We’ve all heard the dangers of climate change causing oceans to rise, hurricanes and tornadoes. But what about heat stress -- when it becomes too hot and humid for humans to survive? Janine Young from New Scientist reports that Steven Sherwood at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia looked at climate change from this perspective and found some alarming results. Also the material currently used to make touchscreens is running out and the race is on to find more of it or to develop new touchscreen technology to help meet the growing demand.
Janine Young from New Scientist reports that climate change is causing the Earth to crumble, literally. Rock avalanches and landslides have become more common in high mountain ranges and appear to coincide with the increase in warm periods. Studies have shown that a similar strain occurred at the end of the last ice age, approximately 10,000 years ago and the events were catastrophic. Plus a group of environmental economists have put a cash value on nature. This aims to highlight the economic value of conservation, particularly in the eyes of politicians. While not all ecosystems have an easily defined value, the figures do provide an indication of the immediate economic benefits of biodiversity.
Janine Young from New Scientist reports on the planned city of PlanIT Valley, on the outskirts of Paredes in Portugal is aiming to be the first fully-built environmentally sustainable city. Plus a new microphone system will allow broadcasters to zoom in on sounds, to pick out a single conversation in a packed stadium.
Janine Young from New Scientist reports that when it comes to conservation efforts, plants have generally attracted far less attention than their more photogenic counterparts like tigers and pandas. However, the publication this week of the first list of extinction risks for the worlds’ plants, hopes to change this.
Janine Young from New Scientist reports that the stegosaurus could be stripped of its name like its cousin, the brontosaurus. Plus what if we could produce fuels at the same rate we burn them? While we’re not quite able to do this yet, there are some innovative carbon capturing solutions already in place.
Janine Young from New Scientist looks at scientific ideas that turn out to be world changing. Most ideas seem quite improbable at the outset, but there are those rare ideas that really do go on to the change the world. Also Cane Toads -- The cane toad’s invasion of Australia hasn’t had the devastating ecological impact that was predicted.
Janine Young from New Scientist says that rusting ships on the seabed will soon be gushing millions of tonnes of oil into the oceans, potentially making the Deepwater Horizon accident look small. Also research suggests that our internal monologues could have a significant influence on how we perceive the world and how we categorise and remember objects.
Janine Young from New Scientist reports on research into the grisly area of hangings that could play a significant role in court cases where prison officers are accused of negligence or foul play. The research is shedding light on what happens when someone hangs themselves and the time in which death can result. Plus research that shows there are other factors that play a role in how quickly Arctic ice is melting.
Janine Young from New Scientist reports that scientists may have found the answer to the world’s energy crisis – urine. Also A study by the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in Princeton, New Jersey, has found phytoplankton – microscopic plants that turn the ocean a murky colour – encourage cyclones. Don’t forget to check out the competition: New scientist and MythBusters have teamed up to give one lucky person the chance to have their very own myth tested on series 8 of MythBusters, to be shown on Discovery Channel early 2011.
Janine Young reports on recent research that shows the size of the human brain isn’t all that special & the time honoured approaches to treat fevers could be misguided and potentially life-threatening. For more go to NewScientist.com
