How do we cut carbon emissions quickly enough to minimize climate change and protect this planet?  What are the various alternative energy options?  How much energy can be saved by using a compact fluorescent light bulb?  The Earth Policy Institute has put out a plan for cutting carbon emissions 80% by the year 2020.  Check out the various aspects of this plan and see what you can start doing around your house to become more energy efficient.  Read Time for Plan B: Cutting Carbon Emissions 80 percent by 2020

Energy issues have become a major concern in the US and around the globe.  While there are many options on how to address this issue, not all options are equally viable.  A lot of talk in the recent USA presidential election campaign has included the expansion of nuclear power.  Lester R. Brown, of the Earth Policy Institute, has written an informative article on why nuclear energy is not the answer.

http://www.earthpolicy.org/Updates/2008/Update78.htm

Want to see Russo doing the Thriller dance? (look below) Another great skit on another great spirit day.  See other pictures from spirit day 2008 in my gallery.

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Citizens for Global Solutions are running a multimedia contest with a first prize of $2,000.  As stated on their website:  http://globalsolutions.org/multimedia_contest_2008

Write an essay and win money!!  You can find the rules and the essay questions at

http://www.ashg.org/education/dnaday2009.shtml

The deadline is March 16, 2009.  But you should get started now so you can research any necessary information throughout the year.

You can participate in this national competition for an opportunity to win scholarship and grant money.  Go to this website for more details: http://scholastic.com/lexus/

If you are interested in signing up, see Dr. Fleetwood.

The American Academy of Neurology sponsors a neuroscience research competition.  Prizes include money and an all-expense paid trip to the AAN annual meeting to present the research.  More information can be found on their website here.

Deadline for application: 11/3/08

Researchers have taken adult pancreas cells (in mice) that don’t normally produce insulin and reprogrammed them to produce insulin. This could be a major breakthrough for diabetics as well as a significant scientific breakthrough for many diseases. This technique did not revert the cells to their stem cell form but rather used a virus to turn on the genes for producing insulin. Read more about the story here.

David Schwartz talks about people’s inability to truly comprehend large numbers. Listen to this NPR podcast to try and wrap your head around a trillion. NPR Trillion