A few months ago I posted a report entitled 'Jaguar Clones' Jaguar Clones referring to species in the tropical regions dying out. I outlined plans to create clones of the effected animals. There is now new talk over an animal in the colder regions of the Earth dying out - the moose. The case is so bad that experts think that the race could be extinct within 10 years.
The effects are worst and most obvious Minnesota, this is where ecologists base their claim that the population could be gone by 2023. This pattern of extinction reaches to the southern most regions of the animals kingdom, thus populations are dwindling as far south as Sweden.
Ron Moen from the University of Minnesota realised that the position was worse than most thought saying, "It's broader than I thought when I started looking into it,".
Global warming seems to be the most likely cause of the looming extinction. The moose is very susceptible to heat stress, which restricts their immune system thus making them more prone to parasites.
Research can't yet prove any link to global warming although many think it likely. If prof emerges that global warming is the cause of the reduced population, then cloning is not, or probably isn't an option, simply because it suggests that the moose is not suited to it's environment and isn't evolving fast enough. Many biologists and ecologists do think that the looming extinction of certain populations is down to global warming and that they simply can't evolve fast enough. The alternative is that their population is reducing because they are evolving. It's a bit far fetched, but it's possible.
It seems that in the case of the moose, it is probably down to global warming, because there is not much action in Alaska etc. as far as felling and other forms of purposeful environment change. However if prof emerges otherwise, then cloning may be an idea that is put on the table.
A report will be presented by Minnesota University at the next Moose Health Conference in Uppsala, Sweden (the conference will be held later this week).
Other effected species include the lynx and the snowhorse hare. These seem to be declining most in the southerly most regions of their range, thus strengthening the case of those who think global warming is to blame.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Minecraft on a Quantum Scale
Want to learn about quantum physics, but you're too busy building awesome castles and genius automated farms on minecraft? You can now with quantum minecraft recently released by google. The new version of the popular computer game named qcraft will cause blocks to change their appearance depending on where they are observed from. This is based on the concept of superposition. Two blocks can also interact with each other through the concept of quantum entanglement, regardless of how far away they are from each other. Look forward to downloading it.
Wednesday 30th October 2013 - Forecast
Wednesday will be much the same as Monday and Tuesday, not so much wind, clear skies and fast tracking fronts from the south-west. The temperature will remain feeling cold, especially in the morning and evening, this effect is/will be enhanced by the fact that there is little cloud cover.
The tracking fronts from the south-west still haven't slowed and although I can't make any observations by just looking at the skies, the jet stream and the colder air from the north could cause more bad weather towards the end of the week.
The tracking fronts from the south-west still haven't slowed and although I can't make any observations by just looking at the skies, the jet stream and the colder air from the north could cause more bad weather towards the end of the week.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Monday 21st October 2013 - Forecast
My forecast for Monday onwards is as follows. On Monday, we will be seeing fairly constant rain from around 0700 to 1100. From here on, I expect we will see scattered showers with little rain for the remainder of the day. We will see highs of around 16C on Monday and lows of around 10C, maybe lower in the early hours.
As for the rest of the week, we will see much of the same, temperatures just above average and lots of scattered rain, but almost complete cloud coverage - very unsettled.
As for the rest of the week, we will see much of the same, temperatures just above average and lots of scattered rain, but almost complete cloud coverage - very unsettled.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
I'm Back
I'm back and I will be forecasting again too, but here's something to amuse you in the meantime.
Notice the two different distances to Craigievar.
Notice the two different distances to Craigievar.
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| Enlarged section: bottom right. |
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| How far did you say it was to the castle. |
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Friday 5th July 2013 - Forecast
Thursday was cloudy to start, but by the afternoon we saw some lovely weather. This weather should continue through Friday, the weekend and Monday.
This will be my post for a few weeks due to my holiday.
This will be my post for a few weeks due to my holiday.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Thursday 4th July 2013 - Forecast
Wednesday was cloudy and miserable, with the occasional patch of sun. Thursday will be much the same, but towards the end of the day we will hopefully see some more sun.
Into the weekend we should see some nicer weather we should hopefully continue into early Monday.
Once again, I will take the opportunity to tell you that Thursday night will be my last forecasts for a few weeks, due to my holiday.
Into the weekend we should see some nicer weather we should hopefully continue into early Monday.
Once again, I will take the opportunity to tell you that Thursday night will be my last forecasts for a few weeks, due to my holiday.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Wednesday 3rd July 2013 - Forecast
Wednesday will be much the same as Tuesday, with more rain and more wind. Thursday will see similar weather again, but it should brighten up towards the end of the day.
Friday will be better, with temperatures rising and clouds reducing. This weather should continue thought the weekend and hopefully into Monday, but I cannot be sure.
Friday will be better, with temperatures rising and clouds reducing. This weather should continue thought the weekend and hopefully into Monday, but I cannot be sure.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Are We Really Just Big Bullies?
In 2009 Sloan Digital Sky Survey found the galaxy now known as Segue 2, cowering at the edge of the Milky Way. The whole shebang, caboodle, thingy is only about 150,000 times as massive as our sun and only holds around a few thousand stars.
Evan Kirby, University of California, Irvine wants to check that the galaxy is 'real', rather than a globular cluster which would have formed as a tightly bound bundle of stars with the Milky Way.
The general agreement on Segue 2 is that it was formed as a real galaxy, then 'bullied' by us. This is because it has the chemical complexion of a galaxy but is no longer big enough to hold onto the elements that are heavier than iron that are kicked out by supernovae. Such debris would be discarded by globular clusters, but Segue 2 seems to have seen many supernovae and held onto the debris.
Evan Kirby, University of California, Irvine wants to check that the galaxy is 'real', rather than a globular cluster which would have formed as a tightly bound bundle of stars with the Milky Way.
The general agreement on Segue 2 is that it was formed as a real galaxy, then 'bullied' by us. This is because it has the chemical complexion of a galaxy but is no longer big enough to hold onto the elements that are heavier than iron that are kicked out by supernovae. Such debris would be discarded by globular clusters, but Segue 2 seems to have seen many supernovae and held onto the debris.
Tuesday 2nd July 2013 - Forecast
I'm sorry there wasno forecast for Monday, this was due to the fact that I was in London for most of the weekend.
Tuesday should remain dry and warm, with a touch more wind and a considerable amount more cloud, especially as the day draws to a close. Temperatures should be in their mid to high teens and we may see some more muggy weather.
The rest of the week will, unfortunately see deteriorating and muggy weather. However we should hopefully see some nicer weather n Friday and into the weekend, with the clouds lifting a good deal and the temperatures ranging from high teens to mid twenties.
As an early warning, I will be leaving for holiday on Friday the 7th July, so there will be no forecast for 3 weeks or so.
Tuesday should remain dry and warm, with a touch more wind and a considerable amount more cloud, especially as the day draws to a close. Temperatures should be in their mid to high teens and we may see some more muggy weather.
The rest of the week will, unfortunately see deteriorating and muggy weather. However we should hopefully see some nicer weather n Friday and into the weekend, with the clouds lifting a good deal and the temperatures ranging from high teens to mid twenties.
As an early warning, I will be leaving for holiday on Friday the 7th July, so there will be no forecast for 3 weeks or so.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Sunday 30th June 2013 - Forecast
Sunday will see some good weather, with fewer clouds, less wind and more sun. Temperatures could vary from their high teens to mid twenties and there may be some muggy patches when there is more cloud cover.
There may be rain towards the very end of the day, or early on Monday, especially if thin, wispy clouds in neat formation can be spotted,as this can point towards deteriorating weather within 24 hours or so.
It is unlikely that there will be a review for Sunday, as I will be in London and thus may not be able gather enough information.
There may be rain towards the very end of the day, or early on Monday, especially if thin, wispy clouds in neat formation can be spotted,as this can point towards deteriorating weather within 24 hours or so.
It is unlikely that there will be a review for Sunday, as I will be in London and thus may not be able gather enough information.
Saturday 29th June 2013 - Review
Saturday started with a little cloud, but by the end of the day we had some nice weather. The wind was lesser and the weather seems to be progressing nicely for Sunday.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Saturday29th June 2013 - Forecast
No review for Friday as I have run out of time. Saturday will be a little brighter, with less rain and cloud. Sunday should be an enjoyable day with less wind,and warmer, sunnier weather.
I cannot comment much further onion the week, but we should hopefully see some nice weather on Monday, but the weather could deteriorate as the week wears on.
More to come tomorrow, with a more detailed Forecast.
I cannot comment much further onion the week, but we should hopefully see some nice weather on Monday, but the weather could deteriorate as the week wears on.
More to come tomorrow, with a more detailed Forecast.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Friday 27th June 2013 - Forecast
Friday will continue Thursday afternoon's trend. It will become increasingly muggy overnight, with more cloud and rainfall.
The weekend should be nice, with Sunday being the day to look forward to, with lots of sun and temperatures in their mid twenties.
The weekend should be nice, with Sunday being the day to look forward to, with lots of sun and temperatures in their mid twenties.
Thursday. 26th June 2013 - Review
Thursday started of with a god deal of sun and warmth, but as the day progressed, the cluds thickened. By the afternoon it was cloudy and muggy with a few spots of rain.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Thursday 27th June 2013 - Forecast
Thursday will be cloudy, warm and slightly breezy, the rain drawing in off the Atlantic will drift over the North of the country before drifting South and hitting Sussex late on Thursday or early on Friday.
As for the weekend, we should see some nice weather on Saturday, but we may be seeing another batch of rain coming in by Sunday.
As for the weekend, we should see some nice weather on Saturday, but we may be seeing another batch of rain coming in by Sunday.
Wednesday 26th June 2013 - Review
Wednesday did what it was told. It was warm, there was little or no breeze and there was cloud cover to the end of the day.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Wednesday 26th June 2013 - Forecast
The weather on Wednesday will remain warm and dry, although we may see a touch more cloud. The winds will still remain low and although we may see less of the bright sunshine we saw on Tuesday, it should remain warm and sunny for most of the time.
My observations of the sky and maps over the last few days have been lessened so I cannot yet predict the long term forecast without further observations, but I can say that it should remain dry and warm with cloud gradually drawing in any time from late Wednesday to early Friday.
My observations of the sky and maps over the last few days have been lessened so I cannot yet predict the long term forecast without further observations, but I can say that it should remain dry and warm with cloud gradually drawing in any time from late Wednesday to early Friday.
Tuesday 25th June 2013 - Review
Tuesday was, as predicted, dry and sunny with less wind, less cloud, more sun and more heat, with temperatures peaking at around 20*C.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Tuesday 25th June 2013 - Forecast
Tuesday will be much the same as Monday, although we should see a good deal more sun and a good feel less cloud. It will remain dry and should be slightly warmer. There will be less winds and, hopefully, some warmer weather.
As for the rest of the week, the forecast is becoming a bit unclear, but it will hopefully remain mostly dry and warm with some patches of sunshine, which will be prolonged at times and possibly strong.
As the week continues we should see increasing amounts of blue sky and sun. This weather should be at its best on Wednesday or Thursday.
As for the rest of the week, the forecast is becoming a bit unclear, but it will hopefully remain mostly dry and warm with some patches of sunshine, which will be prolonged at times and possibly strong.
As the week continues we should see increasing amounts of blue sky and sun. This weather should be at its best on Wednesday or Thursday.
Monday 24th June 2013 - Review
Monday followed the forecast pretty well, although there was more cloud cover than expected, the weather was neither hot nor cold and we only saw very brief periods of sunshine.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Project Loon
Google's 'Project Loon' is currently being tested in New Zealand. The project's aim is to supply internet coverage to remote locations and countries. Many say that the project has more floors than originally thought, because the theory is that not only are there not many Wi-Fi enabled devices in third world countries, but the internet does not have much content of interest for them. How true the second statement is, I do not know but there are always going to be loads of opinions on these kind of subjects.
Google plan to float solar powered balloons in the sky which will bounce internet coverage from house to balloon, to balloon until the connection is then bounced to the ground where there is an ISP.
The balloons will rely heavily on the weather to take advantage of currents in the air. The balloons themselves will have a ground coverage of around 1250 square kilometres. Even though this sounds like a lot, the positioning of the balloons is vital. Imagine a circuit, if you break the wire the current will stop, it's the same here, if one balloon is too close to another and not close enough to the next in line, then it acts like a break in the circuit, whereby the connection cannot be bounced from balloon to balloon, which could cause whole swathes of land are without connection whilst the balloon is repositioned.
Google plan to float solar powered balloons in the sky which will bounce internet coverage from house to balloon, to balloon until the connection is then bounced to the ground where there is an ISP.
The balloons will rely heavily on the weather to take advantage of currents in the air. The balloons themselves will have a ground coverage of around 1250 square kilometres. Even though this sounds like a lot, the positioning of the balloons is vital. Imagine a circuit, if you break the wire the current will stop, it's the same here, if one balloon is too close to another and not close enough to the next in line, then it acts like a break in the circuit, whereby the connection cannot be bounced from balloon to balloon, which could cause whole swathes of land are without connection whilst the balloon is repositioned.
Monday 24th June 2013 - Forecast
Monday morning will be much the same as the weather on Sunday; cloudy and miserable. Towards the afternoon we will see some better weather which will continue through Tuesday.
Temperatures will reach the low twenties st the best of times and by Wednesday the weather will be deteriorating slightly as we will be seeing more cloud cover, but the weather shoud still remain dry over the course of next week.
Temperatures will reach the low twenties st the best of times and by Wednesday the weather will be deteriorating slightly as we will be seeing more cloud cover, but the weather shoud still remain dry over the course of next week.
Sunday 23rd June 2013 - Review
Sunday was much the same as Saturday, although we had no rain, it was still cloudy and miserable.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Worholes and Black Holes
General theory of relativity states that if you fall into a black hole, you would be torn apart. The process is formally known as spaghettification which is a gradual stretching of a/the body by increasingly intense gravitational forces.
However the laws of quantam physics suggest that a/the body would be burned up. This is because black holes emit photons through a concept known as Hawking radiation, however these photons get trapped in the black hole, this process is known as entanglement. The laws of quantam entanglement state that a particle cannot be entangled with more than one thing at a time and this rule is broken due to the fact that the protons in a black hole not only get entangled with the black hole, they also get entangled with each other.
To solve this conundrum, physicist Joseph Polchinski at the University of California, Santa Barbara suggested that such an entanglement simply decays which leaves large amounts of energy on the black hole's event horizon, thus anyone going for a nose would be burned up rather than ripped to pieces.
Thus another problem between general relativity and quantam physics arose. Recently a theory has been put froward by two of the world's most renowned physicists; Juan Maldacena from the Institute of Advanced Study, Princetown and Leonard Susskind from Stanford University, California. They suggested that instead of the clasical wormhole between two black holes, that there should be a new kind...
Wormholes arise from the maths associated with general relativity but the pair went on to show that quantum physics can also suggest the presence of wormholes which (in quantam terms) is described as the entanglement of two black holes. thus their idea of extending the maths of wormholes had good footings, as both theories agreed with each other.
The idea of wormholes in quantam mechanics is that they 'join' two entangled black holes, the pair extended this idea to just one black hole and thus came up with a theory that makes the decay of entanglement unnecessary.
However the laws of quantam physics suggest that a/the body would be burned up. This is because black holes emit photons through a concept known as Hawking radiation, however these photons get trapped in the black hole, this process is known as entanglement. The laws of quantam entanglement state that a particle cannot be entangled with more than one thing at a time and this rule is broken due to the fact that the protons in a black hole not only get entangled with the black hole, they also get entangled with each other.
To solve this conundrum, physicist Joseph Polchinski at the University of California, Santa Barbara suggested that such an entanglement simply decays which leaves large amounts of energy on the black hole's event horizon, thus anyone going for a nose would be burned up rather than ripped to pieces.
Thus another problem between general relativity and quantam physics arose. Recently a theory has been put froward by two of the world's most renowned physicists; Juan Maldacena from the Institute of Advanced Study, Princetown and Leonard Susskind from Stanford University, California. They suggested that instead of the clasical wormhole between two black holes, that there should be a new kind...
Wormholes arise from the maths associated with general relativity but the pair went on to show that quantum physics can also suggest the presence of wormholes which (in quantam terms) is described as the entanglement of two black holes. thus their idea of extending the maths of wormholes had good footings, as both theories agreed with each other.
The idea of wormholes in quantam mechanics is that they 'join' two entangled black holes, the pair extended this idea to just one black hole and thus came up with a theory that makes the decay of entanglement unnecessary.
They suggest that the above wormhole, which links a black hole and its Hawking radiation may not pose problems for quantam theory and thus the problems associated with quantam entanglement and black holes. Thus the wall of energy on a black hole's event horizon becomes unnecessary.
There is much enthusiasm for this new theory although it is generally agreed that it needs more work before it can fit snugly and convincingly into the gap. It is also hoped that with some further investigation it may give us leads as to haw to unite the two theories.
Sunday 23rd June 2013 - Forecast
Sunday will have a lesser threat of rain than Saturday, although I do not doubt that we will see some rain, as the front off the Atlantic continues to track its way towards us. Sunday will be warmer and the winds will be less. All this could cause some muggy weather for tomorrow, so be prepared.
As for Monday onwards, I am still convinced that we will be seeing some good weather. Infact the good weather continues as far as the eye can see, because the warm front off the continent and gulf stream seem to be doing a good job of shunting the clouds northwards, so we are in for a nice week next week. Temperatures will be in their high teens to mid twenties and the winds will be lesser.
As for Monday onwards, I am still convinced that we will be seeing some good weather. Infact the good weather continues as far as the eye can see, because the warm front off the continent and gulf stream seem to be doing a good job of shunting the clouds northwards, so we are in for a nice week next week. Temperatures will be in their high teens to mid twenties and the winds will be lesser.
Saturday 22nd June 2013 - Review
Saturday was a rather miserable day it was rainy but warm with the occasional ray of sun.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Stopping Deforestation in Indonesia
The Indonesian rainforests have always been in danger of logging, but now Topher White, founder of the 'Rainforest Connection', San Fransisco, has come up with a plan...
Businesses like Envirophone and Mazuma are very well known, they recycle old mobile phones by removing valuable materials which, in bulk, can be sold off and reused. There may however be a new way of recycling old mobile phones, which will include throwing them into the rainforests of Indonesia.
The ingenious method drawn White is currently being tested. It involves taking donated phones, just like Mazuma etc and fitting them with specially designed solar panels which are designed to make the most of the brief spells of light on the rainforest floor. The phones will then be have software installed to recognize the low rumble of a chainsaw. After this has been dumped, the microphone will be left on, then the phone will be dumped in the rainforest, ready to alert White's team and the forest's rangers of illegal logging.
Although the would have to have microphones thus reducing the number of usable phones, this is a totally plausible plan. The phones would be virtually impossible to spot and even if the lumberjacks started to use axes, the phones could then be installed with new software to recognize those sounds, beside the fact that using an axe would be impractical, as it would reduce the money yielded from the wood because it takes more time and more physical labour.
The long term plan is to develop an app so that that Joe Blogs average could receive real-time notification about the illegal logging.
The test will involve 15 phones in the 25,000-hectare Air Tarusan reserve, western Sumatra. White hopes to gain a radius of 0.5km from each phone, which quickly works out at a lot cheaper than thought.
Indonesia loses around a million hectares of forest per year and although the country's rainforests are some of the worlds largest and harbour exotic species, it still does not change the fact that more than a half of Indonesia's forests have been cleared since the 1960s.
For further reading, please see this link, this link and this link.
Businesses like Envirophone and Mazuma are very well known, they recycle old mobile phones by removing valuable materials which, in bulk, can be sold off and reused. There may however be a new way of recycling old mobile phones, which will include throwing them into the rainforests of Indonesia.
The ingenious method drawn White is currently being tested. It involves taking donated phones, just like Mazuma etc and fitting them with specially designed solar panels which are designed to make the most of the brief spells of light on the rainforest floor. The phones will then be have software installed to recognize the low rumble of a chainsaw. After this has been dumped, the microphone will be left on, then the phone will be dumped in the rainforest, ready to alert White's team and the forest's rangers of illegal logging.
Although the would have to have microphones thus reducing the number of usable phones, this is a totally plausible plan. The phones would be virtually impossible to spot and even if the lumberjacks started to use axes, the phones could then be installed with new software to recognize those sounds, beside the fact that using an axe would be impractical, as it would reduce the money yielded from the wood because it takes more time and more physical labour.
The long term plan is to develop an app so that that Joe Blogs average could receive real-time notification about the illegal logging.
The test will involve 15 phones in the 25,000-hectare Air Tarusan reserve, western Sumatra. White hopes to gain a radius of 0.5km from each phone, which quickly works out at a lot cheaper than thought.
Indonesia loses around a million hectares of forest per year and although the country's rainforests are some of the worlds largest and harbour exotic species, it still does not change the fact that more than a half of Indonesia's forests have been cleared since the 1960s.
For further reading, please see this link, this link and this link.
Saturday 22nd June 2013 - Forecast
With that cloud system moving in off the Atlantic, we can expect to see some rain for Saturday, the weather will probably remain much the same all day; wet, miserable and some sun at times.
The winds will pick up a bit more and the temperatures may be slightly lower. If we are lucky we may see some nicer weather towards the end of the day.
Sunday will be drier and the rest of next week is still scheduled to be nice as far North as the Midlands, so Wimbledon will have a completely dry first week.
The winds will pick up a bit more and the temperatures may be slightly lower. If we are lucky we may see some nicer weather towards the end of the day.
Sunday will be drier and the rest of next week is still scheduled to be nice as far North as the Midlands, so Wimbledon will have a completely dry first week.
Friday 21st June 2013 - Review
Today was, as predicted dry and sunny at times, although I did see more sun than I thought I would, but that is always a plus.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Friday 21st June 2013 - Forecast
Friday will be a relatively nice day. it will be dry and warmish, but with a fresh weather front tracking it's way towards us off the Atlantic Ocean, we could be seeing rain by Saturday or Sunday.
Friday will be less muggy than Thursday, with less cloud cover and more sun. Temperatures will reach the high teens to low twenties and the wind will be picking up again.
Saturday will see the occasional shower, and Sunday will be mostly dry, but it's next week that we should be looking forward to. The temperatures will be in their high teens to mid twenties, it won't be muggy, the clouds will have all but disappeared and more importantly, it will be dry. This trend will hopefully continue until Friday the 28th June and as next weekend approaches, we will hopefully see more of the same, but i cannot be sure until next week at the earliest.
Friday will be less muggy than Thursday, with less cloud cover and more sun. Temperatures will reach the high teens to low twenties and the wind will be picking up again.
Saturday will see the occasional shower, and Sunday will be mostly dry, but it's next week that we should be looking forward to. The temperatures will be in their high teens to mid twenties, it won't be muggy, the clouds will have all but disappeared and more importantly, it will be dry. This trend will hopefully continue until Friday the 28th June and as next weekend approaches, we will hopefully see more of the same, but i cannot be sure until next week at the earliest.
Thursday 20th June 2013 - Review
We have all got it wrong! Pretty much every forecaster forecast rain for Thursday, including the BBC. We were, of course wrong, the weather is still playing tricks on us and being very indecisive. Thursday was miserable, damp and humid, especially towards the afternoon and although higher ground was misty at times and there was the occasional spot of rain, there was nothing like what was forecast.
The two front seem to have come to nothing other than hot, humid weather.
More to come tonight.
The two front seem to have come to nothing other than hot, humid weather.
More to come tonight.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Thursday 20th June 2013 - Forecast
I don't like it, but I will have to admit it, a made a huge mistake for Wednesday, I mis-calculated the speed of the front and thus wrongly predicted the weather. I can however state quite confidently Thursday's weather will be Wednesday's predicted weather.
The rain may hold off in the early morning, but as the morning wears on, we will see thundery showers and lower temperatures. If the mugginess continues overnight and into the morning and if the temperatures stay high until the rain comes, then we will probably see a fully blown storm, although I cannot sate that categorically. All the same keep your eyes peeled and go prepared. As for the winds, they will increase slightly towards the middle of the day especially.
More to come tomorrow.
The rain may hold off in the early morning, but as the morning wears on, we will see thundery showers and lower temperatures. If the mugginess continues overnight and into the morning and if the temperatures stay high until the rain comes, then we will probably see a fully blown storm, although I cannot sate that categorically. All the same keep your eyes peeled and go prepared. As for the winds, they will increase slightly towards the middle of the day especially.
More to come tomorrow.
Wednesday 19th June 2013 - Update #2
The clouds have drawn in once again and with the temperatures peaking at 27*C, it is becoming muggy once again.
Wednesday 19th June 2013 - Update
We did see rain on Wednesday, but it was earlier than expected, the day will continue to improve, with temperature reaching mid to high twenties by the afternoon, there may still be the occasional spot of rain through the course of the day, but it looks like the front is moving slower than anticipated, so we will probably see the stormy weather that was expected for today to arrive tomorrow. By the end of the day we will probably see some more cloud cover coming in and the weather will becoming humid.
More updates to come later on.
More updates to come later on.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
We're Really Very Green - A new Twist on Carbon Emissions
Although we are releasing carbon emissions, there is a green view of what's happening. Although the deserts are growing and the planet temperatures are on the rise, people still argue how much of it is all down to us, but regardless of how much we have donated to the carbon emissions, new views are always emerging and here is a particularly intriguing one.
Carbon dioxide is used by plants in the process on photosynthesis and, of course we are producing huge amounts of it. In theory, the number of plants per unit of rainfall should stay the same if levels of all the other factors of photosynthesis remain the same too. This is the case though, research shows that the ratio between rainfall and number of plants is rising and it's not exactly rising slowly, statistics suggest that the density of vegetation has risen by 11% between 1982 and 2010.
Randall Donhue (who conducted the research) from Australia's national research institute says that the results give "strong support" to the concept of global warming making the planet a lusher place, or to put it simply carbon dioxide fertilization.
There will, of course be knock-on effects of having more plants around, for a start the more plants there are, the more carbon dioxide they use and thus the less carbon dioxide for the next generation of plants. The mere fact that the general climate change is occurring is problematic, it is causing difficult weather patterns, more rain and hotter climates and Donhue is unsure what will happen to our environment over the coming years.
Although the 'greening effect' won't spread to the driest corners of the planet and although deserts are thought to be getting bigger and drier it's interesting to see how our enviroment will react to such bashing and weather it will be up to the coming decades.
Carbon dioxide is used by plants in the process on photosynthesis and, of course we are producing huge amounts of it. In theory, the number of plants per unit of rainfall should stay the same if levels of all the other factors of photosynthesis remain the same too. This is the case though, research shows that the ratio between rainfall and number of plants is rising and it's not exactly rising slowly, statistics suggest that the density of vegetation has risen by 11% between 1982 and 2010.
Randall Donhue (who conducted the research) from Australia's national research institute says that the results give "strong support" to the concept of global warming making the planet a lusher place, or to put it simply carbon dioxide fertilization.
There will, of course be knock-on effects of having more plants around, for a start the more plants there are, the more carbon dioxide they use and thus the less carbon dioxide for the next generation of plants. The mere fact that the general climate change is occurring is problematic, it is causing difficult weather patterns, more rain and hotter climates and Donhue is unsure what will happen to our environment over the coming years.
Although the 'greening effect' won't spread to the driest corners of the planet and although deserts are thought to be getting bigger and drier it's interesting to see how our enviroment will react to such bashing and weather it will be up to the coming decades.
Immune System Boosts
'Cancer' The word always has a slight ring to it, it's deadly and supposedly virtually impossible to remove, because it keeps growing back. Immune system boosts have caused 54 out of 135 or 40% of people to recover or improve greatly, even with the most severe form of skin cancer; melanoma. Although only skin cancer treatments have been carried out, there is no reason why they should not use the same principles for other cancer as you will soon find out.
There is no reason why our immune system shouldn't be able to remove cancer on its own. This is because cancer is a foreign medium and the T-cell antibodies in our immune system remove foreign mediums. It's not that simple though, as you will well know, cancer patients don't just kick the disease and they still don't kick it with help. This is because cancer disguises itself as non-foreign, or local as such. They do this by releasing a surface molecule or ligand. The ligand reacts with the PD-1 on the antibodies (PD-1 is a kind of receptor that, if activated will cause the antibodies to ignore the cancer cells).
To stop this from happening, patients are given medication known as immunotherapy which, in effect, reboots the immune system which can blow the cover of the cancer cells.
Two of the drugs blocked the ligand on the cancer cells, these are called Lambrolizumab and Nivolumab and a third blocked the PD-1 receptor on the antibodies. All three of the treatments were successful at combating melanoma, with the stats showing that many patient's tumors reduced at least half and in some cases (statistics vary for each drug), patients with the highest doses saw their tumors vanish entirely.
As for how the other treatments work, both radio and chemotherapy give your immune system a little extra pizazz to help fight the cancer, instead of helping your immune system actual see the cancer.
It seems to be a huge leap forward for cancer research and, with some improvements,it may start to help eradicate cancer.
For statistics etc on Lambrolizumab please visit this link.
For statistics etc on Nivolumab please visit this link.
There is no reason why our immune system shouldn't be able to remove cancer on its own. This is because cancer is a foreign medium and the T-cell antibodies in our immune system remove foreign mediums. It's not that simple though, as you will well know, cancer patients don't just kick the disease and they still don't kick it with help. This is because cancer disguises itself as non-foreign, or local as such. They do this by releasing a surface molecule or ligand. The ligand reacts with the PD-1 on the antibodies (PD-1 is a kind of receptor that, if activated will cause the antibodies to ignore the cancer cells).
To stop this from happening, patients are given medication known as immunotherapy which, in effect, reboots the immune system which can blow the cover of the cancer cells.
Two of the drugs blocked the ligand on the cancer cells, these are called Lambrolizumab and Nivolumab and a third blocked the PD-1 receptor on the antibodies. All three of the treatments were successful at combating melanoma, with the stats showing that many patient's tumors reduced at least half and in some cases (statistics vary for each drug), patients with the highest doses saw their tumors vanish entirely.
As for how the other treatments work, both radio and chemotherapy give your immune system a little extra pizazz to help fight the cancer, instead of helping your immune system actual see the cancer.
It seems to be a huge leap forward for cancer research and, with some improvements,it may start to help eradicate cancer.
For statistics etc on Lambrolizumab please visit this link.
For statistics etc on Nivolumab please visit this link.
Wednesday 19th June 2013 - Forecast
Wednesday is proving to be a hard one to interpret. Early on Tuesday, it became evident that there was probably going to be some stormy weather for Wednesday and as I expected, the day remained dry and muggy. However, towards the evening (around 6pm) the clouds broke and the air became a little lighter and within half an hour the temperatures had propped slightly.
My forecast for tomorrow hasn't changed much though and it is as follow; there will be some very tropical style stormy weather in store (especially if there is an early cloud cover, so keep your eyes peeled). The wind will have reduced, especially as the day wears on, however there may be the occasional breeze and possibly a bit of heavier wind for brief spells in the morning. As for the storm itself, I will be expecting similar weather to that at the South of England show two weeks ago this Friday, the water will fall in larger drops than usual, there will be more of them and of course they will travel faster. Towards the end of the day, I'm expecting it to brighten up , with temperatures reaching their low twenties.
As for the rest of the week, I am not keen to look too far ahead but I would hope that my prediction of some nicer weather towards the end of the week will be correct, this is because the stormy weather for tomorrow is being caused by the low-pressure front that has seated itself across the south, will meet with the high pressure area coming in from the South-East, when they meet, the two fronts will go over and under each other, the high-pressure, warm air will rise overhead, whilst the low-pressure front currently seated overhead will slide down slightly, causing a weather pattern know as frontal rainfall, which usually produces heavier rain than the more common relief rainfall seen in this country, but it also produces muggy conditions, as demonstrated on Tuesday and probably on Wednesday.
There will probably be more updates for Wednesday, as the scene unfolds.
My forecast for tomorrow hasn't changed much though and it is as follow; there will be some very tropical style stormy weather in store (especially if there is an early cloud cover, so keep your eyes peeled). The wind will have reduced, especially as the day wears on, however there may be the occasional breeze and possibly a bit of heavier wind for brief spells in the morning. As for the storm itself, I will be expecting similar weather to that at the South of England show two weeks ago this Friday, the water will fall in larger drops than usual, there will be more of them and of course they will travel faster. Towards the end of the day, I'm expecting it to brighten up , with temperatures reaching their low twenties.
As for the rest of the week, I am not keen to look too far ahead but I would hope that my prediction of some nicer weather towards the end of the week will be correct, this is because the stormy weather for tomorrow is being caused by the low-pressure front that has seated itself across the south, will meet with the high pressure area coming in from the South-East, when they meet, the two fronts will go over and under each other, the high-pressure, warm air will rise overhead, whilst the low-pressure front currently seated overhead will slide down slightly, causing a weather pattern know as frontal rainfall, which usually produces heavier rain than the more common relief rainfall seen in this country, but it also produces muggy conditions, as demonstrated on Tuesday and probably on Wednesday.
There will probably be more updates for Wednesday, as the scene unfolds.
Tuesday 18th June 2013 - Reveiw
Tuesday began only slightly overcast in the south, but whilst the day wore on, the clouds moved in and it became incredibly muggy. Temperatures were peaking at around 22*C and the air continued to remain heavy, although towards the end of the day the air was a touch lighter as the clouds parted for the evening.
Tuesday 18th June 2013 - Update
It is now quarter past one in the afternoon. The clouds have lingered longer than expected, although we will hopefully see some better weather later on at around three to four o'clock.
More reports to come tonight.
More reports to come tonight.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Tuesday 18th June 2013
Tuesday will be slightly overcast in the morning with the possibility ofsome thicker clouds and small threat of rain, but continuing through the day we will hopefully see a good bit of blue sky and sun, especially towards the afternoon. Monday carried a pleasant breeze and by two o'clock the temperature was climbing. I expect both these features to remain on Tuesday, with the possibility of the temperatures rising further and the winds dropping some more.
As for the remainder of the week, on Wednesday I expect the breeze to reduce even further and the temperatures to rise a little more and by Thursday and Friday, I expect we will have some good weather, with temperatures reaching the mid to high twenties.
As for the remainder of the week, on Wednesday I expect the breeze to reduce even further and the temperatures to rise a little more and by Thursday and Friday, I expect we will have some good weather, with temperatures reaching the mid to high twenties.
Monday 17th June 2013 - Review
Monday was, as predicted, overcast and a little gusty, although it did brighten up in the afternoon. Once again though, the wind brought in a little cloud and by the evening, there was a thin layer of cloud and not much blue. This will lead to an overcast morning tomorrow, but hopefully we can still rely on the last weather report and thus have some good weather by the afternoon, although we may see the occasional bit of patchy rain at around ten o'clock.
GM Wheat Mystery
GM wheat has been found growing on a farm in Oregon (for evidence check this link:GM wheat evidence). The research programme into GM materials was abandoned nine years ago and GM products have never been approved for commercial use anywhere in the world.
The farm in question has caused a bit of a calamity, with countries including Japan and South Korea suspending their imports of US wheat and checking previous imports for the GM material. How the crop got to where it is is still a mystery, but it begs the question: who else is doing it too?
Monsanto say that all GM material from their programme nine to ten years ago was destroyed in 2004 and that they had no idea how it had got to the farm, as it was not part of their programme. This begs another question: are people creating their own GM crops? Unlikely though this is, the crop obviously came from somewhere so all possibilities need to explored to find an explanation.
For further information on GM wheat, please visit this link:GM wheat info.
For further reading around the Oregon GM wheat scandal, please visit this link:Further reading.
The farm in question has caused a bit of a calamity, with countries including Japan and South Korea suspending their imports of US wheat and checking previous imports for the GM material. How the crop got to where it is is still a mystery, but it begs the question: who else is doing it too?
Monsanto say that all GM material from their programme nine to ten years ago was destroyed in 2004 and that they had no idea how it had got to the farm, as it was not part of their programme. This begs another question: are people creating their own GM crops? Unlikely though this is, the crop obviously came from somewhere so all possibilities need to explored to find an explanation.
For further information on GM wheat, please visit this link:GM wheat info.
For further reading around the Oregon GM wheat scandal, please visit this link:Further reading.
1998 QE2 fly-by
Last week the 1998 QE2 passed us by in close proximity at around 5.8 million km up. QE2, which has its own moon is actually larger than originally thought at 3-3.5 rather the originally assumed 2.7km across.
Astronomers have, of course jumped on the oportunity to image the asteroid and, if possible, measure the mass of the asteroid, which will lead to its density and thus give clues to what it is made from.
Astronomers have, of course jumped on the oportunity to image the asteroid and, if possible, measure the mass of the asteroid, which will lead to its density and thus give clues to what it is made from.
Monday 17th June 2013 - Update
Although rain was predicted for today, conditions suggest that the rain will be arriving tomorrow, although today will remain overcast and miserable with the occasional spot of rain, possibly brightening up latter.
There is always the possibility that we have escaped 'scot free' as the air is remaining quite dry and light, rather than heavy and damp.
If we have received no rain by Wednesday, then it can be expected that we will see no rain until the end weekend at least, as we have a heat-wave moving in from the South-East. Temperatures on the Continent are expected to reach the mid thirties by Wednesday and with some of that heat coming our way, South-East England will probably see temperatures in their mid twenties by Thursday.
There is always the possibility that we have escaped 'scot free' as the air is remaining quite dry and light, rather than heavy and damp.
If we have received no rain by Wednesday, then it can be expected that we will see no rain until the end weekend at least, as we have a heat-wave moving in from the South-East. Temperatures on the Continent are expected to reach the mid thirties by Wednesday and with some of that heat coming our way, South-East England will probably see temperatures in their mid twenties by Thursday.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Monday 17th June 2013
Sunday morning was, as predicted, although the afternoon cheered up significantly to the point that I was tempted to eat outside, or even have BBQ.
Monday however, will be downcast and miserable, as the low-pressure front mentioned on Saturday, works its way Northwards, bringing us some moderate rain, but be prepared for the possibility of some heavier showers, especially if the cloud cover comes in early and the warm afternoon's air lingers, as this will create perfect conditions for some stormy-style downpours. There is potential for gusty conditions, especially along the coast.
As for temperatures, it will be around 11-17*C, but the air will be quite heavy, which, as I have already said, will create perfect condition for stormy weather, so watch out! As far as I can see, once the low-pressure front has cleared, we should be in for some nicer weather, which will make its way up from the South from behind the front. As for when such weather will arrive; I think Wednesday will be quite an indecisive day, then by Thursday afternoon it should be a bit brighter and hopefully the weekend will bring some good weather.
Monday however, will be downcast and miserable, as the low-pressure front mentioned on Saturday, works its way Northwards, bringing us some moderate rain, but be prepared for the possibility of some heavier showers, especially if the cloud cover comes in early and the warm afternoon's air lingers, as this will create perfect conditions for some stormy-style downpours. There is potential for gusty conditions, especially along the coast.
As for temperatures, it will be around 11-17*C, but the air will be quite heavy, which, as I have already said, will create perfect condition for stormy weather, so watch out! As far as I can see, once the low-pressure front has cleared, we should be in for some nicer weather, which will make its way up from the South from behind the front. As for when such weather will arrive; I think Wednesday will be quite an indecisive day, then by Thursday afternoon it should be a bit brighter and hopefully the weekend will bring some good weather.
EGS
Disturbing volcanoes Seattle based Alta Rock energy are on course to tempt fate!The US have given the 'all clear' to start an eruption, (only a possibility). Alta Rock have started pumping water into a network of cracks, that lead 3 km down to Oregon's Newberry Volcano.
Alta Rock will appear to be using the volcano as a supper-sized kettle, which they are to a certain extent, because the water that is injected into the volcano will eventually return to the surface as water vapor.
However, the real energy is to be gained from naturally convecting water, under the Earth's surface. There is one drawback to this, and that is that most of this geothermal energy is found within impermeable, hot rocks!The Newberry project is known as an EGS, or enhanced geothermal system. This basically means that they will use high pressured water to try to wear away the impermeable layers of rock, to release the vapor from within. once the vapor reaches the surface, it will drive turbines, thus creating household energy at a competitive price.
If all goes well, the testing period will end in 2014, and they will go ahead with the plans.
Alta Rock will appear to be using the volcano as a supper-sized kettle, which they are to a certain extent, because the water that is injected into the volcano will eventually return to the surface as water vapor.
However, the real energy is to be gained from naturally convecting water, under the Earth's surface. There is one drawback to this, and that is that most of this geothermal energy is found within impermeable, hot rocks!The Newberry project is known as an EGS, or enhanced geothermal system. This basically means that they will use high pressured water to try to wear away the impermeable layers of rock, to release the vapor from within. once the vapor reaches the surface, it will drive turbines, thus creating household energy at a competitive price.
If all goes well, the testing period will end in 2014, and they will go ahead with the plans.
Human Powered Flight - a Detailed History
A brief history of flight – pedal powered aviation. In no more than 1500 words.
Ever since people watched birds with envy, humans have tried continually to take to the skies. In June 1783 they achieved what they had been waiting for on the form of a hot air balloon. However, no-one would be satisfied until they had achieved “true” flight, by this they meant gliding through the air in a fully controlled fashion.
This form of controlled flight was first achieved by hang-gliders. German engineer Otto Lilienthal made over two thousand flights in the 1890’s using self designed hang gliders. These contraptions did achieve flight although they were only sustained by wind.
We still weren’t satisfied, we wanted to fly in a similar way to hang gliders but with a rate of sustainability. We wanted a plane.
One attempt at “plane” flight was in 1843 when William Henson formed the Aerial Steam Transit Company. Although the company never “took off” (neither did the designs for that matter), I think it came as a realisation to the general public. It started a race towards the first true human flight.
Finally in 1890, after two failed attempts, a flight with a height of 20cm and a length of 50m was achieved. You could hardly call it sustained or even controlled but it was a start.
To the end of the nineteenth century, the concept of gliders with propeller/s suddenly became more popular because propellers could now be driven by internal combustion engines, as opposed to steam. One of these designs killed its pilot, Plicher, in a test flight due to the fact that the prototype fell apart mid flight. Not surprisingly, these types of hang-gliders suddenly became seriously unpopular.
The Wright Brothers
The Wright brothers were ready to step in with an example of true flight on 17th December 1903. The Wright’s ‘Flyer’ made the first powered, heavier than air flight with Orville at the controls. The flight lasted 12 seconds and by the end of the day the 83kg 12 hp engine with Wilbur in the pilot seat delivered a 59 second flight over 260metres.
Five years later Wilbur piloted the ‘Type A’ in Europe. The flight was to take place on a race track in Western France. A handful of spectators watched, all knowing that the American duo had claimed to have performed powered, heavier than air flight, five years previously. The French papers had already been spreading ‘muck’ about the American’s claim.
The type a did fly, for one minute forty five seconds, surpassing any flight anywhere ever seen. Since then the Wright brothers have always been known to be the people who piloted and designed the first powered, heavier than air plane.
Over the years the plane developed. Soon the British made their breakthrough with the jet engine, but just recently there has been serious talk about ‘pedal powered aviation’.
The Icarus Cup, is a set of whacky races for human powered aircraft. The 1980’s was the heyday for human powered flight, but things may be about to change. Last year (2011), the UK Royal Aeronautical Society decided to set up a novel flying competition, as a way of putting the punch back into human powered flight. They thought it might have the capability of becoming an extreme sport. “You won’t see people travelling in these things,” says Bill Brooks, a light weight plane designer. “But we would really like top see it become a new sport.” He even went on to express some vague hopes of it becoming an Olympic Event.
Long before the invention of planes, what I would like to call Leonardo da Vinci daredevils have attempts some peculiar designs. Unlike Mr da Vinci they have been crazy enough to try their ideas in reality. To be fair, I’m talking about a time when everyone believed that anything resembling wings and/or anything that had feathers on would be sure to fly. So let’s not laugh. But , now we are trying it again.
It wasn’t just because the wings had feathers that they failed to fly. It was mainly because they had no understanding of aerodynamics. Feathers didn’t make any difference.
A large amount of interest for man powered flight in 1961, when Derek Piggot made a 64metre flight. The Kremer Prize, worth £50,000, set up by industrialist Henry Kremer and administered by the Royal Aeronautical Society, was to given to the first craft to fly a 1.6km figure of eight course. It was eventually won in 1977 by the ’Gossamer Condor’ built by Paul MacCreedy, and aeronautics Engineer from a company called Aerovironment. MacCreedy went on to win the next Kremer Prize in 1979 when the ‘Gossamer Albatross’ flew across the English Channel, piloted by Bryan Allen. The prize was worth £100,000.
The next decade saw great progress in the human powered section of flight. Several new designs emerged when light weight materials such as carbon fibre and styrofoam frames became more readily available, these changes saw the end of heavy metal and balsa wood use in the human powered plane industry.
In 1988 the ‘Deadalus 88’ was built and flew a record distance of 155km, from Heraklion, Crete to the island of Santorini, in three hours fifty four minutes. The craft was built by a team at the Massachusetts Institution of Technology, and was piloted by Greek Olympic cyclist, Kanellos Kanellopoulos. Now although the craft crashed into the sea metres short of the shore, the record stands to this day.
Sadly, the MIT’s Deadalus machine, seemed to mark the ceiling of human powered aircraft design. People seemed in agreement with Brooks that the next big challenge was to make them faster. In 2011 Brooks and a team of enthusiast decided to mark the event of the fiftieth anniversary of Piggot’s first man powered flight by dusting down the 21 year old veteran called Airglow, and restoring it to flying condition.
Airglow was built in 1990 and has spent years in storage and yet after just a few adjustments and corrections the craft flew perfectly.
With London 2012 approaching Brooks turned his mind to competitive man powered flight, a year later with Airglow being 22 years old, Brooks and the Royal Aeronautical Society, convinced the Kremer Foundation to support the Icarus Cup.
The Icarus Cup encouraged the new generation of enthusiasts and designers to ‘get stuck in’, by showing that man powered aircraft can be flown competitively.
The Icarus Cup was said to be fun to watch and Brooks assured the nation that they were not too costly to make, or too hard to fly.
Construction of these crafts was not easy. It was well known that it was hard to balance the three simple elements: the output of power, the weight of the plane with pilot and the aerodynamic performance of the wing. The factors above literally pull the aircraft in different directions, so compromise is the name of the game.
For example, a bigger wing means more lift, but also means more weight. Whilst a smaller wing means less lift so harder pedalling is required.
To give it from a different angle: the average output of a human is 250 Watts which is the equivalent of cycling on completely level ground at 20kph, with no headwind, however, the deadalus, weighs in at 31kg, much heavier than a bike. The resulting power output is equal to power divided by weight, which in this case is equal to 8.06 watts per kg, which is still better than the Gossamer Conder, at 5 watts per kg. On the other end of the scale, hummingbirds pump out a huge 75 watts per kg, which is 45 watts per kg more than a fruit fly. These massive power to weight ratios give them control and speed, and leave us by the wayside.
Although modern light weight materials can be pricey, presenter Jem Stansfield, from Bang goes the Theory, managed to build a human powered plane by copying an old design with a few changes and shortcuts, in three months, on a budget of £8,000. But, it is said that they can be built for as little as £2,000.
Jem says that they had no tests, yet it flew first time, proving that they can be flown with relative ease and sensibility.
There have been other designs for human powered flight the most remarkable is the ‘Gamera 11 Helicycle’. It spans 33metres and is driven by a length of line hauled in by pedals, this design is lighter than using a chain, but means that playtime is over when the cord runs out. It’s first flight, (June 2012), lasted ages at just 50 seconds, and topped out at a terrifying height of 1.3 metres. This attempt just missed out on the $250,000 Sikorsky Prize, which required a peak altitude of 3metres and a modest one minute hover, the improved design is scheduled to fly in late 2012 with a longer line.
The human powered craft ‘Airglow’, won the first Icarus Cup in 2012 destroying its modern opponents.
Ever since people watched birds with envy, humans have tried continually to take to the skies. In June 1783 they achieved what they had been waiting for on the form of a hot air balloon. However, no-one would be satisfied until they had achieved “true” flight, by this they meant gliding through the air in a fully controlled fashion.
This form of controlled flight was first achieved by hang-gliders. German engineer Otto Lilienthal made over two thousand flights in the 1890’s using self designed hang gliders. These contraptions did achieve flight although they were only sustained by wind.
We still weren’t satisfied, we wanted to fly in a similar way to hang gliders but with a rate of sustainability. We wanted a plane.
One attempt at “plane” flight was in 1843 when William Henson formed the Aerial Steam Transit Company. Although the company never “took off” (neither did the designs for that matter), I think it came as a realisation to the general public. It started a race towards the first true human flight.
Finally in 1890, after two failed attempts, a flight with a height of 20cm and a length of 50m was achieved. You could hardly call it sustained or even controlled but it was a start.
To the end of the nineteenth century, the concept of gliders with propeller/s suddenly became more popular because propellers could now be driven by internal combustion engines, as opposed to steam. One of these designs killed its pilot, Plicher, in a test flight due to the fact that the prototype fell apart mid flight. Not surprisingly, these types of hang-gliders suddenly became seriously unpopular.
The Wright Brothers
The Wright brothers were ready to step in with an example of true flight on 17th December 1903. The Wright’s ‘Flyer’ made the first powered, heavier than air flight with Orville at the controls. The flight lasted 12 seconds and by the end of the day the 83kg 12 hp engine with Wilbur in the pilot seat delivered a 59 second flight over 260metres.
Five years later Wilbur piloted the ‘Type A’ in Europe. The flight was to take place on a race track in Western France. A handful of spectators watched, all knowing that the American duo had claimed to have performed powered, heavier than air flight, five years previously. The French papers had already been spreading ‘muck’ about the American’s claim.
The type a did fly, for one minute forty five seconds, surpassing any flight anywhere ever seen. Since then the Wright brothers have always been known to be the people who piloted and designed the first powered, heavier than air plane.
Over the years the plane developed. Soon the British made their breakthrough with the jet engine, but just recently there has been serious talk about ‘pedal powered aviation’.
The Icarus Cup, is a set of whacky races for human powered aircraft. The 1980’s was the heyday for human powered flight, but things may be about to change. Last year (2011), the UK Royal Aeronautical Society decided to set up a novel flying competition, as a way of putting the punch back into human powered flight. They thought it might have the capability of becoming an extreme sport. “You won’t see people travelling in these things,” says Bill Brooks, a light weight plane designer. “But we would really like top see it become a new sport.” He even went on to express some vague hopes of it becoming an Olympic Event.
Long before the invention of planes, what I would like to call Leonardo da Vinci daredevils have attempts some peculiar designs. Unlike Mr da Vinci they have been crazy enough to try their ideas in reality. To be fair, I’m talking about a time when everyone believed that anything resembling wings and/or anything that had feathers on would be sure to fly. So let’s not laugh. But , now we are trying it again.
It wasn’t just because the wings had feathers that they failed to fly. It was mainly because they had no understanding of aerodynamics. Feathers didn’t make any difference.
A large amount of interest for man powered flight in 1961, when Derek Piggot made a 64metre flight. The Kremer Prize, worth £50,000, set up by industrialist Henry Kremer and administered by the Royal Aeronautical Society, was to given to the first craft to fly a 1.6km figure of eight course. It was eventually won in 1977 by the ’Gossamer Condor’ built by Paul MacCreedy, and aeronautics Engineer from a company called Aerovironment. MacCreedy went on to win the next Kremer Prize in 1979 when the ‘Gossamer Albatross’ flew across the English Channel, piloted by Bryan Allen. The prize was worth £100,000.
The next decade saw great progress in the human powered section of flight. Several new designs emerged when light weight materials such as carbon fibre and styrofoam frames became more readily available, these changes saw the end of heavy metal and balsa wood use in the human powered plane industry.
In 1988 the ‘Deadalus 88’ was built and flew a record distance of 155km, from Heraklion, Crete to the island of Santorini, in three hours fifty four minutes. The craft was built by a team at the Massachusetts Institution of Technology, and was piloted by Greek Olympic cyclist, Kanellos Kanellopoulos. Now although the craft crashed into the sea metres short of the shore, the record stands to this day.
Sadly, the MIT’s Deadalus machine, seemed to mark the ceiling of human powered aircraft design. People seemed in agreement with Brooks that the next big challenge was to make them faster. In 2011 Brooks and a team of enthusiast decided to mark the event of the fiftieth anniversary of Piggot’s first man powered flight by dusting down the 21 year old veteran called Airglow, and restoring it to flying condition.
Airglow was built in 1990 and has spent years in storage and yet after just a few adjustments and corrections the craft flew perfectly.
With London 2012 approaching Brooks turned his mind to competitive man powered flight, a year later with Airglow being 22 years old, Brooks and the Royal Aeronautical Society, convinced the Kremer Foundation to support the Icarus Cup.
The Icarus Cup encouraged the new generation of enthusiasts and designers to ‘get stuck in’, by showing that man powered aircraft can be flown competitively.
The Icarus Cup was said to be fun to watch and Brooks assured the nation that they were not too costly to make, or too hard to fly.
Construction of these crafts was not easy. It was well known that it was hard to balance the three simple elements: the output of power, the weight of the plane with pilot and the aerodynamic performance of the wing. The factors above literally pull the aircraft in different directions, so compromise is the name of the game.
For example, a bigger wing means more lift, but also means more weight. Whilst a smaller wing means less lift so harder pedalling is required.
To give it from a different angle: the average output of a human is 250 Watts which is the equivalent of cycling on completely level ground at 20kph, with no headwind, however, the deadalus, weighs in at 31kg, much heavier than a bike. The resulting power output is equal to power divided by weight, which in this case is equal to 8.06 watts per kg, which is still better than the Gossamer Conder, at 5 watts per kg. On the other end of the scale, hummingbirds pump out a huge 75 watts per kg, which is 45 watts per kg more than a fruit fly. These massive power to weight ratios give them control and speed, and leave us by the wayside.
Although modern light weight materials can be pricey, presenter Jem Stansfield, from Bang goes the Theory, managed to build a human powered plane by copying an old design with a few changes and shortcuts, in three months, on a budget of £8,000. But, it is said that they can be built for as little as £2,000.
Jem says that they had no tests, yet it flew first time, proving that they can be flown with relative ease and sensibility.
There have been other designs for human powered flight the most remarkable is the ‘Gamera 11 Helicycle’. It spans 33metres and is driven by a length of line hauled in by pedals, this design is lighter than using a chain, but means that playtime is over when the cord runs out. It’s first flight, (June 2012), lasted ages at just 50 seconds, and topped out at a terrifying height of 1.3 metres. This attempt just missed out on the $250,000 Sikorsky Prize, which required a peak altitude of 3metres and a modest one minute hover, the improved design is scheduled to fly in late 2012 with a longer line.
The human powered craft ‘Airglow’, won the first Icarus Cup in 2012 destroying its modern opponents.
De La Monte
Dementia and food, the big link.
New reports show that your eating habits and exercise regime could decide weather or not you develop dementia, the supposedly "unlucky" yet relatively common disease that plagues your brain.
There are 2 types of diabetes that we are certain of: type 1; which manifests itself when an autoimmune response kills off the insulin-producing cells in the body, it is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.
The second form is known as type 2; this is the more common, affecting around 95% of sufferers. Type 2 is caused mainly by your eating habits, it either causes a lack of insulin production, or it causes your muscle, liver and fat to refuse insulin, meaning that they do not extract the sugars and fat from the blood stream. this causes bad insulin and sugar levels in your blood which could put you at risk of heart disease, stroke, blindness, amputation and nerve damage. You are more at risk if you have excess fat, abdominal especially, of developing type 2.
The new form of diabetes is, as you have probably guessed type 3, the theory was put forward by Suzanne De La Monte, and is that the brain refuses the insulin thus causing the brain to start deteriorating. the process just stated is better known as Alzheimer's, which is a form of dementia, thus we have come the full circle.
But I haven't finished yet!
De La Monte's rats were confused in a simple water maze due to the fact that she had changed the way that their brains responded to insulin. Later tests showed telltale marks of Alzheimer's. Neurons were crumbling due to a toxic protein, they then disintegrated, lost shape and bonds. this was one of the observations.
Omega 3 is the next pause for thought , rats that were fed foods that contained omega 3, escaped the Alzheimer's even when they were drinking water laced with high frictose corn syrup, a sweetener in soft drinks. It is said that tea, red wine and chocolate have these protecting properties.
Alois Alzheimer's of Germany was first to spot the toxic proteins, he said that fibrils grew from the nucleus, and developed with the disease, until the cell disintegrated, this left folds of fibril deposits.
Papers and tests show that insulin helps neurons in the hippocampus and the frontal lobe mainly to take up glucose for energy, encourages plasticity; the process through which neurons change their shape, make new bonds with each other and strengthen old ones. Finally it seems to regulate neurotransmitters, E.G acetylcholine, which plays a vital roll in memory building.
Type 2 manifests itself when glucose and fat levels in the blood repeatedly peak, this causes the fat, liver and muscle cells to start rejecting insulin which means that they stop extracting fat and glucose from your blood stream, or the pancreas stop creating the insulin.
From some angles type 2 can look like a defense to stop you getting too fat, but if it is left too long then it will take its toll!
Some people have levels of insulin resistance, putting them at a higher risk than others.
Alzheimer's is a harsh disease which causes memories and skills to slip away, it is unpleasant for you, at the start, until you forget that you have it. It is also seriously unpleasant for those around you, in many different ways, and to different people, so avoid fast food!
How we stop the development of diabetes is another matter, by 2050 it is estimated that the sufferer count will reach 115 million. Caring costs will spiral out of control, in 2011 alone the US spent $130 billion on Alzheimer's care.
There is one idea that doesn't appeal to me and has not been talked of much. The plan is to avert our addiction towards fast food, but research in this field is probably at an early stage and will be taken slowly and tentatively. Many religious groups would object to being "changed" from the person you are just because you feel like it, its a bit like unnecessary plastic surgery. I would certainly object to it, I somehow think that it would change the way people look at life, to the point that we would do what we like, when we like, because we've had all the latest scientific changes to our person, WHICH JUST MAKE US MORE LIKE THE NEXT PERSON. We can't just expect science to just mop up after us all the time can we? It would be one step in the wrong direction:- towards becoming robot-like, with injections here, and DNA changes there, just to solve all our problems, plus they would cost the earth.
So... Eat healthy, exercise, and get that belly off!
New reports show that your eating habits and exercise regime could decide weather or not you develop dementia, the supposedly "unlucky" yet relatively common disease that plagues your brain.
There are 2 types of diabetes that we are certain of: type 1; which manifests itself when an autoimmune response kills off the insulin-producing cells in the body, it is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.
The second form is known as type 2; this is the more common, affecting around 95% of sufferers. Type 2 is caused mainly by your eating habits, it either causes a lack of insulin production, or it causes your muscle, liver and fat to refuse insulin, meaning that they do not extract the sugars and fat from the blood stream. this causes bad insulin and sugar levels in your blood which could put you at risk of heart disease, stroke, blindness, amputation and nerve damage. You are more at risk if you have excess fat, abdominal especially, of developing type 2.
The new form of diabetes is, as you have probably guessed type 3, the theory was put forward by Suzanne De La Monte, and is that the brain refuses the insulin thus causing the brain to start deteriorating. the process just stated is better known as Alzheimer's, which is a form of dementia, thus we have come the full circle.
But I haven't finished yet!
De La Monte's rats were confused in a simple water maze due to the fact that she had changed the way that their brains responded to insulin. Later tests showed telltale marks of Alzheimer's. Neurons were crumbling due to a toxic protein, they then disintegrated, lost shape and bonds. this was one of the observations.
Omega 3 is the next pause for thought , rats that were fed foods that contained omega 3, escaped the Alzheimer's even when they were drinking water laced with high frictose corn syrup, a sweetener in soft drinks. It is said that tea, red wine and chocolate have these protecting properties.
Alois Alzheimer's of Germany was first to spot the toxic proteins, he said that fibrils grew from the nucleus, and developed with the disease, until the cell disintegrated, this left folds of fibril deposits.
Papers and tests show that insulin helps neurons in the hippocampus and the frontal lobe mainly to take up glucose for energy, encourages plasticity; the process through which neurons change their shape, make new bonds with each other and strengthen old ones. Finally it seems to regulate neurotransmitters, E.G acetylcholine, which plays a vital roll in memory building.
Type 2 manifests itself when glucose and fat levels in the blood repeatedly peak, this causes the fat, liver and muscle cells to start rejecting insulin which means that they stop extracting fat and glucose from your blood stream, or the pancreas stop creating the insulin.
From some angles type 2 can look like a defense to stop you getting too fat, but if it is left too long then it will take its toll!
Some people have levels of insulin resistance, putting them at a higher risk than others.
Alzheimer's is a harsh disease which causes memories and skills to slip away, it is unpleasant for you, at the start, until you forget that you have it. It is also seriously unpleasant for those around you, in many different ways, and to different people, so avoid fast food!
How we stop the development of diabetes is another matter, by 2050 it is estimated that the sufferer count will reach 115 million. Caring costs will spiral out of control, in 2011 alone the US spent $130 billion on Alzheimer's care.
There is one idea that doesn't appeal to me and has not been talked of much. The plan is to avert our addiction towards fast food, but research in this field is probably at an early stage and will be taken slowly and tentatively. Many religious groups would object to being "changed" from the person you are just because you feel like it, its a bit like unnecessary plastic surgery. I would certainly object to it, I somehow think that it would change the way people look at life, to the point that we would do what we like, when we like, because we've had all the latest scientific changes to our person, WHICH JUST MAKE US MORE LIKE THE NEXT PERSON. We can't just expect science to just mop up after us all the time can we? It would be one step in the wrong direction:- towards becoming robot-like, with injections here, and DNA changes there, just to solve all our problems, plus they would cost the earth.
So... Eat healthy, exercise, and get that belly off!
Stem Cells
Can stem cells be drugs?
The Washington DC district court seems to think so. this move made over the last couple of years, has called an abrupt stop to regulated stem cell treatments, these treatments are currently not proven. An example of this regulation comes from stem cells harvested from bone marrow which can still be used as a treatment, but once the supposed drug is anything more than minimally manipulated, it becomes an illegal drug.
This move has apparently been long sought after and seems to look like the stopping force a great medical step forward, it could have proved a great success but the law stopped them dead in the tracks. There are probably still mixed views as to what should have happened, for instance, stopping an uncertain treatment appears to be a good thing on paper, but stopping 1000's of victims of all sorts of illnesses from being cured is not a good idea.
You may be wondering how this actually works. it is a form of sustained tissue growth or regeneration of tissues, that occurs when a stem cell is removed and is grown in sterile conditions, to regenerate parts of the body. The cells usually come from an accessible part of the body eg hip, and will heal practically anything.
I will now ask you this; should this treatment be stopped?-it beats me why they have!
The Washington DC district court seems to think so. this move made over the last couple of years, has called an abrupt stop to regulated stem cell treatments, these treatments are currently not proven. An example of this regulation comes from stem cells harvested from bone marrow which can still be used as a treatment, but once the supposed drug is anything more than minimally manipulated, it becomes an illegal drug.
This move has apparently been long sought after and seems to look like the stopping force a great medical step forward, it could have proved a great success but the law stopped them dead in the tracks. There are probably still mixed views as to what should have happened, for instance, stopping an uncertain treatment appears to be a good thing on paper, but stopping 1000's of victims of all sorts of illnesses from being cured is not a good idea.
You may be wondering how this actually works. it is a form of sustained tissue growth or regeneration of tissues, that occurs when a stem cell is removed and is grown in sterile conditions, to regenerate parts of the body. The cells usually come from an accessible part of the body eg hip, and will heal practically anything.
I will now ask you this; should this treatment be stopped?-it beats me why they have!
Jaguar Clones
In Brazil 8 species have been put on the list for cloning. The jaguar being one of them. There are already 420 samples of wild tissue. When cloning begins, the jaguars, (and the other 7 species), will be kept in captivity*, in case the population of wild jaguars collapsed.
The 8 species are all threatened, but they hope to begin cloning a 'near threatened' species- Chrysocon brachyurus, or manned wolf some time soon. I assume this means that the other 8 have already been cloned, or that they are testing on non-threatened tissue samples instead. The latter is probably unlikely, because if they had wanted to do this, they would have chosen an entirely non-threatened species.
Embrapa plans to clone the grey brocket deer, bison, black lion tamarin, collared anteater,coati, and bush dog too. If succesful it may prove a very useful tool for endangered species in the years to come.
Conservationists take the obvious view, that we should try to preserve the 'real' organisms, and use clones as a last resort. Many also say that experimenting with less endangered species is important as well. We don't want to have a jaguar who eats everything in sight, including other jaguars!
Animals have been cloned before, so people aren't too worried that it won't work at all, but there is always the question that, *if the clones are kept in captivity, then surely it would be cheaper, or equal price, to bring in real jaguars, breed them, and release them in larger numbers once they are ready.
For further reading please see this link.
The 8 species are all threatened, but they hope to begin cloning a 'near threatened' species- Chrysocon brachyurus, or manned wolf some time soon. I assume this means that the other 8 have already been cloned, or that they are testing on non-threatened tissue samples instead. The latter is probably unlikely, because if they had wanted to do this, they would have chosen an entirely non-threatened species.
Embrapa plans to clone the grey brocket deer, bison, black lion tamarin, collared anteater,coati, and bush dog too. If succesful it may prove a very useful tool for endangered species in the years to come.
Conservationists take the obvious view, that we should try to preserve the 'real' organisms, and use clones as a last resort. Many also say that experimenting with less endangered species is important as well. We don't want to have a jaguar who eats everything in sight, including other jaguars!
Animals have been cloned before, so people aren't too worried that it won't work at all, but there is always the question that, *if the clones are kept in captivity, then surely it would be cheaper, or equal price, to bring in real jaguars, breed them, and release them in larger numbers once they are ready.
For further reading please see this link.
Alternative Solar Energy
Commercially available solar panels are relatively efficient, so to speak, the silicon based solar cells yield around 35% of the sun's energy.However, they make the most energy when you are using the least energy. There may be another way though, rust usually is eradicated as soon as it shows up, but not any more! You can still sell off unused energy, but your well farmed energy cannot of course be stored.
In 1975, Kenneth Hardee, and Allen Bard worked together to try and get a current out of the cheapest metal they could find. They succeeded, they had managed to coax a current out of iron oxide. Although their plans had sense to them, they had not yet fully conducted tests, and they were not, I assume, ready to present their plans. Thus the breakthrough fell by the wayside, as silicon took the stage as the most efficient way to convert solar energy.
Now that people seem to be fed up with having energy at the wrong time, their eyes have been turned back to rust. Their idea wasn't stupid, in fact it was something surprisingly obvious, but impossible using silicon. It was the electrolysis of water! However, as I have said, electrolysis of water, would be impossible using silicon, this is because silicon's electrons require a charge of 1.1eV to jump free of their atom, meanwhile, the molecule H2O requires a charge of at least 1.23eV to split into Oxygen and Hydrogen. Thus meaning silicon cannot perform electrolysis.
Iron oxide can, however, cause the electrolysis of water, this is because its electrons jump free of their atoms with a charge of 2.1eV, which is of course more than enough to split the water molecule.
There are however some other substances that require exactly the right charge for their electrons to jump free of there atoms, they are mostly lab made, and include exotic substances such as Zinc Selenide, and Platinum Catalysts, so they are far to expensive to sell commercially, but they may well be used in the years to come by rich companies, and space stations, this is because the lab made substances would be much more efficient at converting the sun's energy, they would yield around the same amount as current panels do (rust only farmed around 15% (maybe 20%) of the sun's energy), and because they would poses the exact charge, to split the water molecule, no energy would be wasted in the conversion.
For more scientific reading, please visit http://achemicallife.wordpress.com.
In 1975, Kenneth Hardee, and Allen Bard worked together to try and get a current out of the cheapest metal they could find. They succeeded, they had managed to coax a current out of iron oxide. Although their plans had sense to them, they had not yet fully conducted tests, and they were not, I assume, ready to present their plans. Thus the breakthrough fell by the wayside, as silicon took the stage as the most efficient way to convert solar energy.
Now that people seem to be fed up with having energy at the wrong time, their eyes have been turned back to rust. Their idea wasn't stupid, in fact it was something surprisingly obvious, but impossible using silicon. It was the electrolysis of water! However, as I have said, electrolysis of water, would be impossible using silicon, this is because silicon's electrons require a charge of 1.1eV to jump free of their atom, meanwhile, the molecule H2O requires a charge of at least 1.23eV to split into Oxygen and Hydrogen. Thus meaning silicon cannot perform electrolysis.
Iron oxide can, however, cause the electrolysis of water, this is because its electrons jump free of their atoms with a charge of 2.1eV, which is of course more than enough to split the water molecule.
There are however some other substances that require exactly the right charge for their electrons to jump free of there atoms, they are mostly lab made, and include exotic substances such as Zinc Selenide, and Platinum Catalysts, so they are far to expensive to sell commercially, but they may well be used in the years to come by rich companies, and space stations, this is because the lab made substances would be much more efficient at converting the sun's energy, they would yield around the same amount as current panels do (rust only farmed around 15% (maybe 20%) of the sun's energy), and because they would poses the exact charge, to split the water molecule, no energy would be wasted in the conversion.
For more scientific reading, please visit http://achemicallife.wordpress.com.
Trip to Mars
It seems that a trip to Mars may not be that far off! In five years time, we may be on our way, but it may not be as good as it sounds. Although we may be putting permanent residents on Mars by 2023, we will only pass by on our first flight scheduled to in 2018, when the position of the planets is such that the rocket can be 'thrown' at Mars, and its gravity be such that it 'throws' us back.
The mission has a few problems though. To start with, they will need fuel, this is not a problem for the return journey, and i assume that they will use an ionizing technique similar to that used on-board curiosity.
Inspiration, the mission's name will probably take a middle aged, married crew to Mars and back. The next launch window is 2018 and until then our planets will not be in the correct alignment. Inspiration will weigh around 10 tonnes, other than the life support system, the protection of the crew must include a shield from radiation, this will most likely be a mix of food, water and excretion, this is known as the water walls project.
Hopefully we will make it Mars, and inspire the next generation of space explorers.
The mission has a few problems though. To start with, they will need fuel, this is not a problem for the return journey, and i assume that they will use an ionizing technique similar to that used on-board curiosity.
Inspiration, the mission's name will probably take a middle aged, married crew to Mars and back. The next launch window is 2018 and until then our planets will not be in the correct alignment. Inspiration will weigh around 10 tonnes, other than the life support system, the protection of the crew must include a shield from radiation, this will most likely be a mix of food, water and excretion, this is known as the water walls project.
Hopefully we will make it Mars, and inspire the next generation of space explorers.
Goldilocks status looks ugly
The Earth used to be slap bang in the middle of our Sun's 'Goldilocks zone', an area in space determined by the respective sun's size, heat and radiation, where life can evolve.
However, the 1993 work on the Goldilocks zone hasn't been updated and Rowi Kopparapu thinks the time has come to do so.
Research shows that H2O and CO2 (excuse big numbers) absorb light from different types of stars.
Kepler-22b (a planet thought to be able to sustain life) no longer sits in its sun's Goldilocks zone, but neither do we! In fact, we are a toasty 1,000,000 Km closer to the sun from the warmer edge of the zone, it proves that Goldilocks zones, aren't everything to go by. The reason the Earth can sustain life is suggested to be its cloud cover.
However, the 1993 work on the Goldilocks zone hasn't been updated and Rowi Kopparapu thinks the time has come to do so.
Research shows that H2O and CO2 (excuse big numbers) absorb light from different types of stars.
Kepler-22b (a planet thought to be able to sustain life) no longer sits in its sun's Goldilocks zone, but neither do we! In fact, we are a toasty 1,000,000 Km closer to the sun from the warmer edge of the zone, it proves that Goldilocks zones, aren't everything to go by. The reason the Earth can sustain life is suggested to be its cloud cover.
More Turbulence?
On a transatlantic flight in today's climate, you can expect around 1% or 5 minutes of flight time to be heavy turbulence. This figure could double, or even triple by 2050, when CO2 (excuse big number) levels are expected to have doubled since the pre-industrial era.
The figures suggest that the strength of turbulence could also increase by around 30%, and its frequency by up to 170% in the next 40 years.
This means that 13.5 minutes of an 8 hour transatlantic could be expected to be heavy clear-air turbulence by 2050. Clear-air turbulence is where a current of air is traveling faster (or slower) than the one above (or below). The greater the difference in speed, the heavier the turbulence.
Research shows that the rising CO2 (excuse big number) could speed jet streams up. Models also predict that the jet streams in question may migrate slightly northwards, and thus right into many flight paths.
Such extra turbulence reduce plane life and use more fuel by either avoiding the turbulence, or going through it. Such condition changes could mean greater fees for customers.
For further reading please see this link.
The figures suggest that the strength of turbulence could also increase by around 30%, and its frequency by up to 170% in the next 40 years.
This means that 13.5 minutes of an 8 hour transatlantic could be expected to be heavy clear-air turbulence by 2050. Clear-air turbulence is where a current of air is traveling faster (or slower) than the one above (or below). The greater the difference in speed, the heavier the turbulence.
Research shows that the rising CO2 (excuse big number) could speed jet streams up. Models also predict that the jet streams in question may migrate slightly northwards, and thus right into many flight paths.
Such extra turbulence reduce plane life and use more fuel by either avoiding the turbulence, or going through it. Such condition changes could mean greater fees for customers.
For further reading please see this link.
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