Global warming: 'Black carbon' flowing from soil to oceans

Apr. 19, 2013 ? A smaller proportion of black carbon created during combustion will remain in soil than have been estimated before. Contrary to previous understanding, burying black carbon in the ground in order to restrain climate change will not create a permanent carbon reserve. Instead, a part of black carbon will dissolve from soil to rivers. The flux of dissolved black carbon from the rivers to the ocean was estimated in a research article published in Science on 19 April.

The burning of organic matter creates 40-250 million tons of black carbon every year. Black carbon is formed through the incomplete combustion of organic matter, e.g. in forest fires, slash-and-burn and controlled burning of fields. The general assumption has been that black carbon would remain in soil even for millions of years.

However, recently published research indicates that a remarkable proportion of black carbon in soil will dissolve to the water system. In the light of new research results, much discussed "bio-carbon" may not be that beneficial in terms of mitigating climate change. Carbon is given the prefix "bio" when it is used both for energy production and soil enrichment. In any case, the stability of carbon in soil has been a central factor of bio-carbon applications.

By sampling rivers all around the world, the researchers estimated that the annual amount of black carbon flowing via rivers to the ocean is 27 million tons per year.

"Each sample included a significant amount of black carbon," says a research participant Anssi V?h?talo, Senior Lecturer from the University of Jyv?skyl?.

"On average, the amount of black carbon was ten per cent of the amount of dissolved organic carbon. The results prove that the proportion of water soluble black carbon may be as much as 40 per cent of black carbon created annually.

Water samples from the largest rivers in the world

The basis of the research was the 'Big river'-project started by Senior Lecturer Anssi V?h?talo while he was working as an Academy Research Fellow at the University of Helsinki before moving to the University of Jyv?skyl?. For this project, water samples were collected from the ten largest rivers in the world.

"These rivers carry one third of fresh water running to oceans, and their catchment area covers 28% of the whole land area in the world. Water samples were taken, e.g. from Amazon, the largest river in the world," says V?h?talo.

In addition to the samples used in the river project, the research published in Science was supplemented with samples from many other rivers all over the world. The total number of researched samples was 174.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Suomen Akatemia (Academy of Finland), via AlphaGalileo.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. R. Jaffe, Y. Ding, J. Niggemann, A. V. Vahatalo, A. Stubbins, R. G. M. Spencer, J. Campbell, T. Dittmar. Global Charcoal Mobilization from Soils via Dissolution and Riverine Transport to the Oceans. Science, 2013; 340 (6130): 345 DOI: 10.1126/science.1231476

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/top_environment/~3/T9PdMPZkDyQ/130419075926.htm

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Nitkowski: '42' role brings home Robinson's path

FILE - In this May 2, 2007, file photo, Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks pitcher C.J. Nitkowski throws against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles during the eighth inning of a baseball game at Yahoo! Dome in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan. (AP Photo/Nikkan Sports, Satoshi Tameda, File) JAPAN OUT; ONLINE OUT; NO SALES; MANDATORY CREDIT

FILE - In this May 2, 2007, file photo, Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks pitcher C.J. Nitkowski throws against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles during the eighth inning of a baseball game at Yahoo! Dome in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan. (AP Photo/Nikkan Sports, Satoshi Tameda, File) JAPAN OUT; ONLINE OUT; NO SALES; MANDATORY CREDIT

EDITOR'S NOTE: C.J. Nitkowski pitched for eight teams in the major leagues from 1995-2005, then played pro ball in Japan and South Korea. He portrays Phillies pitcher Dutch Leonard in the current film '42.'

___

Jackie Robinson had no influence on me.

He didn't open any doors for me. He didn't pave any way. He didn't give me the hope that I could do anything I aspired to in a country where some viewed me as less of a man. He didn't give me the courage to forge ahead despite the circumstances surrounding me.

Jackie Robinson was just never a hero to me.

Jackie broke the color barrier in major league baseball on April 15, 1947, and he died in 1972. I was born in 1973 and really didn't have a clue as to what was going in the world until at least 50 years after Jackie's historic debut as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers. We just never connected. He was a historical at best figure to me, as distant as Babe Ruth and JFK.

And, so, when baseball began recognizing Jackie every April, the question would always be presented: "What effect did Jackie Robinson have on you as a major league ballplayer?"

I could give each reporter or radio host the best politically correct answer you've ever heard. Ask me to be completely honest with you and what I would have said was, "None."

I grew up in a predominantly white New York City suburb. I was a Yankees fan who, as a kid, idolized Willie Randolph, their star second baseman in the '80s. Willie had more influence on me than Jackie ever did. Despite being left-handed, I wanted to be him. There were no thoughts of black or white. I didn't know the game or life any other way.

From 2007-10, I played baseball in Asia and, for the first time in my life, I was a minority. As the seasons went on, I started experiencing what I felt like was being treated as less than fair.

The conclusions I drew were that it was simply because of my race, not because of my actions. I was criticized more harshly than other teammates, expectations were higher for me and I was given less of a chance. I was under what I perceived as an unfair microscope and I was always looking over my shoulder.

Things reached a pinnacle during one game and the emotions that followed were raw and not anything like my personality. I didn't handle it well. I was full of ill thoughts. I wanted to lash out. I wanted to cause pain to those that I felt were suppressing my career.

I had never felt that way before, but what drew this out of me was the belief that I was being judged and underappreciated for no other reason but the fact that I was white.

In those moments, I thought of some of my past Latino teammates. Many over the years who struggled to adjust, to get comfortable and who would even get so defensive that they wouldn't trust anybody. I could never completely understand their behavior ? I thought it was foolish, I thought they were paranoid. But now I got a very small taste of what that was like and I hated it. I wanted retribution, I wanted somebody to pay.

I was fortunate to get a role in the Jackie Robinson biopic "42" portraying Phillies pitcher Dutch Leonard. I pitch to Jackie three times and knock him down, but I don't drill him.

My scenes take place at the same time as those depicting Philadelphia manager Ben Chapman. The scenes and the language are critical to the movie. Writer-director Brian Helgeland knew the importance of bringing this part of Jackie's experience to his film, regardless of how uncomfortable.

Chapman demeans Jackie in some of the most vile and disgusting ways one man could tear down another. I'm not sure I've ever heard insults that awful before, at least not to that degree and with that intent, filled with hate and pure disgust for the man they were directed toward.

In the movie, you'll hear it once and its effect will be powerful. As a member of the cast, I heard it for hours upon hours the day we were shooting the scene. Multiple takes from multiple angles, it seemed like it would never end. You couldn't help but be disturbed by the powerfulness of the language. One of the makeup women turned to me during one of Chapman's takes and whispered, "I can't wait for this day to be over."

I'll never experience anything close to what Jackie Robinson did in 1947 and neither will you, regardless of which race you are.

What this movie did for me and what I hope it does for you is bring Jackie's awful experiences to life. It forced me to absorb what his experience was really like. It shamed me into feeling embarrassed how I handle my own minute interpretation of injustice.

The 70-year anniversary of Jackie breaking the color barrier is not that far away. Few remain who witnessed his debut and soon they will be gone. But I now feel I know who Jackie Robinson really was and what 1947 was really like for him.

No longer do I have to feign my way through admiration for him. It is sincere, and I'll be a better man for it.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-04-15-Jackie%20Robinson-Nitkowski/id-5a03df8185b646339526b4567a27e479

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US, Japan: NKorea must honor earlier nuclear deals

TOKYO (AP) ? U.S. and Japanese officials say their countries are committed to new talks with North Korea if the reclusive communist government begins abiding by previous agreements on its nuclear program.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry tells reporters in Tokyo that there is a clear course of action available to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (kim jawng oon).

Kerry says North Korea will then "find in us ready partners."

Japan's foreign minister, Fumio Kishida says North Korea must put in place deals that it previously has committed to regarding its nuclear and missile programs and on returning kidnapped foreigners.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/us-japan-nkorea-must-honor-earlier-nuclear-deals-105934231--politics.html

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Chicago Symphony Orchestra to play behind bars

CHICAGO (AP) ? It'd be enough to make Beethoven roll over in his grave.

Members of one of the classical music world's most celebrated orchestras will perform Sunday behind bars. Looking on will be celebrated conductor, Riccardo Muti (MOO' tee).

The concert in Chicago's Juvenile Temporary Detention Center is a culmination of a weeklong musical workshop for inmates organized in part by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Muti has made community outreach a priority since taking the helm of the CSO in 2010. The goal is to inspire at-risk youth and impart greater appreciation for music.

The detention center holds mainly teenage boys awaiting trial on charges ranging from dope dealing to murder.

The works being performed include compositions inmates helped compose. Italian-born Muti will be in attendance but wasn't expected to conduct.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/chicago-symphony-orchestra-play-behind-bars-175718220.html

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Can Jennifer Lawrence Follow Up An Oscar Win With Some Golden Popcorn?

The 'Silver Linings Playbook' star faces off against host Rebel Wilson for Best Female Performance at Sunday's MTV Movie Awards.
By Kevin P. Sullivan

Jennifer Lawrence
Photo: Getty Images

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1705576/movie-awards-best-female-performance.jhtml

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Goat steals Maaaa-rk Zuckerberg's thunder in ad

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Suzanne Choney NBC News

14 hours ago

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It's not all about Facebook Home, Mark Zuckerberg, or chat heads in a new ad for Facebook Home. It's all about the goat.

Whether you're ready for Facebook Home on your Android phone, or whether you'd rather just ignore it, this promo (below) is not to be missed. Not because Zuckerberg is going blah-blah-blah-Facebook Home blah-blah (and doing it in a way that he makes fun of himself). Nope, it's because of this animal's (screamingly, literally) funny cameo.

Here's hoping the goat is not lunch anytime soon for Zuckerberg, who spent a year eating only the meat that he killed. Let the memes begin.

Source: http://feeds.nbcnews.com/c/35002/f/653377/s/2aaf3cae/l/0L0Stoday0N0Ctech0Cgoat0Esteals0Emaaaa0Erk0Ezuckerbergs0Ethunder0Ead0E1C9338370A/story01.htm

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Clues to heart disease in unexpected places

Apr. 12, 2013 ? A major factor in the advance of heart disease is the death of heart tissue, a process that a team of scientists at Temple University School of Medicine's (TUSM) Center for Translational Medicine think could be prevented with new medicines. Now, the researchers are one step closer to achieving that goal, thanks to their discovery of a key molecule in an unexpected place in heart cells -- mitochondria, tiny energy factories that house the controls capable of setting off cells' self-destruct sequence.

The study is the first to identify the molecule, an enzyme known as GRK2 (G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2), in mitochondria. It was led by Walter J. Koch, Ph.D., Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pharmacology at TUSM, and Director of the Center for Translational Medicine at TUSM.

"We have known that GRK2 is involved in the pathological development of certain heart diseases, such as chronic heart failure, and that its increased activity can lead to the death of heart cells. But its mechanism for the latter was unclear," Koch said. In addition, while the enzyme was known to be present in elevated levels in the hearts of patients with heart failure, the reasons for its rise were not fully understood.

Normally, GRK2 hangs out near the plasma membrane of heart cells, where it turns off certain signals transferred from the blood to the tissue. But the researchers at Temple found that it moves to mitochondria in response to two classic features of heart disease, ischemic insult and ensuing oxidative stress. These two processes, in which a momentary lapse in the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to diseased tissues causes a sudden increase in damaging reactive molecules, converge to stimulate the self-destruct program of heart cells. They ultimately cause whole sections of heart tissue to die, leaving behind scars that can severely compromise the ability of the heart to function properly.

Koch's team found that in ischemic heart cells the movement of GRK2 from the cell membrane to mitochondria is chaperoned by a substance called heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90), which is produced in cells in response to stress. By blocking Hsp90's ability to bind to GRK2, the researchers were able to prevent the enzyme's delivery to mitochondria.

They reached the same result after mutating a residue called Ser670 in the tail end of GRK2's amino acid structure. When the Ser670 residue is activated by a chemical signal, Hsp90 is nudged into action, attaching to GRK2 and carrying it to mitochondria. Mutation of Ser670 also resulted in a wholesale reduction in pro-death signaling in affected heart cells. The effects were observed in human heart muscle cells grown in the laboratory and in mice that had experienced induced heart attacks. The results are detailed in the April 12 issue of the journal Circulation Research.

Koch explained that the translation of the new findings to the clinic, where they would benefit patients, lies in developing new therapeutic approaches that are capable of limiting both the activity of GRK2 and its ability to associate with mitochondria.

"We have a great opportunity here to develop new medicines against heart failure and improve upon this significant disease syndrome," he said. He added that this will take some time but that molecular and pharmacological strategies against GRK2 are in the works. "We are developing a gene therapy tool known as the ?ARKct, which is a peptide inhibitor of GRK2, and are quite excited about a clinical trial."

Koch and his team have shown in pre-clinical studies that delivery of the ?ARKct to failing hearts can inhibit GRK2 and thereby protect the heart from death. In the new study, ?ARKct was found to block the enzyme's transit to mitochondria after ischemia, an important step now believed to contribute to the peptide's beneficial effects in heart failure.

There is much yet to learn about GRK2, however, according to Koch. "We still need to find out exactly what GRK2 is doing in the mitochondria," he said. "We need to figure out what it interacts with and specifically regulates."

What the team uncovers could solidify GRK2 as a key target for therapeutic strategies against heart disease.

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Temple University Health System, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. M. Chen, P. Y. Sato, J. K. Chuprun, R. J. Peroutka, N. J. Otis, J. Ibetti, S. Pan, S.-S. Sheu, E. Gao, W. J. Koch. Prodeath Signaling of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 in Cardiac Myocytes After Ischemic Stress Occurs Via Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase-Dependent Heat Shock Protein 90-Mediated Mitochondrial Targeting. Circulation Research, 2013; 112 (8): 1121 DOI: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.112.300754

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/iZI7Xk1jWVw/130412132409.htm

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