News – Page 25

Space tourism could have big impact on climate

Written on October 26, 2010.

David Shiga, New Scientist Space tourism could have major consequences for Earth’s climate. New computer simulations suggest soot emitted by the rockets could raise temperatures at the poles, significantly reducing seasonal ice cover there, but uncertainty remains about the assumptions used in the study. In the next few years, space tourism companies hope to start routinely flying passengers on suborbital space flights. Now, Martin Ross of the Aerospace Corporation in Los Angeles,...

Environment: Mexico’s scientist in chief

Written on October 10, 2010.

After winning a Nobel prize for helping to protect the planet, Mario Molina is tackling a much more difficult problem — trying to clean up Mexico City. Jeff Tollefson, Nature 467, 902-905 (2010) Cab drivers have heard of him. Political leaders seek his advice. Strangers often shake his hand in a mixture of congratulations and thanks. Such is the fame of Mario Molina, the 67-year-old chemist who has become something of a national icon in his hometown of Mexico City. More than four decades...

First-of-its-kind study finds alarming increase in flow of water into oceans

Written on October 4, 2010.

UCI-led team cites global warming, accelerated cycle of evaporation, precipitation Janet Wilson, University Communications Freshwater is flowing into Earth’s oceans in greater amounts every year, a team of researchers has found, thanks to more frequent and extreme storms linked to global warming. All told, 18 percent more water fed into the world’s oceans from rivers and melting polar ice sheets in 2006 than in 1994, with an average annual rise of 1.5 percent. “That might not sound like...

Sign of warming: harder rain, higher rivers

Written on October 4, 2010.

Pat Brennan, science, environment editor, The Orange County Register Rainfall is intensifying, rivers are rising and water flow into the ocean is increasing rapidly, a new UC Irvine study shows — a possible “warning sign” of higher sea levels and global warming. Satellite and surface measurements over 13 years revealed an 18 percent increase in the flow of water from rivers and melting polar ice sheets into the world’s oceans, according to the study, likely one of the first of...

UCI science programs get top ranking

Written on September 30, 2010.

Pat Brennan, science, environment editor, the Orange County Register UC Irvine gained top rankings this week for several of its doctoral programs, including Earth System Science, home of the university’s climate researchers. The rankings, from the National Research Council, place UCI’s School of Physical Sciences among the nation’s best. That included all four of its programs, chemistry, mathematics and physics & astronomy as well as Earth System Science. “That was...

That Deathly Ozone Hole Gets Damn Huge Again

Written on September 15, 2010.

Jesus Diaz, GIZMODO This video—taken by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument onboard NASA’s Aura satellite—shows the ozone hole as it reaches its yearly maximum, 23 years after the ban of chlorofluorocarbons, once the heart of all fridges and hair spray cans worldwide. Today is the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, which marks the day of the ban: September 16, 1987. The effects of chlorofluorocarbons and other chlorine and bromine-containing compounds are...

Working together, we can change history

Written on August 29, 2010.

The China Post news staff, The China Post In 1973 two chemists working at the University of California, Irvine, began studying the effects of chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs. These chemicals had been used for decades as agents in the production of Styrofoam and acted as the main refrigerants in air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers. CFCs were used in hair spray, perfumes and many more industrial and household items. Chemists Frank Sherwood Rowland and Mario Molina found that chemicals...

The growth of ‘green IT’

Written on August 24, 2010.

Emerging field helps create a more sustainable future, though information technology itself is part of the problem. Sherry Main, Information & Computer Sciences Communications Southern California Edison is in the process of installing 5 million “smart” electricity meters in homes and small businesses throughout its 50,000-square-mile territory. The devices, which provide hourly data and can be accessed wirelessly, will enable consumers to optimize their energy usage – saving them money...

UCI wins Sierra Club distinction

Written on August 18, 2010.

The campus was recognized as among the ‘greenest’ schools nationwide. Joanna Clay, Daily Pilot UC Irvine is a “cool school,” at least according to a survey by the Sierra Club. The fourth annual list recognizes the greenest schools in the nation, according to their commitment to sustainability in energy, efficiency, food, academics, waste management, administration, financial investments and other categories. “It’s an acknowledgement of many aspects...

UCI ranks among nation’s top 10 greenest schools

Written on August 17, 2010.

Sierra Club’s Cool Schools list examines eco-friendly programs at 900 colleges and universities. Casey Gomez, OC Metro UC Irvine ranked sixth out of 900 colleges and universities on Sierra Club’s fourth annual Cool Schools list of the nation’s greenest institutions. Its alternative transportation options, such as ZotWheels bike-sharing program, Zipcar rentals and Zimride carpooling, are credited for the distinction. “This is right where UCI should be – in the top 10,” said...