Daily Business Report: Nov. 21, 2024
On the origin of life: How the first cell membranes came to exist
New research provides a possible explanation on the development of early Earth protocell
New research from the lab of University of California San Diego Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Neal Devaraj has uncovered a plausible explanation involving the reaction between two simple molecules. This work appears in Nature Chemistry.
Life on Earth requires lipid membranes – the structure of a cell that houses its interior mechanics and acts as a scaffold for many biological reactions. Lipids are made from long chains of fatty acids, but before the existence of complex life, how did these first cell membranes form from the simple molecules present on Earth billions of years ago?
Scientists believe that simple molecules of short fatty chains of fewer than 10 carbon-carbon bonds (complex fatty chains can have nearly twice that many bonds) were abundant on early Earth. However, molecules with longer chain lengths are necessary to form vesicles, the compartments that house a cell’s complicated machinery.
While it may have been possible for some simple fatty molecules to form lipid compartments on their own, the molecules would be needed in very high concentrations that likely did not exist on a prebiotic Earth – a time when conditions on Earth may have been hospitable to life but none yet existed.
“On the surface, it may not seem novel because lipid production happens in the presence of enzymes all the time,” stated Devaraj, who is also the Murray Goodman Endowed Chair in Chemistry and Biochemistry. “But over four billion years ago, there were no enzymes. Yet somehow these first protocell structures were formed. How? That’s the question we were trying to answer.”
California schools brace for Trump’s attacks on
Immigrants, trans students and ‘woke’ curriculum
By Carolyn Jones | CalMatters
Education has never been a top priority of President-elect Donald Trump’s, but that doesn’t mean schools — or students — will be immune from Trump’s agenda in the next four years, education experts say.
Trump may slash school funding, cut civil rights protections and gut the U.S. Department of Education, based on his previous statements and the visions outlined in the Republican platform and Project 2025, a conservative manifesto reimagining the federal government.
But students may experience the most devastating effects. Trump has threatened mass deportations of undocumented residents and crackdowns on LGBTQ rights, which could lead to higher absenteeism, higher rates of bullying and greater anxiety generally on school campuses.
“The stress created by the threat of deportations cannot be overestimated,” said UCLA education professor John Rogers, who’s studied how politics plays out in K-12 education. “It absolutely will have an impact on attendance, and it absolutely will affect parents’ ability to participate in their children’s education.”
Student absenteeism has improved somewhat in California since the COVID-19 pandemic, but remains very high — 24.3% last year. During the first Trump presidency, Latino student attendance and academic performance dropped significantly in areas affected by deportation arrests, according to a 2018 Stanford study.
Tiny tree, big heart: New children’s book spreads holiday cheer
Just in time for the holiday season, San Diego-based author Derek announces the release of Teddy the Tiny Tree, an uplifting new children’s book that tells the heartwarming tale of a small tree with big dreams. Available starting Nov. 16 on Barnes & Noble and Amazon, Teddy the Tiny Tree is published by Road to Awesome and illustrated to captivate young readers and their families.
The book follows Teddy, the smallest tree on a mountain tree farm, who feels overlooked and worries he won’t be chosen to bring holiday joy to a family. Teddy discovers, however, that being small doesn’t mean he can’t shine brightly. The story of Teddy is a celebration of resilience, self-acceptance, and the unique worth of every individual—a perfect message for the holiday season.
“I believe Teddy’s story will resonate with children and adults alike, particularly those who have felt like they didn’t quite fit in,” said Danziger, who is also the author of the children’s book, I’m Autistic and I’m Awesome. “This story is about seeing beyond appearances and appreciating what makes each of us special. In fact, it is the differences that can help us shine the brightest.”
Danziger is the founder of Danziger Public Relations, a firm specializing in strategic and crisis communications, where he works daily to help businesses and organizations effectively tell their stories. “I wanted to write a holiday tale that not only spreads joy, but also encourages children to believe in themselves and understand that everyone has a special place.”
Young readers and families can follow Teddy’s adventures on Instagram at @teddythetinytree and on Facebook, where they’ll find fun illustrations and messages of positivity that extend the book’s heartfelt message. The story is illustrated by Natia Gogiashvili.
Teddy the Tiny Tree is a wonderful choice for families, educators and caregivers looking to add a story of hope and kindness to their holiday reading lists. Learn more about Teddy’s story at www.teddythetinytree.com.
About the Author
Derek Danziger is an accomplished children’s book author and a 30-year veteran of the San Diego public relations community, having worked on major projects and activities including the Super Bowl XXXII Host Committee, downtown redevelopment, including construction for Petco Park, and the recent World Design Capital designation.
David and Annie Malcolm join San Diego Rescue Mission’s Board of Trustees
David and Annie Malcolm have joined 11 other prominent San Diego couples on the San Diego Rescue Mission’s newly formed Board of Trustees. The advisory group is independent of the Mission’s Board of Directors, which serves as the organization’s fiduciary oversight body.
“Homelessness is arguably San Diego’s most pressing and, at the same time, most heart-breaking challenge,” said San Diego Rescue Mission President and CEO Donnie Dee. “It is a community issue that requires the entire community to help.
David Malcolm is president of Cal West Apartments and a well-known businessman and philanthropist. He has held elected and appointed public offices, and served on the Board of St. Vincent de Paul, the real estate arm of Father Joe’s Villages, for 32 years, four of those years as Chair.
“There is no question in Annie’s and my mind that homelessness is the single greatest issue in San Diego County right now,” Malcolm said. “We are proud to join the other business and community leaders who believe we can help the Rescue Mission get more people off the streets and returned to a productive life.”
The San Diego Rescue Mission is a nonprofit homeless shelter and residential recovery center serving thousands of men, women and children experiencing homelessness, hunger, poverty, and abuse in San Diego since 1955.
General Atomics completes qualification
test for its new 200-horsepower heavy fuel engine
On Nov. 13, 2024, San Diego- based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI), completed its final qualification test for its new 200-horsepower heavy fuel engine at its El Mirage, California, flight facility. The Heavy Fuel Engine (HFE) 2.0 is a highly reliable low-maintenance engine with a 40 percent increase in service life providing longer maintenance-free operational periods. The engine will provide the horsepower and electrical power required to meet the demanding performance needs of the new Gray Eagle 25M for Multi-Domain Operations (MDO).
The three-week qualification test of the HFE 2.0 engine is aligned with the Federal Aviation Administration’s endurance test requirements (FAA 14 CFR 33.49) as the FAA’s primary performance standard for engines to be used in commercial aviation. Over the last 18 months, HFE 2.0 excelled in strenuous durability testing that included 2,450 full power cycles simulating high stress conditions during three extensive test profiles of 200, 400, and 651 hours. Additionally, the engine completed 50 hours of flight testing across the flight envelope.
General Atomics will use the new 200-horsepower heavy fuel engine in its Gray Eagle 25M remote piloted aircraft, above. (Credit: General Atomics)
Cabrillo National Monument announces holiday closures
Cabrillo National Monument will be closed to the public on Thursday, Nov. 28, and Wednesday, Dec. 25, in observance of the holidays. During these closures, all park facilities, buildings, and access to park grounds will not be available. The public is encouraged to check for holiday and other park closures, which will be communicated via alerts on the monument’s official website at www.nps.gov/cabr and through its social media platforms.
Cabrillo National Monument welcomes visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. offering a range of activities, historical exhibits, and scenic views. The park invites guests to explore and enjoy its offerings throughout the remainder of the year. For additional information about Cabrillo National Monument, please visit www.nps.gov/cabr, call 619-523-4285, or email cabr_info@nps.gov.
