California leads U.S. in record first quarter for solar installation

The U.S. had a record quarter in solar installation during the first three months of the year, installing 723 megawatts of photovoltaic capacity for a 33% increase over the same period last year. That represents nearly half of all new generation capacity installed in the U.S. during the first quarter of this year, and puts the solar industry on pace for its best year to date.http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-california-first-quarter-solar-20130612,0,7386012.story

Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times by Catherine Green

 

 

Cheetah's acceleration power key to their success

WASHINGTON (AP) — Everyone knows cheetahs are blazingly fast. Now new research illustrates how their acceleration and nimble zigzagging leave other animals in the dust and scientists in awe.

Researchers first determined that cheetahs can run twice as fast as Olympian Usain Bolt on a straightaway. Then they measured the energy a cheetah muscle produces compared to body size and calculated the same for Bolt, the sprinter. They found the cheetah had four times the crucial kick power of the Olympian.  http://www.boston.com/news/science/2013/06/12/cheetah-acceleration-power-key-their-success/fZh3Vq1x3QB1HYCcquYcOL/story.html

Article courtesy of Boston.com by Seth Borenstein/AP Science Writer

Transit set to offer Wi-Fi on trains, at stations

NJ Transit rail riders might soon be going wireless.

The agency's board is set to vote Wednesday on an agreement to provide free Wi-Fi on trains and at rail stations.  http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/06/nj_transit_trains_to_offer_wi-.html#incart_river

Article courtesy of NJ.com by The Associated Press

 

 

Gritty wharf at Port of L.A. will become marine research center

Daniel Pondella, director of the Southern California Marine Institute, walks along 100-year-old City Dock 1 at the Port of Los Angeles, which will be transformed into a research center containing laboratories and classrooms, fish hatcheries and berths for research vessels. His institute will be the new center's first tenant. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-marine-research-20130610,0,4884192.story

 

Article courtesy of The Los Angeles Times by Louis Sahagun

Turning cow dung into electricity

Dairy farmer Ron Koetsier's 1,200 cows produce roughly 90 tons of manure daily, and for the last three decades, he has tried unsuccessfully to turn the stinky dung into energy to power his 450-acre farm in Visalia.

He installed a nearly $1-million renewable energy system in 1985 that used the methane from manure to create electricity for his farm. In 2002, he replaced that system with newer technology, but he hit a snag when air-quality standards called for expensive retrofits to reduce air pollution; he eventually shut down the system in 2009. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-dairy-digester-20130609,0,878419.story

Article courtesy of the Los Angeles Times by Ricardo Lopez

 

 

 

Flooding in Europe

The Danube River reached its highest level in 500 years. The Elbe, Rhine, and other rivers and tributaries are cresting high as well as swathes of central Europe lie inundated by floodwaters that have killed 12 and displaced tens of thousands. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic have been severely affected, as Hungary prepares for the swell of water. Gathered here are images of the flooding and people affected in the last several days.

 

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2013/06/flooding_in_europe.html

Article courtesy of Boston.com-The Big Picture posted by Lane Turner 

 

Scientists hope lab program saves Fla. butterfly

MIAMI (AP) — The fate of an endangered butterfly species in the Florida Keys may rest on the fragile wings of a single female Schaus swallowtail and a handful of caterpillars captured in Biscayne National Park, according to University of Florida researchers hoping they have a second chance to save it from extinction.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/news/science/article/Scientists-hope-lab-program-saves-Fla-butterfly-4571742.php#ixzz2VAvCE2YB

Article courtesy of The San Francisco Chronicle by Jennifer Kay /Associated Press