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http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=221424
“The Department of Defense contends that its drive towards a “greener” military is not solely for the environmental affects, but the drive is a national security one. The DOD released in 2011 its energy strategy. Some of the factors driving the strategy are the vulnerability of petroleum truck convoys in war zones such as Afghanistan, the reliance on civilian energy infrastructure like electric grids, and the high cost and volatility of oil.
The Department of Defense has a long history of developing technologies that became part of everyday civilian use, from the Jeep to the Internet.
With a continuation of the political gridlock and partisan bickering in Washington that led to the sequester, it is unlikely that the DOD will have the money to invest in next-generation renewable technologies such as solar powered batteries for use by service personnel in the field as well as hybrid tanks, tanks that operate on electricity or a petroleum fuel, like a Toyota Prius or a Ford Fusion. ”
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Sophie Turner (who plays Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones) adopted “Zunni” (Sansa Stark’s direwolf) after filming ended for Season 1 of Game of Thrones.
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In declaring the state of emergency, Peru’s environment ministry said tests in February and March found high levels of barium, lead, chrome and petroleum-related compounds at different points in the Pastaza valley.
Pluspetrol, the biggest oil and natural gas producer in Peru, has operated the oil fields since 2001. It took over from Occidental Petroleum, which began drilling in 1971, and, according to the government, had not cleaned up contamination either.
Several multimillion dollar fines have been levied against Pluspetrol in recent years. The company has appealed against all of the fines in the Peruvian courts…
Note, though that “The Peruvian government plans to auction a further 29 new oil and gas concessions this year.”
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To Infinity and Beyond, A Realistic Illustration Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear by Dan LuVisi
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Spaceflight finale: To some this may look like a sunset. But it’s a new dawn.
…It all matters. I know we didn’t think it did, but it does.
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The Incredible Cuttlefish, An Infographic by Doghouse Diaries
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Golden Tortoise Beetle
Though it looks exceedingly pretty and jewel-like, this little beetle is actually incredibly metal. At just 5 to 8 millimetres long, the Golden Tortoise Beetle (Charidotella sexpunctata) is native to North America, found on plants such as sweet potato and morning glory. But upset one of these little guys and things change very quickly—they are the first known insect species to have the ability to rapidly change colour, not only when agitated but also during copulation (which, according to the very dedicated Edward M. Barrows of Georgetown University, can last anywhere from 15 to 583 minutes). The beetle has been observed to turn a variety of shades, from liquid gold to purplish to greenish gold to brownish to bright red. These colours are produced by an optical illusion: the beetle’s outer cuticle is transparent and it reflects light through a layer of liquid, and the beetles can alter the reflectivity of this liquid by using microscopic valves controlling moisture levels under their shell. Such reversible colour change is extremely rare, especially since the change is controlled: it’s elicited in response to specific events in their environment, whether it’s finding a mate or being annoyed by curious humans. Researchers speculate that it serves some interesting purposes, from defence (perhaps by mimicking ladybugs, which aren’t as tasty to their predators) to sexual signalling to mates. Be warned, though: if you catch one of these beetles, it will quickly turn a dark, dull brown, losing all the brilliant gold it had in life. To finish on an incredibly hardcore note: as larvae, the beetle has a fork-like structure hinged to its rear end, and will stick old skin and their own faeces to it, creating a shield for defence—otherwise known as a faecal parasol. Told you these little guys were metal.
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Spock Actors Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy Face Off in an Audi Ad
I’m no trekkie, but I still appreciate this ad. Especially the end
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