Sea Levels Will Continue to Rise for 500 Years
Perhaps it’s time we start to A.) Shift to more ecologically friendly sources of energy B.) Seriously start looking into those nicely designed high sea level metropolis
Rising sea levels in the coming centuries is perhaps one of the most catastrophic consequences of rising temperatures. Massive economic costs, social consequences and forced migrations could result from global warming. But how frightening of times are we facing? Researchers from the Niels Bohr Institute are part of a team that has calculated the long-term outlook for rising sea levels in relation to the emission of greenhouse gases and pollution of the atmosphere using climate models.
The results have been published in the scientific journal Global and Planetary Change. “Based on the current situation we have projected changes in sea level 500 years into the future. We are not looking at what is happening with the climate, but are focusing exclusively on sea levels,” explains Aslak Grinsted, a researcher at the Centre for Ice and Climate, the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen.
Model based on actual measurements
He has developed a model in collaboration with researchers from England and China that is based on what happens with the emission of greenhouse gases and aerosols and the pollution of the atmosphere. Their model has been adjusted backwards to the actual measurements and was then used to predict the outlook for rising sea levels.
The research group has made calculations for four scenarios: A pessimistic one, where the emissions continue to increase. This will mean that sea levels will rise 1.1 meters by the year 2100 and will have risen 5.5 meters by the year 2500.
Genome of world’s oldest human sequenced: What secrets does it hold?
When Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper died in 2004, she held the title of “World’s Oldest Human” at age 115. Scientists have now sequenced her genome to figure out if there are some secrets to longevity written in her code.
While she attributed her advanced age to not drinking much (well, CRAP, I’m screwed) and eating herring herring every day (double screwed), it turns out she did hold some secrets in genes related to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, as well as resistance to some kinds of cancer.
Her circulatory system was immaculate upon her death, and she showed no signs of neural degeneration, previously thought to be inevitable in the elderly.
The analysis is still ongoing, but perhaps with a little careful science (and a little herring) we can unlock some medical avenues to advanced age.
(via LiveScience, photo via AFP)
Rod Cells (In the retina)
The cylinder shaped rods cannot discriminate colours; they respond to most waelengths of light in the same way as brightness detectors. When light above a certain intensity strikes a rod, it produces nerve signals.
Dr Alice Roberts, “The Complete Human Body: The Definitive Visual Guide”
