Friday, January 27, 2012

Michigan Gray Wolves Off Endangered Species List (ContributorNetwork)

Gray wolves in Michigan have taken off the federal endangered species list and may now be shot if they pose a threat to local wildlife. Last December, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) placed management of wolves into the hands of local DNR officials in Michigan. The Wolf Management Plan went into effect Friday, says Click on Detroit. Here are details about Michigan's wolf population and the new guidelines surrounding them.

* Gray wolves were once nearly extinct in Michigan and all over the Midwest. Now there are over 1,000 of them. According to the U.S. FWS species profile, most gray wolves live in Michigan's upper peninsula in all 15 counties. In Michigan's lower peninsula, gray wolves have been spotted in Emmet, Cheboygan and Presque Isle counties.

* Michigan's increasing wolf numbers has led to a redefining of national wolf populations. The U.S. Department of the Interior FWS federal registry was recently revised. Wolves in Michigan, which were formerly counted in the Minnesota population, are now being delineated as the Western Great Lakes (WGL) Distinct Population Segment (DPS).

* The WGL DPS gray wolves were removed from the national endangered and protected list because they no longer meet the department's qualifications. Michigan's gray wolf designated "critical habitat"' classification has been removed as well.

* As per the Michigan DNR Wolf Management Plan, farmers and dog owners may now shoot wolves if they are harassing, endangering or engaging dogs or farm animals. The wolf must be in the act of threatening the animals.

* The Michigan DNR lists three things that residents must do if they kill a predatory wolf: Contact Report all Poaching (RAP) within 12 hours of the kill. Retain the carcass until a DNR officer arrives to collect it (within 12 hours of the call). Do not touch the carcass or move it, unless it is blocking a traveled area (it may be moved to a secure place, but must be photographed before moving).

* The MDNR asks that homeowners find non-lethal ways to address problems with wolves. They offer their consultation services in the event a wolf is spotted. Michigan Wolf Sightings offers humane resources for dealing with wolves as well.

* The MDNR will continue to list gray wolves on their threatened species list. It is illegal to hunt or trap wolves unless they pose a viable threat to livestock or pets. Violation of these laws means a $1,000 fine, 90 days in jail or both.

Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben writes about people, places, events and issues in her home state of "Pure Michigan."

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/pets/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20120128/us_ac/10894861_michigan_gray_wolves_off_endangered_species_list

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Thursday, January 26, 2012

Jailbreaking exemption to DMCA is about to expire, EFF would rather it didn't

Back in 2010, the US Copyright Office added a set of anti-circumvention exemptions to the DMCA, effectively making it legal for smartphone users to jailbreak and/or root their devices. These exemptions, however, were never made permanent and now, they're about to expire. The EFF doesn't want this to happen, which is why it's decided to launch a campaign dedicated to the jailbreaking cause. With this initiative, the EFF is hoping to convince the Copyright Office to renew its exemptions and expand them to a wider range of devices, including tablets and video game consoles. To achieve this, the organization is calling upon programmers and other jailbreaking enthusiasts to contact the Copyright Office directly, explaining why the ability to freely modify software is so vital to their lives or livelihoods. As the EFF argues, "Concrete examples will help show the Copyright Office why they should renew and expand the exemptions for jailbreaking." If you're interested in getting involved, you can contact the Copyright Office at the coverage link below, though all comments are due by February 5th. Hit up the source link for more details on the EFF's involvement.

Jailbreaking exemption to DMCA is about to expire, EFF would rather it didn't originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Investing in the Future - Educating Kids a High Priority - POST ...

Posted by Tina

America's school system could be completely transformed to once again become the best in the world. The model already exists in cities across the nation. The model proves that dedicated teachers, discipline, and a lot less bureaucracy gives teachers and students the space to create an environment of learning that makes students successful and parents truly enthusiastic. The video is a little long but well worth viewing!


Juan Williams Narrates- "A Tail of Two Missions":


Kudos to Juan Williams, Kyle Olson and Chicago based director Andrew Marcus for creating the film from which this video is excerpted.

Republicans have been saying for years that we can provide a better educational system for all students by creating competition, removing the bureaucratic burden, and giving parents choice. It's great to see Democrats in agreement and actively pursuing what works! I don't care who figured it out; what's important is that the children of America are given the opportunity to receive the best possible education and positive school experience.

Source: http://www.norcalblogs.com/post_scripts/2012/01/investing-in-the-future--.html

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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

DuPont sees slight 4Q dip, record annual earnings (AP)

DOVER, Del. ? Chemical and plastics maker The DuPont Co. said Tuesday that increases in raw material costs and taxes and a drop in volumes outpaced a 14 percent increase in prices in the fourth quarter and its net income fell.

The company's adjusted earnings topped analysts' expectations, however, and its shares rose 5 cents to $49.40 in afternoon trading.

DuPont reported net quarterly income of $373 million, or 40 cents per share, compared with $376 million, or 40 cents per share, in 2010's fourth quarter. Its revenue rose 14 percent to $8.4 billion. Analysts were expecting revenue of $8.52 billion.

Excluding one-time items, DuPont said it earned 35 cents per share, down from 50 cents per share a year earlier. Analysts on average forecast 33 cents per share, according to FactSet.

Chairwoman and CEO Ellen Kullman said the quarter's volume declines don't reflect macroeconomic conditions. Instead, customers are conserving cash and destocking, she said.

"After a challenging fourth quarter, we anticipate conditions will improve in many of our industrial businesses as (this) year plays out," Kullman said.

For the full year, DuPont earned about $3.5 billion, or $3.68 per share, compared with $3.05 billion, or $3.28 per share, for 2010. Excluding one-time times, per-share earnings rose 20 percent to a record $3.93, while revenue rose 20 percent to $38 billion, slightly below the average analyst estimate for $38.1 billion.

The per-share earnings figure was near the high end of the lowered 2011 earnings forecast DuPont issued last month to reflect weaker demand in electronics and industrial supplies.

Price increases across its business segments plus acquisitions in health and nutrition and industrial biosciences boosted full-year earnings, the company said.

"We delivered exceptional full-year results in 2011 despite significant market headwinds late in the year," Kullman said. "... We remain well-positioned to serve customers and innovate as key markets rebound and global population growth drives new opportunities."

DuPont reaffirmed its prediction for a 12 percent increase in earnings in 2012, to $4.20 to $4.40 per share.

For the fourth quarter, DuPont's volumes fell around the world, led by a 23 percent drop in the Asia-Pacific region. The company said customer destocking in solar panel, polymer and industrial supply chains was a key factor.

Weaker demand for DuPont products used in consumer electronics and construction also dampened the company's fourth-quarter volumes. Its revenue in electronics and communications fell 18 percent as volumes in the unit fell 33 percent.

DuPont's agriculture unit reported the only quarterly volume increase, of 3 percent; revenue in the unit rose 8 percent, with the company attributing the performance to strong sales in Latin America.

DuPont also benefited from last year's acquisition of Danish company Danisco's specialty food ingredients business. Revenue in the nutrition and health unit more than doubled, with sales rising $468 million to $806 million.

Volume in performance chemicals, including titanium dioxide, which is used to whiten products from paint to toothpaste, fell 17 percent. But price increases compensated for the declines and boosted the unit's revenue by 12 percent to $1.9 billion.

Jeff Windau, an analyst with Edward Jones, said he was impressed.

Kullman said the titanium oxide business was "good" even at its depths and "fantastic" at its peaks, and DuPont expects that market to remain strong.

"Customers who historically only purchase on a quarterly basis are now looking for long-term relationships," she noted. "... I think that's an indicator that supply is becoming a predominant issue."

DuPont's agriculture unit led results for the year, with revenue rising 17 percent to $9.2 billion on 10 percent higher volume.

The safety and protection unit posted the second-highest volume gain for the year at 4 percent.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/earnings/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20120124/ap_on_bi_ge/us_earns_dupont

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Octavia Spencer Wasn't Expecting An Oscar Nomination

'It feels like I'm eating a bunch of cake right now,' Spencer tells MTV News about her awards-season recognition for 'The Help.'
By Josh Wigler, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer in "The Help"
Photo: Dreamworks

PARK CITY, Utah — Octavia Spencer needs no "Help" when it comes to feeling the love during this awards season.

Having already won a Golden Globe for her turn as sassy maid Minny Jackson in "The Help" on top of numerous other nominations, Spencer can add another notch to her increasingly impressive belt Tuesday (January 24) — because, to the surprise of precisely no one, the 41-year-old actress has earned a well-deserved Best Supporting Actress nod at this year's Academy Awards.

"I am never presumptuous, because these sorts of things are beyond our control and I didn't want to be set up for disappointment," Spencer said in a statement reacting to the nomination. "A lot of us actually went to dinner last night and slept over and wanted to be together when we found out, so in case we didn't get that call we wanted to be nice and hungover."

Earlier in the week, MTV News caught up with Spencer at the Sundance Film Festival, which she attended as part of the cast of the alcohol drama "Smashed." When asked for her views on her probable nomination, the always humble actress revealed that she wasn't even giving the possibility any thought.

"I've been very good about not thinking about Oscar," she told MTV's Josh Horowitz. "I know I'm going to the BAFTAs, and I know I'm going to the SAGs. It would be nice to go to the Oscars.

"That little movie was about something that resonated with people, and it became a phenomenon," she said of her experience with "The Help," adding that she hopes moviegoers will embrace her new movie "Smashed" with an equal amount of passion. "Hopefully I'll continue to get more roles like this, in extremely wonderful and very relevant films. ... It feels like I'm eating a bunch of cake right now!"

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival is officially under way, and the MTV Movies team is on the ground reporting on the hottest stars and the movies everyone will be talking about in the year to come. Keep it locked with MTV Movies for everything there is to know about Sundance.

Related Videos

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1677828/oscar-nomination-octavia-spencer-the-help.jhtml

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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Strongest solar storm since 2005 hitting Earth

This colorized NASA image, taken Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, from the Solar Dynamics Observatory, shows a flare shooting out of the top of the sun. It was taken in a special teal wavelength to best see the flare. Space weather officials say the strongest solar storm in more than six years is already bombarding Earth with radiation with more to come. The Space Weather Prediction Center in Colorado observed a flare Sunday night at 11 p.m. EST. Physicist Doug Biesecker said the biggest concern from the speedy eruption is the radiation, which arrived on Earth an hour later. It will likely continue through Wednesday. It's mostly an issue for astronauts' health and satellite disruptions. It can cause communication problems for airplanes that go over the poles. (AP Photo/NASA)

This colorized NASA image, taken Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, from the Solar Dynamics Observatory, shows a flare shooting out of the top of the sun. It was taken in a special teal wavelength to best see the flare. Space weather officials say the strongest solar storm in more than six years is already bombarding Earth with radiation with more to come. The Space Weather Prediction Center in Colorado observed a flare Sunday night at 11 p.m. EST. Physicist Doug Biesecker said the biggest concern from the speedy eruption is the radiation, which arrived on Earth an hour later. It will likely continue through Wednesday. It's mostly an issue for astronauts' health and satellite disruptions. It can cause communication problems for airplanes that go over the poles. (AP Photo/NASA)

This handout image provided by NASA, taken Sunday night, Jan. 22, 2012, shows a solar flare erupting on the Sun's northeastern hemisphere. Space weather officials say the strongest solar storm in more than six years is already bombarding Earth with radiation with more to come. The Space Weather Prediction Center in Colorado observed a flare Sunday night at 11 p.m. EST. Physicist Doug Biesecker said the biggest concern from the speedy eruption is the radiation, which arrived on Earth an hour later. It will likely continue through Wednesday. It's mostly an issue for astronauts' health and satellite disruptions. It can cause communication problems for airplanes that go over the poles. (AP Photo/NASA)

(AP) ? The sun is bombarding Earth with radiation from the biggest solar storm in more than six years with more to come from the fast-moving eruption.

The solar flare occurred at about 11 p.m. EST Sunday and will hit Earth with three different effects at three different times. The biggest issue is radiation, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center in Colorado.

The radiation is mostly a concern for satellite disruptions and astronauts in space. It can cause communication problems for polar-traveling airplanes, said space weather center physicist Doug Biesecker.

Radiation from Sunday's flare arrived at Earth an hour later and will likely continue through Wednesday. Levels are considered strong but other storms have been more severe. There are two higher levels of radiation on NOAA's storm scale ? severe and extreme ? Biesecker said. Still, this storm is the strongest for radiation since May 2005.

The radiation ? in the form of protons ? came flying out of the sun at 93 million miles per hour.

"The whole volume of space between here and Jupiter is just filled with protons and you just don't get rid of them like that," Biesecker said. That's why the effects will stick around for a couple days.

NASA's flight surgeons and solar experts examined the solar flare's expected effects and decided that the six astronauts on the International Space Station do not have to do anything to protect themselves from the radiation, spokesman Rob Navias said.

A solar eruption is followed by a one-two-three punch, said Antti Pulkkinen, a physicist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland and Catholic University.

First comes electromagnetic radiation, followed by radiation in the form of protons.

Then, finally the coronal mass ejection ? that's the plasma from the sun itself ? hits. Usually that travels at about 1 or 2 million miles per hour, but this storm is particularly speedy and is shooting out at 4 million miles per hour, Biesecker said.

It's the plasma that causes much of the noticeable problems on Earth, such as electrical grid outages. In 1989, a solar storm caused a massive blackout in Quebec. It can also pull the northern lights further south.

But this coronal mass ejection seems likely to be only moderate, with a chance for becoming strong, Biesecker said. The worst of the storm is likely to go north of Earth.

And unlike last October, when a freak solar storm caused auroras to be seen as far south as Alabama, the northern lights aren't likely to dip too far south this time, Biesecker said. Parts of New England, upstate New York, northern Michigan, Montana and the Pacific Northwest could see an aurora but not until Tuesday evening, he said.

For the past several years the sun had been quiet, almost too quiet. Part of that was the normal calm part of the sun's 11-year cycle of activity. Last year, scientists started to speculate that the sun was going into an unusually quiet cycle that seems to happen maybe once a century or so.

Now that super-quiet cycle doesn't seem as likely, Biesecker said.

Scientists watching the sun with a new NASA satellite launched in 2010 ? during the sun's quiet period ? are excited.

"We haven't had anything like this for a number of years," Pulkkinen said. "It's kind of special."

___

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center: http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory: http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/

.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/b2f0ca3a594644ee9e50a8ec4ce2d6de/Article_2012-01-23-US-SCI-Solar-Storm/id-7231d1ef12b94fcc9cb48e8b25694f65

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