Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:22:24 GMT

Is Hunting Whales Affecting the Diet of Penguins?

Adeline penguins live on the Antarctic continent and on many small, surrounding coastal islands. They spend the winter offshore in the seas surrounding the Antarctic pack ice. Initially these birds feasted on a diet based only on fish, which now includes a major portion of krill. They have substituted easier-to-catch krill as a preferable high-energy food source.

A study suggests that with the Antarctic hunting of many whales and seals, there was a surplus of krill, tiny crustaceans indirectly influencing the food chain. Penguins have been apparently taking advantage of the surplus. This means a huge ecological dietary response by the penguins in relation to some changes in their environment. This adaptability might in fact help them as Antarctic melts with global warming.

Emslie and colleague William Patterson of the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, based the finding on analysis of more than 220 fossil eggshell fragments ranging from the past 100 to 38,000 years. The proportions of certain forms of carbon and nitrogen in the eggshells tell the researchers what type of food the penguins ate in the days before laying their eggs.

While over fishing poses a threat of fish as a meal, Krill populations are dwindling, where warming temperatures mean less sea ice. Sea ice holds algae that the krill feed on when it melts. Krill is also being depleted by being used as feed in fishing farms.

Image credit

Source: National Geographic Posted by: Kanchan      Read more     Source

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 11:16:48 GMT

HOLLY HUNTER TO PLAY DRUNK SLUT OKLAHOMAN ON TV

Source:wwwqus.ent4.yimg.com

Academy Award winning actress, Holly Hunter, makes her debut on TV in a prime time series tomorrow night, Monday, July 23.

The show, " will be on "TNT" at 10pm E/P, so that's 9pm for you Central Timers.

Hunter will play a heavy drinking, chain smoking, slutty Oklahoma detective.

Holly has always been a fan of eccentric and weirdo characters, and the Georgia actress takes the roles in stride and plays them exceptionally well, and I expect this time will be no different.

I didn't see any women like that, at least not cops, for the few years I lived in Oklahoma. Posted by: jim      Read more     Source

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:34:22 GMT

Solar Energy: Future Bright....not Quite!

Some scientists had calculated a long time back that energy rained down on Earth by Sun in an hour is the same as the amount of energy consumed by humans worldwide in a year. This calculation led to the birth of the first conventional devices that harnessed solar energy.

First such devices came to being half a century ago. However, a question still remains as to whether we will be able to use solar energy in a much broader sense? Even now the future of solar energy is as dim as it was half a century ago.

According to an estimate sunlight provides 0.01% of the total energy that is consumed in the United States and the figures are even worse in other parts of the world. The reason for this is that the state governments are not venturing as much money as they are pooling in other means such as nuclear power plants, coal and other means.

It is high time that we think about our planet, till now solar energy is the safest and the most environmental friendly source of energy. People all over the world want that solar energy should be the main source of energy in another fifteen years; however the lack of money is making the future of solar energy bleak.

Till now we have been using solar energy mostly is toys and some other conventional and non conventional gadgets. That means all we are doing till now is just experiments that tell us that the solar energy can be used to power devices.

All government agencies are throwing money on the development of biofuels. In the current fiscal year the Energy Department plans to spend $159 million on solar research. This amount is not even close to the amount that will be spent in other areas that include $303 million on nuclear energy and $427 million on coal and $167 million on other fossil fuel research and development.

Now researchers are trying to better the technology that can harness solar energy. They are hoping to expand the range of sunlights wavelengths that can be absorbed, and to cut the amount of energy the cells lose to heat. One goal is to make materials that force photons to ricochet inside the silicon to give up more of their energy.

Researchers want to leave no stone unturned in order to prove that there are some promising signs that solar energy can be used as the main source of energy. The Bush administration finally has shown some concern in the area and is planning to increase the funding towards the research.

Via: NYTimes Posted by: Jolly      Read more     Source

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 00:03:39 GMT

Hit That Lady One More Time....

On every magazine cover, on every channel, on the radio, and the newspaper a running theme has recently ensued! No, not more on the war, instead we receive a daily report on the on again, off again rehabilitation of Ms. Britney Spears. Amazingly enough with billions of people on this planet, the media cannot seem to find anyone else as newsworthy.

Okay, I admit my life is not “flashy” and the two dirty diapers I changed and seven hungry months I fed last night may not be exciting, but at least it is a dose of normalcy! Don’t get me wrong, I do not loathe Britney’s magnetic ability to attract the press. I feel for her. But more than that, I ache for her!

That young woman is obviously going through an extremely hard time. In less than three years, she’s gotten married, divorced, and had two babies! All of that without mentioning the fact that she is also trying to field a career, rumors and fight off cameras that catch her doing everything from crying to walking to wiping her nose! Talk about pressure! And she’s SO young!

I listened as some women recently judged all of the recent antics and happenings of this girl’s life. They were quick to mock the constant ins and outs of her rehab stays and one even called her “trailer trash!”

Why are so quick to judge one another? Why is she any less prone to troubles just because we all know her business! Perhaps we should try living in a fishbowl sometime! Have we forgotten that not so long ago she was that "cute little Britney." She was on the Mickey Mouse Club for goodness sake! She could very well have been one of our daughters.

On a better note, let's pray for her. Let's ask God to send a Godly woman her way to offer her guidance and answers. She needs it and so do her children. Posted by: Tara Sloa      Read more     Source

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 11:52:31 GMT

The Method.

James van Maanen's got a recommendation for you. Notes'll follow.

How often does one encounter a narrative film tackling the themes of globalization, capitalism, employment and other current big-business practices? Documentaries may approach this (The Yes Men, Life and Debt, Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room, etc). But a drama? And one that is also a witty, nasty satire? Forget it. Particularly if you're imagining such a film might come from the US. We're still waiting.

Spain, however, gave one to the world two years ago, with El Metodo - which made its American debut as part of the Film Society of Lincoln Center's Spanish Cinema Now program in 2005 and, thanks to Palm Pictures, is finally opening in NYC today as The Method.

Updated through 7/7. Posted by: dwhudson      Read more     Source

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:19:03 GMT

Tires Dumped to Create Artificial Reefs

Earlier when tires were being dumped into the oceans people thought it was a good idea to get rid of waste and to create artificial reefs, but it completely backfired. In the rough and corrosive environment of the ocean, nylon straps wore out and snapped, cables rusted, and tires broke free.

Thousands have been tossed up on U.S. shores, as deadly weapons of the sea, particularly during hurricanes. Others that broke free migrated shore ward and ran into a living reef tract, climbing up its slope and killing everything in their path. Chemicals released by the tires have actually led creating a dead zone that is now inhibiting coral growth on the surrounding natural reefs

Millions of tires, usually bundled with nylon straps or steel cables, were cast into the sea off Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and off the U.S. states of New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, California and Florida.

The Fort Lauderdale project drew together a host of government and military agencies to salvage the tires cheaply. US Army and Navy divers, who are using the operation as a training exercise, are currently in the process of removing tires from the reef that have become loose.

The operation, which for now will only remove the 700,000 tires that have come loose, should be completed by 2010. The tires removed from the reef will be burned as an energy source for a paper recycling plant in Georgia. Next time people want to use the ocean floor as a dumping ground they should think twice!


Source: Reuters Posted by: Kanchan      Read more     Source

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:26:25 GMT

Economics of Immigration

Glenn Loury, professor of Economics at Brown University, poses a very interesting point on immigration. While there is little to no evidence that immigration is actually doing any harm whatsoever to job availability for documented, legal citizens - what would this country look like if we had no illegal immigrants?

As he said, employers would become so desperate for labor, they just might have to raise pay, lobby against people jailed for inane reasons, and provide funding for education. In other words, employers would have to invest in their country.

But in a world where income and standards of living are so inequal, would that be fair? The illegal immigrants come over to the wealthier countries, take up the jobs nobody else will take, and bring that money back to their home country. This of course bolsters their economy.

What do you think? Should legislation force employers to invest in their own country, or should the richer nations help out the rest of the world? Posted by: Miche      Read more     Source

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 12:16:16 GMT

Fiat Topolino Returns, North Americans Want It!

Americans love their big, brawny muscle cars. Europeans have a similar affection for tiny vehicles that graduated their owners from two to four wheels. In Italy, the most-loved was Fiat's 500, manufactured from 1936 to 1948 and affectionately known as the Topolino or "Little Mouse." It had a diminutive 4-cylinder engine, two seats, a roll-back canvas roof; the latter well-suited to the warm Italian climate. The Fiat 500(Cinquecento in Italian) was an instant success and is regarded as one of the great designs of automotive history.

An all-new Fiat 500 has just made its debut on the 50th anniversary of the original. The new-age version goes on sale immediately and, as Autoblog reports (with multiple photos), "pays homage to its predecessor in glorious retro style. The little Polish-built 3-door will bow with a 1.3L 16-valve turbodiesel good for 75 horses, a 69-horsepower 1.2L 8v four, and a 1.4L 16-valve good for 100 hp. A hopped-up Abarth version is well into development."

Fiat has been long absent from the North American scene but its Ferrari and Maserati brands are doing well here and will soon be joined by Alfa-Romeo. With gas prices soaring and a new appreciation of a small car's charms, this is the ideal moment for an Italian renaissance on our shores. Bring on the 500! Chiao. Posted by: Philip Powell      Read more     Source

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 07:58:54 GMT

Now you can become a micro lender too ....

Certainly it was about time for that to happen - kiva.org is seemingly the worlds first liquid marketplace for micro loans. Actually the site is around for some years now but only now gets a bit more press (and this is how I found it too.

Project descriptions are simple to understand and the site focuses on stuff that needs little due diligence.

Nazila is a 57 year old mother of 4 children,. She lives in the Salyan region, Yenikand village. She has raised poultry for 30 years. Nazila needs a loan of $725 to buy 100 hens,and 50 Indian guinea hens for improving her business.

$725.00 Loan Request
$425.00 Raised so far
$300.00 still needed



The site also profiles the organizations on the ground that contribute data and get loan amounts fed back. What I haven't found though is good data on interest rates (if there are any - hey I'm new to micro lending), default rates and insurance against default by kiva.

But if sites like kiva catch on and if there is a good chance to earn an interest plus improving your conscience it will mark a new milestone of the Internet - helping the world to globalize and prosper. Posted by: tj      Read more     Source

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 20:29:01 GMT

BMW 135i Set To Tear Asphalt

[Image Source: Jalopnik]

How does 306 horsepower coming from a lightweight magnesium straight six push you? From standstill to 100 kmh (62 mph) in 5.3 seconds if it's in a BMW 135i. Which it could only be, acknowledging the magnesium straight six factor.

BMW has kicked its 1-Series into high gear in what enthusiasts are praising as the return of the vaunted 2002. This is BMW going back to the basics - almost all performance wrapped in a comfortable-enough package to make it all work for the daily grind.

The UK is going to the be the first English Speaking country to receive the latest and greatest variant of the 1-Series - which no longer is solely a hatchback also include a full-size coupe. We wait eagerly, Stateside.

[Source: MotorAuthority] Posted by: Gunnar Heinrich      Read more     Source