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Earth’s glaciers out of balance?

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:46:31 +0000

According to the recent research, Earth’s glaciers are seriously out of balance with the global climate and are already on their way to losing almost 40% of their volume. This is the assessment of scientists after studying a representative group of 144 small and large glaciers around the world. Their figure assumes no further warming of the climate. However, if temperatures continue to rise as models predict, the wastage will be even higher, the team says.

“When we look at the data, we can see that the glaciers are out of balance, meaning the climate has actually changed faster than the changes we’ve seen in ice area and volume. Our data suggests the glaciers will commit about 30% of their area and about 38% of their volume to global sea level rise. We calculate this figure to be on the order of 22cm. This will happen in the next decades to centuries,” explained Sebastian Mernild from Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico, US.

A glacier is in balance when the snow at higher, colder elevations equals the volume of snow and ice lost through melting at lower, warmer elevations. If precipitation is greater, the glacier will increase its mass; if melting dominates, the glacier will thin and retreat until it reaches a state of equilibrium again.

Dr Mernild’s team says its assessment of the glacier sample indicates climate conditions have changed so fast that many ice bodies have not yet had time to fully adjust to their new equilibrium position. This means a certain amount of mass loss is already locked into the system even if there is no further warming. Glaciers will move up in the terrain, they will become smaller and thinner and they will adjust to the climate conditions.

On the other hand, we expect the climate will warm continuously in the future, meaning that the glaciers will become even more out of balance, and that means the glaciers will commit even more volume to sea level rise. If the models are correct and further warming is seen during the next several decades and longer, the study projects that the Earth’s glaciers could ultimately lose more than half their mass.

The picture is described as regional, with some areas said to be more out of balance than others. Dr Mernild cites the Alps as one glacier group that is farther from balance than the global average. He says alpine glaciers are likely to lose most of their mass by 2100. But if you take into account the volume of ice in the glaciers here in the Alps, it won’t have the same impact on the global sea level rise compared to if we see the same out of balance conditions in other places on the globe where we know there is more ice located. So, the contribution to sea level rise will not be that big from the Alps region.

The COSIM assumption is that there is a sea level equivalent of 60cm locked away in all the world’s glaciers (the number excludes the ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland). This figure has been debated here at EGU. Dr Matthias Huss, from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, presented new data suggesting there was only 48cm of sea level tied up in all the world’s glaciers (and the larger glaciers referred to as ice caps).
“Our number is 192,000 cu km. This is about 25% less than some previous estimates. It is a total potential sea-level rise of 0.48m. We’re using a physically based approach. Until now, people have relied on simple statistical methods,” Dr Huss added.

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protecting personal information

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 23:06:56 +0000

I’m bothered when I first laid hand of my new passport. I discovered that a microchip is embedded in it, which contains my personal information. The government opt to impose newer technology for efficiency and convenience. But, it presents greater risk of electronic pickpocketing, identity theft, and payment fraud. Of course, technology also has some drawbacks, which is even scarier and dangerous. That’s why it is a good way to find protection against the threats and consider good security.

Luckily, stronghold already develops protection for the threats. The product range from rfid credit card blocking sleeves, passport RFID blocking products, secure sleeves, secure wallets that block RFID, secure badgeholders, to cell phone shielded bags. These products have the ability to block the personal information being sent by radio waves from credit cards, passports, and other ID cards. So, it is much safer to walk around even with those microchips.

Bizarre snail found after 110 Years

admin — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 12:17:14 +0000

According to the recent discovery, an isolated population of rare land snail last recorded in Fife 110 years ago has been rediscovered. The plaited door snail (Cochlodina laminata) sighting was received by Fife Nature Records Centre, following a report from a member of the public. The snail, which has a distinctive corkscrew shell, was last recorded in West Fife near Oakley in 1901.

The new discovery near Blairhall is thought to be the only known population in Fife. The plaited door snail is found in woodlands and grazes on algae and lichen. Fife Coast and Countryside Trust is urging nature spotters keen to see the snail for them to check tree trunks, although at only 15 to 18mm long and with a dark red-brown shell, it is well camouflaged.

Alexa Tweedle, Fife Coast and Countryside Trust information officer, said: “Within Fife there has only ever been one previous record and that was in 1901. It’s probably the same population of snail as it is so close, the last sighting was in Oakley and this one is in Blairhall. To have a confirmed recording of a population in Fife for the first time in over 100 years is very exciting.”

The snail can be recognised by its club shaped shell which spirals around 11 times. The snail is so rare in Scotland that it has been placed on the Scottish Biodiversity list, a list of animals plants and habitats that are of principal importance to biodiversity in Scotland.

Pooh-Comeback after 80 years!

helping a friend

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 03:22:00 +0000

Out of nowhere, one of my friends yaps about the auto collision he experienced. He is so mad for having to go through that incident. But, he is also thankful enough that he remains unharmed, which is the most important. The car can be replaced, but limbs or life can’t. That’s why he is still thankful for that.

Despite that he is still faced a big problem – vehicle repair. I’m not sure if he is covered by insurance or not. I wanted to help that’s why I look around for auto repair estimate in the web. Instead, of finding the answer for that I ran across the auto body estimating software, which sounds much interesting. It can be really good for auto Repair Company to have that online. Doing so will widen their reach and will help their clients. I’ll certainly keep this information for future use, for now I will go on help my friend who doesn’t stop whining.

antibacterial secretions use by Insects to protect young

admin — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 02:07:36 +0000

According to recent research, scientists have confirmed that so-called burying beetles coat their young’s food with an antibacterial substance to guarantee their survival. Burying beetles lay their eggs on the carcasses of small animals, such as birds and rodents. The researchers show that without the anti-microbial secretions the young fail to gain weight and die.

Most animals try to do the best for their young, but burying beetles, in the genus Nicrophorus, which are found in temperate regions in Europe and North America, are truly doting parents. As a prospective parent, burying beetles find a dead animal, such as a mouse or bird, and roll the carcass into a ball. They then bury the carcass, hiding it from predators that might eat it or fancy it for a nursery for their own young – no small feat for a beetle that is only 15mm long. The beetles then lay their eggs in the flesh of the animal and wait to welcome their young into the world.

Now scientists from the University of Manchester have worked out what makes these secretions so good at killing germs. The researchers’ extracted secretions from the anal glands of a species of burying beetle called Nicrophorus vespilloides, and showed that when this substance was added to bacterial cells, they were destroyed. Scientist suspecting that they were dealing with an enzyme that “chops up microbial cell walls”, investigated and confirmed that the secretions was rich in lysozymes. These are anti-microbial enzymes, and a common component of animals’ immune systems. Lysozymes are also secreted in mammals’ breast milk and in human tears.

interesting archery information

admin — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 03:07:54 +0000

Supposedly, this is our last day of vacation. But, instead of spending it in the outdoors, wifey decided to hold a small party with the rest of the family members. Of course, it will not start until later in the afternoon. So, I have free time to blog and read articles in the web.

While on the web, I came across the stick M archery. I honestly don’t know anything about this type activity so I dig in to gather information. It’s a one stop shop for anything related to archery. It provides valuable information about bowhunting supplies, Archery Supplies, Archery Information, and Archery Videos. But, it offers the newest Archery Equipment, Archery Supplies and Bowhunting Gear at low prices. Also, Bowhunters can learn from the experts through the help of their Archery Blog and Archery Video Portal. Oh well, I guess I can try bowhunting in the future. For now, I will keep this information and continually read it for future use.

Connection between Genetics and Memory

admin — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:42:49 +0000

Why do we crave for food, as we are hungry? Why do we feel insecure and scared when we are in total darkness? These behaviors are not unusual, as it may seem. But we didn’t think this simple human instinct has been passed on generations from our great ancestors when they started to roam the earth. How can it be passed on?

In biology, memory is present if the state of a biological system depends on its past history in addition to present conditions. If this memory is recorded in the genetic material and stably inherited through cell division (mitosis or meiosis), it is genetic. This genetic memory is inherited in our DNA by survival means.

Why? DNA is the only storage medium involved in the transfer of information to the next generation. There is a saying about survival of the fittest. It’s true, where human evolution apparently prepared our species to become possibly the best and clever living being able to adapt to different challenges and environments. For example, deep into your memory banks, your great-great-great grandfather had been attacked by shark five hundred years ago. Or he witnessed a shark attack and he had a phobia. Would that life-changing experience be useful in developing survival knowledge and possibly encoded in genes and passed on to you?

Traits information processed genetic or ancestral memory that slowly becomes our earliest memories in handling certain survival skills or knowledge. This is not dejÃ vu involved here. Recent discoveries about the idea also may affect us much more than we can imagine. It has been long said that our appearance is determined by combination of our parents’ genes. Through research studies, certain disorders are directly linked to our genetic history. In addition, our aptitudes, musical and athletic ability, even our emotional traits are significantly affected by our genetic roots.

DNA builds everything concerning every living creature, including memory. Some memories may just be built in. Not many think of instincts as memory. But how does a newborn deer know how to run from a wolf? Or is it consciousness playing a role here? Or is it genetics? Although there still not enough concrete proof to link genetic memory to our common sense and other abilities, the question is whether you choose to believe or not. Probably, DNA testing technology will bring us deeper solution of the world of genetics.

best way to convert mp3

admin — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 06:09:37 +0000

Wifey is so busy looking for good quality mp3 music. It has been her sister’s request for a long time. That’s why she feels bound to search for it. Her sister likes to listen to music especially if the weather isn’t too good as well as before going to sleep. It’s her way of relaxing from the everyday stresses of life.

The only problem wifey faced, she doesn’t have the right mp3 converter. Most of the music she finds on the web is of different file type. That’s why she is trying to avoid giving in to her sister’s request. But, it will not be the case now that I find the Total Audio Converter.

Total Audio Converter is a most powerful MP3 converter. It converts WAV, OGG, WMA, APE, FLAC, MP4, AAC, MPC and 20 other file types to MP3. It can convert MP3 files to other formats as well. Also, you may convert your music both via user interface or command line.

With this program, they can convert all kinds of music files to mp3 as much as they want. They won’t run out of mp3 music in the future. Well, I can make good use of it as well. I just need to buy a new player because I lost mine when I went to Abu Dhabi last four months.

Does Men Lie as Much as Women?

admin — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:44:37 +0000

No matter the purpose and / or the context, they say a lie is still a lie and, as such, it can only harm someone in the long run – most likely, the person telling it. With all this, a new study comes to reveal that we can’t even begin to grasp how many lies we hear everyday, with men telling lies an average of six times a day, the Daily Express informs.

“Men tell six fibs a day on average to their partner, boss and work colleagues. That’s 42 a week, 2,184 a year, or a staggering 126,672 in an average lifetime. But women come out with just three porkies a day – or 68,796 in a lifetime.” the aforementioned publication says of the poll. The survey was conducted by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment to mark the DVD launch of “Lie to Me” Season 1 and it has also revealed that what men and women have in common is their favorite lie: “Nothing’s wrong, I’m fine.”

Regarding the survey, body language expert Richard Newman tells the media that we don’t know when we’re being lied to because we don’t know how to read the signs or, on the contrary, are looking for the wrong ones. “Body language is a great way of telling someone is lying. Yet most people can’t read the signals. They assume someone hiding the truth avoids eye contact. The opposite is true. Liars usually do everything they can to convince you – sitting still and looking at you to watch your reaction. Touching your face and rapid blinking are massive giveaways. But even the world’s top expert can only read up to 85 per cent of lies from body language.” Newman says.

Sauna Can Prevent Colds?

admin — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:52:28 +0000

As we all know, drinking plenty of liquid is always the best option to fight a cold or reduce its symptoms, that much has been known for years. Liquids help detoxify the body and make it stronger to fight the virus – which is why a sauna acts almost in the same way, an Australian research has found. Not only do saunas relieve cold symptoms, but they can also reduce the recurrence of the common cold and the flu.

Australian researches have come up with the idea for the study after noting that the cold is the one infection that causes the biggest gap in terms of productivity. Given the current economical context, they wanted to test the theory that regular saunas could reduce the occurrence of colds – and they came up with the simple answer that yes, it could, although how exactly that happens is yet to be determined.

There were significantly fewer episodes of common cold in the sauna group. This was found particularly during the last three months of the study period when the incidence was roughly halved compared to controls. The mean duration and average severity of common colds did not differ significantly between the groups. It is concluded that regular sauna bathing probably reduces the incidence of common colds, but further studies are needed to prove this.

As of now, it is believed that saunas act on the body in the way a fever does, which is why it is extremely beneficial when the virus settles in. Nevertheless, as noted above, further research is in order to establish this.