https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi Stay Classy APES en-us 2017-11-05 23:22:57 UTC 2018-05-08 12:05:55 UTC hello@padlet.com 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/203717289 http://abcnews.go.com/International/great-pyramids-previously-hidden-void-hailed-scientists-dismissed/story?id=50907655
Last week, researchers from the collaborative ScanPyramids project announced their discovery of a 100-foot void hidden deep within the pyramid, above the Grand Gallery. The scientists used cosmic-ray imaging to investigate the Great Pyramid and it was this technology that lead to the first major inner structure found in the pyramid since the 19th century. However, the announcement did not come without controversy.  The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities stated that the "team should not have rushed to address public opinion" nor address the project in "promotional terms." Zahi Hawass, a famed archaeologist and Egypt's former antiquities minister, was dismissive of the apparent find, saying that the design of the structure means that there are many gaps and voids and that this "30-meter void... [was] already mentioned  by Dieter Arnold 25 years ago."]]> 2017-11-06 02:12:57 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/203717289 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/203720844 http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/27/us/mystery-object-solar-system-trnd/index.html
On October 19, the University of Hawaii's Pan-STARRS 1 telescope, located on Haleakala, Hawaii, observed an object flying through our solar system at speeds of about 15.8 miles per second. However, researches say that the mass is not behaving like local space rock, leading to the theory that it isn't even from our solar system. If this is confirmed, it, named A/2017 U1, would become the first interstellar object to be observed and confirmed. Luckily, scientists claim the celestial voyager made its pass by Earth on October 14 at a distance about 60 times that of our moon. They added with confidence that the object is speeding out of our solar system and is not coming back. ]]> 2017-11-06 02:46:05 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/203720844 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/204174837 https://www.forbes.com/sites/trevornace/2017/11/01/experts-warn-icelands-biggest-volcano-is-ready-to-erupt/#59a29a761f0c
The Bardarbunga volcano is 6,590 feet tall and lies hidden beneath the Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland. Its position in the glacier means that it can only be monitored using a few acoustic measures. Geologists now say that the volcano is preparing to erupt once again. Geophysicists from the University of Iceland believe recent activity is a result of the volcano filling its magma chamber in preparation for an eruption. Fortunately, they added that an eruption is likely not imminent, but rather bound to happen in the coming years. Iceland is certainly no stranger to volcanic activity with many active volcanoes located on the island, one of which, the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, erupted in 2010 costing an estimated $4.9 billion. ]]> 2017-11-07 01:17:31 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/204174837 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/204182293 https://www.sciencenews.org/article/enceladus-core-water-ocean-saturn
In October 2015, observations indicated that the layer of ice surrounding Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons, is actually completed detached from its core. This means that its ocean span the  entire globe. In a new report, appearing in Nature Astronomy, points to friction in the moon's porous core as a way for the ocean to remain liquefied. Using computer simulations, a research team from the University of Nantes demonstrated water circulating through the spongy core and how it should keep the ocean liquefied for tens of millions to billions of years.]]> 2017-11-07 02:01:46 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/204182293 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/204832945 https://www.sciencenews.org/article/leafhoppers-use-tiny-light-absorbing-balls-conceal-their-eggs
A plant eating insect called the Leafhopper is especially equipped to survive submergence in water and to make their eggs turn invisible. No, it's not science fiction, rather small quantities of microspheres called brochosomes. These tiny particles posse honeycomb indentations that reflect light in all directions. This means that the insect's eggs, which are covered by the microspheres, appear similar to a leaf in the light spectrum visible to insects. This protects the offspring from predators such as birds and other insects. Now, using a novel method to manufacture brochosomes in large quantities, researchers say they have many potential applications. One such application is that of solar energy harvesting, where antireflective surfaces are needed. ]]> 2017-11-08 14:44:47 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/204832945 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/205082735 https://www.sciencenews.org/article/face-it-sheep-are-just-us-when-it-comes-recognizing-people?tgt=nr#video
Despite the reputation of being dumb, directionless, and defenseless, it turns out sheep actually have advanced facial recognition capabilities similar to those found in humans and other primates. Researches from the University of Cambridge used 2-D images of celebrities such as Emma Watson, Barack Obama, and Jake Gyllenhaal to see whom a sheep would choose to acquire food. The famous faces were up against those of strangers and sure enough, more times than not, the sheep chose the familiar face. This discovery means that sheep now join other animals such as dogs, horses, and mockingbirds in being able to distinguish between individuals of other species. ]]> 2017-11-08 22:27:56 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/205082735 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/223602263 http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/04/us/mars-winter-weather/index.html
Remember that last week in December and first week in January that was seriously cold? With temperatures in Times Square dipping down to -11 degrees Fahrenheit, factoring in windchill, when the ball dropped on New Years Eve, many pointed out that it would be the coldest New Years since the 1960s. The mercury here in the Northeast dropped so low that our daily highs weren't just rivaling many places in Siberia, but beating them. An even more impressive meteorological fact of this arctic blast was that our temperatures were even lower than those recorded by the Curiosity Rover on the surface of Mars! The robot sent a cool -11 degrees Fahrenheit back to NASA on New Years Day, however the highest point of New Hampshire recorded -20. However, before booking a one way ticket to Aruba, it must be noted that it can get much worse on Mars, which absorbs and radiates heat differently than Earth. While it can be 36 degrees on the surface of Mars in the direct sunlight, at night, when that heat quickly radiates back into space, lows can dip down to -100. Now that's frigid! ]]> 2018-01-23 00:35:18 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/223602263 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/223605378 https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/world-s-biggest-wind-farm-would-have-its-own-artificial-ncna839106
Wind turbines are nothing new to environmentalists, but wind turbine farms hundreds of miles offshore are sweeping the green energy sector. Now, a consortium of Dutch companies plan to build thousands of individual turbines 100 miles off the northeastern English Coast, in Dogger Bay by 2030. This wind farm would also be revolutionary in that an artificial island would be built as a central power station with high-voltage transmission systems, port facilities, and an airstrip on its surface. The 2,300 mile project is estimated to produce up to 30 gigawatts of energy, which easily beats out the largest wind farm, which only produces 4 gigawatts. In addition, the green energy companies will consult environmentalists very often to ensure limited damage to the aquatic ecosystem.]]> 2018-01-23 00:58:33 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/223605378 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/223607989 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/even-without-el-nino-earths-temperature-continues-to-rise/
All scientists agree that the Earth is indeed heating up and that 2016 was a record shattering hottest year on record. However, science agencies are somewhat divided on 2017's rankings. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United Kingdom's meteorological office announced on Thursday that last year was the world's third hottest year, although, at the same time, NASA and researchers from a nonprofit in Berkeley claimed it was actually the second. A similar case presented itself when the Japanese Meteorological Agency earlier called third for 2017, while European forecasters went for second. This slight confusion is mainly rooted back to the overheating Arctic, where there are gaps of data. In what seems to be a compromise,  the United Nations' World Meteorological Organization termed 2017 a tie for second with 2015.]]> 2018-01-23 01:16:38 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/223607989 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/224197965 https://www.npr.org/2018/01/23/579784235/drought-stricken-cape-town-braces-for-water-to-run-out-in-april
Residents all throughout South Africa's second most populous city were shocked at the newest water restrictions to be put in place by February 1. Water consumption is currently at 23 gallons per day, but will be drastically cut to 13.2 by the start of February. Of course, South Africa, being located in the Southern Hemisphere, is in deep summer and a three year-long drought. City officials claim that "Day Zero", the day when the city runs out of water has been pushed one day closer to April 21. After this day, Capetonians, with a population of 3.7 million, will have to line up to collect 6.5 gallons of drinking water per person. Those restrictions adhere to the World Health Organization's guidelines for the minimum amount of water needed in emergencies. In an attempt to use public shaming to help the dire situation, the city posted a map online that tracks water consumption across the city.]]> 2018-01-24 13:34:40 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/224197965 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/224206921 https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/23/579892160/powerful-quake-strikes-off-alaska-triggering-tsunami-warning-for-coast
Late Monday night, a powerful magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Alaska. This seismic event triggered tsunami warnings stretching from the Alaskan coast down to Southern California. Officially, the epicenter was 175 miles southeast of the Alaskan town of Kodiak and 6 miles below the surface. The tsunami warnings were soon cancelled as the geological situation became clearer. Geologists now believe that the reason there was no tsunami hitting the Alaskan coast was because the tectonic plates slid past each other instead of directly colliding, which could have had devastating effects. On the same day of the earthquake in the East Pacific, there was volcanic activity in Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia. This is likely because these regions lie on the Ring of Fire, where the majority of the world's seismic activity occurs. ]]> 2018-01-24 13:53:43 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/224206921 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/224505260 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/01/24/579925801/chinese-scientists-clone-monkeys-using-method-that-created-dolly-the-sheep
Ever since Dolly the Sheep was cloned in the 1990s, researchers all around the world have been busy cloning other similar animals such as cows, dogs, and cats with much success. However, the one species they just could not master: the primate, or our closest cousin. This was until Chinese researches produced two cloned macaque monkeys by taking the DNA from the nuclei of fetal monkey cells and putting the genes into monkey eggs that had their own DNA removed. The two primates are named Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua  after the Chinese word Zhonghua, which means "Chinese people." Why clone the monkeys at all? Since they are our closest relative, the cloned animals could yield incredible progress in our understanding of human diseases and our cures for them. With the announcement of this biological breakthrough, many scientists around the world called for a ban on any potential human cloning. This, they claim, would be unethical on many levels, because it isn't safe and it degrades the clones individuality.]]> 2018-01-25 03:39:15 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/224505260 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/250955673 https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/11/world/meteorites-organic-matter-life/index.html
In 1998, two 4.5 billion year old meteorites crashed into Earth's surface. It has taken until now to uncover their secrets. The two meteorites are called Monahans and Zag and contained liquid water, amino acids, hydrocarbons and other organic matter. The importance of these ingredients is that they constitute the building blocks of life. Plus, they are the first of this kind of find on Earth. This further supports a widely accepted scientific theory that life on Earth originated from meteorites containing these elements. ]]> 2018-04-12 00:09:08 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/250955673 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/250957029 https://www.cnn.com/2017/07/27/health/tardigrade-water-bear-survival-study/index.html
Tardigrades are no longer than one millimeter, however they can survive way more than we can. These creatures are found in nearly all extremes on Earth, from the icy polar regions to the balmy equatorial climates. Tardigrades live in water or in the film of water found on plants such as lichen or moss. Far from cute, these tiny organisms have eight legs with claws at the end, a brain, a central nervous system, and something sucker-like called a pharynx behind their mouth that can pierce food. Without being in their home, water, all biochemistry within them stops, nevertheless scientists have been able to revive them after as much as 30 years. ]]> 2018-04-12 00:19:21 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/250957029 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/250958791 https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/skyscraper-sized-air-purifier-world-s-tallest-ncna858436
In the central Chinese city of Xi'an, a skyscraper sized air purifier was built among the city's actual skyscrapers. Like many other Chinese cities, Xi'an has struggled with high air pollution rates affecting the city's residents. The 200-foot tower pulls in deadly pollutants from the surrounding air. The structure sits atop a glass greenhouse where the sun heats air that then rises up the tower. A series of air filters trap soot and other noxious particles. Surprisingly, preliminary research shows that the air purifier has cut air pollution significantly across a broad swath of the surrounding area. ]]> 2018-04-12 00:31:28 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/250958791 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/250960943 https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/death-may-not-be-so-final-thanks-these-creepy-technologies-ncna821596
Ray Kurzweil, an outspoken futurist and the director of engineering at Google, believes that, in the future, our brains will be so highly connected to machine intelligence that we could attain a kind of immortality. The basis of his belief is that computers will very likely become smarter than the humans that made them. Kurzweil adds that it would be even more eco- friendly than any methods of physically processing death that we use today. This processing is already going through incredible changes. According to the National Funeral Director’s Association, more people were cremated than buried in 2015 in the US. The association predicts that by 2030 less than one-quarter of the dead will receive traditional casket burials. Already, urban cemeteries are quickly running out of space and hiking up their prices. The good news is that a new eco-friendly cremation method,  alkaline hydrolysis, is gaining more popularity. ]]> 2018-04-12 00:44:28 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/250960943 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/251170696 https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/famed-walden-pond-which-inspired-henry-david-thoreau-being-killed-n863381
Walden Pond, a once pristine body of water formed by receding glaciers in Massachusetts, inspired Henry David Thoreau in the mid 1800s. Since the site became a National Historic Landmark in 1962, visitors have flocked to bathe in its natural purity. However, researchers have detected a surge in nitrogen and phosphorus, which feed algae leading to a eutrophic aquatic environment. The believed cause of this: human urine. The researches clarify that more than half of the summer phosphorous budget of the lake comes from urine released by the swimmers. The proposed solution is to build a swimming pool nearby to relieve some pressure on the pond.]]> 2018-04-12 14:29:26 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/251170696 18lise https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/251412671 https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/how-floating-architecture-could-help-save-cities-rising-seas-ncna863976
All around the world, coastal cities with soaring populations, such as New York and Shanghai are coming to terms with global rising sea water. Seawalls are proving less and less effective against increasingly unpredictable storm surges and flooding. Some builders and urban planners are working with the water instead of fighting against it by building structures that are able to float. In Amsterdam, there are already a number of homes designed to permanently float on shorelines and waterways. In some cases, houses in flood prone areas can be retrofitted to be able to lift off their foundations and sit atop the water in cases of emergencies. Larger projects are envisioned, with Waterstudio and Dutch Docklands planning to build 185 floating villas in the Maldives in the coming years. Another idea is to build entire floating cities where platforms can constantly be rearranged to be closer in winter for heat conservation and become more spread out in summer. ]]> 2018-04-13 02:52:15 UTC https://padlet.com/18lise/nb7p5y85r2zi/wish/251412671