A new polymorph (form II) is reported for the 1:1 dimethyl sulfoxide solvate of 2,3,5,6-tetra­fluoro-1,4-di­iodo­benzene (TFDIB·DMSO or C6F4I2·C2H6SO). The structure is similar to that of a previously reported polymorph (form I) [Britton (2003). Acta Cryst. E59, o1332–o1333], containing layers of TFDIB mol­ecules with DMSO mol­ecules between, accepting I⋯O halogen bonds from two TFDIB mol­ecules. Re-examination of form I over the temperature range 300–120 K shows that it undergoes a phase transformation around 220 K, where the DMSO mol­ecules undergo re-orientation and become ordered. The unit cell expands by ca 0.5 Å along the c axis and contracts by ca 1.0 Å along the a axis, and the space-group symmetry is reduced from Pnma to P212121. Refinement of form I against data collected at 220 K captures the (average) structure of the crystal prior to the phase transformation, with the DMSO mol­ecules showing four distinct disorder com­ponents, corresponding to an overlay of the 297 and 120 K structures. Assessment of the inter­molecular inter­action energies using the PIXEL method indicates that the various orientations of the DMSO mol­ecules have very similar total inter­action energies with the molecules of the TFDIB framework. The phase transformation is driven by inter­actions between DMSO mol­ecules, whereby re-orientation at lower temperature yields significantly closer and more stabilizing inter­actions between neighbouring DMSO mol­ecules, which lock in an ordered arrangement along the shortened a axis.

A method is adapted to generate a full rank realization of an abstract regular polyhedron with automorphism group H3.

Eleven questions that should shape the next decade of geographical sciences research were identified today in a new report by the National Research Council.

The L.A. Philharmonic will be the new operator of the John Anson Ford Theatre, the smaller outdoor venue near  the 101 Freeway across from the Hollywood Bowl, under a plan approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.  

L.A.  funding sustains the Ford, and the county recently spent $80 million renovating the 1,200  seat amphitheater.  But attendance has been lackluster — and Supervisor Sheila Kuehl hopes the L.A. Philharmonic can change that. 

“The Ford will be able to take advantage of the natural synergies in marketing, capacity-building and program resources that simply haven’t been available to the Ford as an independent institution," she  said.

The move by the L.A. County  blindsided many local artists.  They say the Ford is an important incubator for diverse talent.  They also worry ticket prices will increase.  Prompted by their criticism, the Supervisors will require the Phil to meet with artists and annually review the diversity of the Ford’s shows with county officials.

This content is from Southern California Public Radio. View the original story at SCPR.org.

Maurice Jackson of Proven and Probable discusses the future of DNI Metals with the company's executive chairman.

A fossil that has been in the collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History since it was discovered in 1951 is today helping scientists piece together the evolutionary history of whales and dolphins, including the origins of the endangered South Asian river dolphin.

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Warmer sea temperatures are increasing the toxic effect of sulphides on seagrass meadows in the Mediterranean Sea, new research reveals. Higher sea temperatures in the region, as projected using climate modelling, will therefore further threaten these habitats which are already declining from the damage caused by other human activities.

NASA's Aqua satellite provided a visible image of Super Typhoon Meranti as it continued to move toward Taiwan and the northern Philippines.

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Frank, Philipp, 1884-1966

The importance of addressing eutrophication to improve the ecological health of coastal and marine waters has been identified in the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive1. A new study discusses possible methods for assessing and monitoring eutrophication, including which indicators to monitor.

Together, European policy and research initiatives provide a sound basis for actions to tackle eutrophication in the Mediterranean Sea, a recent analysis concludes. The review brings together scientific understanding from over 50 years of research on eutrophication and a discussion of the policy frameworks currently in place to deal with this issue.

Citizens in countries surrounding the Baltic Sea would be willing to contribute financially towards long-term management of eutrophication, according to a recent study. Furthermore, most would like to see the Baltic Sea managed as a single whole, rather than only improving their local coastal area.

Flood management could be improved by including socio-demographic information in the assessment of flood risk, suggests new research. The research combined traditional flood risk assessment with information on the ‘social vulnerability’ of people living in flood risk areas. The results show that there are almost twice as many people of high social vulnerability (e.g. low-income or elderly) in flood risk areas of Rotterdam as low social vulnerability people.

Researchers have developed an online tool to help water managers find effective ways of tackling eutrophication, an excess growth of weeds and algae that suffocates life in rivers, lakes and seas. They describe the tool as quick and easy to use and understand. Users can compare the likely effects of different strategies for cutting nutrient pollution in surface waters via an interactive map-based system; this is currently available for Sweden and Europe as a whole.

New research has identified the areas in the Western hemisphere where climate change may have the greatest impacts on amphibians. Alongside traditional methods to predict shifts in geographical ranges, it mapped species with particularly restricted ranges and identified areas most likely to receive less precipitation in the future.

Nutrient pollution and resulting eutrophication has caused a rapid loss of whitefish species from lakes in the European Alps, according to a new genetic and ecological study that sheds light on how these fish became extinct in Swiss lakes. The researchers suggest that diversity loss among whitefish during the last century was related to environmental changes induced by eutrophication such as changes in oxygen levels and food composition in lakes.

Environmental pollution is putting amphibians and reptiles at risk, yet these animals are not included in regulations regarding the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of pesticides. The extent to which other species already used in pesticide toxicity assessment (including fish, birds and mammals) can serve as effective surrogates is currently under debate. This study conducts a systematic review of the available literature. The results reveal a positive correlation between toxicity recorded on fish and aquatic amphibians, but indicate that birds and mammals are generally not good surrogates for reptiles and terrestrial amphibians. Moreover, some chemical-dependent trends were detected, with a number of insecticides found to be more toxic to amphibians or reptiles than to potential surrogates. These findings highlight an urgent need for further research to reduce uncertainties and contribute to future policymaking regarding the protection of amphibians and reptiles from potentially harmful pesticides.

The title function is the third most commonly-used function in my 13 years of writing this blog, after imshow and imread. You have probably all used this function many times.... read more >>

An ongoing investigation by Australian authorities into the sexual abuse of children in the Philippines, including suspected live distance abuse committed by an Australian citizen, has resulted in the rescue of three children and the arrest of one woman in the Philippines.

A fun, not-so-serious, but still-helpful chart that helps you select a vino based on what you're doing, not what you're eating.

Although syphilis was nearly eliminated from the U.S. about a decade ago, the sexually transmitted disease has resurged in recent years.

The cartoonist responsible for beloved webcomic xkcd is also an ace infographic designer. His "Money Chart" is the definitive portrait of a cash-strapped, cash-

Thanks to our oil addiction, such a world would include rolling blackouts, minimal transportation, dwindling food supplies and possibly war.

America does not grow enough fruits and vegetables to satisfy USDA recommendations for all citizens. This infograhic makes the argument easy to understand.

Make sure your new baby's room is safe and healthy for the whole family with these quick and easy tips.

Even a relatively small regional nuclear war could trigger global cooling, damage the ozone layer and cause droughts for more than a decade.

How much money can you save by making certain green changes in your life? We'll tell you.

The apple is one of Earth's most iconic foods, symbolizing everything from health and beauty to evil and ingenuity. This infographic explores it all.

Although natural gas is considered comparably safer and better for the planet than other fossil fuels, there are drawbacks.

Prefab powerhouse Blu Homes releases an infographic detailing how speedy n' strong modular homes can weather future storms.

Prefab builder Blu Homes details a few considerations — energy-efficient and climate change-ready among them — when thinking about your future home.

Philippe Starck unveils a line of energy-efficient prefab homes with European wood builder Riko.

Put down that hamburger, pick up a cricket burger, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Polar bears have ruled the Arctic for 100,000 years, but now they're struggling to keep up as the region undergoes a dramatic transformation.

As the Arctic grows warmer, its sea-ice cover is shrinking at an unprecedented pace. Here's a graphical look at how quickly it's disappearing.

These individuals and organizations support a variety of green causes with generously large donations.

These high-tech devices work in decidedly unexpected ways, often converting human energy into electricity.

As the United States seeks to rely less on imported oil, a few states are leading the charge in the renewable energy revolution.

For space-strapped, design-conscious urban apiarists, Dutch electronics giant Philips unveils the sleek Urban Beehive as part of its eco-futuristic Microbial Ho

Two years after the BP oil spill, the Gulf is still suffering a historic dolphin die-off. Experts say oil is a likely culprit, but evidence remains elusive.

The NOAA suspects the infectious morbillivirus is responsible for the unusually high number of dolphin strandings and deaths this month.

Many American likely aren't aware that the air in their homes and offices may be cause for concern.