Saturday 30 April 2011

We'll need a new planet


During the last half century has increased dramatically, primarily energy consumption. If the trend continues until 2030. year will need another planet.

INVESTIGATION World Fund for Nature shows that humanity has for years not living in accordance with the possibilities. During the last half century has increased dramatically, primarily energy consumption. If the trend continues until 2030. year will need another planet!

Negative trends exist in multiple "fronts": on average, each resident spends one planet and a half times more than what nature can provide him. In industrialized countries the consumption is several times higher.

Then, one billion people lack drinking water. Since the seventies, then, in the world, a third, reduced the strength of the 2500 observed species in the tropics reduction is as high as two thirds! Seventy percent of all fish species endangered due to over-catch.

If the area of
​​the country was divided fairly and according to what nature can provide, each person would have a useful area of ​​1.8 global hectares. Since the seventies, however, consumption of humanity greatly exceeds the annual biocapacity countries to use 2.7 global hectares per capita. It is one and a half times more than what nature can provide.

In the last half century has drastically increased primarily energy consumption. It is growing rapidly and continues in countries such as China, India, Brazil and Russia.

- To meet the demand for food, energy and other natural resources is already practically need a different planet - said Eberhard Brandes from the German branch of the World Fund for Nature. - The prosperity in the developed world has paid the biological richness of other parts of the world, among others, tropical regions.

This is reflected in the human environment - in tropical areas the numbers of species, which are monitored, reduced by 60 percent in the moderate climate of 29 percent. Branders also showed a photograph - of the tropical forest in Sumatra, was set up camera-trap, which was supposed to save the tiger. The photograph shows bulldozer which clears a forest ...


How much who have

Especially luxurious living in the United Arab Emirates, where everyone has ten acres, and "belongs to him," and on the planet every 1.8 acres. Followed by Denmark, Belgium and the United States. Germany has five global hectares somewhere in the middle. On the back of East Timor, Bangladesh and Afghanistan with 0.5 global hectares. So a man already consumed by half biocapacity more than what is available. In addition, most developed countries live at the expense of underdeveloped countries and rapid development.

Friday 29 April 2011

New Galaxy’s


The space agency NASA said on its website photos unprecedented galaxies, asteroids and stars, recently recorded by telescopes WISE (Wide-field-Infrared Survey Explorer).

Thus, the infrared telescope, worth $ 350 million, managed to record 2.7 million pictures of the universe. Among them was found 33,000 never seen asteroids located between Mars and Jupiter. New footage found another twenty comets. NASA began the project by 14 December 2009 and now is unique in that it can scan the cosmos.

In response to the heat of heavenly bodies, the device can collect pictures and data about distant comets and asteroids that current telescopes were inattentive. Among the most famous discoveries is the giant Andromeda galaxy. This bluish oval is located two and a half million light years from us.

Approximately 57 percent of records, NASA has announced on the Internet, and finally research should be completed next spring.

But the advantages of this telescope were completed six months ago. For heat-sensitive devices in the function held a special liquid, which was missing last October, and since February this year the telescope is into "hibernation".

On NASA website you can see more images:  http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/WISE/main/index.html

Thursday 28 April 2011

Swearing relieve pain


Scientists found that swearing when you are in pain, may have the same effect as any painkiller.

Shouting curses when we are in pain is an old reflex that should not be ashamed of, because it allows us to really relieve the pain, according to a recent survey.

A group of scientists from the University of Kiel found that swearing can have the same effect as any painkiller that is especially effective in people who seldom utter simplicity.
To verify this theory, the researchers asked the volunteers to keep their hands in ice water and pushing all the time swearing.

Then they repeated the task, but this time with the pronunciation of the word innocuous.
It turns out that the volunteers with the swearing to much longer to hold his hand in ice water. The effect of swearing was four times higher in people who have the habit of the so expressed.

"People curse for centuries, it is practically a universal linguistic phenomenon", said Dr. Richard Stevens, who participated in this study, adding that the researchers tried to explain the reason of curses and their persistence.

Wednesday 27 April 2011

Drugs do not work in space

Research studies show that the long space missions, practically impossible, since all drugs in the universe are losing properties. We could "survive" only adrenaline and vitamins C and A.

The latest research could disperse the illusion that all are convinced that it is to send missions to Mars or building bases on the moon you only need to make bigger rockets and improve the taste of food from the tube. As the problem has proved something completely different - drugs.
 
The results of years of research have shown that drugs ranging from headaches to treatment - antibiotics, in space lose their properties and rapidly deteriorating.
 
When stored as directed, the drugs generally have to use about two years. And, some of the conditions that should be kept away from sunlight, moisture, or excessively high temperatures. But in the universe are, and astronauts and all that carry with them exposed to increased radiation, continuous mild or more vibration, and constant temperature and humidity vary.
 
To investigate this problem, scientists are sent into orbit four boxes with 35 different kinds of products. Boxes were placed on the International Space Station, while the Johnson Space Center left an identical set of drugs, but under controlled conditions. The boxes are coming back periodically. Some weeks after, another after two years and so have found that they all share a weakening effect, and that it is in the space station proceeded much faster.
 
The results obtained was very worrying, because it means that existing drugs do not survive long space missions. The only drugs that could, and then only partially, able to survive the adrenaline and vitamins C and A.

Tuesday 26 April 2011

Cells of mice for better vision


Several Japanese scientists managed to produce a retina in the laboratory from embryonic stem cells of mice’s. Scientific journal Nature reported that these cells are virtually able to transform themselves into were kind of specialized cells in the human body. The results, which have achieved scholars from Kobe in Japan may contribute to therapeutic research that are relevant to diseases of the eye that causes blindness in humans. As the possibility of renewal is given by injection visually impaired retinal cells produced by cells of the patient.

Sunday 24 April 2011

Bullet-resistant glasses

British troops will be given special glasses that are resistant to bullets. Polycarbonate glass protected by a layer whose composition is currently kept secret. And apart from bullets, soldiers protecting the eyes from sunlight, dust and shrapnel. Tests have shown that they can stop bullets fired from a distance of five meters. As accessories with this model are three types of glass: transparent, for viewing in the dark and for sun, and no one can obscure or damage.

Friday 22 April 2011

Eco bike made of nylon


This extraordinary bike is made up of nylon and is manufactured using ALM technology, the 3D printer enables cheap and organic production. It is stable and firm, like the aluminum or steel models, and does not need any special maintenance.
It is a revolution in production and so far the project is in testing phase, which is successfully brought to an end. ALM technology is developing rapidly, manufactured parts are up to 65 percent lighter than conventional products, but equally strong, which is planned to be used in the manufacture of aircrafts. Models that would be lighter to just one kilogram than standard during the "life cycle", it could save about $ 3500 on fuel and significantly reduce emissions. In this way could the products and household appliances, tools, office supplies

Wednesday 20 April 2011

Elephant from prehistory

Skull and tusks of enormous primitive elephant, who died two million years ago, they found construction workers in Chile. Mastodon, the approximate size of today's elephants, probably lived in forests and plains, before it died and sank into the swamp, which has preserved its remains.

Found parts of animals could help scientists to gather more information about the DNA that share the elephants with their much larger cousins, woolly mammoth. It could also be gathered to new discoveries about the origin of elephants.

To the skull and tusks came up during the construction of hydropower plants along the river near the capital of Chile, Santiago. Digging into the depth, the workers noticed 121 centimeters long and 15.24 wide tusks. Then they called paleontologists, who after further digging, found the first complete skull of a mastodon.

When we started digging, we realized that there is something else besides the tusks - says Rafael Labarca the Chilean Institute. - The entire skull is of one piece and in perfect condition, with all the teeth and tusks. Within the skull, we found part of the vertebra, which was once part of the spine.

Mastodon were great as today's elephants, but they had more muscle and fur, which protected them from cold. Fossil evidence shows that they lived in Africa about fifty million years.

First animals, which resembled pigs with tusks, have evolved into a series of new species. Some of them were much larger, spread across the globe, settling every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Trilofodon with four tusks, appeared before 26 million years ago and lived up to two million years ago in Eurasia, Africa, and North America.

Modern humans are, by comparison, began to inhabit the planet 200,000 years ago.

Evolution and extinction of most modern species of elephants, were connected, presumably, with the spread of the human race. Most of the remains of mastodon, found in North America.

Few are found in the southern part of the continent. One of the greatest discoveries occurred 1993rd in Diamond Velija, lake outside Hemet, California. There is a lot of remains found, then this place is named Valley of the mastodons.

In July 2007. The west of Athens, were discovered mastodon tusk length 4.8 meters, each weighing a ton.

MAMMOTH - the next of kin the largest of all elephants, mammoth, which was accustomed to cold in Eurasia, Africa and North America, two million years ago. It is believed that these animals are the closest relatives of modern elephants. Mammoths and mastodons, they lived up to two million years ago, and is considered to have been the first known people.

Monday 18 April 2011

Artificial uterus

The Japanese managed to create an artificial uterus from acrylic, and the Americans into practice the idea of ​​creating an artificial uterus from human cells. Implementation of this project to people is expected over the next five years.

World in due time may not walk pregnant men, although scientists are trying to implement in practice what is Arnold Schwarzenegger, an upset stomach "to the teeth," demonstrated in the movie "Junior", but the baby, according to how far advanced research, for the most five years will be able to grow - in artificial wombs.
In three of the world's center is currently working on three ideas about creating an artificial womb, and women who have no uterus, giving hope to be able to become mothers.

- Scientists at the University "May Tent" in Japan, the longest work on this project, they managed to create an artificial womb incubator of 40 to 25 inches, with synthetic amniotic fluid (artificial fetus with water) and a system that provides sufficient oxygen and nutrients for life fruit - explains Dr. Slobodan Radulovic, an obstetrician gynecologist. - In utero incubator, made of special plastic, acrylic, physics and chemistry is absolutely neutral, raised by several offspring animals, mostly goats. In such an environment, the offspring were increased more than 10 days, and scientists hope that by the end manage to make an artificial womb.
Researchers' Kirnel "universities in America different technique - culturing lining of the uterus outside the body, women were given several layers of mucous membrane of sufficient width to create an artificial womb. Their idea is to create an artificial uterus from human cells and embedded in a woman's body. The most significant project is implemented in the "Temple" University in the USA, where he went the furthest in the creation of artificial amniotic fluid, in which the fruit can not live without harmful effects, which is a project about the artificial uterus important.

- The highest use of an artificial womb, when the project comes to life the people, will have in premature babies who are too young for the incubator - says Radu. - A baby who is born after 24 weeks of pregnancy has become routine to modern medicine can preserve life, but a problem if the baby is born before. Artificial womb would be held in the life of a baby born at 15 weeks. It would be up to 24 weeks of growing in an artificial womb, and then in the incubator. Women due to primary diseases, such as women on dialysis, unable to carry the child, with the artificial womb may be born child.

If the practice achieve Japanese design artificial uterus in the foreseeable future will be found among "classic" incubators in hospitals, and comes to life when the idea of ​​U.S. researchers implant women are routinely, as is now transplanted kidneys or hearts.

- It is assumed that this will revitalize itself in people over the next five years - says Radu. - Artificial uterus is a logical continuation of the development of medicine in this Moraga. It will cause resistance to the public, as was resistance against the first test-tube babies. 20 years ago, a tremendous roar of opposition caused the project test-tube baby, and so far in the world in this way was born more than a million children.

Saturday 16 April 2011

Computer the size of outlet

The company "Globalspace" presented the smallest known computer, the sound of the name "drimplag"

The smallest known computer produced
company "Globalspace”. Their little boy, sounding name "drimplag" how big is a standard slot, but hides a "lion heart". It starts "Marvel lark" ARM processor 1.2 GHz with 512 MB ​​RAM and 16 GB of flash memory. This configuration allows more than enough to work on computer graphics and multimedia applications.

He also has two Gigabit LAN ENTERNET inputs, two USB 2.0 and one eSATA port and an SD card. This device supports "bluetooth 2.1 EDR, " Fay-Wye connection. It has built-in 16-bit ADC / DAC, as well as stereo outputs and inputs for microphones and speakers. Consumption of this computer is only five watts.

Thursday 14 April 2011

Scientists bred cows that produce human milk


Babies could soon be fed with human milk, which is a product of genetically modified cows. Scientists have bred 300 animals that were given human genes, in order that their milk contains the same nutrients and fats such as from human breast milk, according to Daily Mail. Scientists believe that the product is genetically modified cows could be an alternative to the conventional formula to mothers for food for children.

However, scientists have condemned the move by critics who question the safety of this method.

Human milk differs from cow in that it contains large amounts of nutrients, which are beneficial for growth and immune system of babies. Cow's milk has less fat and less carbohydrates, and contains antibodies that protect against disease.

Professor Li Ning, who led the research at the Chinese University of Agriculture, said that the milk of genetically modified cows milk as safe as ordinary.

"Milk modified cow has a stronger taste than usual. For ten years people will be able to buy in the supermarket," said Li.

"We have to make some rules that will serve to preserve human health. This milk could pose a risk to us is not yet known. Cow's milk will never be like a human," said Patty Randall, member of the campaign, "Baby Milk Action."

Professor Li and his team used the technology of cloning using human genes that are instilled into the DNA of Holstein cows.

One type of genetically modified cows milk contains lysozyme, antimicrobial protein that protects babies from infection. Scientists have bred cows whose milk contains human lactoferrin, a protein that enhances the immune system.

The third human protein alpha-lactalbumin is also present in milk. Professor Li said that his team had increased the amount of fat in cow's milk by a fifth, and that it has done very similar to human.

Critics, however, argue that the growing of genetically modified cows negative to animals. In two experiments in China in which 42 cows were born, they survived only 26th Ten of them died after birth, and six more in the next six months.

Rules in China relating to genetically modified foods are less strict than European. British scientists believe that this research could be very useful.

Modified milk could improve sales cows in Asia, where nine out of ten people do not tolerate lactose, so they can not consume cow's milk, and later do not suffer from stomach aches and cramps.

Tuesday 12 April 2011

Never bigger the ozone hole over the Earth

Hole in the ozone layer has reached a record size of the Arctic because of the influence of harmful chemicals and cold winters, the information is published by the World Meteorological Organization, reports AP.

Earth's ozone layer over the Arctic has suffered a loss of 40 percent since the beginning of winter until the end of March, more than last year's loss of 30 percent, the results released by the World Meteorological Organization.

Organizations located in Geneva for the loss of ozone has blamed the harmful chemicals and very low temperatures in the stratosphere.

Due to variable time and temperature in some arctic winter is not nearly to the no ozone loss, and sometimes cold temperatures in the stratosphere related to ozone in huge losses, according to the UN's experts.

This year's winter in the Arctic was warmer than average, while temperatures in the stratosphere were lower than normal. Experts say that ozone losses were not totally unexpected, and was calculated by looking at the ground and from balloons and satellites over the Arctic.

Under the Montreal Protocol to gradually reduce emissions of harmful substances used in refrigerators and aerosol and the VMO hopes to be the 2030th and 2040th The ozone layer outside the polar regions rebuild and get on the same level as before the 1980th year.

For the Antarctic the predictions range from the 2045th and 2060th year, while it is expected that the ozone over the Arctic back to normal for ten to 20 years later.

Sunday 10 April 2011

Mars space suit

The prototype garment for a trip to a neighboring planet will cost $ 100,000 and is made of 350 material. Optimistic forecasts that the expedition to the "red planet" will be available for 20 years.

Model NDX-1, which was designed by an Argentine engineer Pablo de Leon, can withstand very low temperatures and the wind blows up to 75 miles per hour. Among various materials, of which clothing is made, there are the bee hive and carbon fiber, which significantly reduces the weight of clothes, and hold resistance to environmental influences. Extreme conditions in the Argentine Antarctic base is most similar to those experienced by astronauts can expect on Mars, and NASA is why I chose this place for the tests ahead of his trip to the "red planet". The mission is called "Mars Marambio" by the name of the Argentine base in Antarctica. NASA scientists trained in the prototype garment independently walk through the valley and collect soil samples. "This is the first time we suit underwent such extremes. That something went wrong, the astronauts would be in big trouble. It was a risky simulation possible expedition to Mars, "said De Leon after a week" adventure "and said the suit he was wearing under pressure" very claustrophobic. ""Antarctica is one of the few remaining places on our planet that is not polluted. On Mars, there are deserts with temperatures and winds like those in Antarctica, so this was an ideal expedition, "said De Leon.

There is no end of obstacles

President Barack Obama announced last year that the 2030th be possible to send astronauts into orbit Mars and to return safely after their stay on this planet. In view of the NASA budget cuts, it appears that Obama and more than optimistic forecasts. Three years ago, the report states that NASA will fly to neighboring planets will be possible only 2037th De Leon hopes his suit, or at least parts be used when a man first setting foot on Mars. More since 1947. U.S., USSR, Europe and Japan proposed various projects in connection with sending humans to Mars. With the latest technology to reach the "red planet", and then the expedition returned to Earth, it is almost three years and the first of several major obstacles to the food supply.