Natureworldnews, 05/14/2013

The glacial regions around the highest peak in the world are melting and researchers report  the melt has been happening for decades, with temperatures rising and snowfall declining since the 1990s. Glaciers in the Mount Everest religion have shrunk by 13 percent in the last 50 years and the snowline has shifted upwards by 180 meters (590 feet) according to the study's lead author, Sudeep Thakuri.

Since the 1960s, small glaciers of less than one square kilometer have been disappearing most rapidly, with a 43 percent surface decline. The receding ice and snow is melting faster than it can be replaced, researchers report, revealing rocks and debris that were previously hidden under thick layers of ice.

Natureworldnews, By: James A. Foley, 05/15/2013

After not producing any X-class eruptions all year, the Sun has roared to life this week, producing its fourth X-class solar flare of the week on Tuesday. Tuesday's flare came from the same region as the previous X-class flares this week, an active sunspot region known as AR1748. Prior to this week the sunspot region did not even have a name and was difficult to see, but as the region continues to rotate towards Earth, scientists will be able to observe it more clearly. 

Registering at X1.2, Tuesday's flare was the weakest of this week's X-class flares, which are the most powerful type of flares that the Sun can unleash. Monday night's X3.2 flare was the strongest of the year. The numbers the flares are assigned correlate to their strength. An X2 is twice as intense as an X1; an X3 is three times as intense, and so on.

For more on this story visit www.natureworldnews.com.com

Natureworldnews, By: James A. Foley, 05/15/2013

The Alaskan Volcano Observatory (AVO) reported lava flowing from two of the state's volcanoes Tuesday, placing the mountains on the second-highest alert status and prompting concerns that air travel may be affected by volcanic ash. The volcanoes Cleveland and Pavlof are both along the Aleutian Island chain, where a significant volume of air traffic flies overhead. There is a code Orange aviation warning at both volcanoes, the AVO reported. 

Cleveland Volcano has been erupting for nearly three weeks and was placed on a code Orange alert earlier this month after gas and volcanic ash began billowing from the summit. However, Tuesday's report of a 32-foot-wide (100 meter) lava flow extending about a mile (1.5 kilometers) down the mountain's southern flank was the first report of lava from Cleveland since the volcano began erupting May 4.

Naturalnews, By: John Phillip, 05/15/2013

Metabolic syndrome refers to a related group of conditions including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels that dramatically increase the risk of developing heart disease, stroke and diabetes, among a host of other serious chronic diseases. Extensive research has identified a number of natural foods and aggressive lifestyle changes that can delay or even prevent the development of serious health problems.

Researchers from the University of Michigan have presented the result of their work to the Experimental Biology Conference in Boston that shows how consuming grapes may help protect against organ damage associated with the progression of metabolic syndrome. The scientists explain that natural components found in grapes, known as polyphenols, are thought to be responsible for the beneficial effects.

For more on this story visit www.naturalnews.com.com

Eyesonthesky.org-5/13/13

Messier 5 is often overlooked in the northern hemisphere, because M13 and M22 will often get top-billing for globular clusters.  But this one should not be missed - the large size, plentiful stars and bright core make for a great view in most any small telescope.  And it is not all that hard to find; a hop, skip and a jump from Unukalhai (say what?) - a 2.6 magnitude star in Serpens - and you are there!  Learn all about this fantastic sight in this week's Eyes on the Sky, which will be visible for several months to come too.  For a printable star chart of this area, use Star Chart #11 here at Eyes on the Sky, and look for M5 in the upper left hand corner near Serpens Caput - the greek alpha symbol is the star Unukalhai.  (NOTE: Saturn will not be on this star chart.)

Link: Eyesonthesky.org