Color change confirms a new way to harvest energy from sunlight … learn more→
Monthly Archives: January 2011
Chemists turn gold to purple – on purpose
Non-alcoholic energy drinks may pose \’high\’ health risks
Highly-caffeinated energy drinks – even those containing no alcohol – may pose a significant threat to individuals and public health, say researchers at the University of Maryland School of Public Health and Wake Forest University School of Medicine. In a new online commentary in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), they recommend immediate […] … learn more→
Environmental, political and social predictions for the new decade
A glimpse back at the first decade of the 21st century is all one needs to confirm that 2011-2020 is bound to be a decade full of energy, innovation and of course, surprises. After ushering in Snooki, Barack Obama, Lebron James, Julian Assange and a whole host of other public figures in its final moments, […] … learn more→
Why I’m going to college online (and doing it through Test Drive)
I have a plan. I’m going to enroll in at least 2 online courses. I’m going to become an e-learning student expert, and I’m going to tell the world what it’s like to take a class online. … learn more→
Mathematical model could help predict and prevent future extinctions
In an effort to better understand the dynamics of complex networks, scientists have developed a mathematical model to describe interactions within ecological food webs. This research, performed by Northwestern University physics professor Adilson Motter and his student, Sagar Sahasrabudhe, is published in the January 25 issue of Nature Communications. The work illustrates how human intervention […] … learn more→
World on the Edge: Quick Facts
We are facing issues of near-overwhelming complexity and unprecedented urgency. Can we think systemically and fashion policies accordingly? Can we change direction before we go over the edge? Here are a few of the many facts from the book to consider: … learn more→
Gardening and living by three \”ecological rules\”
This post looks at how we try to \”obey Mother Nature\’s rules\” in my own household and garden and makes suggestions for you to consider in your own life. … learn more→
Scientists find that debris on certain Himalayan glaciers may prevent melting
A new scientific study shows that debris coverage –– pebbles, rocks, and debris from surrounding mountains –– may be a missing link in the understanding of the decline of glaciers. Debris is distinct from soot and dust, according to the scientists. Melting of glaciers in the Himalayan Mountains affects water supplies for hundreds of millions […] … learn more→
Weight loss plus walking essential for older, obese adults
Walking more and losing weight can improve mobility as much as 20 percent in older, obese adults with poor cardiovascular health, according to a new Wake Forest University study. The results from the five-year study of 288 participants appear online Jan. 24 in the Archives of Internal Medicine. The combination of weight loss and physical […] … learn more→
Purdue team creates \’engineered organ\’ model for breast cancer research
Purdue University researchers have reproduced portions of the female breast in a tiny slide-sized model dubbed \”breast on-a-chip\” that will be used to test nanomedical approaches for the detection and treatment of breast cancer. The model mimics the branching mammary duct system, where most breast cancers begin, and will serve as an \”engineered organ\” to […] … learn more→