New Pediatricians In Toronto

The galaxy, Water vapor in exoplanet

space

All

The universe

Dale kick in notes, and read the information

Friday March 25, 2011

measure the presence of water vapor in the exoplanet GJ 1214b, though the possibilities of life as we know it are nil.

Perhaps someday we can look back and see the steps that led us to detect life in some remote exoplanet. Since then our philosophical and scientific conceptions of what life is change. Some of these steps have been small and given one after another, with effort and tenacity of scientists who have gradually been winning their share of the ocean of ignorance.

Doppler was started detecting giant planets like Jupiter and then found what was called super-Earths. Of them came to know the orbital parameters of its orbit. The transit method enabled us to detect smaller planets and even measure its diameter. Remember that as the Doppler technique detects primarily the most massive planets, the transit technique does with those closest to the star. So statistical samples obtained in both cases are not representative of real people.

While all this was achieved, planetary formation models, structure Planetary and spectrometric have been providing new results. The outcome today is that we know hundreds of exoplanets, some of them with features that we had never imagined. But its composition is inferred that part of the time only through models, is rarely measured directly (although there is always a model behind any action.) In fact we can only know the atmospheric composition of these exoplanets, unless of course we travel there. But atmospheric composition can tell us a lot of opportunities there are conditions for life on a planet or even confirm its existence. To determine the composition of a planetary atmosphere we can assert spectrometry. Or by the light reflected by the gases of the atmosphere or because they absorb when placed in front of the disc from its star as our perspective.

a while ago measured the presence of certain gases in the atmosphere of an extrasolar planet Jupiter. Now it has managed to take a spectrum of an Earth-like "super-Earth" and confirmed the presence of water vapor in its atmosphere. For both measures has been used the Very Large Telescope, and Spitzer as MEarth mini-telescope project.

It GJ 1214b, exoplanet discovered in 2009 by MEarth that M star orbits in the constellation Ophiuchus. It has a very short orbital period, because it takes only 1.6 days to complete one orbit around its star. But this proximity to the star prevents the temperature is low enough to be habitable. Its diameter is 2.7 times the Earth and its mass 6.6 times that of Earth.

Previous results obtained previously, and not very good quality, could fit into a planetary model in which the planet would have an atmosphere of hydrogen and helium. They have now managed to eliminate that possibility with a statistical confidence of 99.99%. The second possibility was that the planet contains a large amount of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium. This possibility was confirmed when tested with a 99.97% confidence (3 σ) that its atmosphere is composed of 10% water vapor. The temperature, however, seems to be around 280 degrees Celsius according to the calculations.

According to the models of planet formation planet's atmosphere could be formed from two different scenarios. In the first, the atmosphere is formed during the process of global aggregation, this would lead to an enrichment of light gases such as hydrogen and helium. The second scenario would place the formation of this body beyond the line icing and then move toward the innermost orbit, creating an atmosphere rich in heavy elements to sublimate the ice. This result confirmed the second stage.

Neofronteras

Halloween Rhymes For Inviations

Onu, gene patenting Fund to avoid 10 countries monopolize 90%

Continents

Onu

Science

Dale kick in notes, and read the information

Friday March 25, 2011

A team of scientists, including English Carlos Duarte, asked in the journal Science the creation of an international pool of patents for genes sea to achieve equitable and ethical resources of the sea and prevent only ten countries monopolize 90 percent of those patents.

This fund would be coordinated by an agency under the United Nations has confirmed Duarte, researcher at the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), who added: "It would centralize authority that patents may not only marine organisms, but all organisms. "

The goal, has continued, is to ensure, first, the rights of countries in whose waters the bodies are obtained, now you do not declare to patent, and, secondly, to establish fair compensation to those who have made the discovery, ensuring access for all its benefits.

The ten countries that control 90 percent of the 677 marine gene patents in the world with international validity hold 20 percent of the costs, according to this work.

United States, Germany and Japan account for 70 percent of these patents, and among the ten countries are Switzerland, which has no jurisdiction even marine waters, as well as France, UK, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands and Norway . (Spain has 5 patents to genes and 16 genes sea in total and is, according to Duarte, ranked 15 countries with more patents marine).

Only 31 of the 194 countries of the world have applied for patents on genes sea, according to this research.

The reason for this imbalance in access to technology for marine exploration and exploitation of genetic resources, so the idea of \u200b\u200bthe fund was created to avoid being only countries with more advanced technologies login with these means, as Duarte.

For the scientist, is also important to ensure this common ethical and equitable access to resources.

"It is not acceptable to patent a gene does not need to state where the sample was taken, nor is required to identify which body extracted, among other things because the new techniques allow us to discover massive sequencing genes before knowing what species they belong, particularly for microorganisms, has riveted.

this researcher has suggested that some countries refuse to address this issue, explained that the applications of many genes are marine biology, biomedicine, energy and food.

Duarte coordinates the Malaspina expedition, aimed at assessing the impact of global change on the ocean and its biodiversity study .

"pioneering exploration of genomic diversity of the ocean that we are Malaspina throw out the discovery of millions of new genes, many could have applications in biomedicine, energy, food technology, "he said.

The framework of" Wild West "in a few countries" appropriated through patents, of biological resources of the ocean does not seem ethical or acceptable, but non-proprietary, patented by others who come purely commercial interests ".

Hence the need to develop an international framework ensure equitable access to marine genetic resources, especially in international waters, accounting for 65 percent the surface of the ocean, the researchers note.

The work, which the authors have also requested that marine genetic resources are proclaimed the common heritage of mankind, is coordinated by Sophie Arnaud, IFREMER (France), and in it, apart from Duarte, part Jesus Maria Arrieta, the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (Spain). Efe

Female Wrestling Submission Holds

United States, Cats guilty of death of birds and wind turbines not

American continent (North)

United States

Duda

Dale notes kick in , and read the information

Friday March 25, 2011

A U.S. study appears to give the reason the canary Tweety Bird (Tweety). In the cartoon, the Bird Sylvester flees, who pursues him to eat. Now scientists say that the domestic cat is one of the major predators of birds.

research is to know who were the predators of the birds and the main causes of death of chicks leaving the nest.

So far the focus on mortality of birds was not on the cats, but in wind turbines to produce wind energy. The number of these large generators that has grown and bird collisions.

order to discover the causes of death in birds, scientists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and the University Towson, Maryland, USA, placed small radiotrasmisores in birds before they leave the nest and they could follow their journey once flew.

"It was not surprising in the sense that at that stage we knew that small birds are very vulnerable, are not adept at running away from predators, and not even be quite right to follow their parents," she tells Peter Marra, an author of the study.

"But what yes we were surprised that the top predator of birds turned out to be the domestic cat, "adds the scientist.

Of all birds in the experiment, predation was the cause of death of 80% of them . And more than half of these predators were cats.

And even though it is a small-scale research, scientists say that this is only a scientific proof of a phenomenon known: the cats are invasive species are responsible for the predation of small reptiles, birds and mammals.

Protected birds

The cat is one of the most popular pets worldwide. Domestication is relatively recent, but Hunter is an animal instinct.

Its impact on bird populations is immense, as determined conservationists. For example, are responsible for the extinction of 33 species of birds that inhabited islands.

The study found that in areas of the U.S. city of Washington, where the experiment took place and where many cats live longer, the young bird populations are smaller and tend to decrease, we Marra said.

According to estimates of the Bird Conservation Agency of the United States each year 500 million birds die as a result of attacks by domestic cats half and half by wild cats.

Do not have cats? "The solution is to not have cats, but try to get these pets do not go outside and stay indoors," says Marra.

According to this scientist, not good for cats to be outdoors, as there life expectancy is reduced by half. Are more prone to disease, car accidents and dog attacks, for example.

"It's about being responsible with our pets and the environment, to ensure that the balance of our wildlife is maintained properly, Marra added.

" Cats are not the only threat to the survival of birds, so are climate change and habitat loss. But man can try to reduce the impact of cats if you do not let them leave home, "says the scientist.

The impact of the turbines

Its impact on bird population is huge , as determined conservationists. For example, are responsible for the extinction of 33 species of birds that inhabited islands.

The study found that in areas of the U.S. city of Washington, where the experiment took place and where many cats live longer, the young bird populations are smaller and tend to decrease, explains Marra.

According to estimates of the Bird Conservation Agency of the United States each year 500 million birds die as a result of attacks by domestic cats half and half by wild cats.

Do not have cats? "The solution is to not have cats, but trying to make them pets go outside and stay indoors, "says Marra.

According to this scientist, not good for cats to be outdoors, as there life expectancy is reduced by half. They are more prone to disease, car accidents and dog attacks, for example.

"It's about being responsible with our pets and the environment, to ensure that the balance of our wildlife is maintained properly, Marra added .

"Cats are not the only threat to the survival of birds, so are climate change and habitat loss. But man can try to reduce the impact of cats if you do not leave home leave, "said the scientist.

The impact of the turbines

While wind power is a renewable energy source that causes very little impact on environment, one of its negative side is that large numbers of birds die each year from collisions with the blades of the generators.

Huge wind farms are often located in areas that serve as a migration path of birds. The presence of the turbines can generate a change in the migration route or make some disoriented birds.

According to the Bird Conservation Agency in the United States, about 444.000 birds die each year because of its impact with the turbines, but that figure is expected to increase to one million in 2030, to measure increase the number of wind farms to meet growing energy demand.

AlternativasLa south coast of Spain is an area where, twice a year, birds from Africa across the Strait of Gibraltar on their annual migration to Europe. It is also the European country with the richest of birds.

And several companies have implemented different measures to try to minimize the impact of wind farms on bird populations.

"Companies Fare zone detection using advanced systems of birds, using video cameras installed in wind turbines, which alert you when birds come and give a signal to reduce their speed turbines or are off" He explains Heikki Willstedt, energy policy director of the Wind Energy Association.

Another way to protect the birds have to do with the color of wind turbines.

"We know that color attract insects such as yellow, and the more insects, more birds. Therefore, some wind farms are choosing to paint the blades of windmills in purple, to repel the birds, "adds Willstedt.

Another English company has developed an audio system to output signals roll away birds, like a reminder of approaching a danger zone.

And while intensifying efforts to protect birds from wind farms, Tweety will run from cats, which is a predator number one.
BBC

True or False ... You think?