SOFIA Science Center - What is it?

SOFIA stands for Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy and is a Boing 747 with a German telescope. Cruising 12km above Earth, it is able to capture photographically and study 80% of infrared light that is normally studied by telescopes orbiting in space. Even though the development of this project cost $1 billion dollars, it is thought to reduce maintenance cost in the long run since space telescopes are a lot more expensive to upgrade or repair. There we have another interesting achievement of science & technology, costing the tax payer hard-earned money. Hopefully it serves mankind well.

(Picture: www.sofia.usra.edu)

Beyond Boundaries

Scientists have identified 9 areas that are crucial for the assessment of life on planet Earth as we know it. Exceeding their boundaries means a serious threat to the natural world and resources. They are:

-Fresh water use
-Change in land use
-Rate of Biodiversity loss
-Climate change
-Nitrogen cycle
-Phosporus cycle
-Stratospheric ozone depletion
-Atmospheric Aerosol loading
-Chemical polution
-Ocean acidification
Now, the graph shows that humans have overstepped 3 of the 9 planetary boundaries and are close to transgressing others. The ultimate impact: unknown. The way of limitation: unknown. Wow, what a prospect. (from New Scientist 2010)

Professional Athletes and Sudden Death?

The magazine New Scientist (Vol 203 No 2725, 12 September 2009) had a closer look at the issue of sudden cardiac deaths in young sportsmen in September 2009. Shortly before that, two seemingly healthy athletes had died: the Spanish footballer Antonio Puerta and the British rower Scott Rennie.

Now the so-called 'Lausanne Recommendations' suggest regular physical examinations in order to detect problems triggering heart conditions that could be fatal. The pharma giant Merck elaborated in an article that an estimated 1 in 200,000 apparently healthy young athletes could develop abrupt-onset ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation and can die suddenly during exercise. Screenings to identify risk should be undertaken before the start of any professional sports activity with reevaluation every 2 years (for high school age) or every 4 years (if college age or older). Ultimately, they can save lives as there can be conditions which are silent.