Goodie, another planet to destroy! April 25, 2007
Posted by dave128 in Science.1 comment so far
BBC: New ’super-Earth’ found in space
Seriously though, it’s fascinating stuff.
“We have estimated that the mean temperature of this ’super-Earth’ lies between 0 and 40 degrees Celsius, and water would thus be liquid,” explained Stephane Udry of the Geneva Observatory, lead author of the scientific paper reporting the result.
Polar Bears turn to cannibalism June 15, 2006
Posted by dave128 in Global Warming, Nature, Science.add a comment
In a disturbing trend Polar Bears are killing and eating each other because of an increasing difficultly in obtaining their primary food source, say the authors of a new study. The bears use sea ice to hunt for their prey, ringed seals, however with polar ice decreasing the bears are finding it harder and harder to catch the seals. Out of hunger, it seems the bears are resorting to cannibalism.
Researchers say this is an effect of global warming, and have petitioned to have Polar Bears listed as an endangered species. In over two decades of study in the region of North Alaska, scientists have never witnessed Polar Bears killing each other for food.
I wonder if this news will have an impact on the average person in the street. Melting glaciers may not be the most exciting news piece to alarm the general public, but cute, lovable polar bears eating each other? That most certainly is not a Coke ad.
