Thursday, November 30, 2017

Picture of the day for December 1, 2017


Wikipedia picture of the day on December 1, 2017: Buldern manor at christmas time, Dülmen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany http://ift.tt/2jyQIL2

Wikipedia article of the day for December 1, 2017

The Wikipedia article of the day for December 1, 2017 is Beringian wolf.
The Beringian wolf (Canis lupus) lived during the last Ice Age in what is now Alaska, the Yukon, and northern Wyoming. The wolf was more robust, with stronger jaws and teeth, than other Late Pleistocene gray wolves and the comparably sized modern Yukon wolf (Canis lupus pambasileus), but not as strong as the dire wolf. The unique adaptations of the Beringian wolf's skull and dentition allowed it to produce large bite forces while grappling with large prey and predating and scavenging on Pleistocene megafauna. The wolf has been comprehensively studied, yielding new information on the prey species and feeding behavior of prehistoric wolves. The Beringian wolf preyed most often on horse and steppe bison, and also on caribou, mammoth, and woodland musk ox. The species survived well into the Holocene before its extinction at the close of the Ice Age, when cold and dry conditions abated and much of its prey also went extinct. The remains of ancient wolves with similar skulls and dentition have been found in western Beringia (north-east Siberia).

Planning for the manufacturing of ITER’s first wall panels

[Source: F4E] F4E workshop brings together companies to discuss how production could be automated.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2AfHPjD
via IFTTT

Scientific Advice Mechanism - Commission's top scientific advisers publish opinion on Food from the Oceans

[Source: Research & Innovation] The High Level Group of the Commission's Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) has published a new independent scientific opinion on Food from the Oceans. At the request of Karmenu Vella - Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, on behalf of the European Commission, the scientific advisers answered the question "How can more food and biomass be obtained from the oceans in a way that does not deprive future generations of their benefits?"

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2zAVVZQ
via IFTTT

European Innovation Council - Commission launches EIC Horizon Prize for Affordable High-Tech for Humanitarian Aid

[Source: Research & Innovation] The European Commission has launched the first of six European Innovation Council (EIC) Horizon Prizes, on Affordable High-Tech for Humanitarian Aid. EIC Horizon Prizes are part of the European Innovation Council pilot run under Horizon 2020, the EU's Research and Innovation Framework Programme.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2nhpy0w
via IFTTT

Planning for the manufacturing of ITER’s first wall panels

[Source: F4E] F4E workshop brings together companies to discuss how production could be automated.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2AfHPjD
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - A mission to control space junk and asteroids

[Source: Research & Innovation] An EU-funded research network has studied the threat of space junk and asteroids, helping to minimise their risks and better protect our planet, satellites and spaceships from potentially catastrophic hits.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2AnWSIF
via IFTTT

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Wikipedia article of the day for November 30, 2017

The Wikipedia article of the day for November 30, 2017 is Fallout 4: Far Harbor.
Fallout 4: Far Harbor is an expansion pack for the 2015 video game Fallout 4, developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It was released in May 2016 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. In the aftermath of a cataclysmic nuclear war, the player character is recruited by a detective agency to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. The game's quests and puzzles can be played in first-person or third-person perspective. The puzzles feature a variety of game mechanics, including lasers and building blocks. The expansion was influenced by player feedback, which faulted the base game's dialogue system and showed interest in additional explorable territory. Reviews from critics were generally favorable; the addition of new quests was praised, but there were mixed opinions on the game's atmosphere and its use of fog. The main criticisms were directed at the puzzles, which reviewers thought were a waste of time, unnecessary, or overly frustrating.

Picture of the day for November 30, 2017


Wikipedia picture of the day on November 30, 2017: Vanessa indica, Indian Red Admiral, is a butterfly found in the higher altitude regions of India. Males commonly imbibe mineralised moisture from damp ground, and also visit dung or decomposing fallen fruit. http://ift.tt/2zQ20FQ

Research Headlines - Virtual reality tackles real security threats

[Source: Research & Innovation] Escalating terrorist threats are making urban areas more dangerous, placing people, government buildings and critical infrastructure at risk. EU-funded researchers have developed a virtual reality platform to provide security forces with unprecedented abilities to prepare for possible attacks - before they can occur in real life.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2zQfcKQ
via IFTTT

EuroScience Open Forum - 9-14 July 2018, Toulouse, France

[Source: Research & Innovation] ESOF (EuroScience Open Forum) is the largest interdisciplinary science meeting in Europe. It is dedicated to scientific research and innovation and offers a unique framework for interaction and debate for scientists, innovators, policy makers, business people, media and the general public. Created in 2004 by EuroScience, this biennial European forum brings together over 4 000 researchers, educators, business actors, policy makers and journalists from all over the world to discuss breakthroughs in science. More than 40% of the participants are students and young researchers. The 8th edition of ESOF will take place in Toulouse, France, from 9 till 14 July 2018. • Taking part in ESOF is a unique opportunity to: • Further knowledge on the challenges and breakthroughs in research, innovation and their relation to society; • Create links, exchange and debate with leaders of the scientific community worldwide in an interdisciplinary context; • Communicate the latest news on scientific research and innovation to an international audience; • Develop a network in view of building a research career.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2k79AF3
via IFTTT

Symposium: Measuring Biodiversity and Extinction, Present and Past - 7 January 2018, San Francisco, USA

[Source: Research & Innovation] This symposium marks a knowledge transfer event at the conclusion of a Marie Curie Global Fellowship experience for the organiser, Dr Julia Sigwart (Director, Queen's University Belfast, Marine Laboratory, UK). Changing biodiversity is a major concern for all biologists. Anthropogenic changes to our planet are decreasing species diversity through the negative impacts of pollution, habitat destruction, direct extirpation of species, and climate change. Mass extinction events (and subsequent recoveries) have happened before in Earth’s history, and these provide important context to understand ecological responses to modern environmental change. The work of assessing biodiversity is woven into ecology, environmental science, conservation, phylogenetics, evo-devo, and many other disciplines; yet, ultimately the way we measure species diversity depends on taxonomy and systematics. The aspiration of this symposium, and complementary contributed talks, is to promote better understanding of our common goals and encourage future interdisciplinary discussion on biodiversity dynamics. The symposium will bring together a diverse group of speakers to confront several important themes: 1. How can biologists best respond to the urgent need to identify and conserve diversity? 2.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2By0jdA
via IFTTT

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Wikipedia article of the day for November 29, 2017

The Wikipedia article of the day for November 29, 2017 is Josephine Butler.
Josephine Butler (1828–1906) was an English feminist and social reformer in the Victorian era. She campaigned for women's suffrage and better education for women. She was instrumental in the 1886 repeal of the Contagious Diseases Acts, which had subjected prostitutes to invasive medical examinations, and she founded an organisation to combat similar practices across Europe. After she became aware that English women and children were being sold into prostitution on the continent, her allegations led to the sacking of a Belgian police commissionaire and the imprisonment of his deputy and 12 brothel owners. Josephine fought child prostitution with help from the campaigning editor of The Pall Mall Gazette, William Thomas Stead, leading to the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885, which raised the age of consent from 13 to 16 years of age. Her final campaign came in the late 1890s, against medical mistreatment of prostitutes in the British Raj. She wrote more than 90 books and pamphlets, including three biographies. Her Christian feminism is celebrated by the Church of England with a Lesser Festival, and Durham University named one of their colleges after her.

Picture of the day for November 29, 2017


Wikipedia picture of the day on November 29, 2017: A Sukhoi Superjet 100 (RA-97004) of Alenia Aermacchi flying off the coast of Italy near Turin. http://ift.tt/2AdlJhH

Horizon prizes - Commission launches €2 million Horizon Prize in Social Innovation

[Source: Research & Innovation] The European Commission today launched a Horizon Prize in Social Innovation to improve the mobility of older people.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2A8BN4N
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Understanding an invisible resource - groundwater

[Source: Research & Innovation] The EU-funded Invisible Waters project is studying groundwater and competing uses in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile to develop an analytical framework for visualising, understanding and ultimately conserving this most vital resource.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2AcDRsf
via IFTTT

Success Stories - Mimicking reptiles and bug skin for industrial applications

[Source: Research & Innovation] Lizards and bark bugs are more similar than they may at first appear: both have unique ways of dealing with water, and this has caught scientists' eyes. The LiNaBioFluid project hopes to replicate both skin systems in organic and inorganic materials for a wide range of applications.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2ig1w4d
via IFTTT

Monday, November 27, 2017

Wikipedia article of the day for November 28, 2017

The Wikipedia article of the day for November 28, 2017 is X-Cops (The X-Files).
"X-Cops" is the twelfth episode of the seventh season of the American science fiction television series The X-Files. Directed by Michael Watkins and written by Vince Gilligan, the installment originally aired on the Fox network in February 2000. In this episode, Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), special agents for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, are interviewed for the Fox network reality television program Cops during an X-Files investigation. Mulder, hunting what he believes to be a werewolf, discovers that the monster terrorizing people craves the fear it provokes. While Mulder embraces the publicity of Cops, Scully is more uncomfortable about appearing on national television. "X-Cops" is one of only two X-Files episodes that was shot in real time. The episode has been thematically analyzed for its use of postmodernism and its presentation as reality television. The episode has been named among the best episodes of The X-Files by several reviewers, for its humor and format.

Picture of the day for November 28, 2017


Wikipedia picture of the day on November 28, 2017: Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, Japan, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an independent Buddhist temple. http://ift.tt/2AamCrP

Horizon prizes - Commission launches €2 million Horizon Prize in Social Innovation

[Source: Research & Innovation] The European Commission today launched a Horizon Prize in Social Innovation to improve the mobility of older people.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2A8BN4N
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - New tumour models could lead to more effective treatments

[Source: Research & Innovation] The incidence of cancer in Europe is increasing but many potential new drug treatments are found to be ineffective when tested on patients. An EU and industry-funded project has investigated new models of tumours to help researchers discover more effective treatments and boost survival rates.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2jqJMzP
via IFTTT

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Picture of the day for November 27, 2017


Wikipedia picture of the day on November 27, 2017: A concept of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover, a mobile robot for investigating Mars' past or present ability to sustain microbial life. In this picture, the rover examines a rock on Mars with a set of tools at the end of the rover's arm. http://ift.tt/2jZYeTf

Wikipedia article of the day for November 27, 2017

The Wikipedia article of the day for November 27, 2017 is Battle of Winterthur.
The Battle of Winterthur (27 May 1799) was fought between French forces under André Masséna and elements of the Austrian army under Friedrich Freiherr von Hotze during the War of the Second Coalition, part of the French Revolutionary Wars. The town of Winterthur lies 18 kilometers (11 mi) northeast of Zürich, in Switzerland. Any army holding the town, at the junction of seven crossroads, controlled access to most of Switzerland and entry points into southern Germany. By mid-May 1799, the Austrians had wrested control of parts of Switzerland from the French. After defeating Jean-Baptiste Jourdan's 25,000-man Army of the Danube at the battles of Ostrach and Stockach, the Austrian army prepared to unite its three main forces on the plains surrounding Zürich. The French Army of Switzerland and the Army of the Danube, now both under the command of Masséna, sought to prevent this merger. The Austrians pushed the French out of the Winterthur highlands and consolidated their forces on the plateau north of Zürich, leading to the French defeat in the First Battle of Zürich a few days later.

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Picture of the day for November 26, 2017


Wikipedia picture of the day on November 26, 2017: The Berca Mud Volcanoes are a geological and botanical reservation located close to Berca in Buzău County, Romania. The phenomenon is caused due to gases that erupt from 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) deep towards the surface, through the underground layers of clay and water, they push up underground salty water and mud, so that they overflow through the mouths of the volcanoes, while the gas emerges as bubbles as you can see in the image. http://ift.tt/2n0lwt6

Wikipedia article of the day for November 26, 2017

The Wikipedia article of the day for November 26, 2017 is 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division.
The 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division of the British Army was active during the First and the Second World War. The division arrived in France in 1915. In July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme, it captured the strongly held Mametz Wood with the loss of nearly 4,000 men, allowing XV Corps to advance to the next phase of the Somme offensive, the Battle of Bazentin Ridge. A year later it made a successful attack in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, the opening of the Third Battle of Ypres. In 1918, during the German Spring Offensive and the Allies' subsequent Hundred Days Offensive, the division attacked several fortified German positions. It crossed the Ancre River, broke through the Hindenburg Line and German positions on the River Selle, and ended the war on the Belgian frontier; by then, it was considered one of the Army's elite units. The division was demobilised after the war. It was recreated in September 1939, but never deployed overseas as a division, restricted to home defence duties around the United Kingdom. It was constituted from September 1944 until the end of the war as the 38th Infantry (Reserve) Division, a training formation.

Friday, November 24, 2017

Picture of the day for November 25, 2017


Wikipedia picture of the day on November 25, 2017: An immature male bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae), the smallest bird in the world - it weighs only 1.6 grams. It is endemic to Cuba. Today is the first anniversary of the death of Fidel Castro, President of Cuba for over 31 years. http://ift.tt/2A87UiD

Wikipedia article of the day for November 25, 2017

The Wikipedia article of the day for November 25, 2017 is New Worlds (magazine).
New Worlds is a British science fiction magazine that began in 1936 as a fanzine called Novae Terrae. It was first published professionally in 1946, edited by John Carnell. It was the leading British science fiction publication during the period to 1960 described by historian Mike Ashley as the magazine's "Golden Age". Early issues featured John Wyndham's "The Living Lies", under his John Beynon alias, and "Inheritance", an early story by Arthur C. Clarke. "Escapement" by J. G. Ballard appeared in the December 1956 issue; this was Ballard's first professionally published work, and he went on to become a significant figure in science fiction in the 1960s. After 1964, when Michael Moorcock became editor, the magazine featured experimental and avant-garde material, and it became the focus of the modernist New Wave of science fiction. Reaction among the science fiction community was mixed, with partisans and opponents of the New Wave debating the merits of New Worlds in the columns of fanzines, such as Speculation. Several of the regular contributors during this period, including Brian Aldiss and Thomas M. Disch, became major names in science fiction.

Research Headlines - High-throughput 3D printers for complex ceramic parts

[Source: Research & Innovation] Additive manufacturing is re-defining what can or cannot be accomplished in the production of parts, and research continues to redefine what can and cannot be accomplished with additive manufacturing. An EU-funded project has set out to break new ground for the 3D printing of complex ceramic components.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2hNb5nn
via IFTTT

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Picture of the day for November 24, 2017


Wikipedia picture of the day on November 24, 2017: American red fox (Vulpes vulpes fulvus) http://ift.tt/2mUcVIo

Wikipedia article of the day for November 24, 2017

The Wikipedia article of the day for November 24, 2017 is Black vulture.
The black vulture (Coragyps atratus) is a bird in the New World vulture family commonly found from the southeastern United States to Central Chile and Uruguay in South America. Despite the similar name and appearance, this species is unrelated to the Eurasian black vulture, an Old World vulture in the family Accipitridae (which includes eagles, hawks, kites and harriers). The American species is the only extant member of the New World vulture genus Coragyps in the family Cathartidae. It inhabits relatively open areas near scattered forests or shrublands. With a wingspan of 1.5 m (4.9 ft), it is a large bird though relatively small for a vulture. It has black plumage, a featherless, grayish-black head and neck, and a short, hooked beak. The black vulture is a scavenger and feeds on carrion, but will also eat eggs or kill newborn animals. In areas populated by humans, it also feeds at garbage dumps. It finds its meals with its keen eyesight and sense of smell. Lacking a syrinx—the vocal organ of birds—its only vocalizations are grunts or low hisses.

Research Headlines - Together for sustainable cities: an international research alliance

[Source: Research & Innovation] The world's cities account for less than 3% of its land surface, but they are already home to much of its population. By 2050, two-thirds of us are projected to live in urban areas, where joined-up management of food, water and energy will be increasingly important. A wave of partly EU-funded projects is about to explore this sustainability issue.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2mVZ3xq
via IFTTT

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Wikipedia article of the day for November 23, 2017

The Wikipedia article of the day for November 23, 2017 is 1966 New York City smog.
The 1966 New York City smog (November 23–26) was an air-pollution event, with damaging levels of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, smoke, and haze. Coming during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, it was the third major smog in New York City, after a similar event in 1953 (pictured) and another in 1963. Leaders of local and state governments announced an alert and asked residents and industry to take voluntary steps to minimize emissions. Health officials advised people with respiratory or heart conditions to stay indoors. The alert ended after a cold front dispersed the smog. It was an environmental disaster with severe public health effects, including 168 deaths, according to a statistical analysis. The smog catalyzed greater national awareness of air pollution as a serious health problem, and became a political issue. With support from presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon, a series of bills and amendments aimed at regulating air pollution culminated in the 1967 Air Quality Act and the 1970 Clean Air Act.

Picture of the day for November 23, 2017


Wikipedia picture of the day on November 23, 2017: A high purity (99.999 %) rhenium single crystal made by the floating zone process, an ebeam remelted (99.995 %) rhenium bar and as well as a high purity (99.99 % = 4N) 1 cm3 rhenium cube for comparison. http://ift.tt/2A1FkRJ

STEMM Equality Congress - 11-12 October 2018, Amsterdam, Netherlands

[Source: Research & Innovation] The STEMM Equality Congress 2018 will offer delegates an opportunity to hear from and interact with thought leaders in equality, diversity and inclusion strategy, policy and practice in STEMM worldwide. Building on some of the key themes and issues presented during the 2017 congress, 2018 will focus on inter-sectionality, sharing success stories from around the world, practical measures that are working for other organisations, local challenges that organisations are facing, the tools they are using to address these challenges and how these tools can be applied in other countries and regions. In 2018 special attention will be given to presentations from emerging countries and the latest themes. Attended by over 350 leading researchers, policy makers, equality staff, the private sector, academic staff, government representatives and NGOs from across the globe, the 2018 congress offers a perfect opportunity to network, learn and collaborate to achieve greater equality, diversity and inclusion in STEMM.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2zWHGSx
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Energy-efficient fuel cell technology

[Source: Research & Innovation] Fuel cell systems are an efficient way of converting chemical energy into electricity so as to reduce emissions and protect the environment. EU-funded research has advanced existing components and designs to develop an optimised version - boosting product lifetime and efficiency, and potential commercial uptake of a sustainable energy solution.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2Bd2yCz
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - An elegant solution to a quantum problem

[Source: Research & Innovation] The theory of electromagnetic polarisation has been under development for more than 150 years since British scientist Michael Faraday provided the first experimental evidence of the interaction between electricity, magnetism and light. An EU-funded project is now helping to fit together the missing pieces of the puzzle.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2hUxa7i
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Better drug design: bioengineering and chemical synthesis duo

[Source: Research & Innovation] The EU-funded SWEETOOLS project aims to improve our understanding of the role of sugars in human biology. Exploring optimised versions of biosynthesised proteins combined with chemically synthesised drugs could help the development of novel biomedicines and vaccines targeting, for example, influenza.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2jN5jXk
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Breathe easier - smart sensors for healthier indoor air

[Source: Research & Innovation] Stuffy office environments and poor air quality in schools, hospitals and factories could soon be a distant memory thanks to low-cost smart sensor and ventilation-control technology capable of intelligently detecting and removing hazardous airborne substances. The technology was developed through EU-funded research.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2hUN1Ta
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Creating a shared traffic safety culture

[Source: Research & Innovation] To stay safe on the roads, we need good infrastructure, alert road-users and effective technology. But what about a general safety culture? A team of researchers from countries with very different approaches to road-use is developing a cultural approach to road safety with the ultimate objective of cutting traffic accident numbers.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2jNkZcQ
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Fighting hunger by cutting food waste

[Source: Research & Innovation] Worldwide, we waste around 1.3 billion tonnes of food a year, while nearly a billion people go hungry. An EU-funded project has created an online community to tackle the problem by sharing knowledge and redistributing food.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2jM2OEE
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Learning to spot a structural flaw early

[Source: Research & Innovation] If flaws in infrastructure - a ship or a bridge for example - are spotted early, the damage can be repaired before anyone gets hurt, and before the costs mount. It's a nice theory, but there are currently many uncertainties in ensuring structural safety, as well as a lack of specialists. An EU-funded project is addressing both problems.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2jNw5i4
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Networking for EU wine production

[Source: Research & Innovation] The popping of corks and glugging of a good wine may not be at threat just yet, but if the diseases threatening Europe's vineyards have their way, they could be. EU-funded researchers therefore have very good reason to network around wine - they are building a knowledge bank to help vineyard owners protect their crops and keep the wine flowing.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2jOsL6v
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Ocean-monitoring sensor system makes waves

[Source: Research & Innovation] An EU-funded project has developed and deployed cost-effective marine sensors to monitor and provide a more complete picture of the health of our planet's oceans. Some of the sensors are already on the market and patents are pending.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2hUNbtK
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Perseverance pays off for twin-ship lift, load and lever system

[Source: Research & Innovation] An EU-funded solution for an innovative twin-ship lift, load and lever system has sparked considerable interest from oil platform operators and the oil and gas industry in general. With the design now fully validated, and with international backers on board, construction of the system begins in earnest.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2hUN9lC
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Polish institute beefs up research expertise

[Source: Research & Innovation] A Polish institute strengthened its research capabilities via an EU-funded project. A package of measures has helped the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research (IARFR) extend its expertise in three key areas - food, biodiversity and health.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2hUNdSo
via IFTTT

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Picture of the day for November 22, 2017


Wikipedia picture of the day on November 22, 2017: Inui-yagura Turret, guarding the outer moat of Osaka Castle and the skyline of Osaka Business Park, Osaka, Japan. http://ift.tt/2zqZ1U1

Wikipedia article of the day for November 22, 2017

The Wikipedia article of the day for November 22, 2017 is Sea mink.
The sea mink (Neovison macrodon) was a mammal from the eastern coast of North America, in the family of weasels and otters in the order Carnivora. The largest of the minks, it was hunted to extinction by fur traders before 1903, when it was first given a species description. Some biologists classify it as a subspecies of the American mink. Estimates of its size are speculative, based largely on skull fragments recovered from Native American shell middens, and on tooth remains. Some information on its appearance and habits was provided by fur traders and Native Americans. It may have been similar in behavior to the American mink: it probably maintained home ranges, was polygynandrous, and had a similar diet, supplemented by saltwater prey. Sea minks were commonly trapped along the coast of the Bay of Fundy in the Gulf of Maine. Remains have been found along the New England coast, and there were regular reports of unusually large mink furs, probably sea mink, being collected from Nova Scotia.

2017 POLIS Annual Conference 'Transport innovation for sustainable cities and regions' - 6-7 December 2017

[Source: Research & Innovation] This year's Annual Polis Conference on 'Transport innovation for sustainable cities and regions' will take place on 6 and 7 December 2017 in Brussels. RTD Transport will participate in the event also to promote its two Horizon Prizes: for Retrofit (to be awarded at TRA 2018 conference) and for the Cleanest Engine of the Future.Polis is a network of European cities and regions working together to develop innovative technologies and policies for local transport.Its activities are organised around four thematic pillars: • Environment and Health in Transport • Mobility and Traffic Efficiency • Transport Safety and Security • Social and Economic Aspects of Transport

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2znWdqW
via IFTTT

Europe’s first ITER magnet to enter final stage of manufacturing

[Source: F4E] The impressive component weighing 120 tonnes has departed from the ASG factory, La Spezia, Italy, and will travel by sea to the port of Marg

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2jePGUi
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Eye scans provide early warning of chronic disease

[Source: Research & Innovation] A quick and efficient eye scan could soon provide early warning of serious chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, dementia and stroke thanks to EU-funded research combining the latest advances in computer vision and mathematical modelling.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2AhbDNy
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - From urban biowaste burden to useful bio-based plastic

[Source: Research & Innovation] So much waste ... what could we do with it, beyond producing energy and compost? EU-funded researchers are looking into ways to turn biowaste generated in our cities - notably by homes, restaurants and shops - into a number of bio-based products by means of integrated biorefineries.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2zUMAPT
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Making science sexy for teenagers

[Source: Research & Innovation] With demand for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates far outstripping supply in Europe, the EU-funded STEM4youth project is taking these subjects back to the classroom, along with a dose of fun, to show teenagers that science can be sexy, and that it is central to many careers, from marketing analyst to ethics expert and zoologist.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2AiS47z
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Making sun-blessed Cyprus a solar energy leader

[Source: Research & Innovation] Basking in more than 3300 hours of sunlight per year, Cyprus has the highest solar power potential in the European Union but currently imports most if its energy. An EU-funded project is helping the Mediterranean country better harness the power of the sun to meet its growing electricity needs and spur research and innovation linked to this renewable - and clean - resource.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2AiScUB
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Scavenging renewable energy for 5G networks

[Source: Research & Innovation] When planning for the mobile networks of the future, the energy to power them is not the most obvious challenge. But the surge in capacity will require an energy solution, and preferably an eco-friendly and sustainable one. The EU-funded SCAVENGE project plans to appropriate energy from elsewhere using innovative hardware.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2zVpJUg
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Sustainable planning for cultural and natural heritage sites

[Source: Research & Innovation] EU-funded researchers have developed strategies to protect and valorise natural and cultural heritage sites in Latin America with the aim of achieving sustainable growth in the surrounding areas. The project found that the involvement of local communities in protecting their own heritage was crucial.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2zUMIPh
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Taking down terrorist networks

[Source: Research & Innovation] The risks posed to Europe by organised crime and terrorist networks go beyond security. Additional impacts range from tax revenue to social harmony. While many different organisations are involved in awareness-raising, prevention, threat identification and intervention, strategies would be more effective if grounded in greater understanding of the phenomena. EU-funded researchers are now on the case.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2AiS87j
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Training young researches to create waves in imaging

[Source: Research & Innovation] From understanding earthquakes to medical imaging, wave-based imaging is already extremely valuable. If the imaging could be done at an even higher resolution, it would be even more valuable. An EU-funded project is training 15 young researchers in the techniques involved, and creating a truly multidisciplinary network in the process.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2zVl3Os
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Understanding fish digestion for improved aquafeed

[Source: Research & Innovation] Feeds used in fish farming have become more sustainable, with fish meal and fish oil replaced by alternatives for the main farmed species. More work is however needed to understand the impact of this on production, and in particular to optimise the digestion process so as to promote lean growth among farmed fish.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2zT36zU
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Unleashing the power of T-rays

[Source: Research & Innovation] Radio waves, microwaves, X-rays - electromagnetic radiation that we can't actually see is exploited in a number of familiar technologies. But there is still a lot of potential to unlock, notably in the terahertz part of the spectrum. An EU-funded project is conducting research into innovative semiconductors that could open up exciting new possibilities.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2AkgYUr
via IFTTT

26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition -EUBCE 2018 - 14-18 May 2018, Copenhagen, Denmark

[Source: Research & Innovation] As one of the world’s leading R&D conference combined with an international exhibition, the EUBCE represents the leading platform for the collection, exchange and dissemination of scientific know-how in the field of biomass. Be part of the 26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition and present your results to specialists and decision makers operating at the top end of the biomass and bioenergy sector. Submit your abstract by 6th November 2017.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2jaHhBy
via IFTTT

2nd HBP Student Conference: Transdisciplinary Research Linking Neuroscience, Brain Medicine and Computer Science - 14-16 February 2018, Ljubljana, Slovenia

[Source: Research & Innovation] In the context of the 2nd HBP Student Conference, young researchers from the fields of neuroscience, brain medicine and computer science receive the possibility to exchange ideas and perspectives and discuss various aspects of their particular fields of expertise relevant to the Human Brain Project. The conference offers a variety of discussion sessions, lectures and social events. Through working across boundaries and linking the various fields, it serves as a platform for both intra- and interdisciplinary exchange and is a great opportunity for extensive scientific discussions among peers and faculty, and also a fertile soil for new, innovative ideas. Conference structure Keynote lectures Discussion sessions Student talks Poster presentations Discussion panel Social events We are looking for original high-quality submissions containing innovative research from all fields relating to the HBP research programme. Contributions emphasising theoretical and empirical foundations are just as welcome as new approaches to specific questions concerning the Subprojects of the HBP. Finally, we particularly encourage submissions introducing new and relevant problems, concepts and ideas with the potential to inspire the research community – even if the approach is at an early stage of development. All participants may submit an abstract and will have the opportunity to present their work.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2zZWxt6
via IFTTT

Unlocking the EU Research and Innovation Potential through Excellence in Cooperation - 28 November 2017, Brussels, Belgium

[Source: Research & Innovation] To mark the launch of their activities in the R&I sector, the Lithuanian RDI Liaison Office (LINO) and the Ukrainian Think Tanks Liaison Office in Brussels (UTTLOB) are organising a conference on Widening Member States and Associated Countries' potential in Research and Innovation. Through the particular examples of Ukraine and Lithuania, R&I experts and officials will discuss the challenges and needs of R&I projects in this geographical area, and exchange best practices to fully unlock the R&I potential of these countries. During the conference, the speakers will address the following questions: - What are the political, economic and R&I landscapes in Ukraine and Lithuania? - How can cross-border cooperation can pave the way for excellence? - What is the future of R&I in the European Research Area?

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2mQZmK6
via IFTTT

Monday, November 20, 2017

Wikipedia article of the day for November 21, 2017

The Wikipedia article of the day for November 21, 2017 is Interstate 96.
Interstate 96 (I-96) is an Interstate Highway running 192 miles (309 km) roughly east–west entirely within the US state of Michigan, from east of Lake Michigan at US Highway 31 near Muskegon to I-75 near the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit. From Grand Rapids through Lansing to Detroit, the freeway parallels Grand River Avenue, never straying more than a few miles from the decommissioned US 16. Within the city of Detroit, the road was renamed the Rosa Parks Memorial Highway in 2005 in honor of the late civil rights pioneer. There are four auxiliary Interstate Highways as well as two current and four former business routes associated with I-96. Grand River Avenue originated as an Indian trail before Michigan statehood. It was later used as a wagon road across the state. In 1919 the roadway was included in the State Trunkline Highway System as M-16 and later the US Numbered Highway System as US 16. Construction of the freeway was started in 1956 and initially completed across the state to Detroit in 1962. I-96 was completed in the Detroit area on November 21, 1977.

Picture of the day for November 21, 2017


Wikipedia picture of the day on November 21, 2017: Female Giant kingfisher (Megaceryle maxima) smashing a tilapia against a post to break its spine on Lake Naivasha, Kenya. To celebrate World Fisheries Day. http://ift.tt/2jabCA4

ICT-AGRI Conference on ICT and Robotics for a Sustainable Agriculture - 24 November 2017, The National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen

[Source: Research & Innovation] The focus of the conference is on digitisation in the agri-food system: Opportunities and challenges, European collaboration, and ICT-AGRI contributions of 8 years, with presentations from research, industry, SMEs, and national and European administrations. The ICT-AGRI consortium hopes with this conference to inspire to a widened collaboration in Europe and wordlwide. The conference will be web streamed - the link will be provided on the Conference webpage.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2zlRiXv
via IFTTT

IEEE Summit on Technology for Health: Transforming Healthcare and Wellbeing - 5 December 2017, Brussels, Belgium

[Source: Research & Innovation] The IEEE Summit on Technology for Health: Transforming Healthcare and Wellbeing, is the fourth IEEE Summit in Brussels, as part of the IEEE European Public Policy Initiative (EPPI). The Summit will bring together policymakers, leaders in the healthcare, medical technology and electronics industries, and expert patients; in order to facilitate a dialogue on healthcare enabled by connected technologies, such as smart wearables, bio-sensors and implantable technologies. Four high-level keynote speakers including Roberto Viola - Director General, DG CNECT, European Commission, Joost Felix, Global Head of Integrated Care Solutions, Agfa HealthCare, Ilias Iakovidis, Adviser to the Director General of DG CNECT for Societal Challenges, European Commission, and Miguel Gonzalez-Sancho, Head of Unit for eHealth, Wellbeing and Ageing in DG CNECT, European Commission will deliver addresses that capture the key issues at stake in the current debate about innovation in technology-enabled healthcare, from both the policymaker and industry perspective. Overall, the Summit will approach the area of technology-enabled healthcare from different perspectives, focusing on the technological advances themselves and the transformative role they have, the challenges in terms of data management, and the need for a paradigm shift in how health and well being is (self) managed at the human level to accommodate this technological change. Should you require more information on the event, please do not hesitate to contact Mr.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2iyWKvK
via IFTTT

MareFrame Policy & Scientific Days - 13-14 December 2017, Brussels, Belgium

[Source: Research & Innovation] Two day event: Dec 13 - Increased use of an Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management Solutions and Dec 14 - Advances in Ecosystem-based Fisheries Management.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2AXdIut
via IFTTT

Science Café with Thomas Jung - 6 December 2017, Brussels, Belgium

[Source: Research & Innovation] Science Café with Thomas Jung is an unconventional open discussion with theme "Phytophthora species – threats for our nature". Thomas Jung is one of the most renowned Phytophthora experts in the world. Phytophthora is a genus of plant-damaging Oomycetes (water molds), whose member species are capable of causing enormous economic losses on crops worldwide, as well as environmental damage in natural ecosystems. Thomas Jung produced the first evidences of Phytophthora pathogens being involved in widespread forest declines in Europe and coordinated the largest forest disease survey in European history. His current institution is the Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic, where he runs the Phytophthora Research Centre. Science Café is a forum for discussion of current work and interesting scientific issues. It aims to be informal and accessible. Anyone can participate; speaker is there to be questioned and to talk about his work.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2iAhiUK
via IFTTT

Unlocking the EU Research and Innovation Potential through Excellence in Cooperation - 28 November 2017, Brussels, Belgium

[Source: Research & Innovation] To mark the launch of their activities in the R&I sector, the Lithuanian RDI Liaison Office (LINO) and the Ukrainian Think Tanks Liaison Office in Brussels (UTTLOB) are organizing an event on research and innovation (R&I) potential of Widening Member States and Associated Countries “Unlocking the EU Research and Innovation Potential through Excellence in Cooperation”. The main aim of this event is to increase the awareness about R&I potential in Widening Member States of the European Union and Associated Countries by looking specifically into Lithuania’s and Ukraine’s examples. The view of European Commission on potential in these parts of Europe would really add a value to this event.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2jaHvIL
via IFTTT

European Innovation Council - European Innovation Council essential to empower breakthrough innovators, experts say

[Source: Research & Innovation] The independent High-Level Group of Innovators published today their recommendations on the European Innovation Council (EIC), indicating it should support breakthrough innovation for the benefit of all, meeting the needs of high potential innovators from across the EU from start-up to scale-up.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2zVtjgC
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - A new shine on nickel-plating processes

[Source: Research & Innovation] An EU-funded project has developed a new, eco-efficient waste treatment process for nickel plating that cuts industry costs and contributes to the resource conservation objectives of the circular economy. In addition to clear environmental benefits, it also gives a sharper competitive edge to European SMEs.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2j9yv6L
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - A new standard for citizen participation in policy

[Source: Research & Innovation] We all have a view on how we want society to be. And we all live in a world that is a result of policies adopted. An EU-funded project is making it possible for European citizens to put the future they want on the research agenda.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2zWrSwx
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Deciphering dynamic gene expression

[Source: Research & Innovation] An EU-funded project has generated key insights into how gene expression is regulated dynamically in certain cells of the immune system, opening up novel avenues for research to advance understanding of disease progression.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2j9ctRK
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Learning from past crises to protect future biodiversity

[Source: Research & Innovation] The EU funded PRIDE project is investigating drivers of biotic turnover (the rate at which organisms die) in lakes in the Black Sea / Caspian Sea (Pontocaspian) region to understand the nature and severity of the current biodiversity crisis. Increased understanding will help the project team design conservation strategies to mitigate biodiversity loss.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2zVCTy1
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - New materials could lead to breakthroughs in healthcare and energy

[Source: Research & Innovation] EU-funded researchers are developing innovative materials that could herald improvements in energy efficiency and the environment, as well as the fight against bacterial infections in patients.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2j9cjd6
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Stellar careers emerging from black holes

[Source: Research & Innovation] Astrophysics is where the stars meet their makers, literally and perhaps metaphorically too, as young researchers in an EU-funded project have boosted their careers delving into the origins, behaviour and evolution of black holes. The project has led to new tools and discoveries about how matter is treated in space and time - keeping Europe at the forefront of space research.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2jacxRg
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - Taming living cells for industrial production

[Source: Research & Innovation] EU researchers have gained new insights into how cells protect themselves in response to external stress. With further development, the results could have wide applications in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals - ultimately helping to reduce the use of petroleum-based inputs and boosting Europe's competitiveness.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2zXiKHU
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - The case for a virus-resistant plum tree

[Source: Research & Innovation] A virus-resistant plum tree could save growers billions of euros from crop losses, according to EU-funded researchers who are helping the European agricultural industry reinforce defences against disease and the impact of climate change.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2zXiIQi
via IFTTT

Research Headlines - The precise nature of CERN’s planned 50-km particle beam

[Source: Research & Innovation] The next generation of particle colliders will demand unprecedented precision in the alignment of their components. EU-funded researchers have pushed the limits with new techniques for the accurate positioning of scientific equipment.

from EUROPA - Syndicated Research News Feed http://ift.tt/2jawjMb
via IFTTT

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Wikipedia article of the day for November 20, 2017

The Wikipedia article of the day for November 20, 2017 is Beograd-class destroyer.
The Beograd class consisted of three destroyers built for the Royal Yugoslav Navy in the late 1930s, to a French design. Beograd was constructed in France, and Zagreb and Ljubljana were built in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. During the German-led Axis invasion of Yugoslavia in April 1941, Zagreb was scuttled to prevent its capture, and the other two were seized by the Italians. The Royal Italian Navy operated the two captured ships as convoy escorts between Italy, the Aegean Sea and North Africa. One was lost in the Gulf of Tunis in April 1943; the other was seized by the Germans in September 1943 after the Italian surrender, and was operated by the German Navy. There are conflicting reports about the fate of the last ship, but it was lost in the final weeks of the war. In 1967, a French film was made about the scuttling of Zagreb. In 1973, the President of Yugoslavia and wartime Partisan leader Josip Broz Tito posthumously awarded the Order of the People's Hero to the two officers who scuttled Zagreb.

Picture of the day for November 20, 2017


Wikipedia picture of the day on November 20, 2017: A view from the observation deck at the top station of the Duquesne Incline in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The Duquesne Incline is one of two surviving inclines in Pittsburgh, the other being the Monongahela Incline. http://ift.tt/2sBAGUm

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Wikipedia article of the day for November 19, 2017

The Wikipedia article of the day for November 19, 2017 is Freak Out!.
Freak Out! (1966) is the debut studio album by the American rock band the Mothers of Invention. One of rock music's first concept albums, it is a satirical expression of frontman Frank Zappa's perception of American pop culture. It was also one of the earliest double albums in rock music. It features Zappa on vocals and guitar, along with lead vocalist and tambourine player Ray Collins, bass player and vocalist Roy Estrada, drummer-vocalist Jimmy Carl Black and guitar player Elliot Ingber, who later joined Captain Beefheart's Magic Band under the name Winged Eel Fingerling. The musical content of Freak Out! ranges from rhythm and blues, doo-wop and standard blues-influenced rock to orchestral arrangements and avant-garde sound collages. The album was a success in Europe; in the United States, it was poorly received at first, but gradually gained a cult following. In 1999, the album was honored with the Grammy Hall of Fame Award, and in 2003, Rolling Stone ranked it among the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Picture of the day for November 19, 2017


Wikipedia picture of the day on November 19, 2017: The Oceania-class cruise ship MS Marina docked in Sète, Hérault, France. http://ift.tt/2isDvns

Friday, November 17, 2017

Wikipedia article of the day for November 18, 2017

The Wikipedia article of the day for November 18, 2017 is Presque Isle State Park.
Presque Isle State Park is a 3,112-acre (1,259 ha) Pennsylvania state park on an arching, sandy peninsula that juts into Lake Erie, near the city of Erie, Pennsylvania. The peninsula was formed from glacial deposits more than 14,000 years ago, and is constantly being reshaped by waves and wind. There are seven ecological zones within the park, each with a different plant and animal community. The Erielhonan, a Native American tribe who gave their name to Lake Erie, probably lived on Presque Isle, which was named by the French in the 1720s. A French fort was built nearby, followed by a British and then an American fort. During the War of 1812 the peninsula sheltered the fleet of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry. With the growing importance of shipping on Lake Erie in the 19th century, several lighthouses were built on Presque Isle. In 1876 the US Life-Saving Service opened a station, still in use and operated by the US Coast Guard. Presque Isle became a state park in 1921, and a National Natural Landmark in 1967.

Picture of the day for November 18, 2017


Wikipedia picture of the day on November 18, 2017: The Water Palace in Jaipur, India http://ift.tt/2j3jR0J