The Science Thread

qldfrog said:

And for the fun of it:

Powerful solar storms are a nightmare for farmers. 'Our tractors acted like they were demon possessed'

When the sun's fury disrupts high-tech farming, precision turns to chaos.

www.space.com

We are currently in a very high solar activity year so the auroras, and impact on weather this year..but we can blame the cows farts

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We are. We had a long period of very low solar activity previously, so low scientists were wonderingwhats happening. . Over 5 years.
Now is the time for a solar flare.

Knobby22 said:

We are. We had a long period of very low solar activity previously, so low scientists were wondering whats happening. . Over 5 years.
Now is the time for a solar flare.

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Indeed, statistically it should come indeed.
Like earthquake, no an exact science but odds are increasing daily.
Sadly for me:
In the last 2 years, every aurora, meteor shower, conjunction of planets, red moon, etc saw our sunny coast skies blacjenned with clouds when it was not even pouring down

qldfrog said:

Indeed, statistically it should come indeed.
Like earthquake, no an exact science but odds are increasing daily.
Sadly for me:
In the last 2 years, every aurora, meteor shower, conjunction of planets, red moon, etc saw our sunny coast skies blacjenned with clouds when it was not even pouring down

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I would like to go to Tazzy and really see it. Saw the edge from Melbourne but not that clear.

qldfrog said:

In the last 2 years, every aurora, meteor shower, conjunction of planets, red moon, etc Our sunny coastal skies blackened with clouds when it was not pouring down

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I've been watching Brian Cox's 'Solar System' on abc. A nice way to zip around the neighbourhood, and the CGI is good to create the worlds we'll never see (& nor will Elon)

So my english is not going down the drain...

On 01 January 2025 at noon, Earth's axial tilt, or mean obliquity, was 23.43603° or 23°26'09.6".

Earth's mean obliquity today is about 0.00001°, or 0.04", less than 30 days ago.

The Arctic and Antarctic circles today are 1.2 m closer to the poles, and the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn are equally closer to the equator than 30 days ago

More about thorium, a nuclear reactor which might overcome "nuclear" fears

Interesting story on the impact of the us of lead by the Romans.
It was/is a great metal for many reasons but lead poisoning is also very real.

Roman Empire’s use of lead lowered IQ levels across Europe, study finds​

Widespread use of metal caused estimated 2- to 3-point drop in IQ for nearly 180 years of Pax Romana

Ian Sample
Tue 7 Jan 2025 09.04 AEDT


Apart from sanitation, medicines, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system and public health, what did the Romans ever do for us? asks an exasperated Reg in Monty Python’s Life of Brian.
One answer, according to a new study, is widespread cognitive decline across Europe, courtesy of the vast quantities of lead pollution churned out by the booming metals industry that shaped the empire.

Researchers have said the massive expansion of mining and the processing of metal ores in particular caused airborne lead pollution to soar during the peak of the empire, leading to an estimated 2- to 3-point drop in IQ across the land.

“It’s amazing that we were able to quantify atmospheric air pollution over Europe nearly 2,000 years ago and assess potential health impacts on the ancient Roman civilisation,” said Dr Joseph McConnell at the Desert Research Institute in Nevada.

I think this is as good a thread as any for this story. Quite simple, brilliant and inspiring.
Its a model of using technology that I think should be used far more broadly.

Invention made in army Makerspace could help solve IV fluids crisis​

• By Sarah Krieg
• ABC Goulburn Murray
• Topic:Inventions

3h ago3 hours ago


Soldiers using Makerspace for medical and field training equipment. (Ashlee Aldridge and Sarah Krieg)

Link copied

Less than an hour after Lieutenant Jon Stevens walked into a new workshop at Latchford Barracks with a rough sketch drawn on the back of an envelope, he was holding a 3D-printed prototype of his design.

This quick turnaround from idea to physical product is one of the goals of a new army initiative.

The lieutenant's invention could be a game-changer for the medical industry.

And the new workshop — dubbed the Makerspace — is giving soldiers of all ranks the opportunity to flex their creative muscles too.

Big problems, simple fixes​

Lieutenant Stevens's invention — a non-sterile intravenous fluid bag — was designed and 3D printed in the Makerspace at the army base near Wodonga, in north-east Victoria.
It's about the size of your palm, and looks almost identical to a sterile IV fluid bag — but it's going to save a lot of money, and waste.

Lt Jon Stevens has learnt to design, print and alter his invention with the technology in the Makerspace. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Sarah Krieg)
Before Lieutenant Stevens' breakthrough, army medics-in-training were using thousands of the sterile IV fluid bags per course.

"We make them use a new one every time they get a new patient, to train them into the good habits they need as medics," he said.

"Instead of us spending lots and lots of money every year to use new bags, we can simply use about 6 cents worth of putty and some plastic, and we can make a new bag every time, as many as we want, as much as we want."

The invention could also be used to help solve a shortage of IV fluids in the medical system, by allowing trainee nurses to practise without using the valuable sterile solution.

Dona Ferentes said:

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He mispronounced Aluminium

wayneL said:

He mispronounced Aluminium

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All Americans do.

SirRumpole said:

All Americans do.

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It is both a scientific nomenclature and linguistic apostasy. Something should be done!

wayneL said:

He mispronounced Aluminium

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no point in forcing a rhyme

Dona Ferentes said:

no point in forcing a rhyme

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Magnesum
Sodum
Potassum
Selenum
Rhodum
Uranum etc
...then?

more science for you Wayne

Dona Ferentes said:

more science for you Wayne

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You mean sīnce?

Finally a piece of great news ! An elegant simple, and synergistic solution to an exceptionally difficult world wide problem.

UK scientist wins prize for invention that could help avert ‘phosphogeddon’​

Phosphate, key to food production, is choking waterways, but a new sponge-like material returns it to the soil for crops

Robin McKie Science Editor
Sun 2 Feb 2025 17.00 AEDT


It is one of the least appreciated substances on the planet and its misuse is now threatening to unleash environmental mayhem. Phosphorus is a key component of fertilisers that have become vital in providing food for the world. But at the same time, the spread of these phosphorus compounds – known as phosphates – into rivers, lakes and streams is spreading algal blooms that are killing fish stocks and marine life on a huge scale.

It is a striking mismatch that is now being tackled by a project of remarkable simplicity. The company Rookwood Operations, based in Wells, Somerset, has launched a product that enables phosphates to be extracted from problem areas and then reused on farmland.

This week one of the company’s founders, Jane Pearce, will be awarded a £75,000 Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award for her role in setting up the project. “Our product has a straightforward goal – to transfer phosphates from rivers and lakes where they are causing real damage and move them in a simple manner to farmland, where they can be of use in growing crops,” Pearce told the Observer last week.
The key to the intriguing transfer is a substance simply known as Phosphate Removal Material or PRM. Recently developed, it is about to undergo trials with a local water company in Somerset and these will be followed up in a few months with tests with a national company.
“Essentially, the PRM we have developed acts like a sponge that absorbs phosphates,” said Pearce, who set up Rookwood Operations with her partner, Liam, and a friend, Josh Hares. “It sits in the water in an open container until it has absorbed as much phosphate as possible and it is then transferred to farmland. PRM is made entirely of natural materials, so it can be put on to a field and left there for its phosphate fertiliser to be taken up by crops. On its own, PRM will enhance the quality of the soil.