Missing Moon Landing Tapes Found

Most people may not be aware that the original video tapes of the Apollo 11 moon landing EVA with Armstrong and Aldrin were lost several years ago.

You would think that something this important would be treated like a very precious commodity and kept in a safe place.  Somehow these tapes were stored away and the PTB in NASA lost track.

The good news is that these tapes have been found in a storage facility in Perth, Australia.  Just in time for the 40th anniversary of the moon landing.  The report is the video should be much better than what we were shown on live TV.  Let's hope so.

New Enzymes and Biofuel Production

Some guys in Montana have developed a new enzyme to make ethanol more efficiently using waste from corn production. That's all well and good IF we start making car and truck engines that will run efficiently on ethanol/gasoline blends.

It would also be better if this process is used on a broad range of biomass. I do not like the idea of producing food-based biofuel.

One Amazing Rock

I meant to post this back in May, but it got buried and was rediscovered yesterday. Click following link to read the review in Chemical & Engineering News on Tom Zoellner's book "Uranium: War, Energy and the Rock That Shaped the World."

Uranium was the first radioactive element to be discovered. Some uranium containing minerals were placed on top of a photographic plate back in 1896 by Henri Becquerel. The world has never been the same since.

The discovery of radioactivity gave us our first real look into the mysterious workings of the atom. Then came the realization of a new source of incredible energy. The plot of the story thickens in the 1930s and 1940s and goes into hyperdrive in the 1950s and 1960s.

This book is not so much about the science as it is about the history of this element 92 and its implications in our world. There are some interesting reviews at Amazon.com.

Kodak Saying "Bye" to Kodachrome

Although I've not shot any Kodachrome slide film in several years, I am sad to learn that Kodak is about to discontinue it's production and processing. It is an amazing film which some qualities that digital photography doesn't seem to be able to nail exactly. It's fine grain and vivid reds and greens are like eye candy.

Celebrating 30 Years of the Sony Walkman

At first, Sony had little understanding of how they were about to change the world with the first personal listening device. Consumers were paying almost $600 (in 2009 dollars) for the Walkman in the beginning. The amazing thing is that you can still buy them.

As a side note, the Philips Company of the Netherlands invented and released the first compact audio-cassette tape in 1962. The actual tape was made by BASF. Norelco Carry-Corder dictation machines were the first devices to use the new cassette tapes in the USA. Philips had no idea of what was about to happen to their new invention.

Fed Loans $450M to Build Tesla Model S

Looks like Tesla Motors will get a loan of $450 million from the Obama administration to build the Model S electric car.  About $100 million will go to the production of the battery packs and drive trains.  There are incentives to have the money paid back by 2022.  The price of the Roadster appears to be down to about about $80,000 which is better than the initial $100,000.  It will be interesting to see what the projected price of the Model S will be.

Coming Clean

Catherine Austin Fitts lays out a path for 'coming clean.' This may not be the ultimate pathway, but it certainly seems to be a good place to start. We can't just sit around waiting for someone else to try to fix this mess we've made for ourselves in this world.

Is The Cost-Effective DIY Solar Panel Within Reach?

Well, Popular Mechanics is busting a lot of chops today for fans of alternative energy production. Similar situation to the wind turbine issue in the previous post.

I think with more advances in the solar voltaic cell technology in the next 4 - 6 years, things will improve.

Once concern that I have is about the life expectancy of the solar cells. If they are short (less than 10 years) this could be a show stopper.

Has Affordable, Efficient Rooftop Wind Power Arrived?

I would say this technology is not quite 'there' yet. If the payback time was 14 to 20 years, it would be like putting about $3,500 in a CD and reaping the profit at the end of that time interval. There are questions whether the payback can happen in 40 years.

Still lots of unknowns like maintenance, actual installation costs, etc. You would need quite a few of these turbines in order to make much of a dent in the need for additional electrical production.

New Documentary: Food Inc.

A new documentary has just been released in U.S. theaters within the last week or so: Food, Inc.

This is a film that the food industry is not very happy about. In fact, most companies declined interviews for the production.

I have not seen Food Inc., but I did see the director interviewed on the PBS's NOW a couple of week ago.

From this information, I think the film makes many good points. We consumers need information to make rational decisions about what we eat. Our diets are the source of many of the degenerative diseases that plague our society. No doubt, some aspects of the film may be overstated, but I think it is good that we begin to investigate and debate these issues.

As we have shifted from an agrarian culture to an urban culture over the last 100 years, we have become dependent on corporations to grow and distribute the majority of our food.

Just like our favorite restaurants, it is probably a good idea to not look behind the kitchen door (or barn/slaughterhouse door) to see just what goes on in the processing of our food. It would seem that there are parts to this film that are disturbing. I for one, would probably not be all that hungry for s nice filet mignon after a processing beef all day.

But all this is to be expected. For the most part, food is processed in factories. Consuming food mostly processed in factories is not an ideal way to maintain optimum nutrition. It is time that we start migrating back to the home or community garden using natural seeds. The less processed foods we consume, the better our overall health. Low cost processed foods are costing us big time when it comes to dealing with the health consequences.

Renewable Enegies' Potential Untapped

The National Research Council published a report today indicating that existing renewable energy technology could provide 10% of the U.S. electrical supply in 2020.

It would be great to see some leadership in our nation use this information as a spring board to creating jobs and growing the U.S. economy. Energy production is money (real) in the bank. If you don't start an investment plan today, how do you expect to prosper down the road?

Crops Under Stress As Temperatures Fall

There is no doubt that this planet is going through some kind of climate change. It always has. The issue is which direction and over what period of time.

I suspect that the absence of sunspot activity may be a factor in the observed global cooling. We are definitely dealing with a potential problem with colder than normal temperatures in various parts of the globe this spring. The food harvest may be adversely affected.

Have you planted that garden in you back yard yet?

110-mpg Car Engines Made In Ohio

I just got this information this morning so it is very new to me. I have not yet investigated anything about Doug Pelmear, but opened his first manufacturing facility on May 31 to produce car engines that get 110-mpg.

The facility is located in Wauseon, OH and will employ 25 workers initially and produce about 20 engines per day. The engine is rated at 400-horsepower, 500 foot-pounds of torque, and is capable of speeds of up to 200 mph (but not 110-mpg at the same time).

His first customer is a specialty car company called Revenge Designs, Inc. which will unveil its new vehicle at the end of this year.

I just found another article that indicates that Doug Pelmear has withdrawn his engine's entry in the Progressive Auto X Prize competition.

This is all starting to look a bit odd. I'm not so sure all this is on the up and up, but let's hope this all works out and revolutionizes the transportation industry. The proof is in the pudding.

Is There A Life On Mars Conspiracy?

Here is Michael Brooks' perspective on the effort to find evidence of life on Mars. Brooks is the author of '13 Things That Don't Make Sense' which I've posted here in the past year.

The Mars Rovers were not really designed to look for the chemical traces of life. The findings of water are a good indicator that life could have existed at some time or still me exist underground perhaps.

The main question in this article is whether NASA is really looking all that hard.

OPEC Wants $100/barrel Oil Before Increasing Production

Looks like it will not be long before we get back to $100/barrel oil. So how have things been going in the alternative fuel industry these last 8 months or so? Not well. Somebody should have seen this coming. No real incentives for innovators to step up. The federal government money swill was filled for non-producers and we will all pay a high price for this for many years to come.

7 Summertime Auto Myths Debunked

The extreme heat of summertime will sometimes tax our motor vehicles. Popular Mechanics has an article that expounds on some common summertime myths related to our wheels.

Man Awakens From Brain Surgery An Artist

The human brain may be the least understood organ in the body. Our medical industry is big on treating symptons, performing surgeries, and syphoning money from the insurance companies. This industry does not seem to have much of a handle on how the brain works and how to keep it in peak operating condition.

A man in Malvern, Worcestershire, UK had a stroke, a 16-hr operation, and woke up a talented artist. Before the stroke, he was doing well do draw a 2-D stick figure for a person. After recover he received a degree in art and is opening his own art gallery. To get the full story, click here.

Last week I caught the end of an amazing presentation on our local PBS station. It was part of the fund raising week schedule and "Magnificent Mind At Any Age' was hosted by Daniel G. Amen, M.D. This presentation blew me away. I wish that I had recorded this video.

There is a web site. It is found by clicking here. You can purchase this video. I plan to do this. Much of what Dr. Amen recommends is common sense that we've heard from our mothers, but he adds much to this and ties it all together.

He is big on getting 7 to 8 hours sleep and on ANTIOXIDANTS. He backs up his presentation with clinical evidence, brain scans, and research data. It turns out our internal chatter and positive attitude has been show to be essential to our happiness and survival. Be careful what you think and what you say. It will manifest itself in your own life.

Music Speeds Recovery

Listening to music, even is asleep, has been found to speed recovery after surgery and strokes. Not all that surprising to me. I think the human brain responds better to sounds than almost any of the other senses.

Recycled Radioactive Metal Contaminates Consumer Products

As if the consumer needs something else to worry about.  Now ScrippsNews recently posted an article on how radioactive contamination has made its way into recycled metals across the USA and the world.

Since essentially no one was monitoring finished manufactured goods and consumer products, it is unknown as to the extent of the problem and if significant doses were encountered by the end users.

I can see the requirement coming where scrap yards and recycling facilities must monitor for radioactive sources and contamination.

Personal radiation survey instruments are not cheap if you get the good ones.  The Gamma-Scout appears to be a quality unit, but it runs about $500.

Personally, I wouldn't be too concerned about this unless your bed springs or braces are radioactive.

Tomato Pill 'Beats Heart Disease'

A company had produced a nutritional supplement that contains lycopene from tomatoes that blocks "bad" LD cholesterol.

Trials are underway to test effectiveness. The article implies that this is a modified 'natural' product. If it is truly modified, then I am a bit skeptical. Modified natural products usually lead to unintended consequences and the body's biochemistry may not quite recognize this new substance or know exactly what to do with it.

Let's keep an eye open on these trials and see what shakes out.

Did A Meteor Bring Down Air France 447?

This article in Discover looks at the possibilities. It is a very low probability in this case and weather appears to be the cause, but someday it will happen.

US Debt Clock

If large digit numbers make you uncomfortable, I would recommend you not look at this site.

This will NOT have a happy ending.

The Astounding World of the Future!!

A funny mid-20th century newsreel featuring amazingly accurate predictions of the year 2000.

Lower Inflamation Levels Seen With Omega-3

Increased blood levels of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA are associated with lower levels of a marker of inflammation linked to heart disease, says a new study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Researchers from the University of Newcastle in New South Wales report that levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation reported to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular-related events, are inversely related to blood levels of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).

"The importance of this study is such that individuals with higher plasma high-sensitivity CRP (>3.0 mg/l) concentrations according to risk cut points, have significantly lower plasma omega-3 fatty acids," wrote the researchers, led by Professor Manohar Garg.

"Given that omega-3 fatty acids are cardioprotective, this inverse correlation with hs-CRP, a surrogate marker of CVD (cardiovascular disease) risk, could represent a possible mechanism by which omega-3 fatty acids are involved in CVD risk reduction."

Omega-3 fatty acids, most notably DHA and EPA, have been linked to a wide range of health benefits, including reduced risk of CVD and certain cancers, good development of a baby during pregnancy, joint health and improved behavior and mood.

Professor Garg and his co-workers examined omega-3 fatty acids and CRP levels in the plasma of 124 free-living adults (average age 47.7, average BMI 29.8 kg/m2). Participants were divided into three groups depending on their CRP levels (<1.0,>3.0 mg/l).

Negative relationships between hs-CRP levels and total omega-3, EPA and DHA levels were observed, with hs-CRP levels over 3.0 mg/l associated with significantly reduced concentrations of total omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA.

"We report that plasma omega-3 fatty acid concentration is inversely correlated with hs-CRP in healthy individuals, when stratified into tertiles representing CVD risk cut points," wrote the researchers. "Findings from this study support previous observations that omega-3 fatty acids may improve cardiovascular health in healthy individuals," They concluded.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Published online ahead of print.

North Korean A-Bomb May Have Been A Dud

Based on seismic data for Russia and other sites around the globe, it appears that the North Korean underground nuclear weapons test may have been almost an order of magnitude smaller than the ones used at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The test back in October 2006 had an even smaller yield.

The technology is very challenging and the North Korean effort may have hit several limitations. Not to say they will not eventually get there.

CODA: A New Electric Sedan for California

Coda Automotive is gearing up for the production of a 2,700 sedans for Californians for deliver next year. The national roll out will occur in 2012. They will cost $45,000 and have a range up to about 120 miles per charge. The company plans to take orders through its web site.

What Detroit Can Learn From The Apple Store

Car makers may be forced to change the way they distribute and sell their products in the not too distant future. But first, state legislatures will need to change many protectionist laws in all states. Did you know that it is illegal for auto manufacturers to sell you a car directly? A reboot of the basic automobile sales experience may be essential.

Your Own C

Own Your C is an interesting website that serves as a conversation starter for
its online community. The website makes a statement, for example, and asks you
to agree or disagree. Then you can enter your own comments related to your
answer. 

Thought For The Day

"Life is all memory, except for the present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going." - Tennessee Williams

How Google 'Wave' Could Swamp Microsoft

by Scott Budman

Talk about your throwback scenes.

I’m inside Google’s Mountain View skunkwork operations, tucked away from the company’s main headquarters, where about four dozen hand-picked developers are giving Google’s new “Wave” service its first run-through. This is pre-alpha — geekspeak for software that’s still in heavy development — and the focus group is being paid not in cash, but in sandwiches and soft drinks. I have to blink to remember that I’m not back at Netscape headquarters circa 1998. The absence of Skittles tips me off.

What’s Wave? According to project leader Lars Rasmussen, it’s email “if it were invented today.” It’s also a new way to communicate with others over the Internet, that at first blush seems to allow you to leave your browser behind.

Wait a minute: new email means no need for the much-maligned Outlook. No browser? Well, so long Internet Explorer. Could Wave, being pitched by Google as a way to bring people and companies together in a utopian future, actually be its secret weapon to make Microsoft obsolete?

Think about it. Look down at the bottom of your screen, and you’re probably seeing (as I am) at least three browsers opened to different operations: Twitter, Gmail, finance, a blog. Add in Outlook, and you’ve got a lot of mouse-moving and clicking ahead of you every time your computer so much as beeps. What if all that goes away, and you can find everything stacked up neatly in one place. If you’re a heavy Twitterhead, think “Tweetdeck” with a little more personalization.

The example Rasmussen shows me is the blog you just commented on. Instead of having to click back to see who else has commented, the Wave gives you a steady stream of information about the blog. Same with email, and any other chatting you’re doing. It’s admittedly a Grand Central Station of information that at first makes my head spin (imagine this much stuff condensed onto the screen of your smart phone!), but I have to admit: it is all in one place.

Microsoft has coasted for so many years on its Outlook, and IE broswer, it’s almost impossible to imagine a world without them. But while Google is not listing “obliterate Microsoft” in its goals for Wave, imagine if it really succeeds. For that to happen, lots of other companies, and lots of users, have to get onboard. A wave is only powerful if it can rise, and then keep going.

If Google’s Wave rises, and gets enough momentum, look out. Microsoft may get very wet.

[For more Scott Budman blogs and videos, visit www.nbcbayarea.com]