Living in a dense urban environment may be making you crazy. Literally. A new article in Nature hypothesizes that there may be a strong link between the rapid urbanization of the world’s population and the increase in mental health issues, such as schizophrenia. While there have been no large-scale studies, more localized studies suggest that prolonged exposure to highly stimulating urban environments locks the brain in a kind of permanent stress response that can lead to further mental ... Read More
Rescue teams continued the search for two missing hikers in Montana's Glacier National Park on Monday, where rugged conditions and winter weather were making it difficult to cover the area. Neal Peckens and Jason Hiser of Herndon, Virginia, were reported missing Friday after they failed to catch a return flight following their October 9-10 backpacking trip in the park. The pair have been described by their families as experienced hikers. "They're both in very good physical condition," Hiser's ... Read More
In what is being called the “world’s biggest geoengineering experiment,” an American businessman dumped around 100 tons of iron sulfate into the Pacific Ocean off the Canada coast in July. The project, led by Californian Russ George, is in violation of two international conventions that outlaw any for-profit ocean fertilization attempts. The scheme was designed to net a mass of carbon credits: The plankton would absorb carbon dioxide and then sink to the ocean floor. Satellit... Read More
The Red Bull Stratos team has launched skydiver Felix Baumgartner, who will attempt to become the first free-falling human to reach the speed of sound by jumping from 23 miles above the earth. After repeated weather delays last week and one abortive attempt, the capsule launched at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday in Roswell, New Mexico. It will take about two hours for the balloon to ascend to the height of the jump. If successful, Baumgartner will free fall for about 10 minutes, reaching speeds of almos... Read More
Convicted climate activist Tim DeChristopher will finish out the last six months of his sentence in a Salt Lake City halfway house. He is scheduled for release on October 24. DeChristopher, who was sentenced to two years in federal prison for violating the onshore oil and gas development leasing act, is "excited to be getting out of prison," his attorney, Pat Shea, told Deseret News. During the day, DeChristopher will work at a job in the First Unitarian Church, and may apply to Harvard Divini... Read More
