Brain Music: Putting the Brain's Soundtrack to Work

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090424114646.htm

This article discusses the fact that brain waves can be "recorded" as musical notes and played back to the person, causing them to relax or become more focused. The music that is recorded is different for each persons brain. The compositions can be especially useful for first response federal agents, police, and fire fighters to combat the stress that inherently comes with their jobs. A group of first response fire fighters will be the first group to be tested as part of this project. If the project is a success we may soon see this become mainstream, which would help people be more productive at work and help people who have trouble sleeping or have jobs that require varying sleep patterns.

Swine Flu Update

The New York Times, April 29th, 2009, science section has a great article on the current swine flu virus that is affecting many people worldwide and which can possibly become a pandemic.  We have been hearing reports of Mexico as the main area of occurrence but cases has been reported in New York, California, Kansas, Texas, Indiana and Ohio. Cases have also been found in Canada, Israel, Spain, Scotland and New Zealand.  Viruses can mutate and evolve into different strains.  The United States has a drug called Tamiflu that is said can fight the virus, but pharmaceuticals companies are still being urged to continue their production of new drugs for new strains of the virus.  The public is being told to wash hands and clean surfaces that may be contaminated, since it is possible to contract the virus not only via airborne, but also by touching a surface and then touching the mouth or nose.

Reference: http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/i/influenza/swine_influenza/index.html

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How Global Warming Works

I ma worried about the effects of global warming. I have heard of so many negative outcomes if we do not remedy the problem. It can be confusing and scary at times. I found this article that explains what global warming is and how it is being affected. I thought it would be fair to know the facts as well as the consequences. Let us all learn about GLOBAL WARMING!

http://science.howstuffworks.com/global-warming4.htm

Methane Climate Shock Unlikely, Study Suggests

Catastrophic climate change due to a massive release of underwater and underground stores of methane= greenhouse gas, is less likely than previously thought, suggests new research. i am not certain if it is good news or bad. What was thought to be a contributing factor to the climate change may not be; one less factor to worry about. This also means that we moved one step backward by not knowing all that are causing the changes. This study is also published the journal Science.

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/04/24/methane-climate.html

Darwin’s Biography, His Research, Theory, And What He Did Not Know

This paper entitled "What Darwin Didn't Know" states that Charles Darwin (1809-1882), a naturalist, had a great vision of evolution when he made a 5-year naturalist trip to South America and saw signs that plants and animal species were not fixed and permanent.  It wasn't until twenty years after his trip, in the year 1859 that he published a book titled, "On The Origin Of Species" that detailed his theory on evolution.  He however knew that much more research needed to be conducted.  Darwin's work has had significant scientific relevance for more than 150 years.  His theory on evolution basically stated that, "all life is related, species change over time in response to natural selection and new forms replace those that come before."  Evolution is believed by many to be the way that biology works, and it is seen as the central organizing principle of life on earth.  Darwin's theory encompassed di scoveries made in geology, like the constant motion of continent, and in genetics, when the first fossilized ancient human called the "Neanderthal Man" was discovered.  The paper under review discusses Darwin's biography, his research, his theory, and what he didn't know.

 

Reference:      Hayden, Thomas. "What Darwin Didn't Know."  Smithsonian. Feb. 2009. vol. 39, issue 11, p. 40-48.

 

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webquest

This is virtual knee surgery and is awesome, and enjoyable. The website edheads.com provides science lessons and science games for children. This game assists in the teaching of anatomy and is appropriate for grade 5 and above http://edheads.org/activities/knee/index.htm


_nick

Sonar Can Cause Temporary Deafness in Dolphins

This article taken from the New York Times explains the reason as to why dolphins may become temporarily deaf. It focuses on experiments done using sonar pings and different levels. The conclusion of the experiments proved that dolphins suffered hearing loss for at least 40 minutes after being exposed to the high levels of sonar pings. Although the experiment was proven, it was only consistent in those dolphins who ranged within 45 yards of the sonar source for several minutes.

Webquest:Apple Trees throughout the Seasons

Since I currently deal with Pre-K students at work, I chose this simple webquest. It is appropriate for their age and cognition. Although it is incomplete, it has enough to work with the children. It has a way to assess the students as well. The topic is something that the students are familiar with regardless of their background. It has many books suggestions related to the topic. It pertains to K-2 grade. Everyone has eaten an apple before in the classroom. Of course in the US

http://www.gis.net/~tweets/webquest/index.htm

Study Finds Pattern of Severe Droughts in Africa

'Global warming resulting from human-generated greenhouse gases is likely to exacerbate these droughts and there is an urgent need to bolster the resilience of African'

"390 million people in Africa living on less than $1.25 a day are smallholder farmers that depend on two things: rain and land,” Kevin Watkins, director of the office of Human Development Reports of the United Nations described in the article. The article details the regions in Africa that are and will continue to be affected by drought. Seemingly, these continents are not only impacted by poverty but natural disasters resulted from the lack of financial means. This article is very similar to the other one that I have posted earlier.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/17/science/earth/17drought.html?ref=science

Coral Fossils Suggest That Sea Level Can Rise Rapidly

I just thought I might post every single article that deals with the destruction of our planet. This article deals with the rise of the ocean from 6.5 to 10 feet with a span of 50 to 100 years. This sudden jump in sea level was able to be identified from coral fossils in Mexico. The article was also published in the journal Nature, as well as, the New York Times. Global warming is evident and scientists are urging people and government to do something abou it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/science/earth/16coral.html

Third-World Stove Soot Is Target in Climate Fight

If your salary was $2 a day, would climate change be you primary concern? Apparently, the brick huts, with a mud cookstove that are used to cook food in Asia and Africa is pouring soot into the atmosphere. A big source of black carbon is emitted in the atmosphere; also ranked second in the dissolution of the climate. This article is published in the New York Times. I thought it creates a conflict between starving to death or save the climate change.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/science/earth/16degrees.html

The Origin of The Land Under The Sea

This paper entitled "The Origin of The Land Under The Sea" states that submarine volcanic lava is responsible for the development of land under the sea.  Geophysicists performing research have determined that volcanoes form ridges all around the world.  These ridges are eventually pulled apart by the earth's crust.  The gap left after these ridges are pulled apart are then filled in with hot material or lava from deep within the earth's rocky interior leading to the development of land under the sea.  Researchers have tried to determine how the lava travels to the earth's surface and where it originates.  Some answers have been provided.  The interaction between solid rock and lava, and the examination of blocks of old seafloor that's now exposed has helped in providing these answers.  This can result in a good science project to demonstrate to students the entire process of land formation under the sea.

Reference:

 

Kelemen, Peter. B. "The Origin Of The Land Under The Sea."  Scientific American. Feb. 2009. vol. 300, issue 2, p. 52-57.

 

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Shark "Virgin Birth" Confirmed

This story taken from the National Geographic News in October 2008 includes the confirmation that certain mammals are able to fertilize their own eggs without the help of a mate. A shark in the Virginia Aquarium has proved that this was possible. Although the shark is not a survivor; before her death a DNA test was administered to find answers to questions that many had. The exam proved that the embryo only showed maternal genetic material. Scientists are trying to figure out the reason for self fertilization. Reproductive abnormalities are possible in a surviving embryo. Others might show signs of weak immune systems. Scientists do not know the actual cause of the mothers death but haven't ruled out her abnormal pregnancy.

A new Puzzle Challenges Math Skills

Ken Ken, is a new numerical logic puzzle from Japan. The name means loosely "cleverness squared". This game shares some properties with Sudoku. The game is based on logic challenge in which numbers are filled in the square of a grid. Follow the rules of the game, you may enjoy this game.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/09/arts/09ken.html

Disease in a warming climate

http://www.nature.com/news/2009/090409/full/news.2009.361.html


It seems that climate change can be the blame for a lot of different issues. The rise of infectious diseases is one of them. To say that the climate change is the sole reason for the rise is very unfair and studied enough. There are plenty of other reasons why diseases spread in the manner that they do. Some scientist feel it is not helpful putting the blame on climate control because it limits the work done to find out what is the true reason for a wide spread of different diseases.

Is Salt Nature's Antidepressant?

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/03/090317-salt-antidepressant.html


This article speaks about how salt can possibly lead to a happy life. In a study conducted on mice, it was seen that mice with a low sodium intake seemed to be a little bit more depressed than mice who receive salt. This salt intake pertains to land animals, including humans. This does not give any of us an excuse to binge in salt because too much salt has other health risk factors. Studies will continued to see if the relation between salt and happiness is truly a link.

Bird With "Human" Eyes Knows What You're Looking At

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/04/090407-birds-human-eyes.html


This article spoke about a particular bird, the jackdaw, who has very similar eyes to the human. Dark pupils and very silvery irises. It is thought that the bird uses their eyes to communicate in the same manner as humans. We already knew that we as humans shared the ability to communicate with our eyes, but it was not known whether or not any other species can do the same thing. It is now known that this particular bird, the jackdaw, can do just that. The question remains if they can utilize what they understand about their eyes to interpret what we, humans, are thinking or communicating.

Origin of Land Under The Sea to be uploaded to BLOGSPOT

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Boxes to Save Penguin Chicks?

Penguins are finding it hard to survive in the warm climate of Africa. These African penguins are victims of predators.The kelp gulls are the most popular predator. These gulls work as a team to distract the penguins while the gulls steal and crack open the eggs taken. Their numbers have also decreased due to overfishing and polluted waters. Nesting boxes have been placed to encourage the penguins to reproduce as well as protect the penguins and its eggs. To find out more about these penguins, you may click on the link and watch the video.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/04/090402-southafrica-penguins-video-ap.html

Dissenter on Warming Expands His Campaign

Global warming is nothing to worry about according to Marc Morano. Mr Morano use to work for Senator James Inhofe, who is the leading Republican on the Environment and Public Works committee. I found this article interesting because it talks about how Mr. Morano is trying to debunk global warming and he has followers who also believe that global warming is a "scam".

I thought I would post this even though there is not much information in the article about why he thinks it is a scam it does post his website. In case anyone wanted to find out more information on it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/10/us/politics/10morano.html?ref=science

DNA Test Outperforms Pap Smear

This New York Times article discusses an eight year funded program that decreases the risk of cervical cancer amongst women. It also touches on matters of gynecology as well as outcomes of cervical cancer in third world countries due to the socioeconomic status of particular communities. Pap smears are annual exams administered to women by gynecologists to check for any signs of cervical cancer. It is believed that a DNA screen will be more efficient and administered less in finding these pre cancerous symptoms. However, the DNA screenings will also consist of a cervical scraping, but it is mixed with re-agents and read by a machine.To find out more about this topic, just follow the link below.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/health/07virus.html?ref=science

Saturns Largest Moon Bulges in the Middle

This article from the New York Times consists of information about the largest moon of Saturn. Scientists have discovered new information about Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. Although it was already known that the moon has sand dunes, lakes of liquid methane and a possibility of icy volcanoes, it is said that the shape of Titan is somewhat similar to that of earth. It is bulged at the middle and somewhat squashed near what would be the north and south poles. The rotation is similar to that of earth as is the similarity in shape. The same side of the moon is always faced toward Saturn. Scientists believe that the planets gravitational pull is the reason for the deformation of Saturn’s largest moon.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/science/space/07obtitan.html?_r=1

The giant orange moon Titan – larger than the planet Mercury – can be seen at upper right of this Hubble image of Saturn.

Public Policy That Makes Test Subjects of Us All

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/science/07tier.html?ref=science

As you've seen in the news today, new legislations are taking place in the food industry and restaurant chains to cut salt intake by half over the next decade. However, this article argues the other side to it, as what would happen if our body takes less salt that what is usually accustomed to. When testing for a theory, one must always see the two sides of the story. This is a lash against the antifat campaigns deriving today in NYC in order to stop obesity rates from increasing.

Answering Baseball’s What-Ifs

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/science/07diam.html?ref=science

This article is about answering questions about the decisions taken during a baseball game, considering what would have happened if the player didn't, for example, go for the sacrifice bunt. It states the importance of statistics, and questions the reliability of using simulations to prove the move was a success. Comparing simulations to humans is not the best conclusion to make, since humans, aside from computers, have emotions. If you love baseball, read this article!!!!!

Empire State Building Plans Environmental Retrofit

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/science/earth/07empire.html?ref=science

This article speaks about a new project in the Empire State Building, whereas it's going green!!!!! This goes in connection with Mayor Bloomberg's advances in making the city sustainable in times of environmental crisis. The Empire State Building wants to show an example through the advantages and successes of how an old building like itself can become sustainable. And the article mentions the changes wont be noticeable. This is good to point out especially when environmental studies is the hot topic these days.

Fear Lurks in Chile Volcano Shadow

Having heard about the Alaskian Volcano I came across another older information on Volcanoes. Volcanoes are becoming quite frequent in this era. Scientist beleives that the Chaiten Volcano erupted on May 2,2008 was inactive for 9,370 years. Three months after its eruption coats ofashes from the volcano continued to spread over nearby communities.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/world/americas/10chile.html