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Study: Workplace Diversity Must Include buy-in from Whites

ANN ARBOR, Mich.— Organizational efforts to create and maintain an inclusive multicultural environment often face resistance by whites, says a University of Michigan researcher.

“Without the support of whites, organizations and educational settings will fail in their attempts to navigate and manage the complexities of diverse work forces and constituencies,” said Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks, an associate professor of management and organizations at Michigan’s Ross School of Business. “In the face of the dramatic projected growth in demographic diversity, such failure could have severe economic, social and political consequences. (more…)

Improved Measurements of Sun to Advance Understanding of Climate Change

Environment, Science

WASHINGTON — Scientists have taken a major step toward accurately determining the amount of energy that the sun provides to Earth, and how variations in that energy may contribute to climate change.

In a new study of laboratory and satellite data, researchers report a lower value of that energy, known as total solar irradiance, than previously measured and demonstrate that the satellite instrument that made the measurement—which has a new optical design and was calibrated in a new way—has significantly improved the accuracy and consistency of such measurements. (more…)

Facing the Migraine

Health

Migraines are a chronic brain condition characterized by attacks of a throbbing headache, of medium or strong intensity, possibly associated with nausea, vomiting, photophobia and intolerance to sounds (phonophobia). In about a third of cases, seizures are accompanied by neurological symptoms, usually visual, known as auras. The disorder occurs in those who are genetically susceptible. The World Health Organization estimates that worldwide there are 324 million people who suffer from in this condition. (more…)

ARkStorm: California’s other “Big One”

Environment

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — For emergency planning purposes, scientists unveiled a hypothetical California scenario that describes a storm that could produce up to 10 feet of rain, cause extensive flooding (in many cases overwhelming the state’s flood-protection system) and result in more than $300 billion in damage.

The “ARkStorm Scenario,” prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey and released at the ARkStorm Summit in Sacramento on Jan. 13 – 14, combines prehistoric geologic flood history in California with modern flood mapping and climate-change projections to produce a hypothetical, but plausible, scenario aimed at preparing the emergency response community for this type of hazard. (more…)

Wikileaks to Unveil Secrets of Swiss Banks

Culture, Politics

Rudolf Elmer, a former Swiss banker, has handed over two data discs containing sensitive details of the accounts of 2,000 prominent people to Julian Assange, the boss of Wikileaks.

Wikileaks has not yet published the data on its website, but Assange promised full disclosure once the data had been vetted. (more…)

Highwater in Saale River

Environment, Nature

Due to heavy snow melting as the temperature turns to be ‘mild’ and simultaneous rainfall, 2011’s Winter highwater is the highest since 1946 in the Saale river in Halle (Saxony-Anhalt). The flood water reached a maximum of 6.92 m on the gauge of Halle Trotha. A record of 7 m would cause a ‘disaster alarm’. (more…)

Earth’s Hot Past: Prologue to Future Climate?

Environment

Study of Earth’s deep past leads to look into the future

The magnitude of climate change during Earth’s deep past suggests that future temperatures may eventually rise far more than projected if society continues its pace of emitting greenhouse gases, a new analysis concludes. (more…)

Switch off Enzyme to Control Chronic Pain, say U of T Researchers

Health

New drug shows promise for treating chronic pain

A team of researchers at the University of Toronto has developed a new drug targeted at parts of the brain and spinal cord associated with pain perception, which may more effectively control chronic pain caused by nerve injuries. (more…)