Halibut Herald February 26

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ALIBUT HERALD February 26, 2009

Bits and Bites 8 Amazing Bridges from Around the World

Left to Right, top to bottom: The Akashi Bridge in Japan is the world’s longest suspension bridge with a total length of 3,911 m and contains a 6-lane highway; The Magdeburg Water Bridge: 918 m long, 34 m wide and 4.25 m deep; The Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam is 808 m long, cost €75 million to construct and was opened in September 1996; The Millau Viaduct in France: 2,460 m long, 32 m wide and 343 m high at the highest point; Sundial Bridge in Redding, California is a pedestrian bridge, 213 m long and 7 m wide; it is stretched precisely from south to north, making the bridge a functioning sundial; The Oresundbridge from Denmark to Sweden, with the Danish islands Saltholm on the left and Peberholm on the right; on the horizon is Malmö; The Sutong Bridge in China is a cable-stayed bridge with the world’s longest main span (1,088 m); its overall length is 8,206 m and the two bridge towers are the world’s second tallest at 306 m; The Jadukata Bridge, the longest span cantilever bridge in India with a central span of 140 m, stretches so naturally from one shore to the other that it seems to grow out of the rich vegetation itself READ ON: http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/amazing-bridges-around-world/6785

The 10 Greatest Web Videos of Marine Invertebrates http://deepseanews.com/2009/02/the-10-greatest-web-videos-of-marine-invertebrates/

The Barrel-Eye, Transparent Head Mystery…SOLVED! Researchers at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute recently solved the half-centuryold mystery of a fish with tubular eyes and a transparent head. A new paper by Bruce Robison and Kim Reisenbichler shows that this fish's unusual eyes can rotate within a transparent shield that covers the fish's head. This allows the barreleye to peer up at potential prey or focus forward to see what it is eating. READ ON & SEE VIDEO: http://scienceblogs.com/zooillogix/2009/02/the_bar releye_see_through_head.php ORIGINAL ARTICLE: http://www.mbari.org/

Rare cheetah captured on camera READ ON: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7905986.stm

Setting out Obama's green agenda: Old(ish), yet, informative read “Just as the current financial crisis reveals how the world's economies are interconnected, we also must recognize the fundamental links between human well-being and Earth's ecosystems.” http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7837791.stm

Something for The Giftshop? Thames & Kosmos Alternative Energy and Environmental Science Kits

READ ON: http://www.coolhunting.com/archives/2009/02/thames_kosmos_a.php

READ ON: http://earthfirst. com/startseedlingsindoors-with-arecycled-pccase-grow-box/

The Sea Gypsies of the Andaman Sea They may look like regular folks frolicking in the water on a hot summer’s day, but they’re really much more remarkable than that. They are the Moken, a group of about 2,000 to 3,000 people who are born, live and die traveling the Andaman Sea around Southern Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). Settling only during monsoon season, these “Sea Gypsies” live more than half the year in boats called kabang, each made from a single tree. They are master fishermen and expert divers, catching fish on spears with ease, while collecting a variety of other fruits of the sea by hand, such as sea cucumbers at low tide and shellfish at high tide. Moken children learn how to swim before they can walk. The Moken can plunge to depths of 75 feet without any life support gear and can also lower their heart rates in order to hold their breaths for twice as long as other humans. And that’s not all: Swedish scientist Anna Gislen also found that Moken children have the power to constrict their pupils to tiny pinpoints when they’re in the water, enabling them to sharpen their sight and see much better underwater than the rest of us. With their almost superpower diving abilities, the Moken could easily exploit the sea, reaping more than they require to sell or trade, but they choose not to. They live simple, low-impact lives, never catching more than is required to survive. A peaceful and nonviolent people, the Moken treat everyone as family, sharing what they have and abstaining from the accumulation of worldly possessions. To be sure, the Moken’s animist beliefs led them to worship the sea and respect its power. They know how to read the signs that the mighty ocean herself sends them, enabling them to find higher ground before anyone else knew that the 2004 Tsunami would hit. READ ON & SEE VIDEO OF HOW THEY SURVIVED THE 2004 TSUNAMI: http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/ featured/sea-gypsies-of-the-andamansea/7946

What will our oceans look like in 100 years? A couple of insightful articles to help you ponder the idea… http://beachchairscientist.wordpress.com/2009/02/17/what-will-our-oceans-look-like-in-100-years/

Cool way to collect rain water - Rain Drops The inspiration is to provide a cheap way of capturing rainwater for developing countries. This would be a great way to prevent some water bottles from going into landfills but also a space saving way to capture some rainwater without requiring the large footprint or cost that rain barrel(s) can take up. No word on these going on sale yet, seems to be in the design stage but great idea. READ ON: http://www.cheapvegetablegardener.com/2009/02/cool-wayto-collect-rain-water-rain.html

Reclaiming Oil Rigs as Oceanic Eco-Resorts Situated in the middle of the ocean, the Rig Hotel will need to be as autonomous as possible; generating all of its own power from renewable energy, most notably via a large vertical axis wind turbine affixed to one of its foundation towers. Wind power tends to be far more efficient off-shore than on-shore, and the turbine will meet a significant portion of the Rig’s energy demands. Wave energy generators will be buoyed nearby with undersea cables to transmit the power. Solar panels will be affixed on the sides and top of the rig. Additionally, geothermal heat pumps will take advantage of the consistent water temperatures at lower sea levels to aid with heating and cooling of the interior rooms. All of these power systems can easily be integrated into the existing rig infrastructure. READ ON: http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/02/19/oilrig-eco-resort-by-morris-architects/

Web-footed Webcam Brings Penguins to the People New African penguin chicks just hatched at Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration! Starting today, people around the world can watch them grow into full fledglings on a live Web cam at www.mysticaquarium.org. READ ON: http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2009/02/webf ootted-webcam-brings-penguins-to-thepeople.html

Ticklish plants READ ON & WATCH VIDEO: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/200 9/02/ticklish_plants.html?CMP=OTC0D6B48984890

Archival Photo

Interpreters & Orcas, circa early 1960’s.

Library News

Green News

Events

More exciting events here: http://www.vanevo.ca/events01.html Check out videos of past lectures here: http://www.sfu.ca/cstudies/science/darwin.htm

Mt. Seymour Guys Night Out - Girls Ride FREE* http://www.mount seymour.com/eve nts

Under the Sea 3D Imax Experience with the Sierra Club Special Deal! On Thursday, February 26, Sierra Club of BC and IMAX will present a private screening of Under the Sea a new IMAX 3D adventure directed by world-renowned underwater documentary filmmaker Howard Hall. This is a uniquely inspirational and entertaining way to explore the beauty and natural wonder of the oceans, as well as the impact of global warming. Before the screening, enjoy an inspirational presentation by Sierra Club BC's marine campaigner and science advisor, Colin Campbell, PhD. Advance tickets are available at discounted prices ($6 adults, $5.50 for children aged 3-12 and seniors) from Sierra Club BC: call 250386-5255, ext. 237. All proceeds will go to Sierra Club BC. The IMAX theatre is located at Canada Place in Vancouver. Doors will open at 6.30 pm on Thursday 26 February. Dr. Campbell's presentation will start at 7 pm, and the screening at 7:30 pm.

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