Peaceful Thinking

Is Nanotechnology Giving Benefits or Risks?

Tiny Troubles
How Nanoparticles Are Changing Everything From Our Sunscreen to Our Supplements
For more read this article in emagazine.com
(http://www.emagazine.com/view/?47230)

My comment: the issue will change the policy of the environmental management whereas the indirect impact is the impact to everybody.

Very interesting articles about nanotechnology of which has been widely accepted by researchers due to its tremendous benefit. But how about risk? Any research on the risk of nanotechnology? The direct impact would be that this issue may change policy not only on environmental but also health and products/research management.

Of course the indirect impact would be on everybody since the air we breath are polluted with minutes or nano particles of which only specific air pollution control equipment can trap them. For air pollution tiny particles or molecules are very risky since they can pass through the lung right down to aveolli. This is dangerous , that's why PM 2.5 (particles with 2.5 mirometers size) are more appropriate for analysis on human health rather than PM10 (particles with 10 micrometer size). From the article it is shown that nano titanium oxide and zinc oxide can slower bacterial function in degrading the waste water contaminants and these are considered recalcitrant to the sewerage water treatment process..and finally in end up in the river. As we know Malaysian rely so much on river as drinking water resources, we do not want these nano particles to end up in our drinking water..Thus, I hope more study can be conducted on nanotechnology impact apart from the goodside of it that are well known to us

Scientists: Global warming could kill coral reefs by 2050

By Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY
Rising carbon emissions might kill off the ocean's coral reefs by 2050, scientists warn in today's edition of the journal .

Burning coal, oil and gas adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, the same gas used to give soft drinks fizz. Just as carbon dioxide is absorbed into the drink, ocean water absorbs it from the air. When the carbon dioxide enters the ocean, it makes the water more acidic. That interferes with the ability of coral to calcify their skeletons: They can no longer grow and they begin to die.

Coral reefs are important because they act as hatcheries and nurseries for open ocean fish. They also protect coasts from storms, and provide fish, recreation and tourism dollars. It is estimated that coral reef fisheries in Asia feed one billion people. The total economic value of coral is estimated to be $30 billion.But global warming is seriously threatening that crucial component of the ocean

For more read articles on USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/globalwarming/2007-12-13-coral-reefs_N.htm)

I wonder why people are not easily died if they take fizzy drinks! Unlike corals which are very delicate and sensitive, human are resilient and ready to face challenge..That's why Allah create human to be very strong physically, spritually and mentally to face all these environmental problems ; and also to think sensibly on God's creation. Take only what you need and not what you greed for...(ehem sound like Mr Tan). If people adopt this principle, I think global warming won't be an issue these days.. perhaps next decade it will

Global Warming: Arctic glacier to lose Manhattan-sized 'tongue'

17:34 14 July 2009 by Catherine Brahic
For similar stories, visit the Climate Change Topic Guide (http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17465-arctic-glacier-to-lose-manhattansized-tongue.html)The biggest glacier in the Arctic is on the verge of losing a chunk of ice the size of Manhattan. A group of scientists and climate change activists who are closely monitoring the Petermann glacier's ice tongue believe the rapid flow of ice is in part due to warm ocean currents moving up along the coast of Greenland, fuelled by global warming.

This a story in Newscientist magazine. Another proof of global warming (GW) impact. Global warming is a global issue and to reduce the impact need universal solutions..so many names related to GW-Kyoto Protocols, Montreal Protocoals, Green Technology, Eco Products so on and so forth. On contrary to all these, people are still fighting each other..war..nuclear missiles testing, combat terrorist , bla..bla.bla.by which contribute massess of GW sources. This is the proof of the earth is becoming vulnerable from people's exploitation and uncivilised thinking...

Frogs Combat Deadly Fever?

July 7, 2009—An Argentine official is suggesting people adopt mosquito-munching frogs—not chemicals—as a solution to an outbreak of the disease dengue fever, which is spread by the insects.© 2009 National Geographic (AP) (ref: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/07/090707-argentina-frogs-video-ap.html)

I like this biological control idea..perhaps it can be adopted in our country where dengue/chikukunya cases are increasing and death toll also increases due to the mosquitoes related diseases.Well.. can be applied here because frogs are common amphibians but I agree only local species should be introduced or else will create ecological crisis. But biological things also need to be maintained especially frogs like ponds..those houses with big compound can provide one dedicated pool for frogs..it can also be turned out to be a recreational and scenic pool as what we have for our arowana, or other beautiful fishes. Just add in one more species to that..and of course our helpful and everuseful frogs to combat mosquitoes!

Millions of U.S. Turtles Consumed in China Annually

Brian Handwerkfor National Geographic News
July 24, 2009
One growing export has tipped the U.S.-China trade balance: live turtles.
Each year millions of U.S. turtles that are hatched in farms or caught in the wild are devoured in China, where the onetime delicacy has become more available to the masses..The Chinese eat turtles—especially softshell and snapper species—and use the animals' parts in traditional medicines that are said to boost everything from the immune system to sexual prowess.
But conservationists worry that this high demand will cause some U.S. freshwater turtle species to be eaten to extinction... ( http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/07/090724-turtles-china.html)

That's the abstract of NG News on Environment.. No wonder turtles around the world are becoming lesser and lesser. Especially if you see the local sanctuary of turtles in Terengganu. Very few turtles landed on the coast of Terengganu these days. Those days when I studied in Terengganu I managed to see one giant turtle landed at the shore of Rantau Abang, Dungun...somewhere in August I supposed..What a memorable scene to see it laid eggs .. As a 13 yrs old lass, you felt nothing only enjoying yourself with new experience..seeing a giant green turtle and running along the seashore with friends, singing Alleycat's song "Hingga Akhir Nanti".. Oh how I wish can go back to that moment..

As an adult you're told the turtle is good for medicinal purposes...boost your immune system and sexual prowess..so rhetoric . Isn' there any other food that you can eat to satify your insatiable appetite rather than all so called "exotic food"- snake, crocodile, even prosbosis (monkeys).. and so many other extinct animals in the world.. this shows people are becoming more barbaric than animals now a days.. even human flesh is also considered yummy by some criminals..wallahualam