Slashdot Mirror
Cosmic Radiation Makes Trees Grow Faster
Diamonddavej writes "The BBC reports that researchers at the University of Edinburgh have found that Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) somehow makes trees grow faster. GCRs vary according to the 11-year solar cycle, with more GCRs hitting the Earth during solar minimum when there is a lull in the solar wind, which normally acts to protect the inner solar system from external galactic radiation. The mechanism might have something to do with GCRs increasing cloud cover, which diffuses sunlight and increases the efficiency of photosynthesis. Nevertheless, the researchers remain mystified and are requesting further ideas and research collaboration to test hypotheses. (How about Radiation Hormesis, AKA 'Vitamin-R?')" Here is the paper's abstract at the journal New Phytologist. The researchers say: "The relation of the rings to the solar cycle was much stronger than to any climatological factors. ... As for the mechanism, we are puzzled."
Allegations of misconduct have appeared regarding key IPCC dendrochronological 'evidence.' Several widely publicized papers may be based on a single flawed survey of cherry picked samples. Steve McIntyre of climateaudit.org has been analyzing long withheld data and has draw some disturbing conclusions.
The story involves, in part, the exposure of raw data left unprotected on a file server by jealous researchers. One would think it might be of interest here on Slashdot given that the NYT is talking about it.
Science could do with less fanatics, and more people who actually understand what science achieves.
> Bigger doesn't equal better in terms of many fruits/plants. Something i wish americans would learn with their produce.
Aren't the "Americans" also growing bigger and not better too?
What else do you want them to "learn with their produce"?