Scientists make 'thermometer' to assess Earth's healthOctober 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists at Tel Aviv University (TAU) in Israel have developed what is literally a 'thermometer' for the Earth, which would assess the health of our planet. Known as the "Optical Soil Dipstick" (OSD), the instrument has been developed by Professor Eyal Ben-Dor of TAU's Department of Geography, along with his team.
Pak will act against Saeed in accordance with evidence: GilaniSeptember 22nd, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that action against Jamaat-ud-Dawa Chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, would only be taken based on evidence gathered against him. Interacting with media persons on the sidelines of a program in Multan, Gilani said action against Saeed would be taken in accordance with the evidence, which clearly implies that Islamabad is unlikely to take any substantial action against the terrorist leader.
World's most advanced CT scanner to see through solidsSeptember 11th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers at The University of Nottingham, UK, have created the most advanced 3D X-ray micro Computed Tomography (CT) scanner in the world, which will help scientists from a wide variety of departments across the University literally see through solid materials, including soil. Known as the 'Nanotom', the machine will make previously difficult and laborious research much easier as it allows researchers to probe inside objects without having to break into them.
Planets have to be about the size of Earth to be conducive for lifeSeptember 7th, 2009 LONDON - In a new research, it has been determined that rocky worlds have to be about the size of Earth to be conducive for life. According to a report in New Scientist, the discovery of extrasolar super-Earths - rocky planets about five to ten times the mass of Earth - has raised hopes that some may harbour life.
Methane under permafrost could speed up global warming 20-foldSeptember 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Melting permafrost in arctic regions, triggered by global warming, will release underground methane. Once released, methane would speed up global warming by trapping the earths heat radiation about 20 times more efficiently than the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide.
China tries to calm unease over curbs on rare earths exports but says limits neededSeptember 2nd, 2009 China tries to calm unease over rare earths curbsBEIJING — A Chinese official tried to calm unease about curbs on exports of rare earths used in clean energy products and superconductors, saying Thursday that sales will continue but must be limited to reduce damage to China's environment. China produces nearly all the rare earths used in batteries for hybrid cars, mobile phones, superconductors, lightweight magnets and other high-tech products.
Homeland Security: Democratic senators wrongly took credit for projects, politics not a factorAugust 29th, 2009 DHS: Senators wrongly took credit for moneyWASHINGTON — The Obama administration said Friday that two Democratic senators falsely took credit for steering millions of dollars to projects in their home state, even as officials acknowledged that the Homeland Security secretary met with the lawmakers and discussed financing the projects. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano denies politics played any role in distributing stimulus money.
Homeland Security: Dem. senators didn't influence stimulus projects, politics not a factorAugust 29th, 2009 DHS: Senators did not influence stimulus decisionsWASHINGTON — The Obama administration said Friday that two Democratic senators falsely took credit for steering millions of dollars to projects in their home state, even as officials acknowledged that the Homeland Security secretary met with the lawmakers and discussed financing the projects. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano denies politics played any role in distributing stimulus money.
Planet-hunting telescope sees three alien worldsAugust 7th, 2009 LONDON - The planet-hunting Kepler space telescope has found its first extrasolar planets, in the form of three alien worlds that had been previously discovered with ground-based telescopes. According to a report in New Scientist, the finds confirm that Kepler's instruments are sensitive enough to detect Earth-like planets around sun-like stars.
Ozone and nitrogen change the way rising CO2 affects Earth's waterJuly 10th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A team of NASA-funded researchers have found that future concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone in the atmosphere and of nitrogen in the soil are likely to have an important but overlooked effect on the cycling of water from sky to land to waterways. With the help of a modeling experiment, the researchers concluded that models of climate change may be underestimating how much water is likely to run off the land and back into the sea as atmospheric chemistry changes.
Scientists closer to developing salt-tolerant cropsJuly 8th, 2009 SYDNEY - Scientists have developed salt-tolerant plants using a new type of genetic modification (GM). The results could impact food production and security, since salinity affects agriculture worldwide.
Earth's highest microbial life found around volcanic vents in Atacama DesertJune 20th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A team of scientists has found that the highest microbial life on Earth appears to be in South America, around vents near the rim of the Socompa volcano, which sits on the border between Argentina and Chile in the Atacama Desert. The newfound creatures, at a height of almost 19,850 feet (6,050 meters) above sea level, are the highest-altitude microbial communities known, Steve Schmidt, a microbiologist at the University of Colorado at Boulder, US, told National Geographic News.
Changing climate will lead to devastating loss of phosphorus from soilApril 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - In a new research, scientists have found climate change will lead to a devastating loss of phosphorus from soil. The research was done by scientists from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)-funded North Wyke Research.
Chemists develop first accurate test for arsenic in soilApril 5th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Analytical chemists have developed the first accurate test for arsenic compounds in soil, providing improved environmental and health impact assessment, and for detecting high arsenic levels in some Asian rice supplies. The test was conducted by analytical chemist Julian Tyson and colleagues at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the US.
Reuse water can help golf courses stay greenMarch 22nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new research has determined that by taking advantage of reuse water, the golf industry can maintain their courses more effectively, and help them stay green.o far, golf course superintendents have expressed concerns over the use of reuse water because of hidden costs associated with the practice. These hidden costs include: foliar damage to ornamental plants, decline in water quality and aesthetic value of irrigation ponds and water features, related damage to equipment, long-term salt buildup in soil, and increased levels of turfgrass stress.
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