You should know if the people you're spending time with have gotten the vaccine or not — even if you have to ask — experts say.     

    A series of love letters, handwritten by President John F. Kennedy to his Swedish mistress, are going up for sale at a Boston auction house.

    Leaders of a coastal town in Japan drawing the ire of some residents after spending $230,000 in COVID-19 relief money on a statue of a flying squid.     

    Three dollar store chains will make up almost half of all the new stores opening up in the United States this year, a reflection of the dollar store sector's outsized growth in the retail industry as other chains close shops or stop building new ones.

    A version of this article first appeared in the "Reliable Sources" newsletter. You can sign up for free right here.

    Love the look of fresh color but hate how quickly it fades? Try these shampoos for color-treated hair.[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

    Soderlund died from complications due to Alzheimer's disease.[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

    Shop stylish diaper bags that busy moms won't mind carrying.[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

    'AGT' returned on Tuesday with live shows from Universal Studios Hollywood.[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

    The actor is getting some support from his ex-wife, Lindsay Hartley, and daughter, Bella.[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

    Unlike bitcoin, chia won’t use huge amounts of electricity and won’t see miners buying up every graphics card in sight.

    Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission Gary Gensler warned lawmakers that growing concentration in the securities wholesaling and brokerage industries could lead to market "fragility," and increased costs for retail and institution investors during a hearing before the House Financial Services Committee Thursday.

    Chinese electric-vehicle company NIO will make a landmark move later this year by pushing into its first market outside of China, the company said on Wednesday.

    Growth in the electric-vehicle market has been a blessing for metals like copper and lithium. It has also raised concerns about the long-term outlook for oil demand that some analysts say aren’t justified.

    The U.S. might have created a million jobs in April --- or more --- as the economic recovery spread across the country and reached businesses that suffered the most in the first year of the pandemic.

    (University of Basel) A premature start in life can cause problems even into teenage years. A study by the University of Basel and the University Children's Hospital Basel (UKBB) indicates that training motor skills in these children helps even when they are older.

    (University of Chicago Medical Center) A new report in JAMA Internal Medicine demonstrates how incorporating blood tests for HIV into standard COVID-19 screening in the emergency department allowed UChicago Medicine to maintain HIV screening volume during the pandemic.

    (University of Waterloo) The identity of the skeletal remains of a member of the 1845 Franklin expedition has been confirmed using DNA and genealogical analyses by a team of researchers from the University of Waterloo, Lakehead University, and Trent University.

    (MediaSource) A state-of-the-art in-utero procedure allows surgeons to correct a birth defect on developing babies inside the womb. To give their world-class surgeons even more information ahead of surgery, Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies is using MRI and ultrasound imaging along with 3D-printing technology to create a first-of-its-kind detailed model that allows surgeons to plan procedures ahead of time, identifying potential obstacles and reducing the risks of surgery.

    (Brigham and Women's Hospital) Asthma attacks account for almost 50 percent of the cost of asthma care which totals $80 billion each year in the United States. Asthma is more severe in Black and Hispanic/Latinx patients, with double the rates of attacks and hospitalizations as the general population.

    The McCracken County Sheriff's Office says the man currently faces a number of other charges, and he was out on bond when detectives found him at the home.

    Work started on Wednesday to restore the murals painted on Paducah's floodwall.

    He pleaded not guilty to three felony charges and five misdemeanors, appearing by teleconference.

    The National Weather Service Paducah office confirms tornadoes occurred in three west Kentucky counties early Tuesday morning: one in Hickman County, one in Fulton County and one in Graves County.

    "I've been in Metropolis for five months. I moved here for this purpose," said one man in line. He said he's being treated for cancer, and the dispensary gives in an alternative to prescription painkillers.

    Portal origin URL: Media Invited to Virtual Briefing as NASA’s Webb Prepares for LaunchPortal origin nid: 470792Published: Wednesday, May 5, 2021 - 16:51Featured (stick to top of list): noPortal text teaser: Media will have the opportunity to see the iconic golden mirror of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope open for the last time on Earth during a virtual briefing Tuesday, May 11, at 1 p.m. EDT (10 a.m. PDT).Portal image: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope in the clean room at Northrop Grumman, Redondo Beach, California.

    OSIRIS-REx Departs Asteroid Bennu Learn More

    Portal origin URL: Lunar Crater Radio Telescope: Illuminating the Cosmic Dark AgesPortal origin nid: 470764Published: Wednesday, May 5, 2021 - 11:55Featured (stick to top of list): noPortal text teaser: The early-stage NASA concept could see robots hang wire mesh in a crater on the Moon’s far side, creating a radio telescope to help probe the dawn of the universe.Portal image: This illustration depicts a conceptual Lunar Crater Radio Telescope on the Moon’s far side.

    On April 19, the Ingenuity Mars helicopter became the first spacecraft to achieve powered, controlled flight on another world. This historic flight on Mars has implications for how we will explore other worlds. Join experts from the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter team and upcoming Dragonfly mission to learn about the future of extraterrestrial flight.   Meet the guests:   Mr. Johnny Lam is an Ingenuity Mars Helicopter pilot at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Mr. Lam always had an interest in math and science growing up, and enjoys getting to work on one-of-a-kind missions that are helping us to learn more about the universe. He is an avid frisbee player and has a family that is expecting their second baby soon. Mr. Lam has an exciting vision for how aerial vehicles could be used for exploration in the future. Watch the show to hear more about it!  Mr. Nishant Mehta is the Deputy Lead for the Dragonfly Mobility System at John’s Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory. Mr. Mehta grew up surrounded by science fiction through books and television, these stories reinforced the notion that possibilities are endless with science. His favorite part of his job is knowing that he is working on something that will ultimately be on another planet to help humanity understand our universe better than before.   Ms. Jia-Rui Cook is the News Events & Projects Supervisor at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and will be your host for this episode. As the child of immigrants, she has always been interested in American history and asking the question, “What does it mean to be American?” Working for NASA’s news and media team means she gets a front-row seat at this history in the making. In her role in the media office, she gets to help figure out how stories about first-of-their-kind accomplishments are told. When it comes to the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, Ms. Cook is amazed that the team could build something so light and powerful at the same time. Video Links: YouTube

    PROJECTLunar Dust Research and MitigationSNAPSHOTTo help protect future space assets and astronauts from dangerous effects that arise from Moon/Mars dust exposure, NASA is developing a new technology that will utilize electron beams/ultraviolet light to remove dust. Apollo 17 Astronaut Harrison “Jack” Schmitt coated by lunar dust during his field investigation (left). University of Colorado Boulder/NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) lab set up to demonstrate the new electron beam technology (right).The Apollo missions faced a high risk of dust-related damage to space hardware and astronaut health. Fortunately, NASA researchers have recently determined that lunar dust can be zapped away using a beam of electrons. NASA is exploring use of non-contact, electrostatic, dust-charging technology to protect the Agency’s important space assets without restricting mission parameters.The lunar surface is covered by a layer of dust particles called regolith. These dust particles can be stirred up during robotic and human exploration activities or released by natural processes such as meteorite impacts. Apollo astronauts noted that lunar dust particles readily stuck to surfaces such as spacesuits, optical lenses, and thermal blankets, causing numerous problems. Apollo mission spacesuits were damaged by abrasive lunar dust and several astronauts noted that moon dust was resistant to cleaning efforts; even vigorous brushing could not remove it.NASA’s Artemis program will develop extensive resources on the Moon starting in 2024 and will require advanced technologies to enable a sustained lunar presence.  Mitigation of lunar dust adhesion will be central to these efforts and to Artemis’s success. However, lunar dust exhibits several characteristics that make it difficult to remove. For example, unlike Earth, the Moon does not have an atmosphere and magnetic field to protect its surface from solar radiation. The solar wind can electrically charge dust particles on the Moon, causing the charged particles to stick to each other and to other surfaces. In addition, lunar dust particles are very jagged and rough, which also increases their “sticking power.”A team at NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Colorado University (CU), Boulder is developing new electron beam technology and a tool called a “Moon duster,” which can be used to remove dust on sensitive surfaces of hardware and spacesuits on the Moon. Unlike other technologies that require incorporating a complex design of active embedded layers on the surface to be cleaned, the Moon duster is a standalone, hand-held electron beam device that can be potentially used on any dust-covered space hardware on the Moon. “The Moon duster will be like a typical duster spray on your desk, but it operates without air,” imagined Dr. Inseob Hahn, a program technologist and the project lead at NASA/JPL.This new electron-beam technology is based on insights gained from previous studies of the natural electrostatic dust lofting process that may occur spontaneously on the surface of airless bodies (e.g., the Moon and asteroids). The model developed to explain this dust lofting process is depicted below. When an electron beam or UV field is applied to a micro-cavity formed in a pile of dust, the induced secondary electrons or photoelectrons are collected by the surrounding dust particles, resulting in a substantial negative charge buildup on the dust particles’ surfaces. The repulsive force between these negatively charged dust particles ejects them off the surface. Dust charging and releasing mechanisms.To test the electron beam concept, the researchers at CU Boulder loaded a vacuum chamber with various materials coated with a NASA-manufactured “lunar simulant” designed to resemble Moon dust. After aiming an electron beam at the particles, the dust jumped off the material’s surface, usually in just a few minutes, as captured in the image below. The technique worked on a wide range of surfaces, including spacesuit fabric, glass, and solar panels. This new technology aims at cleaning the finest dust particles, which are difficult to remove using tools like a brush. The method removed an average of about 75-85% of the dust particles on the surfaces tested. The researchers are also experimenting with new ways to increase the cleaning efficiency of the electron beam.  The research results are very encouraging, and now the team is developing a testbed at NASA/JPL to evaluate how the technology will perform in the very cold Moon environment. Other team members conducting this research include Benjamin Farr, who completed the work as an undergraduate student in physics at CU Boulder, and Drs. Mihály Horányi at CU Boulder, John Goree of the University of Iowa, and Ulf Israelsson at NASA/JPL.Image of dust lofting as a result of electron beam exposure.PROJECT LEADDrs. Inseob Hahn (NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology), Xu Wang (Colorado University, Boulder)SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONBiological and Physical Science Division, Planetary Science Division, SSERVI/Institute for Modeling Plasma, Atmospheres and Cosmic Dust (IMPACT), Space Technology Mission DirectorateRead more Technology HighlightsMaster Image: 

    The heavy MVP favorite according to FOX Bet Sportsbook, Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic, dropped 32 points and 12 rebounds in an easy 113-to-97 win over the red-hot New York Knicks last night. Meanwhile Joel Embiid had his own big game last night. The Philadelphia 76ers' big man had 34 points and 12 rebounds in a 135-115 win over the Houston Rockets on the road. Hear who Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe would rather have in the playoffs: Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid?

    Braun Strowman on overcoming bullying

    Russell Westbrook notched his 179th triple-double of his career last night in the Washington Wizards' loss against the Milwaukee Bucks. He is now just two triple-doubles away from Oscar Robertson's all-time record. Despite Westbrook never winning a championship, Robertson believes that shouldn't be held against the Wizards' point guard. The hall of farmer said quote 'I think it's ridiculous that some sportswriters criticize him because he has not won a championship. Players don't win championships by themselves. You've got to have good management. You need to get with the right group of players.' Skip Bayless explains why Westbrook is not in his Top 20 list despite his explosive numbers.

    Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers collapsed in the NBA Playoff Bubble last season with an early exit. The month of April George averaged over 27 points a game and might be heating up in time for the playoffs. The Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers face off tonight but are also teetering on the edge of facing each other in the first round of the playoffs. When asked about the potential playoff matchup, George said quote, 'We are still trying to move up regardless of what the Lakers are doing. We are worried about us.' Hear whether Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe are confident in Paul George heading into the NBA playoffs.

    Rookie sensation Zayda Ramier: What’s NeXT, May 6, 2021

    Family members can now get broadcasts from Google Assistant even when they’re not near a Google smart speaker. Also: Family Bell gets a much-needed update.

    Most security experts agree that two-factor authentication (2FA) is a critical part of securing your online accounts. Google agrees, but it’s taking an extra step: It’s making two-factor authentication mandatory, and will start requiring it on Google accounts.In a way, Google sees two-factor authentication as a replacement for passwords, which Mark Risher, Google’s director of product management for identity and user security, in a statement called “the single biggest threat to your online security.” Because they’re easy to steal and hard to remember, users will end up reusing passwords. If stolen, they can be used to unlock multiple user accounts, adding to the risk.To read this article in full, please click here

    Most security experts agree that two-factor authentication (2FA) is a critical part of securing your online accounts. Google agrees, but it’s taking an extra step: It’s going to automatically sign Google account holders up for two-factor accounts.In a way, Google sees two-factor authentication as a replacement for passwords, which Mark Risher, Google’s director of product management for identity and user security, in a statement called “the single biggest threat to your online security.” Because they’re easy to steal and hard to remember, users will end up reusing passwords. If stolen, they can be used to unlock multiple user accounts, adding to the risk.To read this article in full, please click here

    We are terrible at passwords. We suck at creating them (the top two most popular remain “123456” and “password”), we share them way too freely, and we forget them all the time. Indeed, the very thing that can ensure our online security has become our biggest obstacle to it. This is what makes a good password manager essential.To read this article in full, please click here

    Roku loses YouTube TV: Here are the alternatives for cord cutters

    Find out how to save money on just about anything you're shopping with seven pro tips from the Reviewed deals team.     

    A New Jersey man is facing charges for taking part in the US Capitol insurrection after family friends gossiped that he was at the pro-Trump riot.

    An actor well known for the "Fast & Furious" franchise was revealed as Robopine on the latest episode of "The Masked Singer."

    The United States is offering up freebies, expanding the pool of those eligible and shifting access to local pharmacies in its attempts to encourage vaccine holdouts to get inoculated against Covid-19.

    After 27 years of marriage, Bill and Melinda Gates have Tweeted out their decision to divorce. Why would two people in a long-standing marriage -- a union that has seen the couple through the making of billions, and the establishment of one of the world's largest foundations -- decide to part ways?

    Britain and France have both sent naval vessels to the Channel island of Jersey amid an escalating row over fishing rights. The UK's decision to send naval vessels was the result of a discussion between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and local officials about a blockade by dozens of French fishermen of Jersey capital Saint Helier, a Downing Street statement said. CNN's Salma Abdelaziz reports from London.

    Take a glance at the British media and you'd be forgiven for thinking that the UK was preparing for war with France.

    Climbers rejoiced when Nepal decided to reopen its side of Mount Everest this year, but reports suggest even the world's highest peak isn't safe from the spread of coronavirus.

    Wine and wheat. Lobsters and logs. Beef and barley. If Australia exports it, China has likely put up barriers to entry over the past year, as diplomatic relations between the two countries rapidly deteriorated.

    With tough questions being asked on Capitol Hill and about 80 members of Congress calling for pressure on Saudi Arabia to lift its blockade of Yemen, it cannot be long before the Biden administration will be expected to deliver real results to end a six-year conflict that has caused what the United Nations says is the world's worst humanitarian crisis.