By: Madison Norris
Link: http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/health-and-human-body/human-diseases/influenza-article.html
Summary: The most common contagious human disease is influenza. It usually occurs most during Winter. Vaccines for this disease is very important for elderly old people and also the sick. They have a much higher risk of flu-related health complications than the young. Birds are most likely to blame because that is where the flu orginated. The swine flu started to outbreak during the spring of 2009. it is caused by INfluenza A virus and can affect pigs year round.
Why I chose: It was interesting to read about the orgin of the swine flu and about other types as well. I also chose it because there has been a lot of news on the swine flu
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Sun Oddly Quiet -- Hints at Next "Little Ice Age"?
By: Griffin McKinzie
Link: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090504-sun-global-cooling.html
Summary: The sun has weirdly been dimmer than before. In the last couple decades this is the only time that it has been this weak. Scientists want to see what’s going to happen next. They want to see if anything out of the ordinary is going to happen. Something out of the ordinary would be if the sun turned off, the sun exploded, the sun lost its juice, or if the sun was blocked off by some space cloud. If any of those things happened it could be hard for the Earth. What do you think? Is the Aztec calendar correct? Will the world end?
Why I Chose this Article?-I chose this article because I was looking for an article and I thought this one would be good. Also other people have been talking about space and I thought I could help out. I think this could be really bad.
Link: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090504-sun-global-cooling.html
Summary: The sun has weirdly been dimmer than before. In the last couple decades this is the only time that it has been this weak. Scientists want to see what’s going to happen next. They want to see if anything out of the ordinary is going to happen. Something out of the ordinary would be if the sun turned off, the sun exploded, the sun lost its juice, or if the sun was blocked off by some space cloud. If any of those things happened it could be hard for the Earth. What do you think? Is the Aztec calendar correct? Will the world end?
Why I Chose this Article?-I chose this article because I was looking for an article and I thought this one would be good. Also other people have been talking about space and I thought I could help out. I think this could be really bad.
"MISSING LINK" PHOTOS: New Fossil Links Humans, Lemurs?
Name: Robby C.
Link to Article: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090519-ida-primate-fossil-link.html
Summary: "Ida" was found in Germany. Ida could be the missing link in primate evolution. Ida, which is a fossil known as Darwinius masillae has a lemur like skeleton with opposable thumbs and clawless fingers with nails. Before, scientists were unsure where the primate group that included lemurs split off from the primate group that included humans. Ida could be the missing link between the two. Also, the fact that Ida was found in Germany is interesting to some scientists because it contradicts the fact that most primate evolution came from the African continent. Ida's fossil is so well preserved that scientists are able to pick through bones, fur, and even what she last ate.
I chose this article because I always think its interesting when they discover something new. Also, it was the first article I came across.
Link to Article: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/05/090519-ida-primate-fossil-link.html
Summary: "Ida" was found in Germany. Ida could be the missing link in primate evolution. Ida, which is a fossil known as Darwinius masillae has a lemur like skeleton with opposable thumbs and clawless fingers with nails. Before, scientists were unsure where the primate group that included lemurs split off from the primate group that included humans. Ida could be the missing link between the two. Also, the fact that Ida was found in Germany is interesting to some scientists because it contradicts the fact that most primate evolution came from the African continent. Ida's fossil is so well preserved that scientists are able to pick through bones, fur, and even what she last ate.
I chose this article because I always think its interesting when they discover something new. Also, it was the first article I came across.
Asteroid Attack 3.9 Billion Years Ago May Have Enhanced Early Life On Earth
Author: Will
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090520140403.htm
Summary:
A Study done by the University of Colorado at Boulder shows that although there were meteors the size of kansas hitting the Earth, it may have actually helped early life. The results from the study push the initial 3.9 billion years ago date of life on earth all the way back to 4.4 billion years ago. The bombardment of Earth with meteors was said to have lasted anywhere from 20 million years to 200 million years. Researchers concluded that subterranean microbes living at temperatures of 175 to 230 degrees may have flourished during the bombardment period. Planetary scientists also believe that a planet the size of mars glanced off of Earth 4.5 billion years ago. This event would have effectively hit the Earth's reset button.
Why I Chose this Article:
I chose this article because I am really interested in space because it is so vast and large and full of things unknown to humans. I love learning about the events of Earth's early life. I also find this article scary, and that somehow draws me towards it.
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090520140403.htm
Summary:
A Study done by the University of Colorado at Boulder shows that although there were meteors the size of kansas hitting the Earth, it may have actually helped early life. The results from the study push the initial 3.9 billion years ago date of life on earth all the way back to 4.4 billion years ago. The bombardment of Earth with meteors was said to have lasted anywhere from 20 million years to 200 million years. Researchers concluded that subterranean microbes living at temperatures of 175 to 230 degrees may have flourished during the bombardment period. Planetary scientists also believe that a planet the size of mars glanced off of Earth 4.5 billion years ago. This event would have effectively hit the Earth's reset button.
Why I Chose this Article:
I chose this article because I am really interested in space because it is so vast and large and full of things unknown to humans. I love learning about the events of Earth's early life. I also find this article scary, and that somehow draws me towards it.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Fingerprinting Slow Earthquakes And How They Relate To The Big One
By:
Kelsey
Link:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090423142322.htm
Summary:
This article is pretty much what the title says. Carnegie Institution's Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, has found that an unusual layer at the top of a subducting plate coincides with the locations of slow earthquakes and non-volcanic areas. Slow earthquakes take days to release built-up energy instead of just minutes as in regular earthquakes. The scientists have been recording 20 years of seismic data for southern Mexico, where the Cocos plate is slipping beneath the North American plate. Other plants and things on the ground are slipping away in and around other areas as well. Scientists found that slow earthquake areas and the "ultra-slow-velocity" layers cluster together, and that regions of non-volcanic areas are near/next to those clusters. Scientists believe that this all may be subducted oceanic crust at unusually high levels of water saturation. The cause of such "anomalously high pore pressures" is unknown, but a clue might come from the fact that non-volcanic tremors are concentrated in areas with temperatures around 840°F.With all of this pressure and heat, these small earthquakes are just showing signs of possible big earthquakes in the near future. The plants that are slipping away underground also show major movement of tectonic plates.
I chose this article because we are learning about earthquakes and volcanoes. I have also been feeling some earthquakes lately so i thought it was relevant to do some research on them. But for the most part, i just enjoy learning more about earthquakes.
Kelsey
Link:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090423142322.htm
Summary:
This article is pretty much what the title says. Carnegie Institution's Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, has found that an unusual layer at the top of a subducting plate coincides with the locations of slow earthquakes and non-volcanic areas. Slow earthquakes take days to release built-up energy instead of just minutes as in regular earthquakes. The scientists have been recording 20 years of seismic data for southern Mexico, where the Cocos plate is slipping beneath the North American plate. Other plants and things on the ground are slipping away in and around other areas as well. Scientists found that slow earthquake areas and the "ultra-slow-velocity" layers cluster together, and that regions of non-volcanic areas are near/next to those clusters. Scientists believe that this all may be subducted oceanic crust at unusually high levels of water saturation. The cause of such "anomalously high pore pressures" is unknown, but a clue might come from the fact that non-volcanic tremors are concentrated in areas with temperatures around 840°F.With all of this pressure and heat, these small earthquakes are just showing signs of possible big earthquakes in the near future. The plants that are slipping away underground also show major movement of tectonic plates.
I chose this article because we are learning about earthquakes and volcanoes. I have also been feeling some earthquakes lately so i thought it was relevant to do some research on them. But for the most part, i just enjoy learning more about earthquakes.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
NASA grows algae for biofuel, treats waste
Name : Emily
Link : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30767086/
Summary : Some scientists have discovered algae is good alternative for fossil fuels. They want to grow freshwater algae in nutrient-rich waste water inside plastic membranes. They think that "the natural salinity of the ocean will draw the freshwater out, retaining the plants and nutrients. The membranes prevent saltwater from getting inside and killing the plants, while ocean waves keep the algae mixed and healthy. The process treats the sewage water, which is then released into the ocean." There are some problems with this concept though, like that waste water that had been treated so much would not produce good algae for the whole project. Another problem is that theirs not enough of algae that they've found to replace some oil companies.
Why did you choose this article? I chose this article because I think its very interesting that people are trying so hard to find a replacement for oil usage.
Link : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30767086/
Summary : Some scientists have discovered algae is good alternative for fossil fuels. They want to grow freshwater algae in nutrient-rich waste water inside plastic membranes. They think that "the natural salinity of the ocean will draw the freshwater out, retaining the plants and nutrients. The membranes prevent saltwater from getting inside and killing the plants, while ocean waves keep the algae mixed and healthy. The process treats the sewage water, which is then released into the ocean." There are some problems with this concept though, like that waste water that had been treated so much would not produce good algae for the whole project. Another problem is that theirs not enough of algae that they've found to replace some oil companies.
Why did you choose this article? I chose this article because I think its very interesting that people are trying so hard to find a replacement for oil usage.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Creatures living on violent undersea volcano give climate change survival clue
By: Mckenna Pearson
Summary:
There is a volcano, underwater, near the island of Guam that erupts so frequently that it has built a new cone 131ft high and 984ft wide in the time span of three years. Bill Chadwick, a volcanologist at Oregon State University said: 'that's as tall as a 12-story building and as wide as a full city block.’ This amazing volcano, named NW Rota-1, has created a habitat in which shrimp, crab, limpets and barnacles, have thrived on. Chadwick said: 'they're specially adapted to their environment and are thriving in harsh chemical conditions that would be toxic to normal marine life.' NW Rota-1 has created a heat source so the animals living on it can thrive and mate at the appropriate times. The animals that have already been living here have adapted to the toxic conditions and can live happily on NW Rota-1. A biologist from the University of Victoria, said that two species of shrimp had revealed intriguing adaptations to volcano living. Her name is Verena Tunnicliffe. Tunnicliffe said 'the 'Loihi' shrimp has adapted to grazing the bacterial filaments with tiny claws like garden shears.’ The second group of shrimp is a new species as well. They are like the first group when they are young, but, when they grow to their adult stage, their front claws grow and, instead of being the prey, they are now the predators. 'The new species attacks the Loihi shrimp and preys on marine life that wanders too close to the volcanic plumes and dies. Tunnicliffe said: 'we saw dying fish, squid, and so on, raining down onto the seamount, where they were jumped on by the volcano shrimp - a lovely adaptation to exploiting the noxious effects of the volcano.'
Why I chose this article:
I chose this article to write my current events journal on because it's interesting and it is also what we're studying, in class, at the moment. I didn't know that volcanoes could erupt under water though. I though that if they did, then the lava would cool so fast that the volcano wouldn't have time to erupt at all. But they can! And I though that was cool. That's why I chose this article form my current event journal.
link:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1177886/Creatures-living-violent-undersea-volcano-climate-change-survival-clue.html
Magnetic Twisters "Dance" Across Mercury, Study Says
Name: Evan S.
Summary: A period of strong solar storms on another planet predicted to start in 2012 could interfere with satellites and disrupt power grids on Earth. Scientists say that we are in need of a better understanding of how solar wind is a pressing need. They say that Mercury's magnetic twisters are created when solar wind—which is really a stream of electrically charged particles—set off a process on the tiny planet called a magnetic reconnection. On Earth, energy from these magnetic reconnections "lights up" atoms in our much thicker atmosphere, creating the shimmering auroras at our planet's poles.
Why did I choose this article? I chose this article because of a couple reasons. One, because it was the front article on the National Geographic Channel's website. And two, because it was just an interesting article overall.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
The Hungry Blob at the End of the Universe
Name: Annabel R.
Link: http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20090429/Feature1.asp
Summary:
On a Hawaiian mountain, scientist used a telescope, and saw a glowing object deep in space. This glowing object is called a Lyman-alpha Blob and scientists aren't sure what it is exactly. Scientists believe that it might be a far off galaxy caught in a "feeding frenzy." Some scientist think that the blob is a bunch of little galaxies merging together, while others believe that the blob is a cloud of gas heated by a giant black hole. It is 76.1 billion trillion miles away and is the fourth most distant object ever observed. The blob is at least 12.9 billion years old.
Why I Chose This Article:
Like I have said in a couple of my posts, I really enjoy learning about space. I also like the concept of a blob. If scientists figure out exactly what the blob is, I think that it would be a great step forward in space exploration. Over all, I really enjoyed reading this article.
Most Diverse Ecosystem Threatened By Climate Change
Author: Ethan
Link to Article:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/05/01/eco.lakebaikal/index.html
Summary:
Lake Baikal, in Siberia, is considered to have the most diverse ecosystem. The slow change in climate could greatly affect the types of species and ruin this thriving ecosystem. The climate change has drastically thrown of the lake's food chain at the very bottom with microscopic algae that feed many creatures low on that food chain. The algae need time to thrive when the lake is frozen during the winter. As it gets hotter the lake is frozen for shorter periods of time and the algae is slowly decreasing every year. Their is no other ecosystem in the world with an ecosystem such as this one and is considered "a treasure-trove to any biologist."
Reports have said that over the years climate has gotten much milder and the amount of annual precipitation is going to increase. All animals are effected in some way by the rising climate.
Why I Chose This Article:
I think it is a terrible thing the a one-of-a-kind ecosystem will be destroyed and I am interested about the effects of global warming. It would be a tragedy for something like this to be destroyed. I think it is important for people to know about these things so we can prevent them in the future.
Cooking up Millions of Viruses for a New Vaccine
Author:
Rose
Link to article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/health/research/06vaccine.html?_r=1&ref=science
Summary:
This article is about Dr. Bucher who, once she heard about the swine flu, began to start trying to make a vaccine. She is using a proccess called "seed stock" where they rapidly grow large amounts of he virus to use as vaccination. By injecting the virus into eggs, they help the virus grow quickly so that labs an study it and use it to make vaccinations. Dr. Bucher says that this vaccination will be seperate from the regular flu vaccine. For some, the vaccination may be needed twice considering how new the virus is.
Why I chose this arcticle:
I chose this article because the swine flu is a very big factor in everybodies life right now. While i think a lot of it has been hype, the fact they there is a new vaccination coming out is good. When I read this article it sort of helped me set things straight about what was really going on.
Rose
Link to article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/health/research/06vaccine.html?_r=1&ref=science
Summary:
This article is about Dr. Bucher who, once she heard about the swine flu, began to start trying to make a vaccine. She is using a proccess called "seed stock" where they rapidly grow large amounts of he virus to use as vaccination. By injecting the virus into eggs, they help the virus grow quickly so that labs an study it and use it to make vaccinations. Dr. Bucher says that this vaccination will be seperate from the regular flu vaccine. For some, the vaccination may be needed twice considering how new the virus is.
Why I chose this arcticle:
I chose this article because the swine flu is a very big factor in everybodies life right now. While i think a lot of it has been hype, the fact they there is a new vaccination coming out is good. When I read this article it sort of helped me set things straight about what was really going on.
Lake Tahoe Region In U.S. May Be Due For Major Earthquake
Author: Hayley
Link to the Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429132256.htm
Summary:
Researchers and seismologists estimate that a magnitute-7 earthqauke may soon occur in the Lake tahoe region. The Scripps research team has predicted that an major earthquake occurs in the region between every 2,000 and 3,000 years. They have found that it has been over 4,000 years since the last major eathquake in that region. The predicted earthquake might cause a tsunami 10 to 33 meters high. A major fault line in in the lake Tahoe region and is called the West Tahoe Fault. The West Tahoe Fault crosses the southern end of the lake and has been found to be over 31 miles.
Why I Chose the Article:
I chose this article because we are learning about earthquakes in Science class and I find them very interesting. I think that it is important to anicipate when the next major earthquake will hit because it will help us to be prepared for it and minimize the amount of people killed in the earthquake.
Link to the Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429132256.htm
Summary:
Researchers and seismologists estimate that a magnitute-7 earthqauke may soon occur in the Lake tahoe region. The Scripps research team has predicted that an major earthquake occurs in the region between every 2,000 and 3,000 years. They have found that it has been over 4,000 years since the last major eathquake in that region. The predicted earthquake might cause a tsunami 10 to 33 meters high. A major fault line in in the lake Tahoe region and is called the West Tahoe Fault. The West Tahoe Fault crosses the southern end of the lake and has been found to be over 31 miles.
Why I Chose the Article:
I chose this article because we are learning about earthquakes in Science class and I find them very interesting. I think that it is important to anicipate when the next major earthquake will hit because it will help us to be prepared for it and minimize the amount of people killed in the earthquake.
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