They will include 200 XO4 TOUCH laptops, the latest generation of the worldwide recognized brand.

“Although the ceremonies that will take place within the next few days will be conducted under a mourning environment, One Laptop Per Child will like not only to pay homage to those who died, but at the same time will like to recognize and honor the enormous process of rebuilding the nation during the past two decades.

This progress and transformation has been done under the leadership of PresidentPaul Kagame and of his government”, said Rodrigo Arboleda, CEO of One Laptop Per Child, “Every time I come to the country I am amazed to witness the pace and degree of progress of this nation and of its people.

It is like a new country each and every time. We are honoured to have been allowed to contribute in our humble way with the largest project in Africa related to social equality and a transformation of a paradigm of education from one that has been based on “teaching” towards one to be based on “learning”.

Most especially, on “learning‐about‐learning”. We are proud of the progress made and of the enthusiasm and support all members of Rwanda’s society have blessed us with”.

The schools that are going to be part of this project are the following:

1. Lycee du Lac Muhazi,

2. Groupe scolaire du Mont Kigali (Apace),

3. Lycee de Kicukiro (APADE).

4. St Ignace school

5. Mary Hill secondary school

6. Ecole Gira Imuwe Many other schools will be included in this program as soon as laptops commence arriving into the country.

One Laptop per Child (OLPC at http://www.laptop.org) is a non‐profit

{{After Facebook acquired WhatsApp for $16 billion, some wondered what would happen to the company’s existing messaging app. Now it seems they had nothing to worry about.

The company updated the app Thursday with a major new feature — one that allows users to make free voice calls to their Facebook friends.}}

The new feature is similar to voice calling built in to other messaging apps such as Viber and WeChat. Users can make phone calls to friends for free, provided they have at least a wifi connection.

Now, when you view Facebook contacts from within Messenger, a phone icon appears next to their name. Tap the icon to start a phone call. Both participants need to have a wifi or data connection to make or receive calls.

The update comes weeks after photos that showed voice calling on WhatsApp— a feature rumored to be in the works for some time— leaked online.

Interestingly, the design of the in-call screens in Messenger, and the rumored screen in WhatsApp, are nearly identical to the in-call screen of iOS 7 itself. (The Android version of Messenger looks slightly different.)

The latest version of Facebook Messenger is available to iOS and Android users. The Windows Phone version has not yet been updated with the feature.

{{The Director General in charge of ICT in the Ministry of Youth and ICT, Didier Nkurikiyimfura declared that Rwandan citizens are going to be able to access affordable devices for internet connectivity, to be paid on a long term basis.}}

He revealed this during the 11th Edition of the ICT Literacy and Awareness Campaign in Karongi District in the Western Province of Rwanda.

This was a two day driven campaign where thousands of local residents participated.

Nkurikiyimfura said “Just like several citizens are able to make a call, is the same way we need internet connectivity especially the 4G to allow every individual to receive the network and what is left is to have the devices.”

He explained that they have engaged manufacturers, suppliers and banks to find a model that permits all citizens to buy the devices through bank services by getting a very specific financial product.

This product is going to enable the client to pay on a long term so that the cost of the device shouldn’t become a barrier, preventing the public from accessing internet.

Nkurikiyimfura elaborated that there are noble examples like Gira ICT, which is currently providing people with devices at a low price, to be paid over a period of one or two years; “ this strategy works really well.”

MYICT believes that awareness is the first step to take while engaging the youth in ICT which is why they organized the 11th Edition of the ICT Literacy and Awareness Campaign in this District.

During the campaign, Seth Uwimbabazi, 28 years old, a resident of Rubengera Sector
said he managed to learn several things like how to use a computer along with the internet connection.

Uwimbabazi said, “I Believe that I can also communicate with many friends, and can search for information to help me improve my business and innovation.”

ICT Literacy and Awareness Campaign come to generate consciousness and have Karongi residents engage in order to understand that Information communication technology isn’t for other people but rather for them too.

“It is very important to have a positive attitude towards ICT,” Nkurikiyimfura observed. “We came to remind you that you have ideas and all you need is to access the ICT tools and then enhance your initiatives.”

The National ICT literacy and awareness campaign in Rwanda aims at increasing public literacy and awareness on the opportunities and benefits offered by the use of online and mobile-enabled services and products among local communities.

The campaign brings together Government institutions offering online services, all Telecom Operators, all Banks, TV suppliers, Phone suppliers, and other private sector institutions.

Such campaigns target to boost the usage of ICT content and applications. It increases the ICT knowledge among Rwandan citizens and proves how ICT can play a big role in their businesses, motivate competitions, efficiency, transparency as well as civic participation.

The Ministry of Youth and ICT in collaboration with other Ministries as and different stakeholders in ICT promotion have adopted the five-year ICT literacy awareness campaign.

During this drive, local residents are learning the benefits of the Digital Migration where girls and young women are also encouraged to join the career to embrace the use of ICT.

The government of Rwanda has significantly transformed the way business and society use technology, by heavily investing in information and communications technology, since the inception of the first national ICT strategy and plan in 2000.