Changing undesirable weather is a high priority with some government agencies.

Starting in 2003, the U.S. National Research Council has been investing more research into weather modification. Modifying weather is an important element of the scientific agenda.

The first attempts to modify weather took place in 1946, when the General Electric Research Laboratory came up with a way to “seed clouds” to produce rain. Back then, silver iodide was used.

At present, China has a very ambitious weather-modification program in place. An elaborate new facility has been built to focus on eliminating undesirable weather. Since 1996, China has produced over 280 billion tons of rain.

“We have been in the dark ages in terms of scientific research in weather modification for going on 25 years,” said William Colton, a researcher at Colorado State University.

Ongoing studies aim to reduce the size of hail stones, create lightning and channel its path, reduce the fury of hurricanes and disperse fog. So far, none of these objectives have been too successful.

But, pertinent research continues.
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More damning evidence has come to light with regard to the effects of lead exposure on children.

“Lead has special status as a risk factor,” said David Bellinger of Harvard Medical School. Two new studies confirm that children living in lead-contiminated housing have smaller brains and are much more apt to engage in violent criminal acts.

The main sources of lead are lead-based paints and leaded gasoline. Tetra-ethyl lead is a gasoline additive used to reduce vehicle engine knock. Unleaded gasoline has reduced lead emissions in recent years.

New dats shows that children exposed to lead contamination have lower IQ’s (intelligence quotients), attention disorders and are much more likely to be arrested for violent criminal behaviour.  Male brains are more vulnerable to the effects of lead than are female brains.

According to MRI scans, the more lead a child is exposed to, the smaller the adult brain. The anterior cingulate cortex is especially vulnerable to lead, says Kim Dietrich of the University of Cincinnati.  That is the area of the brain that regulates moods, impulsive behaviour and decision-making.

Children raised in homes with high levels of lead are consistently outperformed in tests of intelligence and memory compared with children raised in comparatively lead-free homes.
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Pet obesity is a major problem. New research shows that diet, not exercising, not only generates weight loss but prolongs life. According to Derek Huffman at the University of Alabama, eating less food lowers insulin levels.

That lowering promotes the metabolism of weight-causing glucose. Tests show that if pets become much less obese by merely eating less, even if they do not exercise at all.

Researchers think that the same scenario might apply to humans. Skipping snacks and huge meals is a good way prolong life, in both animals and humans, researchers say.

That is not to imply that exercise is not a good thing.

But, if you want  your pet to live longer, cutting back on its extra food is a great way to start, scientists say.  And, while you are at it, that approach can work for people, too.