Scientists reveal important clues to how bacteria and viruses are identified as enemies

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-09/foas-sri093010.php

This article is about scientists discovering how our immune systems fight off bacteria and viruses to protect or bodies. The research relating to the discovery will lead to the development of drugs and vaccines that could prevent people from suffering from many illnesses. This finding was made by an immune cell that attacks malicious invaders. They wanted to figure out if a molecule or a synthetic molecule would stimulate production among a cell. Yet, the results showed that bacteria and viruses activate the body's defense system.

In my opinion, I think our bodies have a lot of bacteria that could harm our bodies. Antibotics can only kill bacteria for a certain amount of time. Scientists need to find cures to common illnesses, like the common cold. They also need to prevent bacteria from hacking our immune system. Even if bacteria can find alternative pathways into our immune system, they needed to be treated permanently.

Massive Jellyfish Swarms

SUMMERY
Huge flocks of jellyfish hundreds of miles in area are increasing worldwide over the last twenty years. The hardest hit areas include: Hawii, the Gulf of Mexico, the Bering Sea, our East Coast, the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea and other European seas, Australia, the Sea of Japan, the North Sea and Nambia. The jellys are causing injuries and even deaths for swimmers. They're causing problems and costing perhaps billions to fisheries, fish farms, desalination plants, marine mines, ships, and nuclear power plants. The possible reasons for the sudden influx of the invertabrates include: poulation, climate change, overfishing, introduction of non-native organisms, and artificial structures like oil and gas rigs.

OPINION
I understand that the article is information that's been collected over a long period of time, and it isn't exactly "current", but the information still applies. And, it's very relivent to me. Just days before school began, I was stung by a jelly fish on Oak Island. I rootedly believe that this article is an obvious fact. Neither of my parents have ever been stung by a jellyfish throughout their lives. I also believe that the cause for the influx is climate change. Warmer waters means that creatures like jellyfish that thrive in warmer waters will have a population explosion. I worry what the swarm will mean for the marine food web. The issue is bound to be our fault.
http://www.macroevolution.net/jellyfish-swarms.html

Stackin' Up New Genes For Height!

Scientists have discovered hundreds of genes that influence/determine height for human beings. They have determined that the higher the combination of genes you have the taller you will be!

"The researchers looked to see whether the 180 regions contained more genes that underlie skeletal growth defects than would be expected if those regions were just chosen randomly across the genome. They found that the genes were not random and could in fact point to functional pathways important in influencing height."

My opinion: Scientists should keep studying and come to a complete conclusion that the more genes you have, the taller you are. This can help make a better prediction of how tall you are going to be. This will also help doctors have a better prediction. I thought if your parents were tall, you would be tall but it also is affected by the number/higher genes you have.

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/30/scientists_stack_up_new_genes_for_height.html

BP agrees to pay $15M for refinery violations

A recent investigation of BP Products North America revealed that BP violated the Clean Air Act in which they had to pay 15 million dollars worth of penalties. Two fires, in 2004 and in 2005, and a leak also in 2005 put thousands of pounds of toxic pollutants in to the atmosphere. All of this was found out in a seperate investigation of another explosion in 2005 that killed 15 people and ingured hundreds more. The 15 million is only part of a 137 million dollars that is owed due to criminal, civil, and administration fees BP has paid due to more saftey violations. On a somewhat possitive side BP has paid over one billion to improve the refinery's saftey. The refinery is the third largest in the world.

In my opinion, I think that right now BP already has enough pollution fees to pay with the oil spill in the gulf now they have millions more to pay. But I dont see why they need to pay 15 million because the pollution is already in the air. It is not like oil in the water where you can scoop it out and the oil was burned so it is just a gas floating around in the air. I think they should just have to pay to increase their refinery's saftey.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/30/bp-agrees-to-pay-15m-for-refinery-violations/?hpt=T2

"Firefly" Stem Cells May Help Repair Damaged Hearts- Hannah Moerk

Summary:

Could stem cells that glow like fireflies be helpful to doctors? At the lab in the University of Central Florida, stem cell research is being taken place, to test whether enginered stem cells that glow, could be useful on humans. These stem cells contain the same enzyme that make fireflies glow, and become brighter and brighter as they develop into healthy heart muscle. With the cells glowing, doctors could be able to track where the stem cells are working. These cells have the potential of repairing and regenerating cardiac tissue, now it is just a matter of figuring out how to use them and understand how to use them when operating on humans.

Opinion:

More than 17.6 million Americans suffer from coronary disease. With "glowing" stem cells, therapy to repair would no longer require cutting into patients' chest cavities to monitor healing, and could be more accurate knowlege of the healing process. Plus, doctors could see where and how these engineered cells are working on the body. Scientists could be able to see the cells in action with a special camera lens, which picks up the glow under a microscope. How much better would it be, if such openings could be prevented through these cells, and they are overall more reliable.

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/29/firefly_stem_cells_may_help_repair_damaged_hearts.html

5 Sentence Summary

This article is about how a scientist engineered a stem cell with the same enzyme that makes fireflies glow. The cells apparently grow brighter and brighter as they grow into healthy heart muscle. If doctors can figure out how the cells repair and regenerate cardiac tissue, stem cell therapies could offer hope to 17.6 million Americans who suffer coronary disease. The glow of the enzyme also means that therapies wouldn't have to cut into patients chest cavity to view healing. Scientists hope to be able to make models and see how these enzymes can heal tissue over time.

5 Sentence Opinion

I think this is really cool because if we can get this to work, it will make a huge difference of the way heart surgeries go. If we could just repair the heart instead of waiting till it gets bad and then doing a heart transplant. Plus being able to help 17.6 million Americans... that's phenomenal! I think that they need to continue the research because this will be really beneficial to us Americans. I really liked the article as well.

Clams Dwindle as CO2 Rises

Shelled organisms are dwindling rapidly and we need them for various reasons. When carbon dioxide builds up in the atmosphere the ocean waters become more acidic. These creatures' shells are made up of mostly limestone and the acid in the water dissolves the limestone. The acid makes their shells thinner and crippled. This problem will be harder to fix than everyone thinks.

I think we need to start fixing this problem right away. It will just get worse and we will not be able to fix it. Mussels, clams, and other shelled organisms' population that we eat will start to get lower and we will not have as many seafood options. This problem also needs to be fixed because the rise of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is damaging other aspects in the environment. If these organisms all die out then other organisms in the ocean cannot survive either.

http://news.discovery.com/earth/clams-dwindle-as-co2-rises.html#mkcpgn=rssnws1

New Species of multi-horned dinosaurs unearthed in Utah

A giant rhino with a super sized head, fifteen inch long horns over both eyes, cheekbones, nose, and ten across the rear margin of the bone frill. Such phases have been used to describe the two newly discovered species of ugly dinosaurs. Utahceratops gettyi and Kosmoceratops richardsoni are their names. Both were found in grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument located in southern Utah. The newly discovered dinosaurs are close relatives of Triceratops. Now because of this discovery the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is now the most important paleontological reserves in the world.
More dinosaurs??? I think its pretty cool that these dinosaur bones were found at a National Monument because maybe people will respect the reserve more since dinosaur use to walk on it. The article was very easy to read. I believe the article was well written. I hope that more extinct animals are found around the world.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-09/nsf-nso092310.php

'Firefly' stem cells may help repair damaged hearts

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/29/firefly_stem_cells_may_help_repair_damaged_hearts.html

"Firefly" stem cells, that glow, may eventually help doctors heal hearts without actually cutting the patient. Steven Ebert used the same enzymes that make fireflies glow to create stem cells. As "firefly" stem cells grow into heart muscle they become brighter. This enables doctors to track the stem cell because of the brightness of it. Stem cells will morph into the organs in which they are placed but how fast and why is still in question. Ebert's new cells can give the ability to track the cells action with the use of cameras without having to cut into patients.

In my opinion, this is a great discovery because now patients with heart damage will no longer have to wait for a donor. This great discovery will also keep doctors from having to cut their patients. I think it is interesting how scientists have figured out a way to heal damaged hearts with glowing stem cells. Patients with this new stem cell may live longer than people who have to get a whole transplant. This discovery keeps paitents healthier and stronger because they don't have to get them full transplants.

Mice and non-native grass gang up on native plant in West Marin

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_15855707

Summary – This article is about how a native plant on the sand dunes of South Beach, Marin County, California, Tidestrom’s lupine, is being endangered by deer mice and European beach grass. Settlers brought the European beach grass to stabilize the dunes, but since this is opposite of what the dunes are supposed to do, the lupine is suffering. The beach grass gives protection to the deer mice from raptors overhead, which allows the mouse population to grow, and they, in turn, are feeding on the lupine. This problem has been brought to the attention of seashore officials, and this fall they will begin to remove some of the beach grass. This will help not only they lupine, but other endangered plants as well.

Opinion – I think this finding is really important, if you think about it on a larger scale. It just shows how humans try to fix everything to make it better for them, without thinking about the consequences, which can change the whole ecosystem. This kind of thing is happening all over the world, with many species of plants and animals becoming endangered and even extinct. Another example of this is global warming, which is happening to the whole Earth. I think it’s good that they will start to remove some of the beach grass, and I think humans all over the world should start trying to fix the problems that our predecessors created.

Horseshoe Crab Decline

A decline in horseshoe crab numbers has occurred, relating to changes that took place at the end of the last ice age. The new research, which uses genomics to assess trends in population sizes, it also indicates that these crabs may continue to decline because of predicted climate change. While the current decline in horseshoe crabs is attributed in great part to excessive harvesting, the new research suggests climate change also has played a role in reducing the number of crabs. More importantly, predicted future climate change, with its accompanying sea-level rise and water temperature changes may limit the amount of crabs resulting in localized and regional population declines, such as happened after the last Ice Age.

Opinion-
I do not particularly care to much that the population of horseshoe crabs is declining. I do care that with the decline of the horseshoe crabs many other species that depend on horseshoe crabs may start declining . With the loss of horseshoe crabs several types of species may start declining which could lead to large extinction. However that most likely won't happen but you never know.
http://www.macroevolution.net/horseshoe-crab.html

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/24/new_species_of_multihorned_dinosaurs_unearthed_in_utah.html

The horned face, only a mother could love describes the new dinosaur they discovered in Utah. All scientists are paying attention to this ugly creature. There is two new kind of dinosaurs discovered today. Utahceratops gettyi and Kosmoceratops richardsoni are the names of these new discoveries. There is great enthusiasm for this great discovery.

I think this great for the United States to try to find more fossils in the Utah area. The spikes of the dinosaurs made them very dangerous. I Would not want to run into one of these guys. I think there are more fossils in North America. Because they don't travel alone.

Current Event

A non-stick coating for a substance found in semen dramatically lowers the rate of infection of immune cells by HIV a new study has found.
The new material is a potential ingredient for microbicides designed to reduce transmission of HIV, a team from the University of Rochester Medical Center and the University of California, San Diego reports in a forthcoming issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
The coating clings to fibrous strings and mats of protein called SEVI–for semen-derived enhancer of viral infection–which was first discovered just three years ago. SEVI seems to attract the virus and deposit it onto the surface of T-cells, components of the immune system that are the primary target of HIV infection, and may play an important role in sexual transmission of HIV.
Like the fibrous strings that bind senile plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease, SEVI is a kind of protein superstructure called an amyloid.
Jerry Yang, associate professor of chemistry at UC San Diego and his research group developed non-stick coatings for amyloids as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease in 2006. Their idea was to minimize damage by preventing amyloid proteins from interacting with other molecules in the brain.
When this new amyloid, SEVI, was discovered in 2007, Yang was interested in testing whether the coating strategy might interfere with SEVI's role in promoting HIV infection.
Yang's group teamed up with a researchers led by Stephen Dewhurst, chair of the microbiology and immunology department at the University of Rochester Medical Center, who studies HIV.
"We tested one of our molecules out on SEVI and found it was able to stop SEVI-enhanced infection of HIV in cells," Yang said. "It works in semen too. Something in semen enhances viral infection – SEVI and maybe other things. This molecule stops that."
When the researchers added the molecule that forms non-stick coatings to a mix of SEVI, virus and cells, rates of infection dropped to levels observed when SEVI was absent. They saw a similar effect with semen as well, evidence that this potential microbicide supplement works to inhibit infection within a mixture of proteins and other molecules found in seminal fluid.
The coating molecule is a modified form of thioflavin-T, a dye that stains amyloid proteins. It fits in between the individual small proteins that cluster to form SEVI and blocks SEVI's interactions with both the virus and the target immune cells.
"Other people have tried to do the same thing by targeting the virus or the cells it infects. What we do is target the mediator between the virus and the cells," Yang said. "By neutralizing SEVI, we prevent at least one way for HIV to attach to the cells."
The new molecule has another advantage. Unlike many current microbicide candidates aimed at reducing HIV infection, this one doesn't cause inflammation in cervical cells.
"Recent studies have shown for the first time that a topical microbicide gel can protect women from HIV-1 infection. This is a huge step forward but not a perfect solution. We need to figure out ways to further improve protection - and our studies suggest one way of doing so," said Dewhurst, who is the corresponding author of the report. "It may be possible to produce a next-generation microbicide that includes both an antiviral agent, as has been used in the past, and an agent that targets SEVI. We're very excited about exploring this idea."
A newly discovered substance in semen has the potential to decrease the risk of getting HIV from an infected person. The scientists found that it targets out SEVI which is involved in greatly the spreading of HIV. They hope to learn to neutralize SEVI, which would greatly lower the chance of catching HIV or spreading it. The scientific community meets this discovery with enthusiasm and an eagerness to experiment.
I personally find this to be a very good discovery and was very intrigued when I first read the article. HIV and the AIDS virus are becoming serious problems in today’s society, problems that there it very little that can be done about sadly. With statistics such as one out of every four people in Africa having the virus is a frightening thought. It’s very nice to hear that they’ve made a break through, even if it is small, I think this discovery will lead in the near future to advanced techniques in HIV prevention with the right amount of time. All in all, I find this to be a useful and wonderful discovery within the scientific community that will bring us a step forward in the battle against a serious disease that has effected and killed many people.


http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/24/nonstick_coating_of_a_protein_found_in_semen_reduces_hiv_infection.html

Amazon Rainforest!

The Amazon Basin produces its own rain! The air here is cleaner than most everywhere on Earth.

It allows scientists to experiment and investigate clouds and condensation. During the wet season the clouds consist or organic material. Then these particles are released into the rainforest.

My opinion: This is good because scientists can predict the precipitation in clouds. They also can test the air particles since the air is good here. I did not know that the air is cleanest in the rainforest. Scientists should keep studying clouds to predict the air and weather in other places of the world.

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/20/the_amazon_rainforest_a_cloud_factory.html

Amazon Rainforest!

Hydrogen In Reducing Fossil Fuel Useage

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/biology-current-events.html

Due to conservation of non-renewable resources, mostly fossil fuels, this has become a major U.S. concern. Scientists have begun to search for alternative fossil fuels sources. A major way of reducing the conservation of fossil fuels is to convert ethanol produced from fermentation to hydrogen and carbon dioxide. This created hydrogen will be used as a fuel cells power source. If scientists succeed in doing this, it will create less environmental issues.

I think that this is great. I think that us as humans are increasing fast in creating more environmental problems. I believe that this alternative for fossil fuel is a good idea and will work great. I think that scientists should look for more alternatives for non-renewable resources. I also think that everyone should start trying to reduce the amount of environmental problems we have created.

Pain Reduced

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100923125111.htm
Scientists have discovered why people tend to hold their hands together when they have received any type of pain. This is because when one person holds his or her hands together, it changes the way that a brain receives and interprets the pain. Levels of acute pain are not just dependent on the signals that are sent to the brain, but it also depends on how the brain would mesh together all the signals to a large overview of the whole body. Scientists performed some experiments of putting two fingers in hot water and the middle finger in cold water, and the middle finger was said to be in pain. They tried to see if two fingers from the other hand would reduce the pain, but it didn't work; all three fingers from the unaffected hand had to have been in contact with the affected hand in order for the pain to be reduced. This procedure was something called Thermal Grill Illusion (or TGI for short.), which is basically like phantom pain, as the pain is somewhat not real. After testing, the scientists had found out that TGI is reduced only when all three unaffected fingers are touching the other fingers, and it can reduce the TGI as much as 64%.

I had already known some information about this, but I didn't know about all of it. I thought that this article was interesting, as it told ways to reduce the feeling of pain throughout the body, mainly by self-hand-to-hand contact. I thought that their test was pretty neat too; they put the index finger and ring finger in warm water, and the middle finger was placed in cold water, only to show that the middle finger had succumbed to TGI. This article made me think of how often we think we're in pain, when it may only be an illusion. So whenever I think my hands are hurting, I'll just hold my hands together and see what happens, and hopefully the pain goes away.

Understanding Behavioral Patterns-Hannah Moerk

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/15/understanding_behavioral_patterns_why_bird_flocks_move_in_unison.html

Understanding Behavioral Patterns

Summary:

The flocking of animals, and the way they move as a group with such synchronicity is amazing. As one moves they all move, but how do they stay so together? Using a simple self-propelled particle system, which sees the birds as particles zoomed in, researchers find that the collective switching from flying to landing state overrides the individual landing intentions of each bird. In the bird’s decision making, as the leader decides to land they all follow, but it happens so quickly they all look like they are moving at the same time. This behavior is common with the flocking of many animals as well besides birds, and it is interesting to know the behavioral patterns of these animals, and how their motions and patterns work.

Opinion:

Working, traveling, moving as a group. The way animals do things together is really interesting, and just by watching them people can learn a lot. Certain machines help us see their movements more clearly, and how as one decides to go one way, they all follow. I personally enjoyed this article because everyone can relate to it, with animals moving in these ways all around us in our daily lives. The next time I see a flock of birds flying by or a colony of aunts moving together, I will know about their quick decision making and about the way they follow one another.

New species of sea slug

A new species of slug was found by the Jeff Goddard and project scientist. While working in the tide pools of California the found a new species of slug or nudibranch. Goddard notice this type of species because of its unique color and its beautiful color. Godddard got the previllage of getting to observe the slug, and even watch it lay egg mass, and watch the hatching process. The slug was named by Gosliner, but was named after Goddard, when he describe it. I think that its cool how there is technology that can find different type of species. I would have like to do that as a scientist to go and look for new species like that, you could look at like million times and never notice them. But there could also be a danger, like if you find a posionious snail or insect or something,and then you don't know what it is so that you could cure it. It would be cool to travel all over the world, for a new adventure everyday. Well this all the news that i had for today see you next time.

These dendritic cells are fishy, but that"s a good thing.

• http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/08/these_dendritic_cells_are_fishy_but_thats_a_good_thing.html
  
  

Scientists from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine discovered that they can study the cells in zebrafish to study the complexities of the human immune system. The study was headed by David Traver with colleagues in UCSD's Division of Biological Sciences and at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute. The cells that were found in the zebrafish are called Dendritic cells. The Dendritic cells from a link between innate and adaptive immune systems in mammals. Dendritic cells and adaptive responses are very common in mammals, but it wasn"t clear as to whether these cellsexisted in no-mammalian vertabrates. Finding DCs in zebrafish is just another step in investigating the mammalian immune system. The zebrafish can be used as another model.
I wish I would have choosen another article this is so boring. Other than the article being boring overall it was decent. This article was full of knowledge that a lot if Americans probably don't know exist. This article is well written but i believe who ever wrote the article needs to dumb it down a little bit. I found it pretyy cool that zebrafish are translucent!

Corey Cook 9/23/10 1st-2nd period

Magnetic attraction for fish, crabs?

September 20, 2010 08:40 PM

Biology

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Super-sized electromagnetic coils are helping explain how aquatic life might be affected by renewable energy devices being considered for placement along America's coastal waters and in the nation's rivers.Scientists with the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are examining whether a variety of fish and invertebrates change their behavior during and after exposure to an electromagnetic field similar to those produced by marine and hydrokinetic power devices that capture energy from ocean waves, tides, currents and rivers. Research began this summer and will continue for two years.

PNNL marine ecologist Jeff Ward will discuss this research Wednesday at Oceans 2010, an ocean engineering conference that runs Monday through Thursday in Seattle. The conference is being hosted by the Marine Technology Society and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers' Oceanic Engineering Society.

"The ocean's natural ebb and flow can be an abundant, constant energy source," said PNNL oceanographer Andrea Copping, who is the principal investigator on the project out of PNNL's Marine Sciences Laboratory in Sequim, Wash. "But before we can place power devices in the water, we need to know how they might impact the marine environment."

Energy companies and utilities are looking at using several different technologies to harness energy from oceans and rivers. Marine power could come from devices that move with rolling waves on the ocean's surface or from underwater turbines that spin with the tides and currents. And hydrokinetic devices would be similar to marine power devices, but generate power from free-flowing water in rivers and streams. Whatever the design, each device generates electricity that travels through cables that connect the device with a land power line. Researchers want to know how the devices and their cables affect marine life.

Electrical magnetism

This research project is using two specially designed coils at PNNL's Marine Sciences Laboratory. The coils, called Helmholtz coils, each consist of about 200 pounds of copper wiring wrapped into a window frame-like outline that's roughly five feet by five feet. The wiring carries electricity at the flip of a switch. Like any electricity, this creates an electromagnetic field that naturally attracts magnetic materials like iron. The field around the electrical coil can create between 0.1 and 3 milliTeslas of magnetic flux. Three milliTeslas is about three-tenths the magnetic flux of a typical small bar magnet. Previous research into how electromagnetic fields affect marine animals has been in the 3 to 5 milliTesla range.

Researchers want to know if the electromagnetic field will also affect marine and estuarine animal behavior, including migration, finding food and avoiding predators. Several aquatic animals – such as sharks, skates, salmon, sea turtles and lobsters - may use the Earth's natural magnetic fields like a compass to navigate and detect their prey.

To test the field's potential effects, aquarium tanks filled with marine species are being placed near the two coils. Then researchers will activate the electromagnetic field – at various strengths and time periods – to see if the animals' actions change.

For example, researchers will observe whether the electromagnetic field interferes with the ability of juvenile Coho salmon to recognize and avoid predators. Young salmon normally stop swimming, go low and stay still when they detect a predator. Also, the scientists will examine whether the typically fast, flicking movements of Dungeness crab antennules – the small antennae next to crabs' eyes that help them detect odors – change when exposed to the electromagnetic field. And researchers will document whether the animals are attracted or repelled by the fields.

"We really don't know if the animals will be affected or not," Ward said. "There's surprisingly little comprehensive research to say for sure."

New frontiers

There have been some limited studies in this area, but most have been conducted outside the United States and involved animals that aren't common in U.S. waters. Ward noted this project will help develop a broader body of information from which scientists, marine power developers and the regulatory agencies that permit the power devices can draw to determine how proposed devices could affect certain marine life at a given site.

If animals demonstrate a noticeable behavior change in the controlled environment of laboratory tests, PNNL researchers may conduct a field study with test animals placed near pilot marine power devices such as the one Snohomish County PUD has proposed for Admiralty Inlet in Washington state's Puget Sound.

As part of the project, scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are also examining how electromagnetic fields created by hydrokinetic devices, which generate power from free-flowing water in rivers and streams, might affect freshwater animals. And researchers from Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center at Oregon State University are also studying the potential electromagnetic effects on crabs.

This study is a component of PNNL's larger research effort to better understand the potential environmental impact of marine and hydrokinetic energy development. PNNL researchers are also examining whether underwater noise from these devices could impact aquatic life, whether underwater animals could be injured by the rotating turbines in tidal power devices and how marine devices could impact the flow patterns of coastal waters. All this work is being funded by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, Wind and Water Power Program

Summary

Super-sized electromagnetic coils are helping explain how aquatic life might be affected by renewable energy devices being considered for placement along America's coastal waters and in the nation's rivers. Scientist from a laboratory are testing a variety fish and other invertebrates to see if any change in their behavior during and after exposure to an electromagnetic field similar to those produced by marine and hydro-kinetic power devices that capture energy from ocean waves, tides, currents and rivers. Researchers want to know if the electromagnetic field will also affect marine and estuarine animal behavior, including migration, finding food and avoiding predators. Animals like sharks, skates, salmon, sea turtles and lobsters may use earth's natural magnetic fields like a compass to get their food. This research needs to keep up so we can see what happens next.

Observation

I think that this research needs to keep going because i want to see what happens next. If the fish use the magnetic fields to catch their prey, then that is just amazing how they do. when they see what happens to the animals behavior i think that they will use the magnetic fields to catch their prey like the article said. when the article said the are going to use their own hydro- kinetic power devices that capture energy from ocean waves, tides, currents and rivers, i think that the variety off fish will change their normal ways. so like i said before i hope to see more about this article and can't wait to see what happens next!

Military eyes glowing secrets of fireflies, others

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100911/ap_on_re_us/us_fireflies_military_research

Summary – This article is about the military-sponsored research of bioluminescence, which is an organism’s ability to illuminate with its own body chemistry. Common organisms that can do this are fireflies, lantern fish, and dinoflagellates. If the military were able to do this as well, it could create many opportunities for them, such as biodegradable landing markers and methods to track supplies and weapons on the battlefield. Since bioluminescence creates light without heat, it would be useful for the military to mark locations that would be unnoticeable by enemies with heat-seeking technology. This light is called far red, which is the same used in TV remote control signals.

Opinion – I think the idea of the military using bioluminescence is really cool. I have always wondered how fire flies lit up by themselves, and it would be really interesting if the researchers could figure it out. The thing I find most interesting is that they make light without using heat, so military locations marked with this bioluminescence wouldn’t be noticeable to enemies. I also think that this could help protect the country when the soldiers are fighting overseas, because the military would be more informed of troop and weapon placements on the battlefield, and they would be less likely to make blunders. This is my opinion on the article of the military using bioluminescence.

Iridescent Feathers

A team of paleontologists and ornithologists have discovered evidence of vivid iridescent colors in fossiled feathers more than 40 million years ago. Although fossil feathers were known, they weren't able to find their original colors. Now that they discovered a color-producing nanostructure feather it opens up possibilities of being able to one day find their true. For more than 25 years tubular structures have been found on fossiled feathers and hair. The team had previously discovered that these structures were not in fact bacteria but melanosomes.

In my opinion this is very intresting. I thought scientists knew what color dinosaurs were. If this is the first time scientist have have found the color dinosaurs what were basing they're theory of what there color on. I wonder if a dragon is considered a dinosaur. I wonder how may types of dinosaurs there are.

http://www.macroevolution.net/iridescent.html

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/14/wildflower_armors_itself_against_disease.html

Hey ms. Cox srry it wasnt in by 12. my comp was messing up and it didnt get fixed till a little while ago.

5 Sentence summary

A wildflower that gets metal in its leaves, can use them as an armor against bacteria. The plant is part of the mustard family that grows on metal rich soils. It is known to accumulate many metals in its leaves. These plants are using their metal rich soils to armor themselves against diseases. All three metals that the plant gets in its leaves are all a kind of armor against bacteria.

5 Sentence Opinion

This is really cool because if we could find a way to get crops to do this, then we could help increase the amount of good crops and decrease the number of diseases. This can also help our export because we can be sending crops with bacteria around the world. If we incorporate this armor into them then there won't be as many spread around. This can also help the flower selling business. If they can defend their flowers against disease, then their amount of flowers would increase.

Gene Rx May Fight Severe Blood Disorder

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter by Steven Reinberg
healthday Reporter – Wed Sep 15, 11:48 pm ET

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Patients suffering from a severe, inherited blood disorder may one day benefit from a new gene therapy and no longer need regular blood transfusions, new research suggests.

However, far more study is needed to determine whether the therapy is safe and effective. So far only one patient has received the experimental treatment, and the researchers have followed him for only three years.

The blood disorder -- beta-thalassemia -- occurs when a crucial blood protein known as beta globin is missing from the red blood cells that carry oxygen. Without beta globin, many of the red blood cells die off, causing severe anemia and eventually death if the person goes untreated.

Beta-thalassemia mostly affects people of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian and Chinese descent. Some 100,000 children are born with the disease each year around the world, according to the March of Dimes, and untreated, those with the most severe form usually die in childhood.

In those treated, the excess iron building up from the blood transfusions must be removed with chelating drugs, which can cause unpleasant side effects ranging from joint pain and vomiting to vision and hearing problems.

And even though lifesaving treatments have greatly improved prospects for long-term survival, those with the disorder are at risk of heart failure and other life-threatening complications -- some related to the treatments themselves -- as they age.

Among those struggling with this illness -- and often losing -- was a teenager who volunteered for the gene therapy. Like many others, he needed a matched donor for a stem cell transplant, but none was available, the study noted.

"The patient was 18 years old when we first treated him and [had been] transfused monthly for most of his life," said lead researcher Dr. Philippe Leboulch, a professor of medicine and cell biology at the University of Paris in France.

Transfusions continued until a year after the treatment, Leboulch said. "One year after the treatment he became transfusion-independent," he said. "That has been the case for over two years now."

For the study, Leboulch's team worked on a modified virus and removed all the viral genes. They then replaced those genes with a so-called globin gene. In addition, they added factors so the gene would act only on red blood cells, where the iron-rich protein known as hemoglobin normally carries oxygen throughout the body.

This new "gene" was then injected into the patient, where it went on to repair the damaged globin gene and started producing normal hemoglobin, Leboulch said.

"This is one more example of a gene therapy that starts to show a clinical benefit for patients," he said.

However, Leboulch is cautious. "This is the first patient in the trial. Of course we need to do more patients and see what happens," he said.

Leboulch noted another problem with gene therapy: the inability to control all the effects a new gene will have in the body. The globin gene, for example, appears to link to another gene that is involved in cell growth, causing a mild expansion of blood stem cells in the patient's body. This could account for some therapeutic benefits, but might also be a precursor to cancer, the researchers noted.

"So far there is no sign of any abnormality," Leboulch said.

Dr. Francoise Bernaudin, a clinical hematologist who has followed the patient since early childhood, said it was "wonderful to see that this young man is for now free of transfusions and injections for iron chelation.

"He is happy to have a normal life back, and for the first time has a full-time job as a cook in a main restaurant in Paris," said Bernaudin in a news release on behalf of bluebird bio, developer of the LentiGlobin gene therapy treatment that the researchers are using. The trials are sponsored by the Cambridge, Mass.-based bluebird bio.

The report is published in the Sept. 16 issue of Nature.

Based on their initial success with gene therapy, Leboulch's group plans to treat another two patients. If they also respond well, they will enroll "a larger cohort" of patients, he said.

In addition, the researchers plan to treat patients who have sickle cell disease with the gene therapy as well, Leboulch said. The same technique can be used for both diseases, he said.

Leboulch concedes that the treatment is very expensive. But he hopes that if it becomes widely used, the price will drop, eventually costing less than a lifetime of monthly transfusions and chelating drugs.

Dr. Mustafa Tekin, an associate professor at the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, said that "gene therapy has been long awaited for thalassemia."

"This is the first example of a successful gene therapy for beta-thalassemia," he said. "This brings great hope for patients for the final cure for the disorder."

However, there are possibilities of adverse effects, Tekin said. He joined the researchers in cautioning that treatment to date has been limited to just one patient.

Tekin said that the gene that absorbed the therapeutic gene is associated with certain cancers, such as leukemia. While the patient does not have signs of the cancer, it is important "to follow this patient for the long-term for signs of leukemia," he said.

More trials and patients are needed to really assess the effects and side effects of the treatment, Tekin said. Whether it will treat other forms of thalassemia isn't known, he added.

"One patient is important and a significant achievement, but you still need to see more patients to make sure that it works for many patients and also that it works safely," he said.

Summary

Patients suffering from inherited blood disorders may one day finale benefit from a new gene therapy.However, far more study is needed to determine whether the therapy is safe and effective. So far only one patient has received the experimental treatment, and the researchers have study him for only three years so far. Beta-thalassemia occurs when a crucial blood protein known as beta globin is missing from the red blood cells that carry oxygen. Without beta globin, many of the red Blood cells die off, causing severe anemia and eventually death if the person goes untreated.

Option

I think its great for them to be researching something to help the sick people. The more we understand about the disease in this world. This study could help with what the future has in store for use in the future with disease. This can make a big impact on how we see things.

Current Event

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/17/why_the_craving_for_cocaine_wont_go_away.html

This article explains why the craving for cocaine won't go away. The researchers tested this experiment on mice. The behavior of the mice that had the cocaine, differed from the one that didn't. It article brings out that even if you've had long periods without that drugs, a person could still become addicted. The drug makes the person crave more, which makes it harder to quit partaking of the drug.

I believe this article is very useful in many ways. It reminds why I should never do drugs, and may help people who have this steps start to take steps to quit. Also, This article helps people understand more about why they shouldn't do drugs.

Wildflower Armors Against Disease- Hannah Moerk

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/14/wildflower_armors_itself_against_disease.html

Summary:

Recently a wildflower has been discovered that accumulates metals on its leaves, and it has been found to fight bacterial infection. In particular the Alpine Pennycres plants have been used because of their metals to "armor" against diseases. The metals help the plants become more resistant to certain bacterium. Another plant called Thlaspi, a small plant in the mustard family around Britain and Europe, is also known to collect zinc, nickel, and cadmium on its leaves. After many studies, a close relationship between the ability of bacteria to grow in the presence of high concentrations of metal, and their ability to infect plants is low. All of these discoveries could be very helpful in many cases looking toward the future.

Opinion:

With a direct link being discovered between these high metal concentrations and resistance to bacterial infections, a new door in medicine studies is being opened. The plants are using their metal-rich environment to protect themselves against diseases, so why can humans not do the same? From these metals, comes a benefit from enhanced protection against enemies such as pathogenic microorganisms and herbivores, which could possibly be a protection for humans as well. Previously it has been difficult for scientists to explain why these plants are so protected against diseases, but now we know the key is their metals. With these new discoveries, further advancement with treatment and prevention of infections with the use of these metals in wildflowers, is projected in the near future.

Aetodactylus halli

Aetodactylus halli, a new pterosaur has been found in Texas. It's based on a 95-million year old jaw. It is one of the youngest species assigned to the family of Ornithocheiridae. It's only the second ornithocheiridae documented in North America. Pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to fly (earlier than the earliest bird).
I think it's really intresting. I just wonder where the body is at. I wonder why it took them 4 years just to get it out in public. I wonder who was in charge of examined it to make sure it was an actual bone and not a fake? I wonder who was in charge in of cleaning it.

scince current event

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/14/welsh_scientists_clone_human_virus.html

Summary

A team of welsh scientist have succesfully cloned a human virus offering a new hope for potentially life threating diseases. HCMV is a virus known to cause life-threating diseases in transplant patients and people with aids/hiv. The devoloptment of new treatments have been hampered because scientist have not been able to reproduce HCMV outside the human body. HCMV has,by far, the largest genome of all viruses affecting humans.Cloning the virus for the first time will help viroloigist develop antiviruses and vaccinees.



Opinion

I do think its pretty cool that we are cloning the virus,but i think that its not that big of an accomlishment. I know its getting us closer to the devolop ment of vacccines but as of right now its doing nothing for us right now. I know its important to keep us updated but they need to be more concerned about killing the virus not growing it.It is pretty cool though we have this capability and who knows what else we could clone with this. Thats what I think about virus cloning.

Nightmares could be sign of Parkinson’s disease

https://www.nwpf.org/News.aspx?Item=3468


Summary - In this article, scientists studied the sleep of adults over 60 to see if they had a brain disease. 30% had a brain problem after the study was done. In order to do this study, the scientists observed their sleeping habits. This study was done earlier in this year. In conclusion, nightmares have a slight chance of leading you to Parkinson's disease.

Opinion - I think this is a very interesting article. Whoever could tie the nightmares into a brain disease must be very observant and smart. I have a special tie into this because my grandfathers mother has Parkinson's disease and I find it very interesting. I hope these findings will make it easier for future scientists to diagnose this disease. All in all, this is a very intersting article and the experiment could go very far in the science world.

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/14/wsu_researchers_discover_key_mechanism_behind_sleep.html

Washington State University helped confirm that brain activity links to sleep. They have never known how till now. They have Findley figured out how it is linked to the brain. It is just a cascade of chemical transmitters and proteins which causes you to sleep. This says you you have to go to sleep if your brain tells you to.

I think this is very helpful to us to control sleep disorders. 50 to 70 million Americans in this country have sleep disorders. This can help the US to make a medicine to protect against sleep disorders and even mishaps where sleep involved car crashes happen. Motor vehicle drivers pay a total of $48 billion a year for sleep involved car crashes. This is a great accomplishment for the US to find this out, this invention could help pull the US economy back to order.

Memory Loss.

Studies show that mild memory loss is not because of aging! Simply getting older is not the cause of mild memory lapses often called senior moments. Memory loss was one of the first signs of Alzheimer's disease. Stroke approximately doubled half the rate of gradual decline in memory. Studies show that Alzheimer's is the root cause of memory loss in old age.

My opinion: I always thought that old age was the cause of some memory loss.

They should try to make some way to prevent memory loss. Also prevent getting Alzheimer's disease. A lot of older aged people have developed the disease. And even people my mom's age say that they have bad memory because their old. Scientists should attempt to fix this issue.

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/15/mild_memory_loss_is_not_a_part_of_normal_aging.html

Melting sea ice forces walruses ashore in Alaska

Recently, tens of thousands of walruses have been forced to land. The sea ice that they normally rest on has melted away in northern Alaska. Previously, there has been melting when the arctic sea ice was at record low levels. It recovered but melted away again over the last couple years. Some blame it on global warming and they say there is know sign of arctic recovery.

I do not think it is good for the walruses to be smashed up against each other on land. I think scientists should find some other place for the walruses to live because they say it will only get worse. I do not think it is global warming because if the ice recovered, then it will again. Since there are so many I think they should separate some of them so they are not killing each other while trying to get from place to place. I also think they should put them on the endangered species list because they are just going to keep killing each other.

http://www.physorg.com/news203613652.html

Synthetic Biology

Basically, synthetic biology is the drawing, design, and making of biological parts and devices, and possibly even remake and design existing biological systems for better use, like the huge potential it has for improving energy production, all the way to medicine. A recent poll consisting of 1,000 U.S. adults was taken, asking them what their opinion was, and two thirds said that they approve of the idea, yet the other third does not approve. The non-approving third of the 1,000 adults said that they feared synthetic biology and they won't approve of it until they know more risks and harmful effects. The poll made people discover that the public's, in only three years, awareness of synthetic biology had tripled, along with an awareness increase of nanotechnology from 24% to 34%, in the same time period. The public had supported the continued research about it, but along with it came some fear factors: mainly, that the science would be used to create harmful things, and harm the environment.

I think I finally found a blog that I could form an opinion on without much thought. Personally I think that we could benefit from this, very much. If we could boost the energy production, we could probably stimulate workers and then have more money coming into our economy, which would be nice. The only thing that I don't want happening is we humans harming anything we don't need to, or creating harmful things that could potentially damage our surroundings. I think that, if we use this for other purposes, like promoting wildlife growth, and helping out environments, then this is a pretty good idea, I'd support it.

Fast Balls: Bad Calls!

http://www.macroevolution.net/fast-balls.html

A recent study performed by David Whitney of the department of Psychology at the University of California Davis. His study challenged tennis referees in their dicissions on whether a ball is in or out. In his research he discovered that the human brain estimates a bad trajectory when it comes to tennis because the tennis ball makes an unpredictable path. Thus the brain sees the ball over the line rather than on it.

In my opinion, I think the research is for the better because it shows (to tennis players) that it might be benificial to challenge something that they think is wrong. But in a way I disagree that humans can not correctly percieve where the ball is going. Because in soccer the ball is moving pretty fast and I predict, most of the time, the correct trajectory and are able to have a good touch on the ball. But for tennis players, this reseach will be benificial to their game.

Why birds move in unison; Torrie Johnson

Today I am doing my blog on "Why birds fly in unison". Now I know everyone wonders how a birds, ants, honey birds, and fish, are able to move a synchronizing way and are able to make a last minute decision and stay in sync, is still amazing to scientist all over. Thanks to new research there is a particle model that explain why why and how birds can fly and land together. It seems like all birds follow one bird, " the leader who usually makes all the decisions in the air, but when i comes time to land that decision usually relies on the birds own intentions. If that flock didn't have their leader, the flock would become completely out of wack, and each decision would remain with each individual bird. I personally think that this is really cool, to know how the natural world around us works. But it makes me think if they were to lose just a leader, then why can't the birds just pick a new or why can't a bird stand up to the plank it take over, it find it harder to believe that they would just go crazy if just on bird wasn't there. I guess that's what really separates the animals from the humans, take the United States for example if something was to happen to our president, then a the vice president would just step up and take his place. Why don't birds have a vice president it would stop a lot of confusion.

New Biology Research to Run on Space Station

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39221753/ns/technology_and_science-space

The International Space Station has brought biological science out of this Earth, and into orbit. Partnered by NASA and the National Institutes of Health, they will create three new experiments. These projects are bone-loss, immune system, and toxin migration. The NIH grant gives this project $1.3 million to discover these experiments. Besides these experiments, other organizations have done similar projects like this one.

In my opinion, I think that NASA and NIH together can accomplish these experiments. In the article, NASA's main goal is to develop a vaccine for salmonella. With that, we wouldn't have it in most of the foods we eat. Without the ISS, we wouldn't find solutions to many problems we face on Earth today. It gives us a way for people across the world to work together to make it better. Maybe they can put a ending to these global warming rumors.

current event

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/15/rice_study_examines_how_bacteria_acquire_immunity.html

This article is about how bacteria is immune to disease. Single cell organisms have the ability acquire their own immune systems. CRISPR stands for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats. CRISPR can be both inherited and and a programmable system. Bacteria is attacked by viruses called phages and the bacteria can copy the DNA or RNA of a phage and deflect it.

I think this article is interesting because i didn't think that bacteria had an immune system. I did not know that it could be diseased either. I thought that bacteria was somewhat of a virus. But, i liked the article because i learned something from it.

Ozone Pollution in Stunting Trees

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/biology-current-events.html

Scientists have been studying the ozone pollution. They have been looking at tree growth from the 1800's to the present and how it has decreased. The ozone pollution has gotten so bad that tree growth has reduced about 7 percent. This is causing pollution to many plants and causing them great harm. This is due to increase in the concentration of ground-level ozone.

I think that humans are one of the main problems. I think that everyone should try and reduce how much pollution they are putting into the air. Humans are destroying more that just the ozone and plants. This to me is a major issue and i think that we should try harder to reduce the things we use that pollute the environment. If we do not try and stop the amount of pollution now, then there is no telling what could happen. Many tragic and huge events will take place over a short amount of time if we do not start controlling it now.

Giant Stingray Not so giant afterall?

http://www.macroevolution.net/giant-stingray.html

SUMMARY
In central Thailand on January 28, 2009, a massive stingray was caught by a volunteer fisher working for the National Geographic "Megafishes Project". The project aims to find, study, and preserve the world's largest freshwater fishes. They later caught the same fish, however, never has the species been weighed, so no one knows if it's a record breaker. Scientists estimated the fish to be between 550 and 770 pounds. The largest found so far was in Cambodia in 2003. The team hopes to eventually tag 40 or 50 rays for research.
OPINION
There isn't much to judge on this article. It's not like it's a huge contraversy that I can state my side on. But, I saw a picture of that huge stingray and immediately checked in further, only thinking "It'd be fun to ride on that thing's back". I'd give all my support to the "Megafishes Project". Preserving the ancient giants of the sea should be a priority simply for the fascination. I really do hope they'll weigh one of these beasts. I can't believe they still haven't.
~Brittany Burns

Record temps.

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2010/09/record-hot-summer-wreaks-havoc.html?rss=1

Summary:
This article talks about how the ice in the artic is melting. It also states that the first 8 months of 2010 were the hottest on recorded in almost 131 years. I remember talking about things like this in relation to the global warming video. This is just more proof. Many universities are studding the ice caps and trying to figure out how they can stop. It’s said that almost 17% of the ice has already melted.

Opinion:
I think this is just more proof that there is such a thing as global warming. It’s not just pictures they are showing us to try and make us more eco friendly. Its real and we need to start making changes. People say “Oh it doesn’t effect me” It will when there beach house is 20ft under water in 20 years. Maybe then they will realize what they have been doing but by that time it will be too late.
Shelby G.

World's smallest seahorse facing extinction in oil spill clean-up

http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/chiefeditor/2010/09/worlds-smallest-seahorse-may-be-exterminated-by-oil-spill.html

Summary – This article is about how the world’s smallest seahorse, found only in the Gulf Coast waters, could become extinct due to the oil spill and the clean-up efforts. The main reason for this is that most of the dwarf seahorses’ habitat has been destroyed in the oil spill, and they have been exposed to high levels of oil toxins and harmful chemical dispersants. Sea grass, which is the habitat in which the dwarf seahorse lives, is being burned so that the oil caught in it doesn’t spread to open water. However, the many small animals that live there, who also provide food for the dwarf seahorse, are being burned too. Scientists have suggested alternative ways to clean up the oil which will be less harmful to wildlife, such as the use of fertilizers, which actually helps the growth of micro-organisms who can break down oil.

Opinion – I think this is really sad that this animal could become extinct, and I think that BP needs to become more informed about the wildlife that they are endangering. They also need to know that some of the actions they are taking to clean the oil can also harm the marine life. This is important because whole ecosystems can change with the loss of this and other species, and that would in turn affect humans who, let’s say, fish for a living, and when the dwarf seahorse or another animal goes extinct, so would the fish that provide them with their income. Also, I think BP needs to take some of the alternative clean-up methods into consideration because they are really useful and less harmful. This is my opinion on this article.

Gene Discovery Holds Key to Growing Crops in Cold Climates

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/09/gene_discovery_holds_key_to_growing_crops_in_cold_climates.html

This arcticle is about a new research that shows a gene, known as Spatula, can limit the growth of plants in cool temperatures. Scientist found that when the levels of the Spatula gene were low, the plant leaves would grow twice as much at cooler temperatures than they normally would. They believe that when the gene is manipulated they would be able to produce the opposite effect which would enable crops to be able to grow well in cooler climates. This research could help ensure the availability of food supplies year round. This will be of great use in improving our crop yields and food security in climates where the temperatures change and prevent crops from producing year round.

In my opinion, this is a great discovery. It could help provide food for those who live in areas where it is cold year round and crops will not produce what is needed for those populations. It also could help reduce the prices of the foods we buy at the store because there would be a greater supply of crops producing foods. The more food that is available cuts our costs because the supply would not be limited. This would be also be of great help to those who go hungry due to lack of food and money. I believe being able to grow crops year round would be of great benefit to everyone.

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/09/gene_discovery_holds_key_to_growing_crops_in_cold_climates.html

5 Sentence Summary

Through research, scientists have discovered a gene in plants that slows growth in cold weather. They say if they could manipulate this gene, they could reverse its affect. Meaning that the plants would grow better in cold climates. Being able to grow food in cold ensures food for a further population.

5 Sentence Summary

I think that this is really cool. If we can get crops to grow in colder conditions, we wouldn't really need to worry that much about running out of food. We could also increase our exporting of crops to other countries if we ever get enough to do that. Plus being able to grow crops in colder weather means that there would be no need for seasons. We could grow crops year round.

Dust Bunnies - A New Study Reveals Their Source !

http://www.macroevolution.net/dust-bunnies.html

This article explains where dust bunnies come from. Some airborne particles are blown in from outdoors. House dust can contain very harmful substances, this should be a concern to parents. Children may end up inhaling these toxins or even ingesting them by sucking or licking dust infected toys. Scientists found out that over 60 percent of house dust originates outdoors.

I believe that this article is very informational. Homeowners should know the effect that dust mites have on their household. Parents especially should take precautions making sure that their children's surroundings are clean. Also this article reminds us that we should keep our house clean.

Coral Bleaching- Hannah Moerk

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100816170839.htm

Summary:

Scientists have observed that the rise in temperature in the Indonesian waters, has resulted in coral bleaching. Coral bleaching occurs when algae living within tissues are expelled. It also is an indication of stress caused by environmental triggers such as temperature fluctuations. Temperatures last May in the Adaman Sea reached a high of 34 degrees, 4 degrees higher than the long term averages, which may be a major contribution to the coral effects. An initial survey indicated that over 60% of corals were bleached, in addition, scientists found that 80% of some species have died since then. What needs to be done if anything to help, and what can we do?

Opinion:

These coral reefs are some of the world's most biodiverse and are essential to other plants, animals, and humans. It is obvious that their bleaching is much more severe than we've ever seen before or thought about, and action needs to be taken to help. The coral reef's contribution and connection to plants and animals is obvious, but what people don't know is their connection to humans as well. Humans in these regions depend on the reefs for food and livelihood. Many attempts are already being taken place such as communities maintaining fish biomes and attempts to curse climate change, but the truth is that we must act fast if we want these reefs to be around in the future.

NIH to resume funding stem cell research for now

By LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard, Ap Medical Writer – Fri Sep 10, 1:08 pm ET

WASHINGTON – The government said Friday it's back in the business of funding embryonic stem cell research — at least for now — after an appeals court temporarily lifted a judge's ban.

The National Institutes of Health said it is resuming its own research and will again evaluate applications from scientists who are seeking taxpayer money to do the work, a process that has been frozen since late last month.

An appeals court on Thursday temporarily stayed a judge's preliminary order barring that funding until it could hear full arguments in the next few weeks.

In the meantime, the NIH said it is lifting its suspension of all grants and contracts involving use of the cells.

"We are pleased with the court's interim ruling, which will allow promising stem cell research to continue" while the court battle is waged, said the NIH's statement.

Scientists who already had received NIH grants had been told to continue working until their dollars ran out, but that 22 projects due to get yearly checks in September would have to find other money.

Now the question is whether the NIH will finish the reviews required for those projects during what could be only a temporary reprieve. No matter what, the case is certain to be bouncing around the court system for many months before there's a final resolution.

"We believe it's a shame that they would rush to push funding of embryonic stem cell research, and a waste of taxpayer money," said Steven H. Aden, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, which is involved with the lawsuit that challenged the government funding.

Embryonic stem cells are master cells that can turn into any tissue of the body, and researchers hope one day to harness that power in ways that cure spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease and other ailments.

Culling them from embryos left over after fertility treatment kills a days-old embryo. A 1996 law prohibits the use of taxpayer dollars in work that harms an embryo, so batches have been culled using private money. But those batches can reproduce in lab dishes indefinitely, and government policies say using taxpayer dollars to work with the already created batches is permissible.

Last month, U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth disagreed, in a sharply worded preliminary injunction in which he argued that the research violated the intent of the 1996 law. Lamberth left little doubt that he is inclined to issue a final order barring funding, which will set off a new round of appeals.

Amid the back-and-forth, researchers are struggling to figure out how to secure long-running experiments.

"I take no solace in the ruling because so much uncertainty remains about the future of human stem cell research," said Dr. George Daley, a leading stem cell researcher at Children's Hospital Boston. "I won't rest peacefully until there is a clear and unambiguous vote of support from the Congress for this vital research."

Congress twice passed legislation specifically calling for tax-funded stem cell research, which President George W. Bush vetoed. Some Democrats are considering whether to try the legislation again.

The lawsuit was filed by two scientists who argued that President Barack Obama's expansion of the number of stem cell lines available for government funding jeopardized their ability to win grants to research adult stem cells — ones that have already matured to create specific types of tissues — because of extra competition.

Many scientists believe the more flexible embryonic cells have more promise, but lots of work is under way with both kinds. The NIH's estimated budget for next year would spend more than three times as much on research for adult stem cells as embryonic ones, said Patrick Clemins of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Stem cell research is back to business, when they appealed to the judge who had banded it. "We are pleased with the court's interim ruling, which will allow promising stem cell research to continue" while the court battle is waged, said the NIH's statement. The people against it belive differently and states "We believe it's a shame that they would rush to push funding of embryonic stem cell research, and a waste of taxpayer money," said Steven H. Aden, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, which is involved with the lawsuit that challenged the government funding. Some time last month, U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth disagreed, in a sharply worded injunction in which he argued that the research violated the intent of the 1996 law. Lamberth left that he is inclined to issue a final order barring funding, which will set off a new round of appeals. Congress has gone Congress twice passed legislation specifically calling for tax-funded stem cell research, which President George W. Bush vetoed. Some Democrats are considering whether to try the legislation again.

I'm glade that stem-cell research is continuing. What if they create a cure that cures your nerve damage. How knows one day I could be in a car accident and damage my nerves and can't walk I would want to be fixed up and run and walk again and have fun instead of living life in a wheel chair. How would you feel being stuck in a wheel chair? It will stop people from going to other countries to have stem-cell surge done and there hopes are crushed. They lose all that money for nothing. What do you believe in?

Cure for Aids? -Ben Snider

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/biology-current-events.html

A Big job for medical researchers now a days is to find the cure for AIDS. They are trying to replace normal HIV cell of a patient With HIV resistant cells through an operation called bone marrow. Which is where they take your destroyed cells from your body and take healthy cells from another persons bone marrow which by the way produces new healthy cells, and they stivk the healthy cells into your body. There was a patient in Germany Who had leukemia and aids and the scientists performed a bone marrow transplant, to see if it would work. Now Genetic engineering is going on to see if they can use this breakthrough for AIDS. Will they find a cure to AIDS? Only time will tell

Turning a new page on anti biotics.

http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/08/turning_a_new_page_on_antibiotics.html
Antibiotics have been misudes and managed for too long, causing a crisis recently adressed at a conference in Sweeden. The conference was held at Uppsala University, with 190 people from 45 countries atending it. The issue at hand was simple, what wil happen when we become immune to antibiotics? The tolerance people are able to build up to them is troubling, and theatens to cuase simple infections to again become deadly like in the middle ages. It was agrreed that new steps need to be taken to better handle the situation involving the anti biotics and their misuse.
I believe that this is a very good thing, and should have been discussed earlier actually. If we begin to build yup a tolerance to these treatments, it could mean multiple catastrophies, if it gets to an extreme point that is. I don't think its nearly even close to that point yet, but it is beginning to be an unsettling problem, and it's comforting that it's being adresse before it gets to that extreme. I like that they hve decided to take the first steps to act on limiting the opportunity to misuse antibiotics.

Crops in the Cold

Scientists have recently found a gene in plants that is the cause of why they slow down in growth during the winter. It's a gene called Spatula! It causes the plants to slow down in cooler temperatures, around winter-time, so they can adjust and still live. But researchers at the University of Edinburgh think that they can change the gene around to where they can make the crops do the opposite; grow faster in colder climates and produce food. They researched this Spatula gene and found out that when it was low, the plants would grow about twice as fast in lower temperatures than they would normally, and they found this out after they messed with the gene. This could create more food supplies for future developing countries and future populations.

Personally, I am for and kind of against this. I'm against it... really because I just don't want people to be altering plants and making them produce more food only for us, just to benefit us. I don't know why but there is just something in me that when people mess with nature, it makes me mad. But some of the reasons I am for this is that if there are more food supplies, we can support other countries and if not only for us, we could probably use that food to benefit some of the surrounding wildlife, assuming the plants that are used are some things that the wildlife could eat, like corn, carrots, etc. But all in all I'm really just iffy about this, mostly because I don't really want humans to be messing with nature, because I just don't think that it's right.

Risk of Beetle Outbreaks Rise, Along With Temperature, in the Warming West

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100908171158.htm

Scientist from the USDA Forest Service predict that in the coming decades that there will be a rise in beetle population. They tested this theory with species of bark beetles and known effects of the climate change. One type of bark beetle, the spruce beetle, reproduced annually rather than every two years as they normaly do. Their test also showed the possiblity of the mountain pine beetles to increase in numbers and to expand across the US into the eastern parts. The lead scientist said that this tests were important so they will know how the beetles will react in different climate changes so they will know how to manage the changing populations.

In my opinion I think this research was needed because in their test it showed that in a warming climate the beetle population would grow significantly. Because of their research they will be able to control the population of the beetles but i want to know how they would be able to do that with the vast amount of space the beetles cover. Maybe they might make it to North Carolina and could collect a bunch, go to China and sell them, and buy a Ferrari for my 16th birthday.