IBIOCAT JUNIOR ZONE - Play & learn with "Mouse Party" (the Science Behind Drug Abuse)

Dear Kids,

 

drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by changes in the brain which result in a compulsive desire to use a drug. A combination of several factors including genetics, environment and behavior influence a person's addiction risk, making it an incredibly complicated disease. The new science of addiction considers all of these factors - from biology to family- to unravel the complexities of the addicted brain.

 

Learn about the dangerous effects of drug abuse on the body and the brain by playing with "Mouse Party", an interactive animation from University of Utah (Genetic Science Learning Center):

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/drugs/mouse.html (please wait until the page loads image).

 

Take a closer look here too:

 

http://teens.drugabuse.gov/mom/index.asp

 

http://www.nida.nih.gov/DrugPages/DrugsofAbuse.html

 

 

Keep drugs out of your life!

 

 

Laura Cipollina- IBIOCAT, Divisione Marketing e Commerciale

IBIOCAT ECO ECHO – The Economic Value of Trees to a Community

The following are some statistics on just how important trees are in a community setting:

"The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to ten room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day."—U.S. Department of Agriculture

"Landscaping can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 50 percent, by shading the windows and walls of a home." — American Public Power Association

"If you plant a tree today on the west side of your home, in 5 years your energy bills should be 3% less. In 15 years the savings will be nearly 12%." —Dr. E. Greg McPherson, Center for Urban Forest Research

"A mature tree can often have an appraised value of between $1,000 and $10,000." —Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers

"In one study, 83% of realtors believe that mature trees have a "strong or moderate impact" on the salability of homes listed for under $150,000; on homes over $250,000, this perception increases to 98%." —Arbor National Mortgage & American Forests

"Landscaping, especially with trees, can increase property values as much as 20 percent."—Management Information Services/ICMA

"One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people."—U.S. Department of Agriculture

"There are about 60-to 200- million spaces along our city streets where trees could be planted. This translates to the potential to absorb 33 million more tons of CO2 every year, and saving $4 billion in energy costs."—National Wildlife Federation

"Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and can save 20 - 50 percent in energy used for heating."—USDA Forest Service

"Trees can be a stimulus to economic development, attracting new business and tourism. Commercial retail areas are more attractive to shoppers, apartments rent more quickly, tenants stay longer, and space in a wooded setting is more valuable to sell or rent."—The Arbor Day Foundation

"Healthy, mature trees add an average of 10 percent to a property's value."—USDA Forest Service

"The planting of trees means improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. This allows more recharging of the ground water supply. Wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams."—USDA Forest Service

"In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension."—Dr. Roger S. Ulrich Texas A&M University

"The shade and wind buffering provided by trees reduces annual heating and cooling costs by 2.1 billion dollars".

"Each average-sized tree provides an estimated $7 savings in annual environmental benefits, including energy conservation and reduced pollution".

"A single tree produces approximately 260 pounds of oxygen per year. That means two mature trees can supply enough oxygen annually to support a family of four!".

" Water originating in US  national forests provide drinking water for over 3400 communities, and approximately 60 million individuals".

"One tree can absorb as much carbon in a year as a car produces while driving 26,000 miles".

"An average American uses about 750 pounds of paper every year, and 95% of homes are built using wood. That means each person uses the equivalent of one 100 foot tall, 16 inch diameter, tree every year for their paper and wood product needs".

"Over the course of 50 years, a single tree can generate $31,250 of oxygen, provide $62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycle $37,500 worth of water, and control $31,500 worth of soil erosion. "

Source:

http://www.arborday.org/trees/benefits.cfm

 

Click here (interactive image)!!:

http://www.arborday.org/trees/benefitsfullscreen.cfm

 

 

Laura Cipollina- IBIOCAT, Divisione Marketing e Commerciale

 

 

IBIOCAT Humor- A musical parody for you: "I Did It Their Way" by Bob Blue

"I Did It Their Way"

 
Words by Bob Blue
 
(To be sung to the tune of "My Way")
 
 
 
I came with all my books, lived in dorms, followed directions. 
I worked, I studied hard, met lots of folks who had connections. 
I crammed, they gave me grades, and may I say not in a fair way. 
But more, much more than this, I did it their way. 
 
 
I learned all sorts of things although I know I'll never use them. 
The courses that I took were all required, I didn't choose them. 
You'll find that to survive it's best to act the doctrinaire way. 
And so I buckled down and did it their way. 
 
 
Yes, there were times I wondered why 
I had to crawl when I could fly. 
I had my doubts, but after all, 
I clipped my wings, and learned to crawl. 
I had to bend, and in the end 
I did it their way. 
 
 
And so, my fine young friends, now that I'm a full professor 
Where once I was oppressed, now I've become the cruel oppressor. 
With me you'll learn to cope, you'll learn to climb life's golden stairway. 
 
 
What can I do?  What can I do? 
Open your books.  Read chapter two. 
And if it seems a bit routine, 
Don't come to me, go see the dean. 
As long as they give me my pay 
I'll do it their way. 
 
 
 
Bob Blue 
 
 
 
Frank Sinatra sings "My Way" :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEbgB6X6S5c
 
 
 
Laura Cipollina – IBIOCAT, Divisione Marketing e Commerciale 

Green Thought for Today September 25, 2008

On true joy in life

This is the one true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.

I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no 'brief candle' to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.

George Bernard Shaw (Dublin, 26 July 1856 – Ayot St Lawrence, 2 November 1950)

 

Laura Cipollina- IBIOCAT, Divisione Marketing e Commerciale

 

Green Thoughts for Today September 19, 2008

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now"

Anonymous

 

 

"Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets. To plant a pine, one need only own a showel"

Aldo Leopold

 

 

"I never before knew the full value of trees. Under them I breakfast, dine, write, read, and receive my company"

Thomas Jefferson

 

 

Learn more about the simple act of planting a tree by reading these free books:

 

http://www.treelink.org/books/simpleact/index.htm

 

http://cfc.cfans.umn.edu/links/handbook.pdf

 

We hope you'll become soon a part of IBIOCAT's commitment to creating a healthy and beautiful environment!

Join us at our web site http://www.ibiocat.eu/ 

 

 

Laura Cipollina- IBIOCAT, Divisione Marketing e Commerciale

 

Protocollo di Kyoto: quali tecnologie innovative

Torino, 7 ottobre 2008
Primo appuntamento del tour scientifico del Premio Sapio per la Ricerca
Italiana 2008: martedì 7 ottobre a Torino si svolgerà presso il salone
d'Onore del Castello del Valentino, la Giornata di Studio "Ambiente e
cambiamenti climatici".
La Giornata vedrà la presenza, in qualità di relatori, di: Corrado Clini,
Direttore Generale per la ricerca ambientale e lo sviluppo - Ministero
dell'Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare, Marco Gilli,
Pro-Rettore del Politecnico di Torino, Marcello Capra, Ministero dello
Sviluppo Economico - Direzione Generale dell'Energia e delle Risorse
Minerarie, Girolamo Mangano, Giornalista RAI, Piercarlo Cavenaghi,
Amministratore Delegato Gruppo Sapio, Christophe Maldeme, Business Manager
MAC & Low GWP Products - Arkema, Enrico Drioli, Direttore ITM CNR - Partner
progetto NANOGLOWA, Mario Marchionna, Eni spa E&P Division - Partner
progetto CO2 Capture Project, Giuseppe Girardi, Responsabile Sezione
Impianti e Processi Energetici - ENEA, Massimo Malavasi, Direttore Ricerca
e Sviluppo di ITEA, Pietro Barbucci, Responsabile Combustibili Fossili,
Politiche di Ricerca e Sviluppo, Enel - Divisione Ingegneria ed
Innovazione, Nicola Rossi, ENEL SpA – GEM Technical Area Research, Giorgio
Dodero, Chairman IPG Industrial Project Group Srl, Fedora Quattrocchi,
Responsabile UF Geochimica dei Fluidi, Stoccaggio Geologico e Geotermia -
INGV, Vincenzo Ferrini, Direttore del Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra -
Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza", Marzio Domenico Galeotti,
Docente presso la Facoltà di Scienze Politiche - Università degli Studi di
Milano, Guido Saracco, Direttore DISMIC - Dipartimento di Scienza dei
Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica, Politecnico di Torino, Bruno Panella,
Direttore Dipartimento di Energetica, Politecnico di Torino, Arturo
Lorenzoni, Direttore di Ricerca IEFE, Istituto di Economia e Politica
dell'Energia e dell'Ambiente - Università Bocconi, Salvatore Lombardi,
Docente presso il Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra - Università degli
Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" , Bruno Stella, Docente presso il Dipartimento
di Fisica – Università di Roma Tre, Antonio Saitta, Presidente della
Provincia di Torino, Nicola De Ruggiero, Assessore all' Ambiente,
Promozione del Risparmio energetico e Risorse idriche – Regione Piemonte,
Domenico Mangone, Assessore all'Ambiente - Comune di Torino.

Un incontro, pertanto, di grande spessore, dedicato all'esame approfondito
della "convenienza energetica ed economica" dello stoccaggio della CO2, un
progetto ambizioso su cui l'Unione Europea ha investito molto allo scopo di
rientrare nei parametri definiti dal protocollo di Kyoto per l'emissione in
atmosfera di questo gas, considerato il principale responsabile delle
variazioni osservate nell'effetto serra. La Giornata si propone anche di
introdurre ipotesi alternative che possano conseguire il medesimo obiettivo
(utilizzo dei gas refrigeranti di nuova generazione, utilizzo dell'idrogeno
come vettore emergente ed attenzione alla fonte energetica nucleare), e di
individuare nuovi percorsi fattibili di nuovi modelli di business.
Con la presente siamo a invitarLa a partecipare alla Giornata di Studio
"Ambiente e cambiamenti climatici" che si terrà presso il Castello del
Valentino, Salone d'Onore – viale Mattioli, 39 – Torino, il prossimo 7
ottobre 2008, ore 9.30.
Considerata l'importanza dell'evento, confidiamo in una Sua risposta
affermativa.
L'iscrizione (gratuita) alla Giornata di Studio "Ambiente e cambiamenti
climatici" può essere effettuata cliccando su questo link e compilando la
scheda di iscrizione.
Per garantire a tutti i partecipanti la migliore accoglienza e a causa di
necessità organizzative e tecniche legate alla sede che ospita l'incontro,
La preghiamo di confermare la Sua presenza alla Segreteria Organizzativa
(si vedano i riferimenti in calce).
Per qualsiasi richiesta o chiarimento.
contattare
Relazioni Esterne Premio Sapio per la Ricerca Italiana
Indalo Comunicazione - dott.ssa Stefania Pellegrini
tel. 051/273062 - fax 051/6569026
e-mail: segreteria@premiosapio.it
Web site: www.premiosapio.it
Luigi Campanella

IBIOCAT Humor - New Chemical Element Discovered

New Chemical Element Discovered

 

The heaviest element known to science was recently discovered by investigators at a major U.S. research university. The element, tentatively named administratium, has no protons or electrons and thus has an atomic number of 0. However, it does have one neutron, 125 assistant neutrons, 75 vice neutrons and 111 assistant vice neutrons, which gives it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by a force that involves the continuous exchange of meson-like particles called morons. Since it has no electrons, administratium is inert. However, it can be detected chemically as it impedes every reaction it comes in contact with. According to the discoverers, a minute amount of administratium causes one reaction to take over four days to complete when it would have normally occurred in less than a second. Administratium has a normal half-life of approximately three years, at which time it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which assistant neutrons, vice neutrons and assistant vice neutrons exchange places. Some studies have shown that the atomic mass actually increases after each reorganization. Research at other laboratories indicates that administratium occurs naturally in the atmosphere. It tends to concentrate at certain points such as government agencies, large corporations, and universities. It can usually be found in the newest, best appointed, and best maintained buildings. Scientists point out that administratium is known to be toxic at any level of concentration and can easily destroy any productive reaction where it is allowed to accumulate. Attempts are being made to determine how administratium can be controlled to prevent irreversible damage, but results to date are not promising.

This bit of humor was written by William DeBuvitz in April 1988 and appeared in the January 1989 issue of The Physics Teacher. William DeBuvitz is a physics professor at Middlesex County College in Edison, New Jersey (USA). He retired in June of 2000.

Laura Cipollina- IBIOCAT, Divisione Marketing e Commerciale

Burkina Faso: nel "paese degli uomini integri"
...un viaggio di turismo responsabile

C'è ancora un posto libero per te intorno a questa tavola...

Stiamo raccogliendo infatti in questi giorni le adesioni per il prossimo viaggio di turismo responsabile in Burkina Faso (dal 27 dicembre al 13 gennaio) organizzato dal Comitato di Amicizia-Mani Tese e promosso dall'assoc. "T-ERRE".

Benin: la terra delle amazzoni

Ci sono ancora posti per il prossimo viaggio in Benin organizzato da Comitato di Amicizia-Mani Tese e promosso da T-ERRE
dal 26 dicembre all'11 gennaio 2009.

L'ASSOCIAZIONE “T-ERRE TURISMO RESPONSABILE” nasce a Faenza all’inizio
del 2007, con lo scopo di sviluppare iniziative e progetti promozionali, di viaggio, culturali
e formativi nel campo del turismo responsabile e di attivare una rete di collaborazioni
e sinergie tra privati, enti, associazioni ed imprese, operanti con i medesimi obiettivi,
in primo luogo in Romagna, ma con l’obiettivo di consolidare una rete sempre più
ampia, e promuovere una filosofia e modalità di viaggio che concorra a trasformare
sempre più nel tempo atteggiamenti e comportamenti di relazione ed approccio nei
confronti dei popoli e dei territori visitati.

T-ERRE Turismo Responsabile
info@t-erre.org www.t-erre.org
http://turismoresponsabile.blog.kataweb.it/

In carrozza…a dicembre si parte!

…per un viaggio full-immersion in Benin.

Un viaggio nella bellezza dei suoi luoghi: le sue mitiche spiaggie bianche contornate di palme e da villaggi di pescatori; i suoi templi vudù, i suoi palazzi reali, varie memorie di una storia orgogliosa per quanto crudele e spietata.

Continua su…

T-ERRE Turismo Responsabile

info@t-erre.org www.t-erre.org

http://turismoresponsabile.blog.kataweb.it/

"La musica un ponte fra le culture": un anno fa...

...qualche passante, attraversando per caso la piazzetta del Teatro Masini, era rimasto davvero stupito dal livello della qualità artistica proposta, dalla forza espressiva che nasceva dalla contaminazione di artisti italiani e africani, dal "clima" di amicizia e fraternità che la musica diffondeva nell'aria.

Era la giornata mondiale della musica...

Continua su...


http://turismoresponsabile.blog.kataweb.it/