Great work on our October blog! Lots of good biology words were generated. For this month's blog, I would like you to find and share your own science "photo of the day". As you know, I try to start each class by sharing with you a recent biology news item that I find interesting.
So now it is your turn! Find an on-line science news item and share the link. Next, in two or three sentences please summarize the article and state why you chose this particular item. Please make sure that no student before you has chosen that article, so we have a wide range of items to share.
Finally, the purpose of the blog is to share and dialogue about science, so please read at least one other students post and comment.
(Remember that sometimes 'Blogger' can time you out, so you might make your submission off line and then copy and past it into the blog.)
Best,
Mr. Clark
Deadvlei, of Namib-Naukluft National Park, is located in the southern country of Namibia. Camel Thorn trees grew there when the Tsauchchab River flooded the clay region, but sand dunes have since blocked the flow, causing the place inhabitable for such organisms. I chose this topic because of the sharp contrast between the sand dunes in the background, and the sun-bleached clay where the dead trees are located in the photograph.
ReplyDeleteLink: http://epod.usra.edu/blog/2014/10/deadvlei.html
Dube, Mark. "Earth Science Picture of the Day." Earth Science Picture of the Day. NASA's Earth Science Division, 23 Oct. 2014. Web. 01 Nov. 2014.
I like this because it looks really cool, almost like it's a painting! It's cool how the colors are so different in the background.
DeleteVery cool photo! It is interesting that no other plant has been able to thrive in that region since the river blockage.
DeleteKlari Reis, is an artist specializing in abstract paintings. When diagnosed with Crohn’s disease she became interested in blood and cells and molecules under the microscope. The picture shows the abstract interpretation of a mixture of her blood and chemicals in a Petri dish.
ReplyDeleteI choose this picture because, currently in class we are working on how to use a microscope and making size estimations of molecules seeing through the microscope. Reis’s picture and many of her other artworks show’s an artist’s view of what’s under the microscope, which can often contradict what biologists might see.
Link: http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/klari-reis-petri-projects
I like how you incorperated what we are currently learning about in class, and this is a very interesting topic!
DeleteBeautiful and intelligent, the way Reis decided to paint with petri dishes. I love how she decides to become more educated rather than sitting and waiting for the doctor's say.
DeleteIn Europe, the commom species of birds are decresing rapidly while uncommon bird species' populations are rising. This study taken place over the past thirty years shows the research. The study blame the common bird decline on human interaction with the birds and their habitats.
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because I found it interesting that human interaction is killing off the common birds, but in the process has made room for the uncommon birds' population to grow. I am also interested in birds because I admire how they can fly!
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141102212122.htm
I completely agree with you. It is strange that human interaction is killing common birds, but inviting birds that are uncommon in Europe.
DeleteNew diseases that are being discovered may be related to the change in climate. The changes in climate that have been occurring has something to do with new infections and weather that hurts us humans.
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because I thought it was important that people knew about what was happening and how important it is to take care of the environment.
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141104111410.htm
I've never thought about the correlation between climate and diseases relating to humans! This definitely, as you stated, supports the fact that we need to take care of our environment.
DeleteIt's interesting how humans always always focus on how the larger animals and eukaryotes are affected by climate change, instead of microbes. Maybe this unforeseen change will make people pay more attention.
DeleteGiant tortoises in Espanoia, one of the Galapagos Islands, are making a come back. The island once held fifteen of the tortoises, but now there are more than 1,000. The believed reason for endangerment was because of competition cacti, which scientists have planted more resulting in the return of giant tortoises.
ReplyDeleteI choose this article because I love tortoises. I am delighted to hear that these creatures are being saved from extinction.
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-29801967
I hope that the tortoises haven't hit the point where there was a major loss of genetic diversity, otherwise the protection efforts will have been in vain.
DeleteTo avoid disturbing penguin populations, researchers have begun to use a remote controlled penguin vehicle, which they drive into the penguin huddles to survey the specifics of micro-chipped penguins.
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because I thought that anyone who likes cute stuff would probably like the pictures.
Link: http://www.popsci.com/article/science/antarctic-scientists-infiltrate-penguin-huddles-adorable-remote-controlled-car?dom=PSC&loc=recent&lnk=2&con=antarctic-scientists-infiltrate-penguin-huddles-with-adorable-remotecontrolled-car
You're right - that's adorable! I especially loved the picture of the car in the group of baby penguins. I think it's really fascinating how the slightly different species of penguins reacted so differently to the car. I would love to see the car being used for other species. I think scientists can do a lot with this!
DeleteEver heard of a shark that travels at a whopping 1.7 mi/hr? Well, meet the Greenland shark! Oh wait, it can't see you because it's as blind as it is slow. What kind of ferocious, carnivorous shark is this? Hum, this Greenland shark is actually a carrion eater. It drifts deep in cold arctic waters and feasts on what it can scavenge. But some biologists gather that the Greenland shark also preys on seals and small whales, catching them when they are unawares.
ReplyDeleteI choose this article because the picture is captivating! The Greenland shark is unlike any shark. It reminds me of a prehistoric fish, who is weather beaten and wizened over the millenniums.
http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20141028-the-mystery-shark-of-the-arctic
I agree, it does look prehistoric. I have heard about this shark before, it is amazing how an animal that is blind can catch prey in the dark depths of the ocean. Also, it is amazing that is travels that slow and still can be a carnivore.
DeleteThis just points out how much we still don't know about our world and all of the species that live here.
DeleteI totally agree with you grace. It is amazing how they have evolved to be able to survive and capture prey, while being blind. It is interesting to see what we are discovering as every minute of every day goes by.
DeleteHave you noticed that coffee prices are on the rise? If not, then be on the look out! Right now countries in Central and South America are facing a coffee crisis. Coffee plants are dying because of coffee rust, or hemileia vastatrix. This fungus lives on the plants' leaves thus preventing coffee plants from preforming photosynthesis.
ReplyDeleteI choose this article because the title was interesting, and I love coffee.
http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=132874&org=NSF
That is interesting. I will definitely pay attention to coffee prices now!
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ReplyDeleteHave you ever seen a bird with a 20-foot WINGSPAN? No? Me neither, but paleontologists have identified the fossilized remains of what could be the biggest bird that ever flew on Earth. Pelagornis sandersi lived 25 to 28 million years ago, and was a seabird. Its fossil was found in South Carolina in 1983. Scientists are amazed at how this bird was able to fly with its massive size. Scientists theorize that the animal fed on squid and eels.
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because large, prehistoric animals interest me, and a bird thats wings were over 3 times as long as I am tall is definitely interesting.
http://www.macroevolution.net/pelagornis-sandersi.html
I think the discovery is very interesting! Also, it's really cool that even after millions of years, scientists are uncovering new things about past species.
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ReplyDeleteEveryone knows that polar bears eat seals. But did you know they are eating snow geese as well? The snow geese population has skyrocketed. Because of this, when the birds migrate back to the tundra in the summer, they overwhelm the vegetation in their nesting grounds. Scientists are taking note of this, and the fact that the polar bears are snacking on their eggs and the geese themselves. Researchers are trying to find clues in these events to help them further unravel the mysteries of climate change.
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because polar bears are one of my favorite animals, and I am passionate about the affect climate change is having on them. Also, my biomes project was one the tundra, so my knowledge of that biome further sparked my interest in the article.
http://www.nytimes.com/video/science/100000003127368/fast-food-for-polar-bears.html
If you have heard of synthetic biology, which is essentially the construction of biological entities, you know it is an upcoming science. But how important can it be? Well, according to Discovery, synthetic biology can be used to create foods, fuel, and materials while on Mars. This would completely alter any missions’ motives right now, as it would save money for possible future trips.
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because I find the idea of having a man on Mars very interesting, and wanted to learn more.
http://news.discovery.com/tech/biotechnology/synthetic-biology-could-supply-food-fuel-on-mission-to-mars-141107.htm
I wonder if this new technology could even be used in the future to kickstart civilization on Mars if that ever becomes necessary.
DeleteI to have always been interested in the possibility of the populating of humans on another planet. This topic probably would have been my second choice with this blog.
DeleteScientists have recently discovered a new dinosaur species called Dreadnoughtus Schrani. It is now the largest known dinosaur and thought to be the largest animal to walk on earth. It weighed 65 tons, stood two stories high, and was 85 feet long. It has been placed in the dinosaur family of the titanosaurs.
ReplyDeleteI chose this topic because the extreme size of the dinosaur caught my eye. I thought it was very interesting to see that there was an animal that once lived on Earth that was so big that it is unimaginable to humans.
http://www.macroevolution.net/dreadnoughtus-schrani.html#.VF_F_PnF8wA
Interesting article! Its amazing that scientists can learn so much about this dinosaur just from its skeleton.
DeleteDolphins rely on echolocation to find food and navigate through the ocean. Bats also send out a series of ultrasonic pulses that echo and bounce off other objects in the environment, and they depend on this innate ability to orient themselves. Now scientists are mimicking what these animals do with modern sonar technology. These new machines are said to be able to help the blind get around by basing the technology on the same basic principles that bats and dolphins use.
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because I think that it’s interesting how humans can copy instinctive animal behavior to advance modern science methods.
http://www.ivanhoe.com/science/story/2009/03/547si.html
It's amazing what people can do when they respect animals instead of killing them.
DeleteThat's interesting, and it makes me curious on how scientists can make the technology work with blind people. For example, how does it connect with a humans brain?
DeleteIt is interesting to see how much we can learn from the wildlife around us. Maybe with this new realization, people will have a new attitude towards the lives around us.
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ReplyDeleteOn a farm in Utah, Randy Lewis, a professor of genetics at Utah State University researches modern farming techniques. He and his students raise what are known as "spider goats". These goats are, half goat and half spider. They are genetically engineered and were created for their milk, which has one extra protein that most goats don't have. This one protein is extracted from the milk and is spun into spider silk thread. Spider silk is extremely expensive and is one of the strongest materials ever created.
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because I like goats.
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2012/jan/14/synthetic-biology-spider-goat-genetics
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-16554357
That's very interesting that they mixed goats and spiders. I also liked your reason for choosing this article.
DeleteI also like goats. cool!
DeleteCrazy what science can do. Half goat half spider? Very interesting!
DeleteDoes the "spider goat" have any genetic deficiencies or strange features?
DeleteCourtney, I really like this blog post. It is very informative of today's science. The article itself is also very interesting, and everyone should read it.
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ReplyDeleteI chose this article because the question "are ghosts real?" has always crossed my mind. I also think that just because the brain creates certain images, doesn't mean that's the only way an image can be seen.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.livescience.com/48649-ghost-illusion-created-with-new-robot.html
A recent experiment is showing that sunlight may be the the first reason oxygen gas has appeared on Earth. Before now scientists believed that photosynthesis was the initial reason oxygen came into Earth’s atmosphere. They have found that when a burst of ultraviolet light is sent into carbon dioxide it gets broken up into carbon and oxygen gas. This may also be the reason that oxygen is found on other planets.
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because I have always been interested on how Earth was made, and how life began on our planet.
https://student.societyforscience.org/article/sunlight-might-have-put-oxygen-earth%E2%80%99s-early-air?mode=topic&context=60
That's really interesting! Would that mean any planet in the Goldilocks zone will definitely gain the ability to have life eventually? If so, there must be aliens out there right now!
DeleteOn the Galapagos island in Española an endangered giant tortoise population has been restored which has been consideredconsidered "a true story of sucess and hope in conservation". Although the giant tortoise population has recovered it will not likely grow in size because the ecological system that was destroyed by goats in the late 19th century is still damaged. This tortoises, however, will help the vegetation regrow which will also help their population grow. I chose this article because i like tortoises and it was interesting that one species can effect an area so much.
ReplyDeleteLink:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141028145432.htm
That's so cool that they can restore this almost endangered species!
DeleteRecently, advanced cell science and technology has made a huge breakthrough. Scientist plan to begin the human trials for curing blindness! yes! curing blindness! companies have already reported that the regrowth of stem cells is a safe treatment and is soon to be tested on two forms of vision loss; Stargardt’s disease and on those with age-related macular degeneration. Many hope that with this new discovery the blind will be able to see again or even for the first time.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.technologyreview.com/news/526591/stem-cell-treatment-for-blindness-moving-through-patient-testing/
oh yeah, and i chose this because i thought that repairing sight was really cool and it really is a breakthrough in technology and no one will ever be bind in the future!!
DeleteWhile trying to find a cure for Parkinson's Disease, Swedish scientists came up with the idea of using stem cells to replace the damaged nerves in the brain. Parkinson's Disease is caused by the death of motor neuron cells in the part of the brain that releases dopamine, a chemical which sends signals to other nerve cells. Scientists have already tried to transplant motor neurons, formed from human embryonic stem cells, into the brains of mice with Parkinson's Disease, and have been rewarded for their efforts. Over the course of five months, the level of dopamine in the mice have risen back to normal. However, scientists still need to make sure that this method will work on a long term basis on animals and whether or not it will work on humans at all.
ReplyDeleteWhen I learned about stem cells in the summer, I became instantly fascinated at how far we have gotten through medical technology. My interest in stem cells was renewed when the Picture of the Day displayed an article about stem cells.
http://www.medicaldaily.com/parkinsons-disease-breakthrough-stem-cells-may-replace-damaged-nerves-reverse-309954
I find stem cells' ability to change into different types of cells fascinating, and it's cool to see how many possible uses they have, from paralysis to Parkinson's Disease.
DeleteWe may also find a use for stem cells in neuron transplants which have reduced seizures in mice. This means we could eventually use them to help humans
DeleteThe process of evolution is a very slow one, and animal species normally take many thousand of years to evolved significantly. It has recently been discovered that a species of lizard native to Florida evolved in only 20 years or 15 generations. The change was caused when a similar species of lizard brought from Cuba threaten the lizards' survival. In response to the invasive species, the lizards evolved bigger toes in order to clime to safety.
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because I was surprised that a species could evolve significantly in just 20 years.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141023142306.htm
Ever since man landed on the Moon, we have been presented with the proposition of permanent, or at least semi-permanent, habitation of other planets. In a recent study on the subject, scientists found what they believe to be the solution to the problem: Synthetic Biology. You see, in order to send a pound of material into space you need about 99 more pounds - or $10,000 worth - of fuel. But if you could eliminate commodities such as long term food, and create a way to recycle waste, you also eliminate a lot of the weight that is being carried. So by creating a small "biosphere" on a planet like Mars, you greatly reduce the cost of building a residence there, making such a dream a much greater possibility.
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because I love reading/learning about the possibility of life on other planets.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/space/news/why-synthetic-biology-could-be-the-key-to-space-travel-17401745
The article I chose is about how scientists have discovered how horseshoe crab's blood could help save your life. It talks about how cells in the blood enclose the threat, making it no longer a threat. The blood is harvested and used to help discover certain infections that wouldnt usually come up positive on regular tests.
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because it caught my eye and I love the ocean.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/04/health/this-crabs-blood-could-save-your-life/index.html
Chances are, you've probably eaten a potato in some form or another on many occasions. Well, if that is the case, then this scientific breakthrough directly affects you. According to the New York Times, the USDA has approved a genetically-modified potato for commercial planting. These mutant potatoes where created by scientists who altered their DNA. This change reduces amounts of acrylamide, a chemical produced when potatoes are fried, in the food. This chemical has been suspected to be the cause of cancer, so it would be beneficial to leave it out if possible. This new potato was developed by the J.R. Simplot company in, you guessed it, Idaho.
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because I love all things potatoes and would not want to get cancer from eating one. I also find it interesting that scientists changed its DNA, which ties in with our last chapter.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/08/business/genetically-modified-potato-from-simplot-approved-by-usda.html?ref=science&_r=0
Wow that's pretty cool. I wonder if they will start changing DNA for every kind of food.
Deletehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141106132206.htm
ReplyDeleteThis article is about how human stem cells can be used for neuron transplants which has shown to reduce seizures in mice.
This is interesting, perhaps the reduction of seizures in mice may carry over to humans? Stem cells are the way of the future.
DeleteThis article is very intriguing and stem cells can be used for practically anything so I am hoping that they can then be used to possibly transplanted into an injured brain that will then regenerate and fix any problems that the person might be having. Very interesting.
DeleteHere's an interesting topic. It's pretty generalizing, but Johns Hopkins researches have found a virus that makes "people more stupid", while they were studying a human throat. It is a disease found in green algae, but when found in humans, it degrades their cognitive abilities. It's been concluded that it's a DNA bound virus, and when inside the body, awareness and responsiveness diminishes. Test were run on both people testing positive and negative for the disease, with a clear difference apparent.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/virus-that-makes-humans-more-stupid-discovered-9849920.html
ReplyDeleteThe reason that the Ebola virus has killed thousands of people and has not yet been cured is because its chemical makeup is very unique. This uniqueness being that it carries seven proteins in its genome. This is not the unique part the unique part of this is how this virus is able to become deadly with only seven proteins.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.insidescience.org/content/ebola-protein%E2%80%99s-structure-unlike-other-viral-proteins/2276
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141110083523.htm
ReplyDeleteThe woodland Bat has been found thousands of miles from its natural habitat in the Indian Tropical Rain Forest. It has been found in the Temperate Rain Forest. They left because of the very high temperatures in the Indian Rain Forest. "It is a real shock to find the Eastern Barbastelle in the tropics -- a bit like finding a red squirrel in the rainforest," said lead researcher Claire Wordley of the University of Leeds' Faculty of Biological Sciences.
I chose this article becuae I'm interested in bats and am fascinated by there move in habitat.
I think its interesting that a species of animals would travel such a large distance because they didn't like the temperature. Woodland bats must be a very picky species.
DeleteIn reply to Matt Bradshaw's (for some reason it would not work when I hit reply): I find it very cool how lizards evolved in 20 years when it normally takes thousands.
ReplyDeleteThis article is about a scientific study done in London. The study tracked a group of people for about nine years. With several controls on the test group ( no smoking, no pre-existing medical conditions and some others) they were able to conclude that people with a sense of purpose in life live longer. The happier people were 30% less likely to die than the unhappy people. the test group was of over 9000 people and with the average age of 65. I thought this was a very interesting article because of the on going debate of the purpose of life, should one live for his/her own whims, should one live for others, should success be the most important aspect in ones life? This article can help prove the common saying, "Don't worry, be happy" because happiness could be the key to a longer life.
ReplyDeleteUniversity College London. "Sense of meaning and purpose in life linked to longer lifespan." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 6 November 2014. .
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141106211618.htm
DeleteTemperate forests are facing the new problem of denitrification, where scientists are finding surprisingly large amounts of denitrifying bacteria in groundwater. Because nitrogen is an element essential to plant life, its loss means that these forests are being put at risk. However, scientists are unsure how to deal with the issue, as any further disturbances to the ecosystem may have unforeseen consequences.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/2014/11/forests-lose-essential-nitrogen-surprising-way
Have you ever wondered how your brain functions? We’ve all learned about the nervous system and know how the nerves in our body worked, but how does the brain take that information and translate it into feelings? Scientists have discovered new techniques to get pictures of the brain to try and understand these questions. The new imaging techniques give the scientists insight into how the complex networks of neurons in the brain work.
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because I was curious with how the brain works, and my sister is thinking of studying neuroscience in college and it intrigued me.
http://www.wbur.org/2014/06/12/brain-images
I chose an article about a specific breed of sheep that grow four horns. The article describes the origins of the sheep, and how rare they have become throughout the years. Most sheep of this breed have two sets of horns, but in some cases there have been sheep with three sets of horns.
ReplyDeleteI picked this article because I like sheep.
http://animaladay.blogspot.com/2011/05/jacob-sheep.html
What is that specific species called?
DeleteIn 2005, the oldest woman in the world died at the age of 115. Scientists think that her longevity was due to a “master gene” in all DNA that is activated during times of famine, drought, and other survival hardships. In her case, her gene was always active and allowed her body to reduce all unnecessary processes. All these guesses are, well, guesses, as scientist assume these reasons because of tests done in a test tube.
ReplyDeletehttp://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB122176857706253591?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB122176857706253591.html
http://scienceworld.scholastic.com/Biology-News/2014/11/tortoise-turnaround
ReplyDeleteThis article is about a giants tortoise species that was near extinct in the 1960's but scientist collaborated to save them. Before people lived on the Galapagos in the 1500's many giant tortoises lived on the island of Espanola. Once humans arrived, they hunted the turtles for their shells and meat (it wasn't very hard on land since turtles aren't very fast). By the 60's only 15 tortoises were left. Scientist used a breeding program on these 15 tortoise to rebuild the population. By 1975, they released over 1,500 turtles back onto the island.
I chose this article because I find it amazing how a species went from almost extinct, to regaining most of its population. This shows that it is possible to save any population with enough effort. It can bring hope to those who want to save other species currently endangered.
Thats a cool article jack! What did we do to save them? That almost seems like a miracle to regain the population that fast.
DeleteThat is sad that humans almost made the species extinct
DeleteOn an island off the coast of Antarctica, British scientists found 1,500-year-old moss deep in the ground. Usually moss lives for about 20 years, but the layers of permafrost and cold climates have almost preserved it. A sample of this was brought back to a lab in London and it was misted with water a few times a day. They first thought that this moss was dead, but after a while, it started coming back to life! This moss is a long part of history dated all they way back to the time of King Arthur. Scientists are now trying to find out how this moss was preserved for so long.
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because I thought it was interesting that something so old and thought to be dead was resurrected back to life. This may be a breakthrough on the techniques of preserving life on our planet.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/18/science/a-growth-spurt-at-1500-years-old.html
Nathan Buckley
This is so cool! It's amazing to think that life that can be continued even after so many years of believing that it couldn't.
DeleteThe article I picked is about the possibility of time travel. Theoretically, small particles can travel through time, and in some way (I still cannot particularly understand this) can avoid causing paradoxes (Such as the grandfather paradox).
ReplyDeleteI chose this article because even though I find time travel fascinating, it is a bad idea in general. Take, for instance, having multiple people from different points in time in one room. Or worse, from differing timelines (such theories exist). It would make the world catastrophic.
Link: https://newsela.com/articles/timetravel-paradox/id/5160/
This is awesome, that's fascinating and makes me wonder about what the restrictions of time travel could/will be
DeleteThe article I picked is about a lady who contracted a disease that may have been her cat scratching her. This lady from the Netherlands had large nodules around her pancreas and the top of her small intestine. After blood work was done, she was found to have the bacteria Bartonella, which can come from a cat's dirty claws.
ReplyDeleteI choose the article because it is important that you take care of not only your hygiene, but your pets hygiene. If they are not clean, the can give you harmful diseases. A lot of people have pets, so I think it is important that they know how to take care of them.
http://www.livescience.com/48717-bacterial-infection-cat-scratch.html
ReplyDelete"This artical caught my eye while I was doing some research into prosthesis. Some scientist have created the least dense material known to man that when electrified contracts much like muscle in an animal. This carbon nano tube material is different from other artificial muscle in that it can operate in extreme temperatures. This material may be rare and hard to make, but it is many times stronger than human muscle and in the future may benefit everyone.
Link: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/29776085/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/worlds-lightest-material-made-muscle/ "
Earlier this year, scientists found a living relative to what was once thought to be a dead end on the tree of life; Hallucigenia, also known as "evolution's misfit" The strangeness of the creature escapes words, with strange spiked appendages protruding from its back, no apparent head and long gangly legs. It roamed the sea floor around 505 million years ago, and recently was found to have given rise to Onychophorans, a group of animals that feed on insects and other smaller animals by coating them in a digestive mucus. Scientists discovered that a conical arrangement of proteins in Hallucigenia's claws was also present in the tooth-esque appendages of Onychophorans, aka Velvet Worms. Thats right; Somewhere along the evolutionary road, legs became teeth. Life is an amazing thing...
ReplyDeleteThis article fascinated me, and I thought the Onychophorans were pretty cute.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/paulrodgers/2014/08/18/living-descendants-of-hallucigenia-the-weirdest-fossil-found/
Aerosol pollution in Asia has been affecting more than just the city that it is produced in. Asia's lack of pollution control has lead to a huge epidemic of Global Warming, an increase in the intensity of cyclones in the Pacific, and the increase of precipitation. The changes in weather patterns over the Pacific Ocean have started to affect those of North America, and don't seem as if they'll be changing back any time soon. This picture shows the fog that settles in and around Lianyungang, China. The man-made aerosol pollution mixes with water vapor to create low-hanging clouds, commonly called smog.
ReplyDeleteI chose this picture because it depicts a huge problem around the world. It shows just how destructive pollution really can be and also describes how it affects so much around the world.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/04/140414-asia-pollution-aerosols-atmosphere-weather-climate-science/
The section of the brain called the Amygdala, among other things, controls a large part of the respective person's phobias. Recently, a 44 year old business man had his left Amygdala removed and, along with some serious side affects, his life-haltering arachnophobia seems to have disappeared over night. This is the first recorded case of scientists being able to remove a specific phobia successfully.
ReplyDeleteI chose this picture because I've always found the way the brain works to be interesting and the idea that scientists can remove your fears seems rather intriguing.
http://www.iflscience.com/brain/scared-spiders-mans-arachnophobia-was-cut-out-his-brain
In the article it describes the adventures of the Rosetta mission which flew through deep space and successfully landed on the face of a comet on November 12, at 11 a.m. The spacecraft landed onto the surface of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The spacecraft left Earth in 2004 and has since then travelled 4 billion miles (a.k.a. travelling 1,095,890 miles every day). The comet is actually two different large objects fused together, which is not what the researchers were expecting and made the landing very difficult, but when they did land it was very fantastic, and the spacecraft is scheduled to stay on the comet until March 2015, gathering data and taking pictures.
ReplyDeleteI chose this picture because I found the image very bizarre and the title of it very intriguing.
http://www.livescience.com/48729-european-spacecraft-lands-on-comet-in-historic-space-feat.html