9/21/14
9/18/14
KILLER WHALE POPULATION IN PUGET SOUND WASHINGTON SEVERLY ENDANGERED
NEWS MAINE: ALARMING KILLER WHALE POPULATION DECREASE by Felix Balthasar
EXCERPT: The population of endangered killer whales in the Puget Sound, off the US state of Washington, is on the decline so much so that their current recorded number is the lowest in the last 29 years. Birth of no new calves since 2012 and the natural death of two adult whales can be blamed for the decline.
EXCERPT: The population of endangered killer whales in the Puget Sound, off the US state of Washington, is on the decline so much so that their current recorded number is the lowest in the last 29 years. Birth of no new calves since 2012 and the natural death of two adult whales can be blamed for the decline.
9/17/14
9/16/14
CBS NEWS : CALIFORNIA BLUE WHALES REBOUND FROM WHALING by Agata Blaszczak-Boxe CBS News on September 5, 2014
EXCERPT:
Scientists estimate that there are now about 2,200 California blue whales, which constitutes 97 percent of historic levels. This is also the only population of the blue whale species that has recovered from whaling and from being near extinction as a consequence.
"The recovery of California blue whales from whaling demonstrates the ability of blue whale populations to rebuild under careful management and conservation measures," study author Cole Monnahan, a doctoral student in quantitative ecology and resource management at University of Washington, said in a statement. ... "Considering the 3,400 caught in comparison to the 346,000 caught near Antarctica gives an idea how much smaller the population of California blue whales was likely to have been," study author Trevor Branch, a UW assistant professor of aquatic and fishery sciences, said in a statement.
EXCERPT:
Scientists estimate that there are now about 2,200 California blue whales, which constitutes 97 percent of historic levels. This is also the only population of the blue whale species that has recovered from whaling and from being near extinction as a consequence.
"The recovery of California blue whales from whaling demonstrates the ability of blue whale populations to rebuild under careful management and conservation measures," study author Cole Monnahan, a doctoral student in quantitative ecology and resource management at University of Washington, said in a statement. ... "Considering the 3,400 caught in comparison to the 346,000 caught near Antarctica gives an idea how much smaller the population of California blue whales was likely to have been," study author Trevor Branch, a UW assistant professor of aquatic and fishery sciences, said in a statement.
9/13/14
DID HUMANS EVOLVE TO BE AWAKE ON FULL MOON NIGHTS TO COLLECT SEAFOOD?
DAILY MAIL HEALTH - FULL MOON -TIDES- SEAFOOD full interesting article by Pat Hagan
EXCERPT:
EXCERPT:
In a report on their findings they said: ‘It cannot be excluded that the change in the electromagnetic radiation, or the gravitational 'pull off' of the moon during this phase, may influence the release of neurohormones.
‘Several observations suggest the lunar tidal force affects certain biochemical processes.
‘The solar radiation reflected by the full moon and the lunar tidal force might modify brain activity.’
But Professor Jim Horne, former head of the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University, said it may simply be that humans evolved to stay awake on moonlit nights in order to capture seafood exposed on shorelines.
‘At least some of our early human ancestors lived by estuaries, where life was very dependent on the tides in terms of seafood.
‘A full moon means particularly high ‘spring’ tides and with the extra moonlight as well it would be worthwhile sacrificing some sleep at night for more food.’
9/6/14
AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC IN LONG BEACH CALIFORNIA IS A MUST SEE!
AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC ORG check the site out even if you don't think you can make it to Long Beach any time soon.
DID YOU KNOW THIS AQUARIUM HAS A HOSPITAL?
"The Aquarium’s veterinary hospital features advanced digital equipment. With an Eklin digital radiography system, x-ray film does not need processing and images are easily stored for diagnostic and record-keeping purposes. This equipment also speeds up the entire process of taking x-rays, which is better for the animals. A high-tech microscope with a camera imaging system can take pictures of slides. Just as with the x-ray machine, this microscope allows images to be e-mailed to colleagues. Endoscopy and laparoscopy equipment provide opportunities to perform minimally invasive techniques and view the patient internally with a camera."
DID YOU KNOW THIS AQUARIUM HAS A HOSPITAL?
"The Aquarium’s veterinary hospital features advanced digital equipment. With an Eklin digital radiography system, x-ray film does not need processing and images are easily stored for diagnostic and record-keeping purposes. This equipment also speeds up the entire process of taking x-rays, which is better for the animals. A high-tech microscope with a camera imaging system can take pictures of slides. Just as with the x-ray machine, this microscope allows images to be e-mailed to colleagues. Endoscopy and laparoscopy equipment provide opportunities to perform minimally invasive techniques and view the patient internally with a camera."
8/12/14
8/9/14
RED ALGAE BLOOM TIDE TOXIC TO MARINE LIFE - FLORIDA
NBC SCIENCE on the RED ALGAE BLOOM FLORIDA
"The patchy bloom stretches from the curve of the Panhandle to the central Tampa Bay region. It measures approximately 80 miles long by 50 miles wide. Red tide occurs when naturally occurring algae bloom out of control, producing toxins deadly to fish and other marine life. The chemicals can trigger respiratory distress in people, such as coughing and wheezing."
We often hear about man made chemicals and products polluting the ocean but in this case the algae is a natural living sea plant which can take over an area of the sea and kill marine life. Last year manatees died from a similar bloom.
"The patchy bloom stretches from the curve of the Panhandle to the central Tampa Bay region. It measures approximately 80 miles long by 50 miles wide. Red tide occurs when naturally occurring algae bloom out of control, producing toxins deadly to fish and other marine life. The chemicals can trigger respiratory distress in people, such as coughing and wheezing."
We often hear about man made chemicals and products polluting the ocean but in this case the algae is a natural living sea plant which can take over an area of the sea and kill marine life. Last year manatees died from a similar bloom.
8/5/14
THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SAVE WATER!
A you probably know already, there is drought and as a result in many places there is water rationing.
You can help save water by not wasting it. Here is a list of things you can do that will help us save water so that there's enough for everyone for drinking and bathing, and so our farmers can water their crops. You can probably think of other ways.
1) When you take a shower, after you're all wet and your hair is all wet, shut the water off while you soap up. Turn it back on to rinse. YOU WILL SAVE GALLONS.
2) Don't use the water to heat a bathroom when it's too chilly to shower or bath. Use a small portable heater to raise the air temperature first, shut it off, and then start with hotter water, and as the air temperature in the room rises, lower the water temperature.
3) Your dog and cat need to drink fresh water so you change the water in the bowl a couple times a day. Don't throw that water down the sink. Take it and water the vegetation that is on the "parkway" between the side walk and the street. INSECTS NEED WATER and when they can't find it where they live they will come inside looking for it. Then we kill them.
4) Consider changing part of your lawn from grass to a succulent or arid garden. Put down stone for walkways around plantings.
5) Be sure that your lawn and garden sprinklers are working and adjusted to not waste water that goes down the street to the sewer.
6) Toilets with low water flush are a puzzle. Some of them have to be flushed twice to do the job. However, you may have a toilet that would work just fine with less water. Try filling a gallon water bottle, put the lid on it, set it down in the tank, and see what happens. Displacing one gallon of water each time you flush will also save gallons.
7) Hand wash and hang to dry some of your clothing rather than put it through the machine. Hand washing is not only more gentle to fabrics but it also sometimes does a better job than the machine. Over time you will save money and water.
You can help save water by not wasting it. Here is a list of things you can do that will help us save water so that there's enough for everyone for drinking and bathing, and so our farmers can water their crops. You can probably think of other ways.
1) When you take a shower, after you're all wet and your hair is all wet, shut the water off while you soap up. Turn it back on to rinse. YOU WILL SAVE GALLONS.
2) Don't use the water to heat a bathroom when it's too chilly to shower or bath. Use a small portable heater to raise the air temperature first, shut it off, and then start with hotter water, and as the air temperature in the room rises, lower the water temperature.
3) Your dog and cat need to drink fresh water so you change the water in the bowl a couple times a day. Don't throw that water down the sink. Take it and water the vegetation that is on the "parkway" between the side walk and the street. INSECTS NEED WATER and when they can't find it where they live they will come inside looking for it. Then we kill them.
4) Consider changing part of your lawn from grass to a succulent or arid garden. Put down stone for walkways around plantings.
5) Be sure that your lawn and garden sprinklers are working and adjusted to not waste water that goes down the street to the sewer.
6) Toilets with low water flush are a puzzle. Some of them have to be flushed twice to do the job. However, you may have a toilet that would work just fine with less water. Try filling a gallon water bottle, put the lid on it, set it down in the tank, and see what happens. Displacing one gallon of water each time you flush will also save gallons.
7) Hand wash and hang to dry some of your clothing rather than put it through the machine. Hand washing is not only more gentle to fabrics but it also sometimes does a better job than the machine. Over time you will save money and water.
7/31/14
7/15/14
7/8/14
AQUANAUT FABIEN COUSTEAU BACK ON DRY LAND AFTER 31 DAYS UNDERWATER!
MASHABLE - FABIEN COUSTEAU 31 DAYS UNDER WATER
The 46-year-old ocean explorer and documentary filmmaker finished his stint in an underwater lab 63 feet deep off the coast of Key Largo, Florida, on Wednesday, rising to the surface after a brief layover in a decompression unit. The project, called Mission 31, provided a platform to study oceanic pollution and climate change and their impact on wildlife, as well as to conduct scientific experiments on coral reef.
The 46-year-old ocean explorer and documentary filmmaker finished his stint in an underwater lab 63 feet deep off the coast of Key Largo, Florida, on Wednesday, rising to the surface after a brief layover in a decompression unit. The project, called Mission 31, provided a platform to study oceanic pollution and climate change and their impact on wildlife, as well as to conduct scientific experiments on coral reef.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)