NASA - Catching Space Weather in the Act

Close to the globe, Earth's magnetic field wraps around the planet like a gigantic spherical web, curving in to touch Earth at the poles. But this isn't true as you get further from the planet. As you move to the high altitudes where satellites fly, nothing about that field is so simple. Instead, the large region enclosed by Earth's magnetic field, known as the magnetosphere, looks like a long, sideways jellyfish with its round bulb facing the sun and a long tail extending away from the sun.

via nasa.gov

Here is an interesting article about the Earth's magnetic field and weather in Space.

Push for Teen Tanning Salon Ban

The American Academy of Pediatrics wants teenagers banned from tanning salons to reduce their risk of skin cancer.

via myfoxphoenix.com

This is important info for all teens and parents.

NASA - Back in the Air: X-48B Resumes Flight Tests at NASA Dryden

Back in the Air: X-48B Resumes Flight Tests at NASA Dryden

09.21.10

(NASA / Tony Landis) After undergoing a major overhaul and upgrades, the Boeing / NASA X-48B Blended Wing Body research aircraft resumed flight tests with a checkout flight Sept. 21 from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

via nasa.gov

Read about the X-48B out of Edwards Air Force Base in California.

NASA - What's It Like Where Voyager Is?

To envision the Sun's presence in the Milky Way galaxy, think of a ship plowing through the ocean, being tossed by currents. As the ship sails ahead, a bow shock spreads around the vessel.

The area under the Sun's influence, stretching well beyond the planets and forming what's called the heliosphere, is like a ship. The outer edges of the heliosphere are gently buffeted by interstellar wind, the gas and dust between the stars. As the Sun orbits the center of the Milky Way galaxy, the heliosphere moves as well, creating a bow shock ahead of it in interstellar space.

via nasa.gov

Find out what it is like to be where Voyager is and what a heliosphere is.

Toxic Fungus Could Fight Malaria

Scientists have come up with a new approach to controlling malaria -- focusing on killing the parasite inside mosquitoes rather than trying to kill the entire bug, according to research published Thursday.

Scientists in the US and Great Britain have genetically engineered a fungus that can kill the parasite inside the mosquito that transmits malaria. The insect does not have to ingest the fungus. It only has to touch it for it to penetrate its body.

via myfoxphoenix.com

This may be a breakthrough in fighting malaria.

New Drug Could Fight Cystic Fibrosis

- A promising new treatment for cystic fibrosis has fared well in a mid-stage clinical trial, bringing a major advance one step closer to reality, according to research published Friday in the science journal Nature.

via myfoxphoenix.com

Here is some great news for cystic fibrosis victims.

U.S. Lawmakers Consider Ways of Arming U.S. Agents in Mexico After Killing of ICE Agent - FoxNews.com

U.S. agents have not been allowed to carry weapons in Mexico since a 1990 agreement. But their safety has been increasingly in jeopardy ever since Mexican President Felipe Calederon declared war on the drug cartels when he took office in December 2006.

via foxnews.com

I can't believe our U.S. law enforcement officials in Mexico are not armed. Did you know that? Read this article, it is very informative.

Schizophrenia risk is increased with a particular gene mutation - ktla.com

Schizophrenia is a severe, complicated illness. There are no obvious explanations for what causes the condition, which causes hallucinations and delusions. Genes are known to play a big role. The condition is often clustered in families.

Scientists announced a significant step in understanding the genetics of the disease this week.

via ktla.com

Schizophrenia may be tied to mutated genes and seems to be clustered in families.

Boosting Shots | Focus

During the 2009–2010 H1N1 flu pandemic, several groups were noted to develop more severe disease than others; pregnant women and infants were two of these groups. Numerous studies have demonstrated the heightened risk to pregnant women from both seasonal flu and the recent H1N1 and have highlighted the need to ensure vaccination of women prior to and during pregnancy.

via focushms.com

It is important for pregnant women to be immunized against the flu. This article is good reading.

Careful Cleaning of Children's Skin Wounds Key to Healing, Regardless of Antibiotic Choice | Children’s Hospital at Johns Hopkins | Baltimore, Maryland

When it comes to curing skin infected with the antibiotic-resistant bacterium MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), timely and proper wound cleaning and draining may be more important  than the choice of antibiotic, according to a new Johns Hopkins Children’s Center study. The work is published in the March issue of Pediatrics.

via hopkinschildrens.org

Careful, complete cleaning of your child's wounds is critical for healing.

Mutated immune gene increases TB risk for African Americans - Baylor College of Medicine

"We spend a lot of energy screening for tuberculosis and treating the people who test positive," she said. "It would be better to know who among those who test positive are most at risk of developing the disease. Then we could focus more attention on that group."

via bcm.edu

Not everyone who is infected with tuberculosis bacteria actually end up developing the disease. This article gets technical but is good reading.

Over-the-counter painkillers can add to the pain, study finds - ktla.com

People usually have good reasons for swallowing over-the-counter painkillers: They're hurting.

But though the drugs often help, new research suggests that they sometimes do the opposite of what their users intended. That's especially true for serious athletes, for whom pain — and painkillers — are regular companions.

via ktla.com

Here is an eye-opener for those athletes who take high amounts of ibuprofen when training.

The risks of taking over-the-counter painkillers - ktla.com

Acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States, according to the FDA. In 2009, acetominophen overdose was all or partly responsible for more than 41,000 calls to poison control centers around the country, the American Assn. of Poison Control Centers reports.

via ktla.com

Be careful when you are taking those painkillers. It doesn't take much to significantly affect your health detrimentally.

NASA - What's the Difference Between Weather and Climate?

What's the Difference Between Weather and Climate?

02.01.05

The difference between weather and climate is a measure of time. Weather is what conditions of the atmosphere are over a short period of time, and climate is how the atmosphere "behaves" over relatively long periods of time.

When we talk about climate change, we talk about changes in long-term averages of daily weather.

via nasa.gov

Is there really a difference between weather and climate? Read this article to find out the answer.

Study: Nearly 10,000 Babies Suffer Crib Injuries Yearly - Eye on Parenting - CBS News

(AP) Almost 10,000 infants and toddlers are hurt in crib and playpen accidents each year, according to the first nationwide analysis of emergency room treatment for these injuries.

Most injuries were from falls in toddlers between ages 1 and 2 -- generally old enough to attempt climbing out of a crib or playpen.

via cbsnews.com

Everyone should push for stricter regulations involving cribs and crib safety. How do you feel about that?

Obamas don't make royal wedding invite cut - The Early Show - CBS News

Prince William and fiance Kate Middleton  (AP)

(CBSNews) 

Invitations to the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton - 1,900 of them - are in the mail.

And, says royals watcher Victoria Arbiter, President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama aren't among those getting one.

via cbsnews.com

It looks to me like the Obamas were snubbed. What do you think?

Iran naval ships enter Suez Canal, set to anger Israel - World news - Mideast/N. Africa - Iran - msnbc.com

ISMAILIA, Egypt — Two Iranian naval ships entered the Suez Canal on Tuesday and were heading toward the Mediterranean, a canal official said, a move certain to anger Israel.

via msnbc.msn.com

Many countries, in recent history, have learned they should not mess with Israel.
What do you think will result?

India brings hope to stalled polio fight - Health - Infectious diseases - msnbc.com

TILKESHWAR, India — Tilkeshwar is one of India's forgotten villages.

It's 20 miles (30 kilometers) from the nearest paved road, untouched by electricity, running water, sanitation and even the barest of health care. Life is so bleak that nearly all adult men leave to search for menial work for their families' survival.

Here, deep in the floodplains of the Kosi River, the polio virus has stubbornly hidden. And it is here where the long-stalled global fight to eradicate the crippling disease might be on the verge of a badly needed victory.

via msnbc.msn.com

What a great effort to eradicate polio in India!

NASA - A Solar System Family Portrait, From the Inside Out

A Solar System Family Portrait, From the Inside Out

02.18.11

NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft has constructed the first portrait of our solar system by combining 34 images taken by the spacecraft’s Wide Angle Camera on Nov. 3 and 16, 2010.
› Larger Image
Jupiter's Galilean satellites (Callisto, Ganymede, Europa and Io)
Credits: NASA, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington What would our solar system look like if visitors from other worlds took a series of pictures?

NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft did just that by piecing together the first portrait of our solar system from the inside looking out. Comprised of 34 images, the mosaic provides a complement to the solar system portrait--from the outside looking in--taken by Voyager 1 in 1990.

via nasa.gov

Here is an interesting article about what our solar system would look like if we were outside of it and looking in.

NASA - Cleaning the Air Would Limit Short-Term Climate Warming

An assessment report to be released this week by the United Nations Environment Program and the World Meteorological Organization shows that reducing emissions of two common air pollutants -- black carbon and gases integral to the production of ground-level ozone -- could slow the rate of climate change markedly over the next half-century.

via nasa.gov

How is black carbon harmful to the air and where does it come from?

Wounded Iraq veteran jeered for speaking in Columbia University ROTC debate - NYPOST.com

Columbia University students heckled a war hero during a town-hall meeting on whether ROTC should be allowed back on campus.

"Racist!" some students yelled at Anthony Maschek, a Columbia freshman and former Army staff sergeant awarded the Purple Heart after being shot 11 times in a firefight in northern Iraq in February 2008. Others hissed and booed the veteran.

via nypost.com

It is unfortunate these students aren't more respectful to war veterans.

My, What Big Ears you Have!

---

Frogs can hear using big round ears on the sides of their head called a tympanum. Tympanum means drum. The size and distance between the ears depends on the wavelength and frequency of a male frogs call. On some frogs, the ear is very hard to see!

Ever wonder how frogs that can get so LOUD manage not to hurt their own ears? Some frogs make so much noise that they can be heard for miles! How do they keep from blowing out their own eardrums?
Well, actually, frogs have special ears that are connected to their lungs. When they hear noises, not only does the eardrum vibrate, but the lung does too! Scientists think that this special pressure system is what keeps frogs from hurting themselves with their noisy calls!

via allaboutfrogs.org

I am always wondering what it would be like to be a frog- do you? jk

Johns Hopkins Health - Read This Before Giving Your Kids Cold or Flu Medication

Although you don’t want to see your children suffer during a bout of cold or flu, be careful how you provide  symptom relief, particularly if you use   over-the-counter, or OTC, medications without a doctor’s direction.

“There has never been a study showing that over-the-counter cough and cold medications work in children,” says David Tunkel, M.D., director of pediatric otolaryngology (also called ear, nose and throat, or ENT) at Johns Hopkins. So, instead of giving your kids decongestants and cough syrups, consider using simple remedies such as honey (for kids age 1 and older) to relieve a cough or sore throat, a humidifier, or saltwater drops to ease nasal congestion.

via hopkinsmedicine.org

Use caution when treating your children for cold and flu symptoms. This article will give you useful information should your children exhibit symptoms.

NeuroLogic - A follow-up to stem strokes

About 20 percent to 40 percent of patients who have a first-time stroke will have another within five years. To help reduce that risk, stroke neurologists often spend copious amounts of time with their most complex patients—speaking with them about their personal risk factors, reviewing their images, or consulting with other experts on the stroke team.

via hopkinsmedicine.org

Doctors are learning how to help prevent further strokes in patients who have had a stroke.

Hopkins Medicine Magazine - After the Big Bang

Traumatic brain injury—from combat, sports or stroke—can be tricky to detect or treat. Specialists here are pooling their expertise to fix the disconnects that keep people sidelined.

via hopkinsmedicine.org

Here is a very encouraging and informative article about traumatic brain injuries and new treatment.

NASA Releases Images of Man-Made Crater on Comet - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

NASA's Stardust spacecraft returned new images of a comet showing a scar resulting from the 2005 Deep Impact mission. The images also showed the comet has a fragile and weak nucleus

via jpl.nasa.gov

Here is an interesting story about a comet showing a scar from a high impact in 2005.

Storm Brings Crashes, Power Outages to Arizona

A winter storm moving through Arizona brought snow to the north and rain throughout most of the rest of the state on Saturday, triggering numerous spinouts on icy roads.

A dust storm caused crashes that closed Interstate 10 south of Phoenix for about two hours, and thousands were without power in the Phoenix area.

via myfoxphoenix.com

Arizona drivers don't seem to know how to drive in inclement weather.

Intel to Build New $5 Billion Factory in Chandler

Intel's chief executive says the company will build a new $5 billion manufacturing facility in Chandler.

CEO Paul Otellini made the announcement Friday at the company's plant in Hillsboro, Ore., after he gave a tour of the facility to President Barack Obama.

Otellini says the Chandler facility will create thousands of new jobs and will be the most advanced high-volume semi-conductor factory in the world.

via myfoxphoenix.com

This is good news for Arizona.

AMA - Residency Benefits Waiting Periods Cease

Residency Benefits Waiting Periods Cease

Residents making an impact

Upon graduating from medical school, we all believe that we are equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in residency. We are wide-eyed, optimistic, and excited to finally be "doctors." Once we become residents and start treating patients, we realize that a significant portion are uninsured. Imagine, as a new resident, if you were one of those uninsured patients for the first 30 to 90 days of your residency. It is ironic to be in a teaching hospital with hundreds of doctors, nurses, and testing facilities, yet not be able to take advantage of these resources without incurring significant financial hardship.

via ama-assn.org

I don't think the average reader knows what hardships residents must endure/

Much of Rural America Still Struggles With Broadband Access - NYTimes.com

COFFEEVILLE, Ala. — After a couple of days in this part of rural Alabama, it is hard to complain about a dropped iPhone call or a Cee Lo video that takes a few seconds too long to load.

via nytimes.com

They still use dial-up in Coffeeville, AL

North Carolina Economy Moves From Textiles to Tech - FoxNews.com

The foothills of North Carolina are famous for furniture and textiles. But as jobs in those industries moved overseas, local leaders worried about too many closed factories and skyrocketing unemployment.

“We have been as high this year as 17.9 percent,” said Tom Johnson of the Economic Development Commission of North Carolina’s Rutherford County. “A lot of that, of course, is attributable to textile operations closing.”

via foxnews.com

This may be a trend in many southern states.

NASA - LADEE

In exploration, sometimes you find more than what you're looking for, including things that shouldn’t be there. As the Apollo 17 astronauts orbited over the night side of the moon, with the sun just beneath the horizon right before orbital "sunrise," Eugene Cernan prepared to make observations of sunlight scattered by the sun's thin outer atmosphere and interplanetary dust from comets and collisions between asteroids.

via nasa.gov

So what are moon dust fountains, and where might they be observed?

NASA - NASA's New Lander Prototype Skates Through Integration and Testing

The robotic lander prototype was placed on modified skateboards and a customized track system as a low-cost solution to control movement during final testing of the prototype's sensors, onboard computer, and thrusters. (NASA/TBE)

via nasa.gov

Why are NASA scientists using skateboards to aid in testing of the new Lunar Robotic Lander prototype?

Research Programs in the Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, University of Arizona

ERL is an off-campus University of Arizona facility and an established leader of environmental research and education in arid regions. The overall goal of ERL is to improve the health, welfare and living standards of communities in desert areas through the application of appropriate and sustainable technologies.

via ag.arizona.edu

There are lots of great research programs in progress at the University of Arizona- check some of them out here.

Hibernating Bears Maintain Body Temperature - NYTimes.com

Thanks to a few adventurous black bears that wandered too close to human communities in Alaska, scientists gained a rare glimpse into the species’ hibernation habits.

via nytimes.com

The study of bears may help doctors treat victims of stroke with better results.

Cranberry Juice and Bladder Infections - NYTimes.com

Hiroko Masuike for The New York Times Cranberries for urinary tract infections?

Cranberry juice is a popular home remedy for treating and preventing bladder infections. But exactly how and why it seems to help remains a scientific mystery, explains Dr. Abigail Zuger.

via well.blogs.nytimes.com

Here is another interesting article about a popular home remedy.

For Cold Virus, Zinc May Edge Out Even Chicken Soup - NYTimes.com

For Cold Virus, Zinc May Edge Out Even Chicken Soup

By TARA PARKER-POPE

Scientists still haven’t discovered a cure for the common cold, but researchers now say zinc may be the next best thing.

via well.blogs.nytimes.com

Now research is indicating that zinc may help fight the common cold virus.

ERS/USDA Briefing Room - Global Climate Change

Overview

The Earth's temperature is rising as a result of increased atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (see Basic Information on Climate Change from EPA). This is what we know about the situation as it relates to agriculture:

• Climate change will affect crop and livestock yields worldwide, which will lead to changes in food and fiber consumption, prices of agricultural commodities, and farm incomes.

via ers.usda.gov

Agriculture is a source of greenhouse gases. This article is very interesting and informative.

Fiber-Rich Diet Linked to Longevity, Study Claims

People who consumed higher amounts of fiber, particularly from grains, had a significantly lower risk of dying over a nine-year period compared to those who consumed lower amounts of fiber, a new National Institutes of Health study released online Monday claims.

Fiber, found in whole grains, beans, nuts, vegetables and fruits aids the body with bowel movements, lowers blood-cholesterol levels and improves blood glucose levels, Dow Jones Newswires reported.

Other studies have suggested that fiber may lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers

via myfoxphoenix.com

Here is more good info on the benefits of a high fiber diet.

Side Dishes - Easy Side Dish Recipes - Delish.com

Roasted Zucchini with Rosemary Yogurt and Zucchini Coulis

Provided By:

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Three simple ingredients create a zucchini dish with two distinct sauces (rosemary yogurt and zucchini coulis). It's delicious either at room temperature or served warm alongside grilled chicken or steak.

Recipe: Roasted Zucchini with Rosemary Yogurt and Zucchini Coulis

via delish.com

This looks like a very tasty dish.

Findings might put a new spin on black holes - Technology & science - Space - Space.com - msnbc.com

April Hobart, NASA, Chandra X-Ray Observatory

An artist's illustration of the view into a black hole. A new study may help detect if they spin or not.

These findings could shed light on the physics of black holes in more detail than earlier deemed possible.

via msnbc.msn.com

Here is some new information about black holes.

Sun erupts with mightiest solar flare in 4 years - Technology & science - Space - Space.com - msnbc.com

NASA

An ultraviolet image from NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory shows Monday's X-class flare erupting from the sun. It was the largest flare since Dec. 6, 2006, NASA said.

via msnbc.msn.com

Here is an interesting article about the latest solar flare.

Killer plant sucks in prey at record speed - Technology & science - Science - DiscoveryNews.com - msnbc.com

Aquatic, meat-eating bladderworts are among the world's best suckers and they have just been named the fastest trapping carnivorous plants, according to a Proceedings of the Royal Society B study.

via msnbc.msn.com

Watch out for this carnivorous plant.

Guys who go bald at 20 have higher cancer risk - Health - Cancer - msnbc.com

LONDON — A study showing that men who start to go bald at 20 may be more likely to develop prostate cancer in later life suggests they might benefit from early screening or preventative therapy, scientists said on Tuesday.

via msnbc.msn.com

If you went bald in your 20's, or know someone who did, then this story is for you.

Oprah's got her OWN problems - Entertainment - Television - TODAYshow.com

Chris Pizzello  /  AP

Oprah Winfrey, chairman of OWN, addressed reporters during the Disco

Even Oprah Winfrey has confidence issues.

The queen of media has tackled plenty of challenges in her life, but she second-guessed herself when she held the power of programming for her Oprah Winfrey Network, a joint venture between the talk-show host and Discovery Communications.

While most network programmers have brand guidelines to help in the decision-making process, Winfrey enjoys a relatively free rein when it comes to OWN.

Still, in the time leading up to the Jan. 1 launch, she began fretting about her programming choices.

via today.msnbc.msn.com

Oprah Winfrey may be having some confidence issues about her new network due to low ratings.

More artificial floods in Colorado River could reduce predatory non-native trout - Local News - Phoenix, AZ - msnbc.com

Artificial floods over 14 years helped rebuild sandbars in the Grand Canyon but may have pushed non-native rainbow trout into an area frequented by the endangered humpback chub, according a U.S. Geological Survey study.

via msnbc.msn.com

Have the artificial floods in the Grand Canyon been harmful? Read this interesting article to find out what is going on.

University of Connecticut

Classes in puppetry were first taught at UConn in 1964 by Professor Frank W. Ballard, who had joined the faculty of Theatre Department as a set designer and technical director eight years earlier. After three years, the demand for these courses had grown so drastically that the department had to limit enrollment in puppetry classes.

via drama.uconn.edu

The University of Connecticut is one of only two universities in the U.S. that offers degrees in puppetry.

Research at AHSC | Arizona Health Sciences Center

Faculty from the UA Colleges of Pharmacy, Medicine and Science work collaboratively in venom research and are leaders in the development of antivenom for snake bite, spider bite and scorpion stings. Faculty scholars at the UA College of Nursing are studying dozens of topics in the areas of biological injury, health promotion and aging and chronic illness. These include alternative health care, family care giving and home care, cancer therapies, cardiovascular risk management, management of HIV/AIDS populations, high-risk neonates and health issues in culturally specific populations, among many others.

via ahsc.arizona.edu

Interesting info reference ongoing research at the Arizona Health Sciences Center.

Molecular Determinants of Substrate/Inhibitor Binding to the Human and Rabbit Renal Organic Cation Transporters hOCT2 and rbOCT2 — Molecular Pharmacology

Organic cation transporters are important for the elimination of many drugs and toxins from the body. In the present study, substrate-transporter interactions were investigated in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with either the human or rabbit orthologs of the principal organic cation transporter in the kidney, OCT2.

via molpharm.aspetjournals.org

Organic cation transporters are important for the elimination of many drugs and toxins from the body. Read this abstract for further info.

Young Mom Waiting for Donor Heart at UMC Enjoys Gift of ‘Freedom’ this Valentine’s Day | AHSC Office of Public Affairs

Young Mom Waiting for Donor Heart at UMC Enjoys Gift of ‘Freedom’ this Valentine’s Day

TUCSON, Ariz.—A Southern Arizona woman has become the first Total Artificial Heart patient in Tucson to leave the hospital while awaiting a heart transplant, thanks to a portable machine that powers her heart.

Marcela Padilla, 21, walked out of University Medical Center Jan. 20 with a backpack slung over her shoulder. Inside was the Freedom portable driver, powering the SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart implanted in her chest.

Padilla is the fifth person and the first woman in the nation to use the Freedom, which is undergoing a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved clinical study in the United States. The driver is approved for commercial use in Europe.

M. Cristina Smith, MD, director of Heart Transplant and Ventricular-Assist Device Services, and assistant professor of surgery at the University of Arizona Department of Surgery, said the Freedom gives hope to those awaiting transplant.

via opa.ahsc.arizona.edu

Here is some good news for potential heart transplant patients.

UMC Center for Advanced Endoscopy Recognized by American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy | College of Medicine

Endoscopy procedures are performed by specially-trained physicians using an endoscope – a thin, flexible tube – to diagnose and treat diseases of the gastrointestinal (digestive) tract. Endoscopes are designed with high-intensity lighting and fitted with precision devices that allow viewing and treatment of the gastrointestinal system without incisions.

via medicine.arizona.edu

Your health is in good hands at UMC in Tucson, Arizona.

Pediatrics Report: Energy Drinks Dangerous for Kids, Teens

AP Photo / Jack Dempsey

Energy Drinks Dangerous for Kids, Teens

Updated: Monday, 14 Feb 2011, 9:37 AM MST
Published : Monday, 14 Feb 2011, 9:35 AM MST

CHICAGO (AP) - Energy drinks are under-studied, overused and can be dangerous for children and teens, warns a report by doctors who say kids shouldn't use the popular products.

The potential harms, caused mostly by too much caffeine or similar ingredients, include heart palpitations, seizures, strokes and even sudden death, the authors write in the medical journal Pediatrics.

via myfoxphoenix.com

Study Backs Surgery as Fix for Spina Bifida Before Birth

Prenatal surgery for spina bifida, one of the most common disabling birth defects, had significantly more benefit than waiting until after birth, and allowed some children to walk who otherwise likely could not, according to a major study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

via myfoxphoenix.com

Good news for prenatal intervention in treatment for spina bifida

JPL Airborne Sensor to Study 'Rivers in the Sky' - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

JPL Airborne Sensor to Study 'Rivers in the Sky'

NASA's Global Hawk soars aloft from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on a functional check flight of the WISPAR aircraft payload system and science instruments. Image credit: NASA Dryden Flight Research Center

They're called atmospheric rivers - narrow regions in Earth's atmosphere that transport enormous amounts of water vapor across the Pacific or other regions. Aptly nicknamed "rivers in the sky," they can transport enough water vapor in one day, on average, to flood an area the size of Maryland 0.3 meters (1 foot) deep, or about seven times the average daily flow of water from the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico.

via jpl.nasa.gov

This project is studying the possibility of floods, wind and mudslides that could result in California as a result of atmospheric rivers.

CDC - Asthma - Basic Information

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs. It is one of the most common long-term diseases of children, but adults have asthma, too. Asthma causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. If you have asthma, you have it all the time, but you will have asthma attacks only when something bothers your lungs.

via cdc.gov

This is some helpful info for many people... especially good to know if you have young children.

NIH study finds two pesticides associated with Parkinson’s disease, Friday, February 11, 2011 News Release - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

NIH study finds two pesticides associated with Parkinson’s disease

New research shows a link between use of two pesticides, rotenone and paraquat, and Parkinson's disease. People who used either pesticide developed Parkinson’s disease approximately 2.5 times more often than non-users.

The study was a collaborative effort conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), which is part of the National Institutes of Health, and the Parkinson's Institute and Clinical Center in Sunnyvale, Calif.

via nih.gov

I wonder how many other pesticides have ill-effects on us?

Nantucket Whaler Lost in Pacific Tells Its Tale at Last - NYTimes.com

No ‘Moby-Dick’: A Real Captain, Twice Doomed

Greg McFall/NOAA

A team of marine archaeologists found the whaler Two Brothers in 2008 while on a trip looking for other wrecks in the Pacific.

via nytimes.com

This is an entertaining article about the events that led to the writing of the novel, "Moby- Dick"

Report: Beer Great for Heart Health - FoxNews.com

When most people think of heart-healthy beverages, they think of red wine. But new evidence from the American Dietetic Association (ADA) shows that beer has a great deal of nutrition and heart benefits as well, according to an article published in ADA Times.

via foxnews.com

This article should make a lot of people happy.

America's Third War: Arizona Border Patrol Curbing Crime With Technology - FoxNews.com

In spite of radar, helicopters and infared cameras, the fight to protect the U.S. border often comes down to a simple footrace.

via foxnews.com

The border battle is never-ending. What do you think the solution is?

Real cooties? Boys catch flu from boys, study says - msnbc.com

If your 7-year-old son comes home from school with flu, he probably caught it from another boy rather than one of the girls, says new research that sheds light on how the flu virus spreads.

Scientists researching the spread of H1N1 in an elementary school classroom found that boys typically transmit the infection to other boys and girls pass it on to girls. In fact, grade-school guys are three times more likely to spread flu to classmates of the same sex than the opposite sex, according to a recent study in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

via msnbc.msn.com

This is a very interesting and informative article about your child's health.

Magnetic Polar Shifts Causing Massive Global Superstorms - Salem-News.Com

Magnetic Polar Shifts Causing Massive Global Superstorms

Terrence Aym Salem-News.com

Superstorms can also cause certain societies, cultures or whole countries to collapse. Others may go to war with each other.

Courtesy: Weather Snob

(CHICAGO) - NASA has been warning about it…scientific papers have been written about it…geologists have seen its traces in rock strata and ice core samples…

Now "it" is here: an unstoppable magnetic pole shift that has sped up and is causing life-threatening havoc with the world's weather.

Forget about global warming—man-made or natural—what drives planetary weather patterns is the climate and what drives the climate is the sun's magnetosphere and its electromagnetic interaction with a planet's own magnetic field.

via salem-news.com

Lately there have been many, many super storms throughout the world. This article may help to explain these storms.

Rare Ocelot Observed In Southern Arizona

Rare Ocelot Observed In Southern Arizona - Image: AZGFD

Arizona Game and Fish Department

PHOENIX, AZ – -(Ammoland.com)- Arizona Game and Fish Department officials report that a rare ocelot was observed this morning, February 9, 2011 in the Huachuca Mountains in southern Arizona.

via ammoland.com

Here is a good story about the rare ocelot which has been on the endangered species list for a long time.

Study Links Diet Soda to Stroke Risk

Diet soda drinkers are probably doing their waistlines a favor, but may also be boosting their risk of having a stroke, according to research released Wednesday by researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

The study monitored the health of more than 2,500 patients over nearly a decade. They answered lengthy questionnaires about nutrition along the way and were monitored for several conditions. In the time they were under evaluation, 559 of the test subjects experienced vascular events, including strokes caused by hemorrhage and those caused by clots.

via myfoxphoenix.com

This is interesting info for diet soda drinkers. I wonder why these drinks, alone, are really the cause of heart disease.

7 Towns Where Land is Free - CNBC

Kansas has so much free land offered throughout the state by local Kansan governments and development groups that there’s an online hub to organize all the information, the appropriately named Kansas Free Land .

via cnbc.com

Here are 7 towns in the U.S. where you can get free land.

Basketball Phenom

Here is an incredible video showing a 12 year old basketball phenom.

Nice in Camp Verde, AZ

Beautiful in Camp Verde at 37 degrees and sunny...

NASA - NASA Refines Asteroid Apophis' Path Toward Earth

NASA Refines Asteroid Apophis' Path Toward Earth

PASADENA, Calif. -- Using updated information, NASA scientists have recalculated the path of a large asteroid. The refined path indicates a significantly reduced likelihood of a hazardous encounter with Earth in 2036.

The Apophis asteroid is approximately the size of two-and-a-half football fields. The new data were documented by near-Earth object scientists Steve Chesley and Paul Chodas at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. They will present their updated findings at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society's Division for Planetary Sciences in Puerto Rico on Oct. 8.

via nasa.gov

What are the odds this asteroid will collide with Earth?

College Coach Donates Kidney to Baseball Player - FoxNews.com

Brian Westerholt, Sports On Film

Wake Forest baseball coach Tom Walter donated a kidney to one of his players, Kevin Jordan, on Monday, Feb. 7. In January 2010, Jordan began to feel ill and a few month later, he was diagnosed with ANCA vasculitis, requiring dialysis for about 10 hours a day. When Jordan's family did not produce an ideal donor match, Walter stepped up to the plate and volunteered.

via foxnews.com

Wow, here is a touching story.

NASA - Taurus XL Ready to Launch Glory Spacecraft

Taurus XL Ready to Launch Glory Spacecraft

02.08.11

Image above: The Glory spacecraft stands in its processing hangar before it was encapsulated and sent to the launch pad. Photo credit: NASA/Don Kososka, VAFB
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Image above: The Glory spacecraft will launch into a polar orbit that will make it part of the "A-train" of Earth observation satellites. Artist concept credit: NASA
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Image above: Technicians work at the launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., as preparations continue for the launch of the Glory mission. Photo credit: NASA/VAFB
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The Glory spacecraft and its Taurus XL launch vehicle are coming together at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California as NASA gets ready to launch its first Launch Services Program mission of 2011.

Researchers are looking for more puzzle pieces to fill out the picture of Earth's climate and Glory was designed to give them the pieces relating to the role tiny particles known as aerosols play in the planet's weather. The spacecraft, about the size of a refrigerator, is also equipped with an instrument to measure the sun's impact on Earth's conditions. Glory is to lift off Feb. 23 at 5:09 a.m. EST.

"The Glory satellite will help us understand the interaction of what's called aerosols in our environment," said Chuong Nguyen, LSP's mission integration manager for Glory.

via nasa.gov

Officials are preparing the launch of the Glory Mission.

Crime doesn't pay video

Here is a great video proving that crime doesn't pay.

Innovative Japanese Baseball Pitcher

I have always heard the Japanese are innovative.  Here is a funny video which illustrates that belief.

Russian City Bans Valentine's Day

A Russian city banned Valentine's Day celebrations, amid fears Tuesday that the festival could undermine the country's cultural traditions.

Belgorod, in southwestern Russia, will not organize Feb. 14 celebrations because it would threaten "spiritual safety," according to a decree signed by the city's deputy governor, Oleg Polukhin.

"Society has to think about the consequences," said Grigory Bolotnov

via myfoxphoenix.com

This is incredible

Tempe Man Back Up on His Luck after Good Deed

TEMPE - Last fall, Dave Tally found a bag of cash, and turned it in. Since that day, the homeless man's life has turned around.

No longer homeless or jobless, Tally is living a new life.

He has big plans for Tempe's new community garden. His job is to oversee Tempe Community Actions Agency's community garden project.

via myfoxphoenix.com

A good story!

Wood-burning stoves 'can cause cancer and heart disease' - Telegraph

Wood-burning stoves 'can cause cancer and heart disease'

Trendy wood-burning stoves produce invisible particles that can cause heart disease and cancer, scientists have warned.

Previous studies have linked particulate matter from traffic fumes and coal-fired power stations to heart disease, asthma, bronchitis, cancer and other health problems. Photo: ALAMY

By Stephen Adams, Medical Correspondent 7:45AM GMT 07 Feb 2011

Breathing in the particles has a similar effect to inhaling emissions from car exhausts and power plants, it is claimed.

via telegraph.co.uk

It seems like everything we enjoy is bad for us.

Victim of 'Wolf Pack' Bullies Wants Out of School - FoxNews.com

The 13-year-old boy who was attacked last month by what authorities in Pennsylvania called a "wolf pack" of teenagers returned to school on Monday -- but wants to find a new school as soon as possible.

via foxnews.com

Are kids in the U.S. becoming more violent? If so, why do you think they are?

Valley Fever Often Misdiagnosed Outside Arizona

GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. (AP) — Valley Fever is not only often misunderstood, it's also misdiagnosed — especially outside Arizona.

A study by the Valley Fever Center for Excellence at the University of Arizona shows that two-thirds of patients with Valley Fever had it misdiagnosed in Arizona, where two-thirds of all infections in the United States occur. Outside the state, it gets worse.

via myfoxphoenix.com

This is an informative article about Valley Fever.

NASA - First Ever STEREO Images of the Entire Sun

Latest image of the far side of the Sun based on high resolution STEREO data, taken on February 2, 2011 at 23:56 UT when there was still a small gap between the STEREO Ahead and Behind data. This gap will start to close on February 6, 2011, when the spacecraft achieve 180 degree separation, and will completely close over the next several days. Credit: NASA

February 6, 2011: It's official: The sun is a sphere.

via nasa.gov

Wow, what an awesome picture of the far side of the Sun. Read the whole story.

Video showing a Mimic Octopus

Here is a cool video showing what a Mimic Octopus can do.

Christina Aguilera flubs line from The Star Spangled Banner

Christina Aguilera says she flubbed a line as she belted out the national anthem at the start of the Super Bowl after getting lost in the moment and losing her place.

She says in a statement, "I can only hope that everyone could feel my love for this country and that the true spirit of it's anthem still came through."

via myfoxphoenix.com

No excuses!

New way to grow microwires

Microwires made of silicon — tiny wires with a thickness comparable to a human hair — have a wide range of possible uses, including the production of solar cells that can harvest much more sunlight for a given amount of material than a conventional solar cell made from a thin wafer of silicon crystal. Now researchers from MIT and Penn State have found a way of producing such wires in quantity in a highly controlled way that could be scaled up to an industrial-scale process, potentially leading to practical commercial applications.

via web.mit.edu

This technology may increase effectiveness of solar cells used for harvesting energy from sunlight.

Hartford considers trans fat ban in food - Courant.com

HARTFORD, Conn. —

Hartford is considering joining other cities banning trans fats served in food establishments.

Councilman Larry Deutsch, who introduced the resolution with Councilman Luis Cotto, compares trans fats to salt in diets or smoke. He says his proposal is intended to improve health and reduce health care costs.

via courant.com

How many other cities do you think will ban trans fats in local food establishments?

The Great Beyond: US stem cell research harmed by uncertainty

The legal tangle over the status of human embryonic stem cell research in the United States has slowed stem cell research as a whole, reports a survey released today in Cell Stem Cell.

Arthur Levine, an analyst at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, asked 370 US scientists how ongoing uncertainty about the legality of human embryonic stem cell research was affecting their work. The survey, conducted in November 2011, came soon after the National Institutes of Health was permitted to restart its funding for human embryonic stem cell research; funding was halted from late August to early September, after a US District Court judge issued a preliminary injunction stopping the research in response to a lawsuit.

Levine's survey found that the temporary ban on research had a widespread impact in the human embryonic stem cell research community, with 75 percent of survey respondents reporting that it had some impact on their work and 24 percent reporting that the impact was substantial. What's more, 41 percent of stem cell researchers not working with human embryonic stem cells also reported that the temporary ban had an impact on their work.

via blogs.nature.com

Here is some recent news reference stem cell research.

Vampire flying frog has fangs as tadpole

RALEIGH, N.C. - No ordinary pond-hopper, the vampire flying frog has wowed herpetologists with its webbed feet, gliding ability and habit of laying eggs in tree holes 30 feet high.

But one thing sets the Vietnamese croaker apart from any known species on Earth: As a baby, it boasts a pair of black fangs.

"Fangs have never been seen before in a tadpole," said Bryan Stuart, a scientist who is part of a team that discovered it. "This is such an exciting time to be an amphibian biologist."

via msnbc.msn.com

A flying, vampire frog? What else is out there to be discovered?

MUSC included in Best Hospitals list | The Post and Courier, Charleston SC - News, Sports, Entertainment

Photo by Leroy Burnell

The Medical University of South Carolina again has made U.S. News & World Report's list of Best Hospitals in six categories. The hospital has been ranked for the 14th year in a row for its treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

via postandcourier.com

Congratulations to MUSC !

Cancer in Developing Countries Up

Unhealthy lifestyle changes among people in developing countries are driving up the incidence of several cancers worldwide, the American Cancer Society said on Friday.

Cancer has long considered a problem of the developed world, but the developing world now accounts for the majority of new cancer cases diagnosed every year. Of approximately 12.7 million new cases of cancer diagnosed every year, 7.1 million of them are in the developing world.

Both the American Cancer Society and the World Health Organization (WHO) blame gains in developing countries on unhealthy habits associated what the WHO calls a "Western" lifestyle.

via myfoxphoenix.com

Overcooking broccoli hurts health benefit - UPI.com

URBANA, Ill., Feb. 5 (UPI) -- A U.S. researcher says overcooking broccoli may hinder its cancer-fighting effect but cooking broccoli powder with its sprouts can double its power.

"Broccoli, prepared correctly, is an extremely potent cancer-fighting agent -- three to five servings a week are enough to have an effect," Elizabeth Jeffery of the University of Illinois says in a statement.

via upi.com

I have always liked broccoli, but I don't know if I could eat it 3-5 times per week.

Northern Mars Landscape Actively Changing - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

February 03, 2011

Sand dunes in a vast area of northern Mars long thought to be frozen in time are changing with both sudden and gradual motions, according to research using images from a NASA orbiter.

These dune fields cover an area the size of Texas in a band around the planet at the edge of Mars' north polar cap. The new findings suggest they are among the most active landscapes on Mars. However, few changes in these dark-toned dunes had been detected before a campaign of repeated imaging by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which reached Mars five years ago next month.

via jpl.nasa.gov

Here is another interesting article about Mars.

NASA's Rover On Mars For 7 Years

Check out this video about NASA's Rover Mission on Mars.  It has been there for 7 years and still sends awesome pictures and information.

Earth's last great virgin habitat invaded - Science, News - The Independent

For 15 million years, a vast icebound lake has been sealed deep beneath Antarctica's frozen crust, possibly hiding prehistoric or other unknown life. Now Russian scientists are on the brink of piercing through to its secrets.

They suspect its depths will reveal new life forms, show how the planet was before the ice age and how life evolved. It could even offer a glimpse at what conditions for life exist in the similar extremes of Mars and Jupiter's moon Europa.

via independent.co.uk

This is exciting when you stop and wonder what will be discovered in this under-ice lake.

Couples who talk alike are more compatible

It was around the time when Emily Taffel-Schaper accidentally called her mom "dude" when she realized: She was starting to talk exactly like her now-husband, Fritz Schaper.

"Sometimes I even notice myself calling my clients 'dude,'" says Taffel-Schaper, a 30-year-old who works in public relations in Del Ray Beach, Fla. It works the other way around, too, she explains: Just last Sunday, her thoughts seemed to have momentarily possessed her husband's speech, when he said one of her oft-repeated words on his weekend Internet radio show: "natch."

The two, now married, have been together for 10 years, so clearly something about this talkalike system is working. In fact, a new study published in the journal Psychological Science shows that couples who have similar speaking styles might actually be more compatible.

via today.msnbc.msn.com

I wonder just how true this is. What do you think?

It's a beautiful Saturday

It's a beautiful day in the desert.  It is supposed to get to 65 degrees today.  Right now it is about 40.  Anyway, the grand kids have games today.  The girls will be playing 3 volleyball games this morning.  This afternoon the grandsons will be playing tackle football.  We are hoping for some real exciting games.

Our weather has been real cold this week, but it doesn't compare to what folks back in the Midwest and east are experiencing.  They have had several inches of ice, then snow on top of that.  The ice has made it very difficult for most people to get out and about.  Hopefully, the ice will clear up soon and things will be back to normal.

Principal Calls Jesus Song Offensive | FOX 11 News

Chatsworth - A lawsuit changed the program at an upcoming talent show at a San Fernando Valley elementary school.

The parents of a 5th grader at Superior Street Elementary School filed a lawsuit after their son was told he couldn't dance to his favorite song "We Shine" because of its references to Jesus.

The school's principal allegedly told the student that the song was "Offensive" and asked why he couldn't "... Pick a song that does not say Jesus so many times?"

via myfoxla.com

This is sad!

Alabama firm may protest Russian helicopter deal | Reuters

A small Alabama-based firm is gearing up to protest the Army's plan to hand an exclusive helicopter contract to a Russian government agency, saying it can do the job quicker and cheaper if it is allowed to compete.

via reuters.com

Researchers warn Arctic fishing under-reported | Reuters

(Reuters) - The amount of fish caught in the Arctic has been dramatically under-reported for decades, making the northern ocean environment appear far more pristine than it really is, according to a new study.

An estimated 950,000 tonnes of fish were caught in Russian, Canadian and U.S. Arctic waters between 1950 and 2006, which is 75 times higher than reported by the United Nation's agency that records catch levels, according to Canadian researchers.

Ineffective reporting "has given us a false sense of comfort that the Arctic is still a pristine frontier when it comes to fisheries," lead researcher Dirk Zeller of the University of British Columbia said in a written statement.

via reuters.com

The Arctic waters may not be such a pristine fishery after all.

How squid hear: It’s the motion of the ocean - Technology & science - Science - LiveScience - msnbc.com

Tom Kleindinst / Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

The squid species Loligo pealii is the object of biologist Aran Mooney's research on the mechanism of hearing for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts.

By Wynne Parry

LiveScience

updated 2/3/2011 3:33:12 PM ET 2011-02-03T20:33:12

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Squid can hear, scientists have confirmed. But they don't detect the changes in pressure associated with sound waves, like we do. They have another, more primitive, technique for listening: They sense the motion generated by sound waves.

"They are detecting themselves moving back and forth with the sound wave," said T. Aran Mooney, a marine biologist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts. He compared a squid in the ocean being jostled by a sound wave to a piece of fruit suspended in

via msnbc.msn.com

NASA - NASA's Kepler Spacecraft Discovers Extraordinary New Planetary System

NASA's Kepler Spacecraft Discovers Extraordinary New Planetary System

02.02.11

Click image for full-resolution.
Kepler-11 is a sun-like star around which six planets orbit. At times, two or more planets pass in front of the star at once, as shown in this artist's conception of a simultaneous transit of three planets observed by NASA's Kepler spacecraft on Aug. 26, 2010.
Image credit: NASA/Tim Pyle

Click image for full-resolution.
This artist’s conception shows the Kepler-11 planetary system and our solar system from a tilted perspective to demonstrate that the orbits of each lie on similar planes.
Image credit: NASA/Tim Pyle

Scientists using NASA's Kepler, a space telescope, recently discovered six planets made of a mix of rock and gases orbiting a single sun-like star, known as Kepler-11, which is located approximately 2,000 light years from Earth.

"The Kepler-11 planetary system is amazing," said Jack Lissauer, a planetary scientist and a Kepler science team member at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. "It’s amazingly compact, it’s amazingly flat, there’s an amazingly large number of big planets orbiting close to their star - we didn’t know such systems could even exist."

via nasa.gov

I wonder if that planetary system sustains life as we know it...

Brewer Slams New York City Mayor for Phoenix Gun Show Sting - FoxNews.com

Michael Bloomberg's undercover investigation at a gun show in Arizona must be a result of the extra time the mayor has on his hands from running the well-oiled machine that is New York City, says Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer.

The governor, appearing Tuesday night on Fox News' "On the Record With Greta Van Susteren," said it's "interesting" that Bloomberg chose to launch a sting operation in the Grand Canyon state. 

via foxnews.com

I agree.. Bloomberg needs to worry about New York City!

Pay Gap Widening Between U.S. Male, Female Doctors - FoxNews.com

Newly trained female doctors in the United States make nearly $17,000 less than their male counterparts, even though women increasingly are choosing careers in higher-paying medical specialties, U.S. researchers said on Thursday.

via foxnews.com

Why should female physicians make less than male counterparts performing the same job?

Naval Academy Admissions Under Scrutiny

The Naval Academy will send appointment letters to the Class of 2015 this week, and nearly all of the successful applicants will likely accept.

By mid-August, these 1,240 new midshipmen will be wearing spotless uniforms, drilling in unison and starting and ending each sentence with "sir" or "ma'am." Also, in Naval Academy tradition, they will refer to themselves as "the best and the brightest."

This familiar picture does not reveal the concerns that are surfacing over Naval Academy admissions policies.

via military.com

This is an interesting article about the Naval Academy admissions policies which may allow very marginal prospective candidates admission to the academy.

Think New Jersey police are overpaid? Try doing the job

AN OFFICER'S VIEW: In light of a recent newspaper article about police salaries in New Jersey being among the highest in the nation: First off, let’s remind ourselves that New Jersey’s cost of living is one of, if not the highest, in the country, and that most jobs in New Jersey, including private sector jobs, pay more than other states.

Andover P.O. Joseph Indano

via cliffviewpilot.com

NASA - NASA's Hubble Finds Most Distant Galaxy Candidate Ever Seen in Universe

Astronomers have pushed NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to its limits by finding what is likely to be the most distant object ever seen in the universe. The object's light traveled 13.2 billion years to reach Hubble, roughly 150 million years longer than the previous record holder. The age of the universe is approximately 13.7 billion years.

The tiny, dim object is a compact galaxy of blue stars that existed 480 million years after the big bang. More than 100 such mini-galaxies would be needed to make up our Milky Way. The new research offers surprising evidence that the rate of star birth in the early universe grew dramatically, increasing by about a factor of 10 from 480 million years to 650 million years after the big bang.

via nasa.gov

It is amazing how many new discoveries have been made since the Hubble Space Telescope was sent into it's orbit 20 years ago.