Science

Get to Know About THCa | How it’s Different From THC

While THC is one of the famous cannabinoids that are the most potent, thca is the most abundant. But what is exactly thca? A cannabinoid, more commonly called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), known for its psychoactive properties, has a reputation as cannabis’s active ingredient.

But new research has found that there are actually several other cannabinoids like cannabidiol and cannabinol in cannabis that may have their own therapeutic potential.

What is thca?

The thca (or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found mainly in the cannabis plant.

Unlike THC, thca is not psychoactive. Its chemical name is cannabidiolic acid and it exists in cannabis as well as other plants. In fact, there are over 60 different cannabidiol acids that all have some medicinal benefits at least partly, including treating epilepsy and managing pain and anxiety.

However, this cannabinoid is best recognized for its antioxidant properties and anti-bacterial structure. A significant amount of the cannabinoid has a high level of antioxidant properties and it is also effective at killing bacteria including the MRSA type and other antibiotic resistant strains.

The THCa’s benefits

The cannabinoid has several THCa’s benefits that include:

Antidepressant like effects

It causes an increase in serotonin release just like most antidepressants do. This means you will be able to enjoy its antidepressant-like effects, without worrying about any harmful side effects that may cause depression in many cases.

Treating glaucoma

Those suffering from increased pressure inside their eyeballs will experience relief when they consume THCa.

Pain relief

It provides anti-inflammatory properties that will reduce your pain. Even those suffering from chronic pain will find this useful.

Improving mental processes

The cannabinoid does not only stimulate the brain’s neurons to improve memory and focus, but also helps in increasing serotonin levels. This will go a long way in improving your mood, as well as reducing anxiety and stress. This can also help you sleep better at night by boosting melatonin production in the body.

How to consume THCa?

When you smoke cannabis, the process of decarboxylation occurs which transforms THCA flower into regular THC. As a result, it can be challenging to obtain THCA through smoking, unless you have a freshly made extract or ingest raw cannabis. Some concentrates for dabbing claim to have high levels of THCA, but over time, they can convert to THC based on the amount of light and room temperature heat they are exposed to.

While it is not recommended to eat a nug of cannabis, grinding fresh bud is an effective method to intake THCa without decarboxylation. You can add ground bud to a smoothie along with other superfoods like kale or avocado for a healthy and delicious treat.

Some people even juice fresh palm leaves and sugar leaves after harvest, but ensure that your grower is not using chemical pesticides if you plan to do this.

What exactly does THCa do?

THCA is categorized as non-psychoactive because it does not produce a “high” effect when consumed. This is because THCa does not attach to CB1 receptors, which have a strong binding affinity for THC.

In fact, researchers are not exactly sure what exactly THCa is, but they believe that it is a kind of cannabinoid because it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some people even claim that THCa helps delay the aging process and reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

The cannabinoid apparently blocks the pain effects of inflammation, which means it can protect your eyes, skin and joints from suffering from chronic pain.

FAQs:

Q. Where can I find THCa?

A. You can find THCA in raw cannabis, but not in high amounts. The best way to consume this cannabinoid is to find extracts (like tinctures) or edible products that contain this.

Q. How long does it take for THCa to work?

A. This will differ depending on the dose you take, but the effects of THCa usually kick in within 30-40 minutes and will last between 4-6 hours.

Q. How can I improve my sleep using THCa?

A. If you are someone who suffers from insomnia, you may want to increase the amount of THCa in your diet. The cannabinoid has an anti-anxiety effect, which means it can provide you with a better night’s sleep by providing melatonin production.

Q. Is a higher THCa better?

A. Essentially, it all depends on the purpose of consumption and how much you want to consume. In fact, it is possible to get too much THCa in your system, especially if you are a heavy consumer.

Science

NASA Switches Off Instrument On Voyager 2 Spacecraft To Save Power

NEW YORK — To save power, NASA turned off another scientific equipment on its long-running Voyager 2 spacecraft.

NASA Switches Off Instrument On the Spacecraft To Save Power

The space agency announced on Tuesday that 2’s plasma science instrument, meant to study the movement of charged atoms, was turned off in late September to allow the spacecraft to continue exploring for as long as possible, which is estimated to be into the 2030s.

NASA turned off a suite of instruments on Voyager 2 and its twin, Voyager 1, after exploring the gas giant planets in the 1980s. Both are currently in interstellar space or the region between stars. The plasma instrument on Voyager 1 stopped working years ago and was finally shut off in 2007.

The remaining four instruments on 2 will continue to collect data on magnetic fields and particles. Its mission is to investigate the regions of space beyond the sun’s protective sphere.

NASA Switches Off Instrument On Voyager 2 Spacecraft To Save Power

It launched in 1977, is the only spacecraft to have visited Uranus and Neptune. It is now more than 12 billion miles (19.31 billion kilometers) from Earth. 1 is more than 15 billion miles (24.14 billion kilometers) beyond Earth.

SOURCE | AP

Science

Hurricane Kirk Could Cause Dangerous Surf Conditions Along The US East Coast

MIAMI — Hurricane Kirk’s waves could generate life-threatening surf and rip current conditions this weekend throughout the United States East Coast, as well as in Bermuda, the Greater Antilles, and the Bahamas, according to forecasters.

Kirk was a Category 3 hurricane in the middle Atlantic Ocean that might grow further but was predicted to stay away from land, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center on Thursday.

Hurricane Kirk Could Cause Dangerous Surf Conditions Along The US East Coast

Kirk-generated swells were forecast to reach parts of the Leeward Islands on Friday, Bermuda and the Greater Antilles on Saturday, and the East Coast and the Bahamas on Sunday, according to the center.

No coastal watches or warnings were in effect. The major storm was around 1,130 miles (1,820 kilometers) east of the Leeward Islands, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h).

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Leslie formed late Wednesday in the eastern Atlantic and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane in the following days, forecasters said. It was also not considered a threat to the land.

Hurricane Kirk Could Cause Dangerous Surf Conditions Along The US East Coast

The storm was about 540 miles (870 kilometers) southwest of Cabo Verde’s southernmost tip, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph), according to the center.

The storms raged in the Atlantic as rescuers in the United States Southeast sought for missing persons after Hurricane Helene struck last week, leaving a trail of death and devastation.

SOURCE | AP

Science

NASA Sends First Manned Starliner Spacecraft to Space Station

Astronauts on Starliner: NASA Image

NASA has announced astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are safely in orbit on the first crewed flight test of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft heading for the International Space Station.

As part of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, the astronauts launched a ULA (United Launch Alliance) Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 10:52 a.m. EDT Wednesday for an end-to-end test of the Starliner system.

“Two brave NASA astronauts are well on their way to this historic first test flight of a brand-new spacecraft,” stated NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Boeing’s Starliner represents a new era of American exploration. Human spaceflight is a risky endeavor, but it is worth it. It is an exciting time for NASA, our commercial partners, and the future of space exploration. “Go Starliner, Butch, and Suni!”

The flight test is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and will help validate the transportation system, launch pad, rocket, spacecraft, in-orbit operations capabilities, and return to Earth with astronauts aboard as the agency prepares to certify Starliner for rotational missions to the space station. Starliner has already completed two uncrewed orbital missions, including a test to and from the space station, as well as a pad abort demonstration.

Starliner Make Orbit: NASA Image

Boeing Starliner Makes Orbit

“With Starliner’s launch, separation from the rocket, and arrival in orbit, Boeing’s Crew Flight Test is right on track,” said Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s Commercial Crew Program. “Everyone is focused on giving Suni and Butch a safe, comfortable, ride and performing a successful test mission from start to finish.”

Boeing’s mission control center in Houston will supervise a sequence of autonomous spacecraft maneuvers while Starliner is in flight. NASA teams will supervise space station activities from the Mission Control Center at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

“Flying crew on Starliner represents over a decade of work by the Commercial Crew Program and our partners at Boeing and ULA,” said Steve Stich, Commercial Crew Program Manager at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. “For many of us, this is a career-defining occasion, ushering in a new crew transportation capacity for our agency and our country. We will take it one step at a time, putting Starliner through its paces and remaining watchful until Butch and Suni safely land back on Earth at the end of this test journey.”

At about 12:15 p.m., Starliner will dock autonomously to the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module. Thursday, June 6, and will remain at the orbital laboratory for almost a week.

Wilmore and Williams will help ensure that the spacecraft is functioning properly by testing the environmental control system, the displays and control system, and moving the thrusters, among other things, during flight.

Wilmore and Williams will join the Expedition 71 crew, which includes NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, Matt Dominick, Tracy C. Dyson, and Jeanette Epps, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Nikolai Chub, Alexander Grebenkin, and Oleg Kononenko.

NASA’s arrival and in-flight event coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change depending on real-time operations):

NASA Television channels will continue to broadcast the Starliner’s mission.

Thursday, June 6
9:30 a.m. – Arrival coverage begins on NASA+, the NASA app, and YouTube, and continues on NASA Television and the agency’s website.

12:15 p.m. – Targeted docking

2 p.m. – Hatch opening

2:20 p.m. – Welcome remarks

3:30 p.m. – Post-docking news conference at NASA Johnson with the following participants:

NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free
Steve Stich, manager, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program
Jeff Arend, manager for systems engineering and integration, NASA’s International Space Station Office
Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager, Commercial Crew Program, Boeing

Coverage of the post-docking news conference will air live on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website.

To attend the post-docking briefing, U.S. media must contact the NASA Johnson newsroom at: jsccommu@mail.nasa.gov or 281-483-5111 by 1 p.m. Thursday, June 6. To join by phone, media must contact the NASA Johnson newsroom by 3 p.m. Thursday, June 6.

5:50 p.m. – NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, Associate Administrator Jim Free, Associate Administrator for Space Operations Ken Bowersox, and Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche will speak with Wilmore and Williams about their launch aboard the Starliner spacecraft.

Coverage of the Earth to space call will air live on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website.

Saturday, June 8

8:50 a.m. – NASA astronauts Wilmore and Williams will provide a tour of Starliner.

Coverage of the in-orbit event will stream live on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website.

Monday, June 10

11 a.m. – Williams will speak to students from Sunita L. Williams Elementary School in Needham, Massachusetts, in an event aboard the space station.

Coverage of the Earth to space call will air live on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website.

Tuesday, June 11

3:15 p.m. – Wilmore will speak to students from Tennessee Tech University in an event aboard the space station.

Coverage of the Earth to space call will air live on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website.