Snail venom in a pill could offer powerful relief for people who suffer from severe and chronic pain.

Snails may seem an unlikely source of pharmaceutical inspiration, but the chemicals they produce have potent effects on the human nervous system.

via Snail venom inspires pain reliever › News in Science ABC Science.

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“A giant ice island has broken off the Petermann Glacier in northern Greenland.”

“A University of Delaware researcher says the floating ice sheet covers 100 square miles – more than four times the size of New York’s Manhattan Island.”

“Andreas Muenchow, who is studying the Nares Strait between Greenland and Canada, said the ice sheet broke off early Thursday. He says the new ice island was discovered by Trudy Wohlleben of the Canadian Ice Service.”

“Not since 1962 has such a large chunk of ice calved in the Arctic, but researchers have noticed cracks in recent months in the floating tongue of the glacier.”

As politicians in Washington continue to delay action, more and more events like this will occur with catastrophic consequences for our planet.

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Prime Minister Julia Gillard plans on giving $2000 to owners of pre-1995 vehicles who upgrade to brand new, cleaner cars.

But the fine print on the announcement has revealed it’s funded by raiding existing environmental programs from solar power to low-emissions technology.

via Federal Election 2010 | Solar research centre to close: Greens | News | Business Spectator.

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Cool clear nights, frosty mornings, wattles in bloom (yes, I know they can be weeds, but they’re still nice to look at) and my wooden spoon award in the pub footy tipping competition looming over me like a gargoyle can only mean two things; one: that I should NOT enter the tipping comp next year, and two: it’s August!

So if the thrill of watching your favourite football team fall from the grace of the top eight proves too much (as it has for me!), here are some top gardening tips for your place in the month of August.

via August In Your Patch « Sustainable Gardening Australia.

So, most of us have had a pet of some sort over the course of our lives – be it a delightful dog, fickle feline, cute as all get out guinea pigs, or gallons of goldfish mine were always a touch, well, suicidal, our pets bring us joy, love, laughter, and good times. But imagine owning over 500 pets that never need to be walked, are happy to eat your scraps, provide you with amazing fertiliser AND help reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint! Sound too good to be true? Well, welcome to the wonderful world of worm farms – top little carbon crusaders and garbage gobblers who just happen to be awesome and fairly low maintenance pets!

via Worms – They Make Great Pets « Sustainable Gardening Australia.

As the scientist who helped eradicate smallpox he certainly know a thing or two about extinction.

And now Professor Frank Fenner, emeritus professor of microbiology at the Australian National University, has predicted that the human race will be extinct within the next 100 years.

He has claimed that the human race will be unable to survive a population explosion and ‘unbridled consumption.’

via Human race ‘will be extinct ‘within 100 years due to population explosion’ | Mail Online.

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Lose Weight Without Dieting

Is your diet in free fall? Here’s how to get control and lose weight fast. 24 weight loss tips that really work.

via Slimming Slideshow: 24 Ways to Lose Weight Without Dieting.

Date: 30-Jul-10

Country: USA

Author: Deborah Zabarenko

Melting glaciers, more humid air and eight other key indicators show that global warming is undeniable, scientists said on Wednesday, citing a new comprehensive review of the last decade of climate data.

Without addressing why this is happening, the researchers said there was no doubt that every decade on Earth since the 1980s has been hotter than the previous one, and that the planet has been warming for the last half-century.

via World Environment News – Ten Key Indicators Show Global Warming “Undeniable” – Planet Ark.

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Can chia seeds really help you lose weight?

By Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD

WebMD Expert Column

Remember the Chia Pet? These gift items, clay figurines that sprouted grass-like “fur,” were once all the rage. Fast-forward a few decades, and the seeds from the same chia plant are being sold online and in health food stores as a weight loss aid.

There’re supposed to help control hunger while they enhance your diet with super-nutrients. But what’s the real story on these nutritious seeds and their ability to help you lose weight?

via The Truth About Chia.

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Australia’s newest online publication and directory for the green industry is running a competition. To win though, you must take action!

In 25 words or less…
What would you give up today to be greener and why?

Click here to enter

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Competition – Online Eco Friendly Journal, News and Directory.