New Scientist Breaking News - Another fundamental constant accused of changing

New Scientist Breaking News - Another fundamental constant accused of changing: "Another fundamental constant accused of changing
13:55 21 April 2006

Cosmologists claim to have found evidence that yet another fundamental constant of nature, called mu, may have changed over the last 12 billion years. If confirmed, the result could force some physicists to radically rethink their theories. It would also provide support for string theory, which predicts extra spatial dimensions.
This is not the first time fundamental constants have been accused of changing over the lifetime of the universe. Most famously, there was controversy over the fine structure constant, alpha (α), which governs how light and electrons interact. Some physicists claimed it is changing while others said it was not (see "Speed of light may have changed recently").
The ratio of a proton’s mass to that of an electron, known as mu, is among the most mysterious of constants. There is no explanation for why the proton’s mass should be 1836 times that of the electron.
The constant governs the strong nuclear force, which holds protons and neutrons together in atomic nuclei, and is also responsible for binding the quarks – the building blocks which make up protons – neutrons and most other fundamental particles.

WorldChanging: Another World Is Here: Microbial Fuel Cells Update

WorldChanging: Another World Is Here: Microbial Fuel Cells Update: "Microbial Fuel Cells Update Jamais Cascio
A Newly Electric Green Sustainable Energy, Resources and Design see all posts in this category
Back in February, we reported on research at Penn State creating microbial fuel cells -- MFCs -- which produced power by cleaning domestic wastewater. As is typical for such posts, we made sure to mention that this was early stage stuff, not yet ready for deployment, but with updates sure to follow.
Well, follow they have. Last week, the Penn State engineers reported that they've managed to boost the electricity output by nearly six times while cutting the cost by two-thirds. They also demonstrated MFCs in action by connecting a unit to a three milliwatt fan (video here, 5.2mb mpeg). In principle, the MFC could power the fan using less than a teacup of wastewater.
Every now and then we hit upon a story which really feels like a glimpse into the desired future. The idea of using microbes to simultaneously clean the water supply and generate power is almost too good to be true. But it's in the labs now, and it's getting closer to the real world every day.
Posted by Jamais Cascio at June 23, 2004 04:29 PM TrackBack



comments
This is interesting. I have been working on waste water treatment combined with energy production in the form of bioenergy. With modesty I have to admit that, I had been extremely successful. The data was not published as the sponsosring agencies of the project had planned to take up a patent on it. Nevertheless, clean, green energy is here to come and stay. Hope we will leave behind cleaner, greener and renewable environment to our children.
Wish to interact for more information exchange in this regard."

Here we go....

"you a chance to tune into your deeper, more spiritual space. There is no need to work at such a frantic pace. You may even find that life slows down a little to enable you to get a rest at this time. Tuesday looks like "


All Is Fair in Love and...
On Saturday, April 8, the two warrior planets Mars and Pluto will face off. You may feel a build-up in intensity as the week progresses and these two hotheads form an exact opposition. Unresolved emotions, old anger, and pent-up passions are possible sources of explosion. If you know what the situation could be about, address it early in the week to avoid a huge eruption. Depending on your birth chart, this could affect relationships with family, a lover, or even a business partner. Consult the Tarot at this time to find out how to diffuse any possible conflicts in advance. It's worth it!
Need love and relationship advice? Consult the Love Tarot for answers!

Financial SurprisesThe Sun is in your mysterious twelfth house, eric, and is bringing you a chance to tune into your deeper, more spiritual space. There is no need to work at such a frantic pace. You may even find that life slows down a little to enable you to get a rest at this time. Tuesday looks like a good day to approach others and to enjoy a social gathering or a business meeting. Saturn turns direct on Wednesday in Leo which helps matters on the home front and gives you an opportunity to focus on a solution that may be beneficial to all. But you do need to take more care over your finances. Mars in your personal financial zone moves to oppose Pluto on Saturday, creating quite a powerful aspect that could indicate a challenge in this zone. If you know beforehand what this could be about, then try and diffuse any tension early on and get a head start at finding the right solution. It is possible that one area of your finances will need to be changed quite dramatically. Venus moves into Pisces on Wednesday and this is good news for your social life, which seems to be fairly active right now.