Canada ban assault weapons

Canada will ban guns from the public.

Justin Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister, said recently that the government had approved a new regulation to prohibit purchase as well as use of gadgets for mass shooting.

The Telegraph: Canada introduces immediate ban on assault weapons in wake of its worst mass shooting

This policy was a response to a mass shooting case occurred in recent. I did not know the current situation in Canada, but it seems serious as far as reading these articles. Perhaps, Canada will be successful to change the situation compared to the US struggling for balancing between safety and liberty.

Third halving period of Bitcoin

Bitcoin faced the third halving period, just recently.

Reuters: Bitcoin goes through third 'halving', falls vs U.S. dollar

Bitcoin is produced by the miner's contribution. Minors develop the blockchain to examine the rightness of each transaction. Some Bitcoins are rewarded to miner who approved the transaction. But the reward is programmed to be halved in a particular period. And, it came for the third time since Bitcoin emerged.

Approaching the halving period is said to raise the value of Bitcoin. It is because as same as the gold is worthy. Thus, reduced production of Bitcoin positively affect the price of Bitcoin.

However, it is a theoretical explanation. In real, the value of Bitcoin is determine between need and supply, or bid and ask. The market decides it. If many people believe Bitcoin will be worthy in the future, the price increases.

And now, the price of Bitcoin is fluctuating. A couple of days ago, it was decreased by more than 5%. It is perhaps that some whales sold massive Bitcoin.

The truth is in the dark. Nobody exactly prospect the proper price of Bitcoin. It will take a long time for Bitcoin to become an alternative of a fiat with trustworthiness of its value.

Trump and Xi conflict worsening

The China government seems to strengthen pressure to Hong Kong, recently. And it made Trump present hostile comments to China.

So far, Hong Kong was resistant to China’s dominance since it was returned fro the UK to China. China persists one governor doctrine, willing to integrate Hong Kong to communist party’s ruling.

It is no doubt that the US does not like the situation. But Donald Trump did not take an action against Chinese policy. Instead, he emphasized the good relationship with Xi Jinping.

However, the latest solution of China seems to harsh for Trump to be ignored. And it is far from Trump’s affaire.

The New York Times: Trump and Xi conflict worsening China’s Hong Kong Crackdown Could Put Trump in an Unwelcome Spot

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/21/us/politics/trump-china-hong-kong.html

Perhaps, Trump in the US which is suffering from massive fatality due to COVID-19 has to make an enemy outside the US for the victory of the next Presidential campaign. But it is foolish to sacrifice diplomatic advantage for domestic support.

Yoga can reduce your pain of migraine, study found

According to a new study, yoga can mitigate the frequency of migraine. 

Politicopathy: Yoga can help half the number of headaches migraine sufferers experience, study shows

In this study, participants were divided into two groups: yoga and meditation. A half of the former group experienced mitigated headache.

Although could not adopting double blinded procedure, the outcome is somehow reliable, in my opinion, because migraine is a serious disease so that most patients try several solutions. I am not sure how yoga was effective. Perhaps, meditation or muscle relaxation itself is beneficial. Considering that some other benefits for mental health using yoga were reported, it is possible that the training set of yoga has an effect to promote mental health. The symptom of migraine is affected by patient's mental health status.

Protester's act spread COVID-19?

The US research team revealed that anti-lockdown protesters spread the COVID-19 virus, even if unintentionally.

The Guardian: US lockdown protests may have spread virus widely, cellphone data suggests

This astonishing result was derived from the mobile phone tracking data. Protesters traveled for a long distance. And their process of journey included areas in which COVID-19 had not been apparent so far. But after their meeting, patients emerged.

It is quite ironic that their claim that the lockdown was not a right way of policy was proven as wrong with their own behavior. Reckless movement such as their activity brought COVID-19 spreading. Considering their hyperactivity, this result is indeed not so surprising.

On the other hand, I was surprised that the fact that protesters' behavior was inappropriate was easily proven with a mobile technology. It is a victory of science. At the same time, our activity is easily to be tracked.

Anyway, silly activity should be hesitated. Unintentional transference can be an act of murderer. 

Child abuse relieving drug?

some researchers claim they found a new drug to reduce child abuse.

The Guardian: New drug 'cuts risk of men abusing children within weeks'

Degarelix acetate was originally developed to be a cure of prostate cancer. It reduces  user's testosterone level. Thus, researchers paid attention to its anti-aggressive effect.

According to them, only weeks of taking this drug suppressed the impulse of violent behavior.

I have not read the article of the study published in JAMA Psychiatry, a leading academic journal. If proven, it will be a historic finding, although there are several issues to be solved.

I believe many child abusers are not willing to do such an inappropriate act. The drug will be beneficial at least for persons who seek help.

Plant bottle challenge

Plastic bottle will be replaced to plants in the future.

According to the media, Avantium, a biochemical company in Netherlands is going to proceed a project to make plastics from plant sugars. It is collaborative with Carlsberg, a famous beer company.

The Guardian: The end of plastic? New plant-based bottles will degrade in a year

Plastic is easy to form and stable for a long time. But it is made from massive fossil. Since we are too much dependent on carbonate, we have to abandon plastic bottles some day.

I do not believe recycling is a decisive solution for sustainable environment. Rather, replacing scarce resources with new materials gradually is reasonable. I hope Avantium's attempt will be successful.