Welcome back from the break.
This week your assignment is to find an article that relates to any of the topics we have covered so far this year — Ecology, Evolution, or Genetics. Then, you will post your weekly science article report as usual. Try to focus on making connections between what you have read and what we have studied.
As always, I look forward to reading your reports.
48 responses so far ↓
1
Maniac Leprechaun
// Feb 27, 2007 at 6:47 pm
My article can be found here: http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/news/051115_birdflu
Re-tell: The Avian Flu is considered to be a serious threat that could kill up to 150 million people world wide in the future. Officials say that the virus for the Avian Flu is currently mostly only able to transfer between birds, but it may be able to evolve to transfer from birds to humans, and then from humans to humans. Right now, the virus is in a form that human immune systems can mostly recognize and destroy. But, a changed version of the virus may be able to get past human immune systems, and that type of virus exists. Fortunately, this virus has not yet evolved to be able to get into humans. But viruses, much like all the things we have studied in class, have all the ingredients for evolution. Time, inheritance, and genetic variation. This means that eventually they may be able to find a way into humans. Sometimes, viruses change through random mutation, like the cells we studied in class. But when viruses reproduce, they make much more of themselves then normal cells. They also mutate more often. Whenever a human is infected by an Avian Flu virus, the virus has more of a possibility to adapt to the human it is in, and become even better suited to a human system, an be able to transmit through humans. The possibility of a global pandemic is possible. But people are working hard to find a cure everywhere.
Response: I think it’s very scary that this virus could cause that much destruction. It’s also creepy to think that even if we find a cure, we’d have to update it frequently to keep up with the viruses changes. The Avian Flu could be devastating, especially because of the amount of people that eat birds everyday. You take that number, and multiply it by about seven, which is a guess at how many people they could spread it to. Then cut that number up by maybe half, because the virus would no be successful in everyone it infects. This relates to our class studies because it really shows how much a virus can change to infect a person. But there is a bright side. Whenever you start worrying about these things, you have to remember the sheer number of people who are working around the clock to prevent this. We’re pretty safe right now I’d say.
2
Gia Beth
// Feb 27, 2007 at 7:27 pm
The article I read is called “What Makes a Dog?” written by Emily Sohn. I found it at http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20040428/Feature1.asp
The article is about how researching DNA in dogs could help us find causes and cures for diseases that both dogs and people get or have. Also, by studying the DNA in dogs, we could figure out how and when dogs became mans best friend.
I think this article was very informative. It talked about diseases that both dogs and humans get and how studying a dog’s DNA they could get information that may help learn more about cancer; which could help with finding a possible cure. “‘By understanding cancer in dogs, perhaps we can find a window into understanding cancer in humans.’” I think it would be great if the DNA of a dog could help teach us about cancer.
I also think it would be great if we could find out how dogs first became involved with humans. “Studying dog genes may also help explain when and how dogs became ‘man’s best friend’.”
I think this was a very good article and I would like to know if they ever find out how dogs became so close to people.
3
Maniac Leprechaun
// Feb 27, 2007 at 7:33 pm
This comment is for Gia Beth
yeah for the smiley!
I really like the idea that this article has going on. It shows that cancer, one o the biggest diseases we’re all trying to get rid of, may have a limited future. That would be extremely awesome. And it seems that scientists are doing a great job with research in other animals. Like, sharks seem to be immune to cancer, so scientists are researching what it is that makes them immune, that kind of stuff. But I really like your article. Good job! J
4
Gia Beth
// Feb 27, 2007 at 7:41 pm
(continued)
This connects to what we did in class because we learned a lot about DNA and how DNA in different species can be different. We also learned a lot about DNA in dogs and some theories to how they became ‘man’s best friend’. But if the definate reason is ever learned in my lifetime, I would like to know it.
5
Gia Beth
// Feb 27, 2007 at 8:02 pm
ManiacLaprechaun - It is very interesting that the viruses are smart enough to change themselves so that the cures we have would no longer affect them. It would be very scary if there was a global pandemic any time soon. Very good job! (smarty pants)
6
Alphabetsoup
// Feb 28, 2007 at 4:04 pm
I picked genetics to write about and the article i choose was from sciencenewsforkids.com and is called Animal Clones: Double Trouble.
The United States Government has recently discovered that it is safe to drink and eat milk and meat that comes from cloned animals. Already, scientists have cloned 11 kinds of animals, including sheep, cows, pigs, mice, and horses. Some animals live. And the ones that do, die young, so it is not completly safe to clone a human yet. While scientists are cloning it is teaching them more about devolpment. When scientists clone an animal they have controll over what the animal is going to look like by choosing what its genes are going to be. People want to risk cloning endangered species to keep them around longer. But if the animal doesnt live the orginal might not either.Cloning could save farmers money. Livestock are particularly vulnerable to certain diseases, including one called brucellosis. Some animals, though, have genes that make them naturally resistant to brucellosis. Cloning those animals could produce a whole herd of disease-free animals, saving farmers millions of dollars in lost meat.With an endless supply of healthy, fast-growing animals, we might worry less about getting sick ourselves. Farmers wouldn’t have to give their animals antibiotics, which get into our meat and, some people think, make us unable to respond to those antibiotics when we become ill. Perhaps we could also protect ourselves against diseases that jump from animals to people, such as mad cow disease.
Reflection:
I found this article very interesting because making a exact copy of something without it being born at the same time. If we could figure out a way to make cloning perfect with out any one dying or getting hurt is going to really help with endangered species staying around longer.
ALL DONE!
7
Alphabetsoup
// Feb 28, 2007 at 4:07 pm
ManiacLaprechaun- Your report made me want to read the article. I think its cool that a virisus can make the body prone to a sickness. Good job! (as always =D)
8
Alphabetsoup
// Feb 28, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Gia Beth- Your article sounded very cool. I think its awsome that cancer is going to be cured soon and that they are looking in sharks for a way to stop it (sort of) Good Job! =D
9
White Ivy
// Feb 28, 2007 at 7:35 pm
The article I read is called How A Zebra Lost It’s Stripes: Rapid Evolution Of The Quagga. It was found at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/09/050928084511.htm
About one hundred years ago there was an animal called the quagga (Eqqus Quagga) that was related to the zebra and the horse. It’s front was striped like a zebra and it’s back was horse-like. This animal is now extinct. It was thought to be a sub-species of the horse, zebra, and donkey. At a museum there was a pelt from one of these creatures, which is what scientists have used for DNA analysis. They tried to find when the quagga diverged from these relating species. To help find the answer, they compared genetics, coat color, and habitats of the quagga and the zebra. Mitochondrial DNA markers have shown that the quagga diverged from the zebra and relating species about 120,000 to 290,000 years ago during the ice age. The article says that these results show that the quagga evolved from a population of zebras that became isolated. After this, the shape and color of the quagga’s body changed rapidly. There were different theories to why the coat color changed so quickly. Gisella Caccone, a senior research scientist, says, “The rapid evolution of coat color in the quagga could be explained bt disruptive gene flow because of geographical isolation, an adaptive response to a drier habitat, or a combination of both of the two forces.”
It was cool to read about a species I have never heard about before. It also has a very exquisite name at that. I think the article could have definatley been better edited though. Sometimes it was hard to read because words were together without spacing,likethis. They had a visual showing the quagga evolving at different stages, which was pretty neat. Over all, I thought it was an interesting article.
10
White Ivy
// Feb 28, 2007 at 7:39 pm
maniac leprachaun-wow that is pretty scary. It would be horrible if it started spreading to humans. It also sounds expensive if cures have to be made every time the virus changes. It seems like you really understood what you were reading about. Great job!
11
White Ivy
// Feb 28, 2007 at 7:43 pm
gia beth-the article you read had an interesting topic. It’s great that scientists are finding out new information about cancer all the time. Coolio job!
12
White Ivy
// Feb 28, 2007 at 7:49 pm
alphabetsoup-I really liked the article you chose. I find information about cloning to be very interesting! Some people who eat at restaurants demand to know if the meat they’re eating is from a cloned animal. It’s amazing how far we have gotten in technology. There are many bad sides to cloning, but many good sides. I don’t know if I would want to eat cloned hamburgers though….that’d be weird. Awesome job!!
13
Maniac Leprechaun
// Feb 28, 2007 at 8:18 pm
This comment is for AlphabetSoup
Wow nice article choice! relevant to everything we’ve been learning, and it was a very interesting topic. If they could change the clones around, does that mean they could FINALLY make the winged human? Or something along those lines? If it did, it would be so amazing! I really love your response too. Well done.
14
Maniac Leprechaun
// Feb 28, 2007 at 8:33 pm
This comment is for White Ivy
That was a nice article choice! It’s interesting how the species could have diverged from the Zebra so quickly. Maybe for camouflage? It’s very interesting to think about. You did a nice job with choosing your article. Thank you, come again!
15
Hilary Duff
// Mar 1, 2007 at 10:47 am
My article can be found here:
By: Jenny Lot
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/news/051115_birdflu The Avian Flu is considered to be a serious threat that could kill up to 150 million people world wide in the future. A changed version of the virus may be able to get past human immune systems, and that type of virus exists. Fortunately, this virus has not yet evolved to be able to get into humans. But viruses, much like all the things we have studied in class, have all the ingredients for evolution. Time, inheritance, and genetic variation. This means that eventually they may be able to find a way into humans. Sometimes, viruses change through random mutation, like the cells we studied in class. But when viruses reproduce, they make much more of themselves then normal cells. They also mutate more often
I think it’s very scary that this virus could cause that much destruction. Then cut that number up by maybe half, because the virus would no be successful in everyone it infects. This relates to our class studies because it really shows how much a virus can change to infect a person. But there is a bright side. Whenever you start worrying about these things, you have to remember the sheer number of people who are working around the clock to prevent this. We’re pretty safe right now I’d say
16
The coolest kid
// Mar 1, 2007 at 11:29 am
The South Pole
Life under the Ice by Emily sohn. It is about how scientist went to the South Pole to find how animals live. They live off a species of plantion. They live off of microplantion.
They found this species of plantion by cutting the ice open and take samples of the plantion. These plantion are very rare and are very hard to find.
The plantions are helping all the animals survive. And all the animals are the eating the plantion. And the scientists say that the animals look like they are doing well.
17
lola
// Mar 1, 2007 at 11:57 am
Title- “The Greatest Journey”
Author- James Shreeve
Source- National geographic
Are there really and Adam and Eve? Or scientists new name for them “mitochondrial Eve” and “Y chromosome Adam?” Studies have shown there might be.
For many years the only clues about out ancestors have been through bones, fossils, and ancient artifacts. But in the past 20 years, scientists have gathered information on human migrations through living peoples DNA. The genetic code for humans is 99.9 percent identical throughout the world. What are left are the individual differences, like eye color, and disease risk. On a very rare occasion in evolution, a mutation can occur, that is then passed down through all of hat person’s descendants. Generations later, two people can be matched by their DNA, indicating that they share the same ancestor. So scientists compared mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from women all across the globe. They found that African women showed twice as much diversity as other women. This tells us that humans must have lived in Africa twice as long as anywhere else. Now the scientists have calculated that all living humans are related to a single woman who lived about 150,000 years ago in Africa-“mitochondrial Eve.” This woman was joined by “Y chromosome Adam” confirming that all kinds of people are decedents from African hunter-gatherers. Another scientists know modern humans originated from Africa, are that all of the oldest bones in the world are found there.
Groups on the Andaman Islands in Malaysia, and in Papua New Guinea, as well as almost all Australian aborigines carry signs of ancient mitochondrial trail of genetic information.
The DNA of living Native Americans, link back to Asia. Everything links together in such an unbelievable way, yet it is true that all cultures and races connect back to Africa.
I find this article really interesting. It is really amazing to me how religion in intertwined with science. All the billions of people in the world only come from one woman and one man! I want scientists to go further into this research and find more information on this subject.
18
mrardito
// Mar 1, 2007 at 3:40 pm
This is for the coolest kid:
Your report does not have any reflection. Please add one. Thanks.
19
White Ivy
// Mar 1, 2007 at 5:12 pm
i know this si my fourth comment, but this is for lola-
I think the article you chose was so cool! I wish I had read it. I fully agree with you that it’s amazing that religion and science can be combined, and I also hope scientists do more research on it–fantastic job!
20
lola
// Mar 1, 2007 at 6:11 pm
This comment is for Gia Beth:
I thought your report was very well written and your reflection too. It is really amazing to me that researching dogs DNA may help find a cure for cancer in humans. Great choice in your article!
21
lola
// Mar 1, 2007 at 6:21 pm
This comment is for white ivy:
I thought the article you picked was really interesting. I liked how your reflection really showed how you thought of the Eqqus Quagga. ( Alo thats a really cool name!) Overall, you did an AMAZING job!
22
lola
// Mar 1, 2007 at 6:32 pm
This comment is for the coolest kid:
The article that you picked must have been interesting, but your report was really short, and probably not 8th grade material. You also have to have a reflection IN YOUR REPORT, SO JUST REMEMBER THAT NEXT TIME.
23
flyinggecko101
// Mar 1, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Fossils Illustrate Evolution of Underwater Hearing in Whales
This article was very interesting because newly discovered fossils of whale ear bones showed that hearing in whales was much more powerful than the current species of whale. This is very hard to believe because whales have some of the strongest among animals. They used to have hearing in both air and water and now they only have hearing in water. The hearing of whales is so powerful you would never think that the hearing can be any stronger than originally thought. Creatures all over the planet have evolved over time and in many different ways. Whales are just one of those examples.
24
DARLiNGPiNK!
// Mar 1, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Weekly Science Report
Article Name: Early Man ‘Couldn’t Stomach Milk’
Author: not listed
Where it can be found:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6397001.stm
This article is about the analysis of Neolithic remains that showed that humans were not able to drink milk during that time because they did not have the gene that produces an enzyme called lactase that is used to break down lactose, which is one of the main sugars in milk. While some people are still not able to tolerate milk, most people are able to tolerate it. Scientists thought that there was a genetic mutation of a gene that allowed it to produce lactase. Scientists also believe that the ability to digest milk provided the early Europeans with a big advantage. It was suggested that this genetic mutation only occurred in one individual, but it was so desirable that it spread quickly.
This article has to do with two units that we have studied this year in science: Genetics and Evolution. As we have written about the way that Genetics and Evolution are related to each other before, this article was easy to read. It was also very interesting. I had no idea that we had been intolerant to milk that early on or that a genetic mutation had caused our ability to tolerate milk. It is fascinating to see how one genetic mutation led to the evolution of humans. When man was able to drink milk, they did not have to drink water contaminated with parasites and milk has nourishing qualities. Man was able to avoid more dangerous things, which led to a greater survival rate because this gene was passed onto offspring. This just goes to show that everyone who is able to tolerate milk is somehow related to that one individual who had that mutation.
Overall this article was exciting to read and well written. I enjoyed seeing Genetics and Evolution connected in a current news piece.
25
Earth Child
// Mar 1, 2007 at 11:38 pm
Article: Dads More Likely Than Moms to Pass on MS
Author: Robert Preidt
Found: Msn.com
Review: Dr. Brian Weinshenker and his colleuges posted an article about their discovery of a child having twice the risk of developing Multiple Sclerosis from their father than their mother. The theory is that men have a bigger genetic load of MS genes than women. Dr. Orhun Kantarci said that even though the fact that MS being passed to a child by a man isn’t easily explained because of hormonal differences,or by genes on the sex chromosomes.
Reflection: I decided to look at this article because It talked about genetics, and it’s important to me because my mom has MS and so I wonder sometimes if I may be able to catch MS. I thought that this article had too many quotes from doctors and not enough information.
26
Hilary Duff
// Mar 2, 2007 at 11:19 am
This comment is for the coolest kid:
The article that you picked must have been interesting, but your report was really short.
27
Hilary Duff
// Mar 2, 2007 at 11:19 am
This comment is for Gia Beth:
I thought your report was very well written and your reflection too.
28
Hilary Duff
// Mar 2, 2007 at 11:20 am
ManiacLaprechaun- Your report made me want to read the article. I think its cool that a virisus can make the body prone to a sickness.
29
uberpwn
// Mar 2, 2007 at 12:24 pm
My comment is for Hilary duff.
If you look at the first report by maniac leprachaun and then at hilary duffs you’ll notice that hilary duff’s is exactly the same excpet for a few very minor changes. This is a serious case of plaguerism and further steps should be taken.
30
moi171
// Mar 2, 2007 at 2:31 pm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/01/050123205926.htm
Nanomedicine
At the University of Michigan, researchers have made a much better and streamlined way to utilize nanomedicine. Dendrimers, which are dumbbell shaped, molecule sized drugs, can be more effective in distribution if the star shaped constellations of the molecules are attached by DNA strands. With those bound molecules, which are extremely hard to make due to their size and complexity, doctors can use them to track down and or kill a bacteria or cancer cell. Most dendrimers are made over a period of months and usually carry different drugs and agents, and the reason why they are so rare is because as each particle replicates, or synthesizes, the outcome of a successful molecule becomes less and less. A research group found out that it wasn’t practical to make the entire dendrimer at once, so they made each part of it separate, and they could connect different parts to make a different compound. DNA is used to connect those parts. I think that this article shows how far in modern medicine we have advanced, and how far we could go. I think that the author could have made the article longer.
31
moi171
// Mar 2, 2007 at 2:32 pm
cool. great article
32
moi171
// Mar 2, 2007 at 2:33 pm
i think it could have been longer
33
101kid.com
// Mar 2, 2007 at 2:45 pm
This article is from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/huntington/huntington.htm . This article is about the disease called Huntington Disease.
In this disease the person with it loses control of their body. It kills your brain cells and you can’t eat or move. It is a disease you get form inheriting it. If you inherit the gene you will get it unfortunately get it. It cripples you to no end.
34
PinkButterfly397
// Mar 2, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Article—“What Makes a Dog?”
Written by Emily Sohn
On April 28, 2004
This article was about haw there are many different species of dogs and how there DNA could be different. In the article it said that how many more dieses are common in dogs the closer they are related. How breeders are making the dogs to what they want them to be is sometimes harming their health. Like how in greyhounds legs can break easily, Dalmatians often go deaf , and boxer usually get heart dieses . This article also said by breeding dogs we can also find ways to cure dieses in dogs and humans.
I found this article interesting. I related it a lot to the movie we wanted in class about dogs. It had a lot of the same points to it. I think that it is very mean though to keep breeding the animals to what people want them to be. They still do it even if it’s risking the dogs life. I find it amazing though all the types of dogs out their. None of the dogs look the same and some have really different personalities. I kind of didn’t like this article though. It was very dull and didn’t have very much professional point of view in it.
Article is from http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/articles/20040428/Feature1.asp
35
PinkButterfly397
// Mar 2, 2007 at 4:00 pm
~~~Gia Beth~~~~
I liked your report so much i used the same article. y0u really got the main points to the article and explained them well!!
36
PinkButterfly397
// Mar 2, 2007 at 4:11 pm
~~~Alphabetsoup~~~~
Good retell of the article it was very discriptive
37
PinkButterfly397
// Mar 2, 2007 at 4:12 pm
~~~Maniac Leprechaun~~~
good retell of the article and good rresponse!!!
38
Maniac Leprechaun
// Mar 2, 2007 at 10:10 pm
This comment is for Hillary Duff
I am very curious to know why your article and mine are amazingly similar.
I wish to know why you copied a large chunk of my article into yours, and even ended yours with the same exact thing I said.
39
DARLiNGPiNK!
// Mar 4, 2007 at 7:31 pm
This comment is for Maniac Leprechaun.
The article you wrote this week was really good! I love how you really tied it into what we’ve done in school, and from many different aspects.
Good Job as always!!
40
DARLiNGPiNK!
// Mar 4, 2007 at 7:40 pm
This comment is for lola.
The article you wrote about sounds so interesting!! It’s weird to think that humans are so similar in DNA. The percentage you gave was baffling. I couldn’t believe it.
Super good job on your report! Keep it up!
41
DARLiNGPiNK!
// Mar 4, 2007 at 7:46 pm
This comment is for White Ivy:
Your report was very interesting. It tied in both Genetics and Evolution, which I think is really cool. I also think the name of that species is very unique.
Overall good job on the report!!
42
Gia Beth
// Mar 4, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Alphabetsoup - I think the reflection of your article was very good!!! It sounds like the article you read was very interesting. Great job!
43
Gia Beth
// Mar 4, 2007 at 8:52 pm
DARLiNGPiNK! - Your article sounds to be very interesting. It’s amazing that they can tell that people were unable to tolerate milk so long ago. Great job!!
44
High School never ends
// Mar 6, 2007 at 11:38 am
My artical was found at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/huntington/huntington.htm it is about a disease called huntington disease. The disease is results from genetically programmed degeneration of brain cells, called neuronns, in different areas of the human brain. The disease causes uncontrollable movements, loss of intellectual faculties and mentail disturbance. if one of your parents have huntington disease you have a fifty-fifty chance of getting huntington disease. If the child does not get the diease the kid will never inhearent the disease.
I feel the author of this artical was very informed about this disease. the author was very helpful on onforming me about the disease and now i know a lot more on the disease called huntington diseaes.
45
rorofosho
// Mar 6, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Weekly Article
The article I read was called “Beekeepers Confronted by Demise of Colonies”, by David Randall. My parents told me about this article, so I looked for it online. The article was about major amounts of death in bees, resulting in a loss of crops. The cause of the bees is unknown, but it may be caused by a virus. Bees aren’t just responsible for honey, the earth relies on bees for pollination, and without them, there will be a huge loss in crops such as apples, cucumbers, cranberries and almonds. Almost two-million bees died in one person’s bee colony, all of which were unknown.
I liked this article a lot. Unlike the last article that opened us up to more this one constricted us, which was okay, because I liked the article. It taught me a lot I didn’t know about bees, and it shows that the littlest change can make a big difference. The article was pretty short, but gave a lot of facts. It had interviews from beekeepers, and people researching the topic, which helped me understand how big of a problem this is.
You can find this article at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/04/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/04NJtopic.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
46
rorofosho
// Mar 6, 2007 at 8:06 pm
to High School never ends- your summary was good, but I think you could have added a little bit more to your reflection
47
rorofosho
// Mar 6, 2007 at 8:08 pm
maniac lepercauhn- your reprt is really good! I just think next time you should space, because it’ll give the reader space to breath
48
rorofosho
// Mar 6, 2007 at 8:09 pm
moi171 - Your summary was good, did you have a reflection?
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