Science: How Does Exercise Make you Stronger?

How Does Exercise Make you Stronger?

This article gives you a clear and concise summary of how we build strength. It is summed up in 2 processes; muscle hypertrophy and neural adaptation. To find out these mean you'll have to read the article... the link above will take you to the original.

Science: Could Batman Actually Exist?

Found an interesting article and book written by E. Paul Zehr, associate professor at University of Victoria (yes, the one in BC). The book is called Becoming Batman and it explores whether it would actually be possible for someone to be Batman! The book explores Batman's physical abilities, required training, effects of training, recovery time, bone density, reaction speed, effects of concussions, etc.

The following link will take you to an interview by Scientific American and Paul Zehr.

Dark Knight Shift: Why Batman Could Exist--But Not for Long

Have scientists discovered Spider-Man's secret to superstrong silk?

Scientist found that blasting spider webs created by the Araneaus spider with heat and moisture allowed them to break down some of the protein bonds that make up the silk. Once the silk was damaged by the heat and moisture researchers exposed the web to a vapour containing a variety of metal molecules; such as aluminum, titanium or zinc. The metal molecules were able to attach to the broken protein bonds thus producing a stronger web.

Have scientists discovered Spider-Man's secret to superstrong silk?

Greatly increased toughness of infiltrated spider silk

Listen to the Podcast

Posted using ShareThis

Science: Zoo Chimp 'Planned' Stone Attacks

A chimpanzee in a Swedish zoo has been revealed to have planned hundreds of stone attacks on visitors of the zoo. Researchers have shown Santino, a chimpanzee, would gather and store stones that he would later use as projectiles in displays of dominance. They also found that he could recognize parts of his enclosure that could be pulled apart and fashioned into further projectiles. The researchers suggest that these behaviours are a display of animals planning for future events, a behaviour which has been thus far difficult to prove.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7928996.stm

Science: Periodic Table of Videos

A collection of videos from the University of Nottingham about all the elements that make up the periodic table. Click on any element that makes up the periodic table and there will be a video pertaining to that element.

http://www.periodicvideos.com/index.htm#

An additional periodic table resource.

Moving your cursor over an element gives you basic data and a picture of the element. Clicking on the element brings you to an in-depth page that shows multiple uses for the element.

http://www.periodictable.com/

Science: Spore

I have had mixed feelings about posting this link on my blog as it is a pay to play game with a free trial, however after much deliberation I have decided to post it as I believe the educational opportunities are great. It is an evolutionary simulation game.

I want to ensure that you all understand that I am not encouraging you to purchase the game.

The link provided allows you to download a free trial of the game which allows you to create and guide your own creature through five generations. You also create the environment they live in; buildings, vehicles, etc. There is also an opportunity for collaboration as other players can use and share everything you create.

http://www.spore.com/

Science: Anatomy Arcade

"Awesome learning tools" for learning human anatomy and body systems including muscle groups, skeletal system, circulatory system, endocrine system, digestive system, etc.

http://www.anatomyarcade.com/students/students.html

Science: Infectious Diseases

Here is a very cool little website with activities revolving around infectious diseases.

http://www.diseasedetectives.org

Science: Space Above and Beyond

In early June the spaceshuttle was launched to rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS). The crew of the space shuttle were to deliver valuable cargo, some of which included parts to fix the toilet, Buzz Lightyear, one of Lance Armstrong's yellow jerseys, and bagels. One of the fortunate by-products from this mission were the images captured. How many of these cloud types can you name?

To see the full compliment of images use the link provided below.

The Sky, From Above - Boston.com

Science: Driving while Impaired

As of July 1st, 2008 theWinnipeg Police Department will have the option of testing drivers for drugs to determine whether they are impaired. The test consists of 12 steps that will determine whether the driver is impaired and on which type of drug.

Police get new powers to nab drivers on drugs - Winnipeg Free Press

Science: Evidence of the Paranormal

This is by far the creepiest video that I have ever seen. In no way do I believe in ghosts, but this video may have made a believer out of me.

Contributions from "The Antagonist"

My apologies to the Antagonist, I've been storing these posts and haven't had as much time to add them to the blog. So for all those you who have been waiting anxiously, here they are (the second one is extremely interesting, made me kind of laugh because its true)...

Simply put, black holes aren't black.

http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/news/Title,21283,en.html

Heaviest element now known to science. Will there be another contender? Who knows.

http://www.writeidea.org/2008/04/governmentium-described-as-element-on.html

Science: Mmmmm...Pie Pans

This is a short video on about an inventor, John Kanzius, who in the middle of the night came up with an idea to cure cancer and ended up discovering a possible solution to the world's energy crisis.

Using his wife's pie pans he created a radio frequency generator. The goal was to use radio waves to heat up metals injected into cancerous cells, thus killing cancer cells and leaving the healthy. The interesting thing is, this machine also burns saltwater at an intense temperature (1650 degrees celsius) which in turn can be used to run an engine.

Another interesting fact is the energy released is actually hydrogen. The flame and heat is breaking down the hydrogen-oxygen bond.

Science: Awareness Article #4

Awareness Article #4 has now been assigned. Since I am away tomorrow (Friday, April 11th, 2008) you will have some time to work on it in class, as a result, it will be due on Monday, April 14th.

This means it is last call for Awareness Article #3. As of Monday, April 14th, any outstanding AA #3's will be deducted 10% per day to a maximum of 50%.

If you have AA #1 and AA#2 still outstanding, this would be a good time to complete it.

You will have one more Awareness Article to write after this one.

Science: Evidence of Global Warming

A chunk of ice 414 square km big (larger than the city of Montreal) broke off the Wilkins Ice Shelf. This is an ice shelf that floats a top the ocean water in the Antarctic. With warmer ocean temperatures this chunk of ice took only 10 days to fracture off the Antarctic Peninsula.





Additional Source:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080325120714.htm
http://nsidc.org/news/press/20080325_Wilkins.htm
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-03/uoca-ais032508.php

Science: Did you ever want a Pet Hippo?

Are you allergic to cats, dogs, etc... How about getting yourself a pet Hippo? Surprisingly these animals kill more humans than any other wild animal in Africa, this one has become a loyal family pet.

Science: Avalanche on Mars

Here are a couple images sent back by a robotic spacecraft circling mars. Apparently these are of a series of avalanches that have occured at Mars' North Pole. The images pictured are of ice (hypothesized to be Carbon Dioxide frost) and dust breaking from the edge of a cliff. The ice kicked up massive dust clouds that measured 590 feet across.


http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/03/04/mars-avalanche.html
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1719470,00.html

Contributions from "The Antagonist"

Here's a special one, close to my heart. It covers a bit of the economic science of drug dealing, the dangers, the profit (or lack there of) and the consequences on your future.



I'll be sure to get more interesting articles on economics, which is something I've been reading up on for the past while. Plenty of interesting science to it.

Contributions from "The Antagonist"

But, my word! Plant-Animal hybrids? I think you talked about this before. I have a bunch of hilarious DNA splicing blunders.

Looks like scientists have too much time on their hands, and have far too much of an imagination.

http://stepsmagazine.ca/trainplants/index1.php?mentrees

It's fantastic, and an entertaining read. I'll be sure to keep you updated on scientific blunders as well as wonders.

Contributions from "The Antagonist"

Here's a movie, about 45 minutes long that I think you'd enjoy for a class. What On Earth is Wrong with Gravity?



http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-843994142204928073&hl=enA

cheer for gravity, even though you may not always like it. Without it, the universe wouldn't be what it is, or may not be at all. Save this for the physics unit, or if you're feeling saucy, show it when you see this entry. I'd rather you show this than An Inconvenient Half-Truth.