Earth, or entered a new geological era
"Quicken the flow of time as we get older," said the well could be born in the same sense the earth 270 million years ago 45. From another, the latest findings were presented to several million years earlier has entered the next geological age.
Earth's geological history and fossil organisms to separate remaining in the rock layers, the scale is usually measured in more than 300 million years. Current "Holocene," which defines the beginning of 11,500 years ago, might have just begun normally. But this new study was announced, the earth is already "anthropocentric era (Antoroposen)" argues that entered.

Antoroposen term is new and has not already in use in 2002. He coined by Nobel Prize laureate Paul J. Crutzen of the study co-author, sums are unprecedented changes to human-caused after the industrial revolution 200 years.

Supporting the consolidation of material and age categories Antoroposen, however, is not only the most recent research report.

"Environmental pollution and habitat destruction and extinction of animals and plants in recent years, human impact has had on the earth has immense. The rock layers of the earth, will be perceived as a clear geological boundary it, "Crutzen and his colleagues argued.

British study co-author Jean Zarashiuittsu paleontologist at the University of Leicester net (Jan Zalasiewicz) said, "makes them human energy use and environmental manipulation, which has great influence on surface geological processes now, "he said.

Even though it is true, however, that international organizations Antoroposen geology, "International Union of Geological Sciences," an official certification to get, after a few years earlier, seems to be as late as decades.

To be an official evaluation and geological Antoroposen, first and Holocene boundary layer carved rock (marker) to identify, must be defined clearly.

Britain 's Leeds University paleoclimate scientist Alan Haywood in this study is not to participate, explain the following third-party position. "The future geologists saw much sediment record, whether it is important to recognize the beginning of the era Antoroposen. The world does not exist in the precise markers must be unquestionable. This is a mouth situation will not be easy as it sounds. "

Left traces of radioactivity and nuclear tests after 1945, but could be used as a marker. "The Age of radioactive material that fell most of the world as" paying attention to the possibility that Mr. Heywood.

There is precedent for this methodology. About 6550 million years ago, the dinosaur mass extinction of plants and animals, such as the Cretaceous and Paleogene boundary layer but the presence of high concentrations of iridium, the substance is believed to spread the meteorite impact, the two currently being used as a marker to separate the epochs.

Zarashiuittsu said study co-author of the following answers are told National Geographic News. "If the fossilized creatures that stuff will be the marker for the future to discern Antoroposen and Holocene. Before and after starting the large scale consumption of fossil fuels, for example, found a difference in isotope ratios of carbon in marine plankton said. "

Also, lead particles emitted from combustion of leaded gasoline, may contribute to the definition of a new geological era lasting trace of contamination.

Incentive to promote the official recognition of the times Antoroposen seems not only a scientific curiosity.

"Environmental Science & Technology" was published in the latest issue of the journal, researchers report that advocated a new era, may contribute to stem biodiversity loss and carbon emissions. The material can be used as evidence to establish law and environmental protection.

University of Leeds, Mr. Heywood said this. "Reaching and attention to the environmental changes have official accreditation, to become a strong message for parents. However, scientific evidence suggests the beginning of a new era, used to be opportunistic politicians."

Believe that the involvement of politicians who 排Shitai Zarashiuittsu. "Geological time scale modification is the basis of what scientists have treated only the facts. Holocene is still in its infancy yet, if 心Gakene efforts to preserve the cautious."
"Bullet" sound possible tumor resection?

Ker Than
for National Geographic News
April 6, 2010

The latest release device inspired everywhere toy "bullet" sound may come a day that resection of the cancer. In addition, the device known as an acoustic lens, it is also possible to create images of internal organs close to the quality of ultrasound image clearer than the pictures.


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This equipment is "Newton's Cradle" was designed based on a toy. By Kano Yuri Newton, hanging metal balls in contact some of the same size, is released by pulling the ball very end, opposite the ball between the ball without moving according to Newton's laws of motion Toys are ejected outward at the same speed.

Oh Clare co-author of the Dalai physicist at Caltech researchers are inspired by this toy, invented the acoustic lens diameter of 0.95 chains and connected to multiple parallel-centimeter stainless steel ball. However, the new device is not to convey movement, is a tool to manipulate sound.

The sound waves hit the ball at one end of an acoustic lens, the sound changes to a type of shock called solitary waves. Solitary wave is transmitted through the chain as transmitted through the exercise ball with Newton's cradle. When you reach the last ball of the solitary wave, but because of the long chain, and not transmitted to the chain bouncing back in the opposite direction last ball goes out as sound waves from the final ball.

The point here is, is isolated from changes to the sound waves. Daraio said, that the solitary wave is easy to control.

For example, the process of static preload force of the ball chain together, you can adjust the speed of solitary waves to be emitted in a particular direction of the sound wave. "The goal is that very high intensity while the focus is on creating an acoustic lens that can adjust the position of the focus on changing the structure of the lens itself," he said Daraio.

In addition, each fine-tuned by a metal ball chain acoustic lens, the sound of bullets at one point, "Crossfire" can be. "Adding to the pressure outside the chain-chain larger than the central velocity of the solitary waves are faster than the inner chain of outer chain," said Daraio bullet barrage of sound is finally explains.

Furthermore, by changing some system parameters can also change the intensity of the sound bullets. If sound waves are fired to slow enough for the inspection of internal organs, "f" sound strong enough to remove the tumor as well as.

The acoustic lens is superior to ultrasound images as a tool for image creation. Much more narrowly on the squeezable sonic pulse focus, because it is easy to change the location. "Will enable high-resolution 3D images much sharper," and that he hopes that Daraio, this application is likely still ahead. Because experiments have not yet been acoustic lens cells and living animals.

This study "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" was released on April 5, 2010 online edition of Science.
People do not exist at the same time driving the mobile and rarely

Rachel Kaufman
for National Geographic News
April 5, 2010

And something else while driving, such as mobile phone, most people can not drive well, are already becoming evident in many studies. On the other hand, the more we work together, as I always work better than usual for bringing "superhuman" in the new study found that there are a handful of owner ability.


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According to the research, such as "Supatasuka" that there is one out at a rate of about 40. The discovery could expand to many new research on how to handle the flow of how the human brain more information.

Supatasuka presence of the "theory seems to be contrary to the conventional perception that look," said Jason Watson of the University of Utah psychologist who coauthored the study said. The previous theory, the human brain was incapable of paying attention only actively working on one at a time.

In this study, researchers conducted experiments using Watson's driving simulator for the 200. Subjects such as driving to the disturbance of distracting First, we remember the words and work on mobile phones was introduced to solve math problems and then work simultaneously with the next two.

Most subjects, both at the same time to tackle the problem on driving and now I can not work well either. However, five of the participants were able to drive without any problems while using a mobile phone. Two of them were able to successfully solve math problems better while driving.

"Supatasuka that may exist is not a novelty for me," said David Meyer cognitive scientist at the University of Michigan psychology professor said. He is not participating in this study.

Meyer's research team has published a paper in 1995 and more information can be processed in parallel as well as the human brain can run multiple programs simultaneously computer. The researchers at this time, make more efficient the brain work and can not claim "absolute disbelief it."

The research team conducted research in the 1990s, there were subjects that there is no difference in the speed of response if they do work and one more if you work under certain conditions have been identified.

That Watson wants to study then the study co-author, or are you thinking how Supatasuka it means good luck or what other work. He is now planning to study the brain of a fighter pilot. This study Supatasuka profession requiring very high capacity simultaneously handle multiple tasks based on the hypothesis that it is his choice. The cook, orchestra conductor, thinking that the producers of the TV station for research.

Mr. Watson Mr. Meyer, however, have warned not to use the findings to justify that use cell phones while driving. After all, has been simplified under a research laboratory in which Meyer was not a problem in covering real-life driving explained.

"How easy or difficult to simultaneously process multiple I will do so in any case, do that so how, the kind of work actually depend on strategies to tackle the work."

Mr. Watson, himself Supatasuka that "diagnostic" We do not take risks while driving and you will never be cautioned. "I have a lot of people think that the exception It is natural, it is unlikely that the idea is correct."

Supatasuka research is "Psychonomic Bulletin and Review" will be published shortly in the journal.
In space, "Adrift" discovered magnetic field

Brian Handwerk
for National Geographic News
April 2, 2010

The latest findings were presented to a weak magnetic field is growing throughout the universe. The origin of magnetic fields surrounding the vast galaxy where I could get the answer either.


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And other galaxies of the universe is the Milky Way, there are large each with its own magnetic field. The weak magnetic field compared to the planet, but induced magnetic field of galaxies and star formation rate of cosmic rays, which are thought to play a role in controlling the dynamics of interstellar gas.

Magnetic field of the galaxy mature surviving, weak early universe, "species" that a majority thought the idea was developed from the field, the origin of magnetic species have no definitive answer yet.

There are two dominant theories. "Formed by the movement of charged gas and a catalyst to configure the primordial nebula," a theory. Another "outside the galaxy formation process was unknown in the early universe," a theory that is.

But new observations by NASA's Fermi gamma-ray astronomy satellite, "The magnetic field that existed before the seeds of galaxy birth," which support the view that.

"And judging from observations of Fermi, the presence of a weak seed magnetic field everywhere in space for sure. To exist without space and cluster galaxies is growing momentum to meet the entire universe" and , University of Geneva in Switzerland ISDC Astrophysics Data Center (ISDC Data Centre for Astrophysics) and Lee's Neronofu enrolled in the study co-author explains.

From this discovery, it was found that the magnetic field may be formed in external galaxies. Therefore, the "seed magnetic field is thought to be formed before the birth of a galaxy," he claimed.

The primordial seed field and, derive the idea that charged particles emitted from a supernova explosion and violent behavior. Then, the seed magnetic field is incorporated into the birth of galaxies, we gradually developed internally. The spacious galactic rotation, because such a move to follow magnetic field lines of magnetic force of charged particles and gas.

However, other species will continue to field drift space between galaxies. And colleagues recently discovered phenomenon Neronofu is expected that such a magnetic tramp species.

The research team blazer (Geki galaxy light), targeting data, I noticed the lack of high-energy gamma ray band. And the blazer is a type of active galaxy arranged around a supermassive black hole jets spew particles at a rate comparable to the speed of light.

Origin and gamma blazer, you'd be reaching the Earth maintains a constant energy level. But this time was observed gamma-ray seems to have shaved off some momentum. The weak magnetic field effect on the way that such a phenomenon.

So the scientists, and gamma-ray photons (particles of light) created a computer model to reproduce the crash. As a result, it was found that the result from the collision of two electromagnetic activity. Neronofu he said this. "The sense we are, might have a magnetic field early weak like that. Including the Milky Way, because thought to be the initial state of the magnetic field existing in the galaxy many could be solved the mystery of the origin of the magnetic field ".

, The high-energy process and the first magnetic field formed in the early universe galaxies, or what will eventually. There are a candidate has not been identified so far. In addition, the formation of galaxies and galaxy clusters subsequent magnetic tramp species What will some role. It is also not clear at this point might be answered if accurate measurement of magnetic field strength. Neronofu he said, "There was also a very weak magnetic field is detected, and was heavily involved in the formation of galaxies is unlikely," the notion.

Fermi gamma-ray astronomy satellite was the most recent data is observed blazer, "Science" is published in the April 2 online edition of Science.
The closest approach to Mercury and Venus, planets gather five nights?

Andrew Fazekas
for National Geographic News
April 2, 2010

Around Mercury in April of this is obvious "star" is, with bright Venus in the sky near the horizon in the evening. The next two weeks, the pair can be seen with the naked eye planets Mercury and Venus shine like stars in the sky just after sunset low in the west.


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America in Chicago 's Adler Planetarium astronomer at Gyuku Géza, "The sight of the sky from horizon to nearly like the jewel in the sky goes dark fitted Venus and Mercury will look good, "he said.

This planet pairs in height and gradually, on 4 April 2010 Japan time closest to each other, "合" they conclude. At this time, the two planets only three times, do not look away from the position the diameter of the moon only six minutes.

Of the five planets visible to the naked eye, water Star solar orbit close to, usually the most difficult to see with the naked eye. Kota Water located in the innermost solar system Stars, the orbital diameter For a short orbital period very close to the sun, water 88 days a year is just a star on Earth. Wed from Earth Stars as a very close horizon, thick Are clearly visible in the glow of the sun drowned.

"Water For very bright stars, most people can not find. April 08, but this close to a matching (9th time) in water The Pacific Star Greatest eastern elongation to become located in the farthest angle of 20 degrees from the sun, water Easier to see the stars, "he explains Gyuku. Her bright Small water stars Will serve as a guide to find the stars.

"If weather conditions are good, the water I always take the kids I go in search of stars "and are looking forward to Gyuku himself.

Kim Water Star Find a perch and field stars "planet hunter" We have a further benefit. Five planets can be seen with the naked eye, it can be seen at night all the same.

And the sky darkens, Mars first, show up near the zenith to the reddish star-like figure. Soon after, this time in the eastern sky near the horizon, Saturn will appear, go up over the night sky high. Finally, the gas giant planet Jupiter rises in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
10th from deciphering the human genome

Ker Than
for National Geographic News
April 1, 2010

In June 2000, scientists at the time U.S. President Bill Clinton at the White House, "Human Genome Project (Human Genome Project)" in the human genome was completed (which make up the full set of human DNA) analysis results Draft (draft version) was released.


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An assessment of the 10th anniversary soon to achieve the feat, scientists are evaluating the following scientific discoveries brought about the Human Genome Project.

Human Genome Project, the U.S. Department of Energy and carrots Rika National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the auspices of, completed in 2003, was launched in 1990. Parsed data is published and can be accessed free online. Now being evaluated and lead efforts in general.

The former head of the NIH Human Genome Project director Francis Collins said, "Thanks to the open research model, researchers began to get results faster than ever before," he said.

Collins said the "Nature" says as follows: April 1 issue of Science. "For example, cystic fibrosis (due to better fiber ginger sac) of the gene was finally identified in 1989. In the meantime, long-term efforts and several researchers, including my department, 5000 In need of a huge cost of USD. will be completed in a few days but now is one outstanding graduate students. "

If budding geneticists, Internet first, then an inexpensive chemical, thermal cycle device to amplify specific DNA fragments (thermal) or optical signals in DNA that reads DNA sequencer request.

British Mark McCarthy of the study the genetic causes of obesity and diabetes at the University of Oxford said this. "The Human Genome Project, which gave a new effective way to study human origins and history of the movement. And our human species is still short history, many of the population occurred, especially in Africa 70,000 years ago was found to be very similar. now Europe, East Asia, hit the ancestors of people living in South Asia. "

Including Out of Africa theory of modern humans, said the theory was supported greatly by the proposed genetic data from the study of archeology and linguistics. In addition, based on speculation that the genome should also resemble each other more relevant groups, succeeded in creating the map outline in the path became a globally distributed humans.

Human Genome Project, the International HapMap Project has become the basis for planning such a successor. The HapMap single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) project that aims to discover. SNP and refers to the difference in gene sequences between individuals of the same species seen. Description of DNA, which represent the abbreviation of the name of nucleotides A, T, C, G are the four characters used.

It is a common human HapMap SNP was cataloged. Be inherited together on the chromosome next to each other in the SNP "haplotype," and a group of related haplotypes. "Hapurogurupu" he said.

Cancer and heart disease SNP, has a significant impact on the incidence of certain diseases such as diabetes. Geneticist Spencer Wells of the Genographic Project, led by the National Geographic Society in association with National Geographic explorers say. "HapMap brought up is the result of human genome project. HapMap was to elucidate the genetic diversity present in relatively high frequency throughout the genome. Scientists to leverage their data at the level of the entire genome and disease now find the relationship. "

This is very important. It is because they are known genes affected by several different diseases. "In a complex disease, the effect is mediated through the low number of genes related to each other," Wells said.

Before the Human Genome Project, about 30 DNA billion pieces was estimated that some scientists to form a character more than 100,000 genes. Mr. Christopher Wills of the University of California biologist, "The man makes sense because it is a life so large and complex," he said. "Surprisingly, however, the number of genes in the human genome that contained much less than expected, there were only 20,000 to 25,000. In other words, you have a very sophisticated work of each gene become. "

Of DNA per gene that characters are limited, DNA is about 98.5% genes were found to be unrelated, "junk DNA" came to be called.
LHC, successful record in energy production

Ker Than
for National Geographic News
March 31, 2010

March 30, 2010, the Large Hadron Collider finally (LHC) particle bombardment succeeded in half of the full power output, ALC hit a milestone.


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Beginning of the month 3, LHC, respectively, two particle beams through an underground tunnel 27 kilometers in both directions around 1 3.5 TeV (3.5 trillion electron volts, TeV = Tera electron volts) to accelerate successful, establishing itself broke the record. Finally, six minutes at 1:00 pm on March 30 ( Switzerland Geneva local time) by 07 TeV head-on collision of the beam energy is what spawned.

ALICE LHC heavy-ion collisions in systems project manager, British physicist David Evans at the University of Birmingham, the record "It's like a dream," said with an air of excitement and uncontrollable.

"I have this years has been involved in 10 LHC experiments, it was like Christmas every year to look forward to that." ALICE events he had watched this conflict from the control center. This control center, the European Organization for Nuclear Research operate the particle accelerator (CERN) in the facility.

And collision data to be released first, they gathered CERN physicists has jumped with shouts, a laptop computer that displays images of conflict, such as hugging like a newborn child.

America , in Illinois, Fermilab's LHC Physics Center (LHC Physics Center) Co-coordinator Shippusei Ian (Ian Shipsey) said, "CERN is the world as well as the results of this study's researchers Most of the reasons for rejoicing not for me. was discovered before the LHC LHC electrical problems that he could see, and they influence the performance of any longer, "he said.

"Operating again in the fall 2009, they entered the pilot had everyone worried. With only minor problems, everyone," meltdown "that was prepared" and He recalls the side of the world had watched from this experiment.

"It is a mixed feeling of relief and joy. To pinch his cheeks all, I'm sure this is real," he said.

However, co-coordinator at the Fermilab LHC Physics Center, said Richard Cavanagh, "and a huge success, although not always clear sailing in the future," which warns. Ultimately, experiments like the LHC scientists envision that in order to realize is that a lot of challenges still to overcome.

"LHC is a very complicated at the same time machine that fantastic, very similar to young children. We've got a while to learn parenting. Getting teeth soon, welcome to puberty one and eventually mature Will, "he said.

The current plan, the next 18 months - 24, 7 TeV operation continues in. Stop up to one year later, LHC 14 TeV which will be the upper limit of being prepared for the collision energy generation.

Collision energy one reaches a new record time, proving the existence of dark matter, resulting in new discoveries of particle interactions, could open the door to unknown dimensions. In addition, the "God particle" may also investigate the mystery of the Higgs particle is sometimes called. Higgs particle is a theoretical particle believed that the origin of mass of the universe.

"LHC continue to drive for two years, is also a challenge for management in terms of experimental operations. But there is plenty do our best value," said CERN and chief executive Rolf Heuer has commented.

"Long-term stable operation aims to first, driving 14 across the outage time to concentrate on preparing for TeV collision energy production. In order to make up lost time ever, the total running time of over three years but we will increase the likelihood of more successful experiment. "
Mysterious color difference on the surface of Saturn's satellite Mimas


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National Geographic News
March 31, 2010

On 29 March 2010 NASA satellite image of Saturn Mimas close of the public. Large crater approximately 128 kilometers in diameter "Hershel" subtle color differences around (color difference) are occurring. This high-resolution image data captured by a composition of Saturn's Cassini spacecraft, taken during the closest flyby in February to Mimas.

Floating on top of the rings of Saturn Mimas is seen only under visible light gray color. This time, visible light with Cassini's cameras, infrared, ultraviolet, but the highlight was a combination of color and green spectral filter data that come from the difference between blue and green areas inside and outside the dusty crater part up. What caused the color difference is not known.

The data obtained during this flyby was also created high-resolution temperature map than ever. The emerging pattern is a hot area of unusual shape, the old game character "Pac-Man" that looks like.
Opportunities, showcase new technologies

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National Geographic News
March 31, 2010

Picture taken the first autonomous rover Opportunity continues its activities in 2004 NASA was published. The veteran rover NASA has learned new tricks very excited about.

March 29, 2010 Opochunitimisshon team of experts has released a software update was the result of this winter. Opportunities in this update can now choose autonomously survey. Selection criteria in the light of the captured images Nabigeshonkamera preset, select the object to shoot it. In the photo above, for example, Concepcion (Concepcion) were chosen for odd-shaped rock the size of a football was around the crater.

With the introduction of new software by eliminating communication delays had occurred for 20 minutes while receiving instructions from Earth, will be able to save a lot of valuable time.
Calypso Saturn's satellites, high-resolution photography
Odd-shaped objects, this is not the end of the space shuttle retirement. Calypso is a NASA high-resolution satellite of Saturn taken by Cassini spacecraft to Saturn's new. Taken when Cassini passed near Calypso February 2010 (released March 26, 2010).

In front of the Calypso was in orbit about the same Tethys satellite larger than the Calypso, in front of Tethys also is in the same orbit are Telesto satellite, to form a constellation of forms specific to the Saturnian system, called Trojans The.
People become aggressive global warming?

Brian Handwerk
for National Geographic News
March 26, 2010

Violence may increase with global warming around the world. The man became aggressive rise in temperature, were presented the latest research and volatile situation is born.


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This study, Amelia 1950 the Government announced Rica - will fit against the statistics and the number of violent crime data and average annual temperature in 2008, based on which the United States Celsius average temperature in 4.4 about 10 years the number of rape and murder and rise time million are estimated to increase.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2007 report prepared by the warming of surface temperatures in Celsius by 2100 and take 1.1 to 6.4 are predicted to rise by degrees.

Amelia According to study co-author Matthew Derishi sociologist at Iowa State University in recovery, human aggression to the rise in temperature that there is a variety of reasons.

This study also agree with Brad Bushman said psychologist specializing in study of human aggression at the University of Michigan. "People get impatient with high temperatures in a bad mood. Such people tend to be aggressive." He has not participated in this study.

But he and Derishi direct impact not only on the temperature in human behavior say. For example, more people will be warm out, more opportunities to contact with people. "Summer is often more likely to go get involved in crime."

In addition, global warming caused by changes in weather patterns, poverty, food shortages, could increase malnutrition. All of these risk factors increase the say of human aggression with violent tendencies.

Global warming Global warming will also be forced to migrate by environmental catastrophe, such as "eco-migration" to increase, could incite violence. "If people go beyond national borders lost their place to live, may be more conflicts between people," he said Derishi.

For example, he moved to Houston from New Orleans many people damaged by Hurricane Katrina, has soared in Houston shortly after the murder. Derishi said, mostly due to the authorities that the local gangs and gang conflict have moved to Houston from New Orleans to see that.

If you frequent skirmishes of this kind on a global scale, as well as larger social unrest, and some of the war and genocide could not say.

Canada 's Simon Fraser University Boyanofusuki Ehoru in criminal psychologist (Ehor Boyanowsky) who has not participated in this study, global warming Theory that could improve the attack and said global warming has been corroborated in previous studies. "In my own research, and raise the temperature of the brain temperature rises, going cognitive dysfunction and emotional stress, become aggressive, have found it leads to an increase in violent crime."

The heat can enhance the physiological condition, such as increased heart rate, and the University of Michigan's Bushmen have strange effects that also feel the loss of energy added. "If you feel that the energy loss in hot weather but are excited, it will react to the provocation."

This study, March 15, 2010 - 18th Australian Psychological Society Symposium held in Sydney (Sydney Symposium of Social Psychology) published in.