Clipmarks | kmcolo's 'science' clips

International law should govern release of GM mosquitoes

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:20:35 GMT

clipped by: kmcolo
clipper's remarks: This brings up an interesting point - what is the role of the nation state as the world "internationalizes"? What good are EPA regulations when we breath polluted air from China? What good are European regulations on CO2 when the U.S. wont regulate? How does the U.S. compete in stem cell research when it has restrictions on funding? The nation state is no longer the venue for prevention of things like cloning, bacterial engineering, genetic selection, GM foods, etc. We may restrict cloning in the States, but then cloning moves to Mexico or China.

Clip Source: www.nature.com

Your News story 'Sterile mosquitoes near take-off' (Nature 453, 435; 2008) discusses the likely release of genetically engineered mosquitoes to help contain dengue fever. It demonstrates just how close we are to a radically new set of strategies for managing a whole range of diseases and wildlife using genetically modified organisms (GMOs). But after assessing the risks and benefits, nations may reach different conclusions about their use. And that's quite a problem, considering that genetically modified bugs won't recognize national borders.

Nations have a right to decide the technological risks to which they expose themselves. The factors in decision-making here will not be only the simple ones of uncontested science — this is politics, and appropriately so. The potential for conflict over self-dispersing GMOs demands the attention of international law.

Tags: science, society, international, globalization

Planetary science: The early Moon was rich in water

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:11:54 GMT

clipped by: kmcolo

Clip Source: www.nature.com

The Moon's chemical composition differs from Earth's. It is enriched by a factor of two to three in refractory elements (those that condense first from a high-temperature gas) such as aluminium, calcium and titanium; most easily vaporized (that is, volatile) elements, such as sodium and potassium, are rare; and it is considered to be almost devoid of water¹. The partial loss of all but the least volatile elements is generally thought to be a signature of the lunar forming event. High temperatures were reached in the debris ejected when a Mars-sized body hit the 30-million-year-old proto-Earth. On page 192 of this issue, Saal et al.² present data counter to this classic image of lunar geochemistry. They show that some parts of the lunar mantle may contain a few hundred or even a few thousand parts per million (p.p.m.) of water.

Tags: science, moon, planets, space

Insights into the Pathogenesis of Autism

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:43:37 GMT

clipped by: kmcolo

Clip Source: www.sciencemag.org

GENETICS:
Insights into the Pathogenesis of Autism

James S. Sutcliffe

Genetic analysis of inbred families reveals genes associated with susceptibility to autism.

Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232-8548, USA. E-mail: james.s.sutcliffe@vanderbilt.edu

Tags: genetics, science, autism

Nanotech: Metal self-assembly

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:49:34 GMT

clipped by: kmcolo
clipper's remarks: Truly amazing. The is a wondrous revolution happening that will make a huge impact on our lives right now.

Clip Source: esciencenews.com

For 5,000 years or so, the only way to shape metal has been to "heat and beat." Even in modern nanotechnology, working with metals involves carving with electron beams or etching with acid. Now, Cornell researchers have developed a method to self-assemble metals into complex nanostructures.

Tags: technology, nanotechnology, science

Designing trans-disciplinary research: policy formulation for sustainable agriculture

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:25:54 GMT

clipped by: kmcolo

Clip Source: www.sciencedirect.com

The article shows how existing multidisciplinary studies on sustainable agricultural development can be joined into a trans-disciplinary approach.

The specific application of the developed method on agricultural development in Belgium, has revealed the need for crossing system boundaries within research, articulation of definitions on sustainable development, development of a coherent sustainability labelling policy and increasing the access to nation wide data both for researchers and policy makers.

Tags: science, policy

Ocean life under threat from climate change

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:55:59 GMT

clipped by: kmcolo

Clip Source: 7thspace.com

The international science community must devote more resources to research into the effects climate change is having on ocean environments, according to a paper published today in the journal Science by researchers at CSIRO’s Climate Adaptation National Research Flagship.

“There is an overwhelming bias toward land-surface studies which arise in part because investigating the ocean realm is generally difficult, resource-intensive and expensive,” they said.

“Climate change is affecting ocean temperatures, the supply of nutrients from the land, ocean chemistry, food chains, shifts in wind systems, ocean currents and extreme events such as cyclones,”

Dr Richardson said the situation is made more urgent as emerging evidence suggests marine organisms may be responding faster to climate change than land-based plants and animals.

“While understanding impacts of climate change in the oceans is important, ultimately we need to develop adaptation options as the knowledge-base expands,”

Tags: climate change, global warming, ocean

Beat Jetlag by Fasting

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:45:57 GMT

clipped by: kmcolo
clipper's remarks: Waiting 12 to 20 hours for your "breakfast" will reset your internal clock.

Clip Source: www.sciencefriday.com

It's been known for years that the brains of many organisms incorporate a 'circadian clock,' a biological timekeeping mechanism that connects the body's rhythms to external light levels.

Writing this week in the journal Science, researchers report that mice seem to have a second, independent circadian clock that connects to food consumption -- and it can overrule the regular light-based clock.

The food-synced clock, the researchers believe, could be used in nature to help animals adjust to hard times. "This new timepiece enables animals to switch their sleep and wake schedules in order to maximize their opportunity of finding food,"

Tags: science, podcast, science friday, diet, sleep, jetlag

Looking Inside the Brain with fMRI

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:41:31 GMT

clipped by: kmcolo

Clip Source: www.sciencefriday.com

What's really going on inside your head when you make a decision, make a mistake, or have a few drinks? In this segment, Ira and guests talk about new research involving the field of functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI. The technique allows researchers to monitor the blood flow through parts of the brain as it responds to stimuli, allowing researchers to monitor which parts of the brain are active and which are resting.

Tags: fmri, brain, neuroscience, podcast, science friday, science

Adaptive Capacity

Mon, 05 May 2008 18:03:13 GMT

clipped by: kmcolo

Clip Source: www.resalliance.org

Adaptive capacity in ecological systems is related to genetic diversity, biological diversity, and the heterogeneity of landscape mosaics (Carpenter et al. 2001a, Peterson et al. 1998, Bengtsson et al. 2002).

In social systems, the existence of institutions and networks that learn and store knowledge and experience, create flexibility in problem solving and balance power among interest groups play an important role in adaptive capacity (Scheffer et al. 2000, Berkes et al. 2002).

Systems with high adaptive capacity are able to re-configure themselves without significant declines in crucial functions in relation to primary productivity, hydrological cycles, social relations and economic prosperity. A consequence of a loss of resilience, and therefore of adaptive capacity, is loss of opportunity, constrained options during periods of re-organisation and renewal, an inability of the system to do different things.

Tags: science, social science, ecology, economics, governance

Evolution: Birds from Dinosaurs

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 23:54:06 GMT

clipped by: kmcolo
clipper's remarks: That is if you believe that sort of thing.

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

Tests Confirm T. Rex Kinship With Birds

In the first analysis of proteins extracted from dinosaur bones, scientists say they have established more firmly than ever that the closest living relatives of the mighty predator Tyrannosaurus rex are modern birds.

The research, being published Friday in the journal Science, yielded the first molecular data confirming the widely held hypothesis of a close dinosaur-bird ancestry, the American scientific team reported. The link was previously suggested by anatomical similarities.

In fact, the scientists said, T. rex shared more of its genetic makeup with ostriches and chickens than with living reptiles, like alligators. On this basis, the research team has redrawn the family tree of major vertebrate groups, assigning the dinosaur a new place in evolutionary relationships.

Tags: biology, science, dinosaurs, birds, evolution

Solar System 'look-alike' found

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:58:07 GMT

clipped by: kmcolo

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Astronomers have discovered a planetary system orbiting a distant star which looks much like our own.

Tags: science, space, planets

Hackers Test Voting Machines

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:10:46 GMT

clipped by: kmcolo

Clip Source: www.sciencefriday.com

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Researchers in California were asked by state officials to try to hack into several different types of electronic voting devices certified for use in California. We'll talk with the leader of the electronic 'red team' hacking effort about what the team found. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Tags: podcast, science friday, politics, technology

The Placebo Effect: New Research

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:09:26 GMT

clipped by: kmcolo

Clip Source: www.sciencefriday.com

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The placebo effect --when a sham medication actually produces a real medical effect in a patient -- is one of the more intriguing phenomena in medical science. But what actually happens in the brain when you take a placebo? In this segment, Ira talks with a researcher using brain imaging studies to try to track down the root of the placebo effect. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Tags: podcast, science friday, health, psychology

New Frontiers In Wireless Energy Transfer

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:07:50 GMT

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Clip Source: www.sciencefriday.com

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Move over Tesla - wireless energy transfer is making a move. In this segment, Ira talks with a researcher who lit up a 60-watt bulb from seven feet away -- with no wires. He thinks he's on to a way that laptops and cell phones could recharge themselves. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Electric power was transmitted from the coil structure at left to the coil and attached lightbulb at right without wires. Aristeidis Karalis, MIT

Tags: podcast, science friday, energy, power

Small And Unsafe? Concerns About Nanotechnology

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 13:06:04 GMT

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Clip Source: www.sciencefriday.com

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How safe are nanoscale materials -- and how strong are the regulations that cover them? A former EPA administrator talks with Ira about why he thinks the agency is not prepared to protect the environment -- and us -- from any hazards that nanotechnology might produce. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Tags: podcast, science friday, nanotechnology, health

Clipmarks | kmcolo's 'science' clips

International law should govern release of GM mosquitoes

Planetary science: The early Moon was rich in water

Insights into the Pathogenesis of Autism

GENETICS:Insights into the Pathogenesis of Autism

Nanotech: Metal self-assembly

Designing trans-disciplinary research: policy formulation for sustainable agriculture

Ocean life under threat from climate change

Beat Jetlag by Fasting

Looking Inside the Brain with fMRI

Adaptive Capacity

Evolution: Birds from Dinosaurs

Solar System 'look-alike' found

Hackers Test Voting Machines

Listen:

Tools:

The Placebo Effect: New Research

Listen:

Tools:

New Frontiers In Wireless Energy Transfer

Listen:

Tools:

Small And Unsafe? Concerns About Nanotechnology

Listen:

Tools:

GENETICS:
Insights into the Pathogenesis of Autism