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

New Planets

Photos of planets outside the solar system have finally been introduced. With astronomers using the most advanced techniques, NASA was able to take pictures of planets far outside from the solar system. Unfortunately, humans could not manage to live there. A group of astronomers using highly advanced telescopes analysed the four newly discovered planets. Researchers believe that the star Fomalhaut that was examined is about 1.5 times the sun and 130 light years in distance from the earth. The group of planets were approximately seven to 10 times the weight of Jupiter. Scientists say that the star is too far to be seen by the naked eye but could be located with the assistance of a pair of binoculars or telescopes. NASAs recently discovered planet Fomalhaut b is around 3 times the mass of Jupiter and 10.7 billion miles away from its host star. To tell the the difference from whether it was a planet or star, the scientists working on the planets compared the photos to research created in the past years. The pictures revealed that the planets were orbiting to prove that they were not stars. So far, 322 planets have been discovered out of our solar system and this recent discovery has added to 326. NASAs studies has proven that it can only benefit our goal in attempting to find a planet just like ours.



http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/11/13/new.planets/index.html

Nano Coating

Scientists have created a new high tech coating to upgrade the efficiency of solar panels. The researchers developed the coating with nanotechnology. A regular silicon solar cell absorbs two thirds of solar energy but the advanced coating boosts it to 96 percent of the energy being captured. Consisting of seven small layers and 50 to 100 nanometers in height it is created by silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide nanorods. The FCC team found that layering if the coatings one on top of another improved the anti-reflective properties of each layer. Having a series of layers also helps to "bend" the flow of sunlight which helps in absorbing light that would otherwise it would be reflected off the panel. Lin ,a professional, is now working on partnership and licensing arrangements and says the coating will be in the market in about 2 to 3 years. The drawbacks to this technology is the nonarods may be delicate. However, they will research more on protecting it. A scientist is attempting to nano engineer surfaces for solar cells by copying the top of moth eyes which contains good anti reflective surfaces. Researchers think that future is very strong in the solar industry.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/11/12/solar.coating/index.html