In the early days of scientific exploration, researchers observed natural phenomena and began to unravel the mysteries behind how lightning forms.
These brief yet incredibly bright bursts of radiation, referred to as Terrestrial Gamma Ray Flashes (TGF), were identified by a research team at Osaka University in Japan during a lightning event.
Interestingly, TGFs are typically observed in space, associated with supernovae and black hole jets. This raises the question: how does lightning produce the energy required to generate them?
Recent papers published in the journal Advances in Science potentially provide answers. While scientists previously believed that TGFs were caused by the rapid acceleration of electrons, testing this theory has proven challenging. The radiation often occurs in the final microsecond and is concealed by cloud cover.
This is why researchers involved in the new study employed innovative techniques to observe thunderstorms, utilizing a multi-sensor system that includes optical, radio frequency, and high-energy radiation sensors.
“The multi-sensor observations conducted here are unprecedented,” stated Dr. Harufumi Tsuchiya, the senior author of the paper. “While some mysteries persist, this approach has significantly deepened our understanding of these intriguing radiation burst mechanisms.”
So, what did they find? Collectively, the sensors unveiled two channels of charged particles known as the discharge pathway—one descending from the thundercloud to the TV tower, and the other ascending from the tower.
The scientists observed the formation of TGFs occurring 31 microseconds before the two pathways converged, resulting in a highly concentrated electric field where electrons accelerated at nearly the speed of light.
Once the two pathways merged, the burst continued for an additional 20 microseconds, yielding a lightning strike of -56 kiloamperes. (Don’t let the negative sign confuse you—it merely indicates the direction from cloud to ground. This current is exceptionally high, typical of lightning.)
Wada Yutaka, the lead author of the study, remarked, “The opportunity to examine extreme processes such as TGFs stemming from lightning enhances our understanding of the high-energy dynamics present in Earth’s atmosphere.”
Sources tell On The Money that critics have blasted the terms of Google’s $700 million settlement over anti-competitive Android app store practices as weak, leaving the Republican vacant seat at the Federal Trade Commission open. Melissa Holyoake’s bid to become the world’s most successful bidder could face new hurdles.
Holyoak, Utah’s Republican attorney general, said U.S. states have argued that Google’s monopolistic tactics, including charging major developers up to 30% fees in the Play Store, have led to price gouging and lowering prices. As a result, he played a key role in negotiating this deal. Choice for consumers.
The settlement, which Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney decried as “unfair to all Android users and developers,” requires FTC candidates to be “appropriately skeptical of Big Tech.” This could anger some Republicans who want to see more, and even cause some to reconsider their support. An industry source who requested anonymity to discuss the situation told the Post.
“If she was the tip of the spear in an embarrassing reconciliation, that’s not a good thing,” the source added.
As the Post previously reported in June, some Washington insiders were concerned that Mr. Holyoak did not have the antitrust integrity they expected from a new commissioner, and that certain information Sources quipped that FTC Commissioner Lina Khan would “run circles” around the Republican candidate. Regarding antitrust laws.
Utah’s Republican attorney general, Melissa Holyoake, played a key role in negotiating the deal after U.S. states alleged Google’s monopolistic tactics. Paola Morongello
The Republican-backed litigators will need to be approved by the Senate Commerce Committee in October, followed by a floor vote.
Another person said she “will be confirmed” even if some Republicans complain about the odor, but the process may not be a smooth one.
“if [Sen. Josh Hawley] Or she could delay if someone on the Republican side wants it,” another person said. “I think a scenario where she’s delayed is possible, but it’s unlikely that she won’t be confirmed. But it’s safe to say that her nomination is either delayed or in jeopardy.”
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney called the settlement “unfair to all Android users and developers.” Getty Images
Mr. Hawley’s office did not respond to a request for comment about Mr. Holyoak’s confirmation.
On Wednesday, Hawley sent a letter stating that he plans to block the confirmation of another Republican FTC commissioner nominee, Andrew Ferguson, by the end of the year and asking him “additional questions about his philosophy on Big Tech.” I made it possible.
The Missouri senator also opposes expedited confirmation of Todd Inman to a post on the National Transportation Safety Board. Both Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Inman are former aides to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
Sen. Josh Hawley sent a letter indicating he plans to block efforts to confirm another Republican FTC candidate, Andrew Ferguson, by the end of the year. AP
Capitol Hill insiders blame Hawley’s move on a well-documented rift with McConnell. There was no mention of Holyoak in the letter.
Utah accounted for the highest amount of claims in the lawsuit targeting Google’s Android app store practices, and was one of the few states to spearhead the lawsuit, along with New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, and California.Holyoak name appears Court documents detailing settlement terms.
In remarks prepared for the Sept. 20 FTC nomination hearing, Holyoak emphasized his efforts on behalf of Utah and said of the high-profile legal battle, “Our office’s led the work,” he told the Senate committee. Her testimony came just days after the Google settlement was first announced.
The Utah Attorney General’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The settlement with Google was first announced in September, but specific details were withheld pending the conclusion of Epic Games’ stunning legal victory against Google in a related case. Epic specifically rejected the possibility of a settlement.
In the U.S. state case, Google will pay consumers $630 million (just $6 per eligible U.S. user) to cover state fines and legal costs, according to court filings this week. agreed to pay an additional $70 million for
The company also agreed to a series of time-limited changes to its app store policies. This includes allowing developers to use other in-app purchases and dialing back the use of so-called “horror screens” when Android users try to use competing app stores. It will be.
Critics, including Mr. Sweeney, noted that the states’ previous lawsuits “made a strong case for $10.5 billion in damages.” Epic Games’ CEO called it a “disappointing result.”
Meanwhile, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes said the deal includes “many of the injunctive reliefs we sought that would change Google’s behavior,” adding that payments to consumers would be ” “It’s an added bonus.”
“Holyoak is still trying to understand what antitrust law is… She doesn’t have the ability to understand how to enforce the law,” said one longtime antitrust expert.
“What about her actually going after Big Tech?” added a source. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
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