From Physics World newsletter, June 20, 2019
Category Archives: Geosciences
NOAA Says The Polar Freezer is In Defrost Mode
Report Card Highlights from NOAA
Surface air temperatures in the Arctic continued to warm at twice the rate relative to the rest of the globe. Arctic air temperatures for the past five years (2014-18) have exceeded all previous records since 1900.
Source: Dan’s Wild Wild Science Journal Dec. 20, 2018. More data, graphs photos, text here:
NOAA’s Says The Polar Freezer is In Defrost Mode
Data Management Plan Presentation – Wed., March 28th
Data Management Plan Presentation
Wednesday, March 28, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
347 Lewis Science Library, Washington Road & Ivy Lane
[Lunch will be provided. RSVP here.]
This one-hour presentation by PU librarians, OIT and PICSciE/Research Computing staff is open to Princeton researchers, graduate students and grants personnel. Please share with those who may benefit from this presentation.
Topics
- Why manage research data?
- Elements of data management
- How to write a data management plan
- Common data management issues
- Best practices for managing research data
- Resources and support on campus
James Webb Telescope arrives in California (in 2 pieces)
| http://earthsky.org/space/james-webb-telescope-parts-arrive-in-california
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website.
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New Weather Satellite: post on Dan’s Wild Wild Science Journal
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Earth Primer (fun) and Map of Life (for citizen science)
Best Apps for Teaching & Learning 2016 | American Association of School Librarians (AASL)
Earth Primer by Chaim Gingold
Level: Elementary and Middle School
Platform: iOS 
Earth Primer is a cross between an intro to earth science textbook and an interactive sandbox game. This creative application allows students to play with the powerful concepts that make up the physical aspects of our planet. Manipulate glaciers, volcanoes, biomes, weather systems, and more and experience how all of these structures combine to affect the makeup of our awesome planet.
Tip: Use Earth Primer to reinforce content in an earth science class.
Map of Life by Map of Life
Level: Middle School, High School
Platform: iOS | Android
Map of Life is a field guide applicable to anywhere in the world. Search species by category and/or location, and contribute to the map by recording your sightings in your location. Several categories of species are represented, such as trees, mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Choose a type of species and view images, read about characteristics and habitat, and view a map showing range. Helps with conservation efforts worldwide!
Tip: Great application for classes using GIS data. Use Map of Life on science field trips to report wildlife and to identify plants and animals.
National Geographic enables free 8×11 printing of USGS topos
Here are some useful USGS map tips from Emily Wild, Hydrologist/Librarian at the USGS:
This may be of interest if you and(or) your library users are looking for an easy-to-use tool to search, download, and easily print (by using 8×11 printer) for topographic maps published by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
– Examples of recent USGS Denver Library inquiries and instruction of USGS topographic maps include, but not limited to: outdoor recreation, emergency management, disaster planning, search and rescue, bureau of investigations searches and(or) instruction, military, educational outreach, citizen science, and so on.
– Go to the “FREE!! Printable USGS PDF Quads” web site available from National Geographic:
http://www.natgeomaps.com/trail-maps/pdf-quads
– Search selected area
– Click on thumbnail image of the USGS topographic map to open pdf
– Download and(or) print the pages,
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Just some quick reminders about features available for using USGS Topographic Maps:
– USGS Topographic Maps can be uploaded into Google Earth by using this USGS National Geologic Map Data Base (NGMDB) access point to search, download, and import the KMZ files : http://ngmdb.usgs.gov/maps/TopoView/
– The geopdf versions of USGS Topographic Maps can be annotated, measured, etc when users download the free TerraGo Toolbar : http://info.terragotech.com/download/terrago-toolbar
– Library users mention that the transparency feature and snapshot of all USGS topographic maps through time for a point on Earth are useful features in the USGS-ESRI’s “USGS Historical Topographic Map Explorer”
http://historicalmaps.arcgis.com/usgs/
– the how-to is available online through GPO at : http://www.fdlp.gov/all-newsletters/community-insights/2045-tricks-and-tips-for-finding-and-using-usgs-topographic-maps
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And as an aside, many library users still find this map source useful for historical research of the United States :
Atlas of the Historical Geography of the United States
http://dsl.richmond.edu/historicalatlas
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Enjoy the day/weekend,
Emily
Disclaimer: the use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Emily C. Wild
Librarian (Physical Scientist)
U.S. Geological Survey, Denver Library
Denver Federal Center
ph: (303) 236-1003
ecwild@usgs.gov
USGS Libraries: http://library.usgs.gov
Training: http://go.usa.gov/cBfmG
Profile: https://profile.usgs.gov/ecwild
Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet
| Source: The Scout Report — Volume 22, Number 16
scout@scout.wisc.edu |
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| climate.nas= a.gov/climate_resource_center/interactives | |
| “NASA’ s Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet website features a diverse set of resources related to the measurement, analysis, and dangers of global climate change. Here readers will find a collection of Interactive Features all designed to bring to life the sometimes abstract conclusions of scientific articles on climate and its effects on human and other life on Earth. For example, the Climate Time Machine allows readers to go backward and forward through four different key climate indicators, including Sea Ice, Sea Level, Carbon Dioxide, and Global Temperature. Perfect for educators who are looking for impactful visual representations of the rising temperatures on the planet, the interactive makes these measurements visceral in a way that charts and graphs are seldom able to do. Other interactives on the page include the Global Ice Viewer, Quizzes, The Sun: A Virtual Tour, The Water Cycle, and others. [CNH]” | |
Climate Change and Extreme Events
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GenBank has reached 200 billion base pairs from > 350,000 spp.
“Almost the number of stars in the Milky Way.” Through this stellar comparison, the National Institutes of Health proudly announced in 2005 that the content of their computerized collection of DNA sequences called GenBank had reached 50 billion bases or units of DNA. Today, it contains far more, over 200 billion bases from over 350,000 different species, making it one of the largest scientific database in the world.
Here is the announcement of the availability of the Nirenberg papers: “GenBank & The Early Years of “Big Data”
http://circulatingnow.nlm.nih.gov/2016/03/03/genbank-the-early-years-of-big-data/
“Deciphering the Genetic Code: A 50 Year Anniversary” January, 2015
Marshall Nirenberg in the lab in early 1960’s, when he completed the first summary document of the genetic code — how triplets (DNA sequences) direct amino acids to form proteins. Pictures of the group and more about the papers are here:
http://circulatingnow.nlm.nih.gov/2015/01/21/deciphering-the-genetic-code-a-50-year-anniversary/
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