Anti-Matter, Fuel of the future?

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7538-antimatter-harvester-may-fuel-future-spacecraft.html

Anti-Matter us the "opposite" of positive, or normal, matter. They share the same mass as their counterparts, although they bear the opposite charge. For example, rather than an electron; Anti-Matter has positrons, otherwise known as positively charged electrons.

Anti-Matter as fuel for space craft has been one of 12 ideas presented to NASA, and it has received $75,000 for research and development, although results may not be found for decades. However, it is possible to create anti-matter, and it has been done in laboratories and in space. Before the Big Bang, there was an equal amount of positive and anti matter, although an imbalance caused the giant explosion, allowing for more positive than anti matter to exist.

In order to be used as a fuel, the anti-matter would be mixed with positive matter, resulting in a giant explosion that would  be 300,000 times more powerful than regular energies.  In one plan, called an electromagnetic trap, would collect the anti-matter using three wire spheres. the 16 kilometer long wires would repel protons, for it would be positively charged, although antimatter would be attracted to it. In a sense, you would be fishing, although deep in space.
In order to use the antimatter, solar-sails would be used. A controlled anti-matter reaction would propel a spacecraft to pluto, with only 30 milligrams of anti-matter. And with 17 more, spacecraft could be propelled to Alpha Centauri, the nearest star to the sun. 

Reaction: This is quite the find. If such a small number of anti-matter can propell us to the nearest star, amagine how little would be needed in order to have us reach Andromeda, the nearest galaxy. However, the only issue is creating the anti-matter. Very small amounts are able to be created, although new methods are being researched. I would love to see this technology be developed upon, for there is much potential.

QUESTIONS:
1. How much money was granted towards the research?
2. How many milligrams are needed to propel us to pluto?
3. What is Anti-matter?
4. What is a positron?

5. What happens when Anti-Matter an Matter collide?

Bugs that eat waste and make petrolem... Too good to be true?

Reaction: I thought this was so unuasual and interesting to see bugs that are able to produce a substance similar to crude oil. The only big problem with this is how little it is able produce. Since the bugs are so small it can only produce one barrel a week and that is so small compared to our weekly consumption. I believe if they are able to find a way to get more of this excretion out of the bugs it is a great source of energy. A big plus on the bug resource is that it is renewable and geneticaly alternated so we will never have to run out as long as we can keep producing the bugs. Along with the renewable portion the polution is better also because it is carbon negative.

Questions:

1. Who is one of the main scientists working on this resource?

2. What has been done to the bugs so that they are able to be used a alternate resource for energy?

3. What substance does the bugs excrete?

4. How many square miles would have to be built for this resource to work?

5. Do you think this would be a good source of eergy if able to produce more?

Brianna Branco

Scientists find bugs that eat waste and excrete petrol

Greg Pal a former software executive has been finding a way to make tiny bugs into petroleom.The bugs are geneticly alternated and are made to feed of agriculture waste. When doing so the excrete crude oil. Theoreticaly this excretion could be pured into a vehicle and be able to run. Pal believes it will take a few months

before this renewable petroleum will be suitable for cars. The labratory

and testings are being funded by $20 million of start-up capital from investors including Vinod Khosla, the Indian-American entrepreneur. T

he company claims that this “Oil 2.0” will not only be renewable but also carbon negative – meaning that the carbon it emits will be less than that sucked from the atmosphere by the raw materials from which it is made.The bugs are bein

g caled LS9's. The bugs are single-cell organisms, each a fraction of a billionth the size of an ant. Because crude oil is only a few molecular stages removed from the fatty acids normally excreted by yeast or E. coli during fermentation, it does not take much testing to get the desired result. Fermentation is the process of deriving energy from the oxidation of organic compounds, such as carbohydrates. For this process to take place there must be raw material or feedstock so it can be brocken down into sugars. When the byproduct is burnt it produces electricity to run the plants. Using genetically modified bugs for fermentation is very close to using natural bacteria to produce ethanol. Although the bugs excrete a substance that is pump ready, the machine that is used to ferment the bugs can only produce one barrel a week of the petroleum. To be able to produce Americas weekly consumption of 143 million barrels, a facility of 205 square miles roughly the size of Chicago would have to be built.

Thank God for the Military

Because people are constantly attacking fuel convoys, the military are frantically looking for ways to promote more newer energy sources. Solar powered and energy conservers are important, and the marines are going to be the first ones to actually take them into battle. The gonverment has put renewable resources on hold because of recession but the military is speeding it back up. Fossil Fuels are becoming more and more of a liability, and as renewable resources are becoming less and less expensive its easier to put them in place. In Afghanistan fuel trucks are just sitting ducks for bombing and its becoming harder and harder just to try and protect them. By 2020 the plan is to have half of the Navy and Marine resources to come from renewable. "Fossil fuel accounts for 30 to 80 percent of the load in convoys into Afghanistan, bringing costs as well as risk. While the military buys gas for just over $1 a gallon, getting that gallon to some forward operating bases costs $400." Last year the Navy introduced the first hybrid vessal and the Air force will have their entire fleet carried out on biofuel by next year.

Questions:

1) Do you think what the military is doing is good?

2) If you were part of the military is this something you would put in place

3) How much is getting one gallon of gas to operating bases cost?

4) What year does the military plan to have 50% of their resources renewable?

Response: I'm so glad that someone has realized what they are doing and are really trying to change it. Though the change may have come from a nessesity rather than their own choices, but it still is a change in the right direction. I think this will really effect everyone in the right way, maybe have an influence on everyone that will change the world.

Sweden Using the Power of Waste

Link to Article

Summary:

The city of Kristianstad in Sweden "essentially use no oil, natural gas or coal to heat homes and businesses, even during the long frigid winters." This city is an epicenter for agriculture, and

so, they produce energy from many different objects, such as potato peels and even pig intestines. Stale cookies too! A power plant uses a biological process to turn the waste into a form of methane,

called biogas, which is then refined to fuel cars or burned to create electricity and heat. Soon enough, the city of Kristianstad started burning and refining gas from landfills and sewage ponds.

In Kristianstad, there are many biogas plants, but in the United States, they are rare, with only around 151 of these types of plants, and they mostly use manure too. Even in Germany, there are about 5,000 biogas plants.There are so little of these biogas plants in the United States because costs are too high and not many places to sell this biogas to, which is caused by people not creating enough energy for residents.

Biogas still gives off about the same amount of emissions as natural gas, but biogas can be used for fuel, heat, and even electricity while natural gas is mainly used for fuel and heat

ing. Coal is our main source of electricity, but switching to biogas could reduce emissions by more than half, since 51% of our electricity is made with coal. Biogas saves money too. Kristianstad uses about $3.2 million a year to heat buildings in contrast to the $7 million it would of spent without biogas. Also, they did not need to buy half a million

dollars worth of fuel.

Although vehicles would need to be changed in order for it to run on biogas fuel, it reduces the amount of oil needed.

Reaction:

People have already started using waste as a source of energy. This is great, since Kristianstad uses almost no oil, natural gas, or coal too. They do not need to buy and import sources of energy/fuel anymore, which also saves money. I think this is great, using things such as potato peels and even stale cookies to produce energy, fuel, and even heat for everyone. It reduces the amount of waste in landfills and uses sewage waste from ponds, which stop more water pollution. On the other hand, it still gives off emissions that are about the same as naturals gas. Other sources of energy, such as solar power, do not give off much emissions, but this process reduces waste. Natural gas, though, produces the least amount of emissions when compared to oil and coal, which is good. Overall, I think this is a great way to get energy.

1. Where is biogas being used as a main source of energy?
2. About how many biogas plants are there in the United States?
3. The emissions for biogas is about the same as...?
4. How much money did this city save for heating?
5. Do you think people would be willing to buy another car that is compatible with biogas fuel?

MIT researchers discover new energy source

Researchers at MIT have devised a process for generating electricity using nanotechnology. They hope that if they refine the process they will able to create a new, environmentally friendly battery, as well as other products. The process they have devised uses tiny wires, called carbon nanotubes, to create a powerful wave of energy. To create the energy wave the tiny wires are coated with a layer of fuel, which results in the generation of a thermopower wave. The reaction which creates the thermopower wave could eventually be able to be used to power electronics, computers and cell phones. "This could lead to batteries that are up to 10 times smaller and still have the same power output. In the portable energy and energy conservation arena, we're trying to find power sources that have a smaller profile but hold more energy," said Michael Strano, one of the researchers who devised this process and an associate professor of chemical engineering at MIT, told CNN Radio. To build a power source, like a battery, electrons must be moved in a material from one end of the battery to the other end, to create an electrical current. The researches found that the thermopower wave that carbon nanotubes generates does this. Strano said "some of the advantages of this technology [are] you can generate a lot of power from a very, very small device." Most of the batteries sold today are made from highly toxic heavy metals. These heavy metals, like lead, nickel and cadmium are very bad for the environment. But, according to Strano, batteries made from this new thermopower technology would be completely nontoxic. There's another potential benefit in using a so-called thermopower battery and that is energy savings. "Most people don't realize a battery sitting unused in your laptop is leaking its power away," Strano said.

Questions: (3-5)
1. Where was this process discovered?
2. What do the researchers hope to use this process for?
3. What is the benefit of this type of power?

Opinion / Reflection
I think this ether could change how portable electronics are powered in the future. Portable electronics could become more powerful, and even smaller with these types of batteries. A lot of heavy metal pollution could be prevented if we begin to use batteries that use this technology. We could stop doing as much environmental damage as we do now, just to power our laptops and cell phones.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/03/12/mit.research.electricity/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29

Can Solar Power Lead to Blackouts?

Germany is the leader in solar energy. Their country is currently using the most out of all the other countries, but head of Germany's energy agency DENA, Stephan Kohler, says, "that using to much of the solar energy can cause blackouts." He also goes on to say that the demand for solar energy is low in the morning and high at night. These blackouts can be caused by simply having to much solar energy. The uptake of the solar energy has been so rapid that solar capacity could reach 30 gigawatts, by next year. This is equal to the entire countries weekend power consumption. Germany needs to stop putting up solar panels, this will hopefully help the blackout issue. Daniel Davies looked at the state of California and saw that when they use energy the most is in mid day. They turn on their air conditioners and use them, but in Europe air conditioners are very rare to have.

Reflection- I think that this is a very interesting thing, usually we hear about countries using to much energy, but in Germany's case they are not using enough energy. I never thought that too much solar energy could cause blackouts. It would be very bad if one day you went to go bake a cake and your oven wasn't working, or if you wanted to watch your favorite TV show and were not able to because there was no electricity in your house.

Questions-
1. What is the problem here?
2. Why is this a problem?
3. What is being done to try and help the problem
4. Do you think this is a good idea?
5. What would you do if this was your problem?

Perennial Grains

Article Here

Summary

Jerry Glover, a soil scientist, wants to keep grains growing forever in all seasons. He is trying to create perennial versions of common grians, which will reduce erosion, reduce water runoff and nutrient runoff. This could also dramatically increase our crop yield for grains. Perennials also have very long roots, which go beyond the annually grown grains, as seen in this picture.

These perennials grains will also not require extensive tilling since they grow for years and years. They do not need to be replanted either, and with their long roots, the soil will be more compact and prevent erosion. During bad climates, perennial grains will be more likely to survive too. Jerry Glover is doing this to try and prevent world hunger. Imagine if there was no more people suffering from malnutrition from the lack of food worldwide. 70% of our food comes from grain crops such as corn or wheat. "Regular" grains only last for a season and you have to replant them over and over again while with perennial plants, they continually grow and can be harvested for years and years. Glover thinks that perennials will help stop erosion and protects the soil they are grown in.

Reaction:

I think this is great. Glover has a great idea to help world hunger, protect over environment, and give a higher crop yield, all in one. The roots in these perennial crops prevent as much runoff and save our environment. Farms will also be more eco-friendly and will probably save money with perennial grain crops.

1. How much of out food comes from grain crops?

2. Why is our farms getting worse?

3. Are our regular crops annual?

4. Do you think that this is a good idea?

Sea Turtle Herpes Tumors Linked to Sewage?

Summary
Nitrogen-rich runoff from sewage and farms is causing a rise in invasive seaweed that, when eatten by Hawaiian green sea turtles, may trigger an otherwise dormant herpes virus. This virus causes cauliflower like tumors that grow on a turtle's eyes, mouth, joints, and internal organs. The virus has contributed to declines in the 4 foot-long turtles. Several non-native seaweed species have been introduced into the ocean either accidentally or deliberately to be harvested for food crops and have "escaped" cultivation and spread into the wild. These non-native seaweeds absorb nitrogen from farm run-off and sewage and convert it into an amino acid called arginine. When turtles eat the seaweed with this arginine it awakens dormant herpes viruses in the turtles' bodies that cause the tumors. Because Hawaiian green sea turtles now rely on the invasive seaweed for food because of decline in their native foods, scientists suspect the animals ingest the tumor-causing amino acid at every meal. The scientist, Aguirre said “he suspects other factors, such as water temperature, and possibly additional viruses, are at play.”
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/11/101108-green-sea-turtles-tumors-pollution-science-environment/
Opinion / Reflection
I think what is happening to the Hawaiian sea turtles is a terrible thing. I would have thought that I would have heard more about this because sea turtle are creatures that people all over the world adore. They are one of the reasons that many people go to the tropics. I think that the only reason people haven’t heard about this is because it might hurt tourism to Hawaii.
Questions
1. Where are the locations of the cauliflower like tumors?
2. What does the seaweed convert the nitrogen into?
3. What type of sea turtle is being affected by this?

People come together to form art visible from space.

Sorry I have not been able to post for a while, my internet hasn't been working >:(

Anyways, back to buisness

Link to the article

"One of the things I hope this achieves is to remind people that we live on a planet. Just like Venus and Mars, we are a hunk of rock out in space and our future depends on, among other things, the gaseous composition of our atmosphere,"  This quote is very true. As stated by Bill McKibben regarding the "human art" that people have been joining together to create. The show in which it is in, 350 Earth regards the acceptable number of CO2 in the atmosphere. As of now, it is approximatly 390 PPM, or Parts Per Million.

People all over the world join together in order to create giant pieces of art. The magnitude of said pictures is so large, that they are easily seen, and photographed, from space.
People from all over the world will create different pictures. For example, people from Los Angeles will form a giant "Solar Eagle," while people from Mumbai will form an Elephant, while people in Australia, using torches, will form a "350" to signify global warming.

Reaction: This is incredible. I once heard a quote that stated the humans never lose their motivation, their drive for success. This is a prime example of said quote. I cannot believe that so many people would ban together, from all over the world, for this. Although it is a big issue, I thought it would be impossible for one single person to orginize all of this.

QUESTIONS:
1. Whol orginized this event?
2. What is the PPM for the CO2?
3. Which image is Los Angeles going to form?
4. What is the show going to be called?

MU grad student simulates 100 years of farming to measure agriculture's impact on land and water quality

Click Here To See Article

It's very hard for scientists to find the effect agriculture has had on land because of the time spand. Recently students form the University of Missouri have found a way to see the changes agriculture has had on land. Using a detailed computer model they have entered data for every year through a time spand of a 100 years to see the changes and effects. By doing this project and using this regularly farmers and scientists can see what is happening to the quality of land and water as they use the land. The students first took measurments of soil from 80 acres of Misouri farmland that had been used for ag

riculture over a centuary long, and then land that had

never been cultivated on. These would serve as before and after snapshots in their later testing. They also used silite pictures that had been taken between 1930 and 1990. When they incorperated the data into the program they were able to calculate runn off's,

erosion and flow of sediment. After the 100 year simulation the model showed that there was and 82 percent increase in herbicide atrizine in runoff. This showed that the land would be benifical to enlarge yeild crop use but also reduce non point source of pollution. All the different testes and findings can help farmers, policymakers nad conservation agents make better desicions about the land. Conservation agents can't replace soil that has been lost over time, but they can return properties such as the soil's water infiltration capacity to something closer to the original state. Through studies like this one at MU, new tools are being made to help control erosion, maintain soil productivity, protect watersheds and enhance wildlife habitat.

Reaction: I thought this was really interesting how they used this program to see how land has changed over a hundred years. Obviously it will not be perfectly acurate because they used to different places that might not be fully the same but their information still could be accurate. I believe farmers and the people who decide what is aloud to be done to the land need to make sure the land use will be good in the future. Even though over time we might have used land badly and did not the use the soil as well as we should have but we can fix that. By returning properties back to the soil after we use it we will be able to keep cultivating land for a long time and not wasting the land we use.

Questions:

1. Where did this project take place at?

2. What did they use as a before and after shot for their project?

3. Who are the three types of people that this data coud help?

4. What can conservation agents do to the soil instead of replacing it?

Fertile Cresant Not So Fertile?

In Syria there's a place where most of agriculture started. Where farming really took roots. But lately, the old ways are dying out. There's been a huge drought in that area that's actually spreading towards Iraq. The ancient irrrigation systems are failing after so long, the animals that are grazing are dying and “I had 400 acres of wheat, and now it’s all desert,” said Ahmed Abdullah, 48, who is now homeless and living scantily with his wife and twelve (whoa) kids. Though, admittedly, its from human misuse as it is from drought. The Syrian and Iraqian government is in a lot of trouble because they have to import a lot of their food. And meanwhile Iraq is war ravaged and are facing a water crisis that is almost unheard of. They complain that the Euphrates is being dammed by Turkey and is causing bad tension. Two million to three million people are deep into poverty and its a very sad condition. The Syrians are very touchy about the subject but has acknoledged that they need help and has developed a drought plan. There has been a large increase in illegal water drills, that's how dire the situation is.

Opinion:
This is a very dire situation that cannot be taken lightly. The Syrians are stuck between a rock and a hard place and can't seem to dig themselves out. Hopefully maybe the US will get out of Iraq and realize that they're already in danger from mother nature. If I had enough money, I would probably donate money to their cause.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/14/world/middleeast/14syria.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

A Fifth of the World's Invertbrates at Risk of Extinction

Because of the overwhelming demand for produce and other agricultural products, the animals that live is these areas will have to be looking for a new home. While soem might be able to find a new home most will die in the process. Each year the animal moves closer and closer to becoming exinct. They are being impacted by agricultural expansion, logging, over-exploitation and invasive alien species. Southeast Asia is being impacted the most because of and increase in palm oil farms, timber operations, and rice crops.

Just because some of the animals are being effected negativatly, some have shown signs of improvement, the California Condor, and the black footed ferret have all shown signs of growth in population.

To me this is a very horrible thing that is happening. We should not be taking these animals homes away from them just because we want to make more food. There should be certain areas where they are not allowed to use, this way the animals will have places to live instead of them just dying.

Qestions-

1. Who is being affected by the impacts of the expansion of agriculture?

2. Who is benefiting from this?

3. Who was hit the hardest?

4. What are some species that are benefiting or growing in size?

Electrified nano filter promises to cut costs for clean drinking water

http://esciencenews.com/articles/2010/10/13/electrified.nano.filter.promises.cut.costs.clean.drinking.waterAlmost

one billion people do not have access to clean safe water. Scientists are now creating new tests that kills up 98 percent of disease filled bacteria. The scientists have studied that regular purifiers collect the bacteria with tiny pores in filters. By doing this alot of energy is used and these filters get clogged periodicly and need to be cleaned. In the end when the proces is finished it only traps the bacteria and not killing.



Yi Cui and collegues have studied that silver and electricity are both components of killing bacteria. There new plan for the filter would be large pores and allows water to flow through easily. The proces in which they use to filter the proces is as follows. They spread tiny silver nanowires onto cotton then they add a coating of carbon nanotubes. By doing this step it gives extra electricle conduct. Coli tanted water showed that this filter killed up to 98 percent of the disease filled bacteria inside of it. With this new filter it never cloged and could run throught the filter quickly without any pump. The coast of these new filters are very expensive. But in the long run it will coast less to filter things like air food and of course water. The new machines last longer and are more efficient and can lead us into a beter future.





I think we should invest in these filters. If they can take more disease's out of things we have a less chance of getting sick. In the long run it will actually cut down money we have to spend to replace clogged filters. I was amazed that with such huge pores it could filter so well.





1. What percent of bacteria does this filter kill?


2. What two components kill bacteria?


3. Who with the help of his colegues are working on this?


4. About how many people do not have access to clean water?

Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

EPA Gets tough on Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

Summary

For 27 years, 5 states have done almost nothing to help stop phosphorus and nitrogen pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. In fact, they contributed for 70% of all the pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. Algae blooms are happening too, depriving fish and crabs of oxygen, which kills them. Of the 5 states that are polluting the Chesapeake Bay, one of them is our state, Pennsylvania. The other 4 states are Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, and New York. EPA has given them until November 29th to fix their cleanup plans or else they will raise sewer taxes, causing more property taxes on consumers and businesses. States are complaining that they do not have enough time to change cleanup plans and prevent pollution, but then again, they have been doing almost nothing for the past 27 years but adding to the pollution.

---

President Barack Obama issued an order for EPA to have more authority with the Chesapeake Bay clean up in May 2009. Since then, EPA has been laying down rules and new target dates to reduce pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. The target date used to be 2000, and the states failed to meet the goals, and yet again in 2010 they did not meet the goals. EPA has set 2025 for the new target goal to meet the mandated pollution goals.

Reflection
I can't believe that this is happening. And it has been happening for the past 27 years. Hopefully, the states will change their plans for waste products and lower pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, or else they will get taxed for what they do, and we will be affected by those taxes too. There is a lot of pollution in the Chesapeake Bay already, and if we continue to contribute waste, think of what will happen to that area. It would probably have a different color and a lot of the trash in the above picture.

Questions

• When should pollution be reduced to a set goal?
• Which states were dumping waste into the Chesapeake Bay, contributing to about 70% of all the pollution?
• How come algae blooms are happening?
• What is it called when algae deprive fish and other sea life of oxygen, killing them?

Canadian Rain Forest Edges Oil Pipeline Path

A proposed plan to build a oil pipeline from Alberta, Canada to the western coast of that nation could put pristine Canadian western coastline in environmental danger. An oil company wants to use the pipeline to carry 525,00 barrels of oil to the coast line daily for overseas oil export. Environmentally, this pipeline poses a risk because it will pass through watersheds that are important to the Canadian commercial fishing industry and go right by both Coastal First Nations lands and the Great Bear Rainforest. The Great Bear Rainforest is a protected coastal region that contains red cedars, spruce, and the rarely seen all-white "spirit bear." Although the proposed pipeline does not go through the Great Bear Rainforest, it places this protected habitat in danger because to get to the pipeline terminal oil tankers would have to pass through “treacherous waters, with tremendous currents”, according to an environmental organization which assessed the environmental risks of this plan. The pipeline would threaten not just the lives of the plants and animals in the rainforest, but the lives of the Coastal First Nation people who live in or nearby the rainforest and depend on the food it supplies for their livelyhood. The survial of the Coastal First Nation people would be put in jeopardy if there was an oil spill. "One major oil spill on the coast of British Columbia would wipe us out," Coastal First Nations director Gerald Amos
Opinion / Reflection:
I don’t think that Canada should endanger the lives of plants, animals and people to ship oil to other countries. The people who profit from the sale of the oil are not the people who will suffer if there is an spill. The recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico should be a warning to Canadians about the devastation that an oil spill can cause. Why would they want to risk harming a protected rainforest?
Questions
1.How many barrels of oil dose the pipeline move a day?
2. Name one plant found in the Great Bear Rainforest?
3.what contry is this taking place?
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/10/photogalleries/101007-energy-enbridge-oil-pipeline-canadian-rain-forest-pictures/?now=2010-10-07-00:01

Coral Reefs In Danger?

Because of the extreme heat of late, a lot of things have been in danger. But one that might see very horrible measures is coral reefs, home of millions of sea life. You can tell when reefs are in danger when they shed or bleach to white into survival mode. But this has only been the second worldwide bleaching of coral reefs, and the last time was in 1996, the hottest year in recordThey are early sign for climate changes, and so far they haven't been wrong yet. All of coral is made of up of tiny animals called polyps and have a special relationship with algae. They are important to our ecosystems and could be catastrophic if they end up dying. Whole populations of people rely on reef fish for food. Though most coral reefs can make a comeback if the temperature goes down, but if the climate rise continues, then there may be no going back.

I think this is so horrible! Look how global warming is effecting us. The only way we could help the coral is to slow global warming. I wonder if there's anything the scientists are doing. I think that corals are really pretty and helping the ecosystems a lot. Hopefully this will all be worked out some time.

1.) What happens to the coral in extreme heat?

2.)When was the last time coral started dying?

3.)What animals make up coral?

4.)Do you think coral has a chance?

Wlidlife: A Bevy of New Species Discovered in Papua New Guinea


http://ecocentric.blogs.time.com/2010/10/06/wildlife-a-bevy-of-new-species-discovered-in-papua-new-guinea/?xid=rsstopstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+time%2Ftopstories+%28TIME%3A+Top+Stories%29


Summary:


There has been a discovery of 200 new species of plants and animals in the forests of Papua New Guinea. They have found different versions of animals and plants, but they have also found new never before seen plants and animals. For the Conservalion International (CI) this just goes to show you that everything still hasn't been discovered on Earth. Yellow-spotted frog, Ceratorbrachid frog, Emerald-green katydid, and Sharp-legged katydid were some of the new discoveries that they found. The sharp-legged katydid has sharp legs on the top of its head and jabs all of its predators, as a deffense mechanism. Loggers and oil palm producers pose a threat on the wildlife here. If they do pose a threat the CI would like to save at least 25% of the plants and animals.

Opinion/Reflection:

I think that this is a really cool thing, I thought that they knew everything that was on this earth, but I guess you will always be able to find new species. That is a very cool way that the katydid can fight off its predators that way it won't get eaten. I also hope that the loggers and oil palm producers do not effect the forest, I'm sure that some of these areas have never seen humans before and it would be really bad if we messed up their habitat.

Questions:

1. Where did they find these new species?

2. Name two of the four species that were listed.

3. How does the sharp-legged katydid fight off its preadators?

4. What percent of the forest do they want to save?

The Worlds Bees are Disappearing?

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/animals/news-doctor-says-bees-have-left-building%E2%80%A6-er%E2%80%A6-solar-system-0

Environmentalists all over the world are trying to figure out as to why the number of honeybees, our number one pollinator, is disappearing. This is not only happening in the United States, but also in England, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, and Japan.

Over the past twenty years, more than one million hives have mysteriously disappeared, and this number is still decreasing today. Although many might not worry for after all you would not get stung as often, this is a serious matter. According to Albert Einstein, without bees, the Earth would not last more than four years. Although the blue planet we call "home" will not completely parish, we would lose a very important insect, vital to the human food chain. Without them, there would be no flowers, nuts, fruits, etc.

Even worse, in less deveoped countries, which depend on natural polination would begin to lower in numbers, for there would be no bees to polinate the plants and continue "creating" more, therfore stopping the production of new fruits/vegetables, putting the countries at risk for starvation. Many people do not know how, and why they are disappearing, although there are a few with thoeries. Some scientists believe that they are living in unhealthy conditions, with lice/mites, and large amounts of heat. However, there are others who claim the radiation of cell phones mess with their "internal guiding systems" which ensure the bee gets back to the hive. There are studies in which a cell phone was placed near a hive, and bees that have left would not return, being unable to find their way back.

Response: I believe that this is horrible, for without them, there would be no vegetarians, no herbivores, etc. I am glad that scientists are conducting studies in order to learn the cause of their disappearance, so that we may be able to stop them, before we have to risk the extinction of one of natures most important animals.

Questions: 

1. By how much has the number of bees decreased?

2. Why may cellphones be the cause of their disappearance?

3. Why are bees so important?

4. How long would the Earth last without bees?

5. What would happen to the less developed countries?

The worst invasive species ever?

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/offbeat-news/the-5-worst-invasive-species-in-the-world/463

Throughout the years, many different type on introduced species have impacted the world and native species in one way or another. These few species are thought to be some of the worst introduced species yet.

Feral pigs are considered to be a bad introduced species. Although they were introduced through farming, many escaped. These pigs would tear through large chunks of land in order to find food, which would in turn negatively impact plant species, for their roots would be damaged and the plant would die, which would also harm species that rely on the plants for nourishment. These pigs would also consume cropland, causing millions of dollars of damage every year. In specific places, they would eat the native species eggs, causing their numbers to decrease. A location of example is Santiago Island, where sea turtle numbers were drastically reduced because of the eggs being consumed by the pigs.

Zebra mussles are also thought to be one of the worst introduced species. The zebra mussel, which is native to western Asia, was introduced into Europe during the 1700's. They were then introduced into North America by a European ship that accidentally released them into the Great Lakes. They caused millions of dollars in damage by colonizing water intake pipes which would then become clogged. There is also competition for food between them, and the native species.

However, one of the worst introduced species is the European rabbit. These rabbits were introduced by choice, when a hunter names Thomas Austin released twenty-four of the animals in order to have variety in the animals he would shoot. While other farmers also released rabbits, it is thought that Austin was responsible for the infestation. This human impact caused a horrible infestation that not only caused agricultural damage, but also helped contribute by nurturing many other non-native species such as foxes, or feral cats, which further damaged Australia's ecosystem.

Response: I never knew the damage caused by these species! it is truly amazing that these animals were very close in causing the extinction of others. It also surprised me that people released one by choice! I cannot believe that people would stoop so low just to get a thrill.

QUESTIONS:

1. Who released the European Rabbit?

2. Why are Zebra Mussels a threat?

3. What happened on Santiago Island?

4. How many European rabbits were released?

Massive Fish Kill in Gulf Caused by "Dead Zone," Oil?

Summary
Thousands of fish died belly-up in a marsh in Louisiana. No one really knows what the main reason why the fish died and they don’t know if it was just everything conspirering against the fish because fish decompose so fast that it's hard to get a fresh enough sample. Kevin Kleinow, a LSU fish toxicologist, said"Very surprised if someone was able to definitely determine the cause of death" for these fish”. Some theories of the fish death is that the agricultural runoff that goes into the Mississippi River contains nutrients that help the growth of an algae bloom that is oxygen-hungry. As the algae oxygen level goes down, the fish will choke. Anouther reason of the death of the fish can be the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. This is causing a serge of oil-eating bacteria that take up oxygen. This expands the low oxygen dead zones. The last fish died at the time of the year when dead zones expands.
Opinion / Reflection
I was surprised about the death of all of the fish and that they will wash up on shore. One this will have a huge affect on an already messed-up ecosystem. Also this will make it harder to fish in areas where the fish are dying by the thousands.

Questions
1. How many fish died?

2. What is one way that could have had been the main reason the fish died?

3. why is it hard to get a fresh sample of a fish?


http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/09/100916-fish-kill-louisiana-gulf-oil-spill-dead-zone-science-environment/

Grizzles make a comeback. . . or not.

Grizzly Bears have been an endangered speices for a long time, since 1975 actually. The government has a protection programs all over the country for these elusive bears, and in places like Yellowstone National Park and and the Continental Divide region of Montana, it has been helping. But in the North Cascades, no one can decide whether to preserve these dangerous predators. Because their population tripled in the Rockies, they were even taken off the endangered list. But as of last year, they were put back on because of the dangers of the shifting climate of recently. Because these bears cannot thrive in the North Cascade, Washington, movements have been made to try and move them. but unforunatly, no one can raise the 1 million to 2 million dollars needed. There are even doubts as to if there are even any Grizzlies left in that area. People are conducting searches for these animals, and so far the tests have been that there are bears in the area but they have to wait for the DNA of them to tell if they are Grizzly or Black Bear. Most people think that because they're a predator and are liable to eat livestock and damage property that they shouldn't be saved or rescued. There are only six areas of designated land where the Grizzlies are supposed to make a comeback, yet there are people that think they should die out.

I think it's horrible the way these bears are treated. People are just doing this because bears do what they have to do to survive. I'm glad that some of these people are stepping up and thinking what this will do to the ecosystem and to the world in general if these bears die.

1)How long have Grizzly Bears been endangered?
2)What three places have the bears made a sucsessful comeback?
3)Do you think that people should try to help the Grizzlies make a comeback in the North Cascades?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/17/science/earth/17grizzly.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

Shark Reseachers Study Oil Impact

http://articles.cnn.com/2010-06-28/us/oil.spill.sharks_1_shark-population-larger-sharks-tiger-sharks?_s=PM:US

Summary:

The oil spill has been effecting the sharks very dramatically. Reacher Niel Hammerschlag, who has been studing sharks for a decade now, is tagging sharks in the Gulf to see their migratory and behavioral patterns. Sharks are pretty much at the top of the food chain and they pretty much eat everything under them, if they never touch the oil something they might eat might of been hurt by the oil. This will make the sharks die because they won't be eating as much. The way that sharks breathe is they "take in the water, the water goes over their gills and they extract out the oxygen." So if the sharks are in the oil it will be extremely hard for them to breathe. In the Gulf there are spots where people are not allowed to fish, because we don't want the people to get sick. If we don't get this oil cleaned up soon who knows what will happen to all the sharks.

Opinion/Reflection:

I think that it is a horrible thing that happened in the Gulf. Also it is pretty cool to see how some people are taking things into their own hands, and making sure that we are doing everything that we can, to try and see if the sharks are being effected by the oil. Its very interesting to see that if one thing gets damaged in a food chain how the rest of it will be effected. I hope that we can have the oil cleaned up fast so the food chain will be able to go back to normal!

Questions:

1. What is the name of the guy who is tagging these sharks?

2. How long has he been studing sharks?

3. How do sharks breathe?

4. What do you think we can do to help these sharks?

Population Increase From Unauthorized immigrants

Unauthorized population would soar if birthright citizenship repealed.

http://esciencenews.com/articles/2010/09/08/unauthorized.population.would.soar.if.birthright.citizenship.repealed

Summary:

If the US took away the citizenship for US born children of unathorized immigrants the population would increase at minimum of 5 million over the next 10 years. Even if we completley stoped illegal immigration these numbers would still add up. When the passage of House-introduced Birthright Citizenship Act ( the deny of citizenship to children who were born from unauthorized immagrants), was over looked it showed that it would increase from 10.8 million to 16 million by 2050. It was also found that in 2050 the share of US children that are unautherized would double from .02 (now) to .04 (2050). Other cases would be denying citizenship to a child who has 1 unautherized parent. By the third generation, 6.3 million US born people would be unauthorized even with two of there parents being authorized because of the birthright citizenship act. "What is less commonly understood in the current debate is that repeal of birthright citizenship would set in motion the creation of a self-perpetuating class of unauthorized immigrants," said reports coauthor, Michael Fix.

Opinion / Reflection:

I really had no idea about how much the birth rate of immagrents could expand. It Suprised me to see how many unauthrized US born people there could be in 2050. What i never really thought about and looked at in the long run was how by the third generation a child could have two US born parents but still be unauthorized.

Questions: (3-5)

1 - What is the act called that is denying citizenship to illegal immigrant children who are born in the US?

2 - By how much will the percent of unauthorized children be in 2050?

3 - What was the other case in which children still are unautherized?

4 - By the next decade how much will the nation expand by in unauthorized people at least?

Test

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