A Review

Recently in science, my class has been learning about genetic disorders. While reading my classmates blogs, (some are listed on the right) I came across a very harmful genetic disorder called Phenylketonuria. This is when a baby lacks the enzyme to convert phenylalanine into tyrosine after protein is consumed. This disorder is a recessive allele, meaning both parents need to be Phenylketonuria dominant. Ivar Asbjorn Folling discovered this genetic disorder in 1934. One in ten thousand people have this rare disease. Phenylketonuria has symptoms like musty odor to the carrier’s body and hair, loss of weight from vomiting and diarrhea, and sensitivity to light. So far, there is no treatment to this disorder. But there are some treatments to help a little bit, such as, a lifetime protein diet.
The complete description of this genetic disorder can be found at matsfan123's blog. The URL is http://metsfan123.blogspot.com/. I thought this was a very well written blog. I understood the terrible disorder and learned about what people living with it have to deal with everyday. I too want to find a cure for this disorder because the person has no say in getting it and is completely innocent. Hopefully, with further research, scientists can find a cure or treatments to stop at least some of the harsh symptoms.

The Truth About Klinefelter Syndrome

In 1959, Dr. Harry Klinefelter discovered the Klinefelter Syndrome. This disorder, the most common of the genetic disorders, have symptoms physically, emotionally, and trouble with language development. Klinefelter syndrome is found in males. The most common symptom is infertility. Physically, males with this disorder don't often make as much male hormone testosterone as other boys. Teenagers also don't grow as much facial and body hair. Emotionally, males may have trouble fitting in and expressing themselves using language. There is no complete cure for this syndrome but doctors say it is easier to treat this disorder at the earliest age. Some treatments include, educational services, physical, speech, and occupational therapy, and medical treatments including testosterone replacement.
About 40% of the males with Klinefelter syndrome survive the fetal period. It is not significantly higher than in healthy children. This syndrome is so common, 1 in 650 men acquire it. What is happening at the "MOLECULAR" level with the genes that cause the disease? With males who have Klinefelter syndrome, there is an extra X chromosome. Instead of XY, they have XXY.
This genetic disorder makes me want to help find a cure. To know that many men live with this disease in the world makes it hard to imagine. I believe if more scientists take the time to understand how the carriers with this disease feel and react to everyday lifestyle, they could eventually find a cure.

To learn more about Klinefelter syndrome go to:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/klinefelterssyndrome.html
http://www.andrologyaustralia.org/pageContent.asp?pageCode=FSKLINE#FSKLINECOMMON
http://www.medicinenet.com/klinefelter_syndrome/article.htm
or
http://www.genetic.org/

Also, to learn more about genetic disorders look to to Blogs I Have Read to the right to look at other people who learned about genetic disorders.

October Sky

A week ago, in school, we watched a educational yet touching movie called October Sky. There were many connections to both science, math, and the character education traits we have been learning about for the past three years. To start out, this movie connects to rockets because Homer and his friends decided to create their own self-made rocket inspired by the Sputnik launch. Homer and his friends needed to discover what ingredients and the physical size of all the necessary tools to make the rocket work. The coal mines were a large part of this movie because Homer lived in a town in West Virginia where all boys grew up to work in the mines. This caused extreme problems around the town because of the large risks of injury, deaths, and danger to the worker's health. For instance, when Homer's friend was in the mine when an emergency happened. Sadly, Homer's friend died and Homer's father was severely injured. They boys also proved their innocence using math. They were accused of starting a forest fire because they couldn't account for all the rockets they had tested to launch, and they thought that one of their rockets caused a forest fire. The principal of their school had them arrested because he thought what they were doing, by building a rocket, was a disgrace to their town. These examples also show the character traits of all the women and men in the town. An example is cooperation. The group of boys cooperated through their differences and created a working rocket. Together, they also won the national science fair. They also showed self-control to their fellow peers. When everyone was calling them nerds, they stood for what they believed in and didn't let anyone tell them they were doing the wrong thing. Finally, they showed respect. They respected their town and decided to create their project in an open location, as well as, using all the necessities given to them properly.

International News and Class Response

Recently, Erno Rubik created the next generation of the classic Rubik's Cube. This New Rubik's Cube is no longer a cube but a sphere. For the past couple of years, Erno has made many different lessons and mind teasing puzzles. This new sphere has one outer sphere as well as two internal spheres that are held together on a rotating axis. Inside the internal spheres are six different colored balls to correspond with domes that pop out of the outer sphere. With the same matching idea as the classic Rubik Cube, you have to match the colors of the balls inside the domes popping out of the outer sphere. I think this is a unique twist on the puzzle everyone loves. I think this is important news because it is a new generation of a classic puzzle. The Rubik 360 is a great new take on the mind teaser and is really cool! It is cool because not only does it have the mind puzzles but it also is a really different, fun game. The article also said that this new and advanced Rubik's Cube has a more science and gravitational lesson. When trying to solve this puzzle, it is more kinetic and more physical. During science class we recently made roller coasters. We were taught about potential and kinetic energy as well as gravity.
Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Recently, I learned that there are three types of kinetic energy. They are vibrational, rotational, and translational. Kinetic energy is used on a roller coaster when it is at the highest hill of a drop because it is moving the fastest. Gravity is used going over the hill. When the coaster starts to go over the hill it is using energy, then as it starts to descend, gravity pushes down on the cart and allows it to go over and complete its journey.

I got some of my information at http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2009/02/rubiks-360-will.html as well as, http://www.gizmag.com/rubiks-360/10917/ (or you could click the link above)and
http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/GBSSCI/PHYS/Class/energy/u5l1c.html

My Roller Coaster Website

One Life To Live

Stem Cell Funding in 2009

Since we have a new President, many things are changing. A new stimulus package is being reviewed by the entire administration. They are looking for ways to help the economy and the health care industry. One topic that has seemed to stick out is Stem Cell Research. Stem Cell Research has been hard to get during the Bush administration but many supporters have hope for Obama's plans. Stem Cell Research could possibly help restore the blood cells and change them into any of the 220 varieties of cells. This could eventually help cure diseases, such as, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's, just to name a few. I believe Stem Cell Research is a good thing. It may take a while to get the tests perfect but as the article says, many doctors are confident in the results of the tests.


For more info go to:
http://healthandfitnessblogshots.7dayshootout.com/health-care/federal-funding-stem-cell-research-2009/
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-stem-cell-research.htm
http://www.bedfordresearch.org/
http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=103932

State News

For the past couple of years Gov. Jon Corzine raised the standards for state wide tests and curriculum's. Recently, the results of those tests and the report cards of many schools were unbelievable. Teachers, parents, students, and critics were shocked to see that the passing percentages abated. The shocking news was not only in our county but state-wide throughout New Jersey. Although the parents and critics were shocked, many state officials were not. They were aware that the demand for high achievement was high, but they changed it so we could be ready for what awaits us in college. Lately, I have noticed a change in our classes curriculum. For social studies for instance, we started a interactive notebook and a text book that we carry with us. I like this better than last year because last year I found myself confused and having to search my folder for papers we went over in class. I believe the new curriculum is harder but it hopefully will prepare me for next year.

for more information: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/tough_new_state_tests_spur_hig.html

The 44th President of The United States of America: Barack Obama

Just yesterday, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of The United States of America. This was a historic moment because Barack Obama is the first African-American president. Luckily, I was able to watch the Inauguration at school and see President Obama get sworn in. As I was researching the topic, I came upon two articles that explained the Inauguration in a great way.

The first article I read was written by the New York Times. It talked about the millions of people who joined the President and his family from the capitol to the National Mall and beyond. His many supporters started chants saying, "Obama! Obama! Obama!" The article also discussed how Barack and Michelle Obama had to attend 10 Inaugural Balls that evening. It was already a long day and President Obama had to continue it to the wee hours in the morning. I believe that Barack Obama is a great man. He is respectful, intelligent, and funny, some of the many things we need in a president. When interviewed at one of the Inaugural Balls he was quoted for saying, “Hit it, band!” That shows that he has a sense of humor. You can find the article at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/us/politics/21obama.html?_r=1&ref=us.

The second article I read was about the many people who traveled hundreds of miles to witness history. Avil Lawrence and Lou Johnson went with their children to witness the amazing moment. Lou Johnson's son is 40 and said "'To be honest Dad I never thought I'd see it.' So, here we are able to see it together." Avil Lawrence was apart of one of the first segregated classes in 1971 and was proud to witness Barack Obama become president. The article makes me understand how others feel about this moment in history. I think that it is a big step for all Americans to start new, especially at this time. The people who were apart of the celebration might not have been able to see the actual swearing in, but they were happy to be apart of the event. You can find this article at http://www.nola.com/inauguration/index.ssf/2009/01/streaming_north_witnesses_to_h.html.

Overall, I thought the Inauguration was a historical moment that will forever be remembered by our generation as well as the many generations after us. I am happy to say that I was watching and able to be alive for this amazing time.

(I got the picture of Barack Obama from: http://www.sciencedebate2008.com/www/assets/images/barack-obama-1.jpg

A Twisterssssss's Spin

Recently, two meteorologists at the University of Oklahoma, Nathan Snook and Ming Xue, have ran a series of simulations to study how tornadoes get their spin. First of all, tornadoes are caused by hot, humid weather in a cold clouded area. The men tested many different types of precipitation to see what could help cause a tornado's spin. Including, small hailstones, large hailstones, small raindrops, large raindrops, small hailstones and raindrops, and large hailstones and raindrops. They concluded that the size of the precipitation is a part that makes the tornado spin. When there is a small droplet of water, it is easier to evaporate, causing the rain or hail to fall to the Earth. This is also because smaller amounts of precipitation cool the air, eliminating the hot, humid air that causes a tornado. Larger droplets resist evaporation and do not cool the air during the storm, creating low pressure and starting the sucking force in the air. This force spins the air and creates the spin of a tornado. I think this is a cool topic to learn about and study because you can always witness weather and its everywhere around you. It is also cool because I never knew that something actually caused the tornado to spin, I thought it was only because that was what a tornado was. This is just another step to finding ways to prevent the damage tornadoes around the world have put onto lives and many peoples homes.

I got my information from: http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2009/105/2
and the picture from: http://www.billspringer.com/share/tornado/mb-tornado-01.gif

Transverse and Longitudinal Waves

(a) is an example of a longitudinal wave and (b) is an example of a transverse wave.

This month during Science class we have been learning about transverse and longitudinal Waves. Transverse waves are waves that moves the medium at right angles to the direction in which the waves travel. Longitudinal waves are waves that moves the medium parallel to the direction in which the waves travel. Both of these waves have similar characteristics. They both have a crest, which is the high part of a wave, and a trough, which is the low part of a wave. The wave is measured by its amplitude, frequency, wavelength, and speed. In class we did many activities that correspond with waves. Such as using a slinky. When you push the slinky on one side, you can see the wave traveling through to the other side. When we were diagramming transverse waves we used a spring rope. With a partner holding the other side, we moved our hand up and down. Starting slowly, we noticed that it looked like a wave in the ocean. As we speed up, the waves became smaller and they would pass a point more frequently. I learned a lot about waves in the past weeks but when I searched transverse and longitudinal waves, I learned something new. I learned that water waves travel in a clockwise cycle. I also learned about a Rayleigh surface wave. These water waves move in a counter-clockwise cycle but deeper in the wave, it turns into a clockwise motion.

http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/Demos/waves/wavemotion.html
http://sol.sci.uop.edu/~jfalward/physics17/chapter10/slinky.jpg(picture)