Addressing “Global Cooling”
Jan/100
Give people a little winter weather and they cry out that global climate change is a myth.
Well, unfortunately, that is not the case.
Before we get too excited about the cold weather, here are a few things to look at, including the fact that the scientist who said we were entering “global cooling” doesn’t really say so at all.
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Addressing “Global Cooling”
Environmental Plastic Discovery
Nov/090
News from South Korea is that scientists have succeeded in creating plastic without the use of fossil fuels.
The scientists created sustainable polymers used in common plastics that could replace traditional polymers that use chemicals from fossil fuels. The bioengineered polymers may be what is needed to create truly green-friendly plastic products.
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Environmental Plastic Discovery
Fossil Fuel CO2 Emissions Trends — 1990, 2000, 2008
Nov/090
Overall, global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels increased 29% between 2000 and 2008 and 41% from 1990-2008, & the current concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is now at its highest in at least 2 million years, according to a new study in the journal Nature Geoscience.
The new report published this week by an international team of researchers who are part of the “Global Carbon Project” shows emissions trends through 2008 (including changes in emissions causes and in the amount of emissions remaining in the atmosphere) and brings up some major questions for the future as well.
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Fossil Fuel CO2 Emissions Trends — 1990, 2000, 2008
Swine Flu: First Confirmed Case of Pet Cat Contracting H1N1
Nov/090
Officials from Iowa and United States Department of Agriculture have confirmed a pet cat in the United States has tested positive for the H1N1 virus. This is the first confirmed case a feline has contracted the H1N1 virus in the United States, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA).
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Swine Flu: First Confirmed Case of Pet Cat Contracting H1N1
Hyenas! 12 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know, Plus Photo Gallery
Oct/090
Hyenas are not as numerous as you might think: Poison, guns, snares, sport hunting, and habitat loss due to human expansion are taking their toll on the misunderstood hyena.
Hyenas are the subject of perhaps more myths than any other African animal, which has unfortunately led to decades of persecution against these unusual creatures. The rapid expansion of human population into remaining hyena habitat – and the intentional killing of hyenas by humans – will eventually prove to be more than this resilient species can tolerate.
To help raise awareness of hyena conservation, here are 12 surprising things you didn’t know – plus a compilation of beautiful photos. Enjoy!
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Hyenas! 12 Surprising Things You Didn’t Know, Plus Photo Gallery
Acacia Trees to Save Africa, and the World?
Aug/090
Acacia trees, excellent for Africa’s depleted soil and helpful in counteracting climate change, may be the trees of the future for Africa. A very unique tree, it may help Africa in many other ways as well.
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Acacia Trees to Save Africa, and the World?
Killer Whales Just Wanna Have Fun – According to Scientists
Aug/090
Researchers have determined that killer whale groups form “superpods” to create and maintain social bonds with other whales.
Just like people, killer whales (Orcinus orca) get together to maintain social ties. Although the whales usually live in small pods of 20 or so, they also go in search of other pods, forming aggregate groups of approximately 100. These aquatic gatherings last from a few hours to nearly half a day, according to BBC Earth News.
Scientists from the Far East Russia Orca project observed the killer whales engaging in social behaviors with other pods, such as synchronized swimming and “rubbing flippers”, while in these larger groups. They also noticed that the whales’ sexual activity increased while in the “superpods” – indicating that these gatherings give the whales an opportunities to check out potential mates. Pairing with a whale from another pod likely increases genetic diversity throughout the whale population.
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Killer Whales Just Wanna Have Fun – According to Scientists
New Gel Prevents HIV Infection
Aug/090
Scientists out of the University of Utah have created a new substance, heralded as a molecular condom, which blocks HIV from entering the vaginal tissue. HIV infection is a huge problem in Africa, and other impoverished areas, mostly because of a taboo or unavailability of condoms. The gel is meant to give woman a way to protect themselves from infection without any approval of their partner.
“This is important – particularly in resource-poor areas of the world like sub-Sahara Africa and south Asia where, in some age groups, as many as 60 percent of women already are infected with HIV. In these places, women often are not empowered to force their partners to wear a condom.” – Patrick Kiser, an associate professor of bioengineering at the University of Utah
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New Gel Prevents HIV Infection
Elephant CSI: Using DNA to Help Fight Poaching
Aug/090
Comparing DNA from seized ivory to an elephant DNA database is revealing new information on how poaching syndicates and illegal dealers are operating.
The development of a DNA forensics technique may prove to be a valuable weapon in the bloody war against elephant poaching.
According to BBC News, Professor Sam Wasser of the Center or Conservation Biology at the University of Washington is fighting back against these criminals using DNA collected from elephant dung and ivory to expose poaching hotspots.
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Elephant CSI: Using DNA to Help Fight Poaching
Is Gaia Geo-engineering With Jellyfish to Slow Climate Change?
Aug/090
Perhaps some good is coming of the ever-increasing jellyfish implosion being reported worldwide.
It turns out, jellyfish may be working to save us from our excesses. The massive new blooms of jellyfish might be burying more carbon dioxide deep under the ocean by pumping cold water to the surface with every meal. When they return, ferrying CO2-laden warm water down into the depths of the sea.
In the process, they may be changing the overall carbon balance in the atmosphere.
The finding is the latest in a decades-old debate over whether swimming animals have much effect on ocean mixing, the process by which warm water on the surface combines with the cold water far below.
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Is Gaia Geo-engineering With Jellyfish to Slow Climate Change?
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