Zoonoses: Diseases Passed From Animals To Humans
Zoonoses are diseases passed from animals to humans. The most recent high-profile example is swine flu. There are several dozen such diseases that affect humans. The Centers For Disease Control says:
Abstract
Microbiologic infections acquired from animals, known as zoonoses, pose a risk to public health. An estimated 60% of emerging human pathogens are zoonotic. [...]
Disinfectants: Bacteria Adapt
Dr. Gerard Fleming is the lead researcher on a new study of the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Dr. Fleming works from the National University of Ireland in Galway in the department of microbiology.
The research suggests that some bacteria eat disinfectants. The study looked at Pseudomonas aeruginosa which is responsible for infections in people [...]
Environmental Protection Agency: Climate Change Danger!
The EPA announced:
“After a thorough examination of the scientific evidence and careful consideration of public comments, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that greenhouse gases (GHGs) threaten the public health and welfare of the American people.” [view the whole statement at
http://worldcitizen.net/green/2009/12/08/epa-greenhouse-gases-threaten-public-health-and-the-environment/]
The timing of this announcement at the opening of the Copenhagen Climate [...]
Chlorine’s Health Risk For Swimmers
Swimmers have long suspected the dangers of chlorine. Now, their suspicions have been confirmed.
A study by the Catholic University of Louvain in Brussels, Belgium found a link between swimming in chlorinated pools and getting asthma and respiratory allergies.
“The impact of these chemicals on the respiratory health of children and adolescents appears to [...]
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Climate Change News
- U.S. Departments of Commerce and the Interior to Cooperate on Climate-Related ActivitiesU.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar formalized an agreement between the two departments to coordinate and cooperate on climate related activities involving science, services, mitigation, adaptation, education and communication. […]
- NOAA: Past Decade Warmest on Record According to Scientists in 48 CountriesThe 2009 State of the Climate report released Wednesday draws on data for 10 key climate indicators that all point to the same finding: the scientific evidence that our world is warming is unmistakable. […]
Earth FAQ
- Where is the detailed report concerning the Bakken Formation?All currently available USGS material on the Bakken Assessment can be found on our website at http://energy.cr.usgs.gov/oilgas/noga/ (choose Bakken/Williston Basin on the map to see available documents), including a summary of the geology, geologic model, and methodology in poster format on our website at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1353/. The more detail […]
- Did you feel an earthquake?To view a map or report a felt earthquake, select your region from this Community Earthquake Intensity Map. The website has a ('Did you feel it?') questionnaire for recording your earthquake experiences. An intensity map is made and updated based on your answers and those of others who fill out the questionnaire. Would you like to sign up for the E […]
- What are seismograms? How do you read them?Seismograms are the records (paper copy) produced by seismographs used to calculate the location and magnitude of an earthquake. They show how the ground moves with the passage of time. On a seismogram, the HORIZONTAL axis = time (measured in seconds) and the VERTICAL axis= ground displacement (usually measured in millimeters). When there is NO EQ reading th […]
U.S. Geological Survey
- Climate Change Implicated in Decline of Horseshoe CrabsLEETOWN, W. Va. — A distinct decline in horseshoe crab numbers has occurred that parallels climate change associated with the end of the last Ice Age, according to a study that used genomics to assess historical trends in population sizes. The new research also indicates that horseshoe crabs numbers may continue to decline in the future because of predi […]
- An island's rebirth: Life emerges after a catastrophic volcanic eruptionAnchorage, Alaska — A secluded island in the Aleutian chain is revealing secrets of how land and marine ecosystems react to and recover from a catastrophic volcanic eruption that appeared at first glance to destroy all life on the island. Yet little by little – a wingless beetle here, a tuft of grass there, Kasatochi, an island in the Alaska Maritime Nat […]
- Glaciers Retreating in AsiaMany of Asia’s glaciers are retreating as a result of climate change. This retreat impacts water supplies to millions of people, increases the likelihood of outburst floods that threaten life and property in nearby areas, and contributes to sea-level rise. The U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with 39 international scientists, published a report on […]