Stuff YOU Should Know
Cruz Announces Bid for Nomination
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We’re ramping up to “election season,” where candidates from both the Republican and Democratic parties formally announce his or her bid for their party’s nomination. Last month, btw introduced you to nine Republican nominee hopefuls who recently addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Among them was Ted Cruz, who has become the first GOP-affiliate to officially declare his presidential campaign. Cruz is currently serving in the U.S. Senate, representing Texas. He is a strong proponent of the Tea Party. One of the first things he did while in office as a senator was author the Obamacare Repeal Act, legislation to defund the Affordable Care Act.
Cruz, 44, was born in Canada (but considered a US-born citizen because of his mother’s citizenship). He was raised in Texas, graduated from Harvard Law School, was a attorney for many years, and also served on the state’s solicitor general before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2012. Cruz believes in the sanctity of the Constitution (including religious liberty, upholding the Second Amendment, opposing government overreach, and ensuring the supremacy of the U.S. legal system against international treaties). He believes in maximizing energy production in the U.S., a strong military, and streamlining the immigration system.
What Do You Think? Begin to take note of other contenders for both the Democratic and Republican bids. What details set them apart from one another?
U.S. Joins Fight Against IS in Iraq
The Islamic State (IS) has occupied the Iraqi city of Tikrit (93 miles north of Badhdad) since June of 2014. On March 1, a joint operation between the Popular Mobilisation (a military collective formed in 2014 and made up of dozens of Iraqi Shia militias) and the Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF), launched an attack involving 27,000 troops, with the goal of removing the terrorist organization from the city. It is considered the first attempt to evict IS from controlling a major urban area. Many believe success or failure in Tikrit will set a precedent for future operations.
The US military recently announced its support of the Popular Mobilisation. Not everyone is supportive of the U.S. involvement. The head of the Iranian-backed Badr Brigade militia said publicly that they did not need help. Two days into the airstrike, thousands of Shiite militiamen boycotted the fight, while others threatened to kill any Americans they came into contact with. Human rights advocates report a number of atrocities against civilians being committed by both sides.
Dig Deeper Follow coverage of these airstrikes, noting successes and failures from each side. Do you think IS can be removed from Tikrit? Why or why not? Support your answer with at least two sources.
A Scientific Approach to World Cuisine
Many cultures have very identifiable signature ingredients when it comes to the food of their people. Italians are known for pasta and sauces, the Chinese for rice and vegetables, and the Polish for their doughy pockets filled with potatoes. A new study released as a co-effort by the Indian Institute of Technology and the Centre for System Science examines the differences between Indian and Western cuisine on a “molecular” level. Researchers looked at the ingredients list of more than 2,000 Indian recipes. Some of the most common spices include coriander, anise, cardamom, bay leaves, ginger, and garlic, in any number of combinations.
The overall conclusion of the study was that Indian food combines many different types of ingredients, while Western foods tend to share similar flavor compounds. Economics, however, has also played a large role, historically. While spices were once proof of one’s wealth, once they became a common commodity across Europe, tastes changed to reflect a deliberate pairing of foods with complementary flavors. This practice continues to reflect modern tastes among Westerners.
What Do You Think? Do you like Indian food? If so, what do you like about it (provide specific details). If not, what don’t you like (again, details are important). Overall, what is your favorite kind of ethnic food? Why?
NASA’s Twins Study
On March 27, U.S. Astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian Cosmonaut Mikhail Korniyenko began a one-year mission into space aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Once completed, Kelly will have spent more consecutive time in space than anyone in U.S. history (the previous record was 215 days). The record for the total number of days worldwide is 437, completed by the Russians nearly two decades ago. NASA is particularly interested in how the human body responds and adapts to the environment in space. The data gathered during the mission will be used to plan for longer missions, including a manned-flight to Mars.
The fact that Kelly has an identical brother (who happens to be retired astronaut Mark Kelly) provided NASA with a unique research opportunity. Made up of ten separate investigations, research collected for the Twins Study will focus on human physiology, behavioral health, microbiology, and molecular landscape. Scientists will pay close attention to the Kelly’s eyes, immune system, stomach bacteria, and the effects of exercise in a zero-gravity environment. Because the Kelly brothers share the same DNA, one acts as the perfect “control subject” for the other.