October Sky Blog

October Sky was a great educational movie based on a group of kids persevering to achieve their dream. It was based on a true story placed in west Virgina. The boys needed a scholarship to college and the winner of the science fair earns a free ride to college. They gradually learn more about rockets and the way they work leading to be the first place contestant of the fair. Though it was truly touching and inspiring movie it contained many examples of science, math, and character ed. First, the whole idea of making the rocket fly up high and come back down properly. The obstacle of the was Isaac Newton's invention - gravity clearly being apart of science and math. There were many other science related situations in the movie such as Homer finding the right ingredients to create a chemical reaction for the rocket. Homer also displayed character in many different ways. For example, he showed patience by cooperating with all the struggles he faced. also he showed perseverance by working hard and never giving up no matter how challenging it looked. Overall, Homer was a very talented young boy and October Sky was a fascinating film.

Sickle Cell Anemia 101 Responce

I've recently read a blog informing me what Sickle Cell Anemia 101 is and what causes it. According to the author, this disorder deforms the shape of your red blood cells into a crescent shape. James B. Herrick discovered symptoms such as making a patient feeble, tired, and lousy. Herrick noticed that it is usually found on African Americans and is spread by heredity of parents. Unfortunately there is no ultimate cure to fix the genetic disorder, but researchers have discovered several techniques to treat certain patients. These include exercise to move the body, receiving good nutrient, and eating healthy foods. People who suffer from this disease usually die younger than normal people survive. After reading the blog i felt sad for the innocent people who are diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia 101 and hope doctors find a cure for this dreadful disorder.

The students Blog who wrote this is http://madden07sf.blogspot.com/2009/05/sickle-cell-anemia-101.html

Angelman Syndrome

Angelman Syndrome is a very rare genetic disorder that consists of many heartbreaking symptoms. The disorder was discovered in 1965 by an physician Harry Angelman who named it after himself. Patient of this genetic disorder suffer from hyperactivity, small head size, problems sleeping, balance and movement disorders, and seizures. There are many more complications of being a patient of this disease, but i listed the general. Currently, there are no cures for this disorder but there specific therapies for specific symptoms, such as therapy for seizures and communication therapy. Usually, patients who suffer diseases have a shorter life span. opposed to Angelman Syndrome patients, which have the same life according to age. This disorder was classified rare with a U.S. population of 200,000 in every person. There is no specific racial group who are more venerable to Angelman Synmdrome. All groups of people are found with this disorder in America. Finally, scientist are all putting extreme effort into find a more effective treatment and need to look into chromosome 15 which is the main cause of Angelman Syndrome.

DNA Conclusion

This week in science class, we did a DNA extraction lab with a partner. First we were given a plant cell and an animal cell. Since I chose to extract plant DNA, I was instructed to add 6 drops of detergent into the tube of plant cells. Second, I was ordered to include a smidgen of salt and enzymes and swirl it around the tube. Ms. A explained how the detergent breaks the cells as well as the enzyme acted. Then, we were to drop enough of isopropanol so that the liquid would rise 2 lines up the tube. Furthermost, my solution was a success because evidently the isopropanol expanded the DNA large enough to be visible through the naked eye. The DNA appeared like a cloudy white structure at the top where the isopropanol was poured. Luckily, I accomplished the lab's goal which was to see the plants DNA.

International News

Yesterday, Israeli air forces once again target Islamic Jihad militants due to the supposed attack on a southern Israel city. The destructive air strike severely injured 7 militants said Palestinian security. According to the Israeli army, Gaza shot over 100 missiles and rockets after Hamas indicated a stop to the war. Apparently, Israeli forces have left the Gaza strip for about 3 weeks but began the air strikes once again. On the other hand, Egypt has put in effort into some sort of negotiation or peace treaty for the two nations. Israel refused to cooperate until Hamas frees a soldier Gilad Shalit. Gaza also refuses to release Gilad showing no demonstration of cease-fire.

cnnwire.blogs.cnn.com/2009/03/04/israeli-airstrike-targets-militants-in-gaza/

NASA's Satellite Goes Down

After NASA launches a satellite, minutes later it comes down with a boom. NASA's program manager said the launch was a failure because lack of force need to move it. If it was a success it would have indicated the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. the payload fairning wasn't active which cause a malfunction for it to work properly. Scientists are still unsure what the cause was, but investigations are active. Multimillionaire satellite was built for the purpose of a solution to the greenhouse effect which as carbon dioxide traps heat such as a greenhouse acts. The OCO would serve as many other machines. Since it took 8 years to develop, it was a great loss.


http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/space/02/24/nasa.launch/index.html

My Roller Coaster Website

The Nigerian Nightmare

State News Blog

Saturday night, two men from Elizabeth were arrested for possession of cocaine, marijuana, and a loaded handgun during a traffic stop, police announced. Officers became suspicious after realizing that the vehicle had tented windows. According to the investigation, police determined that the two young men were carrying more than 50 grams of cocaine and fewer marijuana. Josue David, who has a record of a felony, was found additionally with a 9mm loaded hand gun. The two man are both on holding at Union County jail with numerous charges such as possession of cocaine, marijuana, and a handgun, possession within thousand feet of a school zone, possession with unlawful purpose, and intent to distribute. David's bail calculated to $150,000, opposed to Jonathan Nunez-Nolberto with a bail of $75,000.



http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/two_arrested_in_elizabeth_on_d.html#more

Early Whales Gave Birth On Land

Based on a analysis on a fossil found in a Pakistani dessert, early whales have been discovered to have given birth on land. The fossil was categorized to ancient amphibious whales named Archaeoceti. Philip Gingerich was intrigued by the features and body structure of the fossil. The head-first position of the fetus generally gave away the fact that is was a land mammal. The fossil was said to be classified as family to another early whale species, Rodhocetus and Artiocetus. Fossils have indeed helped evaluate whale evolution, but there yet to learn. Paleontologists have proven that whale have evolved through 3 stages to arrive at the modern whale we see today. whales started with a backbone and hind legs but then they began consistently losing them. a recent adult whale fossil has proven that the fetus had fully grown teeth getting the baby ready to support it self after birth. Hopefully paleontologists willy finally discover the whale evolution.


http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/02/090203-pregnant-whale-fossil.html

Methane Discovery on Mars

Scientists have recently found methane in Mars' atmosphere, increasing the chance of life there.the origin of the methane might have come from past subsurface microorganisms, geological activity or comets attacking Mars as scientists assume. unfortunately, Scientists don't know exactly how long the substance has been there. Professors are getting ready to explore and examine deeper if life is available on Mars. Methane is the central ingredient for natural gas. It consists of four atoms of hydrogen bound to one carbon atom. A NASA team located 3 spectral features of methane named absorption lines with the help of spectrometers on telescopes. That discovery obviously proved the mars owned methane. NASA's latest Mars' assignment had received soil samples announcing that mars is capable of supporting human life. Other evidence including ice, also proved that life on mars is possible.


http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/space/01/15/mars.methane/index.html#cnnSTCText

Elcertomagnetic Spectrum

Last week, our science class worked on the electromagnetic spectrum. The electromagnetic spectrum is the complete range of electromagnetic waves placed in order of increasing frequency. The spectrum is made up of radio waves, infrared rays, visible light ultraviolet rays, X-rays, and gamma rays classified in the correct order. We have studied all of the types of rays in our lab tables. Radio waves have the longest wavelengths and the lowest frequencies. Infrared rays, which I studied deeper into, have wavelengths shorter than radio waves. Visible light, which we also did a whole lab of, are the only electromagnetic waves you can see with the naked eye. Ultraviolet rays, have wavelengths just shorter that visible light. X- rays, often used from medical vision of human bones, has wavelengths just shorter than Ultraviolet waves. Finally, Gamma rays are the ones that have the shortest wavelengths and the highest frequencies. All the waves in the electromagnetic spectrum are used for many common purposes. To sum up, the electromagnetic spectrum has many aspects included in it, but can be a very interesting topic to study.

Barack Obama Inauguration

This past Tuesday, the first African American president, Barack Obama, was inaugurated. As 1.5 million people crowded around the National Mall Obama swore to oath. "Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real," Obama said in his inaugural address. "They are serious, and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met." He also mentioned economic problems and how we will overcome them, the Muslim world issues and how we will leave Iraq in peace. In addition he also threatened terrorists. As quoted "You cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you." Leaders around the globe congratulated him in his victory such as French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Finally, change we can believe in. I believe, Barack Obama will truly change this nation and any issue we face now will be resolved. Yes we can.


http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2009/01/19/daily45.html

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/20/obama.inauguration/index.html