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People fear sharks, but it should be the other way around: sharks are becoming extinct at an alarming rate. Since the 1970s the shark population is estimated to have declined by 99 percent. All life forms play a crucial, essential role in their environment, which is why extinction is such a pressing issue. Without sharks some species will overpopulate causing further damage to the environment. Many species of Rays and Skates will become overabundant without sharks and therefore the fish they...
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Whether you were lucky enough to read the last list of accidental discoveries, or are perhaps just dabbling in it for the first time, I think we can all admit that accidents and lists are best served in pairs. Am I right? (Yes I am.) For another dosing of great accidental inventions, look no further than here: As far as accidental inventions are concerned, medicine may not be the safest arena to be testing the waters. But thanks to a group of Welsh researchers at Merthyr Tydfil, men the world...
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After I injured my back lifting moving boxes last August, I was told by my chiropractor to get a body pillow to help me sleep in the proper alignment on my side. I also thought it would be a good time to replace the pillow I lie my head on, since it had been a very long time since I’d gotten a new one (comfortable pillows can be hard to find, so I wasn't in a hurry to replace it!). I was worried about down or cotton pillows getting lumpy, so I thought memory foam would be a good option. Sure,...
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They say it’s not about the destination, but rather the journey. This adage holds particularly true when it comes to science, a study that proves that the ‘getting there’ is just as important as the actual ‘there’—perhaps even more so. The following are just a few examples that illustrate how some of our most notable inventions (and one discovery) came about by a matter of chance: For any home experimenter, the kitchen is as great a place as any to start testing theories and trying out ideas...
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Baking Soda is an excellent alternative to most cleaning and hygienic products which contain toxic chemicals which are harmful not only to the people who use them but to the environment. Concern about the damaging chemicals in cleaning and hygienic products has been recently justified by frightening revelations such as triclosan being found in dolphins and paraben being linked to cancerous tumors. Parabens are a man-made chemical preservative which is cheap to produce and can be found in...
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What is the war on wolves?
Idaho has been all over the environmental news lately for what is being dubbed its “War on Wolves” (Clark). In the one year since wolves were stripped of their protection as endangered species, Idaho has killed more than 400 wolves. The governor of Idaho, Butch Otter, specifically prioritized the delisting of wolves on the endangered species as a political goal (Gibson). Idaho is the hot topic now, but they are only part of a larger pattern of discrimination...
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The price of gas gets higher everyday. The population is skyrocketing. The weather keeps getting warmer no matter the season. Disasters appear more catastrophic with every news report. There's no denying that the planet is in peril in more ways than one. So, do we give up hope of ever improving the situation or do we look to the future for solutions?
Across the world, a group of people is refusing to lie down and accept the damage that past generations have done to the Earth. They're actively...
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Fishing nets don't discriminate. They are designed to increase profit by catching the largest amount of fish possible in one catch. This means that what's found in the net when it's finally pulled out of the ocean can be more than was bargained for. If the net is still there...
According to reports by the World Wildlife Fund, every day nearly 1000 Whales, dolphins and porpoises are killed by nets and fishing gear. This makes fishing nets the largest global threat to whales and dolphins in the...
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India’s yearly event of Jallikattu has many social organizations around the world aflutter, claiming that the traditional practices involved puts animals and humans in too much harm. As a way to garner divine support, residents in these rural areas host a three-day event in order to bring good fortune to the area and its inhabitants. “If we do not conduct ‘jallikattu’ the village is in danger of being affected by an epidemic,”—a villager of Palamedu (a central location for the ceremony)...
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The world is facing a crisis because of climate change and world leaders are not doing enough to combat the problem. Unfortunately, the world’s most powerful nations, which include the United States, the European Union, and China, are failing to impose strict, but necessary legal sanctions that would reduce carbon emissions. Such reductions would prevent the rise of sea levels and prevent climates from facing drastic changes in their normal cycles. The environment will inevitably heal and...
-
It was a simple enough task: I wanted to make someone a birthday cake using a cake mix and a container of vanilla frosting. It resulted with me standing in the baking isle for over 15 minutes, angrily going brand through brand of frosting nutrition facts. Every single major brand—Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury…they all let me down a few lines in. Not one of them was free of Trans fat. Luckily, the grocery store had its own brand of frosting which was free of Trans fat, but then I...
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Polenta, the star ingredient in this polenta bake casserole, is a dense paste made from yellow or white cornmeal, and is primarily eaten in European countries. While it originated in Roman times and is commonly eaten in Italian dishes, its plainness gives it a versatility that allows it to be easily mixed with other ingredients. The polenta bake I’ve outlined here is a simple and easy casserole made with fresh ingredients (bonus points if you grow the vegetables in your garden or buy them...
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Many animals have names that sound funny and maybe even make us chuckle. Many others have names that are confusing and upon hearing the word for the first time it may leave you wondering just what type of animal it really is. A few mammals out there bear the name of another mammal, “bat”, but simply do not belong to the family called Chiroptera. One such mammal is the wombat. Wombats, consisting of three extant species, are actually marsupials, or pouched mammals, that live in Australia. They...
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It seems that in Utah, investigative journalism is a thing of the past. Utah has passed legislation deeming undercover surveys of agricultural enterprises illegal, joining Iowa on the short list of states to do so. Now, under state law, taking, possessing, and distributing photos, video, or audio of factory farms, or attempting to gain entrance to the farms “under false pretenses” is punishable by up to a year in jail or a 1,000 dollar fine. The bill, now popularly referred to as the ‘ag-gag...
-
Obama administration has proposed a new set of rules that, for the first time ever, would strictly regulate carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants, cutting emissions from some plants by as much as half. Power plants currently account for 40 percent of the total carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, and there are no limits or regulations that control how much carbon the plants can burn. The legislation, called the Carbon Pollution Standard, would mandate that all new coal plants be...
-
Square foot gardening uses raised beds to plant flowers and vegetables, and allows you to plant a garden that conserves water, soil, space, and seeds. This easy and efficient method of gardening ensures that you don’t have to till the soil, and allows you to plant a garden even if the soil in your region is hard or unsuitable for crops. Square foot gardening also ensures that you won’t have to crawl through the dirt to reach and water your plants (and therefore, you won’t disturb the plants) –...
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While foxes seem like wild creatures who want nothing to do with humans, they can live very comfortably as domesticated pets. After all, they are not a whole lot different from dogs and cats, and could serve as very special and unique companions. However, there are a lot of things to keep in mind in order to make sure your new pet fox is healthy and happy. The first step, is to check the local laws on owning exotic pets to see if it is legal to own one in your area. Some states, such as...
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The Great Basin is under attack and may be going down the drains of Las Vegas. It seems the more that happens in Vegas will no longer stay in Vegas as their pipeline dream may become a reality. The city cannot continue to drain Lake Mead anymore because of drought and the Colorado River appropriations are not enough either as they continue the need to moisten their future city development projects by reaching north and using The Great Basin as their next source of water. An approximate three...
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A recent study found that a co-management approach towards fisheries greatly improved the sustainability of the fishes residing in the area. In other words, an understanding between the government, conservation organizations, and local people to maintain sustainable practices when fishing is resulting in a reduction of overharvesting. Overall, this makes sense. No one likes to be told how to live their lives. In many areas along the shores of our oceans fishing has been a way of life for...
-
Back in March, news outlets stirred up a storm when they reported on an unusual ingredient creeping in Starbucks’ strawberry drinks: insects. Turns out, the tiny white insects, called Dactylopius coccus, produce a red pigment when ground up, ideal for giving the Strawberry and Crème Frappuccino a fun and inviting tint while keeping the drink “natural.” The pigment, referred to as cochineal, has actually been used as a dye for centuries, perfect for products such as paints, makeup, and yes, food...
People fear sharks, but it should be the other way around: sharks are becoming extinct at an alarming rate. Since the 1970s the shark population is estimated to have declined by 99 percent. All life forms play a crucial, essential role in their environment, which is why extinction is such a pressing issue. Without sharks some species will overpopulate causing further damage to the environment. Many species of Rays and Skates will become overabundant without sharks and therefore the fish they...
Whether you were lucky enough to read the last list of accidental discoveries, or are perhaps just dabbling in it for the first time, I think we can all admit that accidents and lists are best served in pairs. Am I right? (Yes I am.) For another dosing of great accidental inventions, look no further than here: As far as accidental inventions are concerned, medicine may not be the safest arena to be testing the waters. But thanks to a group of Welsh researchers at Merthyr Tydfil, men the world...
After I injured my back lifting moving boxes last August, I was told by my chiropractor to get a body pillow to help me sleep in the proper alignment on my side. I also thought it would be a good time to replace the pillow I lie my head on, since it had been a very long time since I’d gotten a new one (comfortable pillows can be hard to find, so I wasn't in a hurry to replace it!). I was worried about down or cotton pillows getting lumpy, so I thought memory foam would be a good option. Sure,...
They say it’s not about the destination, but rather the journey. This adage holds particularly true when it comes to science, a study that proves that the ‘getting there’ is just as important as the actual ‘there’—perhaps even more so. The following are just a few examples that illustrate how some of our most notable inventions (and one discovery) came about by a matter of chance: For any home experimenter, the kitchen is as great a place as any to start testing theories and trying out ideas...
Baking Soda is an excellent alternative to most cleaning and hygienic products which contain toxic chemicals which are harmful not only to the people who use them but to the environment. Concern about the damaging chemicals in cleaning and hygienic products has been recently justified by frightening revelations such as triclosan being found in dolphins and paraben being linked to cancerous tumors. Parabens are a man-made chemical preservative which is cheap to produce and can be found in...
What is the war on wolves? Idaho has been all over the environmental news lately for what is being dubbed its “War on Wolves” (Clark). In the one year since wolves were stripped of their protection as endangered species, Idaho has killed more than 400 wolves. The governor of Idaho, Butch Otter, specifically prioritized the delisting of wolves on the endangered species as a political goal (Gibson). Idaho is the hot topic now, but they are only part of a larger pattern of discrimination...
The price of gas gets higher everyday. The population is skyrocketing. The weather keeps getting warmer no matter the season. Disasters appear more catastrophic with every news report. There's no denying that the planet is in peril in more ways than one. So, do we give up hope of ever improving the situation or do we look to the future for solutions? Across the world, a group of people is refusing to lie down and accept the damage that past generations have done to the Earth. They're actively...
Fishing nets don't discriminate. They are designed to increase profit by catching the largest amount of fish possible in one catch. This means that what's found in the net when it's finally pulled out of the ocean can be more than was bargained for. If the net is still there... According to reports by the World Wildlife Fund, every day nearly 1000 Whales, dolphins and porpoises are killed by nets and fishing gear. This makes fishing nets the largest global threat to whales and dolphins in the...
India’s yearly event of Jallikattu has many social organizations around the world aflutter, claiming that the traditional practices involved puts animals and humans in too much harm. As a way to garner divine support, residents in these rural areas host a three-day event in order to bring good fortune to the area and its inhabitants. “If we do not conduct ‘jallikattu’ the village is in danger of being affected by an epidemic,”—a villager of Palamedu (a central location for the ceremony)...
The world is facing a crisis because of climate change and world leaders are not doing enough to combat the problem. Unfortunately, the world’s most powerful nations, which include the United States, the European Union, and China, are failing to impose strict, but necessary legal sanctions that would reduce carbon emissions. Such reductions would prevent the rise of sea levels and prevent climates from facing drastic changes in their normal cycles. The environment will inevitably heal and...
It was a simple enough task: I wanted to make someone a birthday cake using a cake mix and a container of vanilla frosting. It resulted with me standing in the baking isle for over 15 minutes, angrily going brand through brand of frosting nutrition facts. Every single major brand—Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury…they all let me down a few lines in. Not one of them was free of Trans fat. Luckily, the grocery store had its own brand of frosting which was free of Trans fat, but then I...
Polenta, the star ingredient in this polenta bake casserole, is a dense paste made from yellow or white cornmeal, and is primarily eaten in European countries. While it originated in Roman times and is commonly eaten in Italian dishes, its plainness gives it a versatility that allows it to be easily mixed with other ingredients. The polenta bake I’ve outlined here is a simple and easy casserole made with fresh ingredients (bonus points if you grow the vegetables in your garden or buy them...
Many animals have names that sound funny and maybe even make us chuckle. Many others have names that are confusing and upon hearing the word for the first time it may leave you wondering just what type of animal it really is. A few mammals out there bear the name of another mammal, “bat”, but simply do not belong to the family called Chiroptera. One such mammal is the wombat. Wombats, consisting of three extant species, are actually marsupials, or pouched mammals, that live in Australia. They...
It seems that in Utah, investigative journalism is a thing of the past. Utah has passed legislation deeming undercover surveys of agricultural enterprises illegal, joining Iowa on the short list of states to do so. Now, under state law, taking, possessing, and distributing photos, video, or audio of factory farms, or attempting to gain entrance to the farms “under false pretenses” is punishable by up to a year in jail or a 1,000 dollar fine. The bill, now popularly referred to as the ‘ag-gag...
Obama administration has proposed a new set of rules that, for the first time ever, would strictly regulate carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants, cutting emissions from some plants by as much as half. Power plants currently account for 40 percent of the total carbon dioxide emissions in the United States, and there are no limits or regulations that control how much carbon the plants can burn. The legislation, called the Carbon Pollution Standard, would mandate that all new coal plants be...
Square foot gardening uses raised beds to plant flowers and vegetables, and allows you to plant a garden that conserves water, soil, space, and seeds. This easy and efficient method of gardening ensures that you don’t have to till the soil, and allows you to plant a garden even if the soil in your region is hard or unsuitable for crops. Square foot gardening also ensures that you won’t have to crawl through the dirt to reach and water your plants (and therefore, you won’t disturb the plants) –...
While foxes seem like wild creatures who want nothing to do with humans, they can live very comfortably as domesticated pets. After all, they are not a whole lot different from dogs and cats, and could serve as very special and unique companions. However, there are a lot of things to keep in mind in order to make sure your new pet fox is healthy and happy. The first step, is to check the local laws on owning exotic pets to see if it is legal to own one in your area. Some states, such as...
The Great Basin is under attack and may be going down the drains of Las Vegas. It seems the more that happens in Vegas will no longer stay in Vegas as their pipeline dream may become a reality. The city cannot continue to drain Lake Mead anymore because of drought and the Colorado River appropriations are not enough either as they continue the need to moisten their future city development projects by reaching north and using The Great Basin as their next source of water. An approximate three...
A recent study found that a co-management approach towards fisheries greatly improved the sustainability of the fishes residing in the area. In other words, an understanding between the government, conservation organizations, and local people to maintain sustainable practices when fishing is resulting in a reduction of overharvesting. Overall, this makes sense. No one likes to be told how to live their lives. In many areas along the shores of our oceans fishing has been a way of life for...
Back in March, news outlets stirred up a storm when they reported on an unusual ingredient creeping in Starbucks’ strawberry drinks: insects. Turns out, the tiny white insects, called Dactylopius coccus, produce a red pigment when ground up, ideal for giving the Strawberry and Crème Frappuccino a fun and inviting tint while keeping the drink “natural.” The pigment, referred to as cochineal, has actually been used as a dye for centuries, perfect for products such as paints, makeup, and yes, food...