Say What?
diapycnal \dai-uh-PIHK-nahl\ adj. In the
ocean, in or relating to the direction
perpendicular to an imaginary surface of
uniform density (the isopycnal). The diapycnal
is often nearly vertical but can vary, because
winds or tides can drive cold water — which
is denser than warm water and normally
sinks — to rise toward the surface. A British
team reported April 22 in Geophysical
Research Letters that diapycnal mixing (illustrated) in Northern Hemisphere
seas can affect currents around Antarctica. Increased mixing in the Pacific
and Indian oceans during glacial periods could have increased the amount
of water moved by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current by about 30 percent,
the authors suggest. — Camille M. Carlisle
SN Online
www.sciencenews.org
SCIENCE & THE PUBLIC BLOG
Space junk is lasting longer, making cleanup more
urgent. See “Growing need
for space trash collectors.”
Science Past | FROM THE ISSUE OF SEPTEMBER 9, 1961
NEW PARTICLE DISCOVERED — The discovery of a new elementary particle, omega meson, made at the University of
tary particles are known. The new elementary particle
discovery gives important insight into the structure and
behavior of the atomic nucleus. It plays an important role
in the structure of protons and neutrons, the basic building blocks of atomic nuclei. The mass of the omega is 1540
electron masses. Like the neutron, the omega has no electrical charge.
The (-est)
Astronomers have detected
the oldest and largest water
reservoir in the universe. The
water is holed up in a cloud
(illustrated) surrounding a gigantic black hole that sits in
a galaxy that blazed brightly about 1. 6 billion years after the
Big Bang. Water is spread throughout the cosmos, but this
oasis holds an amount equal to the mass of at least 100,000
suns — a fount about 4,000 times the Milky Way’s stash.
The results, reported by international teams in two papers
to appear in Astrophysical Journal Letters, suggest that the
disk of vapor surrounding the galaxy’s central black hole
is about 3,500 light-years wide. — Camille M. Carlisle
HUMANS
Science Future
September 17–18
The World Maker Faire in New
York City gives do-it-yourselfers
a chance to invent and create
new stuff. Visit makerfaire.com
A 2,000-year-old human
skull shows signs of having
undergone surgery. Read
“Ancient Saharan head
cases.”
September 21
Late September means
Oktoberfest: Celebrate the history and science of beer with
the Houston Museum of Natural Science. More at hmns.org
Instant messaging can’t
replace the soothing sound
of Mom’s voice. See “Moms
talk, daughters’ hormones
listen.”
September 22
Goldie Hawn discusses education at the Cognitive Neuroscience of Learning meeting at
Colorado’s Aspen Institute. Go
to aspenbrainforum.com
GENES & CELLS
Breaking bonds between
protein buddies may help
prevent Parkinson’s. Learn
more in “Parkinson’s
protein comes in fours.”
Science Stats | LYME CLIMB
About 90 percent of reported Lyme disease cases occur in the Northeast or upper Midwest, but cases were con;rmed in 48 states in 2009.
Total con;rmed cases rose 3. 6 percent from 2008 to 2009.
