News

Everest 2012

by Action Advisor on April 14, 2012

Conquering the mighty mountain ‘Everest’ is for many the ultimate quest and for others inspiration comes from those who’ve endured the challenging climb.

National Geographic offer an opportunity for you to take a practice run at the perilous peak – ‘vicariously’ through live footage of their own expedition.

Starting next Monday, April 16th, you can follow a team of National Geographic scientists, researchers, and photographers in real time as they make their climb to the top of the highest point on the planet.

It has been nearly 50 years since a National Geographic-sponsored American team first made a historic trek to the summit in 1963. Take a look at how much climbing equipment alone has changed over that period of time and see what they have learned since Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first reached the summit.

For this spring’s climb, NG’s team will be split into two groups. The first will follow the West Ridge and climb in the alpine style, carrying all their own food and equipment.

The second group will climb the Southeastern Ridge in the expedition style using fixed ropes, stocked camps, help from porters, and supplemental oxygen.

Meet all the members of the team.

View amazing photos from past climbs up Everest.

Check for regular updates throughout the climb on the Everest Blog. Or, follow this special climb in real time on your iPad with the National Geographic Magazine App in the iTunes store.

View National Geographic’s People’s Choice award-winning video of paragliding off Mount Everest, or test your knowledge with the Everest Quiz and special puzzles.

And, don’t miss the May/June 2012 issue of our ‘free magazine’ Bare Essentials it features an insiders guide on ‘Climbing into the Clouds’.

Source: National Geographic

Print Friendly
 

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!

Print Friendly
 

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.

Print Friendly
 

DIY Chocolate Kits

by Action Advisor on April 3, 2012

Celebrate Easter with your own homemade, individually-flavoured, healthy raw organic chocolate!

Chocolate devotee’s looking to indulge their love of the exotic bean can craft their own edible delights with Loving Earth’s Raw Chocolate Kits.

“Recreate the magic of Loving Earth Chocolate in your own kitchen!”

At last, Loving Earth is revealing the secrets behind their amazing chocolate to their cacao-loving fans with these Chocolate Making Kits.

Available in two varieties, you can use these kits to make either Agave or Coconut Sugar Chocolate. Each kit includes three reuseable moulds, but for those who wish to take things further, professional Belgian made chocolate moulds are also available.

The Agave Chocolate Kit recreates a simple version of the exact process which Loving Earth use to make their trademark chocolate. Including all the necessary ingredients, three re-useable moulds plus their recipe, this will allow you to make your own uniquely-flavoured Loving Earth style chocolate in your own kitchen.

The Coconut Sugar Chocolate Kit allows you to take part in a slightly simpler process with equally delicious results! Also available for the first time are the professional chocolate moulds which were once used to make the very same Loving Earth Chocolate which is available online and in your local organic shop.

With a value of over $60, these kits are ordinarily sold at $49.90.
Loving Earth’s Easter Special of $39.90 means you receive a discount of over 30%.

So, why not ‘discover and delight in’ the chocolate-making process this Easter!

Print Friendly
 

License to Label

by Action Advisor on April 1, 2012

Citizens expose GMO’s via collaborative initiative Label It Yourself (#LIY)

Taking a stand against the US Government’s lax labelling laws – the people of America have begun printing their own GMO ‘warning labels’.

“The Label It Yourself campaign is not intended to disparage anyone’s personal food choices. It is about bringing attention to the lack of transparency on the part of corporations and our government when it comes to the food we buy and eat. In order for us to make informed decisions about the food we put in our bodies, we need to know what’s in it and how it’s produced,” write its participants.

The LIY website provides all the resources necessary to print your own GMO warning labels, as well as a guide to identifying foods that contain genetically engineered components.

Print Friendly
 

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →