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Carbonate platforms consisting of hermatypic coral, rudists and larger foraminifers formed along the margin of the NE Japanese islands during the mid-Late Aptian. The geographical northern limit of the carbonate platforms extended to c. 36°N at that time, which is the highest latitude for coral and/or rudist formation in the North Pacific region. This geographical extension of the carbonate platform in the NW Pacific indicates extreme climatic warmth in the mid-latitudes and strong poleward heat transport systems. Contemporaneous warming has been detected in European and Australian regions, as represented by the migration of Tethyan fauna toward the boreal realm and the positive excursion of δ13C and negative excursion of δ18O in deep-sea carbonates. Our new constraint on the northern limit of 'reef' growth reinforces the view that an interval of greenhouse-like warmth punctuated the Late Aptian climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article features the KISSTile (Keep It Simple Solar Tile) that was designed and developed by Sebastian Braat at the University of Western Sydney. This simple approach to urban roofing implies that the energy solutions with economic sense are now within reach due to its availability in suburban homes. He considers KISSTile as a roof-integrated modular solar tile which is designed specifically for Australian concrete tile roofs. It is a photovoltaic panel and solar heat exchanger that offers 4 watts of power in each of its tile. It adds to the value of the house for transforming the humble concrete roof tile into a technical package that delivers solar power and solar hot water to homes. It is also cost-wise through the use of amorphous photovoltaic film.