Category Archives: Science

Global Warming Satellite Crashes

Happened to be observing at Vandenberg Air Force base the launch of a satellite that scientists hoped would answer a huge question about global warming called the OCO, or Orbiting Carbon Observatory. Ten minutes after lift-off, those of us standing in a chilly field in the early morning heard the voices over the loudspeakers atContinue reading “Global Warming Satellite Crashes”

NASA Satellite Launch Goes Awry: Stolz Attacks Engineers

Yesterday morning at 1:55 a.m., NASA launched a satellite designed to precisely measure flows of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, called the Orbiting Carbon Observatory. Unfortunately the nosecone failed to open as the mission neared orbit, and the satellite crashed into the sea near Antarctica. Bad news for NASA — and the planet — butContinue reading “NASA Satellite Launch Goes Awry: Stolz Attacks Engineers”

Maybe It’s Not Insomnia — Just Your Sleeping Pattern

For those who have trouble sleeping, Newsweek has a genuinely mind-opening piece on insomnia: Five Myths about Insomnia. Myth Number One: 1. Humans Need Eight Hours Sleep a Night: There are many ways of sleeping and few cultures sleep in eight-hour consolidated blocks like we do. In places like Bali and New Guinea, people tendContinue reading “Maybe It’s Not Insomnia — Just Your Sleeping Pattern”

Ocean Oscillations to Slow Global Warming until 2025, Researchers Say

So say a team of researchers led by Noel Keenlyside. (Those interested in seeing the full article, which I bought at the ridiculous price of $32, please let me know during the next week — I’ll send it to you.) For an excellent report and discussion, see the dean of climate reporters, Andy Revkin atContinue reading “Ocean Oscillations to Slow Global Warming until 2025, Researchers Say”

“Soft Drinks” Like Methadone for Sugar Addicts?

That’s the conclusion reached by a series of studies discussed in this article by David Mendoza at HealthCentral. Examples: Dieters who drank several non-sugar soft drinks a day, in a study at the University of Texas, were actually more likely to become overweight than those who drank the same number of sugared sodas. Another studyContinue reading ““Soft Drinks” Like Methadone for Sugar Addicts?”

Sugar is a Drug: Scientific American

Years ago, decades ago in fact, even before it was commonly thought that sugar made kids "bounce off the walls," my farsighted friend David Healy insisted that sugar was a drug. At the time (back in high school) I scoffed, being a skeptic of the quasi-traditional variety. But according to the latest in brain research,Continue reading “Sugar is a Drug: Scientific American”

Santa Ana Wind Speeds — According to NASA

And, methinks the Earth Observatory knows of what they speak. On the aforementioned site, it’s explained how the satellite measures the wind speed over the water, which is astonishing: The strength and scope of these winds were observed by NASA’s QuikScat satellite at about 7 a.m. local time October 22. The wind speeds are shownContinue reading “Santa Ana Wind Speeds — According to NASA”

Hillary: Bush Declared War on Science

In a speech on the anniversary of the Sputnik launch, Hillary Clinton said today:

Fifty years ago, Sputnik marked the dawn of the Space Age and the
beginning of a new era filled with new challenges. Fifty years later,
there is no single, galvanizing event to steel our resolve and to lift
our eyes to the heavens. The challenges we face are more complex and
interconnected. From the rise of globalization to the threat of global
warming. These challenges require big ideas and bold thinking.

But instead of fostering a climate of discovery and
innovation, the Bush administration has declared war on science. The
record is breathtaking: