Project 4

Project 4: 6/15/14

 

A Beautiful but Deadly Predator Stalks the Gulf of Mexico

https://newsela.com/articles/invasive-lionfish/id/4288/

         

         A new fish, referred to as the Lionfish, is now considered a very deadly fish. It has no predators, as considering it is very poisonous. The fish feeds on almost anything in its path, which is a problem because it is wiping out indigenous species of fish, and cannot be stopped because it has no natural predators. It is also a problem considering the female fish's ability to lay thousands of eggs within a small window of time, making it a fish species that is growing very rapidly. It is also a very smart species of fish. They normally hang around reef heads or underwater structures where reef fish are commonly found. They sit and wait for the fish to come near, and they strike quickly. They can grow to be 18 inches long, with zebra stripes, and have numerous venomous spines sticking off of them. It is considered a "perfect predator" because its ability to survive almost anywhere is superb. They like crevices, a place where reef fish are, and they'll eat anything that can fit into their mouths. That, paired with it having no predators, it is very lucky. However, scientists are saying that its only limiting factors are that of temperature, it does not like the cold, and whether or not there is food. If there are fish edible enough for it to eat, it will be there.

 



 

This is a drawing I made to represent the Lionfish. It shows the fish's multiple venomous spines which are outlined in red, as well it's size and zebra patterned stripes it has. The picture best represents the fish's size. It does not look like that large of a fish, but when reading the section of the article that it eats anything that can fit in its mouth, even fish twice its size, it is astonishing to try and fathom a fish like this being so dangerous. Another characteristic that stands out in my drawing is its fins. It has large spine looking things sticking out of its fins, meaning this fish has adapted its ability to withstand attacks from many predators, which is most likely the reason why it no longer has predators and can go on killing sprees without any worry of a large fish trying to eat it. 



Project 3

Project 3: 6/8/14

 

Trees Are Natural Air Conditioners for Over-Heated Koalas

https://newsela.com/articles/koala-trees/id/4258/

 

          Scientists have conducted a study where they tracked Koala movements in parts of Australia using radio collars. These collars allowed them to receive GPS signals regarding their locations as well as their body temperature and other health factors. It also provided them with a very intriguing question. They noticed that most of the signals being received from the koalas in the summer months were coming from the base section of trees. A side study observing some 130 other koalas on trees also showed the same results. The koalas were sticking the lower portions of the trees rather than the higher portions. Using thermal technology it revealed that this was because the lower, base portion of the trees was actually the coolest. It's temperature was much lower than the limbs of the tree, and even the surrounding air. Even though the scientists have came up with a theory about why koalas hugged trees so much, they needed to test their theory. Using an equation based on an average male koala and how much fur it has, they figured out that a 25-pound male koala can lose 68 percent of its body heat by hugging a tree; which in the outback, can mean life or death for the creature.

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooRTS_06Qz8 - This link is to a you-tube video that further explains why koalas hug trees so much. I chose this video because it was very similar in content to the article, making it a credible source, as well as another source that can be used to understand and teach why koalas cling to trees in the summer months of the year. 

Project 2

Project 2: 6/1/14

 

Pumping Water for Crops May Trigger Earthquakes in Central California

https://newsela.com/articles/groundwater-earthquakes/id/4075/

 



 

          Scientists have found a correlation between California's rise in earthquakes and pumping water for crops. Studies have shown that nearby mountains have been rising at a rate between 1 and 3 millimeters per year, which over 150 years, equates to a large increase in mountain height. Scientists say that it is because groundwater weighs such a significant amount that when it is pumped out of the Earth's crust, it results in such a weight loss that it begins to shift and move. It is due to this weight loss that triggers the earthquakes that have been plaguing California. Scientists have also found that earthquakes occur most in dry months rather than in wet months. This is because when it rains during the wet months, the rain acts just as the groundwater would, by keeping the fault together. However, when it becomes dry, and the water disappears, just as pumping does, it no longer keeps the fault together, causing more earthquakes. This is a huge problem because the water that is being pumped is used for watering crops with and for clean drinking water. If the water is no longer pumped than one of the nation's largest producer of food may no longer be just that.

 

 

Extended Activity Question: What do you think would be a good solution to possibly solving the water-earthquake issue currently being debated in California? Do you think there is any way in which the ground water does not need to be pumped and can stay there to act as a weight to hold the fault together?

Project 1

Project 1: 5/26/14

Scientists Study Ice Age Skeleton for Clues about Native American Origins


https://newsela.com/articles/naia-skeleton/id/4038/

 



Divers found skeletal remains of what is now considered to be the oldest, most complete set of bones to ever be found in the America's. The bones are of a 15 or 16 year old girl, who's DNA reveals she is related to 11% of living American Indians. This is even more important because she helped to prove that Native Americans are related to a population of early humans that used to reside on land, but are now submerged underwater. It is believed that she was most likely searching for water when she entered the cave. She then plummeted to her death at the bottom of a 100 ft deep whole. Found down with here were other skeletal remains of animals as well such as saber-toothed cats, elephant like creatures, and giant sloths.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/5/15/5720980/naia-ancient-skeleton-sheds-light-on-americas-first-inhabitants - This website goes on to further analyze the girl's bones and how they helped scientists in learning how Native Americans descending and the resemblance that they share with each other. It goes on to discuss such scientific studies and how her remains have helped them greatly in learning so much about the early Native Americans.

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/5/15/oldest-skeleton-americas12000yearsold.html - This website gave more insight than the others as to how she came to end up in such a place. It discusses how even though her remains were found in Mexico, why she ended up there and possible reasons for it.

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2023615630_oldestskeletonxml.html - This website discusses how another scientist compares these recent remains to that of one of his earlier discoveries. Even though they are different sexes they look a lot alike to each, which helps to modify scientist's believed migration patterns for early humans.