Researchers deliver mostly bleak news in Tahoe clarity report Aug 13, 2008
The Angora Fire that started with an illegal campfire in June 2007 dumped tons of nitrogen and phosphorus into the lake - far more than the amounts in a normal summer, but so far, the fire has had a "negligible impact" on lake clarity and algal biomass," says the report. On the other hand, there was "no significant runoff" from the Upper Truckee River during the rest of 2007. Still, long-term algae growth in the lake - a major contributor to its loss of clarity and much of it caused by... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Lake Tahoe clearer, but report mostly bleak Aug 13, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008. (08-12) 17:31 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- The news from Lake Tahoe and its overstressed health is mixed this year: Its legendary blue depths are a tiny bit clearer, but the polluting effects of the Angora Fire that burned 3,100 acres and destroyed 254 homes a year ago are still unknown. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
Nano vaccine for hepatitis B shows promise for third world Aug 13, 2008
They found the nanoemulsion vaccine retained its effectiveness for six months when kept at 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), and even was stable and effective for six weeks at 40 degrees C (104 degrees F). This suggests that refrigeration will not be needed for the final distribution of the vaccine in developing countries, making it easier to vaccinate underserved people. (EurekAlert!)
Rain has positive impact on Beijing's pollution Aug 12, 2008
Heavy rains that drenched the city on Sunday continued into Monday with sporadic showers, replacing the recent hot and muggy patch of weather with cooler temperatures averaging 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit), though humidity remained relatively high. advertisement. (MSNBC -- Environment)
Rain, rain: Beijing air pollution washes away Aug 12, 2008
Heavy rains that drenched the city on Sunday continued into Monday with sporadic showers, replacing the recent hot and muggy patch of weather with cooler temperatures averaging 77 Fahrenheit, though humidity remained relatively high. TOPOGRAPHY AND METEOROLOGY. (USA Today -- Weather)
Beijing Olympics Begin With Opening Ceremony Viewed by Billions Worldwide Aug 10, 2008
Temperatures reached 32 Celsius (90 Fahrenheit), with humidity above 89 percent, while the pollution index was twice the recommended maximum by the World Health Organization. Chinese Inventions. (Bloomberg -- Japan)
When girls and boys play Aug 10, 2008
Temperatures into the high 90s Fahrenheit (above 35 Celsius) combined with suffocating humidity have made practice difficult this week with several players saying the conditions are as uncomfortable as they have ever known ... On Saturday, a high of 33 degrees Celsius (91 Fahrenheit) was expected, but a heavy downpour could clear some of the haze. (India Times)
Veterans, soldiers enjoy fishing trip Aug 10, 2008
The weather in Baghdad was 114 degrees Fahrenheit. Six thousand miles away here in Hingham, the morning temperature was 66 with a light breeze. (Hingham Journal, MA)
Worst Olympic Heat, Humidity Since '96 Brings Bad Air to Athletes at Games Aug 10, 2008
The audience of 91,000 at the stadium and 10,000 team members endured temperatures of 32 Celsius (90 Fahrenheit) and 88 percent humidity by drinking water late into the night ... Atlanta's humidity reached 84 percent on July 20, 1996, while temperatures fell to 77 Fahrenheit at night. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
Dust off the Picnic Basket for Good Clean Fun Aug 10, 2008
If the temperature exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit, do not let the food sit out on the picnic table for more than an hour, and put perishables back into the cooler immediately after eating ... "When reheating at the picnic, bring a good thermometer and make sure the food reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.". (Canton Daily Ledger, IL)
Haze, heat, humidity for Olympics start Aug 9, 2008
Temperatures in the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, averaged about 86 degrees Fahrenheit in advance of opening ceremonies, and moderate humidity made the air feel heavier. The noxious air has been a major headache for Olympic organizers, with athletes voicing concerns over the potential impact to their health and performance. (MSNBC -- International)
Cement from CO2: A Concrete Cure for Global Warming? Aug 8, 2008
The 700-degree Fahrenheit (370-degree Celsius) fumes left over contain at least 30,000 parts per million of carbon dioxide (CO2) the primary greenhouse gas responsible for along with other pollutants. Today, this flue gas wafts up and out of the power plant's enormous smokestacks, but by simply bubbling it through the nearby seawater, a new California-based company called Calera says it can use more than 90 percent of that CO2 to make something useful. (Scientific American)
Home Care for Seborrheic Dermatitis Aug 8, 2008
Because many of these foods lose their antifungal properties when heated at 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius), they should be added to food at the end of cooking. References for foods and herbs with antifungal properties: Olive oil [The Olive Oil Source. (Suite101.com)
Report From a Forgotten War Aug 8, 2008
It is more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the Marines who have been fighting here since April say that it is cooler now than a month ago when temperatures topped 124 degrees. The bright sunlight is oppressive and fine dust, the consistency of talcum powder, permeates everything. (Human Events Online)
'MIST' HOURS BEFORE OPEN... Aug 7, 2008
A murky haze hung over the main Olympic venues in northern Beijing, combining with high humidity and temperatures of 34 degrees Centigrade (95 Fahrenheit) to create challenging conditions for competitors. The quality of the Chinese capital's air has proved a thorny public relations problem, but organisers said Wednesday that plans to invoke further emergency measures before Friday's opening ceremony would not be activated. (The Drudge Report)
Baby teeth saved for later stem cell use Aug 7, 2008
The cells are placed in a cryo-protectant fluid, and then stored at minus 193 Celsius, or minus 321 Fahrenheit. Baby teeth, wisdom teeth, or third molars all contain stem cells. (Lexington Minuteman, MA)
Quantum chaos unveiled? Aug 7, 2008
In each experiment, Saam and Morgan used a magnetic field and a laser to align or "hyperpolarize" the spins in a sample of about 100 billion billion xenon gas atoms so a majority of the spins either were aligned "up" or "down." Then, they froze the gas into a solid at a temperature of 321 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Then they applied a radio wave pulse, which "flips" the spins so they all are perpendicular to the magnetic field instead of parallel to it. (EurekAlert!)
Health officials investigate E. coli cases Aug 6, 2008
Cooking meat to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit kills the bacteria. E. coli O157:H7 is a type of bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases, kidney failure. (Lincoln Journal, MA)
Virginia Scout Camp Closes After E. Coli Outbreak Aug 5, 2008
Cooking meat to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit typically kills harmful bacteria, Novak said. Some Scouts at Goshen cook their own food, but Scout officials said they increased supervision over cooking after the start of the outbreak. (Washington Post)
Thrashers prospects return to ice Aug 5, 2008
Reasoner used high tech skates with battery-powered heaters to warm the blades to the ideal temperature (about 41 degrees Fahrenheit) to decrease starting and gliding resistance. The equipment, made by Thermablade, has a manufacturer s suggested retail price of $299. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
Sagittarius is constellation lovers? cup of tea Aug 3, 2008
So Jupiter just sits there, visible only by reflected sunlight, with a temperature at its cloud tops of a sorry -260 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact it's so cold there that most of Jupiter's clouds are frozen anhydrous ammonia. (Boston Globe)
East German leaders' nuclear bunker opens Aug 3, 2008
Behind the bunker's four heavy steel doors, the musty air of the bunker was cool only about 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) on a hot summer day this week. The bunker, designed to accommodate the East German leadership for 14 days, is only a few minutes' drive from the top leaders' secluded Wandlitz residential compound. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Test of Mars soil sample confirms presence of ice Aug 1, 2008
Heated to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, a sample of soil being analyzed by NASA's Phoenix Mars lander let out a puff of vapor, providing final confirmation that the lander is sitting over a large chunk of ice. "We've now finally touched it and tasted it," William Boynton, a professor at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona and the lead scientist for the instrument that detected the water, said at a news conference on Thursday. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
Summer Heat Too Hot For You? What Is Comfortable? Aug 1, 2008
Temperatures colder than 16 degrees Celsius (61 degrees Fahrenheit) or warmer than 26 degrees C (79 degrees F) are known to trigger an avoidance response. Fruit fly maggots (larvae), explains Montell, prefer 18 degrees C (64 degrees F), but are comfortable at temperatures ranging from 18 to 24 degrees C (64 to 75 degrees F). (Science Daily)
Opinion: Hard science should come before hard choices Aug 1, 2008
One recent review of several thousand projections showed that after only 15 years, projected temperatures varied up to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. There is no validated theory to determine which, if any, projection may be right. (Brookline TAB, MA)
Letters to the editor Jul 30, 2008
The America Canoe Association, , has a 120-degree Fahrenheit rule: If the water temperature plus the air temperature is less than 120 degrees, then you should wear immersion clothing such as a wetsuit or drysuit. Compared to the cost of a boat, wetsuits are cheap to buy and cheaper to rent. (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
Marinating Grilled Meats May Decrease Cancer Risk Jul 30, 2008
The steaks were marinated for one hour and then grilled at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Food scientists found that steaks marinated in the Caribbean blend produced the highest decrease in HCA content (88 percent), followed by the herb blend (72 percent) and then the southwest blend (57 percent). (Newsmax)
Marking their 50th Jul 28, 2008
When natural gas is cooled to minus 259 degrees Fahrenheit (-161 degrees Celsius), it becomes a clear, colorless, odorless liquid. LNG is neither corrosive nor toxic. (Longview Daily News, WA)
Fans push for tickets to Olympics Jul 26, 2008
The official Xinhua News Agency said 30,000 people lined up for tickets, but muggy weather with temperatures above 93 degrees Fahrenheit coupled with the long wait made people impatient. Police immediately took steps to maintain order, including limiting access to some areas, it said. (Boston Globe)
News Bytes of the Week--Cell phones: The new cigarettes? Jul 26, 2008
The tiny crustaceans need liquid water to survive unavailable in today's Antarctic where temperatures average 13 degrees Fahrenheit ( 25 degrees Celsius), but possible eons ago when the climate there was more like Alaska's. The living progeny of the ancient critter don't get any closer to Antarctica than the surrounding seas, but the fossil indicates that the bone-dry landscape, often compared to that of Mars, once was warm enough to have liquid water. (Scientific American)
Editorial: Hot cars kill dogs Jul 26, 2008
A doctor told police that the dog s temperature was in excess of 106 degrees Fahrenheit. Normal body temperature for dogs. (Watertown TAB & Press, MA)
Healing The Sound: Report Cites Dangers And Success Stories Jul 26, 2008
The Sound is getting warmer, by some measures: The surface temperature measured at two locations in the eastern Sound was up almost 2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1979, a significant amount, ecologically speaking, according to the report. The sea level, partly expanded by the warming, has been rising about an inch a decade, the report says. (FOX61, CT)
Is the Media Responsible for the Real Estate Downturn? Jul 24, 2008
Evans: What we're seeing is Fahrenheit 451 where people are sharing information because they can in new virtual environments and ignoring the sources that are more knowledgeable and based on research and fact-finding. The Internet allows everyone to voice their opinion and they do. (RealtyTimes)
When horses fly the service is smooth Jul 24, 2008
Once in Hong Kong, the horses will be transferred to air-conditioned trucks - the temperature set at 73 degrees Fahrenheit (23 Celsius) - for the 30-mile, or 48-kilometer, trip to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, site of the equestrian events. During a test event last summer, Atock clocked the journey from the tarmac to the stables at one hour, 40 minutes. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
because the dog was peeing inside when left alone Jul 23, 2008
A doctor told police that the dog s temperature was in excess of 106 degrees Fahrenheit. Normal body temperature for dogs ranges from 100. (Allston Brighton TAB, MA)
Brandon Fuller, left, wears a self-contained breathing apparatus with a personal alert safety system attached shown in his right hand. Chuck Bowden holds a face air mask. Both items will be replaced on some fire trucks with improved systems purchased with a federal grant. They are firefighters at the Rockingham Fire Department. Photo by Tom MacCallum/Daily Journal Jul 22, 2008
New standards require the PASS devices to emit a 95-decibel alarm at temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The new air mask incorporates new safety features as well. (Rockingham Daily Journal, NC)
There is cause for concern about aspects of the current debate about climate change. Jul 22, 2008
3 Watkin Tench, Captain of the Marines in the first fleet wrote in his diary that in the first two summers in Sydney at least one day each week the temperature got over 100 degrees fahrenheit. Did Carbon Dioxide cause the Earth to be warmer 1000 years ago and through the Medieval period. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Boy Who Died In Hot SUV Had 108 Temp Jul 22, 2008
The Palm Beach County Medical Examiner says the boy's temperature reached 108 degrees Fahrenheit. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office says that 29-year-old Mirland Baptiste may not have known the boy was in the car. (News4Jax.com, FL)
It really is hot out there Jul 21, 2008
3 degrees Fahrenheit, about 2. 3 degrees warmer than long-term averages, placing the month in the top 20 warmest since local record-keeping began in 1872. (Boston Globe)
Drying Wetlands May Spike Greenhouse Gases Jul 21, 2008
12, 2001) A tremendous release of methane gas frozen beneath the sea floor heated the Earth by up to 13 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius) 55 million years ago, a new NASA study confirms. NASA scientists. (Science Daily)
Norovirus confirmed in cruise ship report Jul 18, 2008
"(Two to three) trays of a prepared panna cotta dessert were 54 degrees Fahrenheit and were discarded, and one container of mascarpone cheese was 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and it was blast-chilled immediately. Action: Staff reinstructed on proper storage and cooling of potentially hazardous foods.". Contact reporter Kate Golden at 523-2276 or e-mail. (Juneau Empire)
A look into the culture of performance enhancing drugs Jul 18, 2008
It's an in-your-face documentary by the same producers of "Bowling for Columbine" and "Fahrenheit 9/11." The film had been scheduled to open Thursday, July 17, at the Gold Town Nickelodeon theater but was cancelled. Hooligan caught up with Bell to talk about the future of steroids in sports, his steroid-using brothers and the reactions generated by the film. (Juneau Empire)
New data pinpoint wet and balmy past... Jul 17, 2008
The subsurface phytosillicates were formed at relatively low temperatures, of between 100 and 200 degrees Celsius (212-392 degrees Fahrenheit), which implies that Mars was not only wet but also relatively temperate at the time. "What does this mean for habitability? It's very strong," Mustard said. (The Drudge Report)
Gators test air-conditioned shoulder pads Jul 17, 2008
3 degrees Fahrenheit, vs. 101. 7 degrees for the control group. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Sports)
OLYMPICS: Heat and humidity are the enemies in Beijing Jul 17, 2008
Matthew Ely, a researcher at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine in Natick, Massachusetts, found that elite marathon runners' times can be as much as 4 percent slower when the temperature is between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit, or 20 to 25 centigrade as compared with the more ideal temperatures of 41 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Because people respond differently to heat and humidity, an advantage may go to runners who ordinarily would not have been competitive. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Could Global Warming Increase the Incidence of Kidney Stones? Jul 16, 2008
The study notes that this uptick correlates with an increase of half a degree Fahrenheit (0. 28 degree Celsius) during the same period. (Scientific American)
Is My Cat Sick? Jul 16, 2008
5 degrees Fahrenheit can be done rectally. A temperature outside of this range is an indicator of illness and warrants a trip to the vet s office. (Suite101.com)
Study Links Global Warming To The Increase Of Kidney Stone Cases Jul 16, 2008
5 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2100 unless measures are taken to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. The researchers predict that the number of people in the US who suffer from kidney stones at some point in their lives will rise by 1. (eFluxMedia)
The most energy-efficient countries Jul 16, 2008
A BTU, or British thermal unit, is the amount of heat energy needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Of course, the use of energy intensity as a measure is not perfect and the results can be misleading. (International Herald Tribune -- Business)
Temperature Control Key To Safe Picnics Jul 16, 2008
Foods meant to be cold need to be stored at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower ... It needs a power source, but once it's running, it cools to nearly 50 degrees Fahrenheit lower than the environment. (Click2Houston, TX)
Steps to avoid uninvited and deadly guests to barbecues Jul 15, 2008
Carry picnic food in an insulated cooler and surround the food in cold packs or sufficient amounts of ice to keep the food at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. To prevent bacteria from taking over your favorite dish, make sure hot foods are kept hot and cold foods kept cold. (Helena Independent Record, MT)
Kidney Stones May Become More Common as Global Warming Causes Dehydration Jul 15, 2008
Previous studies indicate there's a greater risk of kidney stones when mean average temperatures exceed 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit), said Margaret Pearle, a urologist from the in Dallas who was involved in the study ... 5 degrees Fahrenheit) by 2100 unless greenhouse-gas emissions are reduced. (Bloomberg -- Germany)
Global warming to spark rise in kidney stone cases, study says Jul 15, 2008
Most climate researchers believe emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are raising average temperatures worldwide and that North America will see a rise of at least 2 degrees Fahrenheit in the 21st Century. The new study, by researchers at the University of at Dallas and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, combined medical studies of how regional temperature affects kidney stones with climate forecasts by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (Chicago Tribune)
Fires Force More Calif. Evacuations Jul 13, 2008
Among them was Sacramento, where the temperature reached 108 Fahrenheit, breaking the previous high of 104 degrees set in 1997. Stockton recorded 105 F and Modesto 107 F, both breaking records for July 8 set in 2006. (CBS News)
Shell shocked Jul 13, 2008
According to Tedesco, three decade's worth of readings taken near the Millstone nuclear power plants on the eastern Connecticut shoreline show average water temperatures have increased by a little less than 2 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer, lobsters prefer water temperatures on the floor of the sound to stay below 68-69 degrees Fahrenheit. (Boston Globe)
Tomato, Beef Recalls Show Problems with Food Tracking Jul 13, 2008
FSIS does advise consumers to make sure they cook beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Although it is required to physically inspect all meat and poultry destined for commerce, FSIS has been having increasing trouble ensuring the safety of those products. (OMB Watch)
Air-Conditioned Pads Keep Football Players Cool Jul 13, 2008
Three exercise cycles -- consisting of jogging and sprinting on a treadmill in a room with a heat index of roughly 92 degrees Fahrenheit to simulate summertime play -- were each separated by 10-minute rest periods. During the test session when the cool dry air was blown under the shoulder pads, there was as much as a 1 degree Fahrenheit reduction in core body temperature, Horodyski reported. (MEDLINEplus)
G-8 endorses halving global emissions by 2050 Jul 8, 2008
6 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures beyond that could trigger the worst effects of warming, such as melting ice sheets and extreme weather. (Rhinelander Daily News, WI)
California's heat wave sparks wildfire fears Jul 8, 2008
Daytime highs are expected to reach 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40. 6 degrees Celsius) or higher in many areas over the next three days as a massive high pressure system stalls over the state, weather forecasters said. (Xinhuanet, China)
Fireworks can be fun, but have dangers Jul 4, 2008
"According to the ADPH, children are at greater risk of being injured by fireworks. One-third of the people injured by fireworks were under the age of 15. The risk of injury by fireworks was two-and-a-half times as high for children ages 10-14 compared to the general population. Males accounted for 75 percent of fireworks injuries in 2006. The ADPH recommends the following precautions when using fireworks to insure a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July weekend: Do not let children under the age of... (Andalusia Star News, AL)
Kroger beef recall in 20 states, Arizona Jul 4, 2008
Heat all beef thoroughly to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which will kill any harmful bacteria. Meat color is not an accurate indicator of thorough heating. (AZCentral -- Business)
Even simple fireworks can cause burns Jul 3, 2008
Sparklers can burn up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to burn some metals. When using legal fireworks, keep a fire extinguisher or source of water nearby. (DeKalb Daily Chronicle, IL)
Fourth of July barbecue safety tips Jul 2, 2008
To kill most bacteria, cook hamburgers to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, ground poultry to 165 degrees, and poultry parts to 180 degrees. Store raw meat, fish and poultry away from other foods. (Burlington Union, MA)
The Environmental Impact of Corn-Based Plastics Jul 2, 2008
According to Elizabeth Royte, writing in Smithsonian, PLA may well break down into its constituent parts ( and ) within three months in a controlled composting environment, that is, an industrial composting facility heated to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and fed a steady diet of digestive microbes. But it will take far longer in a compost bin or in a landfill packed so tightly that no light and little oxygen are available to assist in the process. (Scientific American)
Easy Ways to Keep Your Home Germ Free Jul 2, 2008
When washing dishes in the dishwasher, make sure the water temperature is at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit to properly disinfect. Instead of putting the sponge in the dishwasher to sanitize it, Kannenberg cites a University of Florida study, which suggests that zapping the sponge in the microwave for at least two minutes kills more bacteria than a dishwasher. (Pekin Times, IL)
