Americans Use Phone for Politics

26%

Of American adults used their cell phone to learn about or participate in the 2010 mid-term election campaign, according to Pew Research. The mobile political user group is more male than female, young than old, better off financially than less well-off, and better educated than less well-educated. African-Americans also are more likely than whites or Hispanics to be in this group.

L.A.’s Lights Sustain Smog

7%

Amount by which the lights of Los Angeles slow the usual nighttime cleansing of air pollution, according to preliminary findings by scientists from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Colorado. The lights destroy significant numbers of airborne nitrate ions, which break down auto and smokestack emissions while the sun is down.