Saudi Arabia Potentially Doing a 50-50 Deal with China, May Affect Petrodollars
Day: September 4, 2017
Glioblastoma Gene Mutation — Genetic drivers to brain cancer discovered!
Scientists have uncovered the genetic drivers behind a deadly form of brain cancer—a finding that is related to glioblastoma gene mutation. This discovery has been likened to finding the cure for cancer. Experts say successful research into the deadly glioblastoma brain cancer could be applied to other forms of cancer to help beat the disease completely. While in the early stages, this discovery will have a bold impact around the world in understanding and treating cancer.
On Glioblastoma Gene Mutation
According to Medical News Today, researchers found a variety of genetic mutations that can fuel the development of glioblastoma. The scientists also identified two genetic mutations that drive chemoresistance in glioblastoma tumors, which could lead to personalized treatment strategies for this specific type of brain cancer. These findings could lead scientists right back to the source of the deadly brain cancer. That means they will be able to help treat it more effectively or even come up with preventative measures. Other forms of cancer could also be tackled in a similar way.
Sidi Chen from the Systems Biology Institute at Yale University, along with colleagues from the facility, published their findings in the Nature Neuroscience Journal. The discoveries have sent shockwaves through the medical profession. The findings have provided one of the most comprehensive and feasible papers put forward on tackling this deadly form of brain cancer.
Genetic Breakthrough Treats Cancer
“Also referred to as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), glioblastoma is a deadly, fast-growing brain cancer that develops from astrocytes, a type of star-shaped glial cell that normally provides neuronal support,” Medical News Today writes.
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons found that glioblastomas accounts for more than 50 percent of all primary brain tumors, and are most common among adults between the ages of 45 and 70.
“When it comes to treating glioblastomas, surgery is often the first port of call, though it is rare that the entire tumor can be safely removed. As such, surgery is usually followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy,” the website adds.
To date, scientists have pinpointed gene mutations—that is, glioblastoma gene mutation —as the main cause of glioblastoma. Identifying the genes responsible has been the main task of this body of research, dedicated to determining the source. The team perfected their research by using the sophisticated “CRISPR gene editing and a genetic screening technique to search for combinations of genetic mutations that might fuel glioblastoma formation in the brains of mice.”
More On the Research Related to Glioblastoma Gene Mutation
“From an analysis of more than 1,500 genetic combinations in the mice, the researchers identified a number of genes, including B2m-Nf1, Mll3-Nf1, and Zc3h13-Rb1, that work together to cause glioblastomas,” researchers find. “The team also identified two gene mutations—Zc3h13 and Pten—that affect the gene expression of Rb1 mutations, which increases resistance to the chemotherapy drug temozolomide.”
These scientists say that their findings could lead to more personalized therapies for those suffering from glioblastoma. Their discoveries could also possibly help them pinpoint the areas which need more work to combat the disease. Notably, while this research means tremendous progress, it could take many more years to precisely discover a way to eliminate the underlying cause of cancerous diseases. However, this bold team has successfully propelled the scientific community forward in its quest to cure cancer.
Driverless Bus Trial at Sydney Olympic Park
The concept of autonomous vehicles is nothing new. We are rapidly developing better smart cars and these innovative vehicles will be littering the streets before long. Buses driving next to you with nobody behind the wheel may sound like a futuristic movie scene, but it’s becoming a reality much sooner than we think. At one time this was little more than a bold idea, now cities around the world are taking bold action to test this technology and bring driverless cars to streets everywhere.
China has a head start on producing autonomous public transit, with the world’s first self-driving bus launched in August 2015. Cameras, laser radars, and a master controller guide the self-driving bus, while a human driver sits behind the wheel to take over if problems arise. The self-driving bus succeeded in performing complicated maneuvers such as responding to traffic lights and making lane changes.
After China, Australia is the next country to test driverless bus technology. An autonomous shuttle bus will take to the New South Wales roads for the first time, as part of a two-year trial. Set to begin this month, the trial will first focus on safety checks before allowing the public onto the driverless bus. This is part of New South Wales’ vision for a technology-enabled future. The shuttle bus will operate in the area of Newington Armory at the Sydney Olympic Park.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance earlier questioned the wisdom of constructing large motorways because of the imminent arrival of driverless bus services. He believes that there is no point in building four or five-lane motorways because automation will eventually alter the transportation landscape entirely.
The state government of New South Wales predicts that automated vehicles will drastically reduce fatal road accidents which are mostly caused by human errors.
Roads Minister Melinda Pavey said that the trial will help the government to develop a system of traffic lights, transportation structures, applications, and devices to work in sync with the automated vehicles.
The government is aware that there is still a long way to go before automated buses become a common fixture on Australian roadways, but the trial is one bold step in the right direction to achieve this goal.
Driverless Vehicles Will Save Lives
The New South Wales government will work closely with HMI Technologies, NRMA, IAG, Telstra, and the Sydney Olympic Park Authority to perform and monitor the results of the trials.
The automated bus – RAC Intellibus – will operate using light detection and range, GPS, vision cameras, odometry, and autonomous emergency braking. This lets the busses detect and avoid obstacles, including pedestrians who are crossing the road. The autonomous shuttle bus can transport eleven passengers and travel at 25 kilometers per hour.
New South Wales was not the first state to test this advanced busing system, however. Last year, Perth launched its own driverless bus that travels down a pre-programmed route along the foreshore of the Western Australia’s capital. Darwin followed suit early this year with an autonomous bus that shuttles passengers between tourist spots. Nevertheless, a licensed driver still continuously monitors Darwin’s self-driving bus.
In March, the Adelaide Airport and the South Australian government launched a trial of driverless busses that are similar to NSW’s RAC Intellibus. If the trials are successful, the driverless buses will replace the diesel-powered shuttle buses currently used by the airport. The Australian parliament is currently in the midst of the discussion to allow the use of these intelligent, driverless buses on Australian roads.
China-Saudi Deal to Break Petrodollar Lock
Saudi Arabia may partly fund itself with help from China, a senior Saudi official said in a statement Thursday, August 24. The oil-rich country is considering getting help via Chinese yuan funds, thus increasing the possibility of the two global powers forging closer financial ties. This bold idea came in light of Saudi’s recent budget deficit, as the country has already started borrowing billions of dollars abroad in the last year. However, is the past, such loans were in U.S. dollars exclusively.
Russia accepts yuan for their oil trade with China, possibly affecting Saudi’s share which has dropped from 25% in 2008 to its present at below 15%.
Seeking and obtaining funds in Chinese yuan means Riyadh, the Saudi capital, will have more financial flexibility. In turn, it also boosts China on the world stage. China is undoubtedly Saudi oil’s biggest market, but the move from the dollar allows the two nations to deal directly with each other, effectively cracking the hegemony of the U.S. dollar. In addition, the Chinese yuan (also known as the renminbi) will continue its path in potentially becoming a top international currency.
During a Saudi-Chinese conference held in Jeddah, Vice Minister of Economy and Planning Mohammed al-Tuwaijri announced that this action is taken so that the country’s funding sources may diversify. “We will do that through access to investors or bodies of liquidity in the markets. China is by far one of the top markets,” he explained. “We will also access other technical markets in terms of unique funding opportunities, private placements, panda bonds and others.”
He mentioned that Saudi Arabia is “very willing to consider” using Chinese funding and products, and mentioned many divisions have “shown interest” including the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.
Panda bonds, or Chinese yuan-denominated bonds from non-Chinese issuers but sold within the People’s Republic of China, are a possibility as well. An Liyan, chief executive of ICBC International, one of the biggest Chinese banks, announced in the conference that her bank is willing to sponsor panda bonds to Saudi Arabia.
Breaking the Petrodollar Lock Open
Petrodollars, or money earned from oil sales, help Saudi Arabia standardize worldwide oil prices in U.S. dollars. When the U.S. and Saudi Arabia struck a deal in the 1970s, it allowed the U.S. dollar to claim an elevated status as the global reserve currency. With Saudi Arabia potentially doing a 50-50 deal with China, it may seal the fate of the petrodollar, switching the world currency from U.S. dollars to Chinese yuan or a group of floating currencies. This a bold move that will cause impacts not just in the three countries involved, but also the rest of the world.
In a statement, Tuwaijri said that Riyadh wants to raise money abroad for many reasons outside of simply covering its budget deficit. He stated that this action will finance major investment projects, leading to a better and expanded economy which will then also create more jobs. “Ideally, we would be funding through project finance and bond markets and other means,” he explained.
In an interview with Reuters, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said that the Saudi-China 50-50 investment, worth a total of $20 billion, will contribute to various sectors including energy, infrastructure, mining, and materials. However, Falih did not elaborate any further.
The commitment both countries are willing to perform seems promising, as it may also create a number of jobs, among other positive changes. However, some analysts are viewing China’s latest financial assault as primarily a threat to the petrodollar.
As the Chinese government takes action in making the yuan international, they still currently trade in gold or U.S. dollars, albeit reluctantly. With China as the world’s largest importer of oil, it may come as a slight shock that Saudi Arabia is only it’s top second source – in first place is Russia and third is Angola, and other backup sources such as Oman, Iran, and Iraq.
China prefers using its native currency over U.S. dollars. Incidentally, Russia accepts yuan for their oil trade with China, possibly affecting Saudi’s share which has dropped from 25% in 2008 to its present at below 15%. Under these circumstances it is understandable why Saudi Arabia is open to trading and borrowing in yuan. “It is preliminary at this stage but the commitment from the top is there,” said Falih. This is a major move that may create a bold impact not just for the parties directly concerned, but potentially worldwide, sooner than we may realize.