Precision Irrigation in sub-Saharan Africa

Large, centralized irrigation schemes, often built around big water storage dams, were a major component of the Green Revolution that helped boost food production and reduce famine risks for millions of people, especially in Asia. But they have often proven environmentally destructive and, especially in Africa, expensive. By contrast, decentralized irrigation – small individual systems … Read more

The Wind at Our Back Gusts from 73.6GW in 2006 to 280.6GW in 2012

According to a new report, Wind Power – Global Market Size, Turbine Market Share, Installation Prices, Regulations and Investment Analysis to 2020, by research firm GlobalData, installed capacity increased at a compound annual growth rate of 25%. This translates into to a jump from 73.6GW in 2006 to 280.6GW in 2012. There was a 7%, … Read more

The Pitch of a Solar Roof

The angle or pitch of your roof actually has less impact on solar panel performance than the direction it faces. In general, optimal production occurs when solar panels face south at a tilt equal to 30°. But what happens if your roof is flat? Lowering the tilt all the way down to 5° only decreases … Read more

Positive Qualities – Compelling & Robust

Dear Folks, • Be willing to face life squarely. • Realize that every problem impacts growth to the degree that it is attempted to be solved. — Steps Toward Inner Peace, Peace Pilgrim Many things are Compelling: monetary or emotional security, Robust health, natural beauty, elegant truth, personal goodness. These appeal to us because they … Read more

Less Than Half in USA Look at Restaurant Nutrition Facts

Even as more U.S. restaurants list nutritional information on their menus, less than half of Americans, 43%, say they pay a “great deal” or a “fair amount” of attention to it. Americans are much more likely to take note of nutritional labels on food packages, with 68% saying they pay at least a fair amount … Read more

Tackling Malnutrition in Rural Ethiopia

Not long ago, it was common for children under the age of 5 to receive treatment for severe malnutrition in this Ethiopian community. Today, a community-based nutrition programme is keeping children strong and healthy, and families resilient. Weighing children monthly is one of the pillars of the Ethiopian Ministry of Health’s Community Based Nutrition Programme … Read more

Positive Qualities – Special & Straightforward

Dear Folks, John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success (1910 – 2010) American Basketball Coach • 6th Level : Industrious; Friendship; Loyalty; Cooperation; Enthusiasm • 5th Level : Self-control; Alertness; Initiative; Intentness • 4th Level : Conditioning; Skill; Team Spirit • 3rd Level : Poise; Confidence • 2nd Level : Faith; Competitive Greatness; Patience • 1st Level … Read more

Open-Source, Software-Defined Radio Platform

Nuand has employed Lime Microsystems’ programmable RF silicon for its bladeRF, which – the two companies say – takes open-source RF hardware into the mainstream Lime’s field programmable RF chip, the LMS6002D, has been adopted for Nuand’s bladeRF, a Kickstarter-funded open source software defined radio. Following Myriad RF and Fairwaves, this is the third open … Read more

3D-printed Aston Martin

Aston Martin only made about 1,200 DB4 cars back in the day, and today some versions can fetch millions at auction. Ivan Sentch of New Zealand has printed about three-quarters of the mold parts for his handmade Aston Martin DB4. The resident of Auckland, New Zealand, has printed nearly three-quarters of the sections for his … Read more