Greetings once again to one and all! Here’s a more concise overview of my intro from the last few weeks. After a few months on hiatus for health reasons, I’ve decided to resume this weekly blog of my choice of top ten science reads from the past week. This will be published every Friday between 2:00pm and 3:00pm Central USA Time (2000 UTC to 2100 UTC). Coverage will be what my followers in social media are interested in and other topics that are of scientific importance; astronomy, weather and meteorology, climate and climate change, environmental science topics, the occasional quixotic read, and much, much more. On a personal note, I appreciate the many best wishes for a speedy recovery during my rehabilitation from prostate cancer surgery. To say it is a daunting challenge is an understatement. I have many long months ahead and a medical situation such as this certainly has made me take pause and reevaluate the priorities in my life. On that note, let’s get started on this week’s reads.
- Winter has already made its presence known across much of North America. Wind chill is a significant and underrated hazard for those who have to be out in the cold on windy days. These helpful infographics from NOAA will help you understand wind chill and how to dress to protect yourself. The American Red Cross also has an excellent read on winter weather preparation and safety.
- Wildfire activity hasn’t been isolated to California. Here’s a concise overview of why this has also been a devastating wildfire year in Australia.
- There are many obvious dangers with wildfires. The smoke close to the fires is an obvious threat. Now that smoke hazard includes many people who live some distance from the fires.
- Satellites are crucial to many parts of our day-to-day life. But where does one draw the line on too many satellites?
- Here’s a fascinating read on the planet in our solar system that is most like our own. “Molecular Oxygen on Mars is Behaving Unusually Through the Seasons. A Sign of Life?”
- New restrictions on the USA’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are not only censoring what studies the agency can cite in making regulations, but also endanger the public’s safety and health.
- A career as an atmospheric scientist isn’t always spent in a comfortable office setting. Quite often, it takes one to some of the most remote regions of our planet to collect valuable data.
- Get used to this new norm. “Climate Whiplash: Wild Swings in Extreme Weather Are on the Rise.”
- In this contentious day and age, we can take solace in this. “Americans maintain high levels of trust in science.”
- Last but certainly not least, #Movember continues! This is one month out of the year when men around the globe grow facial hair in support of conscious raising efforts to bring awareness of specific men’s health issues. For more information, please check out the Movember website!
That’s a wrap for this post! If you’re on Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr, so is Tornado Quest. I’d like to thank so many of you again for all the thoughtful comments I’ve received over the past few weeks. As of this post, I’m still recovering well from surgery. Cancer does not have to be an automatic death sentence and I have no intention of giving up this fight and will accept nothing but absolute and total victory. If you’re a male over the age of 40, you should discuss getting your PSA tested with your doctor. The Prostate Cancer Foundation is only one of many reputable sites with further information.
Cheers…and Good Luck!
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