Claims in the media about a great garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean being “twice the size of Texas” exaggerated the actual size by two hundred thousand percent, according to an analysis by an Oregon State University scientist. If you look at the actual area of the plastic itself, the amount is actually less than 1 percent of the size of Texas.
Size of the Ocean Garbage Patch is “Grossly Exaggerated”
Size of the Ocean Garbage Patch is “Grossly Exaggerated”
Claims in the media about a great garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean being “twice the size of Texas” exaggerated the actual size by two hundred thousand percent, according to an analysis by an Oregon State University scientist. If you look at the actual area of the plastic itself, the amount is actually less than 1 percent of the size of Texas.
Brad & Angelina Donate $2M to Namibia Charity
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have made a special gift to the land of one of their children’s birthplace.
The Jolie-Pitt Foundation has committed $2 million towards the N/a’an ku sê Mission in Namibia. The Mission aims to conserve the land, cultures and wildlife of the African county and to improve the education, employment, healthcare and living conditions of villagers there.
(READ the story at CNN.com)
Homeless Man With Golden Voice Gets Radio Job and House After YouTube Sensation
The homeless man with a “golden radio voice” got a second chance at life, after a Cleveland reporter interviewed him and the video became a YouTube sensation with over 4.5 million hits.
As soon as Ted Williams, who was panhandling along an Ohio roadside was seen on the Internet, a local radio show brought him on the air. People were so impressed by his voice, that the offers began pouring in — including a dream job with the Cleveland Cavaliers and a free house.
First, watch the YouTube interview that started it all
Now, read what happened afterward, from the New York Post, and watch the video follow-up from CBS Earty Show…
(Great before and after photos, right?)
Homeless Man With Golden Voice Gets Radio Job and House After YouTube Sensation
The homeless man with a “golden radio voice” got a second chance at life, after a Cleveland reporter interviewed him and the video became a YouTube sensation with over 4.5 million hits.
As soon as Ted Williams, who was panhandling along an Ohio roadside was seen on the Internet, a local radio show brought him on the air. People were so impressed by his voice, that the offers began pouring in — including a dream job with the Cleveland Cavaliers and a free house
Blood Test to Spot Cancer Gets Big Boost
One of the most exciting developments in cancer research in the past decade involves trials going on right now at four cancer treatment centers in the United States. The centers are using a highly sensitive, new blood test developed at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The test may revolutionize the way cancer is treated.
Blood Test to Spot Cancer Gets Big Boost
One of the most exciting developments in cancer research in the past decade involves trials going on right now at four cancer treatment centers in the United States. The centers are using a highly sensitive, new blood test developed at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The test may revolutionize the way cancer is treated.
Ten-Year-old Canadian Girl Discovers Supernova
For amateur astronomers, discovering a supernova is a significant and rare feat. For a 10-year-old amateur to do it — well, that’s astronomical.
Kathryn Aurora Gray of Fredericton, N.B. is basking in the spotlight after noticing what was later determined to be a magnitude 17 supernova on New Year’s Eve.
She used a software program to compare pictures photographed on different days.
(READ the story in the Toronto Star)
Thanks to Jenny Ellsworth for submitting the link!
New Year Starts as a Happy One for Stock Investors
The latest data pointing to an economic recovery includes encouraging manufacturing news in the U.S. and Europe, propelling stocks higher worldwide.
Stocks rallied after a report showed U.S. manufacturing expanding last month at the fastest pace in seven months, matching analyst estimates.
Amateur Swimmer Beats Olympians and Jellyfish to Become Top Open Water Swimmer of 2010
An Irish woman who began distance swimming in her late 30’s as a way to bring balance and fitness to her working life, has been chosen over a dozen Olympic athletes as the 2010 World Open Water Swimmer of the Year.
Anne Marie Ward completely reversed her previously unhealthy lifestyle and became a national hero last year by becoming only the eleventh person in history to complete the grueling 22-mile North channel swim between Ireland and Scotland.
It all started 7 years ago with a decision to join a 2 km charity swim event.
Amateur Swimmer Beats Olympians and Jellyfish to Become Top Open Water Swimmer of 2010
An Irish woman who began distance swimming in her late 30’s as a way to bring balance and fitness to her working life, has been chosen over a dozen Olympic athletes as the 2010 World Open Water Swimmer of the Year.
Anne Marie Ward completely reversed her previously unhealthy lifestyle and became a national hero last year by becoming only the eleventh person in history to complete the grueling 22-mile North channel swim between Ireland and Scotland.
It all started 7 years ago with a decision to join a 2 km charity swim event.
One Day Those Wind Chimes Will Generate Clean Energy
Wind power conjures up images of giant spinning turbines, but one day it could be as close as those wind chimes hanging from your porch.
Inspired by the gusty winds that make stop signs quiver and leaves flutter, a research group at Cornell University is developing a compact low-cost device for converting wind into electricity. Instead of blades turning on a rotor, it consists of a rack of flat panels that capture the vibrations from wind.
(READ more in Clean Technica)
Photo: Wind chimes by Dr. Starbuck via flickr.com.
Ivy League Professors Launch Website to Donate Tax-Cut Proceeds to Charity
A group of Ivy League professors says the plan to extend Bush-era tax cuts is unfair because it favors the wealthy. They are now encouraging upper income taxpayers to take a stand by donating their tax cuts to charity.
Three professors — two from Yale and one from Cornell — have launched GiveItBackForJobs.org, a website that allows visitors to calculate their tax cuts and pledge some of the money to charity.
(READ the story at ABC News – The video alongside is not related to the professors)
DNA Evidence Clears Texas Man Who Spent 30 Years In Prison
A Texas judge this morning freed Cornelius Dupree after more than 30 years of wrongful imprisonment.
DNA evidence cleared him of his conviction after the Innocence Project agreed to help disprove his involvement in the robbery and rape of 1979.
“It’s a joy to be free again,” he told reporters.
Dupree served more time in prison than any other person in Texas who was later cleared through DNA testing. Six other Texans who had been exonerated through such testing joined Dupree at the hearing,
9 Species That Returned From Extinction in 2010
A few lost species thought to be extinct have made miraculous reappearances in 2010, like the Sierra Nevada Red Fox, an earthworm that smells like lillies when handled, a slender loris, and the short tailed albatross, pictured here.
The bird’s population had declined since the beginning of the 20th century, when their were millions, to a suspected extinction in the 1940s. Years later, small nesting populations—thought to be as small as 10 individuals—were found on remote islands in the Pacific. And this year, the first nests on US soil were discovered. (Photo by US Fish and Wildlife)
(View the slideshow of 9 comeback species at Treehugger)
9 Species That Returned From Extinction in 2010
A few lost species thought to be extinct have made miraculous reappearances in 2010, like the Sierra Nevada Red Fox, an earthworm that smells like lillies when handled, a slender loris, and the short tailed albatross, pictured here.
The bird’s population had declined since the beginning of the 20th century, when their were millions, to a suspected extinction in the 1940s. Years later, small nesting populations—thought to be as small as 10 individuals—were found on remote islands in the Pacific. And this year, the first nests on US soil were discovered. (Photo by US Fish and Wildlife)
(View the slideshow of 9 comeback species at Treehugger)
North Korea Vows Better Ties with South Korea
In a holiday message, carried in the official state press, North Korea said confrontation between the two Koreas should be defused as early as possible and called for a more determined campaign to improve inter-Korean relations and reunify the country.
(READ the AP story at WTOP)
High School Boy Spends Winter Break Baking for Charity
While rest of the world was thinking about the gifts they would get from Santa, a 15 year-old boy in San Jose was dreaming of giving his time to suffering and hungry families. While all his friends were busy preparing for finals, Raghav Sehtia was busy baking cookies and pastries to sell in his fundraising effort for Second Harvest Food Bank.
does this fundraising all throughout the year – whenever he can squeeze in time from his hectic academic schedule and after-school activities. He makes fliers by hand, then distributes them in the neighborhood: His guarantee of delivering hot fresh bakery earns him quite a few orders and all proceeds go to the Second Harvest.
This Christmas was no different for him. As soon as he read about the locally famous holiday light display in Sunnyvale pulling in crowds, he immediately contacted the homeowner to ask if he could put up his bake sale table in the front yard. Dave Severns not only happily agreed, but also offered to match the donation amount. And come rain, shine or chill, Raghav has on site every weekend.
This year he has raised $1,500, $530.00 at the Christmas light display and the rest from neighborhood sales, family and friends. He’s baked 400 cookies, 10 marble cakes, 100 pastries, 15 berry cobblers and 50 chocolate muffins to date.
Raghav’s Mom once advised him to raise money for college, to help fulfill his dream of attending Harvard classes or going to Spain to learn Spanish in the summer. Raghav curtly said,”If I raise money for myself, I help only one person. If I raise money for others, many can benefit.”
In Middle School, the earnest boy of 12 years wanted to save the environment; he took a pledge of biking to school every day and kept his word. Rain or shine, chill or scorching heat, Raghav biked to school every single day of the school year.
His other commitments include Vice President of his sophomore class, the San Jose Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (as the youngest member ever), an internship with his Assembly Member Jim Beal, volunteering at local Temple on Sundays, and YMCA.
Whenever we hear a story about wayward youth and crime, we can remember to be proud that we have such youths as Raghav Sehtia.
image by Alex Cube
Calif. Man Uses Orphan Background To Help Others
Separated from his family during the Korean War, Sam Han was sheltered by strangers and eventually was adopted by a Minnesota professor and became a successful business executive.
Now Han is lobbying for legislation by the federal government to help give other overseas orphans a shot at making a life for themselves, but his time is running out.
(READ the AP story at NPR News)
UK Rivers the Cleanest in Over a Century
The last decade has been the best for UK rivers since the Industrial Revolution, according to the Environment Agency.
“Rivers in England and Wales are at their healthiest for over a century, with otters, salmon and other wildlife returning to many rivers in record numbers in locations across the country.”
(READ the story in the BBC)