World

AGU: Extraordinary Storms Cause Massive Antarctic Sea Ice Loss In 2016

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By LAUREN LIPUMA
American Geophysical Union
 
A series of unprecedented storms over the Southern Ocean likely caused the most dramatic decline in Antarctic sea ice seen to date, a new study finds.
 
Antarctic sea ice – frozen ocean water that rings the southernmost continent – has grown over the past few decades but declined sharply in late 2016. By March of 2017 – the end of the Southern Hemisphere’s summer – Antarctic sea ice had reached its lowest area since records began in 1978.
 
In a new study, scientists puzzled by the sudden ice loss matched satellite images of Antarctica
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The Curious Case Of The Warped Kuiper Belt

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A yet-to-be-discovered, unseen ‘planetary mass object’ makes its existence known by ruffling the orbital plane of distant Kuiper Belt objects, according to research by Kat Volk and Renu Malhotra of the UA’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. The object is pictured on a wide orbit far beyond Pluto in this artist’s illustration. Courtesy/Heather Roper/LPL
 
UA News:
 
TUCSON, Ariz. — An unknown, unseen “planetary mass object” may lurk in the outer reaches of our solar system, according to new research on the orbits of minor planets to be published
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U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich Questions Key Officials On Security Of U.S. Elections In 2018 And Beyond

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Sen. Martin Heinrich
 
U.S. SENATE News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) questioned key officials Wednesday during a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing to further examine Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. elections.
 
The hearing featured two panels and focused closely on Russia’s cyber efforts against our election systems in 2016, our response efforts, potential threats to our 2018 and 2020 elections, and how we are postured to protect against those threats. 
 
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Local Swimmers Brave Alcatraz Sharkfest Competition

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Nathan Romero, a lifeguard at the Larry R. Walkup Aquatic Center in Los Alamos, competing June 4 in the Alcatraz Sharkfest swimming event. Courtesy photo
 
Los Alamos native Daniel Preston competes in the Alcatraz Sharkfest event. Courtesy photo
 
By KIRSTEN LASKEY 
​Los Alamos Daily Post 
 

Locals Nathan Romero and Daniel Preston were strangers until a unique swimming competition tied them together. Both competed June 4 in the Alcatraz Sharkfest. The 1.5 mile swim meet begins by diving off two ferries near Alcatraz Island and ends at the Aquatic Park near Read More

World Futures: Feeding Humanity

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By ANDY ANDREWS
Los Alamos World Futures Institute

During the past 20 columns, 18 areas worthy of study regarding future needs were considered, generally independently. It is appropriate now to consider a few questions related to multiple items on the list. Let’s get started.

In 1798, The Reverend Thomas Robert Malthus, in “An Essay on the Principle of Population”, examined population growth and growth of the available food supply. He believed that population growth is exponential while growth of the food supply is arithmetic. In such a world, a point where the population’s food demand exceeds Read More

AGU: Wildfires Pollute Much More Than Previously Thought

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AGU News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Summer wildfires boost air pollution considerably more than previously believed.
 
Naturally burning timber and brush launch what are called fine particles into the air at a rate three times as high as levels noted in emissions inventories at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to a new study. The microscopic specks that form aerosols are a hazard to human health, particularly to the lungs and heart.
 
“Burning biomass produces lots of pollution. These are really bad aerosols to breathe from a health point of view,” said
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Life, As We Know It, Depends On … Pollinators

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There are approximately 46 species of bumble bees native to North America and 250 species worldwide—all dependent on flowering plants. Courtesy/NPS
 
NPS News:

National Pollinator Week is a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what you can do to protect them. More than 75 percent of the Earth’s flowering plants depend on bees, butterflies, birds, bats, and other pollinators. Yet scientists have noted that these hardworking insects and other animals are in trouble. Our own well-being and the welfare of our planet rests upon their wings. 

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Punxsutawney Phil Mysteriously Resurfaces Just In Time For New Mexico Summer Solstice At 10:24 P.M. Tonight!

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Punxsutawney Phil mysteriously resurfaces at an undisclosed location in Los Alamos just in time to enjoy New Mexico’s summer solstice at 10:24 p.m. tonight. The elusive Phil was last spotted around town in February … for details, click here. Courtesy photo

COMMUNITY News:

WHEN IS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE 2017?

The summer solstice falls on Wednesday, June 21, 12:24 A.M. EDT. For time zones further west, the solstice falls on Tuesday, June 20 as follows.

  • Tuesday, June 20, 11:24 P.M. CDT
  • Tuesday, June 20, 10:24 P.M. MDT
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Klotz Responds To Center For Public Integrity’s Series On Safety Culture At NNSA Sites

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NNSA Administrator Frank Klotz

NNSA News:

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Safety is paramount at the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). We have uncompromising standards for our plants and laboratories to perform work in a safe and secure manner that protects our employees, our facilities, and the public.

An article published Sunday by the Center for Public Integrity (CPI), the first in a planned series on safety at NNSA sites, attacks the safety culture at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) without offering all of the facts and the full context. 

In 2013, LANL, in Read More

Letter To The Editor: Saudi Arabia, Iran And US Politics

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By Dr. T. DOUGLAS REILLY
Los Alamos
 
Saudi Arabia:
 
Consider Saudi Arabia and the status of women:
  • It is the only country in the world where women can not drive.
  • The reason is the belief that driving injures a woman’s ovaries.
  • A male must drive a woman to work.
  • From age 8 to death a woman must wear a black burkah whenever she is outside the house in major cities like Riyahd, Mecca and Medina. In some smaller villages women may be able to uncover their faces, and may wear collorful head scarves.
  • Women are second, if not lower, citizens because of the Law of Guardianship.
  • A
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