News from January 2022
University of Helsinki researchers develop molecule that can help with coronavirus protection
By Press Release | Jan 25, 2022
A molecule developed by researchers at the University of Helsinki can inactivate the coronavirus spike protein and offers effective short-term protection against the virus.
Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft push use of fiber optic cables to 'provide services at ever-lower costs'
By Emily Bevard | Jan 25, 2022
Fiber optic cables are responsible for linking together countries across oceans and carrying 95% of international internet traffic—a feat accomplished with a total length of more than 800,000 miles.
U.S. gas inventories 'are way below' seasonal norms
By Art Benavidez | Jan 24, 2022
Gasoline prices are expected to rise this summer as demand continues to outpace supply, according to a recent report.
Microsoft to 'empower' frontline workers with new technology amid pandemic
By John Suayan | Jan 24, 2022
Microsoft Corp. announced Jan. 12 new research and technology to assist millions of frontline workers.
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors met Dec. 9
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Jan 22, 2022
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors met Thursday, Dec. 9.
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors will meet Jan. 27
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Jan 22, 2022
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors will meet at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 27.
Patrick wants BlackRock added to list of companies on Oil & Gas Investment Protection Act
By David Hutton | Jan 21, 2022
The Texas Legislature has taken steps to protect the state’s leading industry after it passed the Oil & Gas Investment Protection Act last year, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is poised to use the tool against a company he says is violating the law.
Peacock: 'Weather dependent energy makes the grid less reliable'
By Zachary Richter | Jan 21, 2022
Energy Alliance's Director Bill Peacock states that the doubt regarding whether the Texas energy grid is really prepared to handle colder temperatures is not unjustified since weather-dependent energy production isn't really reliable.
University of Washington study: Shifting ocean closures help protect sea animals from accidental catch
By Michelle Ma | Jan 21, 2022
Accidentally trapping sharks, seabirds, marine mammals, sea turtles and other animals in fishing gear is one of the biggest barriers to making fisheries more sustainable around the world.
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors met Dec. 2
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Jan 21, 2022
City of Austin Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors met Thursday, Dec. 2.
City of Austin City Council will meet Jan. 27
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Jan 21, 2022
City of Austin City Council will meet at 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 27.
City of Austin City Council met Jan. 18
By Angelica Saylo Pilo | Jan 20, 2022
City of Austin City Council met Tuesday, Jan. 18.
Rutgers team discovers proteins that may reveal origins of life on the planet
By John Cramer | Jan 19, 2022
Addressing one of the most profoundly unanswered questions in biology, a Rutgers-led team has discovered the structures of proteins that may be responsible for the origins of life in the primordial soup of ancient Earth.The study appears in the journal Science Advances.The researchers explored how primitive life may have originated on our planet from simple, non-living materials.
Texas finishes 30th in ranking of most family-friendly states
By Austin Journal Reports | Jan 19, 2022
Texas ranked in the bottom half of the 50 states in a new WalletHub study that examines how family-friendly the states are based on criteria such as school quality, housing affordability and income tax rates.
Israel announces run for mayor of Austin: 'Let's make the Austin we love work for all of us'
By David Beasley | Jan 18, 2022
State Rep. Celia Israel (D-TX) is running for mayor of Austin, she announced Jan. 11.
20 relocated from Austin homeless encampment to transitional housing shelter
By Emily Bevard | Jan 18, 2022
Twenty individuals were moved from a north Austin homeless encampment to a transitional housing shelter this week, the city announced last week.
Austin's job market is booming
By Andy Nghiem | Jan 18, 2022
Austin is one of the best-performing major metro areas in the country when it comes to job growth.
New report from the Greater Austin Crime Commission calls for an increase in Austin police officers
By Ariana Chiarenza | Jan 18, 2022
In a new study funded by the Greater Austin Crime Commission released on Jan. 11, data shows that the Austin Police Department requires at least 108 more police officers for more efficient crime resolution in the city.
'He was not due home': Authorities, family search for answers a year after disappearance of Jason Landry
By David Hutton | Jan 17, 2022
More than a year after his disappearance, friends, family and law enforcement officials continue to search for Texas State student Jason Landry, who turned up missing in December 2020.