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A.M.
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San
José, Costa Rica, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, Vol. 16, No. 237
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Go to Page 5 HERE! Go to Page 6 HERE! Sports is HERE! Opinion is HERE! Classifieds are HERE! Plus useful links |
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Reducing emission
to zero is urged
by Vice President Chacón in Paris By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Costa Rica is seeking a method so that individuals can measure their own carbon footprint, the vice president, Ana Helena Chacón, told the Paris conference on climate change Monday. She also urged a reduction in carbon emissions to zero by 2085. She also made note that Costa Rica, with its vast hydro resources and other renewable energy managed to generate 100 percent of its power needs for 255 days this year and also noted that 52 percent of the country is covered in trees. The vice president is heading the Costa Rican delegation that includes the foreign minister, Manuel González, and Edgar Gutiérrez, minister of Ambiente y Energía. Vice President Chacón said that Costa Rica was promoting an ambitious accord on carbon emissions. Being one of the most vulnerable regions of the planet, she said that the gathering must reach agreement that includes not only significant reductions in the emissions of greenhouse gases but also methods of adaptation that guarantee that communities, particularly the most vulnerable, increase their resilience and human development. Her statements were contained in a release from Casa Presidencial. Costa Rica aspires to make itself a laboratory for the process of decarbonization for the world economy, she added. She urged significant reductions in carbon emissions to zero by 2085. The Paris conference seeks to obtain agreements from countries in an effort to reduce carbon emissions on the theory that doing so will hold the increase in world temperature to one or two degrees C. The temperature had increased about 0.8 degree C. since the beginning of the 20th century. In elaborating on the measurement of carbon, Casa Presidential said that the government was seeking to have a per capita emission of two tons of carbon dioxide by 2050 and one ton by 2100. A statement said that this goal was determined by meeting with organizations in Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio chase leads to arrests By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Bandits held up a small food store in Manuel Antonio Sunday night, but Fuerza Pública officers said patrol car crews chased suspects in a vehicle and finally detained three. Officers said they found the cash register from the store in the vehicle. Officers said they also confiscated a 9-mm. pistol. Speeding tickets average 17 per day By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The traffic police director reports that his officers issued 5,234 speeding tickets in the first 10 months of the year. That is an average of just 17 tickets a day, admitted Mario Calderón, director of the Policía de Tránsito. He said the work was difficult and there were not enough radar devices with cameras to make more stops. Just 25 motorists were ticketed for exceeding the 25-kph limit in school zones when students are present, he said. Fines range from 51,249.10 colons to 306,448.70 colons depending on the speed greater than the posted limit. A total of 115 motorists were caught going more than 120 kph, which drew the largest fine, said the director. Cubans asked to pay their own way By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Costa Rican officials say that negotiations are taking place with Mexican and Guatemalan officials with the goal of finding a way to transport thousands of Cuban migrants out of the country. One proposal is to airlift the Cubans to one of those countries so they can continue their efforts to reach the United States. Under a 1966 law that was designed to accommodate political refugees from the island, the Cuban migrants are entitled to U.S. residency and even financial support. But Nicaragua has closed its borders, perhaps at the behest of the Cuban government which does not wish to lose a steady stream of productive citizens. Ecuador, where most of the migrants landed, has enacted visa requirements. The latest idea is to have the Cubans purchase their own air tickets to reach either México or Guatemala. That was suggested by Costa Rican officials to groups of Cubans Monday. |
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A.M. Costa Rica Third News Page |
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| San José, Costa Rica, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, Vol. 16, No. 237 | |
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| Big show at children's museum is Wednesday evening at 8 |
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By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Costa Ricans' love of children and spectacles coincide Wednesday night for the 15th illumination of the facade of the Museo de los Niños. This is much more than a light show, and the hour-long main attraction has a cast of 70 persons. The museum at the north end of Calle 4 is the former national prison with towers that have been converted into what can now be called the Castillo de los Sueños or the "castle of dreams." There are 4,000 lights hung on the front wall of the museum just waiting for 8 p.m. Wednesday night. But the activities directed toward children really begins along Calle 4 at 2:30 p.m. This is not one of the better areas of the city, so the Fuerza Pública and other police agencies are putting some 210 officers on patrol along the route from Avenida Segunda to the museum. Involved will be the Ministerio de Seguridad Pública, the Sistema de Emergencias del 911, the Policía de Tránsito, the Cuerpo de Bomberos, the Cruz Roja, the Patronato Nacional de la Infancia, the Policía Municipal and the Ministerio de Salud. Officials expect about 16,000 persons, mostly parents with children, to attend. The museum said that groups participating in the 8 to 9 p.m. |
![]() Museo
de los Niños photo
Museíto and Museíta
have leading roles in the show.show include the Ballet Folclórico de Costa Rica, the Grupo La Cruceta, the Coro Universitario of the Universidad de Costa Rica and the museum's own characters Museíto and Museíta. Residents all over the city will know the show is taking place because the climax is a loud and colorful fireworks display. The museum considers the show its Christmas gift to the country and says the event is a message of faith, hope and solidarity. The event will be on most television channels. |
| France and Costa Rica agree to accept each others diplomas |
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By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
France and Costa Rica announced Monday that officials have agreed to accept diplomas issued by institutions in the other country. The agreement was signed by Julio Calvo, president of the Consejo Nacional de Rectores, and Jean-Loup Salzmann and François Cansell, representing French institutions. The agreement was made earlier this month but was announced Monday by Casa Presidencial. |
Jean-Baptiste
Chauvin, the French ambassador here, and Costa Rican
officials met with President Luis Guillermo Solís Monday morning
to
discuss the agreement. The agreement reduces the paperwork in the recognition of foreign diplomas. There are many problems associated with diplomas even from prestigious foreign institutions. Those who studied medicine in Cuba still are battling for recognition here, and the situation has been addressed in the legislature. |
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| You need to see Costa Rican tourism information HERE! |
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| What we published this week: | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Earlier |
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be
reproduced anywhere without permission. Abstracts and fair use are permitted. Check HERE for details |
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| A.M. Costa Rica's Fourth News page | |||||
| San José, Costa Rica, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, Vol. 16, No. 237 | |||||
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| British researchers report brain damage from high potency cannabis | |
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By the King’s College London news
staff
Smoking high potency cannabis can damage a crucial part of the brain responsible for communication between the two brain hemispheres, according to a new study by scientists from King’s College London and Sapienza University of Rome. Researchers have known for some time that long-term cannabis use increases the risk of psychosis, and recent evidence suggests that alterations in brain function and structure may be responsible for this greater vulnerability. However, this new research, published in Psychological Medicine, is the first to examine the effect of cannabis potency on brain structure. Exploring the impact of cannabis potency is particularly important since today’s high potency products have been shown to contain higher proportions of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol than they did around a decade ago. In experimental studies the substance has been shown to induce psychotic symptoms and products high in what is called THC are now thought to be the most commonly used form of cannabis in the United Kingdom. Paola Dazzan, reader in neurobiology of psychosis from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London, and senior researcher on the study, said: ‘We found that frequent use of high potency cannabis significantly affects the structure of white matter fibers in the brain, whether you have psychosis or not. ‘This reflects a sliding scale where the more cannabis you smoke and the higher the potency, the worse the damage will be.’ Diffusion tensor imaging, a magnetic resonance imaging technique, was used to examine white matter in the brains of |
56
patients who had
reported a first episode of psychosis at the South London and Maudsley
NHS Foundation Trust, as well as 43 healthy participants from the local
community. The researchers specifically examined the corpus callosum, the largest white matter structure in the brain, which is responsible for communication between the left and right hemispheres. White matter consists of large bundles of nerve cell projections called axons, which connect different regions of the brain, enabling communication between them. The corpus callosum is particularly rich in cannabinoid receptors, on which the THC content of cannabis acts. The study found that frequent use of high potency cannabis was linked to a marker of damage in white matter structure. Tiago Reis Marques, a senior research fellow at King’s College London, said: ‘This white matter damage was significantly greater among heavy users of high potency cannabis than in occasional or low potency users, and was also independent of the presence of a psychotic disorder.’ Dr. Dazzan added: ‘There is an urgent need to educate health professionals, the public and policymakers about the risks involved with cannabis use. ‘As we have suggested previously, when assessing cannabis use it is extremely important to gather information on how often and what type of cannabis is being used. These details can help quantify the risk of mental health problems and increase awareness on the type of damage these substances can do to the brain.’ |
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| What we published this week: | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Earlier |
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Colorado
S.A. 2015 and may not be reproduced anywhere without permission. Abstracts and fair use are permitted. Check HERE for details |
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A.M. Costa Rica's
Fifth news page |
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| San José, Costa Rica, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, Vol. 16, No. 237 | |||||||
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![]() LASS Laboratoire photo
This is the robot
from project Spencer that isbeing tested at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Robot
begins test as guide
at major Amsterdam airport By the Örebro Universitet newes staff
The robot in the Spencer project is now all set to face the real world at Schiphol, the major international airport in Amsterdam. Its mission: to help passengers find their way around the airport. Contributions from researchers at Örebro University in Sweden have enabled the robot to map its surroundings. The project is funded by the European Commission and is a collaboration between researchers and businesses in five different countries. Navigating an airport is challenging. There is a lot of glass and a constantly changing environment in terms of temporary obstructions, such as parked luggage trolleys and people everywhere, says Achim Lilienthal, professor of computer science and project leader of Örebro University’s contribution to the research project. Over the course of one week, starting Monday, the robot is being tested in the hustle and bustle of the major international airport. After the test run, adjustments will be made in preparation for the real test in March when representatives of the European Commission, along with other prominent guests, will be attending the official premiere run. The stately looking robot with its friendly but unstirring face will be guiding passengers unaccustomed to navigating international airports, from one gate to another. Researchers from Örebro have equipped the robot with a prerequisite for navigation, maps. The robot then surveys its surroundings by measuring the distance to various obstructions using laser beams. One of the more basic maps is one that involves fixed obstructions, such as walls. People in motion are not that tricky either. Objects that are temporary are the most difficult to work around. "We do not know, for instance, how long that luggage trolley will be parked in a particular spot, which makes it harder for the robot to determine its own location. We are working on a general map representation that includes and allows the robot to handle temporarily permanent objects, said Lilienthal. All the theoretical components of the robot’s ability will be fused into one system in the upcoming integration week. In addition to the Örebro University researchers’ contribution, another aspect of the project is the robot’s ability to understand human behavior and act accordingly. This includes actions like navigating around a group of people rather than squeezing through or looking around to see if the group it is guiding is keeping up. "It is surprisingly difficult to fit all the pieces together. A small error somewhere along the line may take an unpredictably long time to discover and work out," Lilienthal said. The robot project is run by researchers, but the initiative came from the Dutch airline KLM as a result of unwanted costs incurred when novice passengers missed their flights simply because they got lost. More of Mrs. Clinton's emails released by State Department By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
The U.S. State Department on Monday released its largest batch yet of former secretary of State Hillary Clinton's emails, 7,800 pages. Two-thirds of Mrs. Clinton's work-related emails have now been made public, the department said. There will be two more major releases of the Democratic presidential frontrunner's emails, one at the end of December and the other in late January. Monday's release is the seventh in a gradual process to make public all the messages that Mrs. Clinton says were work-related. The disclosures are a result of a court order earlier this year, which demanded that the full 55,000 pages of Mrs. Clinton's work-related emails be released by late January. "Meeting this goal is a testament to our commitment to releasing to the public these emails as expeditiously as possible," State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau told reporters. Mrs. Clinton's exclusive use of a private email setup throughout her tenure as secretary of State has haunted her presidential campaign. Critics, including prominent lawmakers on Capitol Hill, have worried that Mrs. Clinton's use of a personal email address and private server housed in her New York home could have made secrets vulnerable to hackers and allowed her to keep potentially embarrassing information secret. She has defended using one server as an issue of convenience. Mrs. Clinton is the leading Democratic contender for the 2016 presidential election. U.S. now collecting more data from visa-free air travelers By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
The United States tightened its visa waiver program Monday in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks, adding new screening for travelers headed to the U.S. from 38 countries around the world who now are allowed to enter the country without a visa. The White House said the country's homeland security agency is immediately altering its electronic visa-free clearance system to capture information on whether U.S.-bound travelers have made any trips to countries the United States considers to be a terrorist safe haven. In addition, Washington said it is considering pilot programs to add the use of biometric screening for travelers, such as taking their fingerprints or photographs, to the monitoring process before passengers are allowed to board flights headed to the United States. Each year, 20 million foreign visitors head to the U.S. from the 38 countries the U.S. has partnered with in the visa-free program. The White House said authorities have repeatedly increased their scrutiny of U.S.-bound travelers in recent years and are tightening them even more given the terrorist attacks in Paris and the ongoing threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters. The White House said it is seeking quick congressional approval for some of the new security measures, including an increase in fines from $5,000 to $50,000 against airlines that fail to verify a traveler's passport data. The U.S. is also looking to increase information sharing about possible terrorists among the 38 countries and the international police agency Interpol and to better track lost and stolen travel documents. It also called for quicker adoption of so-called e-passports, passports with embedded security chips. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that in addition to giving legal sanction to the new security measures, Congress by the end of the year should approve a ban on gun sales to anyone on the U.S. no-fly list. The majority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Kevin McCarthy, said lawmakers are aiming to approve an overhaul of the visa-free travel program by year's end, although details of the legislation have yet to be worked out. Colorado gunman makes his first court appearance By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
The gunman accused of killing three people during a shooting attack at a Planned Parenthood clinic in the western U.S. state of Colorado made his first court appearance Monday. Wearing a bulletproof vest, Robert Lewis Dear, 57, appeared by video camera, flanked by his court-appointed lawyer. The judge explained that Dear will face first-degree murder charges and possibly other charges, and Dear indicated that he understood. Dear has been held in custody without bond since his arrest. The attack last Friday triggered an hours-long gunbattle and standoff with police in Colorado Springs, leaving one police officer and two other people dead. Nine people were wounded. Police have not disclosed a motive for the attack. Dear was described by acquaintances as a loner who had past run-ins with law enforcement in Colorado, and earlier in North Carolina. Police sources were later quoted as saying Dear uttered the words "no more baby parts," as he was led away from Friday's crime scene, an apparent reference to abortions performed at some clinics. Controversy has swirled for years around Planned Parenthood clinics across much of the country, with critics pointing to branches that perform abortions. Supporters argue that the bulk of the organization's work centers on providing family-planning services, screenings for sexually transmitted diseases and general health consultations. In August, about 300 Colorado Springs residents opposed to abortion protested at the Centennial Boulevard clinic as part of a nationwide demonstration over a video that purportedly showed organization employees discussing the sale of fetal tissue. The video has since been discredited. Some abortion opponents have resorted to violence against U.S. clinics and medical practitioners that provide abortion services. Several have been hit by arsonists and bombers. At least two doctors have been murdered by anti-abortion activists, the most recent in 2009, when a doctor in Kansas was slain because he performed abortions. Soros foundations blacklisted under a vague Russian law By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
Russian authorities on Monday blacklisted the Open Society Foundations run by U.S. financier George Soros. Russia's prosecutor general's office added the Open Society Foundations and the Open Society Institute Assistance Foundation to a list of undesirable organizations, which bans them from continuing to give grants to Russian partners. Under a vague law passed in May and signed by President Vladimir Putin, prosecutors said the Soros foundations were undermining Russia's constitutional foundations, defense and national security. The law gives prosecutors the power to shut down any foreign and international organizations in Russia deemed a threat, and to fine and imprison any Russian repeat offenders working with them for up to six years. The Open Society Foundations defended its record in Russia, issuing a statement late Monday saying that “for more than a quarter century, it helped to strengthen the rule of law in Russia and protect the rights of all.” It expressed dismay at the prosecutor's decision and went on to say, “In the past, our efforts have been welcomed by Russian officials and citizens, and we regret the changes that have led the government to reject our support to Russian civil society and ignore the aspirations of the Russian people.” The Open Society Foundations said that since 1987 it has helped numerous Russian groups and individuals in the fields of education, science and public health, as well as financing networks of Internet centers in 33 universities and a network of contemporary art centers. It is the second group shut down in Russia by authorities under the undesirable organizations law, both of them from the United States. The National Endowment for Democracy in late July was the first to be banned from conducting activities in Russia. The organization promotes democratic development, but Russian prosecutors accused it of using Russian groups to discredit elections and army service, as well as try to influence government policy. Russian officials and state media have portrayed the National Endowment for Democracy and Soros' foundations as creating instability and revolutions, including in Ukraine, because of support for democracy activists and groups. Rights groups say the blacklisting of undesirable organizations is part of a broader crackdown on independent groups since Putin returned to the Kremlin in 2012 amid a wave of anti-government protests. Tanya Lokshina, Russia program director at Human Rights Watch in Moscow, says prosecutors are using the undesirables law to stifle dissent and squeeze the life out of Russian civil society. “They are, for now, going after American donors. But, those American donor institutions have been very supportive to Russian civil society groups.” Russia in 2012 passed a law against foreign agents, Russian organizations that accept foreign funding and engage in activities deemed political, which implies spying or disloyalty. Ms. Lokshina says more than 100 independent groups, including human rights and scientific organizations, are demonized under the law in the public eye. “It looks like the authorities are dividing non-governmental organizations into loyal and not loyal. And, those that they believe to be not loyal, in other words critical, are treated as enemies of the state and presented as enemies of Russian society.” A number of organizations chose to shut down operations because of the foreign agent label or were forced to under pressure. Despite being labeled undesirable and losing the legal authority to work in Russia, Open Society Foundations founder George Soros said he is confident the move is temporary. He said “the aspirations of the Russian people for a better future cannot be suppressed and will ultimately succeed.” The Open Society Foundations said it would continue to support those who seek assistance in accordance with its mission and within the limits of the law. Two U.S. senators suggest sending troops to Syria, Iraq By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
Two U.S. senators Sunday said the United States should be part of a multinational force in Iraq and Syria to defeat the Islamic State and pressure Syrian President Bashar al-Assad out of power. The comments follow an essay by a U.S. foreign policy scholar arguing the need for up to 50,000 U.S. troops, initially, to confront the Islamic State group and create a safe zone for Syrian refugees. Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham, both Republicans, told U.S. television from Baghdad Sunday the U.S. must take part in a multinational force that McCain, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said will have two key objectives. "First, you have to, obviously, take out ISIS but, at the same time, you have to establish a no-fly zone that sends a message to Bashar al-Assad that he can stop barrel-bombing and slaughtering innocent men, women and children and driving millions into refugee status, which we are trying to cope with now," said McCain. Graham, also a member of the Armed Services Committee, was asked if the American people are prepared for another U.S. ground commitment following the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. "They better be because, if we don’t destroy ISIL in Syria which is their headquarters, we’re going to get attacked at home. So, the region is ready to fight. The region hates ISIL. They’re coming after the Sunni Arab nations and Turkey hates ISIL. The entire region wants Assad gone. So, there’s an opportunity here with some American leadership to do two things, which is to destroy ISIL before we get hit at home and also to push Assad out, and I can’t overemphasize the influence of Iran. "We’ve been here a day and a half. Iran is all over Iraq. They have filled in the vacuum created when we left, and the region is very worried about Iranian dominance as well as ISIL," said Graham. Both McCain and Graham suggest the force required may need to be as high as 100,000, but Graham added that it would be comprised mostly of regional troops. "The kind of force that John and I are talking about is, 10 percent of the force would come from Western powers. The force we’re talking about will come from regional armies. There are large regional armies. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, they have regional armies. They would go into the fight if you put Assad on the table. So, most of the fighting would be done by the region," said Graham. Graham said the estimated 3.500 U.S. troops in Iraq are insufficient to beating the Islamic State any time soon. McCain said he believes the provincial Iraqi capital of Ramadi, now in Islamic State hands, will be taken back soon. "But, that’s only the beginning. There’s Fallujah, there’s Mosul and others. We need a more robust presence and Bashar al-Assad is a major cause of the refugees which are now flooding Europe and cause such consternation in the United States. A no-fly zone will provide a refuge at least for some of these refugees," said McCain. Brookings Institution foreign policy scholar Robert Kagan, writing in The Wall Street Journal, warns the Islamic State has not been confined to the Middle East. He said the Nov. 13 attacks in Paris have proven that the Islamic State group is both durable and capable. He said the Islamic State threatens the cohesion of Europe and the trans-Atlantic community. Kagan said a U.S. force, numbering up to 50,000, will need to establish a safe zone in Syria while supporting local forces in uprooting the Islamic State. He expresses hope that eventually those U.S. troops could be replaced by European, Turkish, Saudi and other Arab forces. |
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| What we published this week: | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Earlier |
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Colorado S.A. 2015 and may not be reproduced anywhere without
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| A.M. Costa Rica's sixth news page |
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| San José, Costa Rica, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, Vol. 16, No. 237 | |||||||||
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![]() Gunnar Brehm photo
This is a Hagnagora
anicata
from Ecuador. Speedier
classification defines species
By the Pensoft Publishers news staff
Having collected thousands of moth and butterfly species from across Costa Rica, famous ecologist Daniel Janzen and his team at the University of Pennsylvania were yet to find out many of their names. When they sought help from Gunnar Brehm, the taxonomist realized he needed too much time to describe species in the framework of an extensive revision of the genus, especially as there are still only a few biologists skilled to do this. In the end, he found a way to revise the Neotropical looper moth genus Hagnagora fast and efficiently through avoiding wordy descriptions, but focusing on diagnostic characters, illustrated external characters, genitalia structures and DNA barcoding instead. His study is available in the open-access journal ZooKeys. Having been put together back in the 19th century, most of the species within the Neotropical moth genus Hagnagora had been described by 1913. In modern days, it seemed necessary for the population to be revised. As a result, Brehm published what he called a concise revision comprising 20 species. It includes three species new to science. The author stresses the fact that taxonomists can hardly keep up with the pace inventories are being compiled or with the accelerating destruction of tropical rainforests. "Taxonomists therefore need to accelerate their workflows and try to make their papers useful not only to other taxonomists but for ecologists who need their support," Brehm says. "What used to be one species ten years ago, known as Hagnagora anicata, is now regarded as a complex of six species, and more might be discovered in South American rain forests," Brehm said. "Integrating information of molecules and morphology, as concisely as possible, appears to be one promising way to cope with the problem of slow taxonomy," he explains in conclusion. Entrepreneurs to show their projects By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Students in the business administration courses at Tecnológico de Costa Rica will present some 91 entrepreneurial projects at an expo Saturday at the university's Cartago campus. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Some 450 students are in the university's business program at locations all over the country. |
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| From Page 7: Cyber Monday expected to post 14 percent hike By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
U.S. consumers were expected to boost online purchases by 14 percent Monday as more customers use computers and smart phones to purchase holiday bargains offered by competitive retailers. The research group comScore predicts that e-commerce will hit $70 billion for the holiday season that ends in late December with the traditional exchange of gifts for Christmas. Researchers say a significant and fast-growing share of e-commerce is done via mobile devices. The National Retail Federation says total holiday commerce will exceed $600 billion. Holiday shopping accounts for around one-third of annual commerce for retailers, and in some cases, a strong season is the difference between profit and loss. The holiday shopping season traditionally starts the day after November's holiday of Thanksgiving, which is always on a Thursday. The day after has been dubbed Black Friday because success on that key shopping day is associated with being profitable, or in the black. Surging e-commerce, however, is eroding holiday sales in traditional or bricks and mortar stores. That is particularly true on the Monday after the Thanksgiving holiday when workers return to jobs, where they often have access to computers. So many people take time out from work to bargain hunt that the day is called "Cyber Monday." The National Retail Federation says 121 million Americans would go online to shop this Monday. Cyber Mondays have been hitting record-high sales totals for the past six years, and experts predict more than $3 billion in sales this Cyber Monday, which would be another record. The Consumer Technology Association says around 45 percent of shoppers plan to purchase electronic devices, particularly smart phones and televisions. Delivering all of those gadgets, toys, clothing and other gifts is a huge task for the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, and FedEx. FedEx says it expects to deliver a record 317 million packages, and has added tens of thousands of workers to its crew of more than 300,000. Cyber commerce is also surging in other nations. China's Alibaba sold a new record $14.3 billion associated with early November's Singles' Day, which has seen commerce expand quickly since 2009. |