Sperm Whale Faeces can reduce effect of CO2 on climate change

Sperm whale faeces may help oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the air, scientists say.

Australian researchers calculate that Southern Ocean sperm whales release about 50 tonnes of iron every year.

This stimulates the growth of tiny marine plants – phytoplankton – which absorb CO2 during photosynthesis.

The process results in the absorption of about 400,000 tonnes of carbon – more than twice as much as the whales release by breathing, the study says.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/science_and_environment/10323987.stm

Synthetic Cell has been made in USA

“Researchers in the US have developed the first synthetic living cell. Their work, which many scientists have called a landmark study, is a key step towards the design and creation of new living things.” (from BBC News)

The scientists made the DNA in the cells from chemicals in the lab and inserted this synthetic DNA into a bacteria. The bacteria then became the first man-made living organism.

Ethical worries: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8696046.stm

Q&A: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/science_and_environment/10134341.stm

News Story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/science_and_environment/10132762.stm

Did Tomorrow’s World get their predictions right?

Check out the BBC archives and see predictions from Tomorrow’s World dating back to 1965. How much did they get right? What did they see 2010 as being like? Did people really have hair like that in the 70s and 80s?

Investigate these and many other questions with this link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/tomorrowsworld/

Earth Hour 8.30pm 27/03/10

“On Saturday 27 March 2010 at 8.30pm, we want a billion people around the world to switch off their lights for one hour – WWF’s Earth Hour. Show you care about climate change.”

http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/

Richard Hammond’s Invisible Worlds Episode 2: Out of Sight

Episode 2: Out of Sight:

“From death-defying aerial repairmen in the United States using ultraviolet cameras to seek out an invisible force that lurks unseen on power lines, to German scientists unlocking the secrets of animal locomotion with the world’s most powerful moving x-ray camera, to infrared cameras that can finally reveal the secrets within a humble beehive, he shows how new technologies are letting us see our world anew.”

See it here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rqgh4

Take part in ‘Groundbreaking’ experiments online at LabUK

According to the website:

“Lab UK experiments:

• Create new knowledge
• Use approved scientific methods
• Are secure and anonymous
• Contribute to learning
• Always publish findings”

You can take part in real scientific experiments and help further knowledge in some key areas.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/labuk/

Send your Name on the IKAROS Space Mission

Lightsail and IKAROS, two space missions about to launch are allowing the public the chance to have their names onboard the spacecraft.

The deadline for submission of messages for inclusion on the IKAROS mission is 22/03/10 but after this you can still submit for inclusion on Lightsail.

Don’t forget to print out your certificate!

Submit your name and message here: http://planetary.org/special/fromearth/sail

Richard Hammond’s Invisible Worlds

A fantastic new series showing three aspects of the Universe that are invisible to us.
The first looked at timescales outside our normal perception.

Episode 1: Speed Limits:

See here for info on the series and to watch it on iplayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rmrmm

Is Everything We Know About The Universe Wrong?

“There’s something very odd going on in space – something that shouldn’t be possible. It is as though vast swathes of the universe are being hoovered up by a vast and unseen celestial vacuum cleaner.”

See program here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00rgg31

Wonders of the Solar System

Very highly recommended!

“In this spellbinding series Professor Brian Cox visits the most extreme locations on Earth to explain how the laws of physics carved natural wonders across the solar system.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qyxfb