Original Article: Lush Walls Rise to Fight a Blanket of Pollution
By: Damien Cave
Showing posts with label Pat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pat. Show all posts
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Hornets have surpassed us...
Article:
Solar-Powered Hornet Found; Turns Light Into Electricity
Published by National Geographic News
Author: Matt Kaplan
URL: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/12/101221-solar-power-hornet-science-animals/
Summary/Description:
This article basically explains that the this species of hornet generates electricity for unknown purposes, but it is know HOW they produce electricity. Scientists first started observing these hornet because of their abnormal activity patterns. Unlike other hornets this species is most active during the afternoon. Scientists soon found that the brown sections of the exoskeleton contain melanin, the pigment which, in humans, turns dangerous UV light into heat in addition to determining skin color and tans. Thanks to the unique structure of the exoskeleton only one percent of the light that hits the hornets' body in the brown parts is reflected. The yellow part of the exoskeleton, which contains the much rarer pigment xanthopterin (No, I cannot pronounce that properly, but I think it's "zanth-op-ter-in"), is where the important action takes place. This xanthopterin, when put in a liquid solution exposed to light, generated electricity at .335 efficiency (Human artificial solar cells produce between 10 and 11 percent).
Reaction:
I was impressed by this. I mean, an electric hornet? How could that not be cool? Still, it gives no reason for the insects producing the electricity, which is what I would really like to know about. It may take extensive study, but knowing why it is produced may lead to further discoveries, and if the military is interested enough, possibly lead to weaponization, the latter of which I do not approve of. Learning why the hornets produce the electricity would be more useful to everyone than what has already been learned, because our solar power cells are already more productive than these hornets. Biologists should look at creatures with similar niches, just to see if there are any other odd adaptions that were missed and should be looked in to.
Thoughtful questions:
- Is this discovery really noteworthy? Why or why not?
- Do you think there are other animals with electricity producing chemicals? If so, how many?
- Could this be beneficial to humans? (Meat + Dairy + Electricity farm anyone?)
- Do you think that we could genetically alter ourselves to produce xanthopterin? I am serious; after all, it would be useful to walk outside and photosynthetically charge your phone, wouldn't it?
If you had $500, an army, and a few other nonsensical things for you to have, where would you go on your rampage?
Monday, March 19, 2012
Human Carrying capacity and Selection type
Author Unmentioned
URL: http://www.sustainablescale.org/ConceptualFramework/UnderstandingScale/MeasuringScale/CarryingCapacity.aspx
Post by: Patrick Walls
Summary:
This short article summarizes what we already know about carrying capacity, k-selection, and r-selection. Beyond that, this article goes to explain how ecologists have failed to apply these concepts to the human population for a long time. According to the article, unlike other species, we appear to have varying selection types depending on the time we are observed. The key variables, however, are not time, but rather consumption levels and technological advancements, the former following suit to the latter. Also stated by this article is the fact that humans need to be cautious with our population because we may or may not suffer a crash at any point global carrying capacity is reached, and it is impossible to know which because the selection dependent on the circumstances of consumption and technological advancement. Please note that while the above graph is is featured in the article, it is not elaborated upon.
Opinion/Reflection:
I believe that this article poses interesting points to both the human population and selection type topics. It states that humans by our ways of life have created a new population selection type which is solely dependent on our own choices and actions. I was disappointed, however, by the lack of elaboration on the Economic Carrying Capacity graph. I think it is good in concept, as many inorganic processes that apply to ecological principals are cyclical, such as economies. I think it would be a good idea to apply these population graphs to other processes which can either crash and burn or stabilize, as it would allow us to be more scientific approach to political problems of inequality or instability.
Thoughtful Questions
1. How do you think the selection curves will change as you go from country to country?
2. Do you think that we will be able to sustain our population when we reach carrying capacity?
3. Are there any other cyclical processes which you can relate k-selection and r-selection to?
π.You know me by now, so why didn't you see this coming?
4. Do you think it would be a good idea for social scientists and ecologists/biologists/other life scientists to collaborate, considering so many patterns are similar in their fields?
Author Unmentioned
URL: http://www.sustainablescale.org/ConceptualFramework/UnderstandingScale/MeasuringScale/CarryingCapacity.aspx
Post by: Patrick Walls
Summary:
This short article summarizes what we already know about carrying capacity, k-selection, and r-selection. Beyond that, this article goes to explain how ecologists have failed to apply these concepts to the human population for a long time. According to the article, unlike other species, we appear to have varying selection types depending on the time we are observed. The key variables, however, are not time, but rather consumption levels and technological advancements, the former following suit to the latter. Also stated by this article is the fact that humans need to be cautious with our population because we may or may not suffer a crash at any point global carrying capacity is reached, and it is impossible to know which because the selection dependent on the circumstances of consumption and technological advancement. Please note that while the above graph is is featured in the article, it is not elaborated upon.
Opinion/Reflection:
I believe that this article poses interesting points to both the human population and selection type topics. It states that humans by our ways of life have created a new population selection type which is solely dependent on our own choices and actions. I was disappointed, however, by the lack of elaboration on the Economic Carrying Capacity graph. I think it is good in concept, as many inorganic processes that apply to ecological principals are cyclical, such as economies. I think it would be a good idea to apply these population graphs to other processes which can either crash and burn or stabilize, as it would allow us to be more scientific approach to political problems of inequality or instability.
Thoughtful Questions
1. How do you think the selection curves will change as you go from country to country?
2. Do you think that we will be able to sustain our population when we reach carrying capacity?
3. Are there any other cyclical processes which you can relate k-selection and r-selection to?
π.
4. Do you think it would be a good idea for social scientists and ecologists/biologists/other life scientists to collaborate, considering so many patterns are similar in their fields?
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