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Showing posts from July, 2018

Phytoplankton & CO2

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One group of creatures produces 70% of the earth's oxygen and also consumes carbon dioxide at an amazing rate. They are phytoplankton, and most are tiny single-celled organisms. Phytoplankton come in many shapes and forms. The majority are single-celled plants, but some are bacteria and others are protists. Common types of phytoplankton are cyanobacteria, green algae, diatoms, dinoflagellates, and coccolithophores. Phytoplankton plays an important role in human life in that they produce 70% of the oxygen we breathe. A much greater amount than terrestrial plants. They are part of the carbon cycle, as they consume atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 resides naturally in the atmosphere, but human beings, mostly through the burning of fossil fuels, have released ever greater amounts into the atmosphere. Stock Images and Stock Video of Phytoplankton Along with CO2, phytoplankton need sunlight and other nutrients to survive. At certain times, phytoplankton grow at an

Fun With Chemistry

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One of the more fun classes in high school was chemistry lab, especially on the days when you made things explode or catch fire...on purpose. Relive those good old days with our videos of exploding chemistry experiments. Stock Videos of Exploding Chemical Reactions The Barking Dog experiment and the Rainbow Clock were very popular. But it's hard to beat the surprisingly loud explosion of a nitrogen triiodide explosion when it's touched lightly by a feather.  And no one expects a tiny piece of metal dropped into water to steam, hiss, dance about and eventually explode, but lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), and caesium (Cs) do exactly that. Gifts for the Chemistry Geeks Here's what happens in each reaction: Let's check what happens if we would drop a pea-size piece of metal in water. Lithium  just sizzles on top of the water, but doesn't explode. Sodium  floats on top of the water, then ignites with a

The Energy Revolution

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Renewable energy is sweeping the globe, changing our economies and the way we impact the environment. Wind farms and solar panels now power large parts of developed countries and hydropower is constantly innovating, becoming more efficient and cost-effective. Tesla's SolarCity recently released a new solar power roof, and there is talk that one-day solar panels might replace household windows, potentially reducing electric bills and carbon footprints to zero. Stock Images and Stock Video of Renewable Energy Since 2014, both the United States and the European Union have reduced their CO2 emissions, and many other developed nations have seen their emission rates decline or stabilize. Although some of this is due to stagnating economies worldwide, officials confirm that much of it is a result of the rise of natural gas, solar energy, and wind power. Nature Prints, Cell Phone Cases and Hand Bags The cost of renewable energy has also decreased, outpacing even the decl

Summertime: Rising Both Temperatures and Skin Cancer Concerns

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Beach weather gives us the opportunity to get outdoors, enjoy the fresh air, and soak up some Vitamin D, but also brings concerns about excessive sun exposure. With stronger and more frequent sun comes a higher risk for skin to be damaged by UV rays, making the body more susceptible to skin cancer. Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. The Skin Cancer Foundation states that more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined. The cause is most often UV rays from the sun or tanning beds. Skin cancer is generally categorized into two groups, melanoma, and nonmelanoma. Melanoma cancer begins in melanocytes, which are cells that produce skin pigment (melanin) and reside deep within the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin). Melanoma is known to often be more serious than nonmelanoma cancer because it has the tendency to advance and spread rapidly. The number of new melanoma cases are also on the rise. That being said,