Tracy Drain: Systems Engineer

Tracy Drain, with one of her childhood inspirations … Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek’s Lt. Uhura via NASA https://ift.tt/2I8qXxO

Tracy Drain: Flight Systems Engineer

Tracy Drain, with one of her childhood inspirations … Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek’s Lt. Uhura via NASA https://ift.tt/2I5E0QQ

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

From 19 to 25 February, no new confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) were reported. This was the first time since the beginning of the response that no new confirmed cases were reported over a seven-day period (Figure 1). The most recent case was reported in Beni Health Zone, North Kivu Province on 17 February. While the lack of new confirmed cases reported in the last seven days is a major achievement, the outbreak remains active and risk of additional cases emerging remains high. In the past 21 days (5 to 25 February 2020), four confirmed cases were reported from two health areas in Beni Health Zone in North Kivu Province (Figure 2, Table 1). Even with strengthened surveillance operations, transmission of Ebola virus outside of groups currently under surveillance cannot be excluded. Ebola virus also persists in some survivors’ body fluids, with potential to infect others. In at least one instance during this outbreak, relapse – in which a person who has recovered from EVD develops symptoms again – was observed, sparking a new chain of transmission which has taken several months to interrupt. To mitigate a potential resurgence of the outbreak, it is critical to maintain response capacities to rapidly detect and respond to any new cases, and to prioritize survivor support and monitoring and the maintenance of cooperative relationships with the survivors’ associations.

Substantial surveillance, pathogen detection, and clinical management activities are currently ongoing, including validating alerts, following remaining contacts who were potentially exposed to the virus, supporting rapid diagnostics of suspected cases, and working with community members to strengthen surveillance on people who pass away in the communities. As of 25 February, 510 contacts are currently under surveillance, of which 97% were followed daily in the last seven days. In the last seven days, more than 5100 alerts per day were reported and investigated, of which over 400 alerts (including ~70 community deaths) were validated as suspected EVD cases; requiring laboratory testing and specialized care within the established Ebola treatment and transit centres. On average, suspect cases stay in these facilities for three days before EVD can be definitively ruled out (i.e. after two negative polymerase chain reaction tests 48 hours apart), while care is provided for their illness under isolation precautions. Timely testing of suspected cases continues to be provided across 11 operational laboratories deployed in cities that have been affected by the outbreak. From 17 to 23 February, more than 3600 samples were tested.

Published on February 27, 2020
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First Flight of Saturn IB

On Feb. 26, 1966, AS-201, the first Saturn IB rocket, lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. via NASA https://ift.tt/2w8pPrq

Gullies on Mars

Gullies on Mars form during the winter, made liquid by carbon dioxide frost. via NASA https://ift.tt/392pe9n

Angela Mason-Butcher: Multidisciplinary Engineer

Angela Mason-Butcher is the Capabilities Manager for the Integration and Management Office in the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. via NASA https://ift.tt/38ZcYq9

Celebrating the Life and Career of Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson passed away Feb. 24, 2020, after living a life filled with trail-blazing achievements. via NASA https://ift.tt/2VhF4c7

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

From 1 December 2019 through 31 January 2020, the National IHR Focal Point of Saudi Arabia reported 19 additional cases of MERS-CoV infection, including 8 associated deaths.

Published on February 24, 2020
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Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Dengue fever – Chile

On 7 February 2020, the Chile IHR National Focal Point informed the Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) of the detection of three confirmed cases of autochthonous dengue fever reported on Easter Island.

Published on February 22, 2020
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Connie Moore and Sheva Moore: Keepers of NASA's Imagery

Connie Moore (left) and Sheva Moore are not related but they share a passion for helping the public find just the right image or film clip for projects. via NASA https://ift.tt/2Pb5fxq

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Yellow fever – Uganda

From 4 November through 14 February 2020, eight laboratory confirmed cases of yellow fever in Buliisa (3), Maracha (1) and Moyo (4); including four deaths (CFR 50%), were detected through the national surveillance system.

Published on February 21, 2020
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Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

During the past week, the incidence of new Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases has remained low (Figure 1). From 12 to 18 February, one new confirmed case was reported. The case was reported in Beni Health Zone, North Kivu Province and had an epidemiological link to a confirmed case reported on 5 February. As the case was alerted and transferred to an Ebola Treated Centre four days after symptom onset, there remains a risk that onward transmission to contacts may have occurred, and further cases may be expected from the currently active chain of transmission. Ebola virus may also persist in some survivors’ body fluids for several months, and in a limited number of instances, transmissions from exposure to body fluids of survivors have been documented during this outbreak. The ongoing programme for survivor care helps mitigate the risks of re-introduction events.

To maintain operations and prevent re-emergence of the outbreak, WHO is requesting funding. Under the Strategic Response Plan (SRP 4.1), WHO’s financial need for the Ebola Response from January to June 2020 is US $83 million. Thanks to the generosity of many donors during 2019, WHO has some carry-over funding, which has been applied to maintain operations through February 2020. USD $40 million is currently needed to ensure continuity of response and preparedness activities to bring the case incidence to zero, and continue building strong, resilient health systems.

Published on February 20, 2020
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Celebrating John Glenn's Historic Mission

On February 20, 1962, NASA launched one of the most important flights in American history. via NASA https://ift.tt/2v5j5uj

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Lassa Fever – Nigeria

From 1 January through 9 February 2020, 472 laboratory confirmed cases including 70 deaths (case fatality ratio= 14.8%) have been reported in 26 out of 36 Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Published on February 20, 2020
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Jupiter's Equator

Thick white clouds are present in this JunoCam image of Jupiter's equatorial zone. via NASA https://ift.tt/2HEWcAo

Kenneth Harris: From Teen Intern to Engineer

In this image, Kenneth Harris II works in the clean room at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. via NASA https://ift.tt/3bC7F1x

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

This week, the case incidence continued to be low in the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Figure 1). From 5 to 11 February, three new confirmed cases were reported in Beni Health Zone, North Kivu Province. All three cases have epidemiological links to a transmission chain originating in Aloya Health Area, Mabalako Health Zone, with possible nosocomial exposure in Beni. The most recent case reported from Beni Health Zone on 11 February was isolated one day after symptom onset. Early detection of cases reduces the probability of transmission of EVD in the community and significantly improves the clinical outcome for the patients.

In the past 21 days (22 January to 11 February 2020), 12 confirmed cases, including three community deaths, were reported from four health areas within two active health zones in North Kivu Province (Figure 2, Table 1): Beni (n=11) and Mabalako (n=1). It has been 42 days since Katwa Health Zone has reported new cases. The continued reduction of geographic spread of EVD cases and the declining trend in case incidence observed in the past 21 days are encouraging; however, these improvements remain fragile and should not be interpreted as an indication that response efforts can be reduced. Continued vigilance is essential to improve infection prevention and control in health care facilities, as well as ensuring early identification and follow up of cases and contacts.

Published on February 13, 2020
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Spitzer's View of the Tarantula Nebula

This image from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope shows the Tarantula Nebula in three wavelengths of infrared light, each represented by a different color. via NASA https://ift.tt/2SH190H

Cargo Craft Named After 1st Black Astronaut Slated to Head to Station

A Northrop Grumman Antares rocket carrying a Cygnus resupply spacecraft is seen horizontal on Pad-0A for the final cargo load, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. via NASA https://ift.tt/37nJDDY

Bernard Harris: The First African American to Perform a Spacewalk

Twenty-five years ago in Feb. 1995, astronaut Bernard Harris became the first African American to perform a spacewalk. via NASA https://ift.tt/2SB80sB

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine Discusses 2021 Budget

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine discusses the fiscal year 2021 budget proposal during a State of NASA address,. via NASA https://ift.tt/37eSgkf

Launch of the ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter

Launch of the ESA/NASA Solar Orbiter mission to study the Sun from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Feb. 9, 2020. via NASA https://ift.tt/2vmPwE5

Northrop Grumman Cargo Mission Awaits Launch

Northrop Grumman’s 13th contracted cargo resupply mission with NASA to the International Space Station will deliver about 7,500 pounds of science and research, crew supplies and vehicle hardware to the orbital laboratory and its crew. via NASA https://ift.tt/2ScMtY9

Victor Glover: Training for the Future

NASA astronaut Victor Glover trains on POGO--the Partial Gravity Simulator at Building 9N's Space Vehicle Mockup Training Facility at the Johnson Space Center. via NASA https://ift.tt/388ae9l

Record-Setting NASA Astronaut, Crewmates Return from Space Station

NASA astronaut Christina Koch is seen outside the Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft after she, Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Skvortsov, and ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano, landed. via NASA https://ift.tt/2ugniep

Disease outbreak news from the WHO: Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

From 29 January to 4 February four new confirmed cases were reported in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Published on February 06, 2020
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Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman

Retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brigadier General Charles McGee speaks with NASA astronaut Alvin Drew during a Black History Month program via NASA https://ift.tt/2H0eGLz

Astronaut Christina Koch's Record-Setting Mission

NASA astronaut Christina Koch is set to return to Earth on Thursday, Feb. 6, after 328 days living and working aboard the International Space Station. via NASA https://ift.tt/2UknGTH

Deborah Johnson: A Career in the Service of Space Exploration

Deborah Johnson has worked for NASA since 1978. via NASA https://ift.tt/2UpKFwv