tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18295074363310623842024-02-07T01:23:09.280-08:00The Dying PlanetThis blog is dedicated to creating awareness of environmental issues worldwide and how it affects our lives. It contains the hard science, emotive photography and ways of changing our own habits to limit the damage we cause. Topics include climate change, biodiversity and habitat loss, acidification, impacts from industries and mines, environmental economics, earth and life sciences and all the field that fill the missing gaps.Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-22075006842896804632009-09-01T08:55:00.001-07:002009-09-01T08:55:51.768-07:00How Extremophiles Might Help Us Save Our World | Use Celsias.com - reduce global °Celsius<base href="http://www.celsias.com/article/how-extremophiles-might-help-us-save-our-world/"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div> <div id="top-ad"><div class="ad"> <script type="text/javascript"> sr_adspace_id = 8868407; sr_adspace_width = 728; sr_adspace_height = 90; sr_ad_new_window = true; sr_adspace_type = "graphic"; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.afy11.net/srad.js?azId=8868407"> </script><script src="http://ad.afy11.net/ad?asId=8868407&sd=2x728x90&ct=15&enc=1&sf=0&sfd=0&ynw=0&anw=1&rand=3610627&rk1=71302637&rk2=1251820442.971&pt=0"></script> <div style="width: 728px; 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Living and thriving in the most inhospitable conditions on Earth, tiny bacteria-like microbes known as extremophiles might soon have an oversized effect on our human world. We currently know little about these organisms that once remained hidden to us. But what we have discovered so far is intriguing—and, in fact, perhaps these microscopic creatures will help us save the world.</p> <p><a><img src="/media/uploads/admin/extremo2.jpg" border="0" alt="extremo2" width="249" height="137" style="margin: 6px; float: right;"></a> Research indicates that along with having the potential to help us develop countless new pharmaceuticals for treating diseases, some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extremophile" class="external-link">extremophiles <span class="external-link"> </span></a> might also possess the unique abilities needed to help us combat global warming and reduce pollution. In a less concrete way, they also might help us understand if life exists elsewhere in the universe, and if so, how "life" might be defined in different terms than what we currently accept. If these characteristics do not qualify these creatures as superheroes, then I do not know what does.</p> <p>Take an extremophile known as <em><a href="http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/06/extremophile/4/" class="external-link">Deinococcus peraridilitoris <span class="external-link"> </span></a></em> as an example. Living in the soil of Chile's Atacoma Desert, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atacama_Desert" class="external-link">arguably the driest desert in the world, <span class="external-link"> </span></a> it can survive with what basically amounts to no water. It was discovered only six years ago—so pause for a moment and think. Imagine what we might learn from this organism.</p> <p>There is also <em><a href="http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/06/extremophile/3/" class="external-link">Pyrodictium abyssi, <span class="external-link"> </span></a></em> an extremophile which lives near volcanic vents at the bottom of the ocean. It can survive in boiling water. It is part of a group of extremophiles that are highly tolerant of extreme levels of heat known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermophile" class="external-link">thermophiles. <span class="external-link"> </span></a> Besides the bottom of the ocean, thermophiles live in places like the U.S.'s Yellowstone National Park and sometimes produce bright and unique colors in hot springs.</p> <p><a><img src="/media/uploads/admin/extremo3.jpg" border="0" alt="extremo3" width="209" height="149" style="margin: 6px; float: left;"></a> But let's also not forget <em><a href="http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/06/extremophile/8/" class="external-link">Desulforudis audaxviator. <span class="external-link"> </span></a></em> It was discovered last year in South Africa, about 1.7 miles below the Earth's surface in a gold mine. It is considered to be the world's only one-species ecosystem. <a href="http://www.physorg.com/news142777731.html" class="external-link">It survives without oxygen, light, and is exposed to extreme heat <span class="external-link"> </span></a>. It lives by combining water with other elements, such as decaying uranium, that radiates from the rocks surrounding it. Wow.</p> <p>While what we can learn from the extremophiles mentioned above is still not clear, some of their peers are already proving to have the potential to assist in creating groundbreaking human applications.</p> <p><strong>Extremophiles and the Transformation of Modern Medicine</strong></p> <p>If you like watching IMAX movies on DVD and are interested in extremophiles, I recommend renting <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnA5_8s34nM" class="external-link">Journey Into Amazing Caves. <span class="external-link"> </span></a></em> The film details the dangerous deep cave explorations of a school teacher and a scientist. Their primary goal in these explorations was to collect extremophiles. They hoped that these organisms would help produce valuable new drugs to fight disease.</p> <p><a><img src="/media/uploads/admin/cave.jpg" border="0" alt="cave" width="230" height="220" style="margin: 6px; float: right;"></a> If you think the premise was far-fetched, you might be surprised to learn that deep within the United States' Carlsbad Caverns National Park, in 1986 a special event took place. An until-then relatively unknown area known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lechuguilla_Cave" class="external-link">Lechuguilla Cave <span class="external-link"> </span></a> was explored more thoroughly.</p> <p>It turned out that Lechuguilla is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lechuguilla_Cave" class="external-link">fifth longest cave <span class="external-link"> </span></a> now known to exist in the world and also is now considered one of the most pristine and unique because of its historic lack of human visitors.</p> <p>Aside from these important discoveries, within <a href="http://www.nationalwildlife.org/nationalwildlife/printerFriendly.cfm?issueID=13&articleID=627" class="external-link">one of the cave's stagnant pools of water, <span class="external-link"> </span></a> several scientists found bacteria. They decided to collect these odd forms of life for research. After running some preliminary tests, these rock-eating creatures were found to potentially possess the ability to kill breast cancer cells <a href="http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:SUoyTHEuM5sJ:www.nps.gov/cave/forteachers/upload/biology_ms_life.doc+Lechuguilla+Cave+cancer+bacteria&cd=5&hl=en&ct=clnk" class="external-link">while leaving healthy cells intact. <span class="external-link"> </span></a></p> <p>If that story alone doesn't get you more excited about superhero extremophiles, here's a more recent tale to ponder. Several months ago scientists at the University of California at San Diego published an exciting paper in the prestigious journal <em>Science</em>. Before I explain what the article was about, first I should give a little background.</p> <p>The scientists of discussion were previously known for pioneering the use of a green florescent protein found in jellyfish. They <a href="http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/05/infraredcells/" class="external-link">refined this protein <span class="external-link"> </span></a> so that biologists and medical researchers could more easily watch the processes that happen inside the cells of organisms. The only problem was that the florescent protein could not last for very long in living cells. Nonetheless, <a href="http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/05/infraredcells/" class="external-link">according to <em>Wired </em>magazine, <span class="external-link"> </span></a> this application was "considered one of the great advances of modern science, arguably on par with the development of the microscope." For their work with the protein, known more concisely as GFP, the scientists won the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 2008. So what's their new paper about?</p> <p>These all-star scientists have now used an extremophile known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinococcus_radiodurans" class="external-link">D <span class="external-link"> </span></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinococcus_radiodurans" class="external-link">einococcus radiodurans <span class="external-link"> </span></a> to produce infrared light producing proteins that could be used more effectively to study processes occurring in living cells, and in fact <a href="http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/05/infraredcells/" class="external-link">"lighting up entire organisms as completely as GFPs have individual cells." <span class="external-link"> </span></a> The applications of this development seem enormous. Imagine the power of watching what goes on inside of cells in real time— for instance it's possible to think we could better understand how diseases spread, and then perhaps better know how to cure them.</p> <p><strong>Extremophiles and Our Environment</strong></p> <p>While extremophiles have produced exciting developments in the world of medicine, they are not "one trick ponies" to the scientific world. They might also provide some unique and valuable environmental services.</p> <p>One extremophile found in Yellowstone National Park has shown promise in making the process of industrial bleaching <a href="http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/environment_sciences/report-34867.html" class="external-link">cheaper and more environmentally friendly <span class="external-link"> </span></a> by neutralizing harmful hydrogen peroxide in wastewater. Yet another <a href="http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/08_03/hottest.shtml" class="external-link">recently discovered thermophile <span class="external-link"> </span></a> in the hot ocean depths is "also unusual because it relies on iron to digest food and produce energy. Such organisms show promise in generating electricity from waste products and in removing radioactive metals from the environment."</p> <p><a><img src="/media/uploads/admin/Prismatic.jpeg" border="0" alt="prismatic" style="margin: 6px; float: left;"></a> But beyond reducing pollution and producing electricity, could an extremophile help produce energy? Yes. A species from deep below the Mediterranean Ocean is being tested as a potential conduit for more efficiently processing biomass into <a href="http://news.mongabay.com/bioenergy/2007/06/sandia-researchers-screen-extremophiles.html" class="external-link">biofuels like ethanol <span class="external-link"> </span></a>—something that if successful could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by subsequently creating an industry that could rival corn-made ethanol. It is thought by some that making ethanol from biomass produces fewer greenhouse emissions than it does by making ethanol from corn.</p> <p>But what is perhaps most exciting about extremophiles and the environment is how they might help us to fight global warming. For instance, a recently discovered species <a href="http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/69478/scientists-find-unique-organisms-geothermal-areas" class="external-link">consumes methane for its energy use, <span class="external-link"> </span></a> and could be used to reduce methane emissions from landfills. It was among 1000 species of extremophiles recently catalogued in geothermal areas of New Zealand—many of which are new to science.</p> <p>Methane traps approximately 20X more atmospheric heat <a href="http://www.physorg.com/news84802439.html" class="external-link">than carbon dioxide, making it a significant contributor to global warming. <span class="external-link"> </span></a> On the bright side, it might eventually be used <a href="http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/04_02/m_acetivorans_seq.shtml" class="external-link">as a significant energy source <span class="external-link"> </span></a>. Going back to the negative though, it is also heavily produced, rather than consumed by a number of other extremophile species. Some of them are involved <a href="http://www.physorg.com/news84802439.html" class="external-link">in the production of rice, <span class="external-link"> </span></a> which is thought to be responsible for approximately 10-25% of methane production worldwide. The good news is that scientists have mapped the genomes of some of these important species, and might be able to genetically engineer a new variety of these microbes to help reduce methane emissions from rice production.</p> <p>What's also interesting is how global warming, while no doubt a serious problem, is also revealing new extremophile species. In Peru, researchers <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080908135944.htm" class="external-link">have inventoried new extremophile species <span class="external-link"> </span></a> that are quickly colonizing high elevation areas in the Andes Mountains, where glaciers are rapidly receding. These microorganisms are laying the groundwork for new plant communities where glaciers once existed. And it is exactly this type of occurrence that is truly the most fascinating aspect of extremophile life to some scientists.</p> <p><strong>Extremophiles and the Search for Life Beyond Earth</strong></p> <p>The field of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrobiology" class="external-link">astrobiology <span class="external-link"> </span></a> concerns itself with the "study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe." So it should be no surprise that the world of extremophiles has become a key area of research for astrobiologists.</p> <p> Many of these organisms might indicate how life on earth began. Starting with the most elementary building blocks, extremophiles might help us understand what form life takes on other planets in our own solar system, as well as in galaxies farther away. Once again, think about what extremophiles are.</p> <p><a href="/admin/articles/article/add/"><img src="/media/uploads/admin/james_cameron.jpg" border="0" alt="james cameron" width="208" height="145" style="margin: 6px; float: right;"></a>These organisms live and thrive at the most extreme conditions of earth, whether it's at the bottom of oceans, in the driest of deserts, in the depths of caves, the heights of towering mountains, in freezing cold, or explosive heat: it's no wonder that they capture our imagination.</p> <p>The popular filmmaker James Cameron studied extremophiles while making his recent film <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OuUNl7Cs7g" class="external-link">Aliens of the Deep. <span class="external-link"> </span></a></em> In an interview about the film, Cameron described the deep sea underwater volcano-like areas he filmed. <a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/03/0301_050301_cameron_2.html" class="external-link">He explained that <span class="external-link"> </span></a>:</p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>So you have all these chemicals raining down on the bottom, and it's stuff that will kill you and me. But nature, in its ingenuity, has figured out a way to use this chemistry to sustain a completely different type of life than we experience here at the surface. That's what's fascinating to the astrobiology community.</em></p> <p style="padding-left: 30px;"><em>They're saying, Wait a minute, if you've got chemically supported life down there, as opposed to life that relies on photosynthesis, then that's something that might theoretically be able to exist in an aquifer on the surface of Mars.</em></p> <p>If you have more than a simple curiosity about what "life on Mars" might look like (or did look like at some point in time), it probably is not a surprise to you that the aforementioned Atacoma Desert in Chile is thought to be <a href="http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2009/03/extreme-loving-microbes-found-high-above-the-atacama-desert.ars" class="external-link">the most similar landscape on Earth to that of Mars. <span class="external-link"> </span></a> Mars enthusiasts have been interested with the area for sometime, and are no doubt excited by the recently discovered extremophiles living there.</p> <p>The search for what life might be like beyond Earth has also stretched to the highest place on Earth. An American astronaut recently <a href="http://www.universetoday.com/2009/05/21/with-moon-rocks-in-hand-parazynski-reaches-mt-everest-peak/" class="external-link">climbed to the top of Mount Everest <span class="external-link"> </span></a> and collected extremophiles. He cited the purpose as being part of the quest to understand what life on Mars might be like.</p> <p>So if you have been wondering what the next trendy adventure vacation experience will be— a safe bet might be on collecting extremophiles in some inhospitable, exotic locale. Even if you don't find the key to understanding the origins of life in our universe, perhaps you might find an organism that leads to medical breakthroughs or environmental benefits.</p> <p><strong>The Superheroes Within Ourselves </strong></p> <p>As I explained earlier, despite the exciting applications of extremophiles, we really know very little about these tiny lifeforms. <a href="http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/69478/scientists-find-unique-organisms-geothermal-areas" class="external-link">According to one estimate, <span class="external-link"> </span></a> "Microorganisms make up 50 percent of the world's biomass [in other words: all living things] but… scientists know only 5-10 percent of these species." While not all microorganisms are extremophiles, this certainly gives us an idea of how many of these unique species are still unknown to us.</p> <p>While this statistic perhaps tells us that our quest to find superhero creatures is worthwhile, we must also look to ourselves and our human ability to change our behavior to improve our lives. Whether it is our personal health or our ever-warming planet, the world cannot be saved by technology and extremophiles alone— we must also play a part. We too must be the superheroes of tomorrow. But as any superhero knows, a helping hand always goes a long way. </p> <p><em>Photo Credit:<strong> </strong>Photo of Yellowstone National Park's Grand Prismatic Spring courtesy of U.S. National Park Service <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grand_prismatic_spring.jpg" class="external-link">via Wikimedia Commons <span class="external-link"> </span></a></em></p> <p><strong><em>Other cool stuff on Celsias:</em></strong></p> <p><a href="/article/janine-benyus-12-sustainable-design-ideas-from-nat/">Janine Benyus: 12 Design Ideas from Nature</a><br><a href="/article/top-5-very-strange-ways-make-renewable-power/">Top 5 Very Strange Ways to Make Renewable Power</a></p> <p><a href="/admin/articles/article/add/twitter.com/celsiastweets"><strong>Follow us on Twitter: Celsiastweets</strong></a></p> <div class="upsell"><a href="/accounts/register/">Join Celsias today!</a></div> <div class="byline shareicons"> <script type="text/javascript">reddit_title='How Extremophiles Might Help Us Save Our World'</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.reddit.com/button.js?t=1"></script><iframe src="http://www.reddit.com/button_content?t=1&width=120&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.celsias.com%2Farticle%2Fhow-extremophiles-might-help-us-save-our-world%2F&title=How%20Extremophiles%20Might%20Help%20Us%20Save%20Our%20World" height="22" width="120" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe> <script type="text/javascript">digg_skin='compact';digg_bgcolor='#F8F8F7'</script> <script src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.js" type="text/javascript"></script><iframe src="http://digg.com/tools/diggthis.php?u=http%3A//www.celsias.com/article/how-extremophiles-might-help-us-save-our-world/&s=compact&t=How%20Extremophiles%20Might%20Help%20Us%20Save%20Our%20World%20%7C%20Use%20Celsias.com%20-%20reduce%20global%20%B0Celsius&k=%23F8F8F7" height="18" width="120" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> </div> </div> </div> <div id="responses" class="img90"> <h3 id="comments">5 comments</h3> <p><em>If you see any unhelpful comments, please <a href="mailto:info@celsias.com">let us know immediately</a></em>.</p> <div id="list"> <div id="comment-1627" class="response-item "> <div class="item-avatar"> Ano??m??? and obvious <em>(anonymous)</em></div> <div class="item-body"> <p>It's amazing how we even question life on other planets with "extreme" conditions when we currently already have life within extreme circumstances here. The real question and mystery is what kind of life exists outside of earth.</p> <p class="tagline">Written 12 hours ago</p> </div> </div> <div id="comment-1629" class="response-item alt"> <div class="item-avatar"> John Smith <em>(anonymous)</em></div> <div class="item-body"> <p>Just two comments: it's called "Atacama Desert" (not Atacoma) and the microorganisms living in the deep ocean divides do not live at boiling water. At the pressures down there (hundreds of atmospheres) the water does not boil at 100 C (212 F). Other than that, great topic. Keep up with the good work.</p> <p class="tagline">Written 5 hours ago</p> </div> </div> <div id="comment-1631" class="response-item "> <div class="item-avatar"> John Davis <em>(anonymous)</em></div> <div class="item-body"> <p>Oh wow, that sounds pretty reasonable to me dude!</p> <p>RT<br><a href="http://www.online-privacy.es.tc" rel="nofollow">www.online-privacy.es.tc</a> </p> <p class="tagline">Written 3 hours ago</p> </div> </div> <div id="comment-1632" class="response-item alt"> <div class="item-avatar"> James Stoll <em>(anonymous)</em></div> <div class="item-body"> <p>Actually they never said it lives in boiling water. They said it can survive.</p> <p class="tagline">Written 1 hour ago</p> </div> </div> <div id="comment-1633" class="response-item "> <div class="item-avatar"> Jeff <em>(anonymous)</em></div> <div class="item-body"> <p>Very Cool! <a href="<a href="http://www.electroniccigarettesinc.com">http://www.electroniccigarettesinc.com</a>">electronic cigarettes</a></p> <p class="tagline">Written 12 seconds ago</p> </div> </div> </div> <form action="#new-comment" method="post" id="new-comment"> <fieldset> <legend>Add a comment</legend> <li><label for="id_name">Name <em>*</em>:</label> <input id="id_name" type="text" name="name" tabindex="1"> <span class="helptext"><a href="/accounts/login/?next=/article/how-extremophiles-might-help-us-save-our-world/%23new-comment" class="login-link" tabindex="20">Log in</a> to get your picture next to your comment (<a href="/accounts/register/" tabindex="21">not a member yet?</a>).</span></li> <li><label for="id_comment">Comment <em>*</em>:</label> <textarea id="id_comment" rows="10" cols="40" name="comment" tabindex="2"></textarea></li> <li><label for="None">Enter the two words <em>*</em>:</label> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://api.recaptcha.net/challenge?k=6LfvrgMAAAAAADoB2iYgrrs_iGP6dqzsyETAIgsW"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://api.recaptcha.net/js/recaptcha.js"></script><div id="recaptcha_widget_div" style="" class=" recaptcha_nothad_incorrect_sol recaptcha_isnot_showing_audio"><div id="recaptcha_area"><table id="recaptcha_table" class="recaptchatable recaptcha_theme_red"> <tbody><tr> <td colspan="6" class="recaptcha_r1_c1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="recaptcha_r2_c1"></td> <td colspan="4" class="recaptcha_image_cell"><div id="recaptcha_image" style="width: 300px; height: 57px; "><img style="display:block;" height="57" width="300" src="http://api.recaptcha.net/image?c=02ibCqeIpuORK3n-Rw4H09wmnCKD6hdV4eogXLUJNc3yLlI7vRoafBoPeP4wHpJenR0CwB5AsIDcS4x8HdLS2TvHQ_vV8MC-wHHBSdw1GE6Eg6bdrsh0tFGpZocx6T7TMy5ZoJNoIbgc62kS70flVMZJR7Nz3KEuPLYzX24zyFEvAV7e89fyOtazp6nhvjM2aiHDSNSdGHTqBlWaLix0McQsh8XdQP6Ls-7DbZyM-tjv5U1kpT_xM7KZXq8ovaNrZAOBofdtcKApyuzscKBjjDSaxoTzsB"></div></td> <td class="recaptcha_r2_c2"></td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="6" class="recaptcha_r3_c1"></td> <td colspan="4" class="recaptcha_r3_c2"></td> <td rowspan="6" class="recaptcha_r3_c3"></td> </tr> <tr> <td rowspan="3" class="recaptcha_r4_c1" height="49"> <div class="recaptcha_input_area"> <label for="recaptcha_response_field" class="recaptcha_input_area_text"><span id="recaptcha_instructions_image" class="recaptcha_only_if_image recaptcha_only_if_no_incorrect_sol">Type the two words:</span><span id="recaptcha_instructions_audio" class="recaptcha_only_if_no_incorrect_sol recaptcha_only_if_audio">Type what you hear:</span><span id="recaptcha_instructions_error" class="recaptcha_only_if_incorrect_sol">Incorrect. 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Listed in:</p> <ul> <li><a href="/articles/business-technology/clean-technologies/">Clean Technologies</a>, </li> <li><a href="/articles/culture-society/design/">Design</a>, </li> <li><a href="/articles/environment/earth-soil-landscape/">Earth, Soil, & Landscape</a>, </li> <li><a href="/articles/environment/environment-wildlife/">Environment & Wildlife</a>, </li> <li><a href="/articles/environment/rivers-lakes-and-oceans/">Rivers, Lakes, and Oceans</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="/articles/by/levi-n/">See other articles written by Levi »</a></p> <p><a href="#comments">5 comments</a></p> </div> <div class="hook"> <div class="hooktop"> <div class="ad"> <script type="text/javascript"> sr_adspace_id = 4868307; sr_adspace_width = 300; sr_adspace_height = 250; sr_adspace_type = "graphic"; sr_ad_new_window = true; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.afy11.net/srad.js?azId=4868307"> </script><script src="http://ad.afy11.net/ad?asId=4868307&sd=2x300x250&ct=15&enc=1&sf=0&sfd=0&ynw=0&anw=1&rand=94016307&rk1=71302637&rk2=1251820442.971&pt=0"></script> <div style="width: 300px; height: 250px; border-width: 0px;"><a target="_new" href="http://ad.afy11.net/ad?c=lfDpCVCi3U+4F26uwbvHeyJokZEJhkWvwUh+SL49r7wYjCSToJ8osP5cOzInSRPJ+BKzVITfHDasL0F7gAFouA==" onmouseout="srClearStatus()" onmouseover="return srShowStatusI('http://ad.afy11.net/ad?c=lfDpCVCi3U+4F26uwbvHeyJokZEJhkWvwUh+SL49r7wYjCSToJ8osP5cOzInSRPJ+BKzVITfHDasL0F7gAFouA==')" onfocus="srShowStatusI('http://ad.afy11.net/ad?c=lfDpCVCi3U+4F26uwbvHeyJokZEJhkWvwUh+SL49r7wYjCSToJ8osP5cOzInSRPJ+BKzVITfHDasL0F7gAFouA==')"><img border="0" src="http://im.afy11.net/images/00/10/1000000103918.gif"></a><div style="height:0px;width:0px;overflow:hidden;border: 0px none;display:none;"><script type="text/javascript"> _qoptions = { qacct:"p-03EuZ32vOQaCE" }; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://edge.quantserve.com/quant.js"></script> <noscript></noscript></div></div> </div> <br> <div class="ad"> <script type="text/javascript"> sr_adspace_id = 8868207; sr_adspace_width = 300; sr_adspace_height = 250; sr_ad_new_window = true; sr_adspace_type = "graphic"; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.afy11.net/srad.js?azId=8868207"> </script><script src="http://ad.afy11.net/ad?asId=8868207&sd=2x300x250&ct=15&enc=1&sf=0&sfd=0&ynw=0&anw=1&rand=9335087&rk1=71302637&rk2=1251820442.971&pt=0"></script> <div style="width: 300px; height: 250px; border-width: 0px;"><a target="_new" href="http://ad.afy11.net/ad?c=MFOXq0bfTEyd+rLTYAzV1B9mz6uileVCnUPyCCq5sfYHX6oeB4zd793p2etTC8UBn4WQmCU7QjZ7ggsMfgj36A==" onmouseout="srClearStatus()" onmouseover="return srShowStatusI('http://ad.afy11.net/ad?c=MFOXq0bfTEyd+rLTYAzV1B9mz6uileVCnUPyCCq5sfYHX6oeB4zd793p2etTC8UBn4WQmCU7QjZ7ggsMfgj36A==')" onfocus="srShowStatusI('http://ad.afy11.net/ad?c=MFOXq0bfTEyd+rLTYAzV1B9mz6uileVCnUPyCCq5sfYHX6oeB4zd793p2etTC8UBn4WQmCU7QjZ7ggsMfgj36A==')"><img border="0" src="http://im.afy11.net/images/01/00/1002118.jpeg"></a><div style="height:0px;width:0px;overflow:hidden;border: 0px none;display:none;"><script type="text/javascript"> _qoptions={ qacct:"p-f3Ehn0Pv90nQY" }; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://edge.quantserve.com/quant.js"></script> <noscript></noscript></div></div> </div> </div> <div class="hookbase"></div> </div> <div class="hook"> <div class="hooktop"> <h4 class="hook-action">Pledge to do these related actions</h4> <div class="multi-element"> <h5><a href="/actions/193/">Plant fruit-bearing plants in your garden., 61°</a></h5> <p>Why not plant fruit-bearing plants in your garden? 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font-size: 12px; color: black; text-align: left; "><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div>Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-14812430429889931232009-02-10T21:24:00.000-08:002009-02-10T21:26:07.822-08:00Climate change informationInformation on climate change and climate science will be added during the following weeks. A number of books will also be reviewed and some of the information will be included on the site.Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-60433623884131509872009-02-10T21:18:00.001-08:002009-02-10T21:19:26.364-08:00Life Cycle AssessmentInformation on Life Cycle Assessment as an environmental management tool will be added to the site during the following weeks.Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-68395251064178170522009-02-10T21:16:00.000-08:002009-02-10T21:18:07.829-08:00Environmental Management SystemsInformation on ISO14001 compliant Environmental Management Systems (EMS) will be added during the following weeks. This will provide information to any company considering implementing such a system.Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-62460695092708810542009-02-10T21:12:00.000-08:002009-02-10T21:15:06.087-08:00Navigation on the rightPlease don't forget to use the navigation on the right of the page to get to previous entries. Some of the older content may be exactly what you were looking for. Advantages and disadvantages of different renewable energy technologies are listed when you navigate back in the blog. You can also use the search feature at the bottom of the page to instantly find it.Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-41599500846269387052009-02-10T13:22:00.000-08:002009-02-10T13:24:11.914-08:00Information on renewable energyThe new drive for the site is to provide information on renewable energy technologies including solar thermal, photovoltaic, wind energy, geothermal energy, tidal energy, wave energy and other clean, free and sustainable forms of energy.Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-89535663019569904092009-02-07T01:58:00.001-08:002009-02-07T01:58:49.496-08:00Tip number 156: Filter out the junkKeep your home air and filter systems fine tuned by regularly <br>servicing and washing or changing filters regularly. That way. they'll <br>use the minimum amount of energy required to function properly.<p>Taken from 1001 Little ways to help save the planet by Ezme Floyd.Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-87178589869711656152009-01-26T13:08:00.001-08:002009-01-26T13:08:31.003-08:00New planned content for the siteI am planning to significantly increase the amount of content on the <br>site. I have already hiked a few trails this year and will be adding <br>descriptions, route maps and photos of those trails any day now. I <br>have a vision for the site that I would love to see fulfilled during <br>the year. It has become a passion for me and I want to share it with <br>the world.<p>Keep watching this space for updates during the next few days.Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-86547962789427840452008-11-21T00:53:00.000-08:002008-11-21T00:54:16.729-08:00Tip number 155: Create a through-draught <p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfO7IzXGxp6LHMiNjaVA-6kb2swMPwGF5Eu17K7_UlL3x_LCgH-4zZ0Xx2Lmv3vgZmgaeBkIMObLkOm3odJpfo68iFGpliti7e2ANFk3enMNQltuvyRqN29WwaKKxoe8QkNL2Z0id-31kr/s1600-h/design-ventilation-756730.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfO7IzXGxp6LHMiNjaVA-6kb2swMPwGF5Eu17K7_UlL3x_LCgH-4zZ0Xx2Lmv3vgZmgaeBkIMObLkOm3odJpfo68iFGpliti7e2ANFk3enMNQltuvyRqN29WwaKKxoe8QkNL2Z0id-31kr/s320/design-ventilation-756730.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271031497823659362" /></a></p>If your house gets too hot in the summer, plan to open selective <br>windows and doors to create a through-draught - for example, opening <br>the front and the back doors can be an efficient way to keep the house <br>cool. This will help keep it cool inside even when it's hot outside. <br>It's even worth building a new window into a room, but make sure it's <br>double glazed.<p><br>You can find additional information on home ventilation at <a href="http://www.smarterhomes.org.nz/design/ventilation/">http://www.smarterhomes.org.nz/design/ventilation/</a>Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-86564845041015371122008-11-21T00:46:00.001-08:002008-11-21T00:57:10.424-08:00Tip number 154: Bottle your ideas<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdyIrsuh_9V34PDtrOkBgEEjDR-lLW_ZHoyDpGWiKHIWDlBtsfVNAMCcR4VThMrrI4FsuNIlrRKKDoqHJA7rE-yf9KPtXiUL2Pi2kCEquexq_Eev3WHT1AbVp7SPTJo2e4RPw73M9bKs8/s1600-h/water_bottle-702214.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdyIrsuh_9V34PDtrOkBgEEjDR-lLW_ZHoyDpGWiKHIWDlBtsfVNAMCcR4VThMrrI4FsuNIlrRKKDoqHJA7rE-yf9KPtXiUL2Pi2kCEquexq_Eev3WHT1AbVp7SPTJo2e4RPw73M9bKs8/s320/water_bottle-702214.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271029547003138626" /></a></p>Before you send your plastic bottles for recycling, think of ways you<br>can use them in your home that will prevent you from having to buy<br>more plastic. For instance, cutting the ends off water bottles turns<br>them into excellent protective covers for seedlings.<p>Taken from 1001 little ways to save the planet.Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-24719294995923222682008-11-21T00:43:00.001-08:002008-11-21T00:43:57.973-08:00Tip number 154: Bottle your ideas<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-2r7LAzPqa1rCbmAwfw0zaB0j5q4YyOVgj2Unh89AtJSzngalAzwikQ8qcgJdeRmS9WBCZLpXRfEvCmmvgmnjdl0eqs6Y-bNPDHDCAgUGOaLnz1XHcfmLWhl_Bti5ZUABCZyP2CG5Bv-/s1600-h/water-737981.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-2r7LAzPqa1rCbmAwfw0zaB0j5q4YyOVgj2Unh89AtJSzngalAzwikQ8qcgJdeRmS9WBCZLpXRfEvCmmvgmnjdl0eqs6Y-bNPDHDCAgUGOaLnz1XHcfmLWhl_Bti5ZUABCZyP2CG5Bv-/s320/water-737981.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271028844522502306" /></a></p>Before you send your plastic bottles for recycling, think of ways you <br>can use them in your home that will prevent you from having to buy <br>more plastic. For instance, cutting the ends off water bottles turns <br>them into excellent protective covers for seedlings.Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-69409659646576363692008-11-19T22:24:00.000-08:002008-11-21T00:57:33.167-08:00Tip number 153: Unplug your charger<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvd_rhx9gog8E9EdomvFZe9oa2q_TalU3KSuhkpb563g7B_QufrB2mV8hEJkAYmMePKhKz9lltoFzo86F-xuI896IzIvTruSQSaHt7i5HKAw8fXBBxCMZFRyR173YFxSnwzYXZJICVCzo/s1600-h/238649-717328.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvd_rhx9gog8E9EdomvFZe9oa2q_TalU3KSuhkpb563g7B_QufrB2mV8hEJkAYmMePKhKz9lltoFzo86F-xuI896IzIvTruSQSaHt7i5HKAw8fXBBxCMZFRyR173YFxSnwzYXZJICVCzo/s320/238649-717328.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270622019393526978" /></a></p>It takes a forest with an area equivalent to 500 football pitches to <br>absorb all the carbon dioxide produced by mobile phone chargers that <br>are left plugged into electrical outlets. In the UK alone, 95% of the <br>energy used by mobile phone chargers is wasted - only 5% is actually <br>used to charge the phone and the rest goes to waste when the charger <br>is left plugged in.<p>Taken from 1001 little ways to save the planet.Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-79703362720888102982008-11-19T22:11:00.001-08:002008-11-21T00:58:14.016-08:00Parrot flower<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8ErNTfXKzjGGWLnufJEFQD6UUC2VovA-Rp1aDaKIFvU6vPv-O9-cLk5Qf907ieuUSQeNHDwaii0Zma1ktEybvNkAiUNhGJ-3UvUvfBM2MDJ6BeVL_Ut5rI4EMI6MKb172kSrJoaJim4r/s1600-h/parrot-flower1-799116.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8ErNTfXKzjGGWLnufJEFQD6UUC2VovA-Rp1aDaKIFvU6vPv-O9-cLk5Qf907ieuUSQeNHDwaii0Zma1ktEybvNkAiUNhGJ-3UvUvfBM2MDJ6BeVL_Ut5rI4EMI6MKb172kSrJoaJim4r/s320/parrot-flower1-799116.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270618506553165346" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMfA1cuE1-E63_VzsWhq0r8MhMCQusityBXygkTeyAT_8JDIpR07H7-90sHeHsdcu4SS4IvZm0lCgBcbuGlui6pVeWVJ2iLmm6ZoIU80HCCM7U2Lhiyy6w74HvTRJJ1x-9JDy93IwCrdl/s1600-h/parrot-flower3-700510.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMfA1cuE1-E63_VzsWhq0r8MhMCQusityBXygkTeyAT_8JDIpR07H7-90sHeHsdcu4SS4IvZm0lCgBcbuGlui6pVeWVJ2iLmm6ZoIU80HCCM7U2Lhiyy6w74HvTRJJ1x-9JDy93IwCrdl/s320/parrot-flower3-700510.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270618511504933970" /></a></p>There is an astonishing flower growing in the jungle of Burma that <br>closely resembles a parrot. It is uncertain why the flower has <br>developed this appearance...<p><br>You can find more information on any of the following sites:<br><a href="http://www.hoax-slayer.com/parrot-flower.shtml">http://www.hoax-slayer.com/parrot-flower.shtml</a><br><a href="http://photowebs.blogspot.com/2006/09/parrot-flower-flower-that-looks-like.html">http://photowebs.blogspot.com/2006/09/parrot-flower-flower-that-looks-like.html</a><br><a href="http://dalesdesigns.net/parrot.htm">http://dalesdesigns.net/parrot.htm</a>Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-1820967938234398772008-11-18T23:16:00.000-08:002008-11-21T00:58:45.632-08:00Bioscapes photo slideshow - Life Viewed through the Microscope<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkhbqNJRI7dmI-YaGtwrDAN8LJKjMcM4Xi1hwGWxaQVAdjI6OFi3V_ylimT2mnrwRmoLu0f5pIkr7lXwTOPonb3-QQFvs41hpv0TbdCCLm6aanB8XTDnKB4WvlkOq2L2z9NgBzQJUEtoY/s1600-h/68BFDAAB-02C4-A3C3-4D2B3DE7E7D60594_9-776294.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkhbqNJRI7dmI-YaGtwrDAN8LJKjMcM4Xi1hwGWxaQVAdjI6OFi3V_ylimT2mnrwRmoLu0f5pIkr7lXwTOPonb3-QQFvs41hpv0TbdCCLm6aanB8XTDnKB4WvlkOq2L2z9NgBzQJUEtoY/s320/68BFDAAB-02C4-A3C3-4D2B3DE7E7D60594_9-776294.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270264502183186050" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDZF-oaWCbvMF7kwcgFkStu-vcXJqYz7SqO-Sc0iKBi5Fc8FMkYHfYryOJMkOUfMVhdbyQW0aPAQk1Z-WPQ_P11DgeEBv3vlFoO3LJWxqzCKjfpzX0xQgzeiOjFB0L2xl6kNh2BeQt8Mx/s1600-h/68BFDAAB-02C4-A3C3-4D2B3DE7E7D60594_1-776784.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDZF-oaWCbvMF7kwcgFkStu-vcXJqYz7SqO-Sc0iKBi5Fc8FMkYHfYryOJMkOUfMVhdbyQW0aPAQk1Z-WPQ_P11DgeEBv3vlFoO3LJWxqzCKjfpzX0xQgzeiOjFB0L2xl6kNh2BeQt8Mx/s320/68BFDAAB-02C4-A3C3-4D2B3DE7E7D60594_1-776784.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270264501366390258" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYbcWHRfwYAsC4EMQa9zis8FZymrFwiRdvTmhZbJPoSK1kf4eSD9AZn4Y8qTO4hXLuQXSfuDbTQQZpNixKC-kR_oZd_5Shcg0isT8nVvUqzu2oCaJHJ7LhrSw6kkjBm2GoB5mgBb8J-1h/s1600-h/68BFDAAB-02C4-A3C3-4D2B3DE7E7D60594_18-777177.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYbcWHRfwYAsC4EMQa9zis8FZymrFwiRdvTmhZbJPoSK1kf4eSD9AZn4Y8qTO4hXLuQXSfuDbTQQZpNixKC-kR_oZd_5Shcg0isT8nVvUqzu2oCaJHJ7LhrSw6kkjBm2GoB5mgBb8J-1h/s320/68BFDAAB-02C4-A3C3-4D2B3DE7E7D60594_18-777177.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270264505585007826" /></a></p>Taken from the original article at Scientific American<p>Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but it is also in the eye of <br>a honeybee, the eggs of a lobster and the surface of petrified wood—as <br>is evident from a selection of images entered in the 2008 Olympus <br>BioScapes Digital Imaging Competition. In its fifth year, the <br>competition honors superior images of living organisms or their <br>components attained with the help of light microscopy.<p>The judges chose 10 winners and awarded honorable mention to many <br>others, evaluating entries based on the scientific value of the <br>images, aesthetics and the difficulty of capturing the information <br>displayed. This year, as in the past, competitors were free to bring <br>out specific features through pseudo-coloring and other computer <br>enhancements.<p><br>You can view the slideshow at <a href="http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=bioscapes-contest-photos">http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=bioscapes-contest-photos</a><p>Here are some of the photos in the slideshow:Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-17028504707428298112008-11-18T22:58:00.001-08:002008-11-21T01:00:20.068-08:00Benzene Pollution of Drinking water from Natural gas exploration<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tdYKV2c0fY-LZmZE_I8117dordg6eAlLc4kncVYpdNAeUIPxGkZE2PQCXsDgKy1mJ_GVXeVVFAclzGmow8Xw184tnb9XtzCtDfZ27aj_5GSadydGP9BsFRfC-GrNNFppQDa7BGNI2BLm/s1600-h/6a00d834519ed469e200e5522efc868834-640wi-728104.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tdYKV2c0fY-LZmZE_I8117dordg6eAlLc4kncVYpdNAeUIPxGkZE2PQCXsDgKy1mJ_GVXeVVFAclzGmow8Xw184tnb9XtzCtDfZ27aj_5GSadydGP9BsFRfC-GrNNFppQDa7BGNI2BLm/s320/6a00d834519ed469e200e5522efc868834-640wi-728104.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270259572820368770" /></a></p>There is a article at Scientific American about how drilling <br>exploration wells for natural gas can contaminate natural aquifers <br>used for drinking water.<p>Here are two short extracts from the original article:<p>'Toxic Brew?<br>Of the 300-odd compounds that private researchers and the Bureau of <br>Land Management suspect are being used, 65 are listed as hazardous by <br>the federal government. Many of the rest are unstudied and <br>unregulated, leaving a gaping hole in the nation's scientific <br>understanding of how widespread drilling might affect water resources.<p>Industry representatives maintain that the drilling fluids are mostly <br>made up of non-toxic, even edible substances, and that when chemicals <br>are used, they are just a tiny fraction of the overall mix. They say <br>that some information is already available, and that releasing <br>specific details would only frighten and confuse the public, and would <br>come at great expense to the industry's competitive business.<p>"Halliburton's proprietary fluids are the result of years of extensive <br>research, development testing," said Diana Gabriel, a company <br>spokeswoman, in an email response. "We have gone to great lengths to <br>ensure that we are able to protect the fruits of the company's <br>research…. We could lose our competitive advantage."<p> "It is like Coke protecting its syrup formula for many of these <br>service companies," said Scott Rotruck, vice president of corporate <br>development at Chesapeake Energy, the nation's largest gas driller, <br>which has been asked by New York State regulators to disclose the <br>chemicals it uses.'<p><p>'Dirty Water<br>"When you just look at the data… the aerial extent of the benzene <br>contamination, you just say . . . . This is huge," says Oberley, who <br>is charged with water study in the area. "You've got benzene in a <br>useable aquifer and nobody is able to verbalize well, using factual <br>information, how the benzene got there."<p>Other signs of contamination were also worrying residents. Independent <br>tests in several private drinking wells adjacent to the anticline <br>drilling showed fluoride -- which is listed in Halliburton's hydraulic <br>fracturing patent applications and can cause bone damage at high <br>levels -- at almost three times the EPA's maximum limit.'<p><br>You can find the full article at <a href="http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=drill-for-natural-gas-pollute-water">http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=drill-for-natural-gas-pollute-water</a><p>You can find more information on natural gas exploration at any of the <br>following sites:<br><a href="http://www.naturalgas.org/naturalgas/extraction.asp">http://www.naturalgas.org/naturalgas/extraction.asp</a><br><a href="http://www.realestatejournal.com/buysell/regionalnews/20050504-gold.html">http://www.realestatejournal.com/buysell/regionalnews/20050504-gold.html</a><br><a href="http://books.google.co.za/books?hl=en&id=Px-LILS2sfYC&dq=gas+drilling&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=sBXnXPlQO9&sig=YB6DbzBujkOIPWvEZ4sKld3Q1DI&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=8&ct=result">http://books.google.co.za/books?hl=en&id=Px-LILS2sfYC&dq=gas+drilling&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=sBXnXPlQO9&sig=YB6DbzBujkOIPWvEZ4sKld3Q1DI&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=8&ct=result</a><br><a href="http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=124728">http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=124728</a><br><a href="http://www.propublica.org/feature/buried-secrets-is-natural-gas-drilling-endangering-us-water-supplies-1113/">http://www.propublica.org/feature/buried-secrets-is-natural-gas-drilling-endangering-us-water-supplies-1113/</a><br><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_47/b4109000334640.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily">http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_47/b4109000334640.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily</a><br><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Cj92H5aQTU">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Cj92H5aQTU</a>Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-66090134590737245932008-11-12T23:08:00.001-08:002008-11-21T01:00:39.129-08:00Nanomaterial turns radiation directly into electricityResearches have developed a new nanomaterial that can turn radiation <br>directly into electricity. This open the door to a range of new types <br>of small highly efficient nuclear reactors.<p>You can read the original article at <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13545-nanomaterial-turns-radiation-directly-into-electricity.html">http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13545-nanomaterial-turns-radiation-directly-into-electricity.html</a><p>RudolphRudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-64125196802371829512008-11-12T23:06:00.001-08:002008-11-21T01:01:00.950-08:00Dwarf planet's mysterious surface changesEris is the largest known object outside the orbit of neptune, <br>weighing a third more than pluto. It can therefore be seen as another <br>plutoid body or dwarf planet. Scientists have found it's icy surface <br>has changed dramatically during the last few months.<p>You can read the original article at <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16009-mysterious-changes-seen-on-distant-dwarf-planet.html">http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16009-mysterious-changes-seen-on-distant-dwarf-planet.html</a><p>RudolphRudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-4594977637393577862008-11-12T23:02:00.000-08:002008-11-21T01:01:25.508-08:00Oniphobic material repells dirtThere is an article about new materials being designed that can <br>actually repel dirt.<p>You can read the original article at <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16006-dirt-wont-stick-to-omniphobic-material.html">http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16006-dirt-wont-stick-to-omniphobic-material.html</a><p>RudolphRudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-48334592691213374572008-11-12T22:58:00.001-08:002008-11-21T01:01:44.026-08:00Indian probe set to impact moon surfaceAn Indian Impacter is set to hit the moon's surface sometime later <br>this week. The information gained from this experiment will help India <br>in it's own manned mission to the moon in 2010.<p>You can read the article at <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16015-tvsized-probe-to-strike-moons-surface.html">http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16015-tvsized-probe-to-strike-moons-surface.html</a><p>RudolphRudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-27096329762113617122008-11-12T22:50:00.000-08:002008-11-21T01:02:12.311-08:00Man made climate change may have prevented near permanent ice ageAnother view of human induced climate change is now appearing. Some <br>scientists (small percentage) believe that higher than normal levels <br>of CO2 are in fact preventing earth from going into a extremely severe <br>and long duration ice age!<p>You can read the article at <a href="http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16026-humans-may-have-prevented-super-ice-age.html">http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16026-humans-may-have-prevented-super-ice-age.html</a><p>It's always good to know both sides of the story.<p>RudolphRudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-88865717457140912782008-11-11T22:35:00.001-08:002008-11-21T01:02:39.701-08:00Backyard nuclear reactorsA company is building tiny nuclear reactors than can be set up in a <br>small neighborhood and provide electricity to homes in the area. You <br>can read more about it at <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5054950/backyard-nuclear-reactor-should-be-ready-to-ship-by-2013">http://gizmodo.com/5054950/backyard-nuclear-reactor-should-be-ready-to-ship-by-2013</a>Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-91751977234115278942008-11-06T00:53:00.000-08:002008-11-21T01:02:51.445-08:00Fussy MemoryThere is an article over that Scientific American on how memory tends <br>to become fuzzy the older they are and how a new study using 3000 <br>pictures shown to a group of people we recalled successfully over 90% <br>of the time. It may shed some light on how we remember things and can <br>help us improve the memories we have, which is kind of helpful in <br>everyday life.<p>The article can be found at<br><a href="http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=why-do-we-forget-things">http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=why-do-we-forget-things</a>Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-59554878275257682072008-11-04T07:09:00.001-08:002008-11-21T01:03:21.252-08:00Rainforest fungus for making biodieselBiodiesel is only really environmentally friendly if you can make it <br>from something which grows without a lot of inputs which in turn <br>produce greenhouse gasses and deplete resources. Some plants capable <br>of growing on marginal land are useful for this purpose but scientists <br>are looking toward third generation biodiesel technologies that can <br>use other materials now. One of these technologies use algae which are <br>plentiful in many highly eutrophic inland water bodies. The algae can <br>be harvested and converted to biodiesel with a few chemical steps <br>needed. Waste materials, like wood chips can also be converted to <br>either biodiesel or bio ethanol with the correct strains of <br>genetically engineered bacteria present.<p>Now scientists are looking at the use of fungi growing in forests as a <br>viable source of the raw materials needed to make biodiesel.<p>Feel free to have a look at what they are doing at the following site:<br>Physorg at <a href="http://www.physorg.com/news144958975.html">http://www.physorg.com/news144958975.html</a>Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-33518636558096813662008-11-04T07:02:00.001-08:002008-11-21T01:04:13.204-08:00Bamboo car<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cdEY-ouZBONuE4xXRy0unQucOC8dbkhSb2R0v-_ERfxFEyib68X6_FQPueGL7hK4wUWSw9wbZCUT-61rxa5tlEABqFhkPdC4gkLdSHWkAK02ZnymGynBQS6iHyc0Xo4-ZBaEtCl46cPx/s1600-h/bamgoo-767695.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cdEY-ouZBONuE4xXRy0unQucOC8dbkhSb2R0v-_ERfxFEyib68X6_FQPueGL7hK4wUWSw9wbZCUT-61rxa5tlEABqFhkPdC4gkLdSHWkAK02ZnymGynBQS6iHyc0Xo4-ZBaEtCl46cPx/s320/bamgoo-767695.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264818018198240690" /></a></p>There is another one of those inspirational, if somewhat whacky <br>stories in Japan where researchers from the Kyoto University has built <br>a electric car almost completely out of bamboo! Bamboo is a very <br>environmentally friendly material because it re-grows at an <br>astonishing rate! The single-seat "BamGoo" weighs about 130 pounds, <br>can only run about 30 miles on a charge, and probably won't pass any <br>safety tests, but it sure is cute! Let's just hope that there aren't <br>any wandering pandas about :-)Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1829507436331062384.post-1049244447878162412008-11-04T06:55:00.001-08:002008-11-21T01:04:38.108-08:00Plasma for waste disposal<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietwnyg4QpWxGb9_mWmHk5q9bs2zoyK5o-REGy4T3KHMSSWIw6VuoaWU7uAzzhdljg7m0aP_2OgjB6WE7qBXnWbd7iBGZsehJwnKO3WZ1WxiuNDuAx4xJGjasMJvPWkpbLN56CYjyWT80s/s1600-h/plasma_ball_cosmocurio-792542.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEietwnyg4QpWxGb9_mWmHk5q9bs2zoyK5o-REGy4T3KHMSSWIw6VuoaWU7uAzzhdljg7m0aP_2OgjB6WE7qBXnWbd7iBGZsehJwnKO3WZ1WxiuNDuAx4xJGjasMJvPWkpbLN56CYjyWT80s/s320/plasma_ball_cosmocurio-792542.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264816834189338066" /></a></p>We have already covered the use of plasma for the destruction of <br>hazardous wastes. I found an article about its use for household <br>waste. You can find the article at Scientific American's website at<p>Here is an extract of that article:<br>'Every year 130 million tons of America's trash ends up in landfills. <br>Together the dumps emit more of the greenhouse gas methane than any <br>other human-related source. But thanks to plasma technology, one <br>city's rotting rubbish will soon release far less methane—and provide <br>power for 50,000 homes—because of an innovation in plasma technology <br>backed by Atlanta-based Geoplasma.<p>Engineers have developed an efficient torch for blasting garbage with <br>a stream of<br>superheated gas, known as plasma. When trash is dropped into a chamber <br>and heated<br>to 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit, its organic components—food, fluids, <br>paper—vaporize into a hot, pressurized gas, which turns a turbine to <br>generate electricity. Steam, a by-product, can generate more. <br>Inorganic refuse such as metals condense at the bottom and can be used <br>in roadbeds and heavy construction.<p>Several small plasma plants exist around the world for industrial <br>processes, but Geoplasma is constructing the first U.S. plasma refuse <br>plant in St. Lucie County, Florida. The plant is scheduled to go <br>online by 2011; it will process 1,500 tons of garbage a day, sending <br>60 megawatts of electricity to the power grid (after using some to <br>power itself).<p>Emissions are far lower than in standard incineration, and the process <br>reduces landfill volume and methane release. Power prices are <br>projected to be on par with electricity from natural gas. The <br>difference, says Ron Roberts, St. Lucie County's assistant director of <br>solid waste, is that "you're getting rid of a problem and making it a <br>positive." 'Rudolphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11568467149121710807noreply@blogger.com