Technology

Researchers Find Widespread Floating Plastic Debris in the Western North Atlantic Ocean

Despite growing awareness of the problem of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans, little solid scientific information existed to illustrate the nature and scope of the issue.   

This week, a team of researchers from Sea Education Association (SEA), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), and the University of Hawaii (UH) published a study of plastic marine debris based on data collected over 22 years by undergraduate students in the latest issue of the journal Science

(more…)

Read More

Deep Plumes of Oil Could Cause Dead Zones in the Gulf

WASHINGTON — A new simulation of oil and methane leaked into the Gulf of Mexico suggests that deep hypoxic zones or “dead zones” could form near the source of the pollution.  

The research investigates five scenarios of oil and methane plumes at different depths and incorporates an estimated rate of flow from the Deepwater Horizon spill, which released oil and methane gas into the Gulf from April to mid July of this year.

(more…)

Read More

Asteroid Found in Gravitational “Dead Zone”

Washington, D.C.—There are places in space where the gravitational tug between a planet and the Sun balance out, allowing other smaller bodies to remain stable. These places are called Lagrangian points. So-called Trojan asteroids have been found in some of these stable spots near Jupiter and Neptune. Trojans share their planet’s orbit and help astronomers understand how the planets formed and how the solar system evolved.

(more…)

Read More

Beijing Goodwill and IBM Team to Improve Detection of Cardiovascular Diseases

*Mobile Application Allows Doctors to Monitor Heart Patients*  

BEIJING – 19 Aug 2010: Beijing Goodwill Information and Technology Co., Ltd., a leading provider of electronic cardiogram systems in China, and IBM (NYSE: IBM)  announced the launch of the country’s first all-in-one electronic cardiogram management system in China. This system supports smarter healthcare by helping hospitals to analyze patient information generated from electrocardiography (ECG) examination reports to gain real-time insight and better detect cardiovascular diseases with more accuracy.  It also empowers doctors to use mobile devices to monitor heart patients.

(more…)

Read More