Electric & Magnetic Fields

Electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) are invisible lines of force associated with the production, transmission, and use of electric power such as those associated with high-voltage transmission lines, secondary power lines, and home wiring and lighting. Electric and magnetic fields also arise from the motors and heating coils found in electronic equipment and appliances.

Because the use of electric power is so widespread, humans are constantly exposed to electric and magnetic fields. Studies conducted in the 1980s showed a link between magnetic field strength and the risk of childhood leukemia. After reviewing more than two decades of research in this area, NIEHS scientists have concluded that the overall pattern of results suggests a weak association between increasing exposure to EMFs and an increased risk of childhood leukemia. The few studies that have been conducted on adult exposures show no evidence of a link between residential EMF exposure and adult cancers, including leukemia, brain cancer, and breast cancer. Based on these reviews, the NIEHS recommends continued education on practical ways of reducing exposures to EMFs.

UK recycles more packaging waste

The UK recycled almost two-thirds of all packaging produced in 2008, according to the latest figures from Defra and the Environment Agency.

Last year UK businesses contributed to the recovery of more than seven million tonnes of packaging waste of which 6.6 million tonnes were recycled, the equivalent of saving roughly 8.9 million tonnes of CO2.

Environment Minister Jane Kennedy said:

“This is a really significant achievement and shows that we are making good progress on packaging recycling. Businesses which handle packaging have a vital role to play in reducing the amount of waste we’re sending to landfill and I’m pleased to see they’re doing their bit.”

Environment Agency Chief Executive Dr Paul Leinster said:

"The level of carbon saving – equivalent to the amount of CO2 generated by around one-and-a-half million UK homes each year – shows why it's important for all of us to keep on recycling. Last year was the best year yet for the amount of packaging waste recycled. Everyone – the public, local authorities and businesses – should be proud of what has been achieved and spurred on to do even more.

Small Planet, Small Star

Astronomers have discovered an extrasolar planet only three times more massive than our own, the smallest yet observed orbiting a normal star. The star itself is not large, perhaps as little as one twentieth the mass of our Sun, suggesting to the research team that relatively common low-mass stars may present good candidates for hosting Earth-like planets.

Led by David Bennett of the University of Notre Dame, presents "Our discovery indicates that that even the lowest mass stars can host planets," says Bennett. "No planets have previously been found to orbit stars with masses less than about 20 percent that of the Sun, but this finding indicates that even the smallest stars can host planets."

The astronomers used a technique called gravitational microlensing to find the planet, a method that can potentially find planets one-tenth the mass of our own.

Cotton gin

Cotton was king among crops in the South for generations. Historical evidence shows that cotton was grown in India, China, Egypt and Pakistan thousands of years ago. Columbus found cotton plants growing in the Bahamas. It was first spun by machinery in England in the early 18th century. Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin in 1794 revolutionized the cotton industry in the United States. Prior to his invention, farming cotton was expensive and labor-intensive, requiring hundreds of man-hours to separate the cottonseed from the raw cotton fibers. Although simple seed-removing devices have been around for centuries, Whitney's invention automated the seed separation process. His machine could generate up to 50 pounds of cleaned cotton daily, marking the beginnings of profitable cotton production. This booming cotton economy in turn had a significant effect on the spread of slavery in the southern states. Although many modifications and improvements have been made, Whitney's original design principles remain relatively unchanged today. In addition to separating the seed from the fiber, today's cotton gins also dry, clean and package the fiber before it reaches the textile mills. Using electric power and improved technologies, these automated gins can handle up to 15 tons of cotton per hour.