Scientific Observations
“An understanding of the complex interactions
between social and ecological systems is essential
for securing the long-term sustainability of water
and other natural resources, and will require new
forms of scientific interaction that discipline-bound
traditions make difficult. Understanding these
interactions also requires a great deal of ecological
data not currently available, including information
on the distribution of organisms, their functional traits (that is, their role
in an ecosystem and their performance under different conditions), and
how they interact with other species, social systems and the physical
environment. We need global biodiversity assessments and ecosystem-service frameworks for advancing our understanding of the link between
biodiversity and ecosystem services.” — ECOLOGIST MARGARET PALMER OF THE UNIVERSITY
OF MARYLAND CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, IN THE SEPT. 30 NATURE
SN Online
www.sciencenews.org
ATOM & COSMOS
Supermagnetized neutron
stars may power more
gamma-ray bursts than
astronomers thought.
See “Magnetars may fuel
briefer bursts.”
EARTH
Climate scientists turn to
crowdsourcing to digitize
old weather records from
ships. Read “Mining the
maritime past for clues to
climate’s future.”
Science Past | FROM THE ISSUE OF DECEMBER 3, 1960
ASTHMA CLUE FROM HORSES — Research into the deaths
of thoroughbred horses, especially foals, has produced
an entirely new approach to the treatment of asthma,
research work has shown that the effects of this excess
were automatically reduced in the presence of white
blood cells (leucocytes) known as eosinophils. This suggested that injections of eosinophils might be used to
combat histamine.
The (-est)
Scientists have discovered the oldest
dragonfly specimen preserved in amber.
The dragonfly is in a previously unknown
subfamily and lived about 100 million
years ago. What’s especially odd is the
dragonfly’s missing head. Also caught in
the amber are the foot and tail of a small
lizard, which the researchers suspect
snatched the head. The lizard bits resem-
ble those of a modern alligator lizard, says
study coauthor George Poinar of Oregon
State University in Corvallis. The findings
appear in the December Palaeodiversity.
Science Future
December 5
Closing ceremony of the 2010
World Memory Championships
in Guangzhou, China. See www.
worldmemorychampionship.com
December 13 – 14
Geminid meteor shower, all
night but best after moonset
around midnight. Look east and
up. Info at http://earthsky.org
December 17
Mummies of the World exhibit
debuts in Milwaukee as part
of its three-year tour. See
www.mummiesoftheworld.com
BODY & BRAIN
Women’s naturally low risk
of developing gout doesn’t
erase the adverse effects
of sugary soft drinks. Read
“Fructose poses gout risks
even in women.”
Taiwan
Bahrain
CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT: © CHERYL NEMAZIE, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, STUDIO C., INC.; REPRODUCTION NUMBER LC-DIG-GGBAIN-17128/
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS PRINTS & PHOTOGRAPHS DIVISION; G. POINAR/OREGON STATE UNIV.
Men who support laptops
with their knees together
may develop wimpy sperm.
See “Laptops and infertility: It matters how you sit.”
Science Stats | SHINY STUFF
Each country or territory’s size indicates the dollar value of its net metal
exports, including bulk metals and manufactured items such as spoons.
Canada
Germany
Worldwide
metal
exports
Chile
South Africa
SOURCE: © SASI GROUP/UNIV. OF SHEFFIELD, MARK NEWMAN/UNIV. OF MICHIGAN
www.sciencenews.org
