Stunning animations of climate are shown in two new videos produced by Frontier Scientists entitled Modeling Climate and Designing Supercomputers. The models generated by scientific data show realities that can only be seen via a computer such as Annual Gradient Melt over Greenland 1979 through 2009 and CO2 Emissions from Fossil-fuel and Cement Production in North America, Asia, and Europe from 1751 to 2001. The video Designing Supercomputers explains the importance of 'interconnect networks' that allow efficient communication within the supercomputers to be able to run data-intensive simulations efficiently. These videos are part of a Computational Science series produced by www.FrontierScientists.com 

India Goes to the Arctic. The Arctic exploration has become a priority program for India to strengthen the economic and political positions of the country in this region. India still doesn't have sufficient capabilities for such large-scale projects, but it is dedicated to secure a footing in the Arctic with the assistance of its partners. In a distant future we may expect the return of Indians to their historical motherland (the majority of scientists believe that three and a half thousand years ago Aryans came to India from the Arctic). Russia & India Report 

Research is Key to Alaska's Bright Economic Future. Commentary by Scott Minerd. Winston Churchill once referred to the resource-intensive land of India as "the jewel in the crown of the British Empire." Today, I propose that Alaska -- with its vast wealth of natural resources -- is the crown jewel of America, standing ready to take its place as a primary driver of economic growth in the Arctic region. This prosperous vision for Alaska can only happen if the state fosters an environment conducive to growth, including the advancement of home-grown research and development activities. As a recent visitor to and fond admirer of the great state of Alaska, I write this column to encourage support for House Bill 118, which provides tax credits for qualified R&D projects in the state. The legislation is part of a series of initiatives proposed by Gov. Sean Parnell to help boost economic development in the state. Expanding Alaska's R&D capabilities is an important step toward increasing private-sector investment, economic diversification and entrepreneurial innovation. Alaska Dispatch 

Feds Interview New Witnesses in Polar Bear Probe. Federal agents interviewed new witnesses this week in an ongoing investigation of government scientists that's been called "polar bear-gate," according to the scientists' lawyer. The controversial probe, now entering its third year, is looking into allegations of scientific misconduct related to a 2006 report by wildlife researchers Charles Monnett and Jeffrey Gleason, who described seeing dead polar bears floating in Arctic waters. The apparently drowned bears raised concerns about the effect of melting ice in the Arctic, and they were mentioned in Al Gore's movie An Inconvenient Truth. Critics say the current probe is a witch hunt being conducted because the dead polar bears became potent symbols of climate change. NPR

Climate Change Linked to Waterborne Diseases in Inuit Communities: A recent study may warn of more widespread threats to water quality. As global warming triggers heavier rainfall and faster snowmelt in the Arctic, Inuit communities in Canada are reporting more cases of illness attributed to pathogens that have washed into surface water and groundwater, according to a new study. The findings corroborate past research that suggests indigenous people worldwide are being disproportionately affected by climate change. This is because many of them live in regions where the effects are felt first and most strongly, and they might come into closer contact with the natural environment on a daily basis. For example, some indigenous communities lack access to treated water because they are far from urban areas. National Geographic

Arctic Sea Ice Extent Below Average in March: Data Center. You may not be able to note the changes when you look out the window and still see frozen sea ice, but Arctic sea ice has already entered the spring melt season. Arctic sea ice reached its annual maximum extent on March 18, says the Colorado-based National Snow and Ice Data Center, which uses satellite data to see how much of the Arctic Ocean sea ice covers. Now the sea ice has started to shrink. Nunatsiaq Online

Polar Bear Population Healthy, May Be Growing in Northern Canada: New study suggests more bears around Hudson Bay than once believed. There are more polar bears in a key region of northern Canada than scientists predicted, new government-backed evidence released Wednesday shows. However, experienced polar bear researchers are already calling the data into question. An aerial survey of western areas of Hudson Bay showed more than 1,000 animals, or about 66 percent more than previous estimates, said Drikus Gissing, director of wildlife management for the territorial Government of Nunavut. "We have the information that suggests that the population is at best stable, and not in decline as predicted," he said. "It's a viable population." Global Post