Awareness article #2 has now been assigned.
Due: Nov 3, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
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17 comments:
Not a Planet, but a Plutoid
On September 13, 2006 a decision was made that Pluto would no longer be considered a planet. But on June 12 2008 scientists classified Pluto as a plutoid. Plutoid is a dwarf planet past Neptune’s orbit, and a dwarf planet is a planet that is big enough to be round. There is only one other plutoid in the solar system, Eris. Eris is an ice rock that is slightly larger than Pluto and is nick named Xena.
Source http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?locID=winn39111&bi=SU&bt=%2522Pluto+%28Planet%29%2522&c=1&t=8&ste=24&docNum=A180008250&st=b&tc=63&tf=0
The New York Times
By Taylor
Title: North America’s Fish Feel the Heat
By: T. Edward Nickens
Source: http://www.envirothon.org/NorthAmericafishfeeltheheat.pdf
The article is discussing the effects of global warming on the fish in the Pacific Ocean. Water temperatures will rise along with the temperature of the air, which could have huge impacts on the fish. A temperature increase of 3C could destroy half of the trouts’ suitable habit range within the next 30 years. Higher water temperatures mean there’s less oxygen in the water too, which the fish and plant life require to survive. Cold water fish will be forced to move northwards into cooler water, fish species will become isolated and no longer have access to a food supply.
Links:
http://www.envirothon.org/warmocenwatersaffectfoodchain.pdf
http://www.unisci.com/stories/20021/0213021.htm
Kelli
Title: North America’s Fish Feel the Heat
By: T. Edward Nickens
Source: http://www.envirothon.org/NorthAmericafishfeeltheheat.pdf
The article is discussing the effects of global warming on the fish in the Pacific Ocean. Water temperatures will rise along with the temperature of the air, which could have huge impacts on the fish. A temperature increase of 3C could destroy half of the trouts’ suitable habit range within the next 30 years. Higher water temperatures mean there’s less oxygen in the water too, which the fish and plant life require to survive. Cold water fish will be forced to move northwards into cooler water, fish species will become isolated and no longer have access to a food supply.
Links:
http://www.envirothon.org/warmocenwatersaffectfoodchain.pdf
http://www.unisci.com/stories/20021/0213021.htm
Kelli
Title: Human Genome Project
Author: Ralph Meyer
Date: November 7, 2008
Source: http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?locID=winn39111&bi=SU&bt=%2522Human+genome%2522&c=1&t=1&ste=21&docNum=CV2642650123&st=b&tc=63&tf=0
This article is about the human genome project and its importance to the human body. The entire complement of DNA in a cell is represented by the genome. In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick deduced the molecular structure of DNA (molecule of the genome is made). Later on, scientist became interested in the project and decided to continue the research of determination of the whole nucleotide sequence of every single 3 billion + bases of DNA in the nucleus of a human cell. The first human genome sequence draft was completed in 2001 and published in the Bri8tish journal Nature and the American journal Science. Data found in the process of sequencing the human genome brought scientific rewards in the discovery of disease-causing genes, design of new drugs, and understanding the developmental process and cancer, as well as determining the origin and evolution of human race itself. Scientists created other projects that determined the sequence of several organisms of genetic, biochemical, or medical importance. The project helped discover that every human is unique even though all humans share more than 99.99 percent of gene sequences. The project was officially completed in 2003. In conclusion, the human genome project helped scientists learn more about the human body.
Other Sources:
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/home.shtml
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/project/about.shtml
Title: Global Warming
Date: November 11, 2008
Author: Judson Knight
Source: http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC;jsessionid=FA2B41EC45A384F4012971390F3AF394?locID=winn39111&bi=SU&bt=%2522Global+warming%2522&c=3&t=1&ste=21&docNum=CV2643510068&st=b&tc=63&tf=0
Global Warming is possibly the most controversial issue in earth sciences today. Global warming is an average increase in the world’s temperature caused by the ‘greenhouse effect’. The greenhouse effect is where the sun gives off lots of energy, which some is heading towards the Earth, but only a portion of the energy gets absorbed by the Earth. Greenhouse gasses (such as carbon dioxide, water vapor, carbon monoxide, methane and nitrous oxide),all absorbed this energy as it comes through the earths atmosphere. When these greenhouse gasses are heated, they cause the planet to cool down slower. Humans are putting too much greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. To help stop global warming, reduce the amount of energy you use (walk to school/work!) and buy products made with recyclable materials.
Additional Sources:
http://epa.gov/climatechange/kids/gw.html
http://www.bluemarble4us.com/
Submitted by: Kyla
Title: Bacteria
Source: "Bacteria." World of Genetics. Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner. Online. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2007. Science Resource Center. Gale. 11 November 2008
Bacteria are small one-celled organisms that can be found all around you in everyday life. Their sizes range from diameters of 1-5 um and because of their minuscule size, the organisms were not classified or examined in detail until the nineteenth century. Now, due to better technology, scientists were able to discover many different species of bacteria. They classified groups of bacteria by their three basic shapes, being round cocci, rod-like bacilli, and helical spirilla and spirochetes. Although bacteria are small, they are found in large groups and variety, which tend to be more organized than the common virus. Bacteria can be found in every possible habitat, including bodies of living things. Though bacteria is usually associated only with disease, infections and other negative assumptions, it also can be useful and have good qualities. Bacteria helps to decompose dead and decaying matter, helps animal food digestion, produce chemicals, aids in the creating of certain food products such as cheese, butter and cocoa, and can also be found in certain antibiotics used for the human body.
Allison Phipps
Links:
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/E/Eubacteria.html
http://www.livescience.com/bacteria/
Title: Healing with Electromedicine and Sound Therapies
By: Sylver, Nenah
source: http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?sgsl=bi&locID=winn39111&bi=SU&sgos=%2522Sound%2522&sgcmd=REL&bt=%2522Sound+Therapy%2522&c=2&t=2&ste=22&docNum=A175445390&sgit=69&st=b&tc=26&tf=8
This article talks about how electromedical devices, that can produce and focas waves, can help to heal and effect the human body. They have been used back in time since the first electrical currents were harvested. Many people disagree with these practices. The people don’t understand that MRI’s and the ECG use electricity to diagnose medial conditions. The waves could easily be used to heal the body, which is energy based, in the same way. If every cell in each living thing has a magnetic field people should be able to use this to heal. All in all, scientists are slowly developing new ways to create treatments with this new phenomenon.
Link #1http://www.rifeenergymedicine.com/energymedicine.html
Link #2http://www.chemtrailcentral.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000088.html
Brief Summary Done By: Lauren
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor
The European Union, the US, Japan, Russia, China, South Korea and India have agreed to start building the Iter nuclear fusion reactor at Cadarache, France. The reactor will use the same method of producing energy as the tokamak reactor; a plasma of Deuterium and Tritium heated to extreme temperatures and confined in a magnetic field will be accelerated until fusion reactions take place. The waste products of this reactor will be radioactive, but with a very short half-life; about 50-100 years. After that period, the products can be safely disposed of. Construction of the Iter will take about 10 years and will cost about 10 billion euros. The reactor is experimental and will not likely be producing energy for the public until the process and technology is refined further.
Chris K.
Links:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4627237.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokamak
Title: Cold, common
Author: Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner
Date of Article: ? /? /07
Source:http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?locID=winn39111&bi=SU&bt=common+cold&c=10&t=1&ste=21&docNum=CV2644650106&st=b&tc=31&tf=0
This article discusses, in general, the common cold, also known as rhinitis. A cure or treatment for the cold is still being researched by scientists today. The article also compares the rhinitis to influenza and the flu, and how it is different from the two; such as how influenza is fatal (mostly to elderly people) and colds are not, and how the flu symptoms are quite sudden and are more serious than the colds’ symptoms. It also tells us how there are almost 200 different virus’ that have the causes of runny noses, coughs, and sore throats, which are symptomatic to a cold. The virus is spread by an infected person handling objects that someone else would use after, or shaking hands with another person. Antibiotics, such as penicillin do not affect the virus so they are pointless to take, but things such as vitamin C, hot liquids, and over-the-counter drugs can help relieve the symptoms of the cold, but it is only temporary relief for the infected person. “Colds are usually self-limiting”, so the cold can be cured naturally in about a weeks time.
Additional Sources:
World of Microbiology and Immunology
Submitted by: Ashley
Title: Pink Iguana Species Discovered
Author: Christine Dell'Amore
Date: Jan 5/09
Source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/01/090105-pink-iguana-photo.html
A new species of iguana named after its rose skin was discovered on the Wolf Volcano of the Island of Isabela. Though its first discovery was in 1986 by park rangers, it is only until now that it has been identified as a new species. A team of scientist from Rome’s University, Tor Vergata, were the first to study the species. Through genetic analysis they found that the species had cut off from other iguana species nearly five million years ago. This discovery fills in the gap of lacking evolutionary information between 10.5 millions years ago (during which marine and land iguanas slit off) and one millions years ago (during which land iguanas were divided into various species). The team also made the distressing findings of the Pink Iguanas approximate population, which they say is “alarmingly small”. Some theories for this are wild cats hunting the young or other animals, such as goats, diminishing their food sources. The team continues to do further research and investigation, hoping they can prevent the Pink Iguana from becoming extinct so soon after its acknowledgment.
Additional Sources:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7811875.stm
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/01/05/pink-iguana.html
Sabrina Moche
Stem Cells
Stem cells can replicate themselves and also able to rise to different types of cell lines. There are three different cell groups: embryonic stem cells, embryonic germ cells, and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are cultured cells originally collected from the inner cell mass of an embryo and the blastocyst stage of development. Adult stem cells are found in both children and adults.
Since stem cells are undifferentiated they all have unique properties and are very useful in clinical problems. Adult stem cells could possibly replace an organ or tissue that was diseased.
There is a problem with Adult stem cells are very rare. They’ve been isolated from certain tissues including some in the bone marrow, olfactory system, brain, eyes, muscle, liver, pancreas, digestive system, but yet there are still some organs and tissues where stem cells haven’t been discovered. They’re also very hard to maintain because they’re most likely often to fail outside the body.
Scientists discovered how to grow human embryonic stem cells in 1998, but have come upon many problems since then that can effect the human later on. And recently two scientists have been able to create stem cells from cloned monkey embryos and form adult skin cells. And hopefully soon enough they’ll be able to discover how to hold stem cells outside of the body to eventually cure some diseases.
Halee
http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?locID=winn39111&bi=SU&bt=%2522Stem+cells%2522&c=2&t=1&ste=21&docNum=CV2430500388&st=b&tc=63&tf=0
Title: Physiology
Author: Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner
Date of Article: 2008
Source: http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?ste=1&docNum=CV2644031721
The article, “Physiology” discusses the study of physiology and what is involved. Physiology is the study of how biological organisms work together and on their own to make living things, such as humans and plants, function. Physiology encompasses a wide variety of biological functions like the interactions, of tissues and organs, that keep living organisms alive. Physiologists study things like growth, reproduction, excitation, and metabolism. Physiological studies of the body help professionals do their work; For example, they help physicians diagnose and treat strokes.
Human physiology is the oldest type of this science, going back to approximately 420 BC. Physiology began to get more modernized in the seventeenth century when people began to study blood movement and circulation throughout the body.
Scientific technology began to expand, going from simple microscopes to computerized scanning devices. With this new technology, physiologists could now study things like bacteria. They can also study the functions of molecules throughout the body.
There are different types of physiology. Comparative physiology is analyzing body systems such as the circulatory and respiratory systems. Ecological physiology studies animals and how they cope in specific environments, and Cellular physiology studies the structure and functions of cells.
Additional Sources:
-http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?ste=1&docNum=K2431100229
-http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?ste=1&docNum=CV2430500349
Tsunamis
Source: "Tsunami" Earth Sciences for Studies.Online.Detroit.Macmillan Reference
A tsunami is just a tidal wave. They are one of the most destructive natural disasters. The cause of a tsunami is usually a large earthquake underwater, that occurs around 50km below the ocean floor. The major thing that causes these earthquakes to occur is, the tectonic plats beneath the ocean floor will move/slide under the continental plates. To create a tsunami, the earthquake must veritcally move the earth's crust. Depending on the height in which the crust is lifted, will basically determine the height of the tsunami. The shock of the earthquake causes concentric wves to occur. Concentric waves are like the ripples you see when you drop an object into a body of water. The wavelengths of these waves are much deeper than the depth of the ocean floor. These wavelengths can be anywhere from 100-200 km. The wavelangths can move across and entire ocean without losing much energy. For most of the waves travel it will usually be around a meter high, but as the wave reaches shallower waters the waves velocity decreases, therefore shortening their wave lengths which increases their height. The waters along the coast can reach upto 98 feet (30 m) high in about 15 minutes or less. After the sea level has risen, the water along the continental shelf will begin to oscillate fiercly. The term oscillate basically means to swing back and forth. A lot of of the damage caused by a tsunami is caused by 3-5 large oscillations. In a couple of days the oscillations will die down, then stop completely. Some tsnami hotspots are in tectonically active areas, which are usually located aroung the Pacific Ocean. For example, Japan, Chile and Indosnesiaare some.
-Sydney
Title: Organic Chemistry
Author: Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth
Date of Article: 2008
Source: http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?locID=winn39111&bi=SU&bt=%2522Chemistry%2522&c=1&t=1&ste=21&docNum=CV2644030465&st=b&tc=63&tf=16
The word organic is used because most natural compounds contain carbon atoms and are isolated from either plants or animals. Rubber, vitamins, cloth, and paper represent organic materials people come in contact with on a daily basis. Organic chemistry explores how to change and connect compounds based on carbon atoms in order to synthesize new substances with new properties. Organic chemistry is the backbone in the development and manufacture of many products produced commercially, including drugs, food preservatives, perfumes, food flavorings, dyes, and many more.
Other Sources: http://www.organic-chemistry.org/
http://library.thinkquest.org/3659/orgchem/
title:Anatomy
Author: Kimberley A. McGrath
Source:http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?locID=winn39111&bi=SU&bt=anatomy&c=1&t=1&ste=21&docNum=CV2431500037&st=b&tc=63&tf=0
Year Published:2006
Anatomy can be divided into two fields, gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy is the study of structures that are visible to the naked eye and microscopic anatomy focuses on the study of tissues, and cytology (study of cells). They are both the study of plants and animals. Gross anatomy was discovered sooner than microscopic anatomy because the microscope was not invented until later. It was only until human dissections that scientists discovered most of their theories about the nervous system, organs, etc. Because some scientists were ignored about their theories about blood circulation and organ work anatomy could not be studied further for centuries. The first schooling which included the study of anatomy was founded in the middle ages. They practiced a great deal in dissecting bodies but because of some religious conflicts they were not able to carry that routine until much later. Some researchers still dissected animals and people but were severely punished if found. It was not until the seventeenth century that dissections began to become more popular and part of a regular routine again. It was then that the understanding of human anatomy was at an advantage. At around the same time the microscope was invented and used to research cells and such. There are many systems that make up the body and are now well understood. Since anatomy was studied it helped keep people more healthy and aware of what goes on in their body.
Other sources:http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/gross+anatomy
Title: Bacteria
Author: Ed. Leonard C. Bruno and Julie Carnagie
Bacteria is a group of one celled organisms so small they can only be seen with a microscope. As the most abundant form of life on earth, they live in every habitat in the air, soil, and H2O, As well as in human bodies. As the simplest of organisms they reproduce asexually by dividing into two. Although most bacteria is often joined with a disease, they perform an enormously useful function in the natural world. Most scientists believe that bacteria were the earliest form of life on earth today; there are more than 10,000 species that have been identified. Bacteria live in many different environments even under extreme conditions such as lack of oxygen. Some bacteria lives in or on other organisms. Most bacteria grows inside the bodies of animals which causes disease and are known commonly as “germs.” Examples of the most common infectious disease caused by bacteria are strep throat, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, and tooth decay. A lot of bacteria is harmless and essential to the well-being of certain ecosystems, bacteria helps animals digest the food they eat. Bacteria can clean up the oil spills in the ocean breaking up the oil into its harmless components. Bacteria has very little trouble reproducing, since each bacterium can do so on its own.
http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?locID=winn39111&bi=SU&bt=%2522Bacteria%2522&c=2&t=1&ste=21&docNum=CV2641700019&st=b&tc=63&tf=0
Title: Cancer
Date of article: 2007
Source of article: http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/SciRC?locID=winn39111&bi=SU&bt=%2522Cancer%2522&c=2&t=1&ste=21&docNum=CV2430500062&st=b&tc=63&tf=0
Cancer is a disease in which certain cells lose their ability to regulate the division of cells. Scientists claim cancer may be as old as mankind. These cancer cells multiply and attack other tissues forcing the normal cells to be crowded out and destroyed. If this unregulated growth takes place in a vital organ, it can cause serious organ malfunctions and death. Cure rates depend on the type of cancer. There are a variety of causes of cancer. Some scientists link cancer to the genetic material of cells. Ultraviolet rays, x-rays and viruses are types of carcinogens that can cause cancer.
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