America's North Shore Journal » Hard Science
Why Is There an Electricity Shortage in Japan?
As the Tokyo Electric Company continues rolling blackouts and electric users try to reduce energy consumption, the question becomes: Why is Japan short of electricity? The easy answer is that nearly 20% of the operating nuclear power plants in Japan are shut down, due to the earthquake and the tsunami. The more complex answer involves the convoluted history of electrical power in Japan and the Japanese electrical grid. Perhaps alone among modern nations, Japan has a divided … Read entire article »
Filed under: Disasters, Earthquake Japan, Hard Science, Original writing, Reporting, Science, Tech
Smart Grid Application
Southern Company teams up with EPRI to develop a Smart Grid project to demonstrate a broad array of technologies. The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI) conducts research and development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the public. An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its scientists and engineers as well as experts from academia and industry to help address challenges in electricity, including reliability, efficiency, health, safety and the environment. EPRI also provides technology, policy and economic analyses to drive long-range research and development planning, and supports research in emerging technologies. EPRI’s members represent more than 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, and international participation extends to 40 countries. EPRI’s principal offices and laboratories are located … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hard Science, Science, Tech
Monitoring Conditions at Misawa Air Base
The Bioenvironmental Engineering Department at Misawa Air Base stepped up its efforts to ensure local water and air conditions remain within standards, March 21. The department’s field team is conducting frequent tests of atmospheric radiation levels and water contamination to ensure the safety of service and family members as efforts continue on base in support of Operation Tomodachi. “We have not detected any changes in either air or water, but we will continue to constantly monitor,” said … Read entire article »
Filed under: Disasters, Earthquake Japan, Hard Science, Military, Science
NY National Guard Troops Survive Antarctica and NZ Quake
I saw some of these guys at work in the wreckage of Christchurch on New Zealand TV a couple of days ago. All 26 members of the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing, currently deployed in support of Operation Deep Freeze, are safe and unharmed after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck the New Zealand capitol of Christchurch today. The Air Guard wing will remain in Christchurch and are scheduled to begin returning home this week … Read entire article »
Filed under: Disasters, Hard Science, Military
Navy Railgun Test Part 2
The Navy is still testing railguns, really really fast railguns. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) achieved a milestone Dec. 10 when it successfully conducted a world-record 33-megajoule shot of the Electromagnetic Railgun aboard Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division. “Today’s railgun test demonstrates the tactical relevance of this technology, which could one day complement traditional surface ship combat systems,” said Rear Adm. Nevin Carr, chief of naval research. “The 33-megajoule shot means the Navy can fire projectiles … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hard Science, Military, Science, Tech
Tracking the wildlife in Guantanamo Bay
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay is the oldest overseas U.S. Naval base, the only base located in a country with which the U.S. does not maintain diplomatic relations, and is home to the Joint Task Force Guantanamo detention facility. All this information is easily found on the Internet, but there is another side to GTMO that is not as easily found by typing “Guantanamo Bay” into a search engine: The base is also a wildlife refuge, providing protection for a variety of fluffy and scaly creatures that do not have the chance to flourish on the rest of the island. For the past 10 years, Dr. Peter Tolson, director of conservation and research at the Toledo Zoo, has been visiting Guantanamo Bay to conduct research on some of the reptile species that … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hard Science, Military, Science
Catholic Church to Support and Fund Adult Stem Cell Research
A high ranking Cardinal has announced that the Vatican, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, has agreed to work with the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine by funding research into the medical uses of adult stem cells. An Associated Press report states the Catholic Church will be making an initial donation to the project in the amount of 2 million euros or $2.7 million. The University describes the initiative as exploring "the therapeutic potential of intestinal stem cells". Such research is believed to have potential for the treatment of bowel conditions such as celiac disease. Stem cells exist in every adult’s body. They are cells that that can reproduce themselves throughout a life time. The cells that make up most of the … Read entire article »
Filed under: Catholic Church, Hard Science, Religion, Science
Antarctica challenges Air Force every year
While the U.S. East Coast feels the closest it has come in many years to “extreme” weather, some service members are facing real cold as they support the National Science Foundation’s efforts in Antarctica. Air Force Col. Paul Sheppard, commander of the 13th Air Expeditionary Group and deputy commander of Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, provided details of the mission from McMurdo Station, Antarctica, on the Pentagon Channel podcast, “Armed with Science: Research and Applications for the Modern Military.” Sheppard discussed Operation Deep Freeze and the major contributions by service members in support of the National Science Foundation, including coordinating strategic and tactical airlift, sealift, emergency response and aeromedical evacuation. “Operation Deep Freeze started with the Navy in the mid-’50s and is a military-centric operation on the continent of Antarctica,” Sheppard said. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hard Science, Military, Science
Protecting sea turtles at Guantanamo
Whether it is on land, in the air or in the surrounding waters, all creatures big and small share the living space with service members and residents of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay – this is also true of sea turtles. There are several species of sea turtles that can be found in the waters surrounding the naval station. They include the leatherback, loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles. “Because of the unique position the base is in, we can see these turtles spawn year round,” said Mike McCord, U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay environmental director. Service members and residents who take advantage of snorkeling or diving can see sea turtles on a regular basis. Some may even happen upon a nest of eggs or newly-hatched turtles while on the beach. On Dec. 12, 2009, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hard Science, Military, Science
Coming Soon: Future Posts
- Declaration of War 1812 (in 129 days)
- USS President vs HMS Belvidera (in 134 days)
- General Hull Invades Canada (in 153 days)
- First Battle of Sacketts Harbor (in 160 days)
On Y!CN
- Radioactive Gravel from Japanese Nuke Disaster Used in Buildings
- Fuel Supplies Reach Nome
- Fuel Convoy Reaches Nome
- Russians Sail to Rescue of Ice Bound Alaska Community
- Pope Embraces Anglicans in U.S. with New Ordinariate
- Nebraska Nuke Plant Placed on Special Inspection Status
- Radioactive Water Leaks at Japanese Nuke Site
- Japan Damaged Nuke Plants Still Not Under Control
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