Another way to use this new drilling technique?
I was fascinated by Eugene Linden’s article about deep drilling using millimetre-wave beams (13 August, p 25). Whenever geothermal energy gets mentioned, it is usually about electricity generation. But there is a simpler way. That is to drill to around 100 metres and bring up hot water for district heating. This could be done anywhere, not just at power station sites.
The new drilling technique Linden mentions also begs the question, could it be used for tunnelling and quarrying? It would be a game changer if explosives were no longer needed for these purposes.
Young moon may have had big influence on early Earth
On the discussion about how much land might have been available in Earth’s infancy and how this may have affected whether life began on land rather than in the sea, I was surprised that no mention was made of the fact that the moon was much closer to Earth back then (13 August, p 46).
In addition, Earth was spinning faster at that point, so the days were shorter and the tidal effects on exposed land every few hours must have been huge.
A retreat into silence is impossible for some of us
Kayt Sukel writes that even short periods of near-total silence are good for well-being (13 August, p 38). But those of us who have tinnitus carry our noise with us at all times. Refreshment of our inner self can be harder to come by.
Now is the time to step up the climate message
Bill McGuire recognises that the problem with demonstrating the urgent need to control global warming is no longer scientific 鈥� it is a matter of public and political understanding and acceptance (6 August, p 29). For instance, faced with current cost-of-living problems, a typical reaction from some members of the public and politicians is to advocate scrapping the pursuit of net-zero emissions.
Sadly, this response is to blame for continuing inaction on controlling the greenhouse effect, and can only be overcome, as McGuire says, with a massive public information campaign.
Having run their global warming marathon, scientists mustn’t collapse in despair at ignorance within sight of the winning post. They must instead dress their message in the catchy phrases of the popular press.
How can this dose of radiation be justified?
On the possible use of dental X-rays to assess the age of asylum seekers, I was professionally involved with UK ionising radiation regulations more than 30 years ago, and I recall it was advised that doses be kept as low as reasonably achievable (6 August, p 22). Also, I believe that every exposure needed to be medically justified in terms of benefit to the recipient 鈥� this being especially emphasised for children and young adults.
I realise that rules have probably changed, but it is hard to believe that such fundamental principles have been abandoned. I can’t therefore understand how such an obviously political decision to expose asylum seekers, possibly children, to X-ray doses could ever be justified.
Many ways to hack an unconnected computer
The use of Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) cables in computers to transmit data at radio frequencies so it can be purloined is interesting (6 August, p 22). However, there are other ways to extract data from computers that aren’t connected to the internet.
There is, for example, a proof-of-concept malware that modulates the fan speed of computers to send information to a concealed microphone or compromised smartphone. The data is sent in sound waves, albeit at a low rate.
We have no choice but to embrace gene-edited crops
Gene editing aimed at greatly increasing the yield of wheat and other staple crops should be pursued with haste, both to improve food security and to free up suitable farmland for reforestation (16 July, p 20).
There will inevitably be some resistance to gene-edited food, but the increasingly serious problem of food insecurity, and the need to tackle climate change with a wide raft of solutions, must convince consumers that there is little choice.
Make that six numbers to describe the universe
How cool is it that your article about five numbers that transform our understanding of the universe started on page 42 (13 August, p 42), the number made famous by The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy as the answer to life, the universe and everything?
Inquiring minds are keen to know whether this was by chance, perhaps guided by an unseen hand, or whether it was an editor’s tip of the hat to Douglas Adams?
Love of waterside life could be a survival thing
After reading the letters inspired by your feature “Into the Blue”, I have been pondering how proximity to water can have a calming effect (Letters, 13 August).
Is it possible this is because of a psychological response that motivates us to be near to water, which is necessary for our survival? This would be much like how the taste of sugar is pleasing, and so encourages us to consume energy-rich fruit in a natural transaction with plants that provides us with sustenance in exchange for dispersing their seeds.
Perhaps, as fresh water is tasteless and odourless 鈥� meaning it may not be possible for it to act as a chemical stimulus 鈥� we have instead evolved to have a positive psychological response to the sight and sound of it.
For the record
It was teenagers with existing mental health problems who were affected by mindfulness lessons in UK schools, not teenagers generally (20 August, p 25).