Science fiction writer Alastair Reynolds is in a prime position to look dispassionately at the present and project into the future, having spent 12 years as an astronomer with the European Space Agency (Esa).

Books apparently blurring the science:fiction boundary as well as the present:future boundary. Has anybody out there read any of these? picked by rambler 1 year ago

There's a good reason why this story is not in the "sports" category, but why it's more health-related. picked by rambler 1 year ago

I had to read this article after that headline! picked by rambler 1 year ago

This article, from the BBC website, is now quite dated (October 2005) but still gives a quite dispassionate description of melting (and some growing) glaciers and ice sheets, without commenting on the reasons.
I'm interested if anybody has seen an update to this information anywhere? picked by rambler 1 year ago

Mount Etna, which erupts about once every 10 years or so, continues to do its bit for global warming. (The EU legislators in Brussels really need to pass a law against it!) picked by rambler 1 year ago

Grey whales in the eastern Pacific appear to be in some trouble, with the cause far from clear, scientists say. picked by rambler 1 year ago

Here's some very useful advice. In order to fully appreciate the need for it, you should start with the bottom of the list:
picked by rambler 1 year ago

Need exercise? Take this pill ... picked by rambler 1 year ago

Mental stimulation and drug treatment could help people with degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's recover their memories, a study says.
Scientists found mice with a similar condition to Alzheimer's were able to regain memories of tasks they had previously been taught. picked by rambler 1 year ago

New wireless technologies will link not just people but lots of objects too. A view from The Economist about the (near) future of wireless communications - biased towards machine-to-machine (m2m) applications. picked by rambler 1 year ago

Match referee Jeff Crowe took the blame for the farcical finish to the World Cup final that saw Australia celebrate victory twice and forced Sri Lanka to bat in pitch-black darkness.
A follow-up to the link posted yesterday by AutumnLotus: Rampant Aussies sweep World Cup. picked by rambler 1 year ago

It is a mystery that would tax the minds of the world's greatest detectives. Across America beekeepers are finding hives abandoned. What appear to be normal, healthy adults suddenly disappear within two days, leaving their queen, their food stores and the young. Earlier posts on this site have mentioned it too.
Is the answer possibly in the bees' social system? picked by rambler 1 year ago

Australia is struggling to cope with the consequences of a devastating drought. As the world warms up, other countries should pay heed.
Another good article from a quality source: The Economist. picked by rambler 1 year ago

Hydrothermal cooling: How to use cold water from lakes and oceans for air conditioning. The city of Toronto uses cold water from Lake Ontario, saving lots of energy. picked by rambler 1 year ago

Two guys have wasted their time at airports, in this case, London’s Heathrow, by writing down strange names and asking the airport Information Center to locate these people by calling out their names on the airport’s PA system. ... After the fifth recording, they had to leave Heathrow as airport security figured out what was going on. The last recording is from Gatwick. picked by rambler 1 year ago

Kent police say there have been reports of an earth tremor in the Folkestone area of Kent, Southeastern UK. (Image not from there.)
I'm watching this news now on SkyTV (things are still developing as I write), it seems an earthquake of between 4,7 and 5,0 on the Richter scale has struck a little while ago. picked by rambler 1 year ago

A South Australian scientist has found a breeding colony of Australian fur seals, thought to be extinct, on Kangaroo Island. (This image not a fur seal from SA...)

Nice to have some GOOD environmental news! picked by rambler 1 year ago

In Africa, 25 countries are expected to experience water scarcity or water stress in the next 20 to 30 years. This translates into 16% or 230-million of Africa's population facing water scarcity by 2025, and 32% or 460-million people living in water-stressed countries by that time. picked by rambler 1 year ago

Associated Press photographer Oded Balilty has won The Pulitzer Prize for breaking news photography for his picture of a lone Jewish woman defying Israeli security forces in the West Bank.
A very impressing image, and an impressive lady, too! picked by rambler 1 year ago

Officials of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) have arrested a car washing bay operator for illegal connection.
You've just got to read this one to appreciate the colourful use of the English language, and the funny tail to the story! picked by rambler 1 year ago

Court case adjourned due to power outage. The judge must have been relieved - judge for yourself the difficulties in making a decision on the "evidence" presented... picked by rambler 1 year ago

Disproportionate growth of the world's urban population could result in further loss of many forms of life on Earth, warn experts in the sciences of climate change and biodiversity. picked by rambler 1 year ago

The carnage and suffering in Somalia may be the worst in more than a decade -- but you'd hardly know it from your nightly news.
(Don't know which category to put this in - World?, War?, Politics? ... Crime?) picked by rambler 1 year ago

At least 70 000 South Africans are sufficiently frustrated with their arch-nemeses on the road -- taxi drivers -- to rush to pummel them in cyberspace. picked by rambler 1 year ago

A classic illustration of the value of knowing proper English. I've seen it a long time ago, I would be VERY surprised if you-all have never seen it, but I can't find it on plime (not recently, anyway). picked by rambler 1 year ago