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Coronavirus causing doubts among some anti-vaxxers but others doubling down on denial, experts say

Covid-19 could be 'antidote to complacency' among those on the fence about vaccines, scientists say




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As people disappear under lockdown, goats, rats and coyotes prowl the streets

Humans can easily forget that the cities and towns they call home and frequently visit are also home to wild animals, writes Sandra E Garcia. In Wales, goats roam the streets, while in San Francisco the Coyotes have come out




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Football players should practice mindfulness in training, new study says

Iranian football subjects taught to focus on present moment, accept their thoughts and feelings, and commit to goals




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Climate change deniers now downplaying seriousness of coronavirus

Infowars founder Alex Jones among conspiracy theorists sowing doubts about pandemic




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Coronavirus: Timeline of pandemics and other viruses that humans caught by interacting with animals

Stop the Wildlife Trade: From 1918 to today, the deadly diseases that have become more frequent




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Climate crisis: Releasing bison, reindeer and horses into the Arctic would slow warming, say scientists

'This type of natural manipulation in ecosystems ... has barely been researched to date, but holds tremendous potential,' says researcher




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Genes could affect body's coronavirus response, research on twins suggests

DNA blueprint 50-per-cent responsible for presentation of key coronavirus symptoms, study finds




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Glowing flowers created through insertion of DNA from luminous mushroom

Scientists have created glowing flowers after editing the DNA of a plant.




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Comet Atlas: Nasa shares new images of 'doomed' space object as it breaks into pieces

Nasa and the European Space Agency have shared new images of Comet Atlas as it flies towards Earth.




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Sliding glaciers 'a new threat' as global warming melts ice

Meltwater caused a 500-metre slab of ice to cascade down an Alaskan valley — and researchers say warmer summers are making similar events more likely




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Science news in brief: From a deep-space mystery to the longest creature in the ocean

And other stories from around the world




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'Superfast' new manufacturing method could mean breakthrough in battery technology, scientists say

'Reinvention' of ceramics firing process could be used by artificial intelligence to create new materials with wide range of possible applications




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Koalas drink water by licking wet trees, scientists discover

Enigmatic marsupial has previously been thought to absorb almost all its moisture from eating leaves




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From new ultraviolet wavelengths to virucidal face masks: Could these new technologies help defeat coronavirus?

David Keys speaks to scientists and health experts about the new tools that could help in the fight against Covid-19 and future coronavirus outbreaks




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Tesla applies to become UK energy provider raising hopes its giant batteries could help power the country

The company has submitted an application to the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority "authorising it to generate electricity"




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Tumblr deletes millions of white supremacist reblogs after new policy update

The social media site says it has removed over 4.5 million reblogs in an attempt to rid the site of hateful content on the platform.




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'Tug of war' effect could explain why North Magnetic Pole has moved from Canada towards Siberia, scientists say

Researchers suggest unusual rapid shift is due to competing patches of magnetic field




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Twitter launches coronavirus fact-checks for people who search for 5G conspiracy theories

Users will receive a prompt from the UK government with a link to accurate information




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New black hole discovered closer than any other to Earth

System could be 'tip of the iceberg' and many more could be waiting to be found, scientists say




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Flower full moon 2020: How to watch the final supermoon of the year this week

May will be the the last chance to see the celestial event until 2021




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Coronavirus: Intensive farming provides perfect conditions for viruses to spread between animals and humans, study shows

Stop the Wildlife Trade: 'I think this is a wake-up call to be more responsible about farming methods, so we can reduce the risk of outbreaks of problematic pathogens in the future,' say scientists




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Bright time: Why is the sun less active than other stars?

A new study shows that the brightest object in the solar system has significantly less starlight than previously thought, but what might that mean for life here on earth? Andrew Norton explains




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Scientists get 'lucky' with new image of Jupiter that could help solve mystery of its powerful swirling storms

Pictures are some of the sharpest infrared images of Jupiter ever taken from the Earth




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China's new experimental spacecraft returns to Earth – after experiencing mysterious malfunction

Chinese space agency hopes capsule can one day carry six astronauts into space




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RiteAid BonusCash rewards for Apr 5-11, 2020 ... 20% ROI on Xbox, GameStop, Apple, Google, Netflix, Nike, Panera, Fandango, AMC, & Regal GC's

It's a bumper crop of BonusCash at your local Rite-Aid this week, with not 1, 2, 3, but 4 gaming GC's, and 1 of those gives you even more options!

  • Nike, GameStop, Netflix ... $5 BonusCash when you buy $25 of these items.*
  • Google Play, AMC Theatres, Apple AppStore/iTunes, Fandango, XBOX, Panera Bread, Regal Theatres ... $6 BonusCash when you buy $30 of these items.*

FYI, "GameStop" is a big win, because not only can you purchase (additional) XBOX, PSN, Nintendo, and Steam credit there, but you order the GC credit from their website, and get a redemption code instantly after checkout.
 
For those who are new to the "Rite-Aid wellness+ reward BonusCash" program, you'll receive the $$$ amount when you purchase the minimum amount specified. Gift-cards within the same bullet-point share the same "limit 2 offers per customer", but you can earn rewards on the other bullet-point lines as well. For example, you can purchase $25 each of GameStop & Netflix (or $50 of GameStop) ... and still be able to purchase another $60 mix of Google & Apple & XBOX, and can stagger your 4 GC purchases throughout the week.

Screenshot of 2 separate GC offers (bullet points) included here:

Spoiler


Small print (at bottom of weekly ad) and BonusCash T&C's included here:
Spoiler


FYI ... the limit of "2 offers per customer" is tracked by your "wellness+ rewards" account, so you'll need to limit yourself to 2 offers per line item throughout the week, and not just "2 per transaction" or "2 per day". At the time of purchase, your printed receipt will indicate how many of the "limit 2" you've met, but neither the website nor register will indicate ...

  • if you've met the limit of 2 items per BonusCash group with the current transaction, or
  • if the transaction you're about to complete exceeds the limit of 2 per week, or
  • when your BonusCash rewards will expire.

Luckily the mobile RiteAid app (and website) list your individual accumulation & cashing out on a per transaction basis, so that's a good way to keep tabs on the expiration dates, since you only get 30 days to spend the BonusCash once earned. Good luck!

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    Final Fantasy Remake - Double 10 Dollar Rewards for Preorder?

    Not sure if it was a glitch or intentional, but I got a notice this morning saying that my copy of Final Fantasy Remake Standard Edition had shipped.  That made me happy enough, as I was afraid it might be delayed - had it pre-ordered on Amazon but it shifted to delivery unknown earlier in the week so I canceled it.  But, back on topic - about 3 hours later I got a message that I had a 25 dollar reward.  I did not have anywhere near that many points before so I looked for where they came from.  When I clicked on the Final Fantasy VII Remake purchase, this is what it said:

     

    Total Points: 1142

    My Best Buy Visa Purchase Bonus - 83

    $10 Dollar Certificate for Final Fantasy VII Preorder - 500

    $10 Dollar Certificate for Final Fantasy VII Preorder - 500

    Base Points - 59

     

    Did this happen to anyone else?  Considering I preordered it when I still had Gamers Club - so got it for 51.23 ... this has been an especially Cheap Ass Gamer type of purchase.

     

    P.S.  Sigh, I really miss Gamers Club.  Hate spending 64.04 on new releases (that includes local tax).




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    Console Games, Merch Sale with Free Shipping and 50% Off 1 Month Uplay+ at Ubi Store

    Uplay+ service, with access to + 100 games is is 50% off for the 1st month!  Members can get unlimited access to + 100 games for $6.99
    https://store.ubi.com/us/uplayplus/
     
    Free shipping and +50% off on all physical games until April 19th. There's merch on sale as well.
    https://store.ubi.com/us/free-shipping-sale/




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    PlayStation Move Motion Controller Two-Pack & Tilt Brush Bundle - $99.99 @ PlayStation Direct

     
    NEW, free shipping automatic at checkout for any order over $70.
     
    Tilt Brush on PSN - $19.99
     
    Deals on these a far and few between. New Move controllers are out of stock in a lot of places. This is direct from PlayStation and likely to be the newest batch of manufactured controllers as they are in a new box with a digital code included.
     
    Much better than dealing with the used PS3 era Moves with degraded batteries.
     
    Alternatively, purchase an open-box from Best Buy for $84.99. 
     
    Not a blazing deal, but if you are in the market for these it might be the best you'll find for a bit.




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    Slay the Spire (PS4) - $8.99, (Switch) - $21.99 at Best Buy

    I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet since its been going on for a few days now.  Great game.  Price before GCU.

     

    Slay the Spire (PS4) - $8.99

    https://www.bestbuy.com/site/slay-the-spire-standard-edition-playstation-4/6379879.p?skuId=6379879

     

    Slay the Spire (Switch) - $21.99

    https://www.bestbuy.com/site/slay-the-spire-standard-edition-nintendo-switch/6379876.p?skuId=6379876




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    Xbox One X (as-is condition, console only FOR REPAIR, PARTS ONLY NOT NEW IN BOX, YOU MIGHT NEED TO FIX THEM understood? NOTNEW) $139.99 (Ebay seller)

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-Xbox-One-X-1TB-Black-Console-as-is-for-repair-or-parts-only/264227168298

     

    YMMV obviously--I ordered two of these a month ago and they have been running fine for me.  All I had to do was reinstall the newest system update and they have both been fine with no issues.  One system's issue noted was "freezes" and the other was "no video". 

     

    It says he has only 2 in stock, but I bought two a while back and the listing has remained active for the entire time with stock available, so he probably leaves the number low to keep demand going. This is probably a bulk buyer who doesn't extensively troubleshoot the systems.  I am not affiliated with the seller.  Cosmetically, the systems are nice enough to trade in without taking a refurb fee when stores re-open for business.





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    PM Studios "Stay Safe" Sale - Featuring Switch/PS4, and Limited Run Games.

    PM Studios online store is back and they made a new sale featuring new reprints, overall deals and restock on rare out-of-print titles from Limited Run Games.

     

    https://twitter.com/PMStudiosUSA/status/1253401043414781959

     

    Also all orders over $49.99 will get Cytus Alpha Limited Edition Original Soundtrack CD for free with the Coupon "FREEGIFT".

     

    Kinda sick move they did now.

     

    https://www.pm-studios.com/store

     

    Edit: Price list.

     

    Reprints/Pre-Orders: 
     
    Horizon Chase Turbo (Switch) - $29.99
    Ministry of Broadcast (Steelbook Edition) (Switch) - $39.99 
     
    Deals:
     
    Deemo (Switch) $39.99 - $19.99
    Opus Collection (Switch) $39.99 - 19.99
    Horizon Chase Turbo (First Print - PS4) $29.99 - $14.99
    Hover (Switch) - $29.99 - $24.99
    WILL: A Wonderful World Limited Edition (Plush, 120 page Artbook, etc) : $79.99 $69.99
    WILL: A Wonderful World - Artbook: $29.99 - $24.99

    Limited Run Games products:
    Mercenaries Series Double Pack (PAX Exclusive): $69.99
    Mercenaries Wings Limited Edition (PS4 - LRG) : $59.99
    Mercenaries Wings Limited Edition (Switch - LRG): $59.99
    Musynx First Print (Vita - LRG): $29.99
    Deemo: The Last Recital (Vita - LRG): $29.99
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    Iffy's Online Store 20% Off Everything, Golden Week Sale, Ends 5/6

    "Happy Golden Week! Receive 20% off all items added to your cart until 5/6!!
    Free shipping on all US orders over $57.99!"

     

    https://www.iffysonlinestore.com/

     

    Limited Editions included.

     

    A couple Switch recommendations (prices before discount),

     

    Moero Chronicle Hyper Standard Edition $29.99

     

    Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force Standard Edition $39.99

     

    Enjoy.




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    (DEAD) Alien Isolation - PC - $2.00 ($1.59 with Humble Monthly sub)

    https://www.humblebundle.com/store/alien-isolation

     

    https://store.steampowered.com/app/214490/Alien_Isolation/

     

    Thought this discount was notable enough to warrant its own thread.

     

    Thanks MysterD for the following post

     

     

    GameBillet has Alien: Isolation Collection [Steam key] for $9.29.

     

    Side note:

    On GameBillet, all the Alien Isolation's DLC's, Season Passes, etc. are on sale on GameBillet too:

     

    Alien Isolation sale on GameBillet:

    Alien Isolation: Collection (Base Game & All 7 DLC's) = $9.29.

    Alien Isolation: Season Pass (The 5 Challenge Maps DLC Pack) = $4.10

    Alien Isolation: Crew Expendable DLC (Story DLC #1) = 79 cents

     

    Alien Isolarion: Last Survivor DLC (Story DLC #2) = 79 cents.





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    Fortnite Darkfire Bundle (PS4/XB1/Switch) $14.99 & BOGO Fortnite Figures at Best Buy - DotD

    Fortnite Darkfire Bundle (PS4/XB1/Switch) $14.99  msrp $29.99

    Amazon has the PS4 version for the same price.

     

    BOGO Fortnite Figures

     

    Other Fornite deals:

    Buy any v-bucks card, get the SteelSeries - Arctis 1 Wireless Stereo Gaming Headset for PC for $59.99

     

     

    Here's what the Darkfire Bundle includes:

    https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/darkfire

    Spoiler
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    Free $15 Target GiftCard with $100 iTunes Digital Gift Card purchase at Target

    Different digital styles to choose from!

    Online only.

     

    http://goto.target.com/itunesgiftcards

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    Two Men Are Arrested And Charged With A Murder Of Ahmaud Arbery

    Georgia State Bureau of Investigation has arrested suspects in the shooting death of an unarmed black jogger, Ahmaud Arbery. It would have been Arbery's 26th birthday on Friday.




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    What One Needs To Know Before Starting Gardening

    While staying at home during the pandemic, people are now trying gardening to find out if they have a green thumb. But gardening is not an easy hobby and requires some research.




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    Civilian Coronavirus Corps Aims To Get Pennsylvania Back To Work

    Gov. Tom Wolf hopes a New Deal-inspired plan will help get the state's more than 1.7 million unemployed residents working again.




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    More Census Workers To Return To Rural Areas In 9 States To Leave Forms

    The Census Bureau says it plans to continue its relaunch of limited 2020 census operations on May 13, when the next round of workers is set to resume hand-delivering paper forms in rural communities.




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    Tyson's Largest Pork Plant Reopens As Tests Show Surge In Coronavirus Cases

    The Tyson Foods plant in Waterloo, Iowa, reopened Thursday after a coronavirus outbreak there. Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson says he'd support a second shutdown if the changes aren't enough.




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    What Happened Today: Health Care System Crumbles, Testing Questions

    Marc Lipsitch, a professor of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, answers questions about access to testing for COVID-19, false-negative results and the challenges of mass testing.




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    Reopening After COVID: The 3 Phases Recommended By The White House

    President Trump wants businesses to start reopening after the coronavirus forced shutdowns. Here's what the White House task force recommends for states.




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    How The Approval Of The Birth Control Pill 60 Years Ago Helped Change Lives

    Before the pill was approved by the FDA on May 9, 1960, there were few contraceptive options available to young women. It revolutionized family planning and the sex lives of millions of Americans.




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    A Realtor Reflects On The Impact Of Lockdown On Her Business

    Marilyn Rivera Torres, a realtor in Puerto Rico, says the lockdown has dried up her finances. Confusion over the governor's executive orders also make it unclear how to resume her business.




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    Runners Across U.S. Pay Tribute To Ahmaud Arbery With #IRunWithMaud

    People across the country dedicated 2.23 miles to show solidarity for Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot and killed on Feb. 23 while jogging in Georgia. Two men have been charged with murdering Arbery.




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    A Salon Owner Worries About The Lockdown's Impact On Her Business

    Christine Maccarone of New Jersey styles hair in nursing homes and hospitals. She's worried about her business surviving the state lockdown, and the well-being of her elderly clients.