Environment

Human-Triggered Earthquakes

by Action Advisor on April 20, 2012

Getting rid of wastewater by injecting it into deep rock formations has been shaking things up lately. Scientists have been making a connection between deep disposal and quakes in such places as New Mexico, Texas, Ohio, and Arkansas, but they are only now beginning to learn how to predict when messing with Mother Nature is ill-advised.

Is there a connection between “fracking”—the brief, high-pressure injection of water into Earth’s crust to free up natural gas—and any of the quakes that have happened lately? How big could triggered quakes be? And is there any hope for anticipating which deep injections will set off intolerable seismic activity?

Join Science for the live chat at 3 p.m. EDT on Thursday, 19 April.

After which the full text of the chat will be archived here.

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The Far Reaches of Fukushima

by Action Advisor on April 15, 2012

Radioactive isotopes from the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan have been detected in the great kelp forests off the California coast, according to a new study released by researchers at Cal State Long Beach. Following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami, a wave of radioactivity traveled across the Pacific Ocean.

After the Fukushima incident last spring, Stephen Manley and Chris Lowe, biology professors at California State-Long Beach wondered how released radiation would affect giant kelp canopies, a keystone for the coastal ecosystem. What they found, low-levels of certain radioactive isotopes, seemed to have no impact on the kelp’s health, but their discovery adds anxiety for those who fear the ability for nuclear fallout to have long-ranging consequences.

Iodine 131 “has an eight-day half-life, so it’s pretty much all gone,” Manley told the San Francisco Chronicle. “But this shows what happens half a world away does effect what happens here. I don’t think these levels are harmful, but it’s better if we don’t have it at all.”

Source: Common Dreams

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The Magic of Winter

by Action Advisor on April 10, 2012

Winter has stirred in the land downunder with an icy wind ushering in the change of season. The damp conditions create the ideal habitat for fungi, moss and lichen to thrive in varied form and colour. The beauty of these organisms are on full display at the coldest times of the year – giving reason to go outside, brave the cold and enjoy natures riches.

Even before a true frost sets in, gardens are being abandoned for the warmth of indoors but for those adventurous enough, to rug-up and explore the forgotten garden – a discovery of treasures await.

Winter Wildlife~ Lookout for these fascinating finds in flora and fauna.

Tree moss produces unique art on wooded canvas – from rusted hues of mottled moss to luminous green tuffs, curtain like drapes and carpets that creep from the forest floor to the base of the trunk.

Learn about lichens with Jim Conrad’s Backyard Nature website – this resource delves into the delightful world of the lichen, exploring the structure and ecology with reference to further reading.

Fungi of Australia is another online database for identifying and learning more about indigenous fungi. The comprehensive reference materials include aboriginal use for fungi, a FUNGIMAP and spore prints.

Australian native plants such as banksia, bottlebrush (callistemon), eucalyptus, grevillea, hakea, melaleuca and wax flowers (chamelacium) come to life during winter and spring. Keep an eye out for these plants in your neighbourhood, to see how they look at this time of year or visit one of the excellent botanical gardens which specialise in Australian plants such as Mt Annan Botanic Gardens in NSW or Kings Park Botanical Gardens in Perth.

Checkout this list of Alpine Animals to learn more about Australia’s winter-loving wildlife. Another reference worth reading is the Fauna of the Australian Alps pdf.

Hopefully, I have provided enough inspiration to encourage you outdoors this winter to explore the season’s wealth of natural wonders!

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Science Snapshot

by Action Advisor on April 7, 2012

The latest Insights and Discoveries from the World of Science.

Climate Change insights from Antarctica

The covariation of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration and temperature in Antarctic ice-core records suggests a close link between CO2 and climate during the Pleistocene ice ages. The role and relative importance of CO2 in producing these climate changes remains unclear, however, in part because the ice-core deuterium record reflects local rather than global temperature. Read the full article.

Gigantic Feathered Dinosaur Discovered in China

Direct evidence for the presence of extensively feathered gigantic dinosaurs are offering new insights into early feather evolution. Read the full article.

This story is also covered by National Geographic. Read their article.

Searching for a Cure

Antibodypedia is a free resource that helps you find the right antibody for the right application. Independent, with data curated with the assistance of an international advisory board, Antibodypedialets you:

• Search for antibodies that have proved themselves effective for specific applications
• Discover published research employing particular antibodies
• Submit antibody validation data from your own experiments

Exploring the Titanic

Filmmaker and explorer James Cameron heads a commemorative line-up of premiere documentaries from National Geographic about the biggest, most technologically advanced ship of its time, the R.M.S. Titanic, which sank on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City, one hundred years ago – on April 15th.

The special two-night Titanic Event airs on the National Geographic Channel starts Sunday, April 8th at 8:00 pm ET/PT. Check your local listings for times in other regions.

Titanic: The Final Word with James Cameron takes viewers on the ultimate forensic investigation of how an unsinkable ship sank on that April day.

Save the Titanic with Bob Ballard retraces the steps of the people who set sail on that fateful journey.

You also will find a number of Titanic-related online special features this month, such as full episodes of past National Geographic Titanic videos like Secrets of the Titanic and Rebuilding Titanic. Plus, new extra-sharp underwater photos of the remaining wreckage, special online games, and fascinating new historical and scientific information. In addition National Geographic have included materials especially for children and teachers.

Lastly, be sure to pick-up a copy of this month’s National Geographic magazine which features the “Unseen Titanic” and uses new technologies to reveal the most intimate images of this famous wreck.

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Best Nature Feed on Twitter

by Action Advisor on March 21, 2012

Governed by the ‘people’s choice’ green blog Treehugger is looking for the best Nature Feed on Twitter.

The poll includes the following eco-focused twitter feeds:

Rainforest Alliance @RnfrstAlliance
Ocean Conservancy @OurOcean
Sierra Club @Sierra_Club
Natural Resources Defense Council @NRDC
WWF @WWF
The Nature Conservancy @Nature_org

Voting will provide good exposure for your favourite foundation and encourage others to follow their feed. I would suggest that perhaps next year, Treehugger allows the public to nominate feeds for their poll – offering an opportunity to promote the conservation efforts of other worthy groups such as:

Polar Bears International @PolarBears
Vital Ground @vitalground
Snow Leopard Trust @snowleopards
Panthera @PantheraCats
Cheetah Conservation Fund @CCFUSA
Freedom to Roam @Freedom_to_Roam
One World One Ocean @1World1Ocean
Deepsea Challenge @DeepChallenge
National Geographic @NatGeoLive

All of these feeds contribute valuable insights into nature – science, discovery and conservation and are well worth twuning-in too!

Cast your vote for ‘Best Nature Twitter Feed’ and help spread vital news about nature!

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