Environmental Science: High Court Case Tests Power Plants' Water Rules

The U.S. Supreme Court hears an important environmental case Tuesday, testing whether utilities must use the best technology available to minimize harm to the nation's waterways. At issue is the physical impact on fish and the financial impact on companies.

Listen to the NPR Story

Environmental Science: Mountaintop Mining

"The Environmental Protection agency approved Tuesday new rules that make it easier for mining companies to dump waste near rivers and streams. Environmentalists argue that dumping the rubble fouls the waters, kills fish and causes flooding in nearby communities." Listen to this story involving the Bush Administration, Mining and the Clear Water Act. Here is the NPR story.

Environmental Science: Pigs with Spinach genes

Ok... Candlelight, a little wine and a lot of Barry White.....AND YOU STILL WOULD GET THIS! Japanese Scientist in a quest to make a leaner pig, have succeed in introducing a spinach gene into a pig!

Read about it here.

Scientists cross pigs with spinach

Spinach gene makes pigs healthier to eat

Astronomy: Extrasolar Planet Imaged!

The first picture of a planet outside of our solar system has been released. Check out the articles.

First Directly Imaged Brown Dwarf Companion To An Exoplanet Host Star

EXOPLANETS IN SIGHT

Groups take first photos of extrasolar planets

Hubble Takes First Visible Light Image of Extrasolar Planet

Geology: Hellboy and the Golden Army

I've been looking for this place forever! This is a geologic formation in Ireland. Stone formation similar to the ones found at Devil's Tower in Wyoming. This place was mention in Hellboy: The Golden Army. You can see more pictures and explore the site at The Giant's Causeway

Computer Science: Organic CPU

Ok... This is just to weird. Scientist have found a way to use rat brain tissue as the control system for a robot. Are you freaked out yet. just think when you die your kids can use your brain to power their video game: Gran Theft Auto 15.

Just read the stories.

A 'Frankenrobot' with a biological brain

Rat's 'brain' used to power robot (Watch the video!)

Rat-brain robot aids memory study (Watch the video!)

Robot with a Biological Brain: new research provides insights into how the brain works (Watch the video!)

Environmental Science: Syria's Reactor

It seems Syria was building a reactor. As with any piece of modern technology, a reactor can be a two edge sword. Yes, it can produce electrical power and no greenhouse gases. However some reactors can be used to produce nuclear material that can aid in a nuclear weapons program. I guess that was a chance that Israel could allow to happen. Israel bombed the plant last fall (2007). Today the CIA take congress to school for Nuke 101: Nuclear Power and You.

You can read or listen to the related here:

U.S. Officials Tie N. Korea to Syrian Nuclear Site by Tom Gjelten
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89904753
CIA to Brief Congress on Israel's Syria Bombing
N Korea 'linked to Syria reactor'

Geology: Earthquake strikes Midwest

Early morning earthquake ripples through the middle of the country

270_40 An earthquake shook a large area in the Midwest at 4:37 a.m. CT, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Seismologists say the epicenter of this magnitude 5.2 temblor was in southern Illinois, about 66 miles from Evansville, Ind.

As of right now, there are no reports of serious injuries or damage.

"It shook our house where it woke me up," David Behm of Philo, 10 miles south of Champaign, tells the Associated Press. "Windows were rattling, and you could hear it. The house was shaking inches. For people in central Illinois, this is a big deal. It's not like California."

Tremors were felt hundreds of miles away. We found reports from people who felt the quake in Kansas City, Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Madison, Wis., Des Moines and near Atlanta.

Gary Patterson, a geologist at the University of Memphis, tells the Evansville Courier-Press that this is the first quake in that area since 1968. He explains why it was felt so far away: "Obviously, it depends on what the soil is where you're at, and what type of building you're in. A person jogging down the street in Kansas City didn't feel this, but a person in a 20-story building there would have felt it."

Posted from USA Today

Meteorology: Edward Lorentz Father of Chaos Theory

"Edward N. Lorenz, the MIT meteorologist whose efforts to use computers to increase the precision of weather forecasts inadvertently led to the discovery of chaos theory and demonstrated that precise long-range forecasts are impossible, died of cancer Wednesday at his home in Cambridge, Mass. He was 90.

Lorenz was perhaps best known for the title of a 1972 paper, "Predictability: Does the Flap of a Butterfly's Wings in Brazil Set Off a Tornado in Texas?" The memorable title pithily summarized the essence of chaos theory -- that very small changes in a system can have very large and unexpected consequences."

-- Posted from the Los Angeles Times

Edward N. Lorenz, 90; scientist developed influential chaos theory

Other Obituaries

Edward N. Lorenz, a Meteorologist and a Father of Chaos Theory, Dies at 90

Edward Lorenz; Pioneer in Creation of Chaos Theory

An explanation of his work should be noted.

Chaos Theory for Beginners - An Introduction -

Play with Lorentz Attractors and Chaos theory. See how small changes in initial conditions can change the path of a process.

Lorenz Butterfly: A Demostration

The Butterfly Effect: Another Demostration

Lorentz Attractors

Dr. Lorentz's Original Paper: Deterministic Nonperiodic Flow

Environment Science: Paper or Plastic?

Paper or Plastic? Tried of that question? Which answer is more friendly to the planet? What if you could have a bag that is tough , long lasting and fits in your pocket? Try a "Chico Bag"! These bags are reusable, strong and colorful. They fit in your pocket or purse. They are great for shopping trips, quick errands, and even Halloween trick or treat sacks.

Environmental Sciecne: The Plastic Ocean

Every year millions of pieces of plastic find there way into the ocean as trash. Some pieces are wash into the ocean from runoff, storm drains, or discarded articles on the beach. Other pieces are from trash intentionally dump by fisherman, cruise liners, cargo ships, and other ocean going vessels. The oceans' currents eventually take this plastic flotsam to the middle of the ocean forming a mass of debris that cover millions of square miles. Captain Charles Moore has made a study of these floating masses of debris and here is his story.

Trashed:
Across the Pacific Ocean, Plastics, Plastics, Everywhere

Would you like to know more? Please take the time to listen to the audio stories as well.

Navigating the Pacific's 'Garbage Patch'
Garbage Mass Is Growing in the Pacific
Floating toxic plastic garbage island twice the size of Texas
Photos of a Plastic Ocean

Environmental Science: China's One Child Policy

Looks like China's One Child Policy is going to cause them problems in the near future.

China Demographic Crisis: Too Many Boys, Elderly by Louisa Lim

Environmental Science: Food and Fuel

Land to grow food now competes with land to grow bio-fuels(ethanol).

Fuel, Food Demand Raise Corn, Soybean Prices by Lynn Neary

Aid Groups Target Poor Nations as Food Prices Soar by Michele Kelemen

Physics: Optics Stereographic Images

In our discussion of parallax I mention that stereographic images produce a 3D effect when viewed with a Stereographic viewer like a Viewmaster. However a similar effect can be done using an animated gif File and a computer.

Stereo Images: Time for Space Wiggle

Physics: Head Tracking, Optics, and Computer Science

This is just so cool I had to post it.

Head Tracking on the Wii.




Not to be out done here is a head tracking clip done on a PS3 running Linux

Environmental Sciecne: What's really in your Water?

It seems that all the drugs we are taking are making their way into the water supply of the planet. The water pollution control systems just don't handle drugs, hormones and chemicals we put in to our bodies and Flush down the toilet. Everything ends up in the water. Guys if you are feeling less virile and ladies if everyone seems to be more feminine, maybe it's not just you. Could it be something in the water?



Want to learn More?

Is Fatherhood In Peril?

Estrogen-Related Hormone Found In SF Drinking Water

Study: Antibiotics, Anti-Depressants, Estrogen In Drinking Water

I'll Have the Water With Estrogen, Please.

Just a Reminder!

Remember: I'll be out of town on Monday March 31st and Tuesday April 1st. So, No Class! Yippie!

Homework Deadline Revised!

ALL HOMEWORK FOR THE WEEK IS DUE ON FRIDAY BY NOON

Environmental Sciecne: Driving Green

How much is your carbon footprint as you drive?
Calculate Your Impact

Environmental Science: How Much Carbon is in Your Food

NPR's Fresh Air had a wonderful story about the greenhouse gas cost of raising food. Is it more environmentally friendly to buy apples from Washington State or apples from New Zealand?

You might want to give the piece a listen:Michael Specter: Count Carbon Along With Calories

Environment Science: Put a Monkey in Your Coffee

Yes, It's true! There is a coffee made from the beans dug out of the excrement of monkeys.


The World's Most Expensive Coffee is From Beans Cycled Through an Indonesian Monkey's Digestive System-Truth!

Environmental Science: Food Cost Rising

More people around the world are eating meat than ever before. That coupled with raising fuel cost and the demand for ethanol are just some of the factor increasing your grocery bill.

Food Prices Surging, Raising Hunger Concerns

On Point: The Soaring Price of Food

Muscatine Community College Closed! 2/6/2008

Axel and Roxas Comic: Snow Day by *Silverookami on deviantART

WOOOHOOO! Snow Day! The College is closed today! We will see you on Thursday. Thursday and Friday Exams are still on! Use the day to study. :)

Meteorology: Killer Tornadoes

Killer Tornadoes ripped through the Southern United States leaving many homeless and some dead.

Tornadoes sweep U.S. south, at least 26 dead

Tornadoes tear across Southern states, killing at least 27

Environmental Science: China's One Child Policy Riots

Is everyone happy with only one child?


Chinese villagers riot over one-child policy

Meteorology Schedule Upated!

I'm just batting a 1000 here!

Please take the time to download and read the new Schedule for Meteorology Spring 2008: MET Spring 2008 Schedule(pdf)

Why some humans should not breed.

Yes, that is a power strip floating on two sandals.

Questions?

What are you cooking that is so important that you need an electric grill in the middle of a pool?

How much beer do you need to drink, so this seems like a good idea?

Sustainable Investing

Feel the power of Exponential Growth.

What would happen if you could save $1000 every year for 40 years at 2%. After 40 year and no withdraws you would have $62,000. What if you could do $2000 at 8% for 40 years? How does $600,000 sound to you?

Check out the numbers...

Investing.pdf

Environmental Sciecne: Updated Schedule

Please take the time to download and print the new Environmetal Science Schedule for this spring.

Environmental Science Schedule Spring 2008

Welcome Back Spring 2008

Environmental Science - Cloning

Would you eat a Cloned cow hamburger?

The FDA says it's safe.

F.D.A. Says Food From Cloned Animals Is Safe