Saving energy is big business these days and automobiles are a prime target for savings because two-thirds of the energy from fuel is wasted in the form of heat - about 30 percent through the engine block and a further 30 to 35 percent as exhaust fumes.

Researchers are working on a thermoelectric generator that converts the heat from car exhaust fumes into electricity. The module feeds the energy into the car’s electronic systems. This cuts fuel consumption and helps reduce the CO2 emissions from motor vehicles.

There is clearly a great need for thermoelectric generators (TEGs). These devices convert heat into electrical energy by making use of a temperature gradient. The greater the temperature difference, the more current TEGs can produce.

A new type of exercise equipment, first designed for actor Christopher Reeve, who played "Superman" in the 1977 film and its three sequels, can prevent serious lifestyle illnesses in paraplegic patients, according to a new exercise study.

In the study completed last year, patients who were paralyzed from the chest or waist down experienced an average increase in their oxygen uptake by 25 per cent and in their heart pumping volume by fully 37 per cent – after just eight weeks of training on the bike.

Patients who are unable to walk after a spinal injury have a poorer quality of life and shortened lifespan compared to non-paralyzed counterparts. Sitting passively in a chair makes people susceptible to weight and digestion problems, lower bone density, diabetes and heart/circulation problems.

States that perform local-level background checks for firearms purchases are more effective in reducing firearm suicide and homicide rates than states that rely only on a federal-level background check, according to a new study by researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.

There are three entities that perform background checks for firearm purchases. The FBI, a single state agency or a local law enforcement department such as a municipal police or sheriff's office are the bodies contacted to perform background checks.

ATLANTA, June 3 /PRNewswire/ --

- New Members Join Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis, Former McDonald's Executive Bill Lamar and Recording Industry Pioneer Clarence Avant in Consumer Empowerment Coalition

The Alliance for Digital Equality held its Mid-Year Board Meeting in Atlanta, May 30-31, 2008 and Chairman Julius H. Hollis and The Board of Directors of The Alliance for Digital Equality today announced the appointment of two new Board members -- Harold Henderson and Brian Bradford.

The odds are poor that humanity will ever curtail CO2 emissions sufficiently fast against even the mid-case global warming scenarios forecast by climatologists. A possible near-term remedy, however, has been found in the form of a simple pollution abatement strategy in the mitigation of airborne soot. Airborne soot falls from the air in a matter of weeks, so its abatement is far more efficacious - in terms of tangible environmental benefits - than first migitating CO2 emissions.

LA BAULE, France, June 3 /PRNewswire/ --

- Solar Thermal Power Expert Terry Murphy to Address European Buyers

Terry Murphy, President and CEO of California-based solar thermal power company SolarReserve, has been tapped to speak about the future of concentrated solar power at a technology conference to be held later this week. The conference's goal is to foster European expansion and partnership agreements for select companies focusing on energy, technology, entertainment and media, telecommunications, security, and other emerging technology fields. The conference is for U.S.-based companies seeking to expand their distribution to Europe, and is by invitation only.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida, June 3 /PRNewswire/ --

The recent announcement that Welsh businessman Wynford Dore's DDAT UK company has entered into Administration (liquidation), followed by the closing of all of its UK clinics, has left thousands of families feeling disappointed, cheated and wondering what to do next, according to a flurry of blogs posted in response to the sudden collapse.

Ramanathan has served on IPCC WG2 Panels, he headed the UN's INDOEX project and he's as solid a climate scientist as we have.

A black iceberg & melting snow
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=impure-as-the-driven-snow

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 3 /PRNewswire/ --

DST International (DSTi), a leading supplier of business solutions for the investment management industry, has expanded its use of FINCAD Analytics into its HiPortfolio system. HiPortfolio integrates front, middle, and back office functions to provide the accounting and administration required in asset management. DSTi first implemented FINCAD Analytics into its HiRisk solution 10 years ago.