Life Cycle Analysis

2009-07-20T08:58:00.003-04:00

The Rio Tinto debacle

Shares of Australian mining conglomerate Rio Tinto (RTP) sank on July 8th following the news of the arrest of their employee Stern Hu for bribery and espionage by Chinese authorities. Hu is an Australian national of Chinese ancestry. Australian blogger and economist angel80 adeptly chronicles an intricate merger war between Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton (BHP), and Chinalco (ACH) which led up to Hu's arrest. Stock prices for BHP Billiton and Chinalco do not appear to have been affected by the Rio Tinto debacle, at least on the boards in London or New York. The above chart compares RTP against the PHLX index for gold and silver (^XAU) for the past month.

2009-07-16T05:45:00.015-04:00

Schistosome gene sequence decoded

Schistosomes are parasitic flatworms responsible for diseases variously referred to as schistosomiasis or bilharzia. These diseases occur throughout the tropics, particularly in areas adjacent to still or slow-moving water. The life cycle of the schistosome parasites includes a stint of residence inside a freshwater snail. The initial symptoms of schistosomiasis include fever, fatigue, rashes, and eye infections, but the disease can progress to cause internal bleeding, organ failure, and eventually death. I developed schistosomiasis myself as an eight year old boy, after my family returned to the United States from Nigeria.

Dr. Matt Berriman, of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, is quoted by the BBC saying that gene sequencing "provides a foundation for understanding aspects of the parasite's complex biology as well as a vehicle to immediately identify new targets for drug treatment." According to fellow researcher Dr Najib El-Sayed, of the University of Maryland, "the genome sequence has given us, for the first time, a comprehensive view of the engines that drive the parasite, the strategies that allow it to survive in us, its human host.

I know that treatments for schistosomiasis had already progressed far beyond what I was subjected to as a child. It is exciting to hear of these new potential treatments, and the genetics of these organisms may also yield clues about how to manage tropical environments to more effectively control the parasite.

2009-07-16T01:00:00.001-04:00

Okah released but MEND fights on

On Monday, July 13th, Nigeria released Henry Okah, leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), from prison. Although the release of Okah was applauded by the Nigerian Bar Association, neither Okah nor the other MEND activists appear to be willing to forego sabotage, extortion, and murder for legal avenues in resolving conflicts in the Niger Delta.

MEND blew up the Atlas Cove Jetty near the city of Lagos on Sunday, July 12th. That action was initially dismissed as an "operational accident" by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, which may explain Okah's release the following day. The fires and explosions which resulted from MEND's sabotage of the Atlas Cove Jetty claimed five lives. Oil company workers and security personnel were also killed or injured during previous MEND actions, such as the June 6th sabotage of Chevron's facility offshore.

MEND has announced a 60 day "ceasefire" since Sunday's attack, but members have yet to surrender weapons and renounce militancy as requested by President Yar'Adua when he declared an unconditional pardon on June 25th.

Available Resources on the Internet:

- Solomon Sydelle posts about the Atlas Cove Jetty attack at Nigerian Curiosity.

- UPI story about the latest MEND attacks.

- allAfrica story about the MEND attacks on Chevron's offshore operations.

- The News has a brief biography of Henry Okah along with other activists in the Niger Delta.

- a longer biography of Henry Okah from I C publications.

- Bourse has a story on MEND's 60-day ceasefire.

- N.I.M.M.O. has a comical blog post about the amnesty offer from Yar'Adua.

2009-07-15T01:00:00.000-04:00

Geoscientists arrested in Brazil

Three graduate students from the United States were arrested while conducting fieldwork in the Pantanal region of western Brazil. Two Brazilian students were arrested at the same time, and the entire team had studied and trained at the University of Arizona under Andy Cohen. I am still reading up on this myself, but there is a petition up for us all to sign at the Arizona Geology blog. I came across the news originally in a post by Chuck at Lounge of the Lab Lemming, one of the ten (10) blogs which I just selected to award an "Excellent Blog" award to.

P.S. An earlier post on the Arizona Geology blog indicated that the students were released but are going to have to stand trial in Brazil. According to an article in USA Today authored by Andrea Stone, the students could be stuck in Brazil for months.

2009-07-14T06:50:00.011-04:00

Blowback from Obama in Ghana

Judging by posts from African bloggers, many African intellectuals were disappointed with Barack Obama's speech to Parliament in Ghana. My own perception of the speech was that it was not that well crafted and showed a lack of deep scholarship and preparation uncharacteristic of Mr. Obama.

I thought that our president looked a bit nervous at points in the delivery, particularly when he defended AFRICOM. I was also surprised to hear outdated views on agricultural development in the section where he promised a "green revolution" for sub-Saharan Africa. Clearly, the Obama administration needs to bring on board some scientists and historians with a deeper knowledge of the developing world and of Africa in particular.

While many may have wanted to hear an apology from our president for mistakes which the United States has made in the post-colonial era, I believe that Obama is rather to be commended for his clear discussion of the role which African elites have played in the continued subjugation and impoverishment of Africa's people. As Barack Obama has himself observed to progressive forces here in the United States, it is our responsibility to push back and challenge him when he compromises with the forces of oppression.

Below are links to some of many posts on this topic by African bloggers:

"Obama Talks Shallow Simplistic Rubbish, Scolds & Lectured Africans As Expected!" by Paul I. Adujie

"Ghana - No antibodies for this virus" by Akin

"The glaring omission" by Solomonsydelle

"Obama shallow and condescending in Ghana?" by Imnakoya

"Obama in Ghana" by Beauty

"It wasn't me" by pyoo wata

The "change we need"? Obama in Ghana by Charles Abugre

2009-07-12T03:00:00.000-04:00

Excellent Blog Awards

I received my E over a year ago from George, the Decrepit Old Fool, but I apparently neglected to pass the award on as requested. I am certain that I would have chosen a completely different set had I attended to this right away. The list below suggests that I have become a bit more focused on geology, which is only partially true. There really are quite a lot of excellent geologists who are also excellent bloggers.

Ron Schott
Volcanista
Clastic Detritus (Brian Romans)
Lounge of the Lab Lemming

Evolution... not just a theory anymore (Greg Laden)
De Rerum Natura (Reed Cartwright)
Grrlscientist (Devorah Bennu)
Imnakoya's Grandiose Parlor
Loomnie
Cup O'Joe

The "Excellent Blog" Award appears to have originated with Project Mommy, a blog written by Shannymar about her daughter Kayla. Brandy Betz, creator of Moue Magazine, described the spirit of the award when she passed hers on back in February of 2008.

I will have more to say about each of my excellent bloggers later. If you have read this far, please do yourself a favor and support Grrlscientist Devorah Bennu in her campaign to blog an expedition to Antarctica. She has 715 votes and is only a few hundred away from winning.

2009-07-11T13:30:00.003-04:00

Barack Obama visits Ghana

2009-07-11T09:00:00.009-04:00

Africa is a Continent not a Country!

Barack Obama visited Ghana on the 10th and-11th of July. Here he demonstrates how much more he knows about Africa than Sarah Palin. According to Martin Eisenstadt, Sarah is still confused about this and resigned as Alaska governor fearing new revelations in Eisenstadt's upcoming book.

On Saturday, July 11th, the White House posted an interactive map with questions from people throughout Africa. The questions were delivered through SMS, Facebook, Twitter, and newspapers throughout Africa. The president will be answering some of these questions in a press conference later on Saturday. As of 11 AM GMT (10 AM in Accra), only one (1) question had been posted on this map -
Hi prez obama u are a source of inspiration to africa!

2009-07-10T12:00:00.000-04:00

Iran and the Blogosphere

Nico Pitney of the Huffington Post interviews Juan Cole about the recent events in Iran and Cole's new book, Engaging the Muslim World.

Cole believes that the election was stolen by Ahmadenijad but doubts that Mousavi has the backbone to take power. A similar and even better developed discussion by Asbed Kotichikian was just posted today at Whirled View.

I cannot pretend to have nearly the expertise on Iran and the Middle East exhibited by these scholars. Based purely on many years of following elections at home and overseas, I do not view the Iranian electoral process as particularly aberrant in its corruption. We have situations much closer to home which produce voter dissatisfaction and maintain corrupt governments.

I do strongly support the right of all people to assemble and petition their government to hold free and fair elections among other grievances.

2009-07-10T03:00:00.001-04:00

Zelaya on Democracy Now!

Juan Gonzalez and Amy Goodman draw Mel out on his experience being deposed by the Honduran military. Zelaya thanks President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for their strong support for his restoration to power. Zelaya declines to favor sanctions against his country or repudiate Yankee wingnuts who associate him with Chavez and the Bolivarians. Los malos siempre se une!

2009-07-09T08:43:00.000-04:00

Vuvuzela at 2010 World Cup?

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be held in South Africa. Fans in South Africa make a lot of noise, and they make noise using something which may or may not be a "musical" instrument - the Vuvuzela.

2009-07-06T07:00:00.000-04:00

Mid-Term Election in Mexico

The party which lost the last presidential election, Partido Revolucionario Institucional, made a strong stand in Sunday's mid-term elections. Five of the six governorships contested went to PRI candidates. In congress, the PRI now holds at least 233 seats and will have over 50 percent for its coalition with Mexico's Green Party, the PVEM.

Among bloggers and Western journalists, the consensus seems to be that this was a referendum on the achievements of president Felipe Calderon and the PAN. The unpopularity of the ongoing "war on drugs" being waged in many states of northern and central Mexico is emphasized by Nancy Davies of Narco News and is also mentioned by AP reporter Mark Stevenson.

In Oaxaca and other southern states, the PRI has remained firmly entrenched in power. The swing toward privatization and militarism championed by Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderon has never garnered the support of the rural poor. Southern campesinos continue to vote for PRI candidates who claim to support their interests and carry on the historical mission of the Mexican revolution. Many have expressed disapproval, however, of the inept current governor of Oaxaca, Ulises Ruiz (pictured above). Ruiz has remained in power in spite of violent teachers' strikes and accusations of a rigged election back in 2004.

Sunday's results from Oaxaca conform to the general pattern of PRI resurgence. The extremely low voter turnout, however, does suggest some dissatisfaction with local PRI governance. Only 40.75% of registered voters even bothered to vote, according to Davies. We all have hopes that a better candidate than Ruiz will appear to take the reins of state in 2010.

2009-06-27T11:20:00.003-04:00

WHO MOVED MY SOAP?

2009-05-29T06:33:00.007-04:00

The Swiss do green jobs right!

2009-04-26T18:38:00.003-04:00

Society for American Archaeology Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia

We presented our research on the geoarcheology of stratified alluvium of the Susquehanna River on Saturday in Atlanta. The spot where we put the poster up was a bit dark, but we did have quite a lot of visitors. My colleagues standing to the right are Michael Aiuvalasit and Joseph Schuldenrein of Geoarcheology Research Associates. We had a fourth co-author, Suanna Selby-Crowley, who wrote a dissertation based upon the archaeological sites which we investigated.

2009-04-05T08:40:00.005-04:00

Art and Science

Nori Jung is shown above standing in front of a map which I made with one of my students here at Valdosta State University. Nori created her own artwork on her popular television program, Norivision, using our map as inspiration. The map combines a LIDAR raster image based upon measurements using a laser taken from an airplane with our field measurements. The points on the map are our field measurements and the contour lines were drawn using the raw elevations and differences between the LIDAR pixel values.

2009-03-21T07:35:00.005-04:00

2009-03-18T18:24:00.005-04:00

My call to Nori Jung on her show, "Norivision." The show airs Friday nights at 8:30 PM on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network.

2009-03-03T04:12:00.002-05:00

King David

Above is my scowling mug dressed up in tux for the King David performance here on Saturday night. Bad weather resulted in small crowds for both performances, but I thought that they went very well. We were all particularly impressed by our soprano soloist, Angel Blue.

2009-02-28T08:30:00.005-05:00

King David

I am singing tonight (2/28) and tomorrow afternoon (2/29) with the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra Chorus in a performance of King David by Arthur Honegger. The conductor, Paul Andrew Neal, is shown at left and on a Picasa Web Album for the VSU Department of Music. The department blog written by Dr. James Shrader also mentions the concert. Dr. Shrader is the narrator for the performance.

2009-01-29T09:04:00.005-05:00

The Monteverdi choir sings Rudolf Mauersberger's setting of the song of Jeremiah, which he composed after the bombing of Dresden on February 13-15, 1945. The Dresden boys' choir premiered this August 4, 1945 in the ruin of the Kreuzkirche, but it is still rarely performed or heard outside of east Germany.

The Largest Industrial Spill in American History!

2009-01-23T20:08:00.001-05:00

Dan Volz, University of Pittsburgh

2009-01-11T16:59:00.001-05:00

Dr. Volz discusses how arsenic and other heavy metals affect the liver and other internal organs. Then he starts to explain how heavy metals may be transported and deposited as sediment within the rivers of east Tennessee.

Lisa Graves-Marcucci speaks in Harriman, TN

2009-01-10T21:15:00.001-05:00

2009-01-07T17:32:00.008-05:00

Apple's Newest Gadget - The Wheel!