United States Decides To List Large Arctic Mammal Despite Protests
Washington, D.C.- With the evidence mounting of rapid sea ice melting the United States has decided to list Polar Bears as a Threatened Species under the Endangered Species Act, and to work to investigate ways to assist the threatened mammal with habitat preservation.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior made the announcement on Wednesday, and this is the first time a U.S. species has been given protection partly from the effects of global warming.
Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced the decision partly on strong evidence that global permanent Sea Ice pack areas, where the Polar Bears live and reside, are shrinking rapidly. (more…)
Investigation Reveals Sudden Death Of 35 Rays
Calgary- The cause of death of over thirty of the stingrays on display at the Calgary Zoo over the weekend is cause for great alarm with zoo officials.
An additional Stingray perished on Tuesday, bringing the total death toll of the Ray exhibit to 35 dead Stingrays, and there appears to be no readily apparent cause for the mortality of these aquatic animals.
The remaining eight Stingrays at the Calgary Zoo facility are being carefully monitored and are in a special highly oxygenated tank under close medical supervision. (more…)
Regulations Aim To Prevent Further Aggressive Spread Of Invaders
Montreal- The freshwater system in Canada is the worlds largest, circulating along over 3,700 kilometres from the Great Lakes down into the Atlantic Ocean and throughout the heart of North America.
It is also very at risk from invasive species not native to Canada and North America.
The invaders that can breed and thrive are feared to migrate inside the freshwater system, and as such they pose a grave threat to the natural resources, normal usage, the ecology, and the health of the system as well as to our own health. (more…)
Outbreak In British Columbia Leads To Carbon Dioxide Crisis.
Vancouver, B.C.- For years there has been an annual outbreak in the Canadian NW forests of the Mountain Pine Beetle. But the vast infestation this year is leading to massive releases of greenhouse gases, and may lead to Canada totally missing their air quality goals.
The Mountain Pine Beetle has previously been held in check, mostly striking the NW part of Canada in the British Columbia region. But warmer temperatures in recent decades, along with forest fire suppression have allowed the pine beetle to take over. (more…)
Swarm Of Small Quakes Mystify Experts
Newport - One of the more pristine area of the Pacific Northwest, the Oregon Coast has long been known for its quiet Pacific charm. But much of that charm is caught up in mystery.
What is causing the rash of earthquakes that is being experienced?
There have been nearly 600 small earthquakes in a region of about 350 kilometres off the coast of Yachats. These earthquakes have been small, registering about 2 or 3 on the magnitude scale, but a few of them have been larger, registering 4 or 5.
These quakes have posed no threat, as they have not caused any rapid water movement nor have they posed any danger to coastal residents. The quakes are coming from the middle of a magma plate, the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate. This is unusual because most of the time the action of plates rubbing against each other is what causes earthquakes. (more…)
A Severe Earthquake Is All But Absolute For The Future
San Andreas, California- There is the old saying that the only things that are certain in this lifetime is taxes and death, but there is now something additional on the list according to scientists in California.
A Major Earthquake. And rather soon.
There is over a 99 percent change that a major quake is headed for the Golden State in the next 30 years, and many scientists believe that it could arrive much sooner. The stress and build up forces on various fault lines in California have registered extreme strain, and with all of the built up pressure, it is only a matter of time before a major slippage occurs.
The movement of the earth along the major faults in California is not constant. The land on each side moves in a different direction, and ideally, it will move a little each year. But in the case of California and its faults, several areas have not moved at all for some time. But the stress and strain on the fault continues to build, waiting for release. (more…)
Joint Canadian US Commission Recommends Change
Toronto- New proposals for changes in the way that water is released from Lake Ontario have many people up at arms.
The Joint International Commission has released new proposed water regulations that would affect the level of the water on Lake Ontario and the water levels in the St. Lawrence River. Many people believe that the regulations favor people who own property on the shores of Lake Ontario.
The water level on Lake Ontario can be regulated, to a larger degree that is not possible on some of the other great lakes. This is made possible by a large dam located at Cornwall, Ontario. (more…)
Researchers in Canada Discover Practice Increases Aggressive Traits
Victoria, B.C.- Many people in the world of Dog Breeding are adherents to the practice of bobbing, or docking the tail on dogs. That is the practice of cutting the tail off or trimming it very short, for show purposes in many cases.
Researchers working in Victoria British Columbia have discovered that the practice robs the animal of the ability to communicate, and often leads to increased aggressive behaviors in the dog. They discovered that other dogs would deal with a docked tail with a lot more caution, as they cannot tell what is happening or the reaction of the first dog.
Graduate Student Steve Leaver, and biologist Tom Reimchen, both of the University of Victoria has found that the practice of bobbing a dog’s tail leads to more aggression and remote behaviors. (more…)
Canadian Sale To American Company Affects Canada’s Independence
Ottawa- The sale of the biggest company in Canada that produces aerospace and space products is being sharply criticized by some as an issue of Canadian and Arctic sovereignty.
Alliant Techsystems Inc is seeking to purchase the Geospatial unit of MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates for $1.3 billion dollars.
Former Canadian Forces Commander Northern Area Pierre LeBlanc has come forth and stated for the record that selling a unit of MacDonald Dettwiler to American Interests would sharply affect the ability of Canada to be and remain a Sovereign player in the Arctic Arena. (more…)
John Polanyi Makes Second Win In A Row For UT Faculty
Ottawa-Every year there is very stiff competition for the Gerhard Herzberg Canadian Gold Metal for Engineering and Science. It is awarded each year to the premier researcher judged to have made the most sustained and outstanding contribution to Canadian research in the previous year.
This year’s honor is being awarded to John Polanyi, the prize-winning professor of the University of Toronto. John Polanyi is being given the 2007 Gerhard Herzberg Medal for Engineering and Science for his accomplishments in chemistry research.
The medal was named for the Nobel Prize winning Canadian Gerhard Herzberg, and it is given out each year to the outstanding researcher or scientist for their achievements.
This Award is considered the highest Canadian science award, and carries with it a $1 million dollar financial research grant that is given out over a five-year period.
John Polanyi previously is a Nobel Prize winner himself, in chemistry, winning the Nobel Peace Prize for Chemistry in 1986. The Gerhard Herzberg 2007 Science Gold medal shows that he is earning respect in his own country as well for his academic and science achievements.
“The winning of the Canadian Herzberg Gold Metal is a fine example of the continuing genius and accomplishments of Professor John Polanyi,” said David Naylor. David Naylor is the professor of the University of Toronto. “We are blessed and privileged to have Professor Polanyi on our staff.
This year marks the second year in a row that a University of Toronto Professor has won the Herzberg Medal. The 2006 winner was also on staff at the University of Toronto, Professor Richard Bond, for his work in cosmologist study and science.