AOL Current Event Blog

Because of money shortage and more reasons, the United States is in a reccession at this time. As a result, many hundred of thousands or even millions of peoples jobs are lost or layed off. Losing your job or getting layed does not just occur with certain occupations. The AOL company proves this. Starting December 4th and until December 11th, AOL said it will be searching for participants to lay off. In addition, once all of the laying off is done, AOL will decide what jobs will get layed off. After all of this tradgedy occurs for a lot of AOL workers, about one third of the entire jobs at AOL will be lost. This is an estimate of about 2,300 people losing their jobs. As AOL's Chief Executive, Time Armstrong has decided to give up his 2009 year bonus . Armstrong giving up his bonus adds money to go towards the company. I think Armstrong's actions represent his maturity and dedication he is to his job and company as well. Plus, even though one persons bonus is a small amount of money compared to the whole businesses, it still makes a difference because everything has to begin from something small. Along with money, it is estimated that the restructuring will save AOL 3 million dollars annually. However, it will cost about 2 million dollars within the first years. Overall, the AOL company is at an advantage gaining more money that lost. With this, hopefully the employees who unfortunately get layed off or lose their jobs, will be able to regain what they loss during the time of this recession.


For more specific information click here!

Connecting TV Show to Science Extra Credit**

Recently, I have watched a television show named Friends. On this show, there are six friends who go through life like any other person would. Because it is about life there is much science to be seen. For instance, one of the characters, Ross Geller, is a paleontologist. A paleontologist is a scientist who studies dinosaurs. Obviously if someone has the suffix -ologist in their occupation title, then they deal with science in some manner. Science can fall under almost any category. If your occupation involves studying or working then your job has to do with science. This is exactly how Ross Geller's life is because he studies dinosaurs. As a result, he has to do with science.= and can be related to the subject.

extra credit blog

Recently, a women from Massachusetts experienced a near death situation. Intoxicated my large consumed amounts of alcohol, this women stumbled down into the path of an oncoming train. Unable to get up, bystanders wove down the oncoming train warning it to stop. Fortunately, the train is able to make a complete stop inches away from the women. In addition, when try to make her way up before the train came to a stop, she almost got electrocuted by the third rail. Escaping two near death experiences this women is lucky to be alive.
All events no matter how categorized can be related to science. In this case, the fact that this lucky women could have almost died from the trains third rail is how this event can be related to science. Although everything is science, in this situation the electrical matter of the third rail is just one of the science parts. A third rail is a method of providing electric power to a railway train, through a continuous rigid conductor placed alongside or between the rails o f a railway track. It is so because third rail systems are a means of providing electric traction power to railway trains. Third rails contain so much power that even by the slightest touch, an electrical shock could cause someone death such as the women situated in the train incident.


Click Here for article and video of event!

Click Here for information about third rails.

Ditch the Braces! current event blog

Nowadays, there are inventions that can help cure issues. For instance, crooked or unaligned teeth can be resolved with braces. We all know what braces are and how whenever a kid opens their mouth that has them, they are easily noticeable. Some kids may not mind the braces being visible for approximately two years. However, some kids, probably older ones, would prefer not having metal attached to their teeth and having all their friends notice. As a result of these actions, a new invention was made. Or more specifically two new inventions were made. One is called Invisaline. It is a clear plastic liner in which fit right over you teeth making it unnoticeable. The other invention is braces that are on the inside of your teeth. Just like normal braces, they are made of metal and contain the need of rubber bands, but this time they correct your teeth the same way, but just from the inside. With three choices of correcting mechanics, some questions may come to mind. For, example if the amount of time shall vary for each gadget. This questioned can not precisely be answered because the reason for needing braces is different with each patient. However, in my opinion, they would most likely take about the same amount of time. All these gadgets seem equal, although the price ranges are not. With normal braces you spend less money then what you would if buying Invisaline or the braces that go on the inside of your teeth. It is the parents or child over 18's decision on what type of braces they would prefer. If it were be i would want the Invisaline because if seem the most comfortable. In addition, I find the idea for adding more choices of braces types exquisite to be rather helpful. My thoughts are that now more people can have a perfect smile without going through having metal in your mouth, or metal being shown in your mouth, and that is a great thing.




Click here to view the 'Ditch the Brace Face Video'

Why Some People Can't Keep Weight Off

Nowadays, there are new unhealthy delicious foods that make it harder for everyone to keep off weight. With these delectable foods it is easier to gain weight rather then lose it. Research involving weight loss has been occurring and some results have showed that people who lose weight and kept it off actually paid attention to the food they consumed. Maybe they even counted calories. However, those who can not keep off weight as easily, obviously do not pay as much if any attention to calories or even what ingredients are in what their body is consuming. Specific people who lost weight at a point and kept it off were shown pictures of food in a study, and resulted in using the part of their brain associated with controlling behavior. Thus, resulting in that if you lose weight you will most likely have more willpower and be able to control what you eat. Earlier studies show that healthier eaters would rather vegetables over a candy. In my opinion, that sounds like willpower because i even know for me that it is a hard decision to choose vegetables over an unhealthy candy bar. These people who chose the vegetables over the candy bar use a small area in their brain associated with control that indulger's do not use. Another experiment related to weight loss was later conducted. This experiment involved 18 normal weight, 16 obese, and 17 who lost 30 pounds and kept it off for over three years. After four hours without eating, and all were hungry, everyone was shown pictures of food, involving low-calorie, high calorie, and non foods, such as rocks, were shown. While this went on brain scans were used to document their reactions. The results were that those who were successful in weight loss exhibited a strong signal in the left superior frontal and right middle temporal region. Jeanne McCaffery, study leader of Miriam Hospital stated, "It is possible that there brain responses may lead to preventive or corrective behaviors - particularly greater regulations of eating - that promote long term weight control." I think that a new experiment should be conducted seeing how those who can not control what they eat as much can do to try to lose weight easier. For now however, more research is being conducted for more information to soon be determined.

Source:

http://www.livescience.com/health/090915-weight-loss-brain.html

*!_October Skyy Blog_!*

Recently, the movie October Sky has been viewed. It has come to my attention that it contains an inspirational message within it for all. This message is that all should strive for their dreams no matter what conflicts come in contact with them. October Sky can be summarized as a boy name Homer Hickam, who was first inspired by the successful launch of the satellite called Sputnik. As a result, he gained a passion for science, more specifically however rocket ships. Growing up in a small town, Homer was assigned an occupation as a worker in a gold mine. All children who grew up in Coalwood, West Virginia were originally suppose to be gold mine workers, but Homer had a different plan for his future. While in high school he studied several designs for rocket ships. Besides just studying, he as well conducted experiments in launching his original designed rocket to find the height, speed, and more information about this hand-built rocket ship. During his experimental time, he and his friends were accused of causing a forest fire by one of their test rockets. They had to then put a pause to their creating of their rocket. Later on, with advanced math skills Homer proved his and his friends innocence, and that they did not create the forest fire. With that, Homer and his friends continued on trying to accomplish their dreams of building a model rocket from scratch. However, Homer did not accomplish this independently, he had some of his friends who supported him, take part in this soon to be achievement. In spite of this, other than Homer's friends, no one supported him in his dream to build a rocket ship. Even his two parents did not support him at all times. His mother later came around to supporting whatever her son had hopes in having success in. Almost all students though, called Homer and his friends name, but that did not effect the outcome and determination of Homer. In addition, later on in the movie, after Homer's skills become more and more enhanced, he enters a science fair and eventually wins and receives the prize of a scholarship. Within this movie there are many words that can be represented with actions. For example, cooperation, assertion, respect, empathy, and self-control. These words together form an acronym for CARES. Such as, Homer and his friends cooperate together to make the award winning rocket, prize worthy. They as well were assertive and kept continuing on working through the hard times they went through, such as having almost the whole school make fun of them. Homer, during his process of creating such a unique rocket, gained respect from his mom and got her over to his side, having her support him. Empathy was shown when most felt sorrowful during the time when Homer was accused of a forest fire and could not continue on building his rocket. During this time too, Homer controlled himself to not take revenge knowing he was innocent. Overall, this movie gave me a new way to view life and gave me a great inspiration.

*!_ Blog about blog : down syndrome _!*

Recently, I have read a blog about the genetic disorder of down syndrome. It has come to me that down syndrome is a rare and only found in one out of every seven hundred and forty people. Though this disease is rare, it is still found in some people making life hard for them, their family, and the people close to them. Because of the slow growth, mental retardation, heart defects, and more, life because a difficult challenge for those who experience the dreadful disorder. My sympathy for those who unfortunately have down syndrome is overflowing with emotions. I can not imagine having something like that to deal with in my life. With school, sports, and having a social life, everything already seems so overwhelming, but to have to deal with a severe disorder, such as, down syndrome as well, seems unrealistic. Since this disorder was founded in 1959, people have been dealing with this drastic conflict within their lives for about fifty years. This disease however, will continue to conflict peoples lives until a cure is found. Although now, a cure is not to be. Overall, the people who experience down syndrome and the people that are close or who's lives are altered because of this, have my sympathy.




http://mooselover1892.blogspot.com/2009/05/down-syndrome.html

Genetic Disorder : Celiac Disease

There are several varieties of people in the world. Some unfortunately have genetic disorders. An example of a genetic disorder is celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that occurs in genetically predisposed people of all ages. It was first founded in 1887 in Europe, specifically in London. This disorder can cause many unwanted symptoms. For instance, abdominal bloating and pain, chronic diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, weight loss, and pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool. The exact cause of this disease is not very well-known. However, it seems the genes within the cell that causes celiac disease include first-degree relative genes with the condition. Because the cause of this disease is not clear, the treatment only found so far is a gluton-free diet. If someone is diagnosed with this disorder they must avoid gluton foods. This includes all forms of wheat: rye, barley, and triticale must be eliminated. If any of the types of foods stated above are consumed they become toxic to those who with the disease. It only is toxic to one out of one hundred and thirty-three people. The reason for this is because that is just how common this disorder is. Western Europe and the United states, however, experience this disease mostly because it is most found in those areas. Even though the symptoms can not cause death, the mortality is three times higher than those of general population. Childhood though, suffers long-term mortality. This disease is not fun and unfortunate for all who have it.

DNA Lab Conclusion

My hypothesis was that if the DNA's color, and amount is changed, then it will be because of the ingredients added. My hypothesis was correct because when adding the alcohol, the color of the plant color DNA lightened in behalf of that the alcohol color is clear. In addition, the amount as well changed because of the alcohol. This is because when adding the alcohol, more DNA was created and the level of liquids raised. I expected for my hypothesis to be true. I thought this because of all liquids I know of, when mixed together or having another ingredient added to the solution the amount of liquid increases because you are adding, resulting in more solution.

Some variables that may have affected the outcome or results are the color of the ingredients, the temperature in the room or container the DNA was kept within. Also, all the ingredients added to the DNA effected the solution because without those ingredients the solutions would not be correct. Each ingredient that had an effect was the detergent, salt, meat tenderizer, and alcohol. Plus, the time each ingredient was added could have effected the solution because it if there was a lot of time between when each part was added then the result could possibly been different. However, other variables could have been the type of each element. For example, different brands of detergent could have been used.

While performing this experiment I learned that plant DNA is more complicated and complex then animal DNA. This is because plants have more copies of genes then animals. Plants have four different genes, while animals only have two. I as well learned that fat, sugar, and protein, are located in plant DNA, and the factors added to this DNA help obliterate these three items. For instance, the detergent breaks up fats and liquids. It is also taking out the cell membrane. The meat tenderizer on the other hand, broke the protein tissue. Plus, chromosome is formed when DNA wraps around the protein and to make it so that does not occur, the detergent is added. The salt, saturates the solution and the molecules. The bigger molecules become very uncomfortable because of this. DNA happens to be the biggest molecule, located in the nucleus. To make it so the DNA is not completely uncomfortable the alcohol is added. Alcohol separates molecules so they become more comfortable. In the end, this experiment was fun and interesting and I learned an abundance about plant DNA, and DNA overall.

My Roller Coaster Website

One Life To Live

Science Blog on Website

Lately in class, we have been focusing on Newtons Laws of Motion. Along with that, we have been using these laws to construct roller coasters. In addition, once these roller coasters have been completed you are to make a website containing information of your roller coaster as if it were a real life situation. This website was made at www.webs.com. Once creating this site, you are to put information up on hours your roller coaster runs, admission, contact information, and more. However, on this website you can do much more than just putt pictures up. You can put music of almost any song you can think of, upload videos, such as your roller coaster in action, and you can have a calendar and put important dates you may need to remember. Plus, you can customize this website and make it your style. Choose a template, and what information is posted, and you can also put widgets. Widgets are informative and fun. For example, you can get maps, new feeds, pulls, counters, games, and more. You can even access the whole world from where you are. In the end, this project is fun and has a lot of fascinating and entertaining features you can put onto your website.



http://webs.com/pages/features/

Social Studies Blog #3

We all know McDonald's as a popular fast food place. However, it is not only just located in the United States, or in general North America, it is also located in other countries and continents. For example, three hundred McDonald's restaurants are said to be put in China within the next year. Besides these three hundred McDonald's, there are already some in China. In 2008, there was one hundred and forty-six McDonald's placed in China. In 2012, there is a prediction that there will be thirty thousand McDonald's worldwide. Its popularity does not just come from the commercials, but by the good tasting food as well. Although in China, there are different choices and options of food, then here, in North America, more specifically is New Jersey. All in all, McDonald's we all know now is very popular, but soon to come, like in 2012, McDonald's will be even more known worldwide, but mostly the biggest increase in China.



http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=6902287

Newton's Laws

Lately, in class we have been learning about Newtons Three Laws of Motion. First law being that, An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. The second law is that the change in velocity (acceleration) with which an object moves is directly proportional to the magnitude of the force applied to the object and inversely proportional to the mass of the object. Lastly, the third law is that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Friction, a major part with motion and force, is a conflict with force. It can either cause object to move at a faster pace or to slow down. Newton's laws are mostly used for measuring force, acceleration, and mass. These laws can be related into our daily lives such as a football game. The football will remain in the same spot if there is not friction, a football player to throw it, to cause it to move. It will continue moving if there is not friction, someone throwing it, to slow it down or make it speed up. My thoughts on this topic, is that this subject may be some what confusing, but once understood is very helpful in many situations related to your daily life.


http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/GBSSCI/PHYS/CLASS/newtlaws/u2l3a.html

Social Sudies Blog--- #2

Recently, jobs have been decreasing and many people are losing their occupation. Popular places, such as, Macy's, AOL, Starbucks, and Target are big stores where the most people have been let go from their jobs. Over 15,000 jobs have been lost just within these stores in the last year. Jobs are cutting down because businesses cannot afford to pay their workers. As a result, led the companies to lay off people unless they were needed. This causes people to have financial trouble. With having financial trouble, people are forced to find jobs, but with people getting let go, it is hard finding a job in a lot of places. This time now, with most people not having jobs, is not considered a depression, but a recession. I personally, think that we should not be in this recession and companies should just pay workers a lower amount, so people get little money rather than none. In the end, maybe eventually we will come out of this recession.


http://abcnews.go.com/Business/CEOProfiles/story?id=6804783&page=1

Blog_Current_Event* #4

Recently on Thursday, six infants died, while 300,000 others were sickened by tainted milk in China. Sanlu made 905 metric tons of melamine-tainted baby formula powder and out of that 905 sold 813 metric tons of tainted products that were made with contaminated milk. Many people involved in this harmful insident were either sentenced to jail for a period of time ranging from around three to ten months, the deathy penalty, and some have yet to punished. The middle aged men who were sentenced to the death penalty were those who sold melamine to milking stations to add the chemical into the milk. In addition, this tainted contaminated milk has also been proven to cause kidney stones for some infants that took in some of this bad milk. In the end, this is a serious matter where mad milk has come to hurt many hundred thousands and even kill.


http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/01/22/china.tainted.milk/index.html

Social_Studies_Blog*--Inauguration

This previous Tuesday, January 20, 2009 is the day we will forever remember. The significance to this day is that not only do we get a new president, but our first African American president. In addition, January 20 was the day Barack Obama got sworn in as our new president, also known as the day of the inauguration. If watching the inauguration, you might have noticed when Obama was getting sworn in some words may have been babbled not knowing what happen. This occurred because Chief Justice John Roberts mumbled the words while giving them for Obama to repeat. Because of this Obama retook the oath of office after on Wednesday the following day. But the oath appears in the Constitution itself. And out of an abundance of caution, because there was one word out of sequence, Chief Justice Roberts administered the oath a second time," the statement read.

"President Obama prepares to walk into the Oval Office" shows the leader of the Free World poised outside the broad automated sliding door to -- horrors! -- the press area!" Barack Obama is now officially our president and we honor him, and respect his such courageous acts. He leads us to inspiration and teaches us we can accomplish anything if we put our mind to it. Now as Obama steps into the Oval Office and many other places located in the white house we will officially become the improved United States of America, with help of our new president Barack Obama.

In the end, I believe Obama is the right man for the job and will fulfill his duties as president of the United States. He can view different situations from different peoples prospectives. Obama is up for the challenge and is ready to become the president. Barack Obama is a name we all know now, and will forever remember!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/21/obama.oath/index.html

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2009/01/learning-the-ro.html

Blog Current Event #3

Earthquakes have been known to cause serious damage. Little did we know that they could also cause flooding. The main cause would not be the earthquake, but the dam containing water being cracked and breaking by the harsh movement of an earthquake. In California, an earthquake of medium or large size has the ability to cause flooding because of the reasons stated above. However, Susan Siravo states that there is nothing to worry about for the reason the the water level is low, so their is no chance of overflow at the time. In addition, if there happens to be a major storm, the water district will have to drain some liquid so that the dam will only be 87% full, so there is no chance of overflow and no chance of leakage. Leakage could unfortunately occur if an unlucky earthquake comes along, which is more likely in California then in other states. In the end, all will remain okay in California as long as no earthquakes or major storms happen that are not treated with.





http://www.ksbw.com/cnn-news/18438278/detail.html