Evidence from Siberian caves suggests that a global temperature rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius could see permanently frozen ground thaw over a large area of Siberia, threatening release of carbon from soils, and damage to natural and human environments. A thaw in Siberia's permafrost (ground frozen throughout the year) could release over 1000 giga-tonnes of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, potentially enhancing global warming. The data comes from an international team led by Oxford University scientists studying stalactites and stalagmites ...

For older adults looking to sharpen their mental abilities, it might be time to log on to Facebook. Preliminary research findings from the University of Arizona suggest that men and women older than 65 who learn to use Facebook could see a boost in cognitive function. Janelle Wohltmann, a graduate student in the UA department of psychology, set out to see whether teaching older adults to use the popular social networking site could help improve their cognitive performance and make them feel more socially connected. Her preliminary findings, which she shared this month ...

Washington, D.C.—Solar geoengineering is a proposed approach to reduce the effects of climate change due to greenhouse gasses by deflecting some of the sun's incoming radiation. This type of proposed solution carries with it a number of uncertainties, however, including geopolitical questions about who would be in charge of the activity and its goals. New modeling work from Carnegie's Katharine Ricke and Ken Caldeira shows that if a powerful coalition ever decided to deploy a geoengineering system, they would have incentive to exclude other countries from participating ...

VIDEO: The strong, flapping flight of bats offers great possibilities for the design of small aircraft, among other applications. By building a robotic bat wing, Brown researchers have uncovered flight secrets... Click here for more information. PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Researchers at Brown University have developed a robotic bat wing that is providing valuable new information about dynamics of flapping flight in real bats. The robot, which mimics the wing ...

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a way to melt or "weld" specific portions of polymers by embedding aligned nanoparticles within the materials. Their technique, which melts fibers along a chosen direction within a material, may lead to stronger, more resilient nanofibers and materials. Physicists Jason Bochinski and Laura Clarke, with materials scientist Joe Tracy, placed specifically aligned gold nanorods within a solid material. Gold nanorods absorb light at different wavelengths, depending upon the size and orientation of the nanorod, ...

Toronto, Canada – Scientists at Baycrest Health Sciences' Rotman Research Institute (RRI) and the University of Toronto's Psychology Department have found compelling evidence that older adults can eliminate forgetfulness and perform as well as younger adults on memory tests. Scientists used a distraction learning strategy to help older adults overcome age-related forgetting and boost their performance to that of younger adults. Distraction learning sounds like an oxymoron, but a growing body of science is showing that older brains are adept at processing irrelevant and ...

Although immigration to the United States from Latin American countries, particularly Mexico, has captured much public attention, immigrants who move between countries in Latin America have more difficulty than those moving to the United States. Donald Bogue, professor emeritus in sociology and a distinguished scholar of demography, has found that unlike immigrants to the United States, immigrants between nations in Latin America frequently do not improve their lives by moving. A popular theory on immigration contends that immigrants are self-selected achievers who ...

Pre-war vulnerability is just as important as combat-related trauma in predicting whether veterans' symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will be long-lasting, according to new research published in Clinical Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. Researcher Bruce Dohrenwend and colleagues at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health and the New York State Psychiatric Institute found that traumatic experiences during combat predicted the onset of the full complement of symptoms, known as the PTSD "syndrome," in Vietnam ...

Sourdough bread resists mold, unlike conventionally leavened bread. Now Michael Gaenzle and colleagues of the University of Alberta, Edmonton, show why. During sourdough production, bacteria convert the linoleic acid in bread flour to a compound that has powerful antifungal activity. The research, which could improve the taste of bread, is published online ahead of print in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology. The major benefits from the research are twofold: better tasting bread, says Gaenzle, because "preservatives can be eliminated from the recipes, ...

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Student loans provide more help to women than they do for men in encouraging graduation from college, a new nationwide study reveals. Findings showed that, on average, taking out loans actually makes graduation more likely for all students. But at a certain point – which is about $2,000 lower for men than for women – debt has diminishing returns and becomes less effective at boosting chances of graduation. One reason loans help women more may be tied to job prospects for college dropouts – which are much better for men than for women. "At least early ...

EAST LANSING, Mich. --- When doctors encounter a patient with a massive pulmonary embolism, they face a difficult choice: Is it wise to administer a drug that could save the patient's life, even though many people suffer life-threatening bleeding as a result? Based on new findings published in the American Journal of Medicine, Michigan State University researchers are answering that question in no uncertain terms. "The message to doctors is clear: Take the chance," said Paul D. Stein, a professor in MSU's Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties. "It doesn't matter ...

Cincinnati, OH, February 22, 2013 -- In January 2012, the United States Department of Agriculture passed a series of regulations designed to make school lunches more nutritious, which included requiring schools to increase whole grain offerings and making students select either a fruit or vegetable with their purchased lunch. However, children cannot be forced to eat these healthier lunches. In a new study scheduled for publication in The Journal of Pediatrics, researchers determined that small, inexpensive changes to school cafeterias influenced the choice and consumption ...

Ignition interlock device program in Virginia Article provided by Montagna & Montagna, P.C. Visit us at http://www.montagnalaw.com The Virginia legislature recently updated state law to require ignition interlock devices to be installed into vehicles of convicted first time DUI offenders who have a blood alcohol level above .08. The offenders must have these devices installed in order to receive a restricted driver's license. Previously, judges had more discretion in cases of first time DUI offenders. It is hoped that the mandated installation of the devices ...

Teen drivers do better with fewer teen passengers Article provided by Cohen & Feeley Visit us at http://www.cohenfeeley.com Recent findings by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety highlight the need for a watchful approach when licensing teenaged drivers. Analyzing fatal crashes in the United States between 2005 and 2010, AAA looked at the effect of having passengers age 13 to 19 with 16- and 17-year-old drivers. During this five-year period 9,578 drivers in this age group were involved in fatal car accidents. Of these, 3,994 had at least one teenage passenger ...

Division of marital property crucial issue in most divorces Article provided by Law Offices of Catherine A. Schwartz Visit us at http://www.cschwartzlaw.com Most of us know someone who has gone through a divorce. In many cases, it is often a highly-contested matter, leaving each of the spouses emotionally drained. It can take time before they are ready to enter into another relationship. But as the time passes, individuals may find someone new. They may fall in love all over again, and decide to get married. However, these individuals need to protect themselves ...

Important information for potential Maryland franchise owners Article provided by Thienel Law Firm L.L.C. Visit us at http://www.thienel-law.com Deciding to start a business is exciting and challenging. It is also often complicated and involves significant initial investment. This is why many aspiring business owners choose to purchase a franchise. A franchise is less costly and involves less risk than starting a completely new business. Before purchasing a franchise, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of the franchise process. It is also crucial ...

West Virginia fracking may expose workers to dangerous silica dust Article provided by Robinette Legal Group, PLLC Visit us at http://www.robinettelaw.com Silica is a mineral commonly found in the earth's crust, especially in quartz. When quartz or other rock containing silica is blasted apart, microscopic particles of silica are released as dust. Sand also often contains silica. When dust containing tiny particles of silica is released into the air, usually in industrial settings like mining or drilling, workers in the area are in danger of breathing silica ...

New Jersey residents pleading for immigration reform Article provided by Lee & Garasia, LLC Visit us at http://www.njimmigrationattorney.com Immigration reform is a hot topic for debate in New Jersey, where there is an especially strong Hispanic population. Recently, a group of U.S. senators referred to as the "Gang of Eight" created a bipartisan framework to push for immigration reform. Immigration reform and education is necessary in order to help those living in the country as undocumented aliens to understand their rights and to feel comfortable ...

Protect your trade secrets from competitors' prying eyes Article provided by Ansa Assuncao LLP Visit us at http://www.ansalaw.com Companies spend lots of money, time and human capital to develop proprietary information that sets their products apart from the competition. Unfortunately, competitors are often out to steal these trade secrets. Companies can protect their proprietary information in several effective ways. What is a trade secret? A trade secret is a process or practice of a company that is unknown to that company's competitors. A trade secret could ...

Another successful Teen Driver Safety Week highlights dangers of novice drivers Article provided by Schuster Jachetti LLP Visit us at http://www.mydelawarelawyer.com/ This October saw another successful teen driver safety week in Delaware. The time is set aside to educate the young drivers of the state is sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles' teen driver services center, and was designed to highlight the dangers of having distracted or ill-prepared teens behind the wheel. Why have ...

How to handle a car crash in Maryland Article provided by Schlachman, Belsky & Weiner, P.A. Visit us at http://www.sbwlaw.com/ Car crashes happen every day. In early January, Baltimore saw a three-vehicle crash that left four people injured. The crash occurred at 7:30 in the morning between Ritchie Highway and Arnold Road. All four people were transferred to the hospital. The crash caused the road to be closed, and traffic to back-up. As this incident shows, many people are injured in car accidents each year in Maryland, and many of them are entitled to recover ...

Popular South Carolina legislator faces DUI charges Article provided by Lord Law Firm, LLC Visit us at http://www.sctraffictickets.com/ It is commonly known that a DUI charge can result in devastating consequences. Last fall, a well-known state legislator was charged with a DUI after returning home from a football game. The legislator refused a breathalyzer test when officers stopped him several hours after the game. He was on his way to Charlotte, North Carolina to visit family. Eventually submitting to a field sobriety test, the man was held for several ...

Meth labs increasing in North Carolina Article provided by Gottholm, Welborn & Benton, PLLC Visit us at http://www.bentonwelbornlaw.com Methamphetamine production is a problem that has led to increased arrests for drug crimes in many states across the country. Law enforcement agencies aggressively target manufacturers of the drug, because it is so addictive and causes so many problems in communities. State legislators pass laws making it more difficult to have access to the materials needed to produce meth, but it has not seemed to had as much of an effect as ...

Supreme Court set to rule on important DUI case Article provided by Eric A. Sunness, Attorney At Law, LLC Visit us at http://www.northerncoloradolawyer.com Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a DUI case that may prove to have important implications for suspects' Fourth Amendment rights. The specific question at issue in Missouri v. McNeely is whether police may take a blood sample from a suspect even though they have neither a warrant to do so nor the suspect's consent. At approximately 2:00am on the morning of October 3, 2010, a Missouri ...

Who will make critical life decisions for you if you cannot? Article provided by Daviau Law Offices PC Visit us at http://www.daviaulaw.com/ There is no substitute for being properly prepared when disaster strikes. Even in the course of ordinary life, it can become increasingly difficult for us as we get older to manage our own affairs. But this is especially true in cases of stroke, Alzheimer's and other mentally debilitating conditions. Fortunately, Massachusetts law allows residents to choose who they want to have control over their personal affairs should they ...