Natural Killer Cells Could Be Key to Anthrax Defense

Natural Killer Cells Could Be Key to
Anthrax Defense

Reference- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111027125237.htm


Summary- University of Texas Medical Branch researchers have found a way to fight against anthrax. The thing they found is known as an natural killer cells. They are part of the immune system. Natural killer cells also attack bacteria and anthrax According to the UTMB group.


Critique- They should do more tests to see if the natural killer cell doesn’t just kill bacteria and anthrax. It could be killing other stuff beside the bacteria in the body.


Impact- This would help to fight of other things that researchers do. The question is are they sure it will work. Most of the test they do are on mouse and mouse don’t have the same immune system as us and the affects can be very different compared to a mouse and a human.

Seven Tips On Fighting a Cold

Resource: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/articles/2009/01/12/7-tips-on-fighting-off-a-cold

Summary:  Getting colds are something everyone can get.  We need to be careful on what you touch because you can get a cold very easily.  Washing your hands is very important. After you are done doing some kind of hard work or touching something dirty you should always wash your hands.  If you don’t wash your hands, you can get sick by touching your eyes, rubbing your noise or even putting your hands in your mouth.  Here are the seven tips to help you fight a cold if get one.  You need to get good rest.  When you are sick, you should get eight hours or more sleep.  Allowing yourself to not stress will also help.  When you have stress with a cold you can even more sick.  You also need to be careful with your social life.  Don’t have many come over because you can spread your germs to other people.  To help you get better you can exercise.  Doctors say that when you exercise with curtain sicknesses you can get better faster.   Vitamin C can be helpful for the cold you have.  When taking some vitamin C, you need to make sure that you stay hydrated.

Critique:  Colds are not a big deal unless you don’t take care of it rightly.  Knowing when to stop and rest when not feeling good is key.  Pushing yourself while sick can make you worse.  Not taking proper care of yourself can cause the cold to get worse and last longer.

Impact:  I think that we can prevent a lot of sickness in our lives by taking proper steps like washing your hands.  A simple step that takes no time at all can prevent a sickness that can last a long time.     

Crunches Or Leg Raises For Your Abs

Resource: http://www.cbn.com/health/fitness/DrLen_crunches_legraises.aspx

Summary: Which way is better to make your abs tighter; crunches or leg raises?  A while back people stopped doing straight leg sit-ups because it would give lower back pains.  Here are the basics on muscles.  Muscles connect to bones and when they are together they start to contract and shorten.  Your bicep runs from your shoulder down to your elbow.  When we shorten and contract our bicep, it bends.  Your abdominal muscle is attached from your ribs down to your pubic bone.  That muscle is not attached to your leg, so that means that doing leg lifts don’t do anything to our abs.  The muscle that helps raise your leg is called the hip flexors.  It’s attached to your spine and runs down your leg.  Crunches are different from leg lifts.  They target your abs more than leg raises.  You can tell when your abs are being worked when you feel a pain going through your muscle.  These are good exercises to keep your abs nice and fit. 

Critique: I disagree about how leg lifts work because I do them at football practice everyday and I can feel my abs working.  There is a strong pain in my stomach when I hold my legs up for longer than ten seconds.  It causes me to tighten up my stomach muscles, which in turn strengthens my core. 

Impact: Both exercises are good for your abs.  But it doesn’t mean that in one-day you’re going to get good abs.  It means that you’re going to need to work hard everyday and never give up.         

Hamsters

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamster

Summary: Hamsters are part of the Cricetinae family. They are rodents that burrow underground during the day so that when night falls, they won’t have to worry about predators. They have pouches on their head that expand so they can hold food in them for the colony or to be eaten later. They eat insects, fresh and dried fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

Critique: I like hamsters because they are cute and don’t bother or hurt anyone, unless they bite you. They also don’t take up very much space because they are so small.

Impact: The impact they have on the Earth is a positive one because they make great house pets. They also have a positive impact on the food chain because with out them it would be very different.

Skunk

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skunk

Summary: The skunk is part of the Mephitidae family. They are best known for the odor they give off. They are mostly black and white, brown, and cream. Some of the subfamily members are badgers, otters, and weasels. Skunks live in South America, Canada, Philippines, and Indonesia. They can be from 40 to 90 cm. They can weigh from .50 kg to 8.2 kg. They eat insects, larvae, earthworms, moles, and other small rodents. They also eat roots, berries, and nuts.

Critique: I do not like skunks because of the odor they give off. It is the worst smell I’ve ever smelled in my whole life.

Impact: The impact they have on the Earth is a negative one because of the odor they give off. If they didn’t give off such a horrible smell, the impact would be positive because they would only affect the food chain.

Could Additives in Hot Dogs Affect Incidence of Colon Cancer?

Could Additives in Hot Dogs Affect
Incidence of Colon Cancer?


Reference- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111024172656.htm


Summary- Information on rate of colon cancer has not changed since 1978 to 2011 according to the data from SEER Cancer Statistics Review. Mirvish and colleagues investigated the effect of varying the erythorbate level on the N-nitroso compound of hot dogs. They found that the current level of erythorbate is 500 milligrams per kilogram that is added to hot dogs. This reduces the N-nitroso compound to 2 nanomoles per gram. This would be 180 nanomoles per gram when erythorbrate isn’t even used.




Critique- It is what people do to the food. No one can eat perfectly healthy because most of the food now is modified hot dogs are probably to.


Impact- This wouldn’t be good if it came out of the dogs. The people who tested this tested it on hot dogs not actually dogs. The cause could be from people eating the hot dogs in a wa

Eating Your Way To A Healthy Heart (If You're A Python)

Written By: Samantha Bernickus Resource: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2011/10/29/141803711/eating-your-way-to-a-healthy-heart-if-you-re-a-python Summary: Scientists have found that the Burmese Python eat rats that are a quarter of their weight and that it makes their hearts bigger and stronger. The researchers also say that if you do this type of diet it is also good for your waist line along with your heart. So they are trying to see if doing this could help people with heart diseases, but they have to remember that sometimes diseases can cause your heart to grow and that is not good. Also most people cant eat something that is 30-40 pounds in one sitting which is one reason why we need to leave this diet to the pythons. Critque: This is an interesting article but if it cant really help people or animals then i dont think that its very important. Impact: This article would have a big impact on the world if it could actually help people with heart diseases, but since it cant there really is no impact.

Dieting effects can make you gain the weight back

Reference:http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/26/health/post-diet-weight-regain/index.html?hpt=he_c1

Summary: People who were overweight and noticeably lost a lot of pounds usually gain it all back in 1 year. This may not be because they aren't motivated, though. It is being studied, and scientists have found that after dieting, the changes in your hormones can make you gain the weight back. This means that getting rid of pounds is hard, but keeping them off is even harder.

Critique: Wow. This is bad. I guess people will have to actually exercize hah!

Impact: People will actually start exercizing instead of being on diets!

7 Billion people this week

Reference:http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/28/opinion/pearce-population-fertility/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

Summary: This week,the world reaches 7 billion people. But the fact there are more people living than have ever lived apparently is not going to be a problem according to this article. Smaller families are becoming the new "norm". The average number of kids women have nowadays is 2.5. The article says that the world will probably reach 9 billion people by mid century, but then population rates will start falling again.

Critique: Seems accurate, except for the average number of kids. I mean, 2.5? Is that even possible? Is the kid missing half his body or something hahaha?!

Impact: The world is growing. We need to make sure we have enough food for everyone.

Thinking is Bad!

Summary: Bet you never thought you would hear this from someone, right? But according to a new study, people are less inclined to give in to temptation if they think about it. The more you ponder it, the worse it gets. Instead of thinking about the reasons you should and/or shouldn’t do something just puts more stress and pressure on the mind, making your judgment a bit foggy.

Critique: What tempts me? I would have to think about that one. The opposite gender is out, because as far as I’m concerned, boys still have cooties. I don’t like cars or other engineering things like that. Maybe food . . .? I am a sucker for chocolate, so I guess that’s a temptation, but what do I know? Everyone likes chocolate, right?

Impact: Many people who do things like drink or do drugs or smoke or all of the above don’t think on a regular basis. I don’t care if people call that statement mean, because it is the truth. They got where they are by their own accords, and if they were stupid enough in the first place to do something like that, then it’s their own fault entirely. Temptation is all in the mind, and the way to stop that is by not thinking about doing stuff like cheating on your wife, or eating more than you should, etc. Nobody is stopping you from pushing yourself away. There is scientific proof. Anyone who says otherwise is only fooling themselves.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111026162659.htm

New Planets and a Mystery Object!

Summary: Astronomers have confirmed that there are some new planets in a different galaxy, including the Mystery Object. Let me start here: The Sun is a star. The Earth revolves around the Sun. In fact, every planet revolves around some kind of star, whether it commands a whole orbit or a single planet. The Single Planet Scenario, as I like to call it, is what is happening here. These are different planets than the ones that are with us in orbit. They each have their own star. The Single Planet Scenario only happens here from what we can tell right now. All we can do is put some boring label on them (HD 240237) and wonder if there is another Single Planet Scenario out there.

Critique: Astronomers say that our own Sun may die on us in a few billion years. Did you know that a star can die? I sure didn’t. That’s why when I first heard about this, I was extremely skeptical. Because how does a star even die, anyway? That’s a disappointment both astronomically speaking. (It’s also a disappointment metaphorically speaking, but goodness knows that is another story.) And honestly, as long as it doesn’t interfere with our orbit (which it won’t) or crash into the Earth or the Sun or something else important (which isn’t even possible) we’ve got nothing to worry about from these new things – mysterious and otherwise.

Impact: Astronomers say that they will know what the Mystery Object is in the next few years. They have to chart the orbit and the location and all the other fun stuff that comes from looking in a telescope all day.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111027132502.htm

The World That Ended in 5,813,726,290 A.D (Otherwise known as The Future)

Summary: In a new study involving space simulations, the possibility that Earth may collide with Venus, Mars, or Mercury has arisen again. Even though Mercury is small, it poses the biggest threat. There is a one percent chance that Mercury’s orbit will change so drastically, but I guess it is still a chance if it is a percentage.

Impact: Well, it’s the same old thing. The sky is falling, the sky is falling. Only the sky isn’t falling, it’s collapsing in on itself because a planet got out of its orbit somehow and rammed into the Earth, thereby forcing the human race into extinction, and the other life aside from humans into extinction as well. Because let’s face it, this would hurt. A lot. So, I guess Chicken Little was pretty off. My point is that every day scientists find yet another reason to scare us with stories of world combustion. Nice try guys, but after nearly 62 tries to accomplish this very goal, we have gradually become smarter. The world won’t end for another few millennia! HA!

Critique: Well, I will be dead by then, and not to be insensitive, but better them than me. I’ll be dead; what will I care? But what keeps bothering me is the fact that it is predicted at all. The thing is, if scientists had any doubts about anything regarding the end of the world, they would probably decide it’s best to tell the public. I think they figure that people would rather not die against their will, and so should keep our hope alive by saying ‘this may never happen, but we want to know what would happen if it were to happen at all.’ IT’s great that we’ll get discoveries that will change everything on the planet forever, and I am truly excited, but here is the problem: we will be gone. Poof. Nobody survives a collision of this caliber without a circumstantial mess. And if I know anything about science, it is that anything can happen. But if the world ends tomorrow, as I say this, I will laugh in my grave.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,525706,00.html

Lab-made skin cells will aid transplantation, cancer, drug discovery

Lab-made skin cells will aid transplantation, cancer, drug discovery

research
Reference- http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/10/26/labmade_skin_cells_will_aid_transplantation_cancer_drug_discovery_research.html


Summary- These cells called pigmented melanocytes absorb ultraviolet light, protecting the skin from the harmful effects of the sun. They also are the cells that go crazy in melanoma, as well as in more common conditions as vitiligo and albinism. Now at labs melanocytes from adult skin doesn’t grow very well in the lab. Now at the University of Pennsylvania they have found a way to create melanocytes from a mouse tail cells using embryonic stem cell intermediates called inducible pluripotent. This is used in a lab according to XU cocktail growth factor. This cell thing can be used for aiding. There are pig skin cells which can regrow if you lost like a finger.




Critique- Is this really safe to do. What are the side effects, are there any side effects to this


Impact- It would help a lot to have help for the aid for the cancer. But if it was out to help cancer would it cost a lot to aid for the cancer that they have been studying on.

Poisonous oceans delayed animal evolution

Poisonous oceans delayed
animal evolution


Reference- http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/10/25/poisonous_oceans_delayed_animal_evolution.html


Summary- The study uses a new method to determine the extent of anoxia and preference of sulfide in the world oceans. Geochemical analyses traced the element molybdenum, in a 750 million old rocks from the Grand Canyon suggest that the oceans contained an enormous amount of lethal sulfide. Now in the oceans it is nearly fully oxygenated and sulfide is the only present restricted areas of the ocean. Expansive anoxia and poisonous oceans are now what the disappearance in the animals.


Critique- Is it really that bad for the animals out in the ocean? I don’t like the idea of animals disappearing just because of the poisonous in the oceans.


Impact- This will affect the animals in their natural habitat. It is killing more animals which is not good. This poison isn’t good any way but with it in the ocean it isn’t good.

Mental Time-Travel

Summary: Researchers and scientists have found that birds have GREAT memories. Birds remember 2 times more than humans do and they can plan for future events. We as humans have actually found out that some primates, rats and birds all have links to the past, and can plan for the future.

Impact: This could help with our own type of time-travel.

Critique:...

Reference: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111018220938.htm

Antidepressant Linked to Brain Abnormalities

Summary: Antidepressants were given to pregnant rats eight days post birth frequently to test what would happen. The rats were tested and the tests came out with tumors and other abnormalities in the brain. The reason to do this experiment was that, frequently brain abnormalities came up. Researchers found that most of the people were taking a popular antidepressant. Then it became obvious that problems with peoples brains were linked to a popular antidepressant.

Impact: People will now know what antidepressants not to take.

Critique: I don't use antidepressants but I know people who do and I hope they aren't using this product.

Reference: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/10/25/antidepressant_linked_to_developmental_brain_abnormalities_in_rodents.html

The Killer Within Us

Summary: Scientists have recently discovered a cell inside our immune system that might combat fatal diseases such as HIV. Natural killer cells are white blood cells that are important in early immune responses like tumors. These killer cells may prevent more diseases and be extremely useful.

Impact: People might survive tumors and other crazy diseases.

Critique: I think that it's awesome that fatal diseases may be able to be cured.

Reference: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/10/25/unraveling_the_mysteries_of_the_natural_killer_within_us.html

Poisonous Oceans Delayed Animal Evolution

Summary: According to researchers, the oceans were filled up with lethal sulfide before mankind. The most sense to this, is by looking at one of the seven wonders of the world, The Grand Canyon. The canyon was once filled with water and possibly even under the ocean. The sulfide was here around 750 million years ago and supposedly made the Grand Canyon what it is today. This happened, by the sulfide eating away at the rock causing the canyon to have massive gaps. The way this delayed animal evolution was the water killed anything they came near it because sulfide is extremely deadly.

Impact: The world will finally understand why the Grand Canyon is the way it is and how it was made.

Critique: I have never gone to the Grand Canyon but it seems neat and I'm going there in November.

Reference: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/10/25/poisonous_oceans_delayed_animal_evolution.html

Kraken's Lair Discovered!

Summary: The kraken's lair was not ACTUALLY discovered, for there is no kraken. However, in Nevada there is a site where there is a possible suspect of a kraken-like dinosaur that actually existed! Bones are scattered in a mysterious pattern and studies show that a octopus usually does this when it kills its victims. People did not believe that octopi are very powerful until they saw the video "shark vs. octopus." This video proves octopi are stronger than shark.

Critique: This is awesome. Nuff said.

Impact: The world may find out that octopi are more powerful then anything else.

Reference: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/10/10/giant_kraken_lair_discovered.html

Agressive Piranhas

Summary: Hollywood has made piranhas look like antagonizing animals that are ferocious and death-filled. This didn't stop three people from the University of Liége. Willingly, the three pulled out piranhas from a tank and the found that they make croaking sounds. Four different sounds were discovered by researchers observing the animals. One sound was from picking the piranhas up, one was from them snapping at each other, one was from piranhas fighting, and the last was found from piranhas circling potential food.

Impact: This can be taken as useless information to some people and it can be taken ways by other people.

Critique: Quite frankly, I like piranhas and I want one as a pet so this just supports my reason to keep one. According to researchers they're friendly.

Reference: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/10/13/aggressive_piranhas_bark_to_say_buzz_off.html

New Therapy Protects Monkeys From Hendra Virus

The Hendra Virus

Summary: No licensed vaccine or therapy currently exists for Hendra, a virus that affects humans as well as animals. In hopes to find one, researchers infected 14 African green monkeys. These monkeys were chosen because Hendra has very similar effects on them as it does to humans. At different times after they were infected, 12 of the monkeys were given doses of the human antibody called m102.4, selected for its affinity for Hendra. This was a follow up study done after one that tested m102.4. All 12 of the treated monkeys survived. This includes a group that was given the antibody three days after they were infected. More extensive testing would be required to obtain approval for m102.4 to be a therapy.

Critique: I think that this study is really cool. Hopefully this therapy will prove effective. I didn't see it, but this reminds me of the new Planet of the Apes movie.

Impact: This could save the lives of thousands of animals and humans.

Reference: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/10/19/new_therapy_protects_monkeys_from_hendra_virus.html

Pterosaur bone found

Summary: A Pterosaur bone was discovered in a Museum in London. A pterosaur is a large ugly bird that's wingspan is 7 meters in length. Also they were flying reptiles found 65-250 million years ago. All that has been discovered is a tooth that's 13 mm in diameter, a tip of the upper jaw, and bones that are called the premixallae.

Impact: People get to learn about dinosaurs and know more about them.

Critique: This doesn't effect me exactly because I'm not inclined to learning about dinosaurs.

Reference: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/10/13/tiny_fossil_fragment_reveals_giantbutuglytruth.html

Apple Benifit's

Apple Benefit’s

Summary- What are the benefits of apples? Well they aren’t to beneficial but they keep your teeth clean. But the best benefits are Alzheimer's Prevention, Lower Cholesterol, Lung Cancer Prevention, Breast Cancer Prevention, Colon Cancer Prevention, Liver Cancer Prevention, Diabetes Management, and Weight Loss. Like the saying ‘A apple a day keeps the doctor away” sounds accurate enough for me.

Critique- I think I am going to eat an apple right now because I don’t want Alzheimer's or cancer when I am older.

Impact- Now some people will know the advantages of apples instead of thinking they taste good or they are just fruit.

Reference- http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-apples.html

Should Pregnant Women Be Concerned with BPA Exposure?

Summary: A recent study by Harvard found a connection between BPA exposure during pregnancy and behavioral problems in girls. BPA, its chemical name is Bisphenol A, is used to make polycarbonate plastics found in toys, food and drink containers, and other consumer goods. The resins are used to coat the insides of food cans, bottle tops, water supply lines and more. Some paper products like receipts from cash registers also have BPA. Researchers took samples from 244 pregnant women living in Cincinnati twice during their pregnancies, once right after giving birth, and measured the BPA concentration. The scientists measured BPA levels in children each year and when they were three parents filled out a survey of the kids' anxiety, depression, aggression, hyperactivity, behavioral problems, and trouble controlling emotions. Almost all of the women and children had traces of BPA in their sample, but for every tenfold increase in the concentration during pregnancy, daughters had much higher scores on tests of anxiety and depression and had worse behavioral and emotional control. Sons were not affected, just daughters. The kids' own exposure did not seem to affect their behavior either.

Critique: Alcohol and smoking have shown to cause birth defects, as well as other chemicals. BPA may be another thing that pregnant women need to avoid. I think that this is a really interesting study and I would like to see the researchers follow these children to see how they are as adults.

Impact: This has a large impact. This could affect these children's happiness and also the happiness of their parents. This could potentially affect these children for the rest of their lives. Hopefully the researchers will continue to watch them.

Reference: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/10/24/bpa-exposure-should-pregnant-women-be-concerned/

Our IQ Can Rise or Fall During Our Teen Years

Reference- www.sciencedaily.com

Summary- Research funnded by the Wellcome Trust showed that our IQ or the standard measurement of our intelligence can decrease or increase during our teen years, these changes to our IQ have to do with the change to the structure of our brains. This research and its findings may have implications for students and the testing and streaming during their school years. In 2004 Cathy Price the lead Professor on the research team tested 33 healthy adolescents between the ages of 12-16, then four years later she tested the same individuals when they were between 15-20. Both times the researchers took structural brain scans of the individuals, they used a magnetic resonance imaging or simply (MRI). After looking at the scans from 2004 and 2008 they found significant changes. Some of the idividuals improved their IQ relative to the people of a similiar age by as much as 20 points. However, in other unfortunate cases peoples IQ scores dropped significantly by atleast 20 points. They studied the MRI scans closely to see why the changes were so significant, but there was no apparent reason. Some indiviadual may have been late or early developers. But they say that it is equally possible that education had a part in changing the IQ and had implications for how students are assessed.

Critique- Well this article really interested me because I'm a teen. To know that the next couple years of my life are critical to my IQ is weird and kinda scary. I'm not saying that during the teen years that it is impossible for my IQ to change, but it definately is not something that I would think about.

Impact- Well this must affect all teens that are students. I am one of those teen students. It's weird to think that till I turn 20 my IQ could be effected by how my brain is developing and how i get taught in school. But I'm not that worried about it because sitting in class you atleast hear or understand at least part of what the teacher is talking about. Except for math, thats a whole different ballpark.

Soft Drinks Don’t Make Hardened Criminals, Experts Say

Reference: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2011/10/24/experts-cast-doubt-on-study-that-says-soda-drinking-teens-more-violent/

Summary: Since the 1979 “Twinkie defense” many have been worried about the affects of junk food on people. The “Twinkie defense” was first heard of when Dan White blamed his murder of Harvey Milk on his junk food addiction. Dan white said that is was the junk food he had been eating that caused him to be depressed and more violent. Researchers asked teenagers from a local high school if they were ever violent to anybody, specifically family members, friends and people they have dated. These studies showed that teenagers that drink 5 or more non-diet soft drinks a week were 9-15% more likely than non soda drinking studies to participate in violent behaviors such as carrying a gun or knife to school.

Critique: I think this study pretty cool I would have to say that most of the world’s consumers of junk food are teenagers so this very much applies to us. I don’t think this study is very true though I have a friend that drinks a soda a day and is NOT at all violent. I don’t really see how soda could make someone violent but I guess it has to do with the person.

Impact: I think if there is truth to this story it very much impacts us; if soda drives students to carry weapons to school I think we are all in trouble. Soda is everywhere and I don’t know anyone that doesn’t drink soda. Soda isn’t some kind of drug it’s easy to get anywhere so anyone could go get hyped up on a twelve pack of Mountain Dew and then bring weapons to school. I honestly don’t see that happening though.

Study Reveals The Truth About Tumors and Cellphone Use

Reference- www.sciencedaily.com

Summary-New research that was posted online in the British Medical Journal showed that tumors of the central nervous system and the brain have no connection with the long term use of cellphones. The number of people using cellphones is more than 5 million worldwide in just 2010. The amount of people using these phones raises the question of how these phones could or can effect our health. Particularly focusing on tumors of the central nervous system. Recently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified radio frequency electromagnetic fields, that are emitted by cellphones possibly carcinogenic to humans. But so far the study of if cellphones can cause tumors has shown that cellphones do not cause tumors.

Crititque- Well this is interesting to me because I didn't even realize people thought that they could cause cancer in the first place. But even if they did I barely talk on the phone. I mostly text with my family and friends....even my grandparents...so yeah.

Impact- This wouldn't impact me that much even if they did cause tumors because like I said, I barely talk on the phone, I text. But as far as for other people, I would be concerned for my Dad if they cause tumors because there isn't a time during the day when he isn't on the phone. My Mom is in the phone a lot also.

Astronomy 1

Orion’s Belt

Summary- The Orion’s Belt is the three stars in a row that are known as the north stars from the sky or earth view. But what most people don’t know is that there are four stars in the onion’s belt. The brightest star is called Alnilam which is approximately 1340 light years away from earth. The doubled star or Mintaka is approximately 915 light years away from earth. Also the star Alnitak which is approximately 800 light years away from earth. The Orion’s Belt is also the North Star which the three wise men followed to find Jesus in the bible.

Critique- My favorite system or star would be Mintaka because it has to stars orbiting around each other which can be some what rare. Most people think the north star is just the North star but its actually Mintaka being much brighter than the other two stars near it.

Impact- Not much of a impact but cool to know that the three wise men followed Orion’s belt (Mintaka)

Reference- My own Intelligence.  

Autism Linked to Low Birthweights

Summary: Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have found that people with autism have had weights as low as 1 pound at birth. It has now been proven that children born at low birthweights are five times more likely to get autism then children at normal birthweights.

Impact: I'm not sure how you can make your baby bigger so I have nothing to say. But, now researchers are testing causes of brain hemmorhages.

Critique:I don't have autism so I thank God, however I know A LOT of people with autism and it's really sad.

Reference:http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/10/17/low_birthweight_infants_have_five_times_rate_of_autism.html

New Therapy Protects Monkeys From Hendra Virus

Summary: Since 1994, scientists have been trying to find a cure for the virus called Hendra. Hendra virus is a fatal zoonotic disease (transmitted from animal to human), that was first found in horses. Commonly, Hendra comes from flying foxes, to horses, to humans. The cure was tested on apes before humans because apes are most like humans and scientists didn't want to risk human lives.

Impact: This is a huge step towards curing fatal diseases. Now we have to test the therapy on humans to see if we can stay away from the Hendra virus.

Critique: I'm glad peoples lives are now being saved.

Reference: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/10/19/new_therapy_protects_monkeys_from_hendra_virus.html

New bacteria Prevents Resistant Insects

Summary: Toxins from Bacillus Thuringiensis bacteria (Bt toxins) have been used by pest control to kill insects that are resistant to normal bug spray since 1938. These toxins are sprayed as pesticides and they clear out the resistant bugs. However, if the toxins are sprayed in fields or farms the toxins kill crops. Now, scientists are modifying the spray to not kill plants but still kill the bugs.

Impact: Crops are already degrading and sending out viruses so this elevates the chances of disease or crop failure.

Critique: I don't have crops so it doesn't effect me in that way but I'm glad when I get my house sprayed that I hardly see creepy crawlies.

Reference: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/10/19/new_bacteria_toxins_against_resistant_insect_pests.html

First Ebola-like Virus Found in Europe

Summary: A virus similar to Ebola was found recently in Europe. This virus was found in bats and it is called "Lloviu virus." This virus is a filovirus, a filamentous RNA virus of a genus that causes severe fevers in humans and apes. The 3 types of filoviruses are Marburg, Lloviu, and Ebola. These bats are found in East Africa, the Phillipines, and in Spain.

Impact: People will have to stay away from bats.

Critique: This doesn't affect me because I don't live near those places.

Reference: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2052085/First-Ebola-like-virus-native-Europe-discovered-Spanish-bats.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Coyote

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coyote

Summary: The coyote is part of the canine family and is located mostly in central and north America. It is also known as the prairie wolf and American jackal. IT is found as far north as Alaska. There are only 19 species, with 3 in Central America and 16 in Canada, United States, and Mexico. They will eat small animals such as voles, prairie dogs, mice, ground squirrels, and other small animals. They also

Critique: I don’t mind coyotes as long as they don’t bother me. They are very majestic creatures and their fur is really pretty.

Impact: The only impact the coyote has on the earth is a neutral one unless it goes extinct because then it will change the food chain.

Will New Food Labels Mean Better Choices?

Reference: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2011/10/21/will-new-food-labels-mean-better-choices/

Summary: New labels have been placed on food items in store to help shoppers make better choices. This new label helps shoppers see nutritional value without having to check the labels on the back. This new label makes it easier for shoppers to eat healthier while in a rush.

Critique: I think this is a really good idea many people want to eat healthier but often don’t have the patience to find out what are good and bad for them. This label is clear to read and easy to understand with three stars being the best for you and one being the least.

Impact: I think this will make a big impact on people today but not only people the market as soon as people can tell what is good and bad for them they will stop buying the bad and buying the good. This will make more people eat healthier because it is easier.

Contaminated Canteloupe: Part Two

Summary: Last month, only 4 people had died and few people had cases of Listeria, a deadly virus. Now there are 25 people dead in 26 different states. Now, 123 cases have been reported of people having Listeria. Although all these people are dying, The House Energy and Commerce Committee have found the cause of the problem and that cause is from a cantaloupe farm in Colorado called "Jensen Farms." In the end of last month Jensen Farms recalled their cantaloupes in order to stop the contaminated cantaloupe case. Still it is going on, but the Food and Drug Administration found that 13 out of 39 cantaloupes tested have Listeria in them.

Impact: People are losing their lives because of a farm that needs to be taken care of.

Critique: I hope my family and I stay healthy because this has also been found in other vegetables such as lettuce and my family eats a lot of lettuce.

Reference: http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/food-safety/189031-house-panel-launches-probe-into-contaminated-cantaloupes

Under Water Volcano Eruption

Resource: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/10/21/explosive-underwater-eruptions-are-deepest-yet-seen/ Summary: People in a submarine have now seen the deepest underwater volcano eruption ever. They say that this eruption could impact and re-shape land around the world. The volcano is called West Mana and it is right near Fiji in the southern west pacific. There plates divide under eachother, therefore the create a chain of volcanoes and this is one of the biggest ones in the world. This volcanoe was first dicovered in 2008 and eurupted twice in 2009 the first eruption was called Hades and the second Prometheus, this was also 3,900 feet under the water. The reason for the numerous eruptions is because of the gas bubbles that flow through the lava sometimes causing a fire to start. Critique: This was interesting to read and hopefully they keep looking at the volcanoe to see if will erupt again anytime soon and see if it is going to do any damage. Impact: This could have a big impact on the world if one explostion is huge, plus it can erupt at any moment and hopefully people can find out to see if its going to harm anyone or do anything to the world.

Discoverd Life in the Deep Deapths of the Ocean

Resource:http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/10/21/strange-form-life-discovered-in-oceans-blackest-depths/ Summary: Scientist have found a new living species in the deepest darkest part of the ocean. The organism is very big and the cells of it can get bigger then 4 inches! This organism is not studied very often but it is out there. They adapt to very extreme conditions but a fragile, they also can concentrate mercury, lead and uranium, which makes them sustainable to large doses of heavy metals. Also they like the dark and can manage a lot of pressure and low temperature. These organisms are called xenophyophores and they are giant plants in the deepest and darkest part of the ocean. Critique: I wonder if these plants do anything to help the earths enviorment, and if not then there really is no point for scientist to be studying them. Impact: Unless these plants dont do anything for the enviorment or the ecosystem they live in then they don't have any impact on people or the world in any way besides the fact that they take up space.

Individuality over Teamwork?

Summary: A recent study by University of Calgary, Faculty of Kinesiology shows that the productivity rate is greater when someone is alone versus in a group. The set up was this: Person A does a computer task alone. Person B comes in and works with them for a while, and then person a works alone again. Based on the amount of work they got done, working alone was the better way to do things because there were fewer distractions. Apparently, watching someone else do the same things made their progress slower for whatever reason. One scientist working on the matter explained that the outcome varies when speed and accuracy are involved, because then people get more competitive.

Impact: Well people usually like to work in groups because they think that more things will get done sand faster. The hard truth of it all is that someone at some point is going to decide that they really don’t feel like doing their part and pass it off to someone else at the last minute. Then the work is done sloppily because the person had gotten it on short notice. Been there, done that.

Critique: Well, I personally find it easier to work alone than in a group, but having other people around you is comforting. A lot of the time I want to do all of the work myself because I can never learn to trust others. Call me paranoid, but I would rather not put my faith in someone who can’t even finish the part I gave them. People sometimes think that I am working by myself because others don’t want to work with me, but unless it’s a small project, I would like to do it alone.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080220110323.htm

.Culture in humans and apes has the same evolutionary roots: study

Reasource: http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-10-culture-humans-apes-evolutionary-roots.html Summary: Biologist that were studying apes about 10 years ago have realized that apes have some of the same traits as humans do. They pass knowlegde down from generation to generation, just like humans do. Humans and apes have also been rooted down to the same time as evolution. This may be testing a theory that humans came from apes. The ability to get knowledge and pass it down from generation to generation was shown to be known by apes and humans. They also found that there are some more things in common and genetics also. Critique: This is a good article because this may lead to some evidence that humans may have been created by animals. Impact: The impact this article has on the world is that, 1 it could cause problems with people that distinctly believe in humans being created by god and 2, could lead to others believing that we may have been created by apes and possibly other animals.

poverty in america

poverty is sweeping the nation as numbers rise. every day millions of Americans struggle to stay above the official poverty line, but the fact of the matter is it is just impossible for some people to maintain life above poverty. today around 37 million Americans suffer from poverty. Even more depressing is 5 million people that are poor today weren't poor in the year 2000 that is a drastic increase. We can only hope things get better.

positives and negatives
positives-there is nothing positive about poverty nothing at all.
negatives-what isn't negative about increasing poverty. crime rates are more common among poor communities.

impact-in twenty five years it could easily be somewhere in the 45-50 millions that poverty affects

violence in america

American violence is a topic talked about a lot in today's economy. violent crimes are more likely to occur in poor communities, and with the failing economy you would expect the violent crimes to rise, but this is not the case. studies show that from 2009-2011 violent crimes have declined by about 5 percent. this fact has people wondering why violent crimes are going down and poverty rates going up whatever the case that is what is happening in today's economy.

positives and negatives

positives-well what isn't positive about less violent crimes I think it speaks for itself.

negatives-I really don't see a negative in this topic.


impact-in twenty five years hopefully violent crimes will continue to decrease.

Polar Bear III accumulated environmental toxins

Polar Bears III from Accumulated
Environmental Toxins


Reference- http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013121709.htm


Summary- Industrial chemicals are being transported form the industrialized world to the Artic via and the sea currents. Here the cocktails of the environment absorb the toxins by the sea’s food chains. Of which the Polar Bear is the top predator. The faculty on life science have previously conducted a controlled experiment on the effects of the environmental toxins.




Critique- This is bad for the environment form the toxins. There are so many animals now that have toxins because of us. They aren’t as care full as where they put these bad toxins. The people who do this don’t realize the animals that are dying from this. It is very bad the toxins they should think twice before you dump the toxins in a spot.



Impact- This is bad the toxins they put. The bad toxins they put should be under a good environmental area where there are no animals so they don’t get the toxins in them.

Carnivore

Carnivore


Reference- http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/c/carnivore.htm


Summary- A carnivore is an animal that eats a diet consisting mainly of meat even if it comes from dead animals. Some animals are considered carnivores even if their diet contains very little meat.





Critique- It is a carnivore. They will eat fruit and vegetables if they need to. Beside that carnivores will not eat vegetables unless it is their last option to survive.




Impact- Carnivores are animals that only eat meat. Carnivores don’t eat and vegetables of fruit. They will even eat the smallest of meat they don’t need big meals.

More Kids Suffer Firearm Injuries Than Researchers Previously Believed, Study Finds

Reference: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/guns-wound-30-percent-kids-study-finds/story?id=14741514

Summary: New research finds that 30% more kids suffer from gun related injuries. Each year mom than 20,000 children are admitted to emergency rooms for gunshot injuries. Researcher’s new discovery found that boys of the age of 12 who are not white are more likely of being in a gun related injury.

Critique: I think this is bad thing and certainly affects the youth off the world. Many kids should be able to go to school and feel safe from gun injuries but many are not.

Impact: this has an impact on the kids of today in a major way. We must stand up for the protection of kids from guns in schools today. Many kids are bullied and most often can only find a resolve through guns. Others are mistake taken in a big way. Whatever it may be we must not let this new found research affect our schools.

Rare Condition Drives Indiana Girl, 3, to Eat Light Bulb

Reference: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/rare-condition-drives-indiana-girl-eat-light-bulb/story?id=14750367

Summary: A three year old named Natalie has a rare eating disorder called pica. Pica is a disorder that affects 10% of kids age 1-6. Pica is not only a disorder for kids but for some adults too. Pica gives these kids a craving for cardboard, sticks, and even light bulbs. Natalie has been eating strange things such as rocks, twigs, and paper for a while but one night it went too far. In February Natalie had eaten a light bulb she was then rushed to the emergency room. This disorder is very fatal to this little three year old girl.

Critique: I think this is really sad. I feel sympathy towards this little girl because one wrong snack and it could mean death. Little kids always put things in their mouths so you would think that this is just another child thing but it’s actually a serious disorder.

Impact: I don’t think this makes so much of an impact on a majority of the people but for the people that are affected by this disorder it has a huge impact on them. I can’t imagine being this little girl’s mom as she watches her daughter eat rocks and twigs.

Genomic Sequence and Comparison of Two Macaques Reveal New Insights into Biomedical Research

Summary: The South China Center for Innovative Pharmaceuticals, Sun Yat-Sen University, and BGI, the largest genomic organization in the world, along with several other organizations in the United States, China, and the United Kingdom, completed the genome sequence and comparison of the Chinese rhesus macaque and cynomolgus. This study was published today. This study is a landmark in macaque genome research, understanding genetic differences in macaque monkeys, human disease research, and drug discovery. Scientists hop that this research will make the effective use of non-human primate models in medical research easier. Macaques are used a lot for biomedical research, and many doors have been opened due to the unlocking of their DNA.

Critique: I think that this is really cool. I don't support animal testing in cosmetics, but I do in medicine. Hopefully this will lead to new vaccines for humans and pharmaceutical drug development.

Impact: I don't think that there is going to be a gigantic immediate impact. However, I believe that this is going to help the human race by scientists being able to develop new vaccines and test new pharmaceutical drugs.

Reference: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/10/17/genomic_sequence_and_comparison_of_2_macaques_reveal_new_insights_into_biomedical_research.html

Low Birth Weight Linked To Autisim?

Reference: http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/17/health/low-birth-weight-autism/index.html

Summary: A recent study showed that kids born under 4lbs 7oz are 5 times more likely to develop autisim than babies born over 4lbs 7 oz. It's still hard to say if this is what causes autisim, but we know that prematurely born babies usually do have disabilities, and autisim is one of them.

Critique: It's a good article, and really interesting, but I feel like there is not enough information here. Did they study babies from all over the world, or only in one state? Low birth weight very well may contribute to the autisim chance but there are so many more factors that go into it.

Impact: Maybe doctors can help women with premature babies and help the kids not get autisim.

DNA Tests Might Determine Which Soccer Players Are Susceptible to Injury

Summary: An English Premier League soccer club did DNA tests on its players to find out who is more susceptible to injury. The tests were conducted by a molecular geneticist and assistant professor at Yale. This test had a profile of about 100 genes linked to increased chance of getting hurt and improved performance. Nicola Maffulli, a consultant orthopedic surgeon at the University of London found that mutations in a gene called COL5A1 led to structure that supports the tendon being more loosely connected. This makes the tendon less stable. This information helps clubs know the risks for their players on an individual basis, but people fear that it may be used to cut out players prone to injuries.

Critique: I think that this provides great information for clubs. This will aid them in protecting their players and reducing injuries. However, I think it would be unfair for them to tell someone who loves soccer that they will never make it because they have the wrong genes.

Impact: This could have a tremendous impact. This will help teams protect their players, but teams might turn away people prone to injuries because of their genes.

Reference: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/10/17/dna-tests-may-determine-which-soccer-players-are-susceptible-to-injury/

Eczema Cures: Bathing in Bleach?

Reference:http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/expert.q.a/10/17/bleach.bath.eczema.shu/index.html

Summary: Taking a bath with a 1/2 a cup of bleach may help eczema. Eczema is caused by bacteria in the skin, so this is why taking a bath in bleach may help calm it down a little more. Keep in mind however that you have to keep your bathroom ventilated. You should only take these baths about once or twice a week. But before you try all these things, you should talk to a doctor.

Critique: I'm wondering if taking a bath in bleach will modify your skin color at all?? It's interesting, I never knew what caused eczema before. I think it could work but it's a little bit risky if you ask me. Bathing in bleach, doesn't that just sound dangerous to you?

Impact: Maybe a lot of people's eczema problems will be helped with this article.

Tiny fossil fragment reveals

Tiny fossil fragment reveals
giant-but-ugly-truth



Reference- http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/10/13/tiny_fossil_fragment_reveals_giantbutuglytruth.html



Summary- New research of Universities of Portsmouth and Leicester has identified a small fossil fragment at the National History Museum. The identification of the fossil is being one of the world’s largest toothed pterosaur. This fossil is part of the species of the pterosaur. It is a pterosaur, Coloborhynchus. It is the biggest pterosaur they have ever seen. Pterosaurs are flying reptiles that lived in the Mesozoic Era with dinosaurs between 210 and 65 million years ago.




Critique- Just now there is news out about this pterosaur. This is an amazing discovery since pterosaur aren’t as big but this new one pterosaur, Coloborhynchus is one of the biggest of them all. They also have a big tooth. The mouth is very big for the pterosaur, Coloborhynchus.



Impact- They are finding more and more species of different animals, and reptiles. This will help us to better understand of the evolution of what has happened from millions of years ago. To help us now with the differences of the species.

Resource: http://www.cbn.com/health/weightloss/sweetpotatoes_Galland.aspx

Sweet On Sweet Potatoes

Summary: A cool classic food for thanksgiving is sweet potatoes.  Sweat potatoes were first found in South America.  They are a good source of food that has nutrition.  They have beautiful orange color on the inside.  When you see this color, you know that it is filled with carotenoids.  It contains fiber, vitamin A, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.  One cup of sweet potatoes gives you two hundred calories and no fat.  When people heard that this type of food had a good source of nutrients, they started to buy them.  Sweet potatoes are still good without any marshmallows or any spices.  You can make sweet potatoes into fries.  You first peel the skin off, and then you put it in dices.  When that is done, you add some olive oil, some pepper and salt and then put in the oven.  After all the hard work, you have some good fresh baked sweet potatoes.

Critique: Sweet potatoes are a really good vegetable.  I used to eat sweet potatoes so much as a baby that my skin actually turned orange.  I guess anything in excess isn’t good for you.  I have not eaten them since I was a baby, this article actually makes me want to go and try them again, especially with all the marshmallows on them. 

Impact: This vegetable is healthy for our bodies.  Not only are they good with marshmallows, but also they are good without them.  Instead of buying more and more ingredients for a sweet potato foods that you make, you should save your money and bake without any extra material.     

Resource: http://www.cbn.com/health/beauty/Ecofabulous_everydaybeauty.aspx

Healthy Skin

Summary: Some of the most best beauty secrets were found thousands of years ago.  They did not have any chemicals to use to make them pretty.  Now we use different chemicals or formulas to make many different beauty products.  Some of these products are not healthy for our skin.  Before you buy a product you should check what’s going in and on your skin.  Some people call it smart beauty.  Here are three facts that shouldn’t be in or on your skin.  Parabens, they’re a preservative linked to a hormone disruption, which has many side affects.  Fragrances can disrupt your endocrine system.    Talc can irritate the skin.  These are just three out of many that you should watch for.  

Critique: Beauty products can be very helpful to your skin.  But not all are healthy for.  The chemicals in some of these products can really give you problems.  That is why we need to look at the product, see what is in it, then if it is good you can buy it knowing that the product will not harm your skin. 

Impact:  These products have changed our community.  They think that to be beautiful they need good, expensive products that will make them look gorgeous.  But the truth is that you don’t need products to make your self-beautiful because you were already made beautiful.  

The Tiger

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger

Summary: The tiger is part of the cat family and is native to eastern and southern Asia. It can be as long as 3.3 meters, and 300 kilograms. They can live 10 to 15 years in the wild, but when they are not, they can live up to 20 years. They can live from the taiga to grasslands. The tiger is endangered and 3 of the 6 subspecies have already gone extinct.

Critique: My opinion on tigers is neutral, I have only seen them in zoos and have never had a personal encounter with them, ad I hope I never do.

Impact: The impact the tiger has on the Earth is a very positive one because without it, the food chain would be very different. Every living thing would be affected by it.

The Bobcat

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobcat

Summary: The Bobcat is part of the cat family and lives in ranges from Canada to northern Mexico. It is a predator and lives in the desert, wooded areas, forest edge, urban edge, and swampland environments. It will eat rabbits, hares, and anywhere between insects and rodents, to deer. The animals they mostly hunt weigh from .68 to 5.7. They mostly hunt alone, and mark their territory by urinating, or claw marks. Humans, for fur and sport mostly hunt them.

Critique: My opinion about Bobcats is a neutral one. As long as they do not bother me, I don’t have a problem with me. I have, however, seen them hop fences and disturb others.

Impact: The impact the Bobcat has on the Earth is a positive one because they have a big effect on the food chain. With out them, the food chain would be very different and every living thing would be affected by it.

The Artic Fox

RESOURCE:http://library.thinkquest.org/3500/arctic_fox.htm

The artic fox is a beautiful animal. It is the fox that lives farthest north, in northern and western Alaska, northern Canada, Russia, and Greenland. Its height ranges from 10-12 inches and weighs between 6-10 pounds. Its coat is grey in the winter so it can blend into the snow and then turns brown in the warmer months. What also makes the artic fox different from any other fox is that it has the warmest coat. Mating season for these furry creatures occurs in March and April. Gestation lasts 52 days and can result in having 7-15 pups! They eat mainly small mammals, like lemmings, tundra voles, and even birds. For an artic fox to survive in such cold conditions, it has short legs, small ears, dense fur, and thickly haired foot pads which help their bodies keep heat in. The artic fox is a beautiful creature that plays a part in the food chain, all animals do. I wonder what would happen if the artic fox became extinct? Maybe there’ll be an overpopulation of birds.

Do the Blind Have a More Acute Sense of Smell?

RESOURCE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100426131601.htm


Everyone has heard and believed that blind people smell more accurately then those who have sight, but this isn’t entirely true. Mathilde Beaulieu-Lefebvre from the Université de Montréal Department of Psychology set out to debunk this myth. What she found is that blind people simply rely more on the sense of smell, but it’s not more accurate. Her and her team gathered 25 participants, 11 of them blind since birth. They had to take a questionnaire, they had to sort 16 different perfumes, and had to identify the scents of rose, vanilla, and a type of sweet alcohol. Using functional imagery, their three step study found that the blind use their olfactory cortex (for smell) more than the non blind, and also used their occipital cortex, which is used for sight. The urban legend was false, the blind just have to work harder. It’s pretty cool that the brain is using parts of it that don’t work for that specific purpose, but giving it a new job. I wonder if this happens with other disabilities?

Titanium Found On the Moon

Summary: Titanium is not the strongest metal known to man. It is extremely useful and powerful, and the reason why it is mistaken for the strongest metal is because it’s the most commonly used. It is the lightest of the strong metals, while Tungsten is the strongest and heaviest. Apparently, there is Titanium on the moon according to a photo taken by a high-tech camera that detects the colors of different chemicals. So unless we get an actual test of this, there will be no real proof that there is Titanium on the moon.

Critique: Learning about this is interesting. Did you know that people are actually buying space on the moon? There is an actual place where you can go (this is confusing politics, because the moon isn’t really anybody’s to sell but I guess he has a license or something . . .?). But really, no matter how much money you have, you can’t go to the moon without NASA’s help. What I mean is one way or another, the money from the titanium will end up going to the government anyways.

Impact: If we can get this titanium, it would be a big deal for us. And when I say “us”, I mean everyone. Who knows who will get to it first? If Russia ends up claiming it all, we may buy some from them. There’s really nothing wrong with that except for the fact that we already owe them a few billion dollars. And I think it’s more of an accomplishment factor than anything else. Like, “Hey! We’re America! We owe everybody money but we have Titanium from the moon!” Mark my words: there will be a huge demand for Space Metal. Titanium is pretty expensive here on earth so Titanium from the Moon would be extremely expensive, not to mention hard to get in the first place.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111007102109.htm

Abnormal Volcanic Eruptions

Summary: A million years ago, before humans, something called a “Super-Eruption” shook the world. It was called thus because not only was it large and abnormal, but also because it triggered other volcanic eruptions around the globe. This brought upon things like The Ice Age. Ew. Don’t worry though; this isn’t going to happen soon unless someone purposely sets it off. What idiot would do that is stupid and suicidal. It wouldn’t make the planet burst apart, but it would kill nearly every living thing on Earth. The things that survive from sheer luck would suffocate from the tons of debris floating around, and that would be the end of THAT.

Critique: I personally don’t like volcanic eruptions all that much, so hearing about the Super Eruption just made my day. Let’s hope nobody decides that they want to blow up the world. Volcanic eruptions occur when pressure is built up in the magma chambers. When the pressure builds up, it has to release it, so it explodes. Extinct volcanoes and dormant volcanoes have little to no chance of exploding because there is little to no pressure in the earth for it to build up. Volcanoes were most likely very active towards The Beginning of Earth, so the Super Eruption will most likely only affect volcanoes that are active.

Impact: Let me paint a picture of how this works: remember the huge eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980? The Super Eruption was 2,000 times worse. Just imagine how bad that would be for us. Like any scientific discovery, this can be both good and bad, but the aspects of both are extremely vague. It won’t happen soon (good aspect) but when it does, it will kill us all (bad aspect).

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111012124139.htm

Sugary Drinks

Reference: http://www.cnn.com/2011/08/31/health/soda-drinking-habits/index.html

Summary: The amount of sugary drinks we consume in America has gone up immensely in the past 20 years. Though it may not be contributing very much to the obesity epidemic, Americans are driniking way more soda than recommended. About 3 cans a week is plenty enough, but most Americans drink about 2 cans of soda everyday. Male teens drink the most sugary drinks out of everyone. It is recommended that we replace these sugary drinks with healthier choices like water, milk, or tea.

Critique: I agree we drink too much soda, but really, water milk or tea? What 16-year old teenage boy is going to want to drink tea? I think it's stupid, to be honest. If America doesn't want to change, then it won't.

Impact: Maybe people will start drinking tea instead of juice or soda.

Heart Disease Rates Down

Reference: http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/13/cdc-heart-disease-prevalence-down/?hpt=he_c2

Summary: Over the past couple of years the widespread of Heart Disease has been going down in the USA from a 6.7 percent in 2006 to a 6.0 percent in 2011. The results were recorded in over a national phonecall conducted by the CDC. It was only given in Spanish or English to only people with landlines. No senior citizen homes were included in the survey either. People with the highest rate of Heart Disease are Men, Native Alaskans, American Indians, People with less than a High School degree, and people who live in the South. People with the lowest rate of Heart Disease are Women, Asians, Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, people with more than a college degree, and people who live in Conneticut or Hawaii.

Critique: It's a good story, but I don't think it's very accurate. I mean, people can say anything over a telephone call. And what about the people without landlines? My family only has cellphones now. I just think the CDC should have gotten more accurate data. I also find it hard to believe that Heart Disease is going down with the amount of fast food America eats. If anything Heart Disease rates should be going up.

Impact: Well, if this data truly is accurate information, America's #1 killer is going down!

White Pox Disease in Coral Caused By Human Pathogen

Summary: Caribbean elkhorn coral, once the most common coral in the Caribbean, has long been affected by white pox disease. This caused it to be placed on the endangered list. Scientists have known since 2002, that the bacteria that killed the elkhorn coral also was found in humans. Scientists figured out that waste was to blame because the bacterium is also found in the wastes of humans and animals. However, researchers still needed to find the source. They collected and analyzed human samples from a wastewater treatment facility in Key West as well as samples from Key deer and seagulls. The scientists found that the strain from the human sewage matched the strain affecting the elkhorn coral.

Critique: I think that it is really cool how they can determine the different strains. It's the same bacteria, but there are tiny differences and it's amazing that scientists can find those.

Impact: This is causing wastewater treatment facilities to become more advanced so that they aren't releasing bacteria like this. These findings are also going make sure that the coral is not going to be endangered any more.

Reference: http://www.macroevolution.net/white-pox.html#.TpT6mBWYOYM