New Investigation Shows that Soviets May Have Gotten Hydrogen Bomb Idea From the U.S.

Who: Soviet atomic spies, the authors Thomas C. Reed and Danny B. Stillman, the physicist Andrei Sakharov, and nuclear historian Robert S. Norris.

What: A recent investigation shows that the Soviets, who were given credit for the hydrogen bomb, may have stolen the idea for it from Americans. The new book, The Nuclear Express: A Political Express and its Proliferation, by Thomas C. Reed and Danny B. Stillman, adds to a growing number of riddles about the invention of the Soviet-H-Bomb, so many years ago. A new theory shows that instead of thinking of the idea for themselves, the Soviets may have sent atomic spies to America, to steal America's scientist's ideas for the hydrogen bomb.

Where: The Soviets, sent atomic spies to the Los Alamos weapons lab in New Mexico.

When: The atomic spies were sent to America in 1955, around the same time they published their idea for the Soviet-H-bomb.

Why: There are several reasons that Soviets may have wanted to steal the idea for the hydrogen bomb from the Americans. Firstly, the original atomic bomb was limited in size and could not pose as much lethal danger or damage as much area as the acclaimed hydrogen bomb would be able to do. In addition, at the time, in 1955, America was the world's monopoly, and the Soviet nations deeply wanted to be back on top, in terms of world power.

* The difference between a hydrogen or a regular uranium bomb is that a hydrogen bomb uses fusion instead of fission to generate the main explosion. The hydrogen bomb is an estimated thousand times more powerful than the average uranium bomb.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/science/30bomb.html?_r=1&ref=science
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,76888,00.html

The Importance of Symbiosis

Though you may never have even heard of the word symbiosis, it plays a huge part in the world you live in. The definition of symbiosis is a close and often long term relationship between two different biological species. To be even more descriptive, there are three different types of symbiosis; commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism. Commensalism is the type of symbiosis in which one of the organisms benefits from the relationship, and the other one is not affected. An example of commensalism is clownfish and anemone because the clownfish benefits from the anemone's poisonous tentacles whereas most fish avoid it, because the anemone gives the clownfish a protective layer of mucus that makes them immune to stings. The second type of symbiosis is mutualism, in which both organisms benefit from the close relationship. An example of mutualism is algae and fungus in order to make the organism lichen. This is symbiosis because neither the algae nor the fungus could live without each other, for example, the fungus cannot survive without a photosynthetic organism such as algae, to produce it's food from sunlight. Furthermore, the algae cannot survive without the fungus, because the fungus is the organism that finds the two-part organism a place to live on, most commonly a tree or a log. Afterwards, the algae uses the nutrients supplied by the tree or log to create food. As you can see, neither organism can live without each other. Lastly, the third type of symbiosis is parasitism, in which one organism benefits, however, the other is harmed. For example, a intestinal parasite is a parasitic relationship because the parasite lives on the human gastro-intestinal tract because it serves as an ideal breeding environment. However, to the human gastro-intestinal tract it causes a severe infection, which could lead to more severe diseases. Overall, however, symbiosis is vitally important to millions of our world's most fascinating creature's survival.

A Moving Skyline Could Be In The Making For Manhattan

Who: The architect, Dr. David Fisher.

What: Dr. David Fisher's plan is to create a skyscraper that can move in every direction, and all around 360 degrees. His dream is to have it made right in the center of it all, in the bustling city of Manhattan. Many people would have thought that the complex tower would have trouble creating electricity, however, the tower will supply it's own energy which will come from the horizontal wind turbines, which come from between each of it's 80 floors, and from solar photovoltaic cells from the roof of each story. As each individual floor moves, an estimated 20 percent of each roof is open to the sunlight at any time of the day.

Where: Dr. David Fisher's initial plan is to have his intricate towers in Manhattan. This plan may seem extremely ambitious, due to the current economic crisis, however, he has made similar towers for Dubai, which should occur within the next few weeks. In addition, to planning towers for Manhattan, Dr, Fisher has made plans to make these towers in Moscow.

When: Dr. Fisher's first plan for these towers was to be in Dubai, therefore, Dubai's towers will be arriving withing the next few weeks. Unfortunately, though, the towers for Manhattan and Moscow will at least take another couple of years.

Why: Dr. Fisher originally thought that it would be a spectacular idea to have a tower that could twist into different shapes night and day along the skyline of a city. Basically, his own interest by the thought lead him to the creation of the towers.

My Opinion: I believe the moving towers are a very inventive and creative idea that would add a great touch to any amazing city, such as Manhattan. I don't know about everyone else, but I would certainly love to look up into the sky and see something as magnifecent as Dr. Fisher's towers.

Source: http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/29/a-moving-skyscraper-for-ny/

A Warm Cup of Coffee Could Make Your Day Sweeter!

Who: Researchers such as Lawrence Williams of the University of Colorado at Boulder, and John Bargh, the researcher and psychologist from Yale University. For their study, the researchers randomly chose 41 undergraduate students, 27 of whom were female.

What: Scientists from across the country came up with a theory that those who held a warm beverage viewed a stranger with having more warmer personality traits, and were more generous in dealing with others, as opposed to having a cold beverage, such as an iced coffee. Therefore, they held a study in which the 41 students were being tested on. The students were either given a hot cup of coffee or an iced coffee, while giving their names and other basic information. They were then each given a packet of questions regarding another individual in the room. They were asked to rate that person's overall personality such as being generous/ungenerous, happy/unhappy, good-natured/irritable, sociable/anti-social, and caring/selfish. As a result, the subjects that had held the warm beverage rated people as being "warmer". However, on the questions that were unrelated to warmth, the researchers found no difference in the answers between the warm beverage holders and cold beverage holders. In additon, to the beverage study, the researchers also conducted a similar study in which the 41 students either held a hot pack, or an ice pack. They were then offered a gift certificate to give to a friend, or they could recieve a gift for themselves. The majority of those who held the hot pack asked for the gift certificate for their friend, and those who held the ice pack asked for the gift for themselves.

Where: The study took place in an elevator en route to another floor of the building.

When: There is no specific date in the article, however I would have to say that the study took place in late September to early October.

Why: The study was conducted because many scientists agreed with the same theory-that a warm beverage in the morning, gives a person a more positive outlook on the day. Therefore, they decided the only way to be sure if their theory was true or not was to test it in an experiment.

My Opinion: Though I do not drink coffee or any other hot beverage in the morning, I would have to agree with the researchers that a warm beverage does give a person a more generous attitude. I agree because not only is their sufficient evidence to support the theory, I have witnessed it with my own mother. For example, when my mother has a hot cup of coffee, she tends to be less cranky and kinder to my sister and I. However, the days that she has a cold glass of milk, she tends to be more negative and more upset.

Source: http://www.livescience.com/culture/081023-warm-hands.html#comments

Flying Cars Are No Longer Just Science Fiction

Who: Dr. Paul Moller, the president and Chief Executive Officer of Moller International

What: Dr. Paul Moller, who recieved a masters degree in Engineering and a PhD in Aerodynamics, has had the vision since he was 15, to create the first flight vehicle for the general public. That dream eventually turned into the Skycar. Moller International currently has two in-the-making models, the M400 Skycar and the M200x Neuera, or more formerly the Jetson. Both vehicles are able of vertical liftoff, landing, hovering, and cruising. Most importantly, however, in order for all these ammenities to work, the engine and the stability system must be properly working. In addition, like most cars, it can reach speeds of 75 mph to about 100 mph.

Where: Dr. Paul Moller's company, Moller International, is located in Davis, California.

When: The envisionment of having a flying car has been in Dr. Paul Moller for several years now, since he was 15 years old.

Why: Dr. Paul Moller decided that there should be flying cars because they eliminating high spending on gas, and more importantly you save the time you always used to waste in traffic.

My Opinion: I believe the idea of flying cars is fantastic because not only does it have a much lower environmental effect, it is also much less accident prone than the traditional car. In addition, I along with the rest of the world, would love to get where they want, and faster; opposed to wasting hours on end in bumper to bumper traffic.

Source: http://www.livescience.com/technology/081010-sb-flying-car.html

Math Is...

Back in September, I thought math was the simple computation of numbers and variables to find an answer. That bit, of course has not changed; we still have endless equations and expressions, and we still have to find an answer. However, math has become more than simply just finding a value of a variable, an interest rate- more than just an answer. It's become a way of life, a way to find solutions to daily problems without having to always refer back to a calculator, or an elder. These daily problems, we realized this year incorporate many of the math skills we have learned and reviewed this past year. Math is also shaping our modern world in every aspect thought possible-aviation, space travel, technology, medical science, etc. For sure, this year's math curriculum has definitely been one of the most productive years, teaching me skills I will use for years to come, and skills that will affect not only my life, but of our future generation.

Class Response Blog: Kite Flying

On a nice breezy summer day, a common sight is children running around playing kites. Though there are few simple steps to succesfully flying a kite, the science behing the flying is anything but simple. In our science class activity, we experienced hands on the real science that leads to the actual flying of a kite. The real key to flying a kite properly is air pressure. For instance, if the air is going at a rapid pace, there is less air pressure, and more pressure below the kite. Therefore, the kite moves upward. Another key factor in flying a kite, is wind. The wind we receive to fly kites are local winds such as land breezes and sea breezes.

Class Response Blog: The Artic Tale

Of the many millions of years that humans have been residents on our grand Earth, the polar bear has remained one of the most mesmerizing creatures to our eyes. However, until recent studies in the 19th century, humans have had menial knowledge of the rigorous struggles that polar bears go through ever year just to survive. Along with polar bears, another creature that goes through the same treacherous battles yearly, is the walrus. These struggles were demonstrated in the documentary narrated by Queen Latifah, which we viewed in class. This documentary followed Seela and Nanu along with their cubs through a year of life battling winters and peaceful summers.

*Extra Credit*-5/18/08

Of America's numerous talented poets, from 19th century poets to contemporary poets, Robert Frost among heavy competition, will always remain one of the greatest poets the world has ever seen. One of his many poems, "Fire and Ice", I believe is very weather related. Weather is used in this poem because Mr. Frost is summarizing the way many scientists have been for many years, arguing constantly on the way our world will be destructed. Basically, the poet is trying to say that high technology or rocket scientists, will never be the cause of our earth to finally subside, but actually, the most simple element of our earth, that has stayed with us from the beginning- weather- will actually be the cause of our earth's destruction. Though this poem was written in 1920, the issue that fumbled scientists 87 years ago, perplexes our contemporary scientists even more. The types of weather that this poem discussed were perhaps a wildfire or an ice storm.

Although, along with everyone else in the world, I don' t know the way our earth will fall, I still believe that this poem did not further enhance my knowledge in weather because I did however know of the controversy of fire and ice. Without the mentioning of weather in this poem, I believe this poem's meaning could entirely change to a different subject. For instance, the fire and the ice could resemble two cliques in a school fighting over popularity. However, what makes me know that this poem is about weather, is the first line that notes the author's curiosity of our world's destruction.

Fire and Ice by Robert Frost:

Some say the world will end in fire,Some say in ice.From what I've tasted of desireI hold with those who favour fire.But if it had to perish twice,I think I know enough of hateTo say that for destruction ice is also greatAnd would suffice.

The Typewriter-It Affects You Much More Than You Think!

When we see a typewriter, we probably think that it's old and that it is useless compared to our highly advanced society today. However, the typewriter plays a huge part in the standard keyboard we have today. In short, the keyboard is an innovation from the typewriter. Many people would say that the typewriter has its many flaws such as not being able to save, backspace, delete work, etc. That maybe true, however, as I said earlier the keyboard in an innovation of the typewriter. Therefore, though the keyboard is much more advanced than the typewriter, without the idea of the typewriter, the keyboard would fail to exist. For example, the entire idea of having keys to press on in order to make a print of letters, comes completely from the typewriter. In addition, if you think about it, the initial purpose of the keyboard is to make print. So next time you see an old, dusty typewriter in your grandmother's closet, know that it's affecting you every time you touch one of the keys on your computer.

140 Year Old Math Problem-Solved!

Who:Professor Darren Crowdy of Imperial College London

What:Professor Darren Crowdy solved the practically impossible math problem that had befuddled mathematicians around the world for 14o years. This accomplishment is a breakthrough in the area of mathematics known as conformal mapping, a key theoretical tool used by mathematicians, scientists, and engineers. The formula used by Professor Darren Crowdy is now used by neuroscientists. In the mid 19th century two mathematicians Schwartz and Christoffel created a formula which is part of the solution to the 140 year problem. He quotes that, "This formula is an essential piece of mathematical kit which is used the world over. Now, with my additions to it, it can be used in far more complex scenarios than before. In industry, for example, this mapping tool was previously inadequate if a piece of metal was or other material was not uniform all over- for instance, if it contained parts of a different material, or had holes."

Where: Imperial College London, England

When: March 3, 2008

Link Source: http://www.dm.unito.it/personalpages/cerruti/mathnews.html

Get Ready For National Pi Day!!!

Who:Math geeks, students, quants, rocket scientists, teachers, students, your neighbors-and everyone else you would never expect to be a Pi fanatic!

What: These millions of people will gather on this very auspicious day to celebrate the ever so popular Pi! Not only will they be praising the beloved math symbol, they'll be eating it too! One of the activities is dropping the giant Pi symbol (similar to the ball drop on New Year's) at Pi Ground Zero. This year's celebration will be honoring Sir Isaac Newton, the person who bridged the change from the use by mathematicians of the tools of geometry, to further use in calculus. Every attendee will receive an official poster and t-shirt from National Pi Day with Sir Isaac Newton's picture on it.

Where: National Pi Day is a international holiday celebrated in cyberspace. This holiday is the first holiday to ever be celebrated on the web. Viewers online watch as the giant Pi symbol falls in Pi Ground Zero in New York.

When: National Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th every year because

the date 3/14 are the first three digits of Pi.

Link Source: http://www.dm.unito.it/personalpages/cerruti/mathnews.html

Why: National Pi Day was started because Pi fanatics around the world believed that Pi was such a great contribution to modern and past mathematical discoveries, and that it deserved it's own holiday.

The True Secret Behind Oscar Nominations

Who: Sociologists Nicole Esparza of Harvard University, and Gabriel Rossman of California University

What: Ms. Esparza and Mr. Rossman used records from the Internet Movie Database(IMDB) to see what may affect a performer's oppurtunity to get a nomination. They discovered that the nominations go to people who performed in dramas ( an actor/actress starring in a drama is nine times more likely to get a nomination than a performer in a non-drama), who are female, people who have been nominated in the past, and who command a high rank in the movie-credit pecking order.

When: January 21, 2008

Where: UCLA and Harvard University

Why: Both Mr. Rossman and Ms. Esparza both noticed a certain conformity and guidelines to Oscar nominations. They decided that almost every performer nominated was under the same categories as listed above from about the years 1927- , and from there the research project was started.

My Opinion: I am against the fact that there are certain guidelines into which performers are nominated for an Oscar. No matter which genre of movie, it still requires the actor/actresses to work extremely hard. In addition, just because someone was nominated before, doesn't mean they are still good enough to be nominated again, and that someone else new isn't good, if not better.

Source Link:http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/080122-oscar-nominations.html

Omega Meme

I’ve tagged students for the Omega Meme!

The rules are as follows:

Each player answers the six questions posted on this blog.

The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those answers are listed.

At the end of the post, the player then tags 8 people and posts their blog names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.


Then follow the instructions about adding a page element at omegascience.blogspot.com.


1. My favorite TV show is.......(explain why)-My favorite TV shows are The Office and The OC, because they are hilarious, and are filled with real life problems, well at least The OC is.

2. My favorite meal is...... (explain the meal in detail)-My favorite meal is Chinese food. This meal consists of three different things. First, I like chicken broccoli with rice. Second, I like chicken lo mein. Lastly, to finish everything off for a great meal, I enjoy a pork egg roll. My other favorite food is fried chicken.

3. My favorite nonschool activity is...... (explain why but do not give specific names that can identify you)-My favorite nonschool activity is theater because it allows me to have fun in being someone different for a while, also I love to perform. Lastly, I like water sports because I love being in the water.

4. Someone I look up to is....... (explain why)-Someone I look up to is John Legend because he is very successful, in everything he does, and his music is SPECTACULAR and inspirational. I also look up to him because cool personality. I also greatly look up to Barack Obama because he has worked very hard to get to the high point in government that he is in today. Also, if you imagine him about a year ago no one would recognize his name;now compare that today. Lastly, I think he can do great things for our country.

5. My goal for the future is.....-I have a few possible goals for the future. Firstly, I may pursue a career in acting. Second, I may pursue marine biology because I am fascinated by marine life. Lastly, I have an interest in politics because I love to argue and debate about serious issues.

6. In the first hour after school I usually do...... (explain why but do not give specific events or names that can identify you)-In the first hour after school, I usually watch TV for a half an hour while eating a snack, and then I do my homework. This all depends on if I have any after school activities such as piano, swimming, drama club, or math class.

Introduction

Hi, I'm xodeathcabox413. This is my blog for science class, and I will be posting things about current events in the science world, and things we are learning in class.

Is A Straight Line Really The Most Efficient Route?

Who: American and British researchers

What: These researchers have developed a mathematical model proving that a zigzag course is a more efficient way for humans to go up and down steep slopes, over a straight course. However as proven in previous researches, a straight course from point to point is more efficient.

Where: University of Washington

When: February 26, 2008

Why: This research was started because the researchers had questioned that even though as previously researched that a straight course is always shorter, that a zigzag course seemed more efficient.

Hyperlink to Blog Post-1/13/08

http://www.livescience.com/animals/080110-ap-polar-bears-sue.html

The Battle to Fight For Polar Bear Protection

Who: The Center for Biological Diversity, The Natural Resources Defense Council, Greenpeace, and the Federal Government

What: Three enviormental conservation groups informed the federal government that if polar bears were not listed as endangered species, they were ready to sue.

Where: Anchorage, Alaska

When: Wednesday, January 9th-The final decision as to whether or whether not the polar bears will be listed onto the endangered species list, will come out next year.

Why: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was supposed to issue a list of endangered species. Because of the difficulty of the polar bear issue, polar bears did not make it onto the list. The reason for that is because the agency has never stated an animal endangered because of global warming and climate change because the research has been very challenging and strenuous.

This is paying an extremely heavy toll on the polar bears. As it is, the U.S Geological Survey issued a report stating that two-thirds of the population of polar bears will be killed by 2050 because of the lack of sea ice. Sea ice is extremely important to the survival of polar bears because they spend most of their life on sea ice. This past summer, their has been a record low for sea ice in the Arctic. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado, there was about 40% less ice than there had been between 1979 and 2000.

My Opinion: According to me, what the three organizations are doing are extremely important, because apparently, the federal government does not care for the lives of the very few polar bears that are left. Truly, I would like to ask them to imagine being a polar bear, only years away from extinction. Even though, the actual final decision for the polar bears to be listed on the endangered species is next year, I still think one entire year is too long; that leaves enough to time for another couple hundred miles of sea ice to melt, leaving polar bears dead.