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7NEWS
22-07-2025
- Climate
- 7NEWS
Move over, Twisters. These storm chasers are after hail
A team of about 70 researchers, armed with high-tech sensors and specially outfitted vehicles, set out across the US this spring and summer to chase dozens of thunderstorms, hoping to unravel the remaining mysteries of how hail forms, whether hail storms are getting bigger in a warming climate and how to prevent damage. Hail is a leading cause of storm damage in the US and was responsible for tens of billions in property losses last year, according to Gallagher Re, a global reinsurance firm that tracks such data. Some previous modelling research suggests that the frequency of large hailstones striking the earth will increase with climate change. The federally funded project, known as ICECHIP, is the first comprehensive field study of hail in four decades. It is meant to fill in critical gaps in hail forecasting capabilities: connecting a storm's complex, internal dynamics to the amount and the size of hail it will produce. That data could help modellers develop better predictors of storm damage, as well as aid in developing building materials, like roofing, that can stand up to hailstones. 'We know that hail might happen today, but we don't know when, we don't know where, and we don't really know which of those storms is going to make 1-inch hail or 4-inch hail,' Joshua Wurman, a top academic storm chaser at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, who is deploying the mobile radars for ICECHIP, said. 'And there's a huge difference to people on the ground, to crops, to cars, to roofs.' The chase From mid-May through the end of June, ICECHIP storm chasers travelled across the Front Range of the Rockies and the central Plains, sometimes riding in vehicles armoured against falling ice. They launched drones, released weather balloons and set up mobile doppler radars — all techniques honed by tornado chasers. As one group positioned mobile doppler radars to intercept the storm at close range, other researchers were responsible for releasing weather balloons nearby or setting out sensors to measure the size and velocity of a hail strike. During some storms, researchers released hundreds of ping pong ball-like devices called hail sondes into the tempests' path to track the life cycle of a hail stone — when it is melting and freezing, and how wind dynamics that lift and drop these chunks of ice affect their growth. Convective thunderstorms, with big internal up drafts, generate hail by circulating a mix of water and ice crystals into the freezing layers of the upper atmosphere. Hail typically forms at altitudes of 20,000 feet to 50,000 feet (6km to 15.24km), where temperatures are between minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit and 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-30 C to -10 C). Those same up drafts sweep hail sondes into the hail-generating parts of each storm. 'If we can track that sensor with time, we're going to, at least for a couple of these storms, understand the exact path, the exact trajectory that a hailstone takes,' Victor Gensini, a professor of meteorology at Northern Illinois University and an ICECHIP principal investigator, said. In an atmosphere warmed by climate change, 'we get a lot more instability', Gensini said, which researchers think creates stronger up drafts. Those stronger up drafts can support larger hailstones for more time, which allows balls or discs of ice to gain mass, before gravity sends them racing to the ground. 'It's kind of like if you take a hair dryer and turn it on its end, it's pretty easy to balance a ping pong ball, right, in that airstream,' Gensini said. 'But what would you need to balance a softball? You would need a much stronger up draft stream.' Storm modelling suggests stronger up drafts will increase the frequency of large hail in the future, even as it decreases the likelihood of hail overall. Researchers suspect small hail will decrease because its lower mass means that it will take longer to fall. By the time it's close to the surface, it has often melted down to water. 'There's this kind of dichotomy, right, where you get less small hail but more large hail in these warmer atmospheres that have very strong up drafts,' Gensini said. During their field campaign, the researchers amassed a collection of more than 10,000 hailstones in chests of dry ice to try to determine if their computer models are getting the dynamics of hail growth right. 'The hail record is kind of messy,' Gensini said of previous data, adding that observers have recorded more 2-, 3- and 4-inch (5cm to 10cm) hailstones, but it's not clear if that's because more people are chasing and finding big hail or because the atmosphere is producing more of it. Gensini said the new measurements will help researchers compare what is happening in the air to what they're finding on the ground, which should improve hail forecasts and mitigate economic losses. In many of the areas where ICECHIP is working, there's a lot of agriculture, according to Karen Kosiba, an atmospheric scientist with the University of Illinois Flexible Array of Radars and Mesonets team who is also working with ICECHIP. 'It affects their crops, their machinery, getting stuff into shelter,' she said. 'There's a lot of economic ties to the weather.' The future The National Science Foundation funded ICECHIP's fieldwork, which was approved last fall before President Joe Biden left office. The future of the agency's research isn't clear. The Trump administration proposed a 57 per cent budget cut to NSF's budget, according to a budget request for fiscal year 2026. The House and Senate appropriations committees will ultimately decide the agency's budget, and both have previewed smaller cuts in early deliberations. In a statement, the White House pledged to provide 'gold standard research and data for the American People', and referred any questions about NSF's funding to the Office of Management and Budget. OMB did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Gensini said federal investments in field research are necessary to propel basic science research projects like ICECHIP at a time when climate change intensifies severe weather. Without federal funding 'there's going to be no improvement in forecasts', Gensini said. 'There's going to be no way for us to be able to detect whether or not this hailstorm is producing large hail or small hail. Our lab is outside.'
News18
21-07-2025
- General
- News18
What Is The Gen Z Stare? The Viral Blank Look That's Confusing Everyone
Gen Z Stare could be described as a blank or empty look that many young people often show when asked a question. Gen Z stare is becoming very popular on social media. It could be described as a blank or empty look that many young people often show when asked a question. This expression happens everywhere, at school, restaurants, work and other places, which leaves older people confused or annoyed. You might wonder what exactly the Gen Z stare is and why so many people are talking about it. In this article, we will explain what this looks means and why it has caught so much attention online. It's not clear where or how the Gen Z stare trend began, but it has quickly caught people's attention and sparked a lot of discussion online. Every generation has habits, but there might be some clear reasons behind the blank stare. Two big reasons are the internet and the pandemic. When people mostly talk or connect through phones or screens, it can affect their real life behaviour. Gen Z is the first generation to grow up fully using apps such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. That might be the reason why they sometimes look unbothered during face to face talks. Jessica Maddox, a professor at the University of Alabama told NBC News, 'When I first started hearing talk about the Gen Z stare, and people were kind of explaining what it is, I was like, 'Oh, my God, this is what happens to me as a college professor'. This [look] very much accelerated after we returned to campus after Covid protocols." During the pandemic, people had to stay apart and follow social distancing rules, which made face to face interactions rare. Many schools were taking online classes, so students got used to staying home and learning through screens instead of meeting others in person. Jess Rauchberg, an assistant professor of communication technologies at Seton Hall University, added, 'I think we are starting to really see the long term effects of constant digital media use, right? We think of the phone as an appendage to our bodies. If it's a processing thing, it's hard to imagine someone wouldn't know how to nod or respond with a smile or just say 'OK,' but we may take for granted some of the social skills we have developed over the years because we didn't have technology to deal with and we didn't have to be isolated from our peers." Whether it's a real way of showing their emotions or just a passing trend, the Gen Z stare has definitely made people on social media talk. It has also started a bigger conversation about how different generations communicate. view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 17:47 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Sun
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Ring girl Sydney Thomas turns heads in stunning bikini as fans fall for viral sensation all over again – ‘good heavens'
VIRAL ring girl Sydney Thomas has caught the attention of boxing fans once again - this time far away from the boxing ring. Sydney, 21, shot to fame during Jake Paul's high-profile bout against Mike Tyson in November 2024. 11 11 Since that fight Sydney has become a social media superstar, boasting over TWO MILLION followers across X, Instagram and TikTok. Now she's travelling the world and sharing picture of herself enjoying her new globetrotting lifestyle. She recently kept her fans in the loop with her travels as she posted a photo of herself soaking up the sun on vacation. Sydney wore a bikini top and matching trousers as she posed on a boat. Her fans didn't waste any time lauding her upload in the comments section. One fan labelled the influencer as "beautiful". While another wrote: "good heavens". And a third commented: "Oh my goodness". 11 11 11 Sydney hasn't just been focusing on her new career online, but has also earned a degree amid all the mania surrounding her rise to fame. Sydney graduated from the University of Alabama one year early in May. Sydney Thomas stuns in daring ring girl outfit and is branded 'so perfect' by awestruck fans In an Instagram post celebrating her graduation, she wrote: "As I look back and reflect on my college experience, I can't help but acknowledge how monumental each of these years has been in shaping me into who I am today. "From navigating the loss of my mother to the whirlwind of unexpected overnight fame, Alabama has been the one constant through it all- continually welcoming me with open arms and keeping me grounded in who I am. "Though my college journey was far from typical, I've found such beauty and comfort in the abnormalcy of it all, trusting that everything unfolded in alignment with Gods divine timing. "This has been such a beautiful chapter in the story of my life—one I'll look back on often. "And while it's bittersweet that it's come to an end a year early, I know that wherever my path leads next, Alabama will always be sweet home to me." Sydney's wild new life has thrown some amazing opportunities her way, including attending the Grammys and spending her summer at events such as Coachella.
NBC News
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Gen Z is staring at you. It may be more than just a quirk.
When professor Jessica Maddox asks her University of Alabama students a question in class, she is sometimes met with blank, deadpan looks from the Gen Zers in the room. The look has become so prevalent that Maddox occasionally resorts to begging her students for a response. It was only recently that she learned this behavior had a name: the 'Gen Z stare." 'When I first started hearing talk about the 'Gen Z stare,' and people were kind of explaining what it is, I was like, 'Oh, my God, this is what happens to me as a college professor,'' said Maddox, an associate professor of digital media. While there are several definitions for the stare, the most common meaning is a vacant expression a Gen Zer gives in response to a question. The stare occurs in classrooms, restaurants, at work and more settings. It often appears judgmental and on TikTok, many Gen Zers — typically defined as those ages 13-28 — have claimed it's because those who doing the staring are dumbfounded or disinterested in engaging with, what they call, 'stupid questions.' 'I don't think it's a lack of social skills. I just think we don't care,' said Dametrius 'Jet' Latham, a TikTok creator and Gen Zer who recently picked up more than 1.4 million views on a video about the topic. The hashtag #GenZStare, which has been used in about 8,000 videos on TikTok, began picking up steam earlier this month and hit its peak Monday. A search for the term on TikTok revealed videos showing millennials calling out Gen Z, and more videos of Gen Z firing back at the term they appear to find insulting. Maddox has a theory as to why the "Gen Z stare" has become so pervasive now. 'This [look] very much accelerated after we returned to campus after Covid protocols,' Maddox said, adding that she noticed an "increasing amount of silence" after posing questions to her class in the wake of the global pandemic. Due to social isolation during the pandemic, many students faced increased mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression. Face-to-face interactions became less common amid social distancing protocols and many schools temporarily switched to remote learning. Because Gen Zers were socialized during a pandemic, they came of age building relationships on social media, Maddox said. This may have led to the development of unique types of communication skills among those who are 27 years old or younger. Additionally, because most members of the generation don't remember a time without social media, they fear anything they say or do could end up being mocked online — or worse, get them canceled. Some experts say young people deadpanning their elders can be observed as far back as the 1950s and 1960s, with the rise of youth culture around rock and roll, Elvis and The Beatles. The blank stare and other forms of defiance can also be seen in 1980s films, such as Howard Hughes' 'Pretty in Pink' and 'Sixteen Candles.' The latest iteration of this defiance is likely not just a hallmark of dissent, but also a response to social anxiety developed during formative years in isolation. 'I think we are starting to really see the long-term effects of constant digital media use, right?' said Jess Rauchberg, an assistant professor of communication technologies at Seton Hall University. 'We think of the phone as an appendage to our bodies.' Gen Zers also fear being "cringe," a term they often use to describe other generations that came before them. Intergeneration feuds have long been a core part of platforms like TikTok, and they're often spurred on by Gen Z. One of the most famous instances of intergenerational spats was the rise of ' OK Boomer,' a phrase used by Gen Z and millennials alike to belittle the older generations who they see as out of touch. It doesn't stop there. Gen Zers have criticized Gen Alpha, their younger counterparts, for their ' blue light stare,' a disengaged nonchalant look those born between 2010 and 2024 use. They also have mocked boomers for what they call the ' lead paint stare," a look that is described as being confused or befuddled by a response to a question. At one point, there was no greater sin to a zoomer than 'millennial cringe.' While some Gen Zers have embraced the label, others still fear it being applied to them. On TikTok, compilations of 'millennial cringe' have received millions of views and thousands of comments from young people mocking what they perceive as millennial behaviors, such as calling dogs 'doggo,' or making things like Disney or 'Harry Potter' their whole personality. Psychotherapist Robi Ludwig suggested that the "Gen Z stare" reflects the gap in social skills between members of Gen Z and millennials. 'If it's a processing thing, it's hard to imagine someone wouldn't know how to nod or respond with a smile or just say 'OK,' but we may take for granted some of the social skills we have developed over the years because we didn't have technology to deal with and we didn't have to be isolated from our peers," she said. As people of other generations mock the 'Gen Z stare,' many zoomers have grown defensive, posting videos calling out people for their criticism of the trend. Some younger users online have also clarified what exactly the "Gen Z stare" is and isn't. TikTok Santana, who is a member of Gen Z and works as a bartender, said in a video that "the customer service stare is the stare a worker gives somebody for asking someone something f---- stupid." Whereas, "the 'gen z stare' is the lead paint staring that customer service workers receive instead of response to anything." Maddox, of the University of Alabama, said that this type of reaction online be exactly what some are hoping for, adding it could be posted as a form of 'rage-bait' from creators to farm engagement. 'Internet culture loves a generational feud,' she said.
Scotsman
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Dance explores time's relationship to memory in The Weight of Then
The Weight of Then explores how we remember and interpret life's most memorable moments. Whether it's recalling the joy of childhood games, coming to terms with one's gender and sexuality, or coping with the pain of loss, Yonder explores the relationship between time and memory. The Weight of Then is more of a question than an answer. Just as they did in their previous performances Co/lapse, IRL, and Unstuck with You,Yonder is using contemporary dance as a medium to think through an idea. It's a refreshingly engaging and conceptually powerful way of connecting with their audience through movement. The Weight of Then is not for the passive observer. Rather, Yonder invites the audience to actively question not just what is happening on stage, but when it is happening. Yonder Contemporary Dance Company is composed of top students from the University of Alabama's Department of Theatre and Dance, and their work defies expectations for university-level choreography. Each concept-heavy piece is created collaboratively over the course of three months, with a focus on crafting dances that are as thought-provoking as they are entertaining. After a tour across the Southeastern United States, where the company considers audience feedback and refines the work, they travel to Edinburgh to share the work with international audiences at the Fringe. 'We're excited to be returning to the Fringe this year,' said Yonder's Artistic Director, Sarah Barry, 'The personal stories that inspired this work have created strong bonds within the company and with our audiences, and we're excited to extend that connection to a global community at the Fringe.' This is Yonder Contemporary Dance Company's fourth time bringing a show to the Fringe and their third time performing with Greenside Venues. Listings Information Venue: Greenside @ George Street, Lime Studio (Venue 236) Tickets: £12 Full, £10 Concession Previews: 2-3 Aug 2025 Dates: 4-9 Aug 2025 Time: 5.30pm (40 min) 1 . Contributed University of Alabama junior, Kenzie Greer, exploring the concept of time through contemporary dance. Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 2 . Contributed Micah Courtland, MFA student, examining the sense of self coming of age. Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 3 . Contributed Dancers coming together to explore the common themes that connect strangers through time. Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 4 . Contributed Artists displaying the discovery of nostalgic memories through creative movement. Photo: Submitted Photo Sales Related topics: DanceTickets
