United Nations inspectors have found trace amounts of enriched uranium that is higher than it is supposed to be in Iran. At Iran’s Fordo site where the uranium is enriched for power plants, uranium was found to have uranium enriched at 27%. 20% in supposed to be the maximum allowed there. Iran claims that the uranium may be enriched at a higher percentage due to “reasons beyond the operator’s control.” Although it is not enough to be weapon-grade uranium, it brings Iran one step closer to it, and it is enough of an increase to get the world’s attention. Enriched uranium must be at 90% to be used in weapons. More talks about nuclear weapons are to be held by between Iran and six major world powers in the next month.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
WHO : Post-Fukushima radiation levels in Japan 'low'
In 2011, an earthquake and tsunami caused a Japanese nuclear plant to meltdown and spread radiation throughout Japan and neighboring countries. Over a year after the meltdown, a report from the World Health Organization states that radiation in most areas are now below cancer causing levels. There are still two towns close the Fukushima plant that have higher levels of radiation, but surrounding countries have radiation levels that are returning to normal. People on average are exposed to 2 millisieverts (mSv) just from the environment. Most of Japan now has levels between .1-1 mSv while most surrounding countries have less than .01 mSv.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Sticking solar power station where the Sun shines
Solar power is a renewable resource that can be much less expensive than oil. However, due to weather and the night, it is much less reliable. Scientists in Scotland are trying to make a solar satellite capable of taking in solar energy in orbit and beaming it down to Earth. The energy would be sent to Earth using microwaves or lasers. The person leading this project, Dr Massimiliano Vasile, says that the energy could be used in disaster stricken areas where emergency power is needed. The problem is that it is very expensive to put satellites into orbit. Also, finding materials light enough to send into space is very difficult.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Urban sprawl blamed for Squamish cougar encounters
Urban sprawl has been becoming a major problem in countries around the world. It is causing humans to expand into the territories of animals which is making them encounter each other more frequently. In British Colombia, cougars have been being seen more often around the area of Valleycliffe. In this area, a new housing development is being built where woods used to be. Most people look at the cougars as if they are invading humans’ land, but humans are really the ones that are causing all of the problems. Because the cougars are being seen close to humans, many have been being shot so that they won’t pose a threat. District Councilor Brian Raiser said, “Every time you take up more forest, we move into animals' homes and it takes some adjustment. I don't think this particular incident was related to the recent development."
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Study: Ozone Layer Slowly Recovering
When CFCs were being used, the ozone was slowly being depleted until large amounts of UV radiation were reaching Earth’s surface. Even when CFCs were banned and steps were taken to reduce them, they remained in the atmosphere and can stay there for many decades. Because of this, there has been no progress in the recovery of the ozone layer for many years. However, studies have been showing that since around 2000, the ozone has been slowly recovering and UV intensity has decreased slightly. Scientists believe that there was a time lag before any effects were shown. Scientists are also saying that even though the ozone is recovering, sun block is still needed because there is still a large amount of UV reaching Earth’s surface. This shows how the steps we are taking to fix our environment are working and should continue to help if more people are willing to do them.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
As extreme weather events increase, so does acceptance of climate science
Over the past few years, there has been an unusual amount of extreme weather all over the world. From record breaking temperatures to Hurricane Irene, the US has also been affected by this strange weather. A recent survey of Americans showed that the majority of them say that the weather is getting worse and most of those people blame it on global warming. A decade ago, most Americans either didn’t believe in global warming or thought it was a problem that wouldn’t affect them in their lifetime. Now people are starting to realize that it is currently happening and we have to do something about it. The results of the survey showed that 72% of the people said that global warming made the last winter unusually warm. 69% said it also caused the record snowfall in 2010 and 2011. This shows that people are finally realizing that this has the potential to become a real problem and they might start trying to fix it before it brings serious consequences.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Panel Recommends Adding Mesothelioma To Conditions Covered by 9/11 Health Program
A panel of medical advisors has asked that mesothelioma patients from 9/11 be eligible for compensation from their treatments. Mesothelioma is cancer of the lung lining and is usually caused by asbestos which was in the debris from the World Trade Centers. The Zadroga Act will provide those who helped in this tragedy and now suffer from an ailment because of it. It provides 4.3 million dollars to treat and monitor suffering from these health problems. Originally, this act was not going to cover any kind of cancer. However, once many of the volunteers began being diagnosed with cancer, they realized it had caused many other severe health problems. Thyroid cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, and leukemia are among other cancers trying to be included in this new act.
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