Decades of research

Cigarette smoke chemicals can contaminate indoor spaces where no one has lit up in decades by traveling through the air, according to a new study that sheds light on how pervasive these harmful substances might be. Third-hand smoke—the residual chemicals left by cigarette smoke—can linger on clothing and indoor surfaces such as furnishings and enter a building's ventilation system, researchers at Drexel University found. Previous studies have shown it can even get into neonatal intensive care incubators. Dr. Michael Waring, co-author of the study and associate professor at Drexel's College of Engineering, said in a statement : "While many public areas have restrictions on smoking, including distance from doorways, non-smoking buildings and even full smoking bans on campus for some universities, these smoking limitations often only serve to protect non-smoking populations from exposure to second-hand smoke." "This study shows that third-hand smoke, which we are realizing can be … [Read more...] about Scientists warn of exposure to third-hand smoke cigarette chemicals in rooms where no one has smoked in decades

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has captured many stunning images over its lifetime – here are five of the most mind-blowing. First conceived in the 1940s, the Hubble Space Telescope (or just Hubble for short) was launched by the US space agency on April 24, 1990. Named after astronomer Edwin Powell Hubble (1889–1953), the instrument currently hovers about 340 miles (547 km) above Earth's surface and completes 15 orbits a day. It is one of Nasa's four great observatories, along with the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and the Spitzer Space Telescope. Numerous scientific observations that have furthered man's understanding of the universe are can be credited to Hubble. And while the telescope's list of achievements is long, some of its most notable feats include helping astronomers determine the age of the universe and observing the rate at which it is expanding. Read more on Hubble STAR BURST Nasa reveals stunning … [Read more...] about Five MIND-BLOWING Hubble Space Telescope images from the past decade

Breakfast Climate Change Minister James Shaw is interviewed by TVNZ's Breakfast show, about the release of maps showing the localised effects of climate-change-driven sea-level rises. Climate Change Minister James Shaw is today launching a “three-decade-long” economic transition that will fundamentally reshape New Zealand’s economy and society. At midday, the Government is releasing its long-awaited first emissions reduction plan . It will outline what regulatory changes and financial sticks and carrots will be wielded in the fight to drive down the country’s emissions to reach a target of net-zero emissions by 2050. “What you’re talking about here is a three-decade-long economic transition that affects all of our major industries,” Shaw said. “It affects how we design our towns and cities, it affects the quality of the houses that we live in. It affects the method by which we get to and from work in and so on. So in that sense, yes, it is a very far-reaching … [Read more...] about NZ Government to launch plan for ‘three-decade-long’ climate transition

A research fellow says $8 million in capital expenditure can get Stewart Island off diesel power. Dr Soheil​ Mohseni​ has designed an energy network for the island as part of his PhD studies at Victoria University of Wellington, looking at off-grid networks. The storage and generation components of Mohseni’s model would cost about $8 million, fuel the ferry and save islanders 54% on their power bills, he said. Even with a roughly $3.2m instillation, plus replacement, operation and maintenance, Mohseni said the system would be a money-maker in about eight years, with a projected 14% per annum return on investment. READ MORE: Stewart Island running on diesel not a good look, mayor says Wind farm development on Stewart Island shelved Land access delaying Stewart Island wind turbines No renewable energy for Stewart Island Alternative power for Stewart Island by 2018 Breakfast Climate Change Minister James Shaw is interviewed by TVNZ's … [Read more...] about Researcher says $8m may get Stewart Island off diesel energy

New research has revealed the potential for Alzheimer’s disease to be detected through a blood test during its early stages – but it could be some time before it is part of your next wellness check. Researchers at Otago University have discovered changes in blood patterns as people progress through the stages of Alzheimer’s. Small molecules in the blood called microRNA changed dynamically as the symptoms of Alzeheimer’s worsened. The decade-long research was a collaboration with lead author Diane Guévremont and team leader associate professor Joanna Williams of the Department of Anatomy and the Otago Brain Health Research Centre, along with members of Otago’s psychology, biochemistry and medicine department, and colleagues in Australia. READ MORE: When dementia strikes at an early age Viagra could be a potent force in the fight against Alzheimer’s, study suggests These small changes can lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease Williams said the idea behind … [Read more...] about ‘Goal to use blood as window to the brain’: Research’s potential for early detection of Alzheimer’s

STUFF Toheroa, a native surf clam, hasn't recovered after being vastly over harvested in the 1900s. Toheroa was a favourite NZ seafood delicacy of the 1900s. It was vastly over-harvested and collecting was banned in the 1970s. In the decades since, it has not recovered. Why not? Will Harvie reports. It would probably appal Kiwis who feasted on toheroa in the last century that the seafood delicacy is now almost forgotten. Until the 1960s, toheroa was New Zealand's "great contribution to the epicurean world". The kai moana was "highly esteemed by the most fastidious gourmet" and a "gift of nature … that has done much to advertise the Dominion all over the world", according to the NZ Railways Magazine in 1936. Toheroa thrived on the western beaches of the North Island – Ninety Mile, Ripiro and Muriwai. It abounded on the beaches of Kāpiti-Horowhenua near Wellington. Mysteriously, it thrived on Oreti and Te Waewae beaches in Southland. There were pockets elsewhere. … [Read more...] about Decades of fishing bans have not rescued seafood delicacy toheroa

Americans are rapidly self-identifying themselves as religiously unaffiliated, and especially less frequently as Christians, according to a report released by the Pew Research Center on Thursday. The Pew Research Center compiled the report about Americans' religious practices using data collected through random-digit-dial (RDD) political polling conducted in 2018 and 2019. "The religious landscape of the United States continues to change at a rapid clip," the full report read. "In Pew Research Center telephone surveys conducted in 2018 and 2019, 65 percent of American adults describe themselves as Christians when asked about their religion, down 12 percentage points over the past decade." The report indicated that fewer Americans identified themselves as Catholics or as members of Protestant denominations. It reported that 43 percent of adults identified as Protestants, down from 51 percent in 2009; while 20 percent said they were Catholic, down from 23 percent in 2009. White … [Read more...] about Christianity’s popularity continues to decline as more Americans identify as religiously unaffiliated, says study

Sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, “ will be a thing of the past ,” according to Carmel Harrington, a sleep researcher at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, in Australia. A press release describes her new study, out this month, as a “game-changing” effort and a “world-first breakthrough” that could prevent future deaths from the tragic illness. Celebrations quickly spread on social media: “THEY FOUND THE CAUSE OF SIDS. Excuse me while I cry for all the parents,” one viral tweet declared. “Closest thing to a miracle in a long time,” said another . The press soon picked up the story. On Friday, a segment on Good Morning America touted Harrington’s “very, very important study” of SIDS, while a story in the New York Post promised that her data would “ bring closure to countless parents who have endured the nightmare of losing a child.” Rarely is a medical research finding a "breakthrough." But this one - discovering a biomarker in blood that indicates babies' … [Read more...] about No, They Didn’t Find the Cause of SIDS

Brain drain, or the loss of skilled and qualified people, has been a major drag on Slovakia’s labour market for decades. Research has repeatedly shown that Slovakia see more of its students leaving for foreign universities than most other OECD countries. Skryť Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryť Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Highly qualified Slovaks who already live abroad are often hesitant to return to Slovakia for several reasons, among which they name low living standards in Slovakia and lack of work opportunities. Often they also cite a dysfunctional state and public institutions, as well as perceptions of corruption and cronyism at all levels, in many sectors. Sociologists dealing with the problem of brain drain warn that it threatens society’s human and intellectual potential. Democratic societies should create conditions, opportunities and perspectives to ensure that … [Read more...] about Solutions to tackle brain drain planned as part of Slovakia’s Recovery Plan

A colorful bird that shot to fame in "The Lion King" is being wiped out by climate change, according to new research. Global warming is reducing breeding success of the southern yellow-billed hornbill, which is commonly seen in scrub and dry woodland areas of South Africa. Typically on a safari, you will see yellow and red-billed hornbills - like the Disney character Zazu. In the animated musical, he is the most trusted advisor to Simba's pride of lions. First author Dr. Nicholas Pattinson, of the University of Cape Town, said: "There is rapidly growing evidence for the negative effects of high temperatures on the behavior, physiology, breeding, and survival of various bird, mammal, and reptile species around the world. "For example, heat-related mass die-off events over the period of a few days are increasingly being recorded, which no doubt pose a threat to population persistence and ecosystem function." His team studied a population of southern yellow-billed hornbills … [Read more...] about Colorful bird famously featured in “The Lion King” nearly going extinct