Science

Late Ordovician cooling event: Evidence from the Siberian cratonAuthor:1. Andrei Dronov (a)Affiliation:a. Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pyzhevsky per.7, 119017, Moscow, RussiaAbstract:The Upper Ordovician of the Tungus basin on the Siberian platform is represented by cool-water carbonates. Onset of cool-water conditions starts at the Darriwilian, and it is associated with widespread phosphatization, especially in the Volginian, Kirensko-Kudrinian and Chertovskian regional stages (mid-Darriwilian–lower Sandbian). The shift from tropical-type to temperate-type carbonates was preceded by destruction of the warm-water “carbonate factory” and a large input of siliciclastic material (Baykit Sandstone) during the Vikhorevian and Mukteian Regional Stages (lower to mid-Darriwilian). Wide distribution of temperate-type carbonates across the Siberian platform, located in the low latitudes in Ordovician time, can be explained by upwelling of cold oceanic waters and their penetration into epicontinental seas. The same situation was recorded for the Upper Ordovician of the North American platform. Newly discovered K-bentonite beds in the uppermost Sandbian – Katian of the Tungus basin are also associated with cool-water carbonates. The K-bentonite beds point to extensive volcanism on or near the western (in present-day orientation) margin of the Siberian craton in Late Ordovician time. Timing of the volcanism is surprisingly close to the period of volcanic activity of the Taconic arc near the margin of Laurentia. Both upwelling and volcanism seem to be activated by the same plate-tectonic reorganization, and both these processes seem to play an important role in a global, later Ordovician cooling terminated by the Hirnantian glaciation.

I’m on the BBC2 show Daily Politics today at 12:40pm with Grant Shapps and Andy Burnham, discussing the alltrials.net campaign, and the problem of trial results being withheld from doctors, researchers, and patients. Here’s a brief film they made on the subject. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22957195 In case there’s any doubt on the evidence, here’s my evidence to [...]

A new, invasive species of slug found recently in South Texas serves as a good reminder to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before eating them, according to an expert with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Replacing traditional rigid silicon wafers with semiconductors made from flexible polymers would herald an age of advanced, 'wearable' electronics. Switching to these semiconductors, known as organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), would also reduce manufacturing costs significantly. However, most plastic materials have trouble moving electrons and their polar opposites—positively charged empty 'holes' inside semiconductor lattices—with sufficient speed for electronic amplification.

(Phys.org) —Thousands of pyrotechnic, flashing fireflies are making a rare appearance in Utah this summer, evidence that these bioluminescent insects may be establishing larger populations in the west, according to Brigham Young University researchers.

Here in the United States, we’re very fortunate that the inability to find water to drink is an extremely rare event for any of our citizens.  Because of the abundance of water in most areas, we can use it for much more than drinking and irrigation. In fact, there is so much water that we use more of it to help with thermoelectric power production than we do for agricultural irrigation. To help operators find additional sources of water for coal-fired power plants, the Office of Fossil Energy (in coordination with various other groups) has put together the Alternative Water Source Information System, a powerful Google Earth-powered app to help find water sources near power plants. In addition to the map itself, there are some search features on the left to help narrow down your area of need.  The data is fairly simple, but their use of Google Earth helps to present it in a excellent manner.  The application was created and hosted by Tulsa-based ALL Consulting LLC, who focus on “energy, water management, earth science, planning, engineering and technology”. (via The Daily Fusion) The post Using Google Earth to find water for power plants appeared first on Google Earth Blog.

It's a unusually cruel fate even in the twisted world of spider sex: When male dark fishing spiders copulate, they die -- death is the unavoidable consequence of the mechanism by which males transfer sperm to females.

MEXICO CITY -- Cities like Tijuana and Guadalajara haven't followed the capital's lead in trying to clean up their skies. And residents may not know what they're breathing.

World-renowned design talents like Rem Koolhaas are introducing poorly conceived oddities that don't help solve serious workplace ergonomics issues.

Singapore's smog problem from forest fires in Indonesia worsened Wednesday as air pollutant levels reached a 16-year high.