The Story of the Lonely Whale Will Break Your Heart
Her songs—in this recording accelerated by a factor of five—come in groups of two to six calls, lasting for five to six seconds each. But her voice is unlike any other baleen whale. It is unique—while the rest of her kind communicate between 12 and 25Hz, Alice sings at 51.75Hz.
You see, my dear humans, that's precisely Alice's problem. No other whales can hear her. Every one of her desperate calls to communicate remains unanswered. Each cry ignored. And with every lonely song, Alice becomes sadder and more frustrated, her notes going deeper in despair as the years go by.
Nobody knows why this is happening. Nobody knows why Alice is going through the wrong paths instead of following the usual baleen whale's migratory channels. Some think that she might be a weird hybrid, one of a kind. Maybe she—or he, as we don't really know the whale's sex—is the last member of her species. Perhaps there was a mutation. Who knows. Who cares—the explanation doesn't matter.
Whatever the reason is, the sad fact is that there's no happy ending to this tale. Alice keeps roaming the big blue, eating krill, seeing other creatures around her but unable to communicate with any of them. And one day, the NOAA hydrophones will record Alice's unique voice one last time. And again, that farewell cry will get no reply. But it will not matter this time because, at last, Alice would be sad no more. [Forteanzoology and NOAA viaGood]
Picasa Web Albums Provides Free Storage for Smaller Pics and Videos
Picasa offers everyone 1 GB of storage for photos and videos, and its paid storage is pretty cheap, too. Now it's even cheaper, because the service has stopped counting photos under 800 pixels wide, or videos less than 15 minutes, against users' storage counts.
The change was announced unofficially in a Google user forum, from a user surprised to see his storage count suddenly drop. A Google employee explained that Google no longer cares to count smaller images and videos in Picasa, although Gmail still tallies up every byte. Good news, especially if you happen to have a lot of older, lower-resolution photos in need of backing up.
Gut bacteria can control organ functions
Bacteria in the human gut may not just be helping digest food but also could be exerting some level of control over the metabolic functions of other organs, like the liver, according to research published this week in the online journalmBio®. These findings offer new understanding of the symbiotic relationship between humans and their gut microbes and how changes to the microbiota can impact overall health.
"The gut microbiota enhances the host's metabolic capacity for processing nutrients and drugs and modulates the activities of multiple pathways in a variety of organ systems," says Sandrine Claus of the Imperial College of London, a researcher on the study.
Claus and her colleagues exposed germ-free mice to bedding that had previously been used by conventional mice with normal microbiota and followed their metabolic profiles for 20 days to observe changes as they became colonized with gut bacteria.
Over the first 5 days after exposure, the mice exhibited a rapid increase in weight (4%). Colonization also triggered a number of processes in the liver in which sugars (glucose) are converted to starch (glycogen) and fat (triglycerides) for short-term and long-term energy storage. Statistical modeling between liver metabolic functions and microbial populations determined that the levels of glucose, glycogen and triglycerides in the liver were strongly associated with a single family of bacteria called Coriobacteriaceae.
"Here we describe the first evidence of an in vivo association between a family of bacteria and hepatic lipid metabolism. These results provide new insights into the fundamental mechanisms that regulate host-gut microbiota interactions and are of wide interest to microbiological, nutrition, metabolic, systems biology and pharmaceutical research communities," says Claus.
Notre Dame research offers important clues about grasshopper population explosions
One of his key discoveries is that grasshoppers have a major impact on plants by changing the way nitrogen cycles in grasslands. Where grasshoppers speed up the process of nitrogen recycling by selectively feeding on plants that take longer to decompose, plant production increases. However, if they selectively feed on plants that decompose quickly, nitrogen becomes less available to the soil and plant production decreases.
Hockey Stick Own Goal
Posted on 23 February 2011 by dana1981
Medieval vs. Current Global Temperature
In their Prudent Path document, Craig and Sherwood Idso argue that the Medieval Warm Period (MWP) was at least as hot as today.
"it was just as warm as, or even warmer than, it has been recently during both the Roman and Medieval Warm Periods"
Informal Idsos
The document spends several pages qualitatively discussing various temperature proxy data sets from various isolated geographic locations — one of the main pursuits of the Idsos' website co2science.org. The only response this endeavor warrants is the suggestion that if the Idsos would like to attempt to use this data to demonstrate that the MWP was hotter than today, they should perform a quantitative assessment — combine these proxies into either a northern hemisphere or global data set, estimate the average temperature, and submit their results to a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Over a dozen such millennial northern hemisphere reconstructions have been peer-reviewed, and all agree that current temperatures are hotter than during the MWP peak.
Ljungqvist (2010)
The document also relies fairly heavily on one such millennial northern hemisphere reconstruction — Ljungqvist (2010) — which the Idsos refer to as a "stellar effort". However, this reconstruction is not substantially different from the many other millennial northern hemisphere temperature reconstructions, as Ljungqvist himself states in his paper:
“Our temperature reconstruction agrees well with the reconstructions by Moberg et al. (2005) and Mann et al. (2008) with regard to the amplitude of the variability as well as the timing of warm and cold periods, except for the period c. AD 300–800, despite significant differences in both data coverage and methodology.”
Contrary to the Idsos' claims in the Prudent Path document, Ljungqvist says the following when combining his proxy reconstruction with recent instrumental temperature data:
“Since AD 1990, though, average temperatures in the extra-tropical Northern Hemisphere exceed those of any other warm decades the last two millennia, even the peak of the Medieval Warm Period”
Indeed by plotting Ljungqvist's data along with Moberg et al. (2005), Mann et al. (2008), and the surface temperature record, we can confirm that the three reconstructions are very similar, and all show the peak of the MWP approximately 0.5°C cooler than today's temperatures (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Moberg et al. 2005 NH (blue), Mann et al. 2008 EIV NH (red), Ljungqvist 2010 NH (green), and GISS land+ocean NH (black). Courtesy of Robert Way and John Cook.
Thus we can see that the Prudent Path document's own references do not support its claim that the MWP peak was as hot or hotter than today's temperatures. This is a good thing, because the larger past natural temperature changes were, the larger the climate sensitivity.
Skeptic Climate Sensitivity Contradiction
A quick perusal through the Skeptical Science rebuttal database makes it clear that "skeptic" arguments often contradict each other. Perhaps the worst contradiction of them all are the conflicting claims that the MWP was hotter than today, and that climate sensitivity is low.
Skepticism Requires Low Climate Sensitivity
Climate sensitivity (the amount the planet's average surface temperature will warm given a certain energy imbalance, including feedbacks) is the key to global warming skepticism. The amount of warming at the Earth's surface depends on two factors — the size of the energy imbalance, and the climate sensitivity to that energy. However, the first factor (the energy imbalance caused by the increase in greenhouse gases) is a well-measured and well-known quantity.
Therefore, the only way to argue that humans aren’t driving global temperatures now, and temperature change over the next century won’t be potentially catastrophic in a business-as-usual scenario, is if climate sensitivity is low. "Skeptic" climate scientists like Lindzen, Spencer, and Christy realize this, and it's why their arguments consistently center around the argument "climate sensitivity is low".
The heat trapped by the increased atmospheric CO2 has to go somewhere, and the only way it's not causing and will not cause significant global warming and climate change in the future is if it's suppressed by cooling effects from negative feedbacks. If this were the case, climate sensitivity would be low. And this is indeed a key argument made in the NIPCC report:
"Scientific research suggests the model-derived temperature sensitivity of the earth accepted by the IPCC is too large. Corrected feedbacks in the climate system could reduce climate sensitivity to values that are an order of magnitude smaller."
The NIPCC report is claiming that the IPCC sensitivity range is too high by a factor of 10, but the Idso Prudent Path document, by claiming that the MWP was as hot or hotter than today, is arguing that the IPCC sensitivity range is too low.
Hot MWP Means High Sensitivity
As John Cook has previously discussed, arguing for large swings in natural temperature variation such as a particularly hot MWP is akin to arguing for high climate sensitivity. Several scientific studies have examined the radiative forcings and temperature changes over the past millennium, such as Hegerl et al 2006, as shown in Figure 2:
Figure 2: Climate sensitivity from palaeoreconstructions going back 750 years, combined with climate sensitivity calculated from instrumental records. The horizontal bars represent the 5 to 95% range, indicating a climate sensitivity range of 1.5 to 6.2°C for a doubling of atmospheric CO2 (Hegerl et al 2006).
When you combine the temperature record over the past millennium with climate forcings, you get a most likely climate sensitivity value close to 3°C, consistent with the IPCC climate sensitivity range of 2°C to 4.5°C. So if the temperature swings were actually larger than in the reconstructions used by Hegerl and other studies on millennial climate sensitivity, it means the climate sensitivity is actually higher than the IPCC has concluded.
The two documents referenced in the "skeptic" letter to Congress blatantly contradict each other on this issue. The NIPCC report argues that the climate sensitivity is an order of magnitude lower than the IPCC range, while the Idso Prudent Path document indirectly argues that the sensitivity is higher than the IPCC range. On the most important issue for climate "skeptics" — climate sensitivity — the two documents cited in the "skeptic" letter to Congress contradict each other by a factor of ten.
The True Prudent Path
Ironically, although the two "skeptic" documents differ on the climate sensitivity parameter by an order of magnitude, both are wrong. There are many independent lines of evidence behind the IPCC climate sensitivity range, meaning that it's exceptionally unlikely that it's wrong by an order of magnitude, as the NIPCC report claims. And as discussed above, the evidence does not support the Idso claim that the MWP peak was as hot or hotter than today.
Thus the real "prudent path" involves proceeding under the assumption that the well-supported IPCC likely range of climate sensitivity (2 to 4.5°C with a most likely value of 3°C warming for a doubling of atmospheric CO2) is correct. In this scenario, we are heading towards extremely dangerous and potentially catastrophic warming and climate change this century in a business-as-usual scenario.
Thus the true prudent path involves taking immediate action to significantly reduce human CO2 emissions. If the "skeptics" want to convince us otherwise, they need to start by getting their story straight.
This post was written by Dana Nuccitelli (dana1981) and has been developed into the Intermediate rebuttal to "Ljungqvist broke the hockey stick"
Make Your Own Printed Circuit Boards
How To Make Printed Circuit Boards At Home
essentially use the magazine paper to print out your design, and then use the paper to transfer the ink from a laser printer (or copier) to the copper, wash away the thin magazine paper, and then etch the copper that is exposed using a solution. Finally you scrub off the plastic laser toner and you have a prototype circuit board.
Drastic New Reduction in Power Conversion Losses
What if your laptop no longer needed a converter brick? What if the DC power from your solar panels was converted to AC electricity with virtually no power loss from the conversion? What if the regenerative brakes in electric drive vehicles could put power into the batteries with almost no loss from power conversion? New technology could reduce power conversion losses by an estimated 90 percent.
A company called Transphorm, whose investors include Google Ventures and Kleiner Perkins and which was recipient of a significant ARPA-E grant to develop this technology, is poised to introduce their initial product offerings which can significantly improve power conversion. The technology is based on using gallium nitride instead of traditional components to greatly reduce the energy losses in power conversion.
12 Sources for a Streamlined Entryway
Storage and Sorting Systems
MUJI : This Japanese retailer has 3 stores in New York and a US website that includes simple and affordable storage pieces, including boxes, bins, and baskets. They have online checkout and nationwide shipping. Shown: Tin Box with Lid, $22.50
At Work Design : This Chicago shop specializes in design-minded organizational products for home offices and entryways. Products can be viewed online and ordered over the phone — they ship nationwide. Shown: Magis Stacking Containers, $66
West Elm : With stores throughout the country and a large online inventory, West Elm is an accessible source for boxes, hooks, shelving, and modern organizational products. Shown: Lacquer Organization Collection, $9 - $79
CB2 : The kid sister of Crate & Barrel has stores on both coasts and in the Midwest, and their website offers online checkout and national shipping. Shop here for basic shelving and modern boxes. Shown: Slice Wall Mounted Storage Shelf, $150
Wall Hooks and Coat Racks
Shaker Workshops : Peg rail is a classic wall-mounted storage solution that works in both traditional and modern homes. This Massachusetts-based store and online retailer sells it by the foot. Shown: Cherry Shaker Peg Rail, $12.50 - $80
IKEA : Their organization section is full of basic and inexpensive hooks, coat racks, bins, boxes, shoe shelves, and entryway organizers. The widest selection can be found in stores, but some of it's available online. Shown: Blecka Hook, $4.99
Umbra On-line Store : Umbra tends to focus on problem-solving products that make everyday life a little easier. Their website has everything, and they also sell through large chains like Target and the Container Store. Shown: Lettro Wall Organizer, $14
Chiasso : This Chicago store has a very specialized and stylish catalog of entryway organizers, including hooks, coat racks, umbrella stands, and mail sorters. Shown: Office Clip Hooks, $38 each
Chargers and Tech Wranglers
Bluelounge : This designer shop has some of the most beautiful tech organizers and cord controllers on the market. Their website has online checkout, and they offer US and international shipping. Shown: Sanctuary Charging Station, $130
Container Store : Always a good resource for organizational products, they have quite a few charging stations and valets, as well as hooks, cord controllers, and other helpful entryway solutions. Shown: Large Charging Valet, $40
Design Public : Based out of San Francisco, this online store has a well curated catalog of modern wall hooks, charging stations, and organizers, and they offer free shipping on orders over $50. Shown: Blu Dot Juice Digital Box, $99
G.U.S. Great Useful Stuff : Formerly Kangaroom Storage, this web shop specializes in storage for entryways, home offices, and kids' rooms. They have some nice exclusive lines, including several streamlined modern charging stations. Shown: Bamboo Three Pod, $45
8 Amazing Small Space Resources to Bookmark
BonBon Compact Living : Located in London, BonBon carries Italian Clie wall-mounted and murphy beds, some of which double as sofas, office desks, and storage units. Their website also has lots of good ideas for color-blocking to section off different zones in a studio.
Resource Furniture : Like BonBon, this New York store carries space-saving designs from Clie and other manufacturers, including transforming beds, sofas, and shelving systems. Surf their site for beautiful photos of bedrooms, home offices, and living rooms outfitted with concealed storage.
Kerf : Based in Seattle, Kerf creates modern cabinets in 16 different colors of laminate applied in gridded, Modrian-esque patterns. They’re good to check out for wall-to-wall shelving inspiration in hallways, living rooms, kitchens, and home offices.
LAGO : Lago is a young company based in Milan (no US distribution yet). Storage is their strong point — they emphasize the modular nature of their designs, which conceal everything behind a series of bright and shiny doors.
Muunto : Crafted by a Helsinki-based company, Muunto’s shelves and cabinets mount to an MDF panel fitted with aluminum grooves. The cabinets come in 13 colors and can be arranged to create custom storage solutions. Unfortunately, they don’t yet have a US distributor.
Vitsoe : Designed by Dieter Rams in the 1960s, Vitsoe shelves are a classic modern small space solution. Simple and modular, they mount to the wall but are strong enough to hold books and heavy objects. Check out their online gallery for cool space-saving like under-the-stairs home offices.
Atlas Industries : The Atlas AS4 shelving system is another wall-mounted design that works well in small spaces. Crafted from wood, it's richly textured and their site includes ideas for small space media centers, workspaces, and libraries.
Molteni&C Dada Unifor : Although they don't exactly specialize in small spaces, this Italian company is very strong on wall-to-wall shelving, and their gallery of high-end custom designs is appropriate inspiration for anyone considering built in shelves.
Best Wall Shelves: Floating and Modular Systems
Vitsoe : Designed by Dieter Rams in 1960, this is a classic modern design: simple, modular, and stripped of unnecessary detail. It's long-wearing, can adapt to your home as it changes, and it's expensive, but worth the cost. They have a NY showroom and online shop.
Scandinavian Design Center : Like Vitsoe, String shelves are modular and modern. Mounted on a side panel track, they can range from wall-to-wall shelves to the tiny String Pocket (€ 100). These Swedish shelves are sold through Scandinavian Design Center, which ships internationally.
Atlas Industries : Atlas' AS4 shelving system is a more contemporary, organic version of the Vitsoe. They're not cheap, but are hand-crafted from solid wood with a steel framing system. Expect to pay around $3,000 for a full bookshelf, more for a more complex arrangement.
At Work Design : We first saw Blu Dot's Wonder Wall shelves ($300) in person last year at Chicago store At Work Design, and they actually looked better up-close than in photos. The shelf frame is made of powdercoated steel, so it's strong, and the backs are made from walnut veneer.
Umbra : Umbra's Conceal Shelf ($14) is a smart design that's perfect for a bedside table. (For inspiration, check out the way Apartment Therapy readersEmily and Craig used one in their home.)
ISS Designs : This system is a little different, since shelves can be mounted from either wall-mounted tracks or compression poles. They're based in California and they sell nationally through their website. Prices are mid-range, and they're a lot less expensive than Vitsoe or Atlas systems.
Mash Studios : Mash Studio's LAX wall mounted shelf ($690) is a really nicely made piece crafted from birch or walnut with aluminum doors that slide on a track. You can buy it through Design Public or At Work Design.
Generate Design : The Waveform Shelf is a really simple, beautiful design by John Paul Plauché. These are expensive ($1,300 for set of 4) but they're sturdy and sculptural enough to double as a desk or a breakfast bar. Made of sheet metal, they're available online through Generate.
IKEA : In our opinion, IKEA's aluminum Bjarnum brackets ($15) and Ekby shelves ($15) are a step above the ubiquitous Lack shelf in terms of style and substance. The metal brackets make the shelves a little sturdier.
Design Public : It's funny that we're adding a CD shelf to this list, when people aren't really even buying CDs anymore, but Offi's Duoplane Shelf ($89) is so well-designed that it's got a lot of other uses. Made from powdercoated steel, the depth and form feel very modern, and it's a good size for a small area like an entryway.
Watch a Spoon Melt and Turn Into Liquid Metal Ooze
How does this happen? Well, the trick is that the spoon is made from gallium, a substance that melts at only 86 degrees Fahrenheit. So when you put the gallium spoon in hot water it turns into T-1000 style liquid metal ooze. So awesome.
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