Arthropods: Discovery of "cactus works" unusual creature German scientists are studying the "cactus works", a body discovered in south-western China. It might help to better understand the origin of the group of arthropods. Arthropods are organisms characterized by an external skeleton (mostly composed of chitin, as in ants, for example) and have legs. They include more than one and a half million different species among which are the trilobites, crustaceans, arachnids and insects of all kinds.
Researchers at the University of Berlin are part of the discovery of "cactus works "in the journal Nature. This could be the closest known relative of the arthropod current indicates Sciences et Avenir. Measuring six inches, this creature resembles a species of worm, but who has ten pairs of jointed legs and spiny .
lobopodia This worm (with appendages) in any case has evolved enough to have jointed limbs ultimate achievement. For researchers, this tends to prove that this organization has evolved gradually hardening its forelegs appears that its external skeleton. The study should continue to determine if all other arthropods followed the same path.
http://www.maxisciences.com/cactus-qui-marche/arthropodes-decouverte-du-cactus-qui-marche-creature-inhabituelle_art12767.html
Energy Saving Lamps: precautions mercury content, level of emission of electromagnetic waves ... The debate about the possible toxicity of fluorescent lamps is revived by the Consumer Safety Commission The Consumer Safety Commission (SCC) recommends taking precautions in the choice or use of low consumption lamps, while "their possible harm is being debated, "she says in a statement.
The low energy light bulbs, also called CFLs," have replaced the traditional incandescent lamps, power-hungry too, "said the CSC .
They consume 4 to 5 times less power for equivalent performance in terms of lighting "and according to the manufacturers, their" life is between 6,000 and 10,000 hours against 1000 hours for a conventional bulb.
But "their potential harmfulness debate is "in terms of mercury content and emission level of electromagnetic waves, said the SAC.
Recommendations
" In the current state of knowledge " Commission advises consumers to "emphasize the purchase of lights showing the amounts of mercury as low as possible."
"If you break" from one of these lamps, it recommends to break the long leave the room and then pick up the pieces carefully with gloves and paper towels and place them in plastic bags, but do not vacuum, "which helps to airborne particles of mercury."
She also advises to keep a minimum distance of 30 cm from a lamp in such prolonged exposure.
In addition, the CSC calls on authorities to "determine the maximum exposure to the vapors of mercury into the air" and hopes that "the EU Directive on the Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical ... Read more on LEXPRESS.fr http://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/environnement/lampes-basse-consommation-les-precautions-a-prendre_965512.html xtor = # AL-447
Property: energy audits vary widely denounced became mandatory in all real estate listings since January 1, the diagnosis of Energy Performance (DPE) can be very different in the same dwelling as the company realizes. This is the finding "alarming" has drawn the consumer association UFC-Que Choisir. Yesterday she issued a survey which highlighted the enormous differences. "On four houses visited by sixteen diagnosticians, two houses were classified in at least three classes different energy, one was classified under two different labels, one having been given the same energy label to all these "professionals", explained UFC-Que Choisir.
worse, "one of the houses surveyed were classified according to the diagnosticians, C, D or E, with an estimated consumption of 134 kilowatt hours (kWh) to 244 kWh per m2 per year, representing an annual bill ranging from 1,000 to 1,800 euros! ". results close to those recorded in 2008 during a similar survey which proves that nothing has been done in the area. The Association therefore calls on governments to "take immediate measures to ensure reliable ECD techniques" and "to perfect the ECD between the buyer and seller for the responsibility of the diagnostician can be held liable for misdiagnosis" . http://www.maxisciences.com/immobilier/immobilier-les-diagnostics-energetiques-tres-variables-denonces_art12707.html
Global warming responsible for health problems With global warming, the Earth could rapidly become a planet warmer and wetter. Such an atmosphere would encourage the proliferation des toxines et des bactéries, d'après les résultats d'une simulation informatique. Des recherches américaines ont permis de réaliser une étude indiquant qu'avec le réchauffement climatique, les différentes écosystèmes aquatiques évoluent et favorisent la croissance d'algues toxiques et d'autres micro-organismes particulièrement nocifs.
Par exemple, la prolifération de l'Alexandrium catocitenella va intoxiquer les coquillages que les humains peuvent être amenés à consommer. Les crustacés contaminés peuvent par la suite provoquer des symptômes intestinaux et neurologiques pouvant se révéler sometimes fatal.
"Changes in the seasonal occurrence of these toxic algae are imminent [...] We can expect a significant increase of these algae in the estuary of Puget Sound and other similar ecosystems within 30 years and maybe in the next decade, "said researchers at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), cited by Sciences et Avenir.
A second study by the University of Georgia shows that, under the effect of global warming, dust from Deserts accumulates in the atmosphere, thus promoting the growth of harmful bacteria. Indeed, these bacteria present in the oceans, need iron to grow, gold dust suspended in the air carry a lot.
"Twenty-four hours after mixing of the dust of the desert from Morocco with seawater samples, we observed an increase in vibrio bacteria from ten to thousand times that a strain capable of cause cholera, "says researcher Eric Lipp.
http://www.maxisciences.com/r% e9chauffement-climatique/le-rechauffement-climatique-responsable-de-problemes-de-sante_art12680.html
EasyJet put on a new coating to reduce its consumption Fuel airline EasyJet has launched the experimentation of a new coating that using nanotechnology should enable it to reduce fuel consumption of its aircraft. The cabins of all aircraft EasyJet may soon be covered with a coating already used by the U.S. Air Force, to develop more aerodynamic devices, and thus consume less fuel.
Quoted by the Daily Mail, the manufacturer of this coating estimated 2% fuel economy that could well be made each year if this technology was applied to the entire fleet of the company. An economy that represent more than 23 million euros, in addition to avoiding a significant amount of emissions of greenhouse gas emissions.
To date, only eight of EasyJet planes are equipped with this coating. In testing phase, the British low cost airline for a year compare fuel consumption of these devices with the rest of his fleet. "We are very happy to test this special coating on our products. The effectiveness is part of the identity of EasyJet. If we can find new ways to reduce our fuel, we will provide our passengers with low rates and a reduced environmental footprint, "then promised Carolyn McCall, the CEO of the company.
http://www.maxisciences.com/easyjet/easyjet-mise-sur-un-nouveau-revetement-pour-reduire-sa-consommation-de-carburant_art12629.html
