The University of Iowa is joining a burgeoning research group exploring the benefits and potential risks of nanotechnology.
The post Small-particle frontier has been published on Technology Org.
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Saturday, 12 September 2015
NASA /Saturn's C and B Rings / Poster
Here's a great poster featuring a beautiful image from deep space
tagged with: astronomy, space, planets, saturn
Images taken during the Cassini spacecraft's orbital insertion on June 30 show definite compositional variation within the rings. This image shows, from left to right, the outer portion of the C ring and inner portion of the B ring. The B ring begins a little more than halfway across the image. The general pattern is from 'dirty' particles indicated by red to cleaner ice particles shown in turquoise in the outer parts of the rings.The ring system begins from the inside out with the D, C, B and A rings followed by the F, G and E rings. This image was taken with the Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph instrument, which is capable of resolving the rings to show features up to 97 kilometers (60 miles) across, roughly 100 times the resolution of ultraviolet data obtained by the Voyager 2 spacecraft.
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Kicking oil companies where it hurts: How to make fossil fuel divestment smarter
Science Focus
original post »
One of the most focused endeavors of the broader fight against climate change is the movement to demand divestment from fossil fuel companies. Specifically focused on institutional investors, divestment activists have been pressuring pension funds, university endowments, and others with significant holdings in the oil and gas sector to sell those shares (or bonds). This is a multi-pronged effort to raise awareness about how these industries fuel climate change, to divert that capital to low- and zero-carbon resources, and to deter future investment in oil and gas exploration.
As part of that campaign, February 13 and 14 have been designated Global Divestment Day(s), with hundreds of events organized by activist groups. The Norwegian sovereign wealth fund — the largest in the world, built from the country's oil and gas wealth — has announced it would sell holdings in coal and mining companies that, in its estimation, represent an unacceptably high degree of climate-related investment risk. The fossil fuel companies under target are pushing back, with ad campaigns focused on the important role their products play in the global economy.
With these events as a backdrop, a new report from the American Security Project (ASP), a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, casts a critical eye on the divestment movement. The report offers a sensible reminder of what fossil fuel divestment can and cannot do.
While divestment aims at supply-side solutions (trying to starve fossil fuel companies of the capital to fund new exploration and exploitation of reserves), it is beyond the scope of the divestment movement to address the demand side of the equation. Unlike the divestment in Big Tobacco (from which the current movement draws inspiration), coal, oil, and natural gas are not discretionary goods; they are critical to the global economy. Oil companies are not lying when they say people will still need to buy oil over the next 15 to 20 years. Replacements may be available on the horizon (paging Elon Musk), but supplying them at scale remains a challenge.
The financial impact of divestment also tends to be overstated. The ASP report and similar efforts, such as the Stranded Assets Programme at Oxford University, have demonstrated that complete divestment of university endowments from these holdings would, in the long run, have a negligible financial impact on the bottom lines of fossil fuel companies. Money would still flow into company coffers.
What's more, the universities and other organizations that divest could reasonably be accused of violating their fiduciary duty by forgoing money-making investments. That calculation will likely change as renewable-energy investments grow, especially with the proliferation of green bonds, but that market is still far from making steady gains year over year.
While the ASP report puts fossil fuel divestment in its proper place, it leaves open the question of whether the movement can be taken in a direction that is more useful to goals that both activists and analysts share.
Take the example of the Norwegian divestment. Its decision was not to divest from all fossil fuels. Instead, it is taking a measured approach that tries to identify the riskiest assets — and sell only those. Call it "divestment lite" — taking the well-intentioned motives behind divestment and deploying it in a much more targeted and tailored way. It will keep some assets that may be valuable in the intermediate term, but still send a signal to the market and public at-large that changes need to be made.
The ASP report rightfully points out one of the benefits of holding stocks in the first place: shareholder activism. To better leverage their activist network, fossil fuel divesters should follow the Norwegian model, focusing on the low-hanging fruit of coal, tar sands, and oil companies that are inadequately preparing their own businesses for future climate risk. Conversely, they should test the sincerity of companies such as Shell, and explore how to best work with them when their CEO says the oil sector needs to be more constructive in the debates over climate change solutions. Shell has been responsive to shareholder accountability efforts in the past, according to Reuters.
To the extent that the fight against climate change demands changes in a wide variety of consumer behaviors, fossil fuel divestment will have a role to play, even if its most vehement supporters may exaggerate its impact in order to rally support. Identifying better strategies for divestment campaigns will be a crucial factor in ensuring their effectiveness.
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» see original post http://theweek.com/articles/539059/kicking-oil-companies-where-hurts-how-makefossil-fuel-divestment-smarter
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Huge risk of Ebola spread, warns UN
Science Focus
original post »The UN's Ebola mission chief in West Africa tells the BBC that there is still a "huge risk" that the deadly virus could spread to other countries.
#science
» see original post http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-30270997#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa
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Americans are finally taking climate change seriously. Here is why that might not last.
Science Focus
original post »
A big new poll has raised some optimism that public opinion on climate change is finally catching up to the science. But the poll is a welcome reflection that more and more people understand the seriousness of the climate threat, some caution is merited — for two important reasons.
Among the adults polled by The New York Times, Stanford University, and Resources for the Future in January, a healthy majority — 78 percent — think global warming will be a serious problem for the United States (44 percent very serious; 34 percent somewhat serious). Even among Tea Party supporters, 59 percent put themselves in one of the "serious" camps.
As the poll breakdown shows, even though people more clearly recognize that climate change will be a problem, they still consider the threat something that will happen to "other" people, either those living in foreign countries or future generations. When asked if climate change will hurt them personally, more people are likely to say "a little" or "not at all" than "a great deal" or "a lot."
This persistent view that the worst effects are far into the future is not necessarily inaccurate. As reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and World Bank indicate, even at current rates, the worst effects manifest themselves at temperature levels that we will only begin reaching at midcentury, even under a business-as-usual (no policy changes) scenario.
However, because the effects of climate change are cumulative, and the transitions needed to prevent the worst effects involve large-scale changes to our economy, it is precisely now that action is needed. And even if the worst effects are still a generation away, there are still many effects that we are seeing right now.
The Risky Business Project, co-chaired by Michael Bloomberg, Henry Paulson, and Tom Steyer, is dedicated to demonstrating that while climate change is having immediate economic effects, for business as well as nations, time is still on our side. Doing something now, they argue, would be more effective and less expensive than doing something later, as investments and policy changes made today will pay much bigger dividends than waiting to play catch-up.
That the public is still slow to realize this underscores the flaws in how the risks and benefits are being communicated.
Which brings us to the next problem: how to go about doing what is necessary. This challenge is entirely separate from convincing folks climate change is a threat, and the results are less than encouraging.
An overwhelming number of respondents (80 percent) think the government should give tax breaks to companies that use more renewable energy. (To put this in perspective, a modified version of this idea is one of the two main components of Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's climate change plan — which is much maligned.) Nearly as many (78 percent) would support a federally mandated limit on greenhouse gas emissions, which is the closest analog to the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan.
Unfortunately, far fewer people said that they would tolerate an increase to their electric bills, or an increase to the gas tax to discourage emissions from transportation (a large slice of the American greenhouse gas footprint). This suggests that public tolerance for policies on climate change are household cost sensitive in a way that is not true for policies that are perceived to affect individual companies.
This is disappointing, for two reasons. The first is that improving energy efficiency is an important factor in whether the United States can truly reduce emissions over time. But the fight on efficiency cannot be won if it is all carrot and no stick. Higher gas taxes discourage fuel consumption and encourage important changes in the American vehicle fleet (fewer sport-utility vehicles, more subcompacts and hybrids).
The second reason is that approval on climate change policies may be related to perception of overall economic well-being in a way that is not conducive to long-term policy planning.
Consider past polling on the seriousness of climate change before and after the 2008 financial crisis. According to the Pew Research Center, the percentage of people who saw climate change as a "very serious" problem polled in the low-40 percent range between 2006 and 2008. By October 2009, however, that number had plummeted 10 percentage points, as concerns over the beginning of a recession took hold in the public imagination. While people were still thinking of climate change as a threat, fears about general economic well-being took precedence.
Will the American people similarly lose any appetite for aggressive climate action in the face of the next crisis? The numbers in this most recent poll are enough to give one cause for concern.
#science
» see original post http://theweek.com/articles/537713/americans-are-finally-taking-climate-change-seriously-here-why-that-might-not-last
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Crab Pulsar Time Lapse - Neutron Star Classic Round Sticker
Here's a great sheet of stickers featuring a beautiful image from deep space
tagged with: stars, galaxies, astronomy, envelope sealers, monogram initials, tarnebes, tarantula nebula, r136, massive stars, youngest stars, supernovae
Galaxies, Stars and Nebulae series
Multiple observations made over several months with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope captured the spectacle of matter and antimatter propelled to near the speed of light by the Crab pulsar, a rapidly rotating neutron star the size of Manhattan.All items with this image
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Image code: crbplsr
Image credit: NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope
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Name, Carina Nebula, intriguing outer space image Wrapping Paper
Get your out-of-this-world gift wrap here! Perfect for Christmas gifts for anyone who is fascinated by what the universe holds in store for us!
tagged with: star nurseries, star clusters, galaxies, starfields, nebulae, carina nebula, outer space photography, astronomy photographs, universe images, hrbstslr crnneb, european southern observatory, eso, vista
Galaxies, Stars and Nebulae series A fantastic astronomy photograph showing a panoramic view of the WR 22 and Eta Carinae regions of the Carina Nebula.
The picture was created from images taken with the Wide Field Imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile.
It's a stunning, fantastic image that reveals a little of the wonder that is our universe.
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image code: crnneb
ESO/J. Emerson/VISTA www.eso.org
Reproduced under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.
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ISS Double Transit
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Not once, but twice the International Space Station transits the Sun on consecutive orbits of planet Earth in this video frame composite. The scene was captured on August 22 from a single well-chosen location in Schmalenbeck, Germany where the ISS created intersecting shadow paths only around 7 kilometers wide. Crossing the solar disk in a second or less, the transits themselves were separated in time by about 90 minutes, corresponding to the space station's orbital period. while the large, flare-producing sunspot group below center, AR 2043, remained a comfortable 150 million kilometers away, the distance between camera and orbiting station was 656 kilometers for its first (upper) transit and 915 kilometers for the second more central transit. In remarkably sharp silhouette, the ISS is noticeably larger in angular size during the closer, first pass. Of course, tomorrow the Moon will transit the Sun. But even at well-chosen locations, its dark, central shadow just misses the Earth's surface creating a partial solar eclipse.
Zazzle Space Gifts for young and old
Not once, but twice the International Space Station transits the Sun on consecutive orbits of planet Earth in this video frame composite. The scene was captured on August 22 from a single well-chosen location in Schmalenbeck, Germany where the ISS created intersecting shadow paths only around 7 kilometers wide. Crossing the solar disk in a second or less, the transits themselves were separated in time by about 90 minutes, corresponding to the space station's orbital period. while the large, flare-producing sunspot group below center, AR 2043, remained a comfortable 150 million kilometers away, the distance between camera and orbiting station was 656 kilometers for its first (upper) transit and 915 kilometers for the second more central transit. In remarkably sharp silhouette, the ISS is noticeably larger in angular size during the closer, first pass. Of course, tomorrow the Moon will transit the Sun. But even at well-chosen locations, its dark, central shadow just misses the Earth's surface creating a partial solar eclipse.Zazzle Space Gifts for young and old
Eye Of God Wall Decals
Here's a great wall decal featuring a beautiful image from deep space
tagged with: space, nebulae, astronomy, outer space, planetary nebula, milky way galaxy, space exploration, universe, cosmic, science
This composite image of the Helix Nebula (also known as The Helix, NGC 7293, or Caldwell 63) was created from several images obtained using the the Wide Field Imager (WFI), an astronomical camera attached to the 2.2-metre Max-Planck Society/ESO telescope at the La Silla observatory in Chile. The blue-green glow in the centre of the Helix comes from oxygen atoms shining under effects of the intense ultraviolet radiation of the 120 000 degree Celsius central star and the hot gas. Further out from the star and beyond the ring of knots, the red colour from hydrogen and nitrogen is more prominent. A careful look at the central part of this object reveals not only the knots, but also many remote galaxies seen right through the thinly spread glowing gas. The nebula doesn't naturally appear with these colors, the tinting of the image is artifical. This image was created from images through blue, green and red filters and the total exposure times were 12 minutes, 9 minutes and 7 minutes respectively.
The name "Eye Of God" was coined by an admirer of the photo due to the nebula's resemblance to a human eye. The image was NASA's "Astronomy Picture of the Dat" for May 10th 2003.
Credit: ESO
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Hubble's Top Ten Gravitational Lenses Cover For The iPad Mini
Here's a great iPad case from Zazzle featuring a Hubble-related design. Maybe you'd like to see your name on it? Click to personalize and see what it's like!
tagged with: galaxy, space, universe, planets, travel, exploration, science, sun, astronomy, hubble's top ten gravitational lenses, stars, the milky way, telescope images, moons, phenomena, supernovas, cosmos, cosmology, nebula, star cluster, solar system, space shuttle, nasa, space images, themilkyway, hubble's, top, ten, gravitational, lenses
.
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With tobacco, what you don’t know can kill you sooner
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Most people know smoking is risky. But that's not news smokers can use. What they can benefit from
The post With tobacco, what you don't know can kill you sooner has been published on Technology Org.
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Welcome to the Space Poster
Here's a great poster featuring a beautiful image from deep space
tagged with: astronomy, stars, science, astonomy, space, universe, nebula, planets, cosmological, space travel, planet, star, discovery, explore, exploring, fantasy, fiction, orbit, orbital, travel, research, cosmonaut, astronaut, spaceship, starship, sci-fi
Waiting for clearance in geostationary orbit to leave the home planet and explore new worlds in outer space. Digital artwork by Liz Molnar. Planets, stars, space clouds, lights were made with basic Photoshop effects and brushes, planets' surfaces created from photos.
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Pale Blue Dot Clean Poster
Here's a great poster featuring a beautiful image from deep space
tagged with: pale, blue, dot, space, astronomy, earth
The pixelation from the hubble scope are cleaned up in this one to look a little more wall art friendly.
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Crab Pulsar Time Lapse - Neutron Star Square Sticker
Here's a great sheet of stickers featuring a beautiful image from deep space
tagged with: stars, galaxies, astronomy, envelope sealers, crbplsr, crab pulsar, time lapse astronomy, neutron star, matter and antimatter, near light speed
Galaxies, Stars and Nebulae series Multiple observations made over several months with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope captured the spectacle of matter and antimatter propelled to near the speed of light by the Crab pulsar, a rapidly rotating neutron star the size of Manhattan.
more items with this image
more items in the Galaxies, Stars and Nebulae series
image code: crbplsr
Image credit: NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Hubble Space Telescope
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Name, The Swan, Constellation Cygnus space image Wrapping Paper
Get your out-of-this-world gift wrap here! Perfect for Christmas gifts for anyone who is fascinated by what the universe holds in store for us!
tagged with: star nurseries, new star s106ir, outer space, universe, hubble images, cygnus constellation, the swan, star galaxies, star birth, hrbstslr cygsb, young hot stars, interstellar gas clouds, star forming activity, glowing hydrogen, turbulence
Galaxies, Stars and Nebulae series A gorgeous star forming region in Constellation Cygnus (The Swan). This Hubble image shows a dust-rich, interstellar gas cloud with a new-born star in the centre of the hour-glass shape. The glowing blue of the hydrogen in this nebula is due to the jets being emitted from the forming star as dust falls into into it and this causes the heating and turbulence of the hydrogen. The star, known as S106 IR, is reaching the end of its birth and will soon enter the much quieter period of adulthood known as the main stage.
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image code: cygsb
Image credit: NASA, the Hubble Heritage Team (AURA/STScI) and ESA
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Orion Nebula Hubble Space Wall Graphics
Here's a great wall decal featuring a beautiful image from deep space
tagged with: orion nebula, nebula, star formation, stars, nasa, astronomy, universe, hubble photo, nature, cool astronomy, milky way, cosmos, esa, outer space, hubble telescope, hubble space telescope, astronomical, cosmology, deep space, space, natural, science, advanced camera for surveys, acs, messier 42, messier 43, space picture, space photo, space image, nebula picture, nebula photo, nebula image, pink, purple, cool space
This Hubble photograph of the Orion Nebula is a great choice for astronomy lovers!
This space photograph shows the massive Orion Nebula, and was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. The Orion Nebula is the birthplace of many new stars, and over 3000 stars are present in this image, surrounded by swirling clouds of gas and dust. The colours of the original photo have been enhanced slightly, and include rich oranges, pinks and purples.
Credit: NASA, ESA, M. Robberto ( Space Telescope Science Institute/ESA) and the Hubble Space Telescope Orion Treasury Project Team
You can personalise the design further if you'd prefer, such as by adding your name or other text, or adjusting the image - just click 'Customize it' to see all the options. IMPORTANT: If you choose a different sized version of the product, it's important to click Customize and check the image in the Design view to ensure it fills the area to the edge of the product, otherwise white edges may be visible.
See more in my shop
If you like this product, you can find more like it in my store:
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Click here to see a wide range of other astronomy & space designs.
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Hubble's Top Ten Gravitational Lenses iPad Folio Cases
Here's a great iPad case from Zazzle featuring a Hubble-related design. Maybe you'd like to see your name on it? Click to personalize and see what it's like!
tagged with: galaxy, space, universe, planets, travel, exploration, science, sun, astronomy, hubble's top ten gravitational lenses, stars, the milky way, telescope images, moons, phenomena, supernovas, cosmos, cosmology, nebula, star cluster, solar system, space shuttle, nasa, space images, themilkyway, hubble's, top, ten, gravitational, lenses
.
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