Thursday, October 28, 2010

Current Events: Bedbugs are Back

Bedbugs were almost wiped out in the 1950's by a chemical called DDT. They are found behind headboards, mattress seams and furniture. Then when they are ready they go on a search for human blood, but they are back after a few surviving multiplying. Why not use DDT? Because DDT is no longer used due to the fact it is bad for the environment. The most common bedbug that has been found all around the world is called the Climax letularicus. A recent survey revealed that 95% of 1,000 pest-control companies have said they have dealt with a bedbug problem in only the past year. Out of all countries New York City is the most effected, bedbugs have been found in the Empire State Building and any other places. Even though bedbug bites are harmless, and 1 out for 3 people often have no reaction, and even though they are often mistaken for mosquito bites. These bugs and do emotional damage. Scientists showed at the first ever bedbug summit in Chicago, September 21, how bedbugs hop from continents by traveling on handbags, purses, etc. Experts say to people that the best way to prevent bedbugs from entering your home is to check clothing, bags, etc. for signs of bedbugs. If bedbugs are found it is advised to call in a professional or you could wind up doing what Amanda Shaw of Bloomington, Indiana did, she fought the bedbugs for 2 years and then called a professional. "In the next 10 years, a silver bullet will be found," says bedbug expert Richard Cooper. "Somebody made Velcro, and it changed the world. Somebody will figure out how to deal with bedbugs, and after that, they will be just another pest."
I found this article interesting because it was something that I had heard on the news, and was scared(which helped me understand what they said in the article about emotional damage) So reading this helped me understand more about bedbugs. This ties into our Unit 1 about interactions because what we have here is a type of a symbiotic relationship, the kind of relationship which is known as parasitic. This relationship between bedbugs and humans is actually, from my perspective, kind of in the the middle between Parasitic and Commensalism.
To learn more visit: http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/wr/article/0,27972,2027217,00.html

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Current events: Another Earth!

There is a star known as Gliese 581 and its is ordinary in mostly every way possible. Gliese 581 is a red dwarf which is one of the most common stars in our galaxy. Gliese 581 is relatively nearby, it is 20 light years away.Yet 116 stars are closer than Gliese 581. But Gliese 581 does have just one special factor.A team of astronauts on Sept.29 declared that they had found two more planets circling this star bring up the total to 6 planets. Gliese 581g was one of the planets which was given a name, and it may be truly historic.This planet is found in what is called the "Goldilocks" Zone.The planet is far away enough from it's home star that the temperature is not to cold, yet it is close enough that it is not to hot. Meaning that the conditions are suitable for life a Gliese 581g is a lot like earth.

Probably having a solid surface and being in the "Goldilocks" Zones which allows temperature to be stable and making sure it is not so hot that water boils or so cold that it freezes. Gliese 581g looks pretty substantial for life. For thousands of years scientists have been searching for an earth like planet.And since 1995 they haven't another planet. But they don't know yet whether there is life on this planet. "We're pretty excited about it," admits Steve Vogt of the University of California at Santa Cruz, a member of the team that found the planet. "This is right next door to us. That's the big result."
I really like this article because when I was in 3rd grade we studied global warming and I got very worried that the earth would burn up and the human race would have nowhere to go. Yes, I now know that will logically probably not happen but it is nice to know that there is another planet that scientists have found. I think this ties into our unit about ecosystems very well because this planet is an ecosystem that is being studied. If you want to learn more about Gilese 581g go to: http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,2023304,00.html