Carbon cost of Googling revealed

US physicist Alex Wissner-Gross has conducted research into the environmental impact of "Googling”, according to the BBC.

Environmental physicists are worried about the environmental impact of IT. It is estimated the global IT sector generates as much greenhouse gas as the world's airlines put together.

The study found a typical Google search on a desktop computer produces about seven grams of carbon dioxide. In a statement, Google said it took the issue "seriously", adding: "The energy used per Google search is minimal."

Digital cabling company Monster Cable is moving to produce speed-rated cables for computers, including USB and Ethernet cables, both on its own and as part of a new co-branding partnership with HP, states PC Mag.

The company's "fight harder" strategy includes delivering new products across virtually all major product lines, and branching out into relatively new ones like data cables and green technology.

Monster demonstrated its new GreenPower PowerCenter line of surge suppressors at CES 2009, in Las Vegas. Available in home theatre and computer models, the power management devices will automatically power down all plugged-in devices, like printers, speakers, and lights, when the main devices, say a computer or audio receiver, go into sleep mode or are turned off.

Scientists at the University at Buffalo's Centre for Computational Research (CCR) have found a way to do more cutting-edge science while consuming less power, says the university's News Centre.

A new energy-efficiency upgrade to the CCR, located in the university's New York State Centre of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, will realise energy savings of approximately $150 000 per year, while boosting the centre's total capacity from 13 trillion floating operations per second (teraflops) to 20 teraflops.

The upgrade was made possible by a $300 000 contract from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and a $150 000 investment by the university.