Earth lost 50% of its wildlife in the past 40 years, says WWF
Species across land, rivers and seas decimated as humans kill for food in unsustainable numbers and destroy habitats
See picture gallery of wild animals facing decline
30.9.14
27.3.14
a hidden Super Earth in solar system
Dwarf planet discovery hints at a hidden Super Earth in solar system
• Orbits sun at greater distance than any other known object
• 2012 VP113 may be shepherded by unseen planet
• Discovery team call it VP, or 'Biden' after US vice president
The orbits of Sedna (orange) and dwarf planet 2012 VP113 (red). Also shown are the orbits of the giant planets (purple). The Kuiper belt is the dotted light blue region. Illustration: Scott S Sheppard/Carnegie Institution for Science
• Orbits sun at greater distance than any other known object
• 2012 VP113 may be shepherded by unseen planet
• Discovery team call it VP, or 'Biden' after US vice president
The orbits of Sedna (orange) and dwarf planet 2012 VP113 (red). Also shown are the orbits of the giant planets (purple). The Kuiper belt is the dotted light blue region. Illustration: Scott S Sheppard/Carnegie Institution for Science
18.3.14
floating cities
Has the time come for floating cities?
Tuesday 18 March 2014
From schools at sea to a city that perpetually sails the oceans, is climate change creating a bold new era of floating urban design?
• Floating cities: in pictures
The Seasteading Institute proposes a series of floating villages and claims to be in active negotiations with potential host nations.
Tuesday 18 March 2014
From schools at sea to a city that perpetually sails the oceans, is climate change creating a bold new era of floating urban design?
The Seasteading Institute proposes a series of floating villages and claims to be in active negotiations with potential host nations.
gravitational waves
Primordial gravitational wave discovery heralds 'whole new era' in physics
Gravitational waves could help unite general relativity and quantum mechanics to reveal a 'theory of everything' Monday 17 March 2014
Scientists detected telltale signs of gravitational waves using the Bicep2 telescope (far left) at the south pole.
Scientists have heralded a "whole new era" in physics with the detection of "primordial gravitational waves" – the first tremors of the big bang. The minuscule ripples in space-time are the last prediction of Albert Einstein's 1916 general theory of relativity to be verified. Until now, there has only been circumstantial evidence of their existence. The discovery also provides a deep connection between general relativity and quantum mechanics, another central pillar of physics. "This is a genuine breakthrough," says Andrew Pontzen, a cosmologist from University College London who was not involved in the work. "It
represents a whole new era in cosmology and physics as well." If the discovery is confirmed, it will almost certainly lead to a Nobel Prize. The detection, which has yet to be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, was announced on Monday at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and comes from the Background Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarization 2 (Bicep2) experiment – a telescope at the South Pole.
The detection also provides the first direct evidence for a long-held hypothesis called inflation. This states that a fraction of a second after the big bang, the universe was driven to expand hugely. Without this sudden growth spurt, the gravitational waves would not have been amplified enough to be visible. "Detecting this signal is one of the most important goals in cosmology today. A lot of work by a lot of people has led up to this point," said John Kovac of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, who leads the BICEP2 collaboration. The primordial gravitational waves were visible because they created a twisting pattern called polarisation in light from the big bang. Polarisation is the direction in which a light wave oscillates. It is invisible to human eyes, which only register brightness and colour. Sunglasses made from polaroid sheets work by blocking out all light waves except those with a specific polarisation. Light from the big bang has been turned into microwaves by its passage across space. These microwaves were discovered in 1964 and are known as the cosmic microwave background radiation. Bicep2 was designed to measure their polarisation.
Rumours began on Friday that the detection of primordial gravitational waves would be announced. It had been thought that a gravitational wave signal would have to be surprisingly strong to be detected by the current technology used in ground-based detectors.
The Bicep2 team have spent three years analysing the signal in order to be certain. "This has been like looking for a needle in a haystack, but instead we found a crowbar," said co-leader Clem Pryke of the University of Minnesota. Nevertheless, the signal will have to be confirmed. "I think a lot of people will be looking very critically at this," says Pontzen.
Confirmation could come as early as August. The European Space Agency's Planck satellite has been looking for this same signal and is due to announce its findings. Whereas Bicep2 has only looked at part of the sky visible from the south pole, Planck has mapped the whole sky.
If it confirms the signal and its strength then cosmologists will be presented with an extraordinarily rich seam of data about the conditions immediately after the big bang. "We are going to be able to measure all sorts of subtle details to start pinning down how physics operates in those utterly extreme conditions," says Pontzen.
This could reveal the interface between the two great theories of physics: general relativity and quantum mechanics. Despite almost a century of effort, the world's physicists have not been able to show how these theories work together. The primordial gravitational waves that produced the signal seen by Bicep2 were produced in interactions that took place at a trillion times the energies that can be produced in the Large Hadron Collider at Cern.
"This is like turning the whole universe into a particle physics experiment," said Hiranya Peiris, a cosmologist from University College London. It could even show them the way to join the two theories together, producing what is sometimes called "the theory of everything". "Gravitational waves emitted at the time of the big bang can tell us how the universe came to exist," said Dr Ed Daw, an astronomer at the University of Sheffield. "If these results prove correct, we will have new key information on the very early universe, information that is hard to get from any other source. "Gravitational waves are a new frontier in astrophysics and cosmology. If today's findings are accurate then it will further strengthen our understanding of how the universe formed." The signal detected by Bicep2 is not easy to see because it is masked by distortions caused by the light's passage through clusters of galaxies, and through dust clouds in the Milky Way. These distortions must be carefully stripped away before the primordial signal can be revealed. "They have thought very carefully about how to remove the experimental and other contaminating effects. They are a very experienced team and this is the real deal but it doesn't mean that they are necessarily right," said Daw. Some subtle contamination may yet be affecting their data. The only way to know for sure is to have other telescopes and spacecraft see the signal too. There is already a minor disagreement. Last year the European Space Agency published preliminary results from its Planck satellite. They were based on data that measured temperature rather than polarisation, but close examination reveals that they are not a smooth fit with the results announced by Bicep2. "It's not completely incompatible but it does raise questions. It needs thinking about in a calm way," said Pontzen. Taken at face value, however, these new results mean that cosmologists can now begin to tease out the details of the big bang. The term inflation is used to represent a class of models that each have different attributes and effects on the universe. The strength and the pattern of the gravitational wave signal will be used to tell cosmologists about which inflationary models are the correct ones. Although no cosmologist truly doubts the existence of gravitational waves nothing like today's announcement has ever been seen before. "This is a different kettle of fish entirely. We are talking about the fingerprint of the big bang in gravitational waves on the whole universe," said Daw.
Gravitational waves could help unite general relativity and quantum mechanics to reveal a 'theory of everything' Monday 17 March 2014
Scientists detected telltale signs of gravitational waves using the Bicep2 telescope (far left) at the south pole.
Scientists have heralded a "whole new era" in physics with the detection of "primordial gravitational waves" – the first tremors of the big bang. The minuscule ripples in space-time are the last prediction of Albert Einstein's 1916 general theory of relativity to be verified. Until now, there has only been circumstantial evidence of their existence. The discovery also provides a deep connection between general relativity and quantum mechanics, another central pillar of physics. "This is a genuine breakthrough," says Andrew Pontzen, a cosmologist from University College London who was not involved in the work. "It
represents a whole new era in cosmology and physics as well." If the discovery is confirmed, it will almost certainly lead to a Nobel Prize. The detection, which has yet to be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, was announced on Monday at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and comes from the Background Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarization 2 (Bicep2) experiment – a telescope at the South Pole.
The detection also provides the first direct evidence for a long-held hypothesis called inflation. This states that a fraction of a second after the big bang, the universe was driven to expand hugely. Without this sudden growth spurt, the gravitational waves would not have been amplified enough to be visible. "Detecting this signal is one of the most important goals in cosmology today. A lot of work by a lot of people has led up to this point," said John Kovac of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, who leads the BICEP2 collaboration. The primordial gravitational waves were visible because they created a twisting pattern called polarisation in light from the big bang. Polarisation is the direction in which a light wave oscillates. It is invisible to human eyes, which only register brightness and colour. Sunglasses made from polaroid sheets work by blocking out all light waves except those with a specific polarisation. Light from the big bang has been turned into microwaves by its passage across space. These microwaves were discovered in 1964 and are known as the cosmic microwave background radiation. Bicep2 was designed to measure their polarisation.
Rumours began on Friday that the detection of primordial gravitational waves would be announced. It had been thought that a gravitational wave signal would have to be surprisingly strong to be detected by the current technology used in ground-based detectors.
The Bicep2 team have spent three years analysing the signal in order to be certain. "This has been like looking for a needle in a haystack, but instead we found a crowbar," said co-leader Clem Pryke of the University of Minnesota. Nevertheless, the signal will have to be confirmed. "I think a lot of people will be looking very critically at this," says Pontzen.
Confirmation could come as early as August. The European Space Agency's Planck satellite has been looking for this same signal and is due to announce its findings. Whereas Bicep2 has only looked at part of the sky visible from the south pole, Planck has mapped the whole sky.
If it confirms the signal and its strength then cosmologists will be presented with an extraordinarily rich seam of data about the conditions immediately after the big bang. "We are going to be able to measure all sorts of subtle details to start pinning down how physics operates in those utterly extreme conditions," says Pontzen.
This could reveal the interface between the two great theories of physics: general relativity and quantum mechanics. Despite almost a century of effort, the world's physicists have not been able to show how these theories work together. The primordial gravitational waves that produced the signal seen by Bicep2 were produced in interactions that took place at a trillion times the energies that can be produced in the Large Hadron Collider at Cern.
"This is like turning the whole universe into a particle physics experiment," said Hiranya Peiris, a cosmologist from University College London. It could even show them the way to join the two theories together, producing what is sometimes called "the theory of everything". "Gravitational waves emitted at the time of the big bang can tell us how the universe came to exist," said Dr Ed Daw, an astronomer at the University of Sheffield. "If these results prove correct, we will have new key information on the very early universe, information that is hard to get from any other source. "Gravitational waves are a new frontier in astrophysics and cosmology. If today's findings are accurate then it will further strengthen our understanding of how the universe formed." The signal detected by Bicep2 is not easy to see because it is masked by distortions caused by the light's passage through clusters of galaxies, and through dust clouds in the Milky Way. These distortions must be carefully stripped away before the primordial signal can be revealed. "They have thought very carefully about how to remove the experimental and other contaminating effects. They are a very experienced team and this is the real deal but it doesn't mean that they are necessarily right," said Daw. Some subtle contamination may yet be affecting their data. The only way to know for sure is to have other telescopes and spacecraft see the signal too. There is already a minor disagreement. Last year the European Space Agency published preliminary results from its Planck satellite. They were based on data that measured temperature rather than polarisation, but close examination reveals that they are not a smooth fit with the results announced by Bicep2. "It's not completely incompatible but it does raise questions. It needs thinking about in a calm way," said Pontzen. Taken at face value, however, these new results mean that cosmologists can now begin to tease out the details of the big bang. The term inflation is used to represent a class of models that each have different attributes and effects on the universe. The strength and the pattern of the gravitational wave signal will be used to tell cosmologists about which inflationary models are the correct ones. Although no cosmologist truly doubts the existence of gravitational waves nothing like today's announcement has ever been seen before. "This is a different kettle of fish entirely. We are talking about the fingerprint of the big bang in gravitational waves on the whole universe," said Daw.
3.3.14
mushroom cloud
Bikini Atoll nuclear test: 60 years later and islands still unliveable
Marshall Islanders unable or unwilling to return to traditional home, scene of huge US hydrogen bomb test in 1954
Mushroom cloud from the Operation Castle Bravo nuclear explosion in the Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands.
Marshall Islanders unable or unwilling to return to traditional home, scene of huge US hydrogen bomb test in 1954
27.2.14
new planets
Nasa finds 715 new planets
Kepler space telescope's discoveries include four planets that could hold liquid surface water, believed to be key for life
Thursday 27 February 2014
Kepler space telescope's discoveries include four planets that could hold liquid surface water, believed to be key for life
Thursday 27 February 2014
21.2.14
prehistoric forest arises
Prehistoric forest arises in Cardigan Bay after storms strip away sand
Skeletal trees of Borth forest, last alive 4,500 years ago and linked to lost kingdom of Cantre'r Gwaelod, appear at shoreline Thursday 20 February 2014
Gales hitting the west coast of Wales have uncovered these oak, pine, birch and alder trees dating to 6,000 years ago.
A prehistoric forest, an eerie landscape including the trunks of hundreds of oaks that died more than 4,500 years ago, has been revealed by the ferocious storms which stripped thousands of tons of sand from beaches in Cardigan Bay.
The forest of Borth once stretched for miles on boggy land between Borth and Ynyslas, before climate change and rising sea levels buried it under layers of peat, sand and saltwater.
Scientists have identified pine, alder, oak and birch among the stumps which are occasionally exposed in very stormy winters, such as in 2010, when a stretch of tree remains was revealed conveniently opposite the visitor centre.
The skeletal trees are said to have given rise to the local legend of a lost kingdom, Cantre'r Gwaelod, drowned beneath the waves. The trees stopped growing between 4,500 and 6,000 years ago, as the water level rose and a thick blanket of peat formed.
This year a great swath of the lost forest has been revealed. Last month archaeologists also found a timber walkway nearby, exposed by the storms. It was discovered by Ross Cook and Deanna Groom, from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, who went beach walking in the wake of the storms to check for any new finds. It was made from short lengths of coppiced branches, held in place with upright posts.
It has been dated to between 3,100 and 4,000 years old, built as the local people found ways to cope with living in an increasingly waterlogged environment.
Two years ago human and animal footprints were found preserved in the hardened top layer of peat, along with scatterings of burnt stones from ancient hearths.
A £13m coastal defence system to protect the modern village was opened in 2012, but as the recent exposure of the spectacular prehistoric landscape proves, the coast is still being scoured bare by storms and flood tides.
Skeletal trees of Borth forest, last alive 4,500 years ago and linked to lost kingdom of Cantre'r Gwaelod, appear at shoreline Thursday 20 February 2014
A prehistoric forest, an eerie landscape including the trunks of hundreds of oaks that died more than 4,500 years ago, has been revealed by the ferocious storms which stripped thousands of tons of sand from beaches in Cardigan Bay.
The forest of Borth once stretched for miles on boggy land between Borth and Ynyslas, before climate change and rising sea levels buried it under layers of peat, sand and saltwater.
Scientists have identified pine, alder, oak and birch among the stumps which are occasionally exposed in very stormy winters, such as in 2010, when a stretch of tree remains was revealed conveniently opposite the visitor centre.
The skeletal trees are said to have given rise to the local legend of a lost kingdom, Cantre'r Gwaelod, drowned beneath the waves. The trees stopped growing between 4,500 and 6,000 years ago, as the water level rose and a thick blanket of peat formed.
This year a great swath of the lost forest has been revealed. Last month archaeologists also found a timber walkway nearby, exposed by the storms. It was discovered by Ross Cook and Deanna Groom, from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, who went beach walking in the wake of the storms to check for any new finds. It was made from short lengths of coppiced branches, held in place with upright posts.
It has been dated to between 3,100 and 4,000 years old, built as the local people found ways to cope with living in an increasingly waterlogged environment.
Two years ago human and animal footprints were found preserved in the hardened top layer of peat, along with scatterings of burnt stones from ancient hearths.
A £13m coastal defence system to protect the modern village was opened in 2012, but as the recent exposure of the spectacular prehistoric landscape proves, the coast is still being scoured bare by storms and flood tides.
18.12.13
水母是人類祖先?
Did humans descend from JELLYFISH?
Scientists believe comb jellies could an early ancestor
Researchers have created the first full genome sequence of a comb jelly
They wanted to fill in gaps currently missing in the genome data
However, the sequence highlighted similarities with all animal species
And even suggested that the comb jelly could have kicked off evolution 13 December 2013
While studying the genome sequence of a comb jelly, pictured, researchers from Miami and Maryland discovered similarities between the gelatinous sea creature and all other animal groups. It even suggested the comb jelly may be original species from which all others evolved
More than half a billion years ago a single line of species separated from all other animals and scientists traditionally believed this originated with sea sponges, pictured. This new genome sequencing suggests that it was instead the comb jelly, that is found in the Atlantic Ocean
真假！？人類從哪來...美研究：水母是我們祖先
國際中心／綜合報導
雖然「水母」被用來形容一個人無腦，但牠在人類進化過程史可是位大功臣，過去科學家們認為人類是從無脊椎海綿演化而來，但這個推論是錯誤的，根據美國最新一項研究指出，人類最早的祖先應是櫛水母（學名：Ctenophora）！
根據英國《每日郵報》（Daily Mail）報導，美國邁阿密大學和國家人類基因體研究所共同團隊分析了俗稱「海胡桃」的淡海櫛水母，竟意外發現櫛水母的DNA與地球上許多物種的基因有不少共同點，當然包括人類。
研究人員表示，從櫛水母的基因圖譜來看，可以發現其實是地球上許多物種進化的起點，也就是說，「水母」是我們人類真正的祖先。此外，櫛水母是種膠狀海洋生物，屬於腔腸動物門。這項研究結果，將會發表在《科學》雜誌
Scientists believe comb jellies could an early ancestor
Researchers have created the first full genome sequence of a comb jelly
They wanted to fill in gaps currently missing in the genome data
However, the sequence highlighted similarities with all animal species
And even suggested that the comb jelly could have kicked off evolution 13 December 2013
真假！？人類從哪來...美研究：水母是我們祖先
國際中心／綜合報導
雖然「水母」被用來形容一個人無腦，但牠在人類進化過程史可是位大功臣，過去科學家們認為人類是從無脊椎海綿演化而來，但這個推論是錯誤的，根據美國最新一項研究指出，人類最早的祖先應是櫛水母（學名：Ctenophora）！
根據英國《每日郵報》（Daily Mail）報導，美國邁阿密大學和國家人類基因體研究所共同團隊分析了俗稱「海胡桃」的淡海櫛水母，竟意外發現櫛水母的DNA與地球上許多物種的基因有不少共同點，當然包括人類。
研究人員表示，從櫛水母的基因圖譜來看，可以發現其實是地球上許多物種進化的起點，也就是說，「水母」是我們人類真正的祖先。此外，櫛水母是種膠狀海洋生物，屬於腔腸動物門。這項研究結果，將會發表在《科學》雜誌
digital generation
Saudi digital generation takes on Twitter, YouTube … and authorities
Conservative country boasts world's highest use of sites per capita, but criticising Islam remains a clear red line
Tuesday 17 December 2013
A Saudi woman films an Islamic ceremony on her phone.
Tuesday 17 December 2013
A Saudi woman films an Islamic ceremony on her phone.
16.12.13
月球探測
2013年12月15日 星期日
歷黑色720秒 嫦娥登月成功
無地面控制自行降落 「玉兔」今出巡
【明報】中國月球探測器「嫦娥三號」經過近13天的長途跋涉，昨晚9時11分帶「玉兔號」月球車在月球虹灣區成功陸。歷時720秒的陸過程無法由地面控制，全部由嫦娥三號自動完成，被探測器系統副總指揮譚梅稱為「黑色720秒」，幸有驚無險。這是繼37年前蘇聯「月球24號」探測器登月後，人類探測器首次成功落月，也讓中國躋身美國和蘇聯之後世界上第三個實現地外天體軟陸的國家。
新華社報道，昨晚8時59分，北京飛行控制中心對嫦娥三號發出「動力下降」指令，嫦娥三號在距近月點15公里處依靠自主控制，以每秒1.7公里的速度下降；同時，「降落相機」開機，「直擊」記錄距離陸區2000米到4米的各高度段、月表月貌特徵。
距月4米 速度減零落地 經過減速及調整，嫦娥三號在距離月面100米處開啟反推力發動機懸停空中，利用敏感器對陸區進行觀測，以避開障礙物、選擇陸點；9時11分，其相對速度逐漸減為零，以自由落體方式從4米高「撻」落月球。嫦娥三號是中國第一個有「腳」的航天器，隨它的4只「腳」平穩踩在月面，通訊信號正常，陸過程完美完成。
理大教授：非常緊張 陸歷時約12分鐘，因38萬公里地月距離無法讓信息傳回地面處理，故此過程全由嫦娥三號自主完成。這令各界倍感緊張，連參與此次設備研發製造的香港理工大學教授容亮在陸前也對本報表示「非常緊張」，因這是中國首次陸月球，此前美蘇陸曾幾次失敗。而虹灣情未明、發推力發動機無備份等原因，探測器系統副總指揮譚梅曾將這段時間稱為「黑色12分鐘」。辛苦10年終於成功，北京飛控中心研究人員興奮至極，相擁慶祝。
分離後陸器留原地探測 嫦娥三號任務是中國探月工程「繞、落、回」三步走中「落」的關鍵一步，按計劃，今與「玉兔號」月球車分離後，陸器將在原地探測，開展一系列實驗，包括以月基光學望遠鏡進行天文觀測、以極紫外相機觀測地球等離子體層、以測月雷達對巡視路線上月殼淺層結構厚度等作剖面式觀測等。
北京時間14日晚9時11分，嫦娥三號順利於月球虹灣區登陸。此為「嫦娥三號」從月球傳來的首張照片，圖中為陸點「虹灣區」的實景圖。
「玉兔號」月球車將於今日與「嫦娥三號」分離。圖為北京航天飛行控制中心內的「玉兔號」號月球車1：1模型。
新華社報道，昨晚8時59分，北京飛行控制中心對嫦娥三號發出「動力下降」指令，嫦娥三號在距近月點15公里處依靠自主控制，以每秒1.7公里的速度下降；同時，「降落相機」開機，「直擊」記錄距離陸區2000米到4米的各高度段、月表月貌特徵。
距月4米 速度減零落地 經過減速及調整，嫦娥三號在距離月面100米處開啟反推力發動機懸停空中，利用敏感器對陸區進行觀測，以避開障礙物、選擇陸點；9時11分，其相對速度逐漸減為零，以自由落體方式從4米高「撻」落月球。嫦娥三號是中國第一個有「腳」的航天器，隨它的4只「腳」平穩踩在月面，通訊信號正常，陸過程完美完成。
理大教授：非常緊張 陸歷時約12分鐘，因38萬公里地月距離無法讓信息傳回地面處理，故此過程全由嫦娥三號自主完成。這令各界倍感緊張，連參與此次設備研發製造的香港理工大學教授容亮在陸前也對本報表示「非常緊張」，因這是中國首次陸月球，此前美蘇陸曾幾次失敗。而虹灣情未明、發推力發動機無備份等原因，探測器系統副總指揮譚梅曾將這段時間稱為「黑色12分鐘」。辛苦10年終於成功，北京飛控中心研究人員興奮至極，相擁慶祝。
分離後陸器留原地探測 嫦娥三號任務是中國探月工程「繞、落、回」三步走中「落」的關鍵一步，按計劃，今與「玉兔號」月球車分離後，陸器將在原地探測，開展一系列實驗，包括以月基光學望遠鏡進行天文觀測、以極紫外相機觀測地球等離子體層、以測月雷達對巡視路線上月殼淺層結構厚度等作剖面式觀測等。
北京時間14日晚9時11分，嫦娥三號順利於月球虹灣區登陸。此為「嫦娥三號」從月球傳來的首張照片，圖中為陸點「虹灣區」的實景圖。
「玉兔號」月球車將於今日與「嫦娥三號」分離。圖為北京航天飛行控制中心內的「玉兔號」號月球車1：1模型。
8.12.13
brain
Why it's time for brain science to ditch the 'Venus and Mars' cliche
Reports trumpeting basic differences between male and female brains are biological determinism at its most trivial
Saturday 7 December 2013
There is little evidence to suggest differences between male and female brains are caused by anything other than cultural factors.
A photo issued by University of Pennsylvania researchers showing intra-hemispheric connections (blue) and inter- hemispheric connections (orange) in men's and women's brains. Male top row, female bottom row.
Reports trumpeting basic differences between male and female brains are biological determinism at its most trivial
Saturday 7 December 2013
3.12.13
oldest public toilet
The oldest public toilet ever revealed as thousands of fossilised dinosaur poos are discovered
The 240-million-year-old 'communal latrine' was discovered in Argentina
Large piles of faeces warned predators a big herd was nearby
The stools contain fascinating insights into extinct plant life
1 December 2013
The 240-million-year-old 'communal latrine' was discovered in Argentina
Large piles of faeces warned predators a big herd was nearby
The stools contain fascinating insights into extinct plant life
1 December 2013
1.12.13
how humans evolve
'Humans evolved after a female chimpanzee mated with a pig': Extraordinary claim made by American geneticist
Dr Eugene McCarthy points to features that distinguish us from primates
He says that the only animals which also have these features are pigs
Controversial hypothesis has been met by significant opposition
30 November 2013
人類從哪來！？美遺傳學家：豬與黑猩猩交配而來...
人類從哪來？根據西方的解釋人類是由上帝創造，但大部分人相信人類是由遠猴進化，至今仍沒有確切證據可以證明或解釋「人類從何而來」？近日，美國一位遺傳學家主張了一項驚人的理論，指「人類」是由黑猩猩與豬交配而產生的物種。
根據英國《每日郵報》（Daily Mail）報導，美國喬治亞大學的遺傳學家麥卡錫（Eugene McCarthy）一直是研究動物雜交方面的專家，近日他發表一項主張，震驚生物學界。
麥卡錫表示，過去到現在有不少科學家透過基因證據指出，靈長類動物是最接近人類的「親戚」，但人類無毛的皮膚和厚厚的皮下脂肪、濃密的睫毛和淺色眼睛以及突出的鼻子，卻不是靈長類動物身上會出現的特徵。
而這些特徵反而可以在「豬」的身上被發現，更何況豬的皮膚與心臟瓣膜可以移植到人體。
雖然大家質疑黑猩猩的基因與豬的器官，與人類的關係，對此，麥卡錫說，只要推翻雜交無法生育這個錯誤的論點，一切都可以解釋，因此提出「人類的祖先是黑猩猩與豬雜交的後代」這個論點。
但仍有不少生物學家對這說法嗤之以鼻，有生物學家反駁，豬的精子根本無法辨認黑猩猩的卵子，因為分子差異問題這是不可能的事，且黑猩猩有48條染色體，豬只有38條，絕對不可能交配成功！
Dr Eugene McCarthy points to features that distinguish us from primates
He says that the only animals which also have these features are pigs
Controversial hypothesis has been met by significant opposition
30 November 2013
人類從哪來！？美遺傳學家：豬與黑猩猩交配而來...
人類從哪來？根據西方的解釋人類是由上帝創造，但大部分人相信人類是由遠猴進化，至今仍沒有確切證據可以證明或解釋「人類從何而來」？近日，美國一位遺傳學家主張了一項驚人的理論，指「人類」是由黑猩猩與豬交配而產生的物種。
根據英國《每日郵報》（Daily Mail）報導，美國喬治亞大學的遺傳學家麥卡錫（Eugene McCarthy）一直是研究動物雜交方面的專家，近日他發表一項主張，震驚生物學界。
麥卡錫表示，過去到現在有不少科學家透過基因證據指出，靈長類動物是最接近人類的「親戚」，但人類無毛的皮膚和厚厚的皮下脂肪、濃密的睫毛和淺色眼睛以及突出的鼻子，卻不是靈長類動物身上會出現的特徵。
而這些特徵反而可以在「豬」的身上被發現，更何況豬的皮膚與心臟瓣膜可以移植到人體。
雖然大家質疑黑猩猩的基因與豬的器官，與人類的關係，對此，麥卡錫說，只要推翻雜交無法生育這個錯誤的論點，一切都可以解釋，因此提出「人類的祖先是黑猩猩與豬雜交的後代」這個論點。
但仍有不少生物學家對這說法嗤之以鼻，有生物學家反駁，豬的精子根本無法辨認黑猩猩的卵子，因為分子差異問題這是不可能的事，且黑猩猩有48條染色體，豬只有38條，絕對不可能交配成功！
ufo
Devon knows what it is: UFO mystery as bizarre flying saucer shape is captured in the sky above West Country wind farm
Mysterious object captured hovering above Fullabrook wind farm in Devon
It was caught on camera by a professional photographer last Saturday
Grey-coloured shape can be seen floating above turbines in broad daylight
1 December 2013
Mysterious object captured hovering above Fullabrook wind farm in Devon
It was caught on camera by a professional photographer last Saturday
Grey-coloured shape can be seen floating above turbines in broad daylight
1 December 2013
9.11.13
全球海岸線「大移位」?
Would YOUR house be underwater? Terrifying map reveals the devastation that would occur if ALL the world's ice melted
The Earth contains around five million cubic miles of ice and 80 per cent of this is in East Antarctica ice sheet alone
Scientists believe it would take more than 5,000 years for all the Earth’s ice to melt
Earth hasn't been ice-free since the Eocene epoch - a period of increased temperatures 34 million years ago
If this was repeated, sea levels could rise by 216 feet changing shorelines and engulfing entire cities worldwide
National Geographic has created a series of maps showing what continents would look like if the Earth’s ice melted
6 November 2013
Ice sheets surrounding the North and South poles make up 10 per cent of our entire planet’s surface, and it’s thought Earth contains five million cubic miles of frozen water - so what would happen if it all melted? National Geographic has created a series of interactive maps demonstrating the catastrophic effect Earth’s ice could cause if it melted and flowed into the oceans and seas. This could cause sea levels to rise by 216 feet, devouring cities and even countries all the while drastically altering how continents and coastlines look, and wiping out entire populations.
If these ice sheets melted, the rest of the world would be affected. In Europe, pictured, cities including London and Venice would be lost underwater, as would the whole of the Netherlands and most of Denmark. It would also cause the Mediterranean to expand and swell the Black and Caspian Seas
How Britain would look if the ice sheets melted. A large proportion of the country would be left underwater
Scientists believe it could take around 5,000 years for temperatures to rise significantly enough to melt all the ice on the planet, but claim the planet is already seeing the beginnings of this. Over the past century, reports suggest the Earth's temperature has increased by around half a degree Celsius and, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this has already caused sea levels to rise by around seven inches. The largest concentrations of ice on Earth are found in Greenland and Antarctica but it is also found on exposed areas, on mountain tops and in other regions. The East Antarctica ice sheet, for example, is so large it contains around 80 per cent of all the ice on the planet and its size has protected it previously during warmer periods in Earth’s history. This includes during the Eocene epoch - a period of increased global temperatures that lasted from 56 to 34 million years ago. During this period of time, little to no ice was present on Earth and there was little difference in temperature at the equator compared to the poles. Warming oceans are already melting the floating ice sheet in west Antarctica and since 1992, National Geographic reports the sheet has lost around 65 million metric tonnes of ice each year. The ice sheets in Greenland and west Antarctica shrank significantly during the epoch and if temperatures were to rise in a similar manner again, the ice sheets across the regions could disappear into the sea completely.
The last time the Earth was ice-free was 34 million years ago during the Eocene epoch. If this happened again, the entire Atlantic seaboard in the U.S would vanish, wiping out Florida and the Gulf Coast. While the hills in San Francisco would become islands and San Diego would be lost forever
If these sheets melted, it would create a knock-on effect for the rest of the world. In Europe, for example, cities including London and Venice would be lost underwater, as would the whole of the Netherlands and most of Denmark. It would also cause the Mediterranean to expand and swell the Black and Caspian Seas.
The largest concentrations of ice on Earth are found in Greenland and Antarctica, pictured. Warming oceans are already melting the floating ice sheet in west Antarctica and since 1992, National Geographic reports the sheet loses around 65 million metric tonnes each year. If they melted it could cause the sea levels to rise globally by 216 feet
This rise in greenhouse gases could be caused by humans, as National Geographic explained: ‘If we burn all the Earth’s supply of coal, oil, and gas, adding some five trillion more tonnes of carbon to the atmosphere, we’ll create a very hot planet with an average temperature of perhaps 80 degrees Fahrenheit instead of the current 58. Large swaths of it might become too hot for humans.’ This would make the Earth ice-free for the first time in 34 million years. If this happened, the entire Atlantic seaboard in the U.S would vanish, wiping out Florida and the Gulf Coast. While the hills in San Francisco would become islands and San Diego would be lost forever. In the east, China and Bangladesh would both be completely flooded, wiping out around 760 million people based on current population levels.The coastlines of India would also be reduced. Whereas in South America, the Amazon Basin and the Paraguay River Basin would both become Atlantic inlets and this would wipe out Buenos Aires, coastal Uruguay, and some of Paraguay. The only areas that would survive are mountainous stretches along the Caribbean coast and in Central America. The other continents would escape a little more lightly, but would still be affected.
In the east, parts of Asia, including China and Bangladesh would be completely flooded, wiping out around 760 million people based on current population levels. Parts of India's coastline would also be lost and eroded inland. National Geographic said: 'If we burn all the Earth's supply of coal, oil, and gas, adding some five trillion more tonnes of carbon to the atmosphere, we'll create a very hot planet with an average temperature of perhaps 80 degrees Fahrenheit instead of the current 58' In Africa, for example, Egypt, Alexandria and Cairo would be flooded but the continent wouldn’t lose as much of its land to the rising seas. National Geographic claims the Earth’s rising heat ‘might make much of it inhabitable’ though.
Australia would gain a new inland sea but it ‘would lose much of the narrow coastal strip where four out of five Australians now live.’
SOURCES: Philippe Huybrechts, Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Richard S Williams, JR., Woods Hole Research center; James C. Zachos, University of Claifornia, Santa Cruz; USGS; NOAA, ETOPO1 Bedrock, 1 Arc-Minute Global Relief Model © SEPTEMBER 2013 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
The Earth contains around five million cubic miles of ice and 80 per cent of this is in East Antarctica ice sheet alone
Scientists believe it would take more than 5,000 years for all the Earth’s ice to melt
Earth hasn't been ice-free since the Eocene epoch - a period of increased temperatures 34 million years ago
If this was repeated, sea levels could rise by 216 feet changing shorelines and engulfing entire cities worldwide
National Geographic has created a series of maps showing what continents would look like if the Earth’s ice melted
6 November 2013
Ice sheets surrounding the North and South poles make up 10 per cent of our entire planet’s surface, and it’s thought Earth contains five million cubic miles of frozen water - so what would happen if it all melted? National Geographic has created a series of interactive maps demonstrating the catastrophic effect Earth’s ice could cause if it melted and flowed into the oceans and seas. This could cause sea levels to rise by 216 feet, devouring cities and even countries all the while drastically altering how continents and coastlines look, and wiping out entire populations.
If these ice sheets melted, the rest of the world would be affected. In Europe, pictured, cities including London and Venice would be lost underwater, as would the whole of the Netherlands and most of Denmark. It would also cause the Mediterranean to expand and swell the Black and Caspian Seas
How Britain would look if the ice sheets melted. A large proportion of the country would be left underwater
Scientists believe it could take around 5,000 years for temperatures to rise significantly enough to melt all the ice on the planet, but claim the planet is already seeing the beginnings of this. Over the past century, reports suggest the Earth's temperature has increased by around half a degree Celsius and, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this has already caused sea levels to rise by around seven inches. The largest concentrations of ice on Earth are found in Greenland and Antarctica but it is also found on exposed areas, on mountain tops and in other regions. The East Antarctica ice sheet, for example, is so large it contains around 80 per cent of all the ice on the planet and its size has protected it previously during warmer periods in Earth’s history. This includes during the Eocene epoch - a period of increased global temperatures that lasted from 56 to 34 million years ago. During this period of time, little to no ice was present on Earth and there was little difference in temperature at the equator compared to the poles. Warming oceans are already melting the floating ice sheet in west Antarctica and since 1992, National Geographic reports the sheet has lost around 65 million metric tonnes of ice each year. The ice sheets in Greenland and west Antarctica shrank significantly during the epoch and if temperatures were to rise in a similar manner again, the ice sheets across the regions could disappear into the sea completely.
If these sheets melted, it would create a knock-on effect for the rest of the world. In Europe, for example, cities including London and Venice would be lost underwater, as would the whole of the Netherlands and most of Denmark. It would also cause the Mediterranean to expand and swell the Black and Caspian Seas.
More...
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- Elephants get post traumatic stress too: Calves orphaned by the killing of their parents are haunted by grief decades later
The largest concentrations of ice on Earth are found in Greenland and Antarctica, pictured. Warming oceans are already melting the floating ice sheet in west Antarctica and since 1992, National Geographic reports the sheet loses around 65 million metric tonnes each year. If they melted it could cause the sea levels to rise globally by 216 feet
This rise in greenhouse gases could be caused by humans, as National Geographic explained: ‘If we burn all the Earth’s supply of coal, oil, and gas, adding some five trillion more tonnes of carbon to the atmosphere, we’ll create a very hot planet with an average temperature of perhaps 80 degrees Fahrenheit instead of the current 58. Large swaths of it might become too hot for humans.’ This would make the Earth ice-free for the first time in 34 million years. If this happened, the entire Atlantic seaboard in the U.S would vanish, wiping out Florida and the Gulf Coast. While the hills in San Francisco would become islands and San Diego would be lost forever. In the east, China and Bangladesh would both be completely flooded, wiping out around 760 million people based on current population levels.The coastlines of India would also be reduced. Whereas in South America, the Amazon Basin and the Paraguay River Basin would both become Atlantic inlets and this would wipe out Buenos Aires, coastal Uruguay, and some of Paraguay. The only areas that would survive are mountainous stretches along the Caribbean coast and in Central America. The other continents would escape a little more lightly, but would still be affected.
In the east, parts of Asia, including China and Bangladesh would be completely flooded, wiping out around 760 million people based on current population levels. Parts of India's coastline would also be lost and eroded inland. National Geographic said: 'If we burn all the Earth's supply of coal, oil, and gas, adding some five trillion more tonnes of carbon to the atmosphere, we'll create a very hot planet with an average temperature of perhaps 80 degrees Fahrenheit instead of the current 58' In Africa, for example, Egypt, Alexandria and Cairo would be flooded but the continent wouldn’t lose as much of its land to the rising seas. National Geographic claims the Earth’s rising heat ‘might make much of it inhabitable’ though.
Australia would gain a new inland sea but it ‘would lose much of the narrow coastal strip where four out of five Australians now live.’
SOURCES: Philippe Huybrechts, Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Richard S Williams, JR., Woods Hole Research center; James C. Zachos, University of Claifornia, Santa Cruz; USGS; NOAA, ETOPO1 Bedrock, 1 Arc-Minute Global Relief Model © SEPTEMBER 2013 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
WHAT WAS THE EOCENE EPOCH?
The Eocene epoch was a period of increased global temperatures that lasted from 56 to 34 million years ago.
During this period of time, little to no ice was found on Earth and there was little difference in temperature at the equator compared to the poles.
The planet slowly cooled as carbon dioxide from the air locked inside seafloor sediments.
During this decrease ice began to reappear at the poles, and the Antarctic ice sheet began to expand rapidly.
國際中心／綜合報導
如果全球5百萬立方英哩的冰層融解，海平面上升66公尺，全球海岸線「大移位」將造成未來全球多個沿海城市即將被海水淹沒形成「海底都市」，甚至歐洲幾個國家將面臨亡國的危機。
根據英國《每日郵報》（Daily Mail）報導，近日，美國《國家地理雜誌》(National Geographic)揭示了一個「可怕」的世界版圖，由美國地質調查局、布魯塞爾自由大學（Vrije Universiteit Brussel）、加州大學、美國非政府組織「林洞研究中心」（Woods Hole Research Center）等研究製成，推算500萬立方哩冰層全部融化時，地球表面平均溫度上升12度、海平面上升66公尺，人類將面臨全球海岸線「大移位」地危機。
儘管科學家表示，距離地球上所有冰雪消融還需5千年的時間，但假如人類繼續放縱碳排放量的增加，這可能導致地球時隔3千萬年會再次出現一個沒有冰雪的世界！
報導指出，這個全新的世界地圖面貌揭示，全球多個沿海城市即將被海水淹沒形成「海底都市」，其中亞洲地區台灣北部、西南部，平地幾乎都被淹沒只剩下高山。
而擁有6億人口的大陸華北、華東、華南沿海一帶大城上海、天津、北京、濟南、青島、香港、澳門未來將消失在世界圖上。接著，東北亞地區包含北韓、南韓與日本則會失去約4分之1的土地，其中日本首都東京會變成海底都市，北海道與札幌會形成兩座島嶼。
再來是，東南亞地區菲律賓的首都馬尼拉也無倖免遭海水淹沒，且菲律賓會失去一半的國土。新加坡則會變成小島，而將面臨亡國危機地則是馬爾地夫與有著1.6億人口的孟加拉，幸運的內陸國家不丹和尼泊爾則沒有損失土地，但便成了臨海國家。
歐美方面，美國東岸和西岸成為「重災區」！報導指出，佛羅里達州以及第四大城休士頓、波士頓、紐奧良將被淹沒，而圍繞舊金山的高山將變成小島，連英國倫敦也會消逝。
歐洲方面還有愛爾蘭僅剩數個島嶼，丹麥首都哥本哈根也會成為海底都市，丹麥最後只剩下一座小島，以及荷蘭跟比利時則會「亡國」，至於義大利的威尼斯與羅馬也將從世界地圖上消失。
科學家表示，海平面上升66公尺，許多港灣變得更深更廣，其中科威特將被淹沒，波斯灣將深入伊拉克，至於地中海與黑海、裏海會相連。
此外，巴西將會有大量海水灌入，使得亞馬遜森林成為沿海的紅樹林。至於非洲埃及首都開羅也會遭到淹沒以及澳洲大陸則會大「縮水」，內陸出現一個大湖泊，有5分之4的沿岸地區將被淹沒。
科學家表示，南極洲自1992年平均每年減少6千5百萬立方公噸的海冰，若情況持續，專家相信到2100年，海平面會升近1公尺，雖然估計至少要5千年全球冰層才會融化，但如果人類繼續放任碳排放量的問題，恐怕會使地球變為「熱球」加快冰層融化！
20.10.13
negotiating the stars
Stargazing in Scotland: a holiday where dark skies are welcome
Our writer enlists an astronomer to get to grips with negotiating the stars – and the 300-square-mile Dark Sky Park in Galloway, Scotland, the first such place in Britain
Murray's Monument, in Galloway Dark Sky Park.
Our writer enlists an astronomer to get to grips with negotiating the stars – and the 300-square-mile Dark Sky Park in Galloway, Scotland, the first such place in Britain
Murray's Monument, in Galloway Dark Sky Park.
17.10.13
bushfires
October 25, 2013
Night watch: firefighters on the spot after dark
Monday 21 October 2013
Australian bushfires: NSW premier calls a state of emergency – in pictures
Blazes continue to burn through the state as rural fire service chief warns three big fires could join together, endangering the entire Blue Mountains
Air quality: 'hazardous' rating for parts of New South Wales as bushfires rage
Residents urged to stay indoors when possible and people with asthma and damaged lungs warned to be extra careful
Worst NSW fires in a decade 19 Oct
As 100 fires burn across NSW a total of 34 remain uncontained and hundreds of homes have been destroyed. A man has died while trying to defend central coast home and the historic central coast village of Catherine Hill Bay has been severely damaged.
Australia bushfires: smoke over Sydney - in pictures
Bushfires on three flanks of Sydney, fanned by high, erratic winds in unseasonably warm weather, sent thick plumes of smoke and ash across the city.
Night watch: firefighters on the spot after dark
Monday 21 October 2013
Australian bushfires: NSW premier calls a state of emergency – in pictures
Blazes continue to burn through the state as rural fire service chief warns three big fires could join together, endangering the entire Blue Mountains
Air quality: 'hazardous' rating for parts of New South Wales as bushfires rage
Residents urged to stay indoors when possible and people with asthma and damaged lungs warned to be extra careful
Worst NSW fires in a decade 19 Oct
As 100 fires burn across NSW a total of 34 remain uncontained and hundreds of homes have been destroyed. A man has died while trying to defend central coast home and the historic central coast village of Catherine Hill Bay has been severely damaged.
Australia bushfires: smoke over Sydney - in pictures
Bushfires on three flanks of Sydney, fanned by high, erratic winds in unseasonably warm weather, sent thick plumes of smoke and ash across the city.
3.10.13
紐約巨石陣
紐約巨石陣
2013年05月31日 美國紐約有所謂的「曼克頓巨石陣」(Manhattanhenge)景象，意指日落位置剛好與街道平行，令太陽看來被夾在摩天大樓群之間。此美景每年有兩次觀賞機會，分別為5月底及7月中，但去年7月因天氣欠佳，夕陽黯然，今年則天朗氣清，吸引民眾拍照。(路透社)
"Manhattanhenge" occurs when the setting sun aligns itself with the east-west grid of streets in Manhattan, allowing the sun to shine down all streets at the same time.
People take pictures of the sunset on 42nd street in New York City, during the biannual occurrence named ''Manhattanhenge'', May 29, 2013. ''Manhattanhenge'', coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, occurs when the setting sun aligns itself with the east-west grid of streets in Manhattan, allowing the sun to shine down all streets at the same time.
2013年05月31日 美國紐約有所謂的「曼克頓巨石陣」(Manhattanhenge)景象，意指日落位置剛好與街道平行，令太陽看來被夾在摩天大樓群之間。此美景每年有兩次觀賞機會，分別為5月底及7月中，但去年7月因天氣欠佳，夕陽黯然，今年則天朗氣清，吸引民眾拍照。(路透社)
"Manhattanhenge" occurs when the setting sun aligns itself with the east-west grid of streets in Manhattan, allowing the sun to shine down all streets at the same time.
People take pictures of the sunset on 42nd street in New York City, during the biannual occurrence named ''Manhattanhenge'', May 29, 2013. ''Manhattanhenge'', coined by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, occurs when the setting sun aligns itself with the east-west grid of streets in Manhattan, allowing the sun to shine down all streets at the same time.
gay population
Gay Britain: what do the statistics say?
How many people in the UK are gay, lesbian or bisexual? The Office for National Statistics reckons it's 1.5% while the Kinsey report says it's 10%. Who's right?
We've got the numbers on sexuality in the UK but are they reliable?
For every 100 people in Britain, just 1 will identify themselves as gay or lesbian according to the latest government statistics. The numbers (which include gender, location and age) may come as a surprise - but why?
1.5% of the UK?
In its 'Integrated Household Survey', the Office for National Statistics asks 178,197 people about their sexual identity - and the vast majority of them choose to answer.
93.5% of people said they were 'heterosexual' or 'straight', just 1.1% said they were 'gay' or 'lesbian' and 0.4% said they were bisexual. The small fraction that was left either refused to answer or said they didn't know. Altogether, amounts to about 545,000 homosexual and 220,000 bisexual adults in the UK.
The claim that just 1.5% of people in Britain are gay, lesbian or bisexual will come as a surprise to some - even perhaps those in government. When they were analysing the financial implications of the new Civil Partnerships Act, the Treasury estimated it was 6%. Stonewall, a gay rights charity reckon that 5-7% "is a reasonable estimate".
10% of the US?
Do those figures seem low? One reason they might is that the number one in ten has long-persisted in popular culture as a reliable guesstimate of homosexuality rates...
... One possible explanation
The more detailed breakdown of responses is revealing - it points to a potential problem with the survey. Maybe the huge differences between people's estimates about the size of the gay population and their responses about their own sexual identification is about more than just bad guesses. Maybe it reveals the extent to which taboos persist (particularly for older people and those living in more conservative parts of the country) so individuals remain reluctant to tell the truth - a reluctance that manifests itself in under-estimates about personal sexual identity and over-estimates about other people's.
How many people in the UK are gay, lesbian or bisexual? The Office for National Statistics reckons it's 1.5% while the Kinsey report says it's 10%. Who's right?
We've got the numbers on sexuality in the UK but are they reliable?
For every 100 people in Britain, just 1 will identify themselves as gay or lesbian according to the latest government statistics. The numbers (which include gender, location and age) may come as a surprise - but why?
1.5% of the UK?
In its 'Integrated Household Survey', the Office for National Statistics asks 178,197 people about their sexual identity - and the vast majority of them choose to answer.
93.5% of people said they were 'heterosexual' or 'straight', just 1.1% said they were 'gay' or 'lesbian' and 0.4% said they were bisexual. The small fraction that was left either refused to answer or said they didn't know. Altogether, amounts to about 545,000 homosexual and 220,000 bisexual adults in the UK.
The claim that just 1.5% of people in Britain are gay, lesbian or bisexual will come as a surprise to some - even perhaps those in government. When they were analysing the financial implications of the new Civil Partnerships Act, the Treasury estimated it was 6%. Stonewall, a gay rights charity reckon that 5-7% "is a reasonable estimate".
10% of the US?
Do those figures seem low? One reason they might is that the number one in ten has long-persisted in popular culture as a reliable guesstimate of homosexuality rates...
... One possible explanation
The more detailed breakdown of responses is revealing - it points to a potential problem with the survey. Maybe the huge differences between people's estimates about the size of the gay population and their responses about their own sexual identification is about more than just bad guesses. Maybe it reveals the extent to which taboos persist (particularly for older people and those living in more conservative parts of the country) so individuals remain reluctant to tell the truth - a reluctance that manifests itself in under-estimates about personal sexual identity and over-estimates about other people's.
16.9.13
melting glaciers?
Melting glaciers will only have a 'minor' role in future sea level rises, scientists claim
· Scientists feared water which trickles down through ice could speed up the movement of glaciers as it acts as lubricant between the ice and the ground
· However, they discovered this process will probably only have a minor role in sea level rises compared to iceberg carving and surface melt
· Lubrication will add less than five per cent of the total projected contribution to sea level rises from the Greenland ice sheet 12 August 2013
The lubricating effect of melting water on glaciers will have only a ‘minor’ role in future sea level rises, according to new research. Scientists had feared that melt water which trickles down through ice could dramatically speed up the movement of glaciers as it acts as a lubricant between the ice and the ground it moves over. But a team from the University of Bristol found it is likely to have a minor role in sea level rises, compared with other effects such as iceberg production and surface melt.
The lubricating effect of melting water on glaciers will have only a 'minor' role in future sea level rises, according to new research Results from computer modelling - based on fieldwork observations in Greenland - revealed that lubrication will add less than five per cent of the total projected contribution from the Greenland ice sheet. Some simulations found the lubricating effect could even have a negative impact on sea level rise - leading to a lowering of sea level when the other major factors were ignored.
Sarah Shannon, from the University of Bristol, was lead author of the research, which was published in Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America (PNAS). ‘This is an important step forward in our understanding of the factors that control sea level rise from the Greenland ice sheet,’ Dr Shannon said.
Scientists had feared that melt water which trickles down through ice could dramatically speed up the movement of glaciers as it acts as a lubricant between the ice and the ground it moves over
‘Our results show that melt-water-enhanced lubrication will have a minor contribution to future sea level rise. Future mass loss will be governed by changes in surface melt water runoff or iceberg calving.’
Previous studies of the effects of melt water on the speed of ice movement assumed the water created cavities at the bottom of ice masses.
These cavities filled with water which lifted the ice slightly and acted as a lubricant, speeding up flow.
The theory led scientists to think that increased melt water would lead directly to more lubrication and a consequent speeding up of the ice flow.
But the Bristol study took into account observations indicating larger amounts of melt water may form channels beneath the ice that drain water away.
This would reduce the water's lubricating effect.
The research concluded that the effect on sea level is small, regardless of whether melt water increases or decreases.Dr Shannon added:
‘We found that the melt water would lead to a redistribution of the ice, but not necessarily to an increase in flow.’
The findings are part of research undertaken through the European-funded ice2sea programme.
Results from computer modelling revealed that lubrication will add less than five per cent of the total projected contribution to sea level rises from the Greenland ice sheet
Earlier research from ice2sea found changes in surface melting of the ice sheet will be the major factor in sea level rise contributions from Greenland.
Professor David Vaughan, ice2sea co-ordinator based at the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge, said: ‘This is important work but it's no reason for complacency. While this work shows that the process of lubrication of ice flow by surface melting is rather insignificant, our projections are still that Greenland will be a major source of future sea-level rise.
‘As we have reported earlier this year, run-off of surface melt water directly into the ocean and increased iceberg calving are likely to dominate.’
· Scientists feared water which trickles down through ice could speed up the movement of glaciers as it acts as lubricant between the ice and the ground
· However, they discovered this process will probably only have a minor role in sea level rises compared to iceberg carving and surface melt
· Lubrication will add less than five per cent of the total projected contribution to sea level rises from the Greenland ice sheet 12 August 2013
The lubricating effect of melting water on glaciers will have only a ‘minor’ role in future sea level rises, according to new research. Scientists had feared that melt water which trickles down through ice could dramatically speed up the movement of glaciers as it acts as a lubricant between the ice and the ground it moves over. But a team from the University of Bristol found it is likely to have a minor role in sea level rises, compared with other effects such as iceberg production and surface melt.
The lubricating effect of melting water on glaciers will have only a 'minor' role in future sea level rises, according to new research Results from computer modelling - based on fieldwork observations in Greenland - revealed that lubrication will add less than five per cent of the total projected contribution from the Greenland ice sheet. Some simulations found the lubricating effect could even have a negative impact on sea level rise - leading to a lowering of sea level when the other major factors were ignored.
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Sarah Shannon, from the University of Bristol, was lead author of the research, which was published in Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America (PNAS). ‘This is an important step forward in our understanding of the factors that control sea level rise from the Greenland ice sheet,’ Dr Shannon said.
Scientists had feared that melt water which trickles down through ice could dramatically speed up the movement of glaciers as it acts as a lubricant between the ice and the ground it moves over
‘Our results show that melt-water-enhanced lubrication will have a minor contribution to future sea level rise. Future mass loss will be governed by changes in surface melt water runoff or iceberg calving.’
Previous studies of the effects of melt water on the speed of ice movement assumed the water created cavities at the bottom of ice masses.
These cavities filled with water which lifted the ice slightly and acted as a lubricant, speeding up flow.
The theory led scientists to think that increased melt water would lead directly to more lubrication and a consequent speeding up of the ice flow.
But the Bristol study took into account observations indicating larger amounts of melt water may form channels beneath the ice that drain water away.
This would reduce the water's lubricating effect.
The research concluded that the effect on sea level is small, regardless of whether melt water increases or decreases.Dr Shannon added:
‘We found that the melt water would lead to a redistribution of the ice, but not necessarily to an increase in flow.’
The findings are part of research undertaken through the European-funded ice2sea programme.
WHAT DID THE RESEARCHERS FIND?
Scientists had feared that melt water which trickles down through ice could dramatically speed up the movement of glaciers by acting as a lubricant between the ice and the ground.
The researchers found that this is not likely to be the case because a lot of the water runs off through channels meaning it does not act as a lubricant.
Therefore, it is likely to have a minor role in sea level rises compared with other effects, such as iceberg production and surface melt.
Lubrication will add less than five per cent of the total projected contribution to sea level rises from the Greenland ice sheet.
Results from computer modelling revealed that lubrication will add less than five per cent of the total projected contribution to sea level rises from the Greenland ice sheet
Earlier research from ice2sea found changes in surface melting of the ice sheet will be the major factor in sea level rise contributions from Greenland.
Professor David Vaughan, ice2sea co-ordinator based at the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge, said: ‘This is important work but it's no reason for complacency. While this work shows that the process of lubrication of ice flow by surface melting is rather insignificant, our projections are still that Greenland will be a major source of future sea-level rise.
‘As we have reported earlier this year, run-off of surface melt water directly into the ocean and increased iceberg calving are likely to dominate.’
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