America's North Shore Journal » 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
UK e. coli oputbreak ignored for a month
It has emerged health officials knew about the outbreak among people who visited the farm days before it was closed to the public. The Health Protection Agency became aware of the outbreak in late August after cases were traced to the farm. The farm, which is a popular destination for families, was closed when a pattern was established as the number of infected children rose. All the sick children are aged under 10. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) says 36 cases have been reported so far. The outbreak is believed to have started on 8 August. The bacteria causes diarrhoea and can lead to kidney failure, especially in young children. It is fatal in very rare cases. HPA spokesman Dr Graham Bickler said it was one of the largest outbreaks seen in the UK. BBC More … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hard Science, Medicine, Science
Neanderthals topic of cave dig
Teeth and bones from late Ice Age animals, including hyenas, deer and woolly rhinos, have been discovered by archaeologists at a cave in Devon. The dig at Kents Cavern, Torquay, also unearthed a 15,000-year-old spearpoint, known as a “sagaie”, which is made from reindeer antler from the same era. The spearpoint is thought to be the first complete one found in the UK. The dig, organised by the University of Durham and the University of Sheffield, is part of a study into Neanderthals. BBC More at the link … Read entire article »
Filed under: Hard Science, Science
Need to Quit Smoking? Survivor Style Solution
Pity the poor sheep. A businessman who has smoked 30-a-day for decades is to maroon himself on a remote Scottish island in an effort to quit the habit. Former merchant banker Geoff Spice is due to land on the small isle of Sgarabhaigh, off Harris in the Outer Hebrides, over the weekend. Mr Spice, 56, will spend four weeks in solitude with only some books and the island’s sheep for company. BBC … Read entire article »
Venus Has a Blemish
Apparently, now Venus has a mystery spot. First, Jupiter, and now Venus. Planetary measles? Astronomers are puzzled by a strange bright spot which has appeared in the clouds of Venus. The spot was first identified by an amateur astronomer on 19 July and was later confirmed by the European Space Agency’s Venus Express spacecraft. Data from the European probe suggests the spot appeared at least four days before it was spotted from Earth. The bright spot has since started to expand, being spread by winds in Venus’s thick atmosphere. Scientists are unsure as to what caused the bright spot tens of kilometres up. However, a volcanic eruption is a possibility. BBC … Read entire article »
Filed under: Science
Amazing Pictures of Volcano Eruption
Click on the photo to see the article in the Daily Mail, with many more rare pictures. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Science
Pluto, Not a Planet, Not a Dog
Please take a few moments to look at this Discover Magazine presentation about the ex-planet Pluto. It is very well done and not at all geeky. Did you know that there are a lot of “planets” and Pluto-like objects out there at the edge of our solar system? … Read entire article »
Ancient White Chinese Buried With Cannabis
The Journal of Experimental Botany reveals one of the oldest known botanical experiments. The grave of a tribal shaman in western China has turned up some high-grade pot. The Yanghai Tombs near Turpan, Xinjiang-Uighur Autonomous Region, China have recently been excavated to reveal the 2700-year-old grave of a Caucasoid shaman whose accoutrements included a large cache of cannabis, superbly preserved by climatic and burial conditions. [snip} To our knowledge, these investigations provide the oldest documentation of cannabis as a pharmacologically active agent, and contribute to the medical and archaeological record of this pre-Silk Road culture. … Read entire article »
Filed under: China, Hard Science, Science
Coming Soon: Future Posts
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- USS President vs HMS Belvidera (in 134 days)
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