NEWS BRIEFS

WRITTEN BY MEGAN MADRIGAL

weaker immune system and shorter lifespan of clones and instead refers to the commonly misinterpreted story of Dolly, a cloned sheep that lived only a few years.

“There’s a general issue that people misunderstand what cloning is and what the limits of cloning are,” Schacht said. “Dolly died of a virus that had an e ect of causing cancer that sheep throughout the research facility were also dying from that were not genetically modified in any way, shape or form.

“So we don’t know the results of how long she would have lived.”

Even so, Dolly was created using a living reference, and Ramis argues that our technology has not yet reached the point where scientists can recreate animals and plants.

Schacht speculates that rather than funding the dodo bird’s rebirth, investors are dedicating their money toward improving gene synthesis, the process of creating and assembling nucleotides to form genes.

“The technology that will be developed in the process will be very valuable,” Schacht said. “It will be interesting to see because gene synthesis has not accelerated as fast as gene sequencers because they haven’t had a need for it.”

Cortez argues that whether it is the technology or something else, there is an ulterior motive at play and that the product of their research will backfire. He stated that it is unethical for humans to try and resurrect these creatures.

“It was human ignorance that made the creatures extinct,” Cortez said. “Now we must live with the mistakes.” is significant inflation that was caused by a variety of pandemic-related factors, including the government spending bills.”

Government o cials might avoid conversations about the pandemic, as the subject can lead back to their spending during an emergency and its e ect on the economy. Regardless of political and economic implications, people grow tire of rehashing the same issues.

“People want to get away from the politics of what happened during COVID at its height,” Winslow said. “People just want to move on.”

NEW VALLEY FEVER DISCOVERED

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identi ed a new illness in the Southwest known as valley fever. The CDC de nes valley fever as a fungal infection caused by breathing in the spores of a fungus called Coccidioidomycosis. According to a report from Fox News, this fungus can be found on the ground, speci cally in the dirt of warm and dry places. This makes Arizona and California the states facing the highest risk. However, scientists predict heavy wind or construction activity in surrounding states can increase risk, as well. The most common symptoms include fatigue, chills and fever. The California Department for Public Health is focusing on the spread of the infection as new cases arise.

EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY, SYRIA

Turkey experienced a magnitude 7.8 earthquake on Feb. 6 — one of only three earthquakes in the region to surpass a magnitude of 6 since 1970, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Heavy damage extended to northwestern Syria. Within 24 hours of the intial quake, aftershocks of at least a 6.0 magnitude occurred. Thousands of buildings collapsed, leaving more than 31,000 dead and more than 100,000 injured, according to a Feb. 14 statement from the World Health Organization. Because the main earthquake was relatively shallow, occuring at about 11 miles deep, the intensity of the rumbling was severe on the surface, according to the USGS. The World Health Organization released a statement that nearly 26 million people in both countries need humanitarian assistance.

Report On Police Violence

The death of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols after a confrontation with Memphis Police on Jan. 7 has sparked another conversation about police violence across the nation. A new data analysis from Mapping Police Violence shows that U.S. law enforcement killed nearly 1,200 people in 2022. This made 2022 the deadliest year on record since 2013, the rst year that experts began tracking this data nationally. Memphis Police said Nichols was initially pulled over for reckless driving. When he attempted to escape, he was beaten by ve police of cers from a specialized street crime unit called Scorpion, and he died in the hospital three days later. The city of Memphis released body camera and street camera footage on Jan. 24 showing the encounter. During his State of the Union address on Feb. 7, President Joe Biden noted the incident and called for more accountability.

Bhm Gala

Continued from Page 1

“The gala is a replication of the long-standing practice of African Americans using communal gatherings as a way to encourage, empower and equip one another with the love and support that is needed to combat the evils of oppression. Attending events like the Black History Month Gala gives participants the opportunity to connect with students and faculty of color, learn about African American culture and promote unity and oneness within the Christian community. ”

Through the addition of the gala, students received the opportunity to recognize and appreciate the Black culture in a fun and fresh way.

“When I heard about this event, I was really interested in going because I’m always trying to go to the di erent CBU events like this one to learn more about di erent cultures,” said Isabelle Ray, junior creative writing major. “I try my best to enlighten myself to other people’s experiences and di erences. It’s interesting to learn about since culture really impacts the person you are and what you value. Especially because I have friends that are part of the Black community, I wanted to know how I could learn about their background and support them more.”

Students from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences came together at this event. Ray said she believes the best way to connect deeply with friends in the community is to celebrate and support them at any chance given.

Lee-Johnson is assisting in hosting the movie night for Black History Month, which will be held on Feb. 25 on the Recreation Center rooftop. The gala and movie night are just two of the main events throughout the month through which students can celebrate the beauty of Black culture.

There are other events where Black History Month will be a feature, such as an artistic night. It was held on Feb. 8, which was similar to the gala, though it was a more casual event showcasing poetry and art relating to Black culture.

“We want to educate, bring awareness and celebrate black culture on our campus,” said Emilee Thompson, assistant director of Campus Activities for Community Life. “As we continue to grow in our diversity, we want to make sure that our student population is being seen and appreciated. When I see the student body come together to recognize and celebrate other cultures, it reflects the unity of Christ.”

Cultural events such as the gala and the artistic event put a spotlight on the diversity of CBU’s student and faculty population, ensuring that people from diverse backgrounds are noticed and appreciated by the community.

BY IGNACIO DOMINGUEZ CONTRIBUTOR

Just a few months ago, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter at California Baptist University looked ahead with uncertainty at their next steps and their future growth. Today, the chapter is making a name for the university at major levels.

The CBU chapter of NSBE has seen success since its inception in August 2021. Expanding from three members to 30 in only a little over six months, the club competed at a regional level “hackathon,” the 48th National Society of Black Engineers Convention in Anaheim, Calif., and placed second against schools including Stanford University, the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of California, Berkeley.

NSBE is a national organization dedicated to uplifting and increasing the number of Black engineers. It has 600 active chapters and more than 24,000 members across the country. CBU joined the list last year.

The CBU chapter was founded by Vanessa Roché, junior biomedical engineering major. As a high school student, she was motivated to pursue engineering thanks to spaces that uplift and represent communities like her own.

When Roaché first came to CBU from Maryland, she said it was a culture shock as she sat in engineering classes where, many times, she was the only Black student. She looked to cultivate spaces where students could feel welcomed and represented.

“Some people just want a community of people that look like them,” Roaché said. “They wanted a space to study with people who understand them.”

Black engineers make up roughly 5% of the entire field, according to data from the National Science Foundation. For Black engineering students like Roaché, outlets like NSBE have continued to helping her grow her potential in the field.

“When I was in high school, I was in NSBE and that type of environment really raised me up to be the person I am today — a leader — and to know what I’m doing academically, not just randomly getting put into the engineering world without having a clue what I’m doing,” Roaché said. “So I wanted to extend that same type of opportunity.”

Roaché also said she has been grateful for the support from the College of Engineering, which has allowed them to travel to two conventions in the last year.

They are now preparing to head to NSBE’s 49th National Convention from March 22-26 in Kansas City, where they will continue connecting and cul- tivating their passion for engineering.

“To see the type of friendships and family that I’ve made, everyone in NSBE is like my family in some way now and for years to come,” Roaché said.

“Momentum is the word, and it’s just so amazing just how God really brought the right people into this club,” said Dr. Robert Shields, associate professor of computer information technology and adviser of CBU’s NSBE chapter.

Chapter members from CBU are now preparing to take their passion of engineering to open a pre-college initiative at a local high school in the desert allowing younger Black generations get involved in NSBE and engineering.

“I felt like we needed to do more and so the biggest part of giving back to the community, I feel like is to raise up the younger generation,” Roaché said. “[In] fall of 2023 there will be a new chapter at Adelanto High School in Victorville.”

Students within NSBE have not only found a spot for representation, but also a space for belonging as they continue to create strong bonds with one another.

“It feels like a family,” said Adonai Pearson, senior mechanical engineering major. “I think every one of us here are like brothers and sisters who try to accomplish greater things in life, and it’s something that I don’t want to miss.”

BY EMILY MCGINN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Most of us have heard of the typical advice to drink eight cups of water each day because water is necessary for life. In fact, monitoring water intake has inspired various forms of water bottles to encourage and ensure proper water intake. Options range from a 32-ounce Giotto water bottle with time markings and motivational statements priced at $23.99 on Amazon to a more intense bottle, such as the Hidrate Spark Smart Water Bottle, which glows to remind the user to drink water ($79.99 on Amazon).

But do these water bottles accurately monitor water intake, and are they worth the investment?

Before determining if these water bottles are helpful, it is important to establish the parameters for proper water intake. The eight-cupsa-day rule of thumb has a long history, rooted in an early study and eventually becoming a recommendation by the U.S. Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council in long-ago 1945.

“The truth is it came from a paper published almost 100 years ago where a guy measured his own urine and realized that he lost about eight cups a day and that is where the recommendation came from,” reads an article by the American Health and Well-