Sick seas

Article Abstract:

Emissions of carbon dioxide by humans into the atmosphere are absorbed into the seas, which make them more acidic, since more carbonic acid is produced when the excess carbon dioxide dissolves in water. Studies conducted to examine the effect of acidic seas, or low pH levels on marine life reveal that the acidified waters erode the carbonate skeletons that protect many marine organisms like sea urchins, snails, coccolithophores and deep-sea corals, which are not adapted to withstand lower pH.

author: Ruttimann, Jacqueline
Industrial Gas Manufacturing, Industrial gases, Carbon Dioxide, Liquid, Analysis, Environmental aspects, Ocean-atmosphere interaction, Hydrogen-ion concentration, pH, Liquid carbon dioxide

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US to rule on research patent

Article Abstract:

A natural phenomenon or a law of nature generally could not be patented, but the Supreme Court provided an opportunity for the biotechnology industry when it ruled that a newly discovered microbe capable of digesting petrol could be patented. The Supreme Court heard a case where LabCorp argued that Metabolite had patented a law of nature by asserting ownership of the relationship between homocysteine levels and vitamin B(sub 12).

author: Ruttimann, Jacqueline
Drugs, Patents & copyrights, Interpretation and construction, Biotechnology industry, Biotechnology industries, Intellectual property, Microorganisms, Natural law

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US satellite system loses climatic sensors

Article Abstract:

The new design of the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System, atmospheric sensors that would fly on board a US military-civilian polar satellite system, will have fewer satellites and sensors. In June 2006, a defense review program temporarily removed three planned instruments in an effort to get the long-troubled project back on budget and schedule.

author: Ruttimann, Jacqueline
Process control instruments, Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables, Guided missiles and space vehicles, Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing, Navigation Satellites, Pressure Sensors, Usage, Design and construction

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subjects list: Research, United States
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