Ψoid - Science Snippets

The Conformal Cubic Atmospheric Model (CCAM), is the second-generation regional climate model developed
specifically for Australasian region and developed by CSIRO Division of Atmospheric Research in Australia. The CCAM has also been evaluated in several international model inter-comparison exercises to be among the best climate model for Asian region (McGregor et al, 1998).


McGregor, J. L., Katzfey, J. J. and Nguyen, K. C. 1998: Fine resolution simulations of climate change for Southeast Asia. Final report for a research project commissioned by Southeast Asian Regional Committee for START (SARCS). Aspendale, Vic. CSIRO Atmospheric Research, 35 p.


Technorati Tags: gcm, model, asia

That is a question that seems to be answered in the affirmative, at least for mice. A recent study of mice found that by switching one gene (for those into such things, the Trpc2 gene) off the female mice engaged in strictly male behavior such as mounting, pelvic thrusting, and making male calls. Seems this particular gene is responsible for the functioning of a part of the mouse nose that is involved in sensing pheromones.




Technorati Tags: sex, lesbianism, pheromones, mice

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A new model, published in Science, that includes more information about the internal variability of the Earth system (e.g. El Ninos, etc.) predicts some potential for ameliorating anthropogenic warming in the next tens years (yet about 50% of the years after 2009 are still predicted to be warmer than 1998 (the warmest so far)).



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Science 10 August 2007:

Vol. 317. no. 5839, pp. 796 - 799

DOI: 10.1126/science.1139540



Improved Surface Temperature Prediction for the Coming Decade from a

Global Climate Model



Doug M. Smith,* Stephen Cusack, Andrew W. Colman, Chris K. Folland,

Glen R. Harris, James M. Murphy



Previous climate model projections of climate change accounted for

external forcing from natural and anthropogenic sources but did not

attempt to predict internally generated natural variability. We

present a new modeling system that predicts both internal variability

and externally forced changes and hence forecasts surface temperature

with substantially improved skill throughout a decade, both globally

and in many regions. Our system predicts that internal variability

will partially offset the anthropogenic global warming signal for the

next few years. However, climate will continue to warm, with at least

half of the years after 2009 predicted to exceed the warmest year

currently on record.


Fig. 4. Globally averaged annual mean surface temperature
anomaly (relative to 1979–2001) forecast by DePreSys starting from June
2005. The CI (red shading) is diagnosed from the standard deviation of
the DePreSys ensemble, assuming a t distribution centered on
the ensemble mean (white curve). Also shown are DePreSys and ensemble
mean NoAssim (blue curves) hindcasts starting from June 1985 and June
1995, together with observations from HadCRUT2vOA (black curve).
Rolling annual mean values are plotted seasonally from March, June,
September, and December. The mean bias as a function of lead time was
computed from those DePreSys hindcasts that were unaffected by Mount
Pinatubo (SOM text) and removed from the DePreSys forecast (but not the
hindcasts).


Technorati Tags: climate, climate model, global warming, climate change

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Science Magazine's Donald Kennedy published an editorial today declaring the public debate over anthropogenic climate change as being over (the scientific debate has been (mostly) done for some time). Why you might ask? Well here are his words:

With respect to climate change, we have abruptly passed the tipping point in what until recently has been a tense political controversy. Why? Industry leaders, nongovernmental organizations, Al Gore, and public attention have all played a role. At the core, however, it's about the relentless progress of science. As data accumulate, denialists retreat to the safety of the Wall Street Journal op-ed page or seek social relaxation with old pals from the tobacco lobby from whom they first learned to "teach the controversy." Meanwhile, political judgments are in, and the game is over. Indeed, on this page last week, a member of Parliament described how the European Union and his British colleagues are moving toward setting hard targets for greenhouse gas reductions.

Donald Kennedy Editorial Climate: Game Over, Science 27 July 2007: Vol. 317. no. 5837, p. 425

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Recent genetic work by Driscoll et al. reveals that the domestic cat was domesticated in the Near (Middle) East, likely in the "Fertile Crescent" likely coinciding with village development at the onset of agriculture.

"The Near Eastern Origin of Cat Domestication" Science 27 July 2007: Vol. 317. no. 5837, pp. 519 - 523

Technorati Tags: cat, cats, genetics, science

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An interesting article in Science News points to the genetic markers that contribute to resistance to AIDS. Seems that about 1 in 300 people that contract HIV have an immune response that keeps the virus largely at bay for 10 years or more. Seems the key for some of this resistence is a section of genetic material that was itself part of a long forgotten viral infection sometime in human history. A genetic fossil. Here's the quote:

One protective variation was in a gene called HCP5. Goldstein says that the gene presents an intriguing subject for further study because it is an endogenous human retrovirus. That is, HCP5 is a genetic fossil of an ancient virus that once infected people and eventually wormed its way into the human genome. "We're working hard to establish if this new gene contributes to [HIV] control," says Goldstein.

So far they have found the genetic reasons for about 15% of the variablity in susceptiblility to infection.

AIDS Abated: Genome scans illuminate immune control of HIV, Science News, Week of July 21, 2007; Vol. 172, No. 3 , p. 35

Technorati Tags: HIV, AIDS

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