GEM becomes Green Eco Mobility, introduces Peapod prototype

While Chevy makes quite a to-do about the upcoming Volt hybrid, GM-cousin Chrysler has quietly continued to produce over 38,000 real, honest to gosh electric cars in its GEM sub-division. In need of a little eco-PR boost, Global Electric Motorcars is re-branding itself as Global Eco Mobility and introducing the Peapod. No, not that Peapod, or that Peapod, but a new Peapod that will travel up to 30 miles at 25 mph on an eight hour charge — stats that sound suspiciously identical to the company’s earlier Neighborhood Electric Vehicle

http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/30/gem-becomes-green-eco-mobility-introduces-peapod-prototype/

New Birdlike Dinosaur Found in Argentina

The newfound Aerosteon riocoloradensis had both lungs (in red) and air sacs (in other colors), much like modern-day birds.

The 33-foot (10-meter) long dinosaur—described in a September 2008 study—has given scientists new insight into the evolution of bird lungs.

A new predatory dinosaur with a birdlike breathing system found in Argentina may help scientists better understand the evolution of birds’ lung systems. (See more photos.)

The fossil provides the first evidence of dinosaur air sacs, which pump air into the lungs and are used by modern-day birds, said Paul Sereno, the project’s lead researcher and a National Geographic explorer-in-residence. (The National Geographic Society owns National Geographic News.)

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/09/080929-new-dinosaur-missions.html
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/22633021.html

100 Cinnamon Rolls for a PC: Online Swapping Takes Off in Sweden, Too

The Swedish economy hasn’t suffered the series of financial hits (yet) of the U.S. market, but high interest rates and shaky confidence have been two factors precipitating a steep decline in Swede’s shopping habits predicted this fall, and growth of online bartering or swapping (In Sweden it’s called ’swopping’).

Apartment swaps popular, followed by clothes and electronics
Especially in big cities such as Stockholm, where housing is increasingly tight, swapping of apartments – usually trades are say from one to two bedrooms – is already a huge barter business advertised in mainstream papers. Now, however, one of the three biggest barter sites, Bytessajten, is taking a piece of that apartment-swap action, with clothes and electronics two other popular trade categories. One woman in Northern Sweden traded 100 freshly baked cinnamon rolls (a national favorite) for a newer used PC when her older computer crashed and couldn’t be revived.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/09/100-cinnamon-rolls-swapped-for-a-pc.php (site loads slow)

Ponoko – Turn your ideas into real things

Ponoko has always been about devising creative ways to make things you want. With their platform based on downloadable design and mass customization, you can get exactly what you need — the best color, the right size — and it doesn’t have to come off the slow boat from China. All you needed was a design and a computer.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/09/photomake-design-photo-ponoko.php

Turn your ideas into real things

http://www.ponoko.com/

World’s First Wave Energy Farm Begins Operating in Portugal

The world’s first commercial power plant that converts the energy of sea waves into electricity has begun operation off Portugal’s north coast.

The Agucadoura project will initially generate power using three Pelamis wave energy converters, which are a semi-submerged, articulated structures composed of cylindrical sections linked by hinged joints. Described as articulated steel ’sea-snakes’, they are moored to the seabed 7 km off the coast south of Porto.

The three PWEC are currently pumping 2.25 MegaWatts of electricity into the country’s national grid, making Portugal the first country in the world to harness wave energy on a commercial basis.

http://www.nextenergynews.com/news08-2/next-energy-news9.25.08d.html

Kawasaki Unveils a New 217mph Super Bullet Train for Japan

Kawasaki Heavy Industries has unveiled the design concept for the efSET, a 217 mph high speed train which it is developing to compete in the global export market.

The basic design of the Environmentally Friendly Super Express Train will be completed by March 2009, with engineering verification to be completed by March 2010.

The introduction of Kawasaki’s new high-speed train will give Japan the most technologically advanced and efficient passenger rail system in the World. The speedy slick new trains will set a new standard with a lightweight aerodynamic body to minimise noise and vibration, and will be equipped with regenerative braking.

http://www.nextenergynews.com/news08-2/next-energy-news9.19.08a.html

PHOTOS: 100+ New Sharks, Rays Named in Australia

The newly named maugean skate may go extinct before scientists have a chance to fully document it.

The skate–a type of ray–is among 113 new species of Australian sharks and rays discovered during a study of museum specimens, scientists at the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organization (CSIRO) announced this week.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/09/photogalleries/sharks-rays-species-photos/index.html

PHOTO IN THE NEWS: New Iguana Found in Fiji

Say hello to Brachylophus bulabula, a new species of iguana named after a Fijian greeting—bula.

The yellow-nosed reptile, discovered in the central Fiji Islands, is the third living iguana species discovered in the Central Pacific Basin.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/09/080922-new-iguana.html

PHOTOS: Glowing Red Fish Discovered

The reef fish Enneapterygius pusillus has found a creative way to communicate with other fish in a world dominated by blues and greens: The fish literally glows red.

At least 32 species of reef fish that live at depths below 33 feet (10 meters) possess this unique method of signaling, researchers said in a September 2008 study.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/09/photogalleries/fish-red-fluorescence-photos/index.html

Hundreds of new animal species discovered

SYDNEY, Australia – Marine scientists have discovered hundreds of new animal species on reefs in Australian waters, including brilliant soft corals and tiny crustaceans, according to findings released Thursday.

The creatures were found during expeditions run by the Australian chapter of CReefs, a global census of coral reefs that is one of several projects of the Census of Marine Life, an international effort to catalog all life in the oceans.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26786412/

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/09/photogalleries/marine-new-species-photos/index.html