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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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Yoga Clothing and Equipment consideration

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:19:11 +0000

Yoga has really increased in popularity in the last couple of years. Widely held as a great form of exercise for both your body and your mind, people have been adopting this ancient form of meditation all over the world. As far as equipment is concerned there is very little required to get started.

As time goes by you will improve your technique, posture and that’s when you start enjoying your routines a lot more. Even though there are no ‘props’ required for yoga, you will find certain specific forms of clothing that help you in performing these exercises. Not only will these clothing items make you feel more comfortable and confident in your training, but they should also assist you to improve your style.

For those who are doing their own research on this topic please keep in mind that yoga attire includes monks meditation robes, sitting jackets, sitting pants, kimono and jubon. There are also western adaptations of these eastern traditional garments. Besides the clothing, there are also meditation cushions and traditional bags like yogitoes that can also help you with your development and commitment to yoga as an art.

At the very least you should look to make sure that the yoga garments you are considering purchasing are made from one hundred per cent preshrunk cotton. You will also have to ensure that you can dry them on a clothes line after washing, or on the lowest temperature of your dryer.

Surprises Christmas Visit of Colin Farrell

admin — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 05:10:01 +0000

Hollywood Colin Farrell is no longer the bad boy who used to keep on its toes, hanging in utter fascination. A responsible father now and a more low-key celebrity, the actor offered kids at a Dublin hospital the best Christmas present ever. When most children are at home tucked in bed in their pajamas, waiting for Santa Claus to slide down the chimney, others less fortunate can only dream of such a thing.

It’s for them that Colin tried to make a difference. While in Dublin, the actor stopped by Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital for an unannounced visit. Not only did he not tell anyone he was coming, but he also made sure there was no press to upset the kids and, more importantly, came bearing gifts.

“The Hollywood star, who was born and bred in the city, dropped in on the hospital on Christmas Day, bringing hundreds of presents for the sick children with him. His unannounced visit surprised staff and patients alike, and according to reports, even his publicist was unaware he would be there. He cuddled the kids and chatted away to them as he spent some time in the hospital spreading some Christmas cheer to them,” says the same publication.

Ecstatic parents took to Twitter and social networks to praise the actor. They were clearly most impressed by the fact that he didn’t turn the visit into a massive PR opportunity, as some other celebrities are known for doing whenever they have a new project coming out. Colin also brought presents for the entire hospital staff, others said. “Farrell is a real genuine guy alright,” they all agreed.

Report Claims Demi Moore Has Drug Issues

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:23:07 +0000

New reports are emerging as both Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher continue to stay mum on the latest allegations about the state of their marriage and whether he cheated on her again. One says he only slept with other women because he wants to give his wife “tough love.” Life & Style claims to have it from a very reliable (but unnamed) source that Demi is again doing drugs, having presumably relapsed when she saw her marriage go down the drain, a long while before the alleged affair with Sara Leal.

When things got too bad and she would no longer pay any attention to Ashton’s pleas, he moved out of the house. Demi had been sober for a long time – decades – but recently it’s gotten bad. Ashton loves her, but he can’t stick around and watch her do this to herself. So, he moved out and moved on. He may have slept with other women since the split, but, claims the insider, he’s only doing it because he wants Demi to wake up and smell the coffee, as it were.

Moreover, Demi’s entire family is supporting him, suggesting that they’re condoning his cheating on her and the subsequent, ongoing media scandal. Her daughters, Scout, Rumer and Tallulah, and her ex-husband Bruce Willis want her to be healthy. The whole family is taking a stand to help Demi. Ashton is only doing this because he loves his wife and he wants to see her kick the addiction and be back on the wagon of sobriety. He may have fooled around with this girl, but his wife is his priority. Ashton’s trying to deal with Demi’s problems.

Scary Thin Sandra Bullock since Ryan Reynolds Dumped Her

admin — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:58:25 +0000

New heartbreak is the reason why Sandra Bullock has lost a lot of weight just recently. Things with Ryan Reynolds didn’t work out and he’s already moved on. For a while, talk of how Sandra and Ryan – very good friends in real life – was a couple gained a lot of momentum, with some reports even saying they were planning a small Texas wedding for later this year. Insiders are now saying that the two are no longer together and that he’s already moved on; one of the female stars he’s been linked to is “TRON: Legacy” stunner Olivia Wilde.

In its latest print issue, Life & Style claims that Sandra is having a very hard time dealing with the breakup – and it can all be seen in how skinny she is, Jezebel informs. “Apparently Sandra Bullock is ‘stressed-out’ and ‘can’t stop losing weight.’ She has suffered a ‘radical transformation’ and is ‘scary thin’,” the e-zine writes.

Indeed, the picture L&S used for the cover does seem to suggest that the Oscar-winning actress has lost some weight, which is visible especially in the chest area. “Her ‘chest bones are showing,’ and her ‘face is gaunt’ and her arms are ‘veiny and too muscular.’ A nutritional therapist who does not treat her says she has ‘almost no fat on her body’. Just in case you haven’t gotten the point, there’s text on a picture of Sandy which reads, ‘a newly bony body.’ This is not only because she went through an icky divorce, but because Ryan Reynolds has ‘moved on’ and Sandra ‘has no outlet for the loneliness she’s feeling’,” the e-zine further writes.

Of course, the entire report might be bogus since the two probably never even dated. The two have always been good friends and this – and not a romantic relationship – could explain the many times they’ve been photographed together in recent months.

Reynolds is not my lover, says Sandra Bullock

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.

Johnny Depp is Shocked of Kate Moss

admin — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 10:36:52 +0000

Kate Moss is reportedly thinking about coming out with a tell-all book and, like all good tell-alls, it will also include details on her past loves. Johnny Depp, whom she dated for years in the ‘90s, is reportedly terrified at what she’s willing to put in print. Considered one of the most beautiful couples in showbiz (back then, but now too, depending on who you ask), the two went their separate ways in 1997 – and Kate is still hurting from the breakup, an insider says for the latest print issue of the National Enquirer.

Since she’s also working on her book, she wants to get back at Johnny by going public with the details of their troubled life back in the day, and this is something that he definitely doesn’t appreciate. Admittedly, Kate is ready to dish out the deets on her and Johnny’s drug abuse, heavy drinking and even heavier partying. The problem is, says the spy, Depp fears this will spoil his current reputation as a family man and a serious actor. He’s also thinking that his kids will grow up to read all about his troubled past one day.

Vanessa, his partner, the mother of his children and the love of his life, will also be shocked to see intimate details of Johnny’s life come out in print – not to mention hurt. Johnny has already reached out to Kate to urge her to reconsider. If she’s willing to come out with a book, she might as well leave her relationship with him out of it. Kate will hear nothing of the kind: she knows for a fact her relationship with the Hollywood star is her biggest selling point and she’s ready to make the most of it, it is further being claimed.