http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18096372
A tidal turbine was set to test in the around the island of Eday in Scotland, in December, and now with the results from its generation, we can see that it has performed very well. It even generated power for local residents and businesses. The test turbine was the HS1000 [Hammerfest Strom], it is 100ft high 1MW, and after the success of this they plan to build a 10MW turbine to be in the Sound of Islay. meow. The choice to test in Scotland was easy since it is home to the strongest tides in all of Europe. And since it was tested during terrible weather conditions, it worked well for the tidal power. They hope to install fully functioning tidal turbines by around 2013-2015. This production of electricity may be a good temporary solution to our problems with oil. Not to mention it's just more environmentally friendly in of itself.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Artificial Leaf May Help Solve Energy Problems
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120509123900.htm
So just recently, the first ever practical, artificial leaf was created. The purpose of this allows photosynthesis to occur creating energy from sunlight and water. The idea of an artificial leaf for energy, started with that of fuel cells. Since it isn't worth the energy wasted to split hydrogen atoms from oxygen [H2O], many people abandoned the fuel cell idea. But with the idea of an artificial leaf, they realized they could naturally split apart hydrogen and oxygen without wasting any energy. Meow. Many people also found this usage of hydrogen splitting impractical because it required very rare materials. However the new model is made of abundant resources so it is much cheaper and a bit more beneficial to the environment. They also hope to use this "leaf" in developing countries as a source of energy. Although this whole ordeal is a great leap, I feel that in order to help reduce oil usage, we don't just need a whole new technology, we could just make less stupid decisions.
So just recently, the first ever practical, artificial leaf was created. The purpose of this allows photosynthesis to occur creating energy from sunlight and water. The idea of an artificial leaf for energy, started with that of fuel cells. Since it isn't worth the energy wasted to split hydrogen atoms from oxygen [H2O], many people abandoned the fuel cell idea. But with the idea of an artificial leaf, they realized they could naturally split apart hydrogen and oxygen without wasting any energy. Meow. Many people also found this usage of hydrogen splitting impractical because it required very rare materials. However the new model is made of abundant resources so it is much cheaper and a bit more beneficial to the environment. They also hope to use this "leaf" in developing countries as a source of energy. Although this whole ordeal is a great leap, I feel that in order to help reduce oil usage, we don't just need a whole new technology, we could just make less stupid decisions.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Methane Gas Leak in the Arctic
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/04/25/methane-gas-leak-in-arctic-throws-scientists-a-climate-change-curveball
It was detected that in the Arctic Ocean, methane gas is leaking from the ocean. This is troubling considering that due to this phenomenon, we could have increases in greenhouse gases, even if we do everything in our power to slow it down. Not to say that we shouldn't do anything to prevent it, but there's always going to be an input of methane regardless. This is something that must be carefully approached by researchers, because with new findings such as these coming out, predictions about climate change must be changed, and this isn't going to be the only time in which this occurs. The leaking of the gas from the ocean was enough to surprise and confuse scientists, because no one expected the methane to actually leak. Although compared to other contributions, this isn't as major, but it is still a very large issue that we must monitor.
It was detected that in the Arctic Ocean, methane gas is leaking from the ocean. This is troubling considering that due to this phenomenon, we could have increases in greenhouse gases, even if we do everything in our power to slow it down. Not to say that we shouldn't do anything to prevent it, but there's always going to be an input of methane regardless. This is something that must be carefully approached by researchers, because with new findings such as these coming out, predictions about climate change must be changed, and this isn't going to be the only time in which this occurs. The leaking of the gas from the ocean was enough to surprise and confuse scientists, because no one expected the methane to actually leak. Although compared to other contributions, this isn't as major, but it is still a very large issue that we must monitor.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Studies Show More People Aware of Global Warming
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/capital-weather-gang/post/americans-connect-dots-between-global-warming-and-extreme-weather/2012/04/18/gIQAyQBORT_blog.html
Recently due to a survey, most people have seen to accept the idea of global warming. Most of those surveyed realized the fact that recent extreme weather conditions are somewhat in due part to climate change. It actually correlated pretty well with the IPCC's thoughts on global warming. 70% & 72% of those surveyed said that the seasons summer and winter [respectfully] were more drastic due to global warming. And regarding specific issues, 59-69% of people said it was due to global warming [examples include record snowfall and the drought in Texas]. This shows that not everyone is as ignorant to the idea as it seems, but more that no one's speaking up. Who knows what a survey like this could show in the future and if more people will believe it.
Recently due to a survey, most people have seen to accept the idea of global warming. Most of those surveyed realized the fact that recent extreme weather conditions are somewhat in due part to climate change. It actually correlated pretty well with the IPCC's thoughts on global warming. 70% & 72% of those surveyed said that the seasons summer and winter [respectfully] were more drastic due to global warming. And regarding specific issues, 59-69% of people said it was due to global warming [examples include record snowfall and the drought in Texas]. This shows that not everyone is as ignorant to the idea as it seems, but more that no one's speaking up. Who knows what a survey like this could show in the future and if more people will believe it.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
9/11 Survivors May Get Cancer Coverage
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/22/september-11-cancer-care_n_1373568.html
When 9/11 happened the large loss of death was heartbreaking, but many never realized that many are still at a high risk of dying now due to being in the vicinity of the tragedy. In the air a large number of carcinogens were released into the air and in a synergistic effect they come together to cause much more danger for the survivors. They already produced the Zadroga Act which provided health care for certain illnesses and health problems due to being around the attack. But currently the Act is being proposed to be changed so that cancers are added to the list to help out those that suffered so much. These heroes require this coverage, even though it is very expensive, due to their great sacrifices and it doesn't take much to allow them to live longer, and they can't work when in such a condition. After all these people saved countless lives and now that they have to go through such a terrible situation, by themselves
When 9/11 happened the large loss of death was heartbreaking, but many never realized that many are still at a high risk of dying now due to being in the vicinity of the tragedy. In the air a large number of carcinogens were released into the air and in a synergistic effect they come together to cause much more danger for the survivors. They already produced the Zadroga Act which provided health care for certain illnesses and health problems due to being around the attack. But currently the Act is being proposed to be changed so that cancers are added to the list to help out those that suffered so much. These heroes require this coverage, even though it is very expensive, due to their great sacrifices and it doesn't take much to allow them to live longer, and they can't work when in such a condition. After all these people saved countless lives and now that they have to go through such a terrible situation, by themselves
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Makes a Comeback
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46782295/ns/health-infectious_diseases/#.T3PFhWGPU_c
Although most people think that tuberculosis is over and done with, just a thing of the past, it has started to make a comeback and hitting home, closer than you may think. Just recently a woman in London was found to have this so-called "White Plague" even though she lives in a modern, and fairly wealthy area of the world. The most troubling aspect of this story is that this tuberculosis is resistant to what is now reviewed as 12 different drugs due to misdiagnosis among doctors giving to small of dosages. These small doses weren't enough to kill the tuberculosis, but instead became resistant to that medicine. This is very commonly seen in India, and makes sense as to why they have the most cases of this drug-resistant tuberculosis. The fact that a drug-resistant disease is making its way into developed countries as well sparks some fears that it can easily affect anyone. If spread it would cause a large outbreak due to the fact that it is airborne, and since it is drug-resistant it would take a lot of work to cure it, and the medicine would most likely be expensive. Just because tuberculosis isn't something that you see everyday doesn't mean that it doesn't deserve attention because you never know when it just might strike.
Although most people think that tuberculosis is over and done with, just a thing of the past, it has started to make a comeback and hitting home, closer than you may think. Just recently a woman in London was found to have this so-called "White Plague" even though she lives in a modern, and fairly wealthy area of the world. The most troubling aspect of this story is that this tuberculosis is resistant to what is now reviewed as 12 different drugs due to misdiagnosis among doctors giving to small of dosages. These small doses weren't enough to kill the tuberculosis, but instead became resistant to that medicine. This is very commonly seen in India, and makes sense as to why they have the most cases of this drug-resistant tuberculosis. The fact that a drug-resistant disease is making its way into developed countries as well sparks some fears that it can easily affect anyone. If spread it would cause a large outbreak due to the fact that it is airborne, and since it is drug-resistant it would take a lot of work to cure it, and the medicine would most likely be expensive. Just because tuberculosis isn't something that you see everyday doesn't mean that it doesn't deserve attention because you never know when it just might strike.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Aspirin May be a Cure for Cancer
http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/21/10791979-daily-aspirin-might-reduce-cancer-risk
Although aspirin is mainly just thought of as an anticoagulant [blood thinner] that is a handy-dandy pill for headaches. But recently it's been found that it may be more than just that simplistic thought. Research seems to be pointing that it is even more important, because it was seen to both treat cancer patients and prevent cancer from occurring. This was done with hundreds of people who took an aspirin daily. It is believed that this occurs because it helps to stop the cancer from spreading throughout the body and thus makes the body healthier. After the three years of research it was found that it helps to prevent cancer by 25% and helps to reduce the risk of death from cancer by nearly 40%, and also it helps have a 36% chance of preventing organ-spreading cancers. However this research showed that it was necessary to have taken the aspirin for about three years for ideal effect. Also the study was not based on this principle and requires a new study that is focused upon this subject to have true results. Hopefully this could be a breakthrough that can provide cheap medicine to those who need it or wish to stay healthy.
Although aspirin is mainly just thought of as an anticoagulant [blood thinner] that is a handy-dandy pill for headaches. But recently it's been found that it may be more than just that simplistic thought. Research seems to be pointing that it is even more important, because it was seen to both treat cancer patients and prevent cancer from occurring. This was done with hundreds of people who took an aspirin daily. It is believed that this occurs because it helps to stop the cancer from spreading throughout the body and thus makes the body healthier. After the three years of research it was found that it helps to prevent cancer by 25% and helps to reduce the risk of death from cancer by nearly 40%, and also it helps have a 36% chance of preventing organ-spreading cancers. However this research showed that it was necessary to have taken the aspirin for about three years for ideal effect. Also the study was not based on this principle and requires a new study that is focused upon this subject to have true results. Hopefully this could be a breakthrough that can provide cheap medicine to those who need it or wish to stay healthy.
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