"Hey I know it ain't real!"
Woodside Petroleum Will Destroy Dinosaur Footprints
Ancient dinosaur tracks may be destroyed by gas companies moving into the Kimberleys. In the Dampier Peninsula near Broome more than 15 different kinds of dinosaurs foot prints are "embedded" into the landscape. They are in 130-million-year-old sandstone.
Woodside plans to open up the area for natural gas development. Just bringing people there opens up the tracks to damage. Arguments are raging all over Australia at the moment between natural gas companies and farmers who fear damage to their pasture from polluting chemicals used in the search process. Companies can just open a farm gate, drive in and start drilling - no permission is needed.
New dinosaur footprints are being found at the Kimberley site, notably of the very large sauropods nearly a meter in diameter. The varied prints are in different layers. They have been laid down over an extended period of time.
Woodside is saying better quality tracks are found well away from their intended development and losing some footprints is unimportant. The company is obviously ignorant about scientific research. All finds in relation to dinosaurs are important.
Woodside plans to open up the area for natural gas development. Just bringing people there opens up the tracks to damage. Arguments are raging all over Australia at the moment between natural gas companies and farmers who fear damage to their pasture from polluting chemicals used in the search process. Companies can just open a farm gate, drive in and start drilling - no permission is needed.
New dinosaur footprints are being found at the Kimberley site, notably of the very large sauropods nearly a meter in diameter. The varied prints are in different layers. They have been laid down over an extended period of time.
Woodside is saying better quality tracks are found well away from their intended development and losing some footprints is unimportant. The company is obviously ignorant about scientific research. All finds in relation to dinosaurs are important.
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Science
Australian Spotted Jellyfish Invades Spain
Though it is not unusual for alien species to invade Australia, it is unusual for animals native to Australia to become pests in other countries. The Australian spotted jellyfish, phyllorhiza punctata, is stinging bathers on Spanish beaches.
The jellyfish is not dangerous to humans, but it causes a painful sting. Though called the Australian spotted jellyfish it is also found in North Carolina and the Gulf of Mexico.
Seven beaches were closed in Spain to protect people: Cala Cerrada, La Zenia, Cala Capitan, Punta Prima, La Mosca and Playa Flamenca. There are fears that the jellyfish will arrive on British beaches this summer. Climate change, pollution and overfishing are being blamed.
The jellyfish is not dangerous to humans, but it causes a painful sting. Though called the Australian spotted jellyfish it is also found in North Carolina and the Gulf of Mexico.
Seven beaches were closed in Spain to protect people: Cala Cerrada, La Zenia, Cala Capitan, Punta Prima, La Mosca and Playa Flamenca. There are fears that the jellyfish will arrive on British beaches this summer. Climate change, pollution and overfishing are being blamed.
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Climate
House Sparrows Discard Their Parasites When They Move to New Regions
The ubiquitous house sparrow found in just about every country is being examined by scientists. They successfully populate new regions by discarding their "companion" parasites. Though they force their way into new niches, they don't kill off native birds and animals with their resident parasites.
Sparrow parasites spread avian malaria. It seems that this disease is not spread to new areas because parasites that carry it are discarded. Without this deadly malady sparrows thrive.
House sparrows originally came from Western Europe. They successfully live alongside humans. The cheeky little birds get much closer than other birds to people. This enables them to get food easily.
Sparrow parasites spread avian malaria. It seems that this disease is not spread to new areas because parasites that carry it are discarded. Without this deadly malady sparrows thrive.
House sparrows originally came from Western Europe. They successfully live alongside humans. The cheeky little birds get much closer than other birds to people. This enables them to get food easily.
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Biology
Tequila's Agave Plant Ideal to Make Ethanol
Yet another plant is suggested as a savior for our fuel hungry future. Agave is a succulent, normally used to produce the alcoholic drink tequila. Its use to make this drink is no coincidence - agave is rich in sugar. It is ideal for making ethanol.
Australia is looking for a plant that will grow in arid areas. Sugarcane will grow on marginal land but not in semi-desert regions. Agave will grow where it hardly ever rains, so it will not take fertile land away from food growers. A pilot test farm has been established at Ayr in Queensland.
Agave is a winner. It gives back five times more energy than is used to produce it. And it makes less greenhouse gas than the manufacture of sugar cane ethanol.
Corn is widely used at present to make ethanol. The quality, however, is variable. Ethanol from agave is superior. Another benefit is that the woody by-product from the plant can be used in making the motor vehicle fuel.
Australia is looking for a plant that will grow in arid areas. Sugarcane will grow on marginal land but not in semi-desert regions. Agave will grow where it hardly ever rains, so it will not take fertile land away from food growers. A pilot test farm has been established at Ayr in Queensland.
Agave is a winner. It gives back five times more energy than is used to produce it. And it makes less greenhouse gas than the manufacture of sugar cane ethanol.
Corn is widely used at present to make ethanol. The quality, however, is variable. Ethanol from agave is superior. Another benefit is that the woody by-product from the plant can be used in making the motor vehicle fuel.
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Automotive
Glenn Stevens Puts His Foot in His Mouth
Some prominent people say ridiculous things. Glenn Stevens of the Reserve Bank really put his foot in his mouth when he said miserable people are responsible for a poor economy. I would like to know his source for such a bold statement.
He said, "If people don't get happy soon I will have to put interest rates up again as punishment." He should be more responsible. Making lightly about people having to have botox injections to get rid of their worry lines is something you would expect from a comedian. And he ain't no comedian. His job is one of the most important in the country. High interest rates are no laughing matter.
His attempts at humour are extremely bad. Saying stupid things like people should holler with happiness in the morning and Lara Bingle has a new partner are pathetic.
He said, "If people don't get happy soon I will have to put interest rates up again as punishment." He should be more responsible. Making lightly about people having to have botox injections to get rid of their worry lines is something you would expect from a comedian. And he ain't no comedian. His job is one of the most important in the country. High interest rates are no laughing matter.
His attempts at humour are extremely bad. Saying stupid things like people should holler with happiness in the morning and Lara Bingle has a new partner are pathetic.
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Economics
Eye Size Is Determined by Distance From the Equator
Eye Size is not accidental. It is determined by evolutionary factors. This is not so obvious today because in the twentieth century people moved to new countries in regions quite different from their place of origin.
Eye sockets were measured from 55 skulls of native people throughout the world. The skulls were in museum collections from the 1800s. Large eyes were synonymous with large craniums. The native population of Micronesia had the smallest eyes. Scandinavians had the largest. This is contrary to the belief that Africans have the largest eyes.
Eyes size is affected by the length of day and sun brightness. Bigger craniums were due to more brain allocation to sight. It did not make people smarter.
This finding must mean that being able to get about in low light was important for survival. Features important for survival until the age of reproduction are carried on to later generations. Some things, however, can remain in a population if they affect life after puberty, for example sickle cell anemia.
Eye sockets were measured from 55 skulls of native people throughout the world. The skulls were in museum collections from the 1800s. Large eyes were synonymous with large craniums. The native population of Micronesia had the smallest eyes. Scandinavians had the largest. This is contrary to the belief that Africans have the largest eyes.
Eyes size is affected by the length of day and sun brightness. Bigger craniums were due to more brain allocation to sight. It did not make people smarter.
This finding must mean that being able to get about in low light was important for survival. Features important for survival until the age of reproduction are carried on to later generations. Some things, however, can remain in a population if they affect life after puberty, for example sickle cell anemia.
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Anthropology
New Hope for Kidney Tranplant Patients
Kidney transplants could soon be a thing of the past. It will soon be possible to take kidney cells from a patient, reprogram them, then put the rejuvenated cells back in. Sharon Ricardo of Monash University has taken cells from a person's kidney and made them into progenitors that will develop into healthy kidney cells. In China kidney cells have been isolated in urine. These cells are perfectly okay for reprogramming.
The process is called induced pluripotency. Transplanting the new healthy cells will also enable further study into the causes of kidney disease. Kidney transplantation is a drain on health resources worldwide. This new treatment will save millions of dollars.
Success in treating kidney disease will lead to similar applications for other diseases. This could impact on health treatment in the future, revolutionizing health care.
The process is called induced pluripotency. Transplanting the new healthy cells will also enable further study into the causes of kidney disease. Kidney transplantation is a drain on health resources worldwide. This new treatment will save millions of dollars.
Success in treating kidney disease will lead to similar applications for other diseases. This could impact on health treatment in the future, revolutionizing health care.
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G
Hubble Constant for Speed of Universe Expansion Defined by Australian Student
Australia has determined how fast the Universe is expanding. A student planning to study a PhD, Florian Beutler, has measured the Hubble constant. This is a special number that enables measurement of the age and size of the Universe.
The Universe continues to expand with galaxies moving apart. Direction and speed that galaxies move are easy to measure, but distance of separation is more difficult. In the past, brightness of galaxies has been used to define this distance. Florian Beutler used data from a survey carried out with the UK's Schmidt Telescope to make calculations using a new method.
Galaxies are in clusters throughout the Universe. The 6dF survey provided information about these clusters which enabled distant to be defined with an error of less than 5 per cent. The speed of expansion is very close to the figure determined by other methods. The Hubble constant is 67.0 +/- 3.2 km s-1 Mpc-1.
The Universe continues to expand with galaxies moving apart. Direction and speed that galaxies move are easy to measure, but distance of separation is more difficult. In the past, brightness of galaxies has been used to define this distance. Florian Beutler used data from a survey carried out with the UK's Schmidt Telescope to make calculations using a new method.
Galaxies are in clusters throughout the Universe. The 6dF survey provided information about these clusters which enabled distant to be defined with an error of less than 5 per cent. The speed of expansion is very close to the figure determined by other methods. The Hubble constant is 67.0 +/- 3.2 km s-1 Mpc-1.
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Science
Dangers of Gene Manipulation
The war over genetic manipulation of crops and the human body has not yet been won be either side. Recently Greenpeace destroyed a crop of modified wheat that had been genetically altered to raise fiber content which was intended to reduce bowel cancer. Cross contamination of non-modified crops on farms adjacent to land where GM food is grown was given as the reason for the attack.
There are many dangers with gene replacement technology:
- Possible birth defects
- Anti-biotic resistance
- Control of patented GM seeds
- Vertical control of food chain
- Changes to soil balance
- Horizontal gene change to related crops
Both sides of Australian politics support gene manipulation. Just why this is the case is a big question. Many Australians are troubled by GM use, though not so much by gene treatment in medicine. Like the nuclear power disaster in Japan, one gene related "accident" may end the optimism.
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Agriculture
New Drug Sterilizes Dogs and Other Animals
In just about any country you visit, there are unwanted dogs. Roaming packs of semi-wild dogs are the most dangerous especially for children. They even attack domesticated dogs on leash.
A breakthrough in dog sterilization has been found to slow dog breeding. The drug developed by Dr. Loretta Mayer when given to female dogs sterilizes them. Tests are being carried out in India where dogs are infected with rabies.
Though years of testing has to be done to get it passed by the US Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Mayer is talking to Arizona state legislature to introduce the drug for use in animal shelters as soon as possible. The drug will also work on other animals. Of great interest is the potential to eliminate rats.
A breakthrough in dog sterilization has been found to slow dog breeding. The drug developed by Dr. Loretta Mayer when given to female dogs sterilizes them. Tests are being carried out in India where dogs are infected with rabies.
Though years of testing has to be done to get it passed by the US Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Mayer is talking to Arizona state legislature to introduce the drug for use in animal shelters as soon as possible. The drug will also work on other animals. Of great interest is the potential to eliminate rats.
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Society
Top Predators Are Crucial in Keeping Ecosystems in Balance
Mankind's actions is affecting the balance of animal life on the planet. Herbivores and their predators are declining in all regions. When a top predator ceases to exist the animal environment is no longer in balance.
Focusing on individual animals is faulty research. It is important to examine The way an animal fits into the whole system. The study of top predators such as lions, wolves, and sharks is difficult. How do you test how an ecosystem would function without them? Research to date shows that losing top animals causes damaging effects from the top down. For example too many herbivores creates deforestation because they eat the shoots of young trees sprouting from the ground.
Leopards declined in Africa then baboons increased in number moved into town and spread intestinal parasites to humans. Reducing the number of great wales has released carbon into the atmosphere: their feces stored carbon which fell to the ocean floor.
In the past animal parks have been created which intentionally left out top predators. This was clearly a mistake. There was no way the system could be in balance without them.
Focusing on individual animals is faulty research. It is important to examine The way an animal fits into the whole system. The study of top predators such as lions, wolves, and sharks is difficult. How do you test how an ecosystem would function without them? Research to date shows that losing top animals causes damaging effects from the top down. For example too many herbivores creates deforestation because they eat the shoots of young trees sprouting from the ground.
Leopards declined in Africa then baboons increased in number moved into town and spread intestinal parasites to humans. Reducing the number of great wales has released carbon into the atmosphere: their feces stored carbon which fell to the ocean floor.
In the past animal parks have been created which intentionally left out top predators. This was clearly a mistake. There was no way the system could be in balance without them.
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Science
More People Are Turning to Wood for Heating
Price is already changing consumer behavior in regard to carbon. However, price signals can make people do the wrong thing. Because electricity has risen sharply in Australia over the last two years some people are going back to old wood burning appliances for heating and cooking.
Burning wood pushes more carbon into the atmosphere. It is just swapping wood for coal. Demand for fuel timber has risen 30 per cent this winter. It isn't cheap either. A tonne delivered to your door costs $350 and lasts about six weeks. More new fireplaces are being purchased, so there is a trend.
Sitting over a fireplace is bad for your health. Pollutants are drawn into the lungs. It is like smoking cigarettes. Over a year a wood heater produces more dangerous particles than five diesel trucks. Already 6 per cent of people in Sydney use wood burners and this number is rising.
Burning wood pushes more carbon into the atmosphere. It is just swapping wood for coal. Demand for fuel timber has risen 30 per cent this winter. It isn't cheap either. A tonne delivered to your door costs $350 and lasts about six weeks. More new fireplaces are being purchased, so there is a trend.
Sitting over a fireplace is bad for your health. Pollutants are drawn into the lungs. It is like smoking cigarettes. Over a year a wood heater produces more dangerous particles than five diesel trucks. Already 6 per cent of people in Sydney use wood burners and this number is rising.
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Society
The Young Will Soon Lease Electric Vehicles
Private ownership of motor vehicles may not not be popular in the future. The majority of people may chose to Lease electric cars. Being able to lease these vehicles will be a big draw particularly if brand new cars are on offer. Obviously secondhand versions will also be available.
There are plans to "build" payment plans into mobile phones. This will include a usage agreement with recharging credits and battery swaps. It will be aimed at young Gen Y users who won't go anywhere without their mobile. Many members of this group support a green way of life.
The love of older big engined cars is now largely an older generation thing. The young are turned off by these "monsters". It will be sad to see the demise of combustion powered cars but eventually it will happen. The Gen Y group don't care about the kind of car they are in as long it gets them from A to B. Ownership is not important.
There are plans to "build" payment plans into mobile phones. This will include a usage agreement with recharging credits and battery swaps. It will be aimed at young Gen Y users who won't go anywhere without their mobile. Many members of this group support a green way of life.
The love of older big engined cars is now largely an older generation thing. The young are turned off by these "monsters". It will be sad to see the demise of combustion powered cars but eventually it will happen. The Gen Y group don't care about the kind of car they are in as long it gets them from A to B. Ownership is not important.
No doubt older people will initially ridicule the tiny little "bugs", But as their number soars they will stop laughing. Car makers are already planning for the future and electric cars are at the center of it. Just where all this extra electricity will come from will be the problem.
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Society
Molasses a "Cure" for Obesity
It would be ideal if obesity could be treated by taking something, instead of drastic dieting. A possible solution has been found in molasses. This sweet substance is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that seem to change the consequences of a high-fat diet.
For 12 weeks mice were given a high-fat diet supplemented with up to 4 per cent molasses extract. The mice lost weight. This was believed to be caused by the molasses reducing caloric absorption. Fat cells make the hormone leptin. This hormone was reduced in the blood.
Next year work will be done on humans to see if results are the same. Molasses are inexpensive and capsules could easily be produced. It would be a great leap forward if a simple "cure" like this is effective.
For 12 weeks mice were given a high-fat diet supplemented with up to 4 per cent molasses extract. The mice lost weight. This was believed to be caused by the molasses reducing caloric absorption. Fat cells make the hormone leptin. This hormone was reduced in the blood.
Next year work will be done on humans to see if results are the same. Molasses are inexpensive and capsules could easily be produced. It would be a great leap forward if a simple "cure" like this is effective.
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Health
Danger of Heart Attack After Losing a Spouse
It seems people don't live on after their partner passes away. There is a higher risk of survivors getting a heart attack in the months after losing a husband or wife. It is believed to be due to the increased heart rate from the loss. If the living partner can get through the danger period the risk dissipates.
This shows that people who lose partners need medical help and support from friends and relatives during the grieving process. Doctors should pay special attention to cardiac symptoms. Persistent stress and depression should also be monitored.
The research involved people aged from 33 to 91, so this tendency affects spouses of any age. Subjects wore 24 hour monitors. Heart rate was closely observed. Periods of rapid heart beat occurred during the grieving period. Overall heart rate was also higher compared to people who had not had a loss.
Depression was four time higher than the norm in subjects. This persisted for several years.
This shows that people who lose partners need medical help and support from friends and relatives during the grieving process. Doctors should pay special attention to cardiac symptoms. Persistent stress and depression should also be monitored.
The research involved people aged from 33 to 91, so this tendency affects spouses of any age. Subjects wore 24 hour monitors. Heart rate was closely observed. Periods of rapid heart beat occurred during the grieving period. Overall heart rate was also higher compared to people who had not had a loss.
Depression was four time higher than the norm in subjects. This persisted for several years.
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Health
Dinosaur Metabolism Was Faster Than Mammals
Dinosaur metabolism was not only higher than reptiles, their bodies ran at a faster rate than mammals. Analysis of tiny holes in their bones shows that they pumped a lot of blood through their bodies.
So scientists have been wrong for a long time claiming that dinosaurs were slow moving creatures who relied on the sun to get going each day. Tests across a wide range of dinosaurs, big and small, confirm they moved around with ease. Some scientists have accepted the hypothesis that dinosaurs were not reptiles.
It makes one wonder how many other things we are taught at schools are totally wrong. New evidence for upright walking of apes goes back more than four million years to an animal with feet designed to climb trees. Their hips are clearly designed for walking upright. And for decades we had been told a special foot design was necessary for bipedal walking.
So scientists have been wrong for a long time claiming that dinosaurs were slow moving creatures who relied on the sun to get going each day. Tests across a wide range of dinosaurs, big and small, confirm they moved around with ease. Some scientists have accepted the hypothesis that dinosaurs were not reptiles.
It makes one wonder how many other things we are taught at schools are totally wrong. New evidence for upright walking of apes goes back more than four million years to an animal with feet designed to climb trees. Their hips are clearly designed for walking upright. And for decades we had been told a special foot design was necessary for bipedal walking.
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Science
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