The Moon's volcanoes may have erupted during the Dinosaurs age

The dinosaurs never became the ruler of the Earth, before the 'apocalypse' occurred 65 million years ago, when a giant meteor hit the escape from Earth's atmosphere and then trigger extinction. If they were able to find a telescope that time, the ancient creatures may be able to see the lava flows on the Moon surface.

Scientists initially suspected, volcanic activity on the Moon was dead about 1 billion years ago. However, the data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) of the United States Space Agency or NASA shows the lava flows on the surface of Earth satellites may be less than 100 million years ago.

Called Maskelyne, this feature is one of many newly discovered young volcanic rock deposits on the moon. These deposits are known as irregular mare patches and they are thought to be remnants of small basaltic eruptions. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ziQ1dh)

"This finding is a kind of knowledge, literally, will make geologists rewrite their books that discuss about the Moon," said John Keller, the LRO project scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, USA, as quoted from SPACE on Thursday, October 15, 2014.

When orbiting the Moon in 1971, Apollo 15 astronauts take pictures of volcanic deposits on the surface of the earth satellite, called Ina. The researchers suspect, Ina is till very young and may have formed in a local explosion of volcanic activity, even though most of the Moon volcanism occurred between 3.5 billion to 1 billion years ago.

But now, the photos of the LRO satellite - the orbiter which arrived at the Moon in 2009 - showed Ina is not alone. It had a lot of 'friends'. The scientists found 70 similar pattern in dark volcanic plains on the Moon which faces the Earth.

The unique rock deposit is also called irregular mare patches. Mare is a vast basalt plains and dark on the Moon, formed by the freezing of the magma flooding due to ancient volcanic eruption processes several billion years ago.

Their existence is characterized by rounded mounds that look smooth bulge mixed with coarse, rock formations with size is less than 500 meters. Too small to be seen with the naked eye from the Earth.

These findings indicate that the volcanic activity on the Moon spreads in a relatively not so long ago - at least in terms of geology. Three deposits estimated age of less than 100 million years. And Ina probably was less than 50 million years.

The scientists conducted a study with the techniques which associate the measurement of the Moon crater with the age of Moon dust samples that taken during the Apollo missions and the Soviet Union's Luna robotic missions. The findings are described in detail in the Nature Geoscience on October 12, 2014.

The deposit findings could also change the way of scientists think about the temperature of the inside or interior of the Moon.

"The presence and age of irregular mare patches informs that the coats of Moon must have been pretty hot, allowing the magma comes out in small-volume eruptions that created the feature," said Sarah Braden from Arizona State University who led the study. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LIVESCIENCE | SPACE.COM]

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2 Unique motorcyccles from the past

After a long time I did not write about antique motorcycles, this time the writing subject is two German made motorcycles which is unique in terms of both design and technical and are made in the period before the second world war.

An art-deco styled front-wheeled drive motorcycle called Friedenstaube Motorrad (Peace Dove motorcycle), developed by Robert Killinger & Walter Freund in the 1938. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/30OLYow)

Discovering motorcycles that defied their time, these peculiar and extraordinary machines, ahead of their eras, continue to cast a timeless allure. With their avant-garde designs and revolutionary features, these unconventional marvels challenge norms and captivate enthusiasts today. Their lasting impression echoes through the years, serving as a testament to innovation that transcends temporal boundaries.

1. Megola

Megola motorcycles designed by three German Engineers named MEixner, GOckerell and LAndgraf in Munich and was made between 1920 to 1925. This bike uses a sv (side valve)-5 cylinder radial engine with 640 cc and 14 hp in the front wheel.

If you look at Megola machine that has great torque, so as to make this motorcycle accelerates from (almost) zero mph up to a maximum speed with only one gear. At the time of stopping, the motorcycle engine must be turned off.

Megola Motorcycle. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1nzYDqL)

And if you want to use it again, the rider must had to push to start the engine again. Imagine if you ride the bike on on a street that has a many traffic lights and vehicles, you must have been exhausted before reaching the destination.

Megola is a motorcycle with a front-wheel drive. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1nzYDqL)

Although somewhat unique and strange, this Megola had to succeeded in the race with riders like Toni Bauhofer, Josef Stelzer and Albin Tommasi. Megola has a top speed record of 140 kph. In its heyday is made up of 2,000 units, making Megola was one of the world's rarest antique motorcycles.

2. Friedenstaube Motorrad

This bike named Friedenstaube Motorrad is developed by Robert Killinger and Walter Freund, which was founded around 1935 by five engineers from Munich, Germany. They are compelled to create, develop and refine a motorcycle-that inspired by Megola motorcycle.

'Friedenstaube' or Killinger und Freund Motorrad. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/ZIJ4Sm)

As quoted of WInd-Water, these bike built by five German engineers and presented at the the Berlin motor show in 1938. The project was run under the names "Friedenstaube" (mean: Peace dove) and "Endsieg" (mean: Final Victory). The project name might be came from the assumption that World War II could be ended very quickly. Robert Killinger is in charge of the machine in which Fritz Cockerell also participated. The frame design is by Walter Freund. 

The motorcycle heavily inspired by Megola motorcycle and then do the research over 3 years to create much more perfect motorcycle than Megola. And it turns out their results far beyond than they expected. They managed to create a motorcycle prototype that using a 2 stroke 3-cylinder engine that has a capacity of 600 cc with an aerodynamic design and a weight of about 135 kg which turned out to be much lighter than the 100 cc motorcycle at the time.

A 2 stroke 3-cylinder engine on the front wheel of Killinger & Freund Motorrad. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1nzZKGK)

From the design they successfully apply the streamlined principles on this bike, that almost never been applied and created for a motor vehicle at that time. While the technical side they also managed to combine in the form of 3-cylinder engine that is compact and lightweight at only 50 kg as a driving force on the front wheel without disturbing the driver and wheel performance!

Rear three quarter of 'Friedenstaube' or Killinger und Freund Motorrad. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1nzZKGK)

This bike is not in mass production due to the outbreak of World War II. One motorcycle was discovered by the US-Army in the spring of 1945 at a German military station but it is not known if this was the original prototype or another Killinger und Freund Motorrad. The location of that captured vehicle is unknown.

One US-Army soldier posed on the 'Friedenstaube' or Killinger und Freund Motorrad. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1zlACJk)

And lastly there is one image that really makes me sad, it seems one unit of Killinger & Freund that has disassembled its components. Because the source is not clear when and where is it located (I think it's the same unit with the Allies booty, see the broken line of paint on the front fenders).

Is this the end of the story of Killinger & Freund Motorrad? (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ten2Ec)

Then... enjoy the images of one of the rarest motorcycle may be the only one in the world! No one knows if this bike is still there or has been living a story that can only be seen in the pictures only. 
But now, the modern version of this kind of motorbike named The Killer is finished. See it for yourself on display in the Haas Moto Museum in Dallas, Texas.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of two-wheeled monster and stay alive with the true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIND-WATER.NL]

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Revealing the contents of 'Magna Carta' which has charred 283 years ago

One of the original manuscript of the Magna Carta was finally able to read again, after 283 years in charred condition and damaged by fire in London, England.

Magna Carta - Latin means 'Great Charter' released in the UK on June 15, 1215 in the reign of King John. The rules limit the power of the British monarchy which previously was absolute. Now, the document is considered a first step toward constitutional law, not just a reduction in the power of the king or queen.

Using ultraviolet light, British Library scientists were able to photograph the text of the 1215 Burnt Magna Carta that is invisible to the human eye. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1vYQtcH)

There are four original copies of documents that were made at that time. One of them, the manuscript which kept in the British Library destroyed by burning in a fire incident in 1731.

Now, researchers are using a technique called multispectral imaging, managed to decipher the text of "Burnt Magna Carta" without touching or causing further damage to the valuable documents. This method allows scientists to conserve by taking images that virtually ignores the damage and show the parchment details and text on its surface.

"The document is badly damaged, we simply could not read it with the naked eye," said Christina Duffy, an imaging scientist at the British Library as quoted by LiveScience, on Monday, October 13, 2014. However, with these techniques, "very surprising because the text can be restored. "

The imaging is part of the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta ratification, when King John put the royal seal on the document, and vowed to stick with it. British Library save two copies of the Magna Carta, one of them in charred condition. The other two are stored in Lincoln Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral.

On February 3, 2015, four copies will be exhibited side by side in the British Library, London, for the first time in history. The public may enter the lottery for free tickets to see the exhibition, which is only available for the 1,215 winners.

The burnt Magna Carta was never studied for decades. In 1970, the charred document was stored in special frame with a specific security. British Library team has no intention of restoring the charred documents. The object will be preserved as it is.

"There are different ways to fix it. However, most of the wet process, certain areas should be wet. We did not want to make the charter so moist," said Duffy.

Thus, scientists are using multispectral imaging, which essentially photographing the burned parchment with a series of LED light, which covers the spectrum of ultraviolet to infrared - beyond the range of human vision.

"Although some of the images produced basically the same, but each one giving different information," said Duffy further.

That way, the text is invisible to the naked eye suddenly appeared. Essentially identical to the text of three other copies which signed by the King of England in 1215. The team is still processing the multispectral image and will do the same process in other old documents related to the Magna Carta. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LIVESCIENCE]

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Yamaha with a Scrambler taste

Display with a blast of fresh dark green glitter paint, this cool motorcycle modification using basic 1982 Yamaha Virago XV920, which is almost all over its body been recast by Greg Hageman of Doc’s Chops.

Scrambler taste on the Yamaha Virago XV920 by Greg Hageman of Doc’s Chops. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1rmxe6P)

The first was the engine overhaul. To give a performance not to be outdone by the latest motorcycle, the modifier increases its capacity to 1,000 cc. Its conventional fuels supplier or carburetor rely on the new Mikuni VM34.

Right side view of the modification of Yamaha Virago XV920. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1rmxe6P)

Furthermore, the exhaust gas pipelines or the exhaust system is backed by a medium-sized pipe with the Laser Duo-Tech cone silincer. The front of the motorcycle adopting an innate part of Yamaha XV1000 TR1, the front spiral suspension and also its fork snatch part of the Yamaha XS650.

The special tank design with a blast of fresh dark green glitter paint. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1rmxe6P)

It shown with enduro motorcycle style that uses the size of the front wheel larger than the rear wheel, this Yamaha scrambler was also adopting this style. Its front wheel was uses 18-inch and 17-inch for rear wheel, not to forget also the 'jagged' tires motive also installed nicely.

Rear three quarter of the modification of Yamaha Virago XV920. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1rmxe6P)

To reinforce the scrambler impression, the tank design, handlebar to seat remade with forms and themes a little 'aggressive' aka scrambler impressive figure. As a sweetener, a blast of dark green glitter paint to complement the classical character. Indeed, some of the modifiers are often used glitter effect to display the classic value and exclusivity of their motorcycles. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BIKEEXIF]

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Stem cells from human embryos proven safe

The longest trial on stem cells from human embryos showed that the cells do not cause problems worrying scientists, such as forming a tumor, and partial blindness reversing the eye that received a transplant.

The study, published in The Lancet that could help revive the controversial effort to harness stem cells, which have the capacity to turn out 200 types of human cells to treat disease. In the preface to the report accompanying the study, Dr. Anthony Atala of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, called the results of the study as "a major accomplishment."

Stem cells implanted into the eye were found to be safe and even beneficial for vision. (Picture from: http://nydn.us/1t1nYur)

After the excitement among scientists and the public about stem cells are promising and debate ethical issues regarding the destruction of the human embryo to obtain cells, the field was tripped when a large trial of spinal cord injury therapy by Geron Corp. halted in 2011 and the interest of other companies preparing.

The main purpose of the study was to assess the safety of cell transplantation. Cells called the retinal pigment epithelial cells are created by taking stem cells from day-old embryos in fertility clinics and stimulating them to differentiate into specialized cells. 

Stem cell colonies developed using the SCNT method. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1nwQXp3)

The study "provides the first evidence in humans that suffer from the disease, about the long-term safety and the possibility of biological activity" of cells taken from fetuses, said one of the study's authors, Dr. Robert Lanza of Advanced Cell Technology, which produces cells and funded the study. 

Nine patients with Stargardt disease (which causes macular degeneration in childhood) and nine other patients who experience dry age-related macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in adults) received a transplant of retinal cells in one eye. The other eye was maintained as a control. 

Four eyes had a cataract and the two become inflamed, the possibility for the influence of patient age (average 77 years) or the use of immunosuppressive drugs for transplant. Retinal cells that help the function of the rods and cones eye can survive and function in all patients, most of his eyesight improved. 

In patients with macular degeneration, eye treated on average see 14 additional letters on a standard eye chart after a year of receiving the cells, with one patient saw 19 letters. Eyes that did not receive treatment worsened it. The results were similar in patients with Stargardt. 

In fact, other patients who could not see the object with a height of less than four meters can now see normal-sized adults. Eye of a 75-year-old farmer who was blind (20/400) improved so 20/40, enough to ride again, Lanza said. The others so can use the computer, watch the clock, go to the mall or take a trip to the airport alone for the first time in many years. 

Dusko Ilic stem cell expert from Kings College, London, who was not involved in the study cautioned that even if clinical trials are planned later this year is also successful, "it will take many years before the treatment can be done."  *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | REUTERS]

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Scientists managed to reveal the origin of HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is still a scourge. Attention to the virus peaked in 1980, and until now has infected nearly 75 million people in the world. It has long been known, the virus has a longer history in Africa, however, where the pandemic originated is still a heated debate.

Kinshasa, pictured in 1955, was at the centre of the pandemic, scientists say. (Picture from: http://bbc.in/1nSWNS5)

To uncover the mystery, an international team trying to reconstruct the genetics of HIV. To find out where its oldest ancestors originated spreading on human. The findings in the virus archeology is used to find the origin of the pandemic. Similarly, the team reports in the journal Science. Experts using archival samples of HIV's genetic code to track the source. And in fact, the origin of pandemic traced from the 1920s in the city of Kinshasa is now part of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The spreading description of HIV virus, which began in Kinshasa in the early 1920s. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1t1j5BD)

Their report said, the sex trade is rampant, rapid population growth, and not sterile needles are used in clinics suspected of spreading the virus. Creating 'perfect storm' conditions. Meanwhile, the railroads were built with the support of Belgium - in which one million people across the city each year - carry the HIV virus to the surrounding area. Then on to the world.

The team of scientists from the University of Oxford and the University of Leuven, Belgium trying to reconstruct the 'family tree' of HIV and found the origins of the virus ancestor. "You can see the traces of history in today's genome - the recorded data, signs mutations in the HIV genome can not be removed," said Professor Oliver Pybus of the University of Oxford, told the BBC on Friday, October 3, 2014. By reading the signs of mutation the team could reconstruct a family tree and trace its roots.

HIV is a mutated version of the chimpanzee (pictured a Chimpanzee) virus, known as simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVcpz) - which might make the leap the species, to humans, through contact with infected blood. (Picture from: http://bbc.in/1nSWNS5)

HIV is a mutated version of the chimpanzee virus, known as simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVcpz) - which might make the leap the species, to humans, through contact with infected blood. This virus was first spread on the chimpanzees hunters when handling the animal meat. The first case was reported in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 1930. The virus makes the jump on several occasions. One of them leads to HIV-1 subtype O is spread in Cameroon. Then, the HIV-1 subtypes M that infect millions of people worldwide.

In the 1920s, Kinshasa - formerly called Leopoldville until 1966 - was part of the Belgian Congo. "The city was very large and very fast growing. Medical records show a high incidence of the colonial era a number of sexually transmitted diseases," said Professor Oliver Pybus.

At that time, male workers flowing into the city, triggering a gender imbalance, with the male and female ratio of 2:1 - that triggered the rise of sex trafficking. Plus factor with disease treatment practices through non-sterile injections were effectively spread the virus.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the immune system. (Picture from: http://bbc.in/1nSWNS5)

"Another interesting aspect is the transportation network that makes people move easily." Approximately 1 million people use the rail network of Kinshasa in the late 1940s. "And the virus was spread, first to the neighboring city of Brazzaville, and extends to a province area which ​​their economy is sustained on mining, Katanga. The 'perfect storm' conditions, only lasted for a few decades in Kinshasa. But when it ended, HIV is already spreading to the rest of the world.

Jonathan Ball of the University of Nottingham said, the findings was attractive because it provides a new insight into the early phase of the HIV-1 pandemic. "The suspect who made the virus to gain a foothold in humans - is transportation, the population increases, health practices, and prostitution," as he told the BBC. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BBC]

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