X-Rays! =]

In class we are doing projects on Electromagnetic Energy. My topic is on X-rays. I learned that it's called "X"-rays because it is an unknown type of radiation. I also found out that we use x-rays are used to diagnose problems inside the human body. Although, this is very helpful, if you have too much exposure to x-rays then it could cause cancer. That's why in the dentist when they take x-rays of your teeth they give you a lead apron to wear. The apron absorbs the x-rays and prevents them from reaching your body. X-rays are amazingly insane (in a good way.) And a German guy that goes by the name of Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen found x-rays by accident when experimenting with some vacuum tubes. I think that's very cool that he invented something so useful without even really trying!

President Obama!

On January 20, 2009 a major historic event took place in Washington D.C. President-elect Barack Obama became the actual president. He placed his hand on the same bible former president Abraham Lincoln used and took his oath. He is now officially the president of the United States and happens to be the first African-American leader of our country.

The first article I read was pretty much saying that Obama made history and everyone noticed. Black's were especially proud to see another racial barrier broken. People are expecting great things from him and expect him to do a lot better than Bush. When the inauguration was watched on jumbotrons and George Bush came on, many booed him. Despite this, "His transition also produced some missteps that raised questions about whether Obama's highly disciplined, perfectionist organization that proved brilliant at winning an election will be equally brilliant at governing." All in all people want and are sure they will see only good from the new president but they will have to wait and see.

The second article I read was basically saying that Obama is going to make change. It won't be easy, but together as a country we will make a difference. "Greatness is never a given. It must be earned," Barack said. We can't just hope that the economic crisis and the war will solve itself; we have to make the change our selves. He believes that he can.

In my opinion, I think Barack made a powerful speech. He talks a big game and I just hope he can live up to his words. We will just have to wait and see how he does.

I got this information from: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090120/ap_on_go_pr_wh/inauguration_rdp

and

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/20/obama.inauguration/index.html

Diamonds Are Not Everyone's Best Friend

According to a study conducted by eight archaelogists and geologists from the universities of Oregon and California, tiny diamonds found in soil lead people to believe that a comet exploded on or above North America about 13,000 years ago. This comet apparantly led to the distinction of many mammals. A couple of these mammals were humans and mammoths. Not only did this comet have an affect on the population but it also changed weather patterns. The heat from the comet more than likely melted a glacier from the Great Lakes region causing a flood down the Mississippi River. The cold waves from the glacier were then sent to the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean currents changing the climate. This sent the world into a cooling period called the Younger Dryas. Scientists have only found these nanodiamonds in six locations which are all within the Younger Dryas Boundary.

I think it's so crazy that scientists can tell so much from some tiny diamonds found in some dirt from 12,900 years ago. It's also insane how one comet can affect the whole world.

I got this info from: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/01/02/comet.diamonds/index.html

Smart Boards! =)

This year we got a smart board in our science room! They're amazing! You hook them up to your computer and then whatever is on your computer shows up on the board. It's so much easier to see the lessons now because it's nice and large. Now class is more fun because we can play more games, too. It's also really cool that you can write on the board with these special markers made just for the smart board and whatever you write on the board will show up on your computer. Technology has come so far!

SQUIRRELS!! =D

In science we are learning about symbiosis. Symbiosis is the relationship between two organisms. The picture above depicts the symbiotic relationship between a squirrel and a tree in a park. The squirrel and tree show commensalism, which is the symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits while the other is unharmed. In this case the squirrel is provided a home while the tree isn't harmed.
Symbiosis is so interesting because it's found everywhere with almost every living thing. I am a part of symbiosis! I think that's so cool!

Paper Beats Steel! =o

Scissors beats paper and now paper beats steel! Scientists have created a new type of paper that looks like ordinary carbon paper but it's a lot better! This new revolutionary paper is called buckypaper. Buckypaper is 10 times lighter than regular paper but can be 500 times stronger when it is stacked and pressed together. This paper could change, (for the better), the way we make airplanes, televisions and so much more! It is made from tube-shaped molecules that are 50,000 times thinner than human hair! Buckypaper conducts electricity like copper and silicon and disperses heat like brass or steel.

Wade Adams, a scientist from Rice University, said, "All those things are what a lot of people in nanotechnology have been working toward as sort of Holy Grails."

There is a lot of hype about buckypaper improving things for us in the future. People from Florida State University are making progress with it so it can become a reality. But for now buckypaper can only live up to some of its standards and can only be sold in small amounts for high prices.

To me this "buckypaper" sounds insanely amazing! I think it's so cool that scientists never run out of things to invent to make our computers faster and our TV's better. I can't wait until it can live up to its full potential and it starts getting put to use!

I got this info from: http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/10/17/buckypaper.invention.ap/index.html#cnnSTCText

I got this pic from: http://www.bfi.org/images/content/geodesics/buckypaper2.png

Blackberry Storm Coming Soon! =D

The secret is out. Everyone is talking about the new Blackberry Storm from Verizon that is coming out next month. It supposed to be amazing! It's also supposed to give the Apple's iPhone 3G and T-Mobile's G1 a run for it's money. The Blackberry Storm has so many features on it. Some of those features include: applications like Facebook, a black jack game, a GPS system, and it supports a wi-fi. This means that downloading applications should be faster. On the new Blackberry there is also a cut and paste feature for e-mailing. Along with all of those features, the phone is also a touch screen which a lot of people like now. Also, the Storm's camera is bigger and has video on it which the iPhone and G1 do not have.

Clearly this phone is a big deal. I think it sounds really cool and it's great that Verizon has something like the iPhone (but supposedly better) to offer their customers.

I got this info from: http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1847791,00.html?xid=feed-cnn-topics

I got this pic from: http://www.sfgate.com/blogs/images/sfgate/techchron/2008/10/08/BB_Storm_Front_Left271x500.jpg