Obesity raises risk of breast cancers

Obesity raises risk of breast cancers Women who gain weight as adults face a higher lifetime risk of all types of breast cancer. A study of about 44,000 women found that the more weight a women gained, the greater the risk for all different types of breast cancer. A recent study has shown that women who have gained twenty pounds or less during their life as an adult, women who gain more than sixty pounds are almost twice as likely to have ductal type breast tumors and women are more 1.5 times more likely to have lobular types of cancers. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among U.S. women, after lung cancer, of course all those stupid smokers. Over 200,000 people have breast cancer and an additional 40,000 die from it each year. Read it for yourself. Here.

Causes of Allergies

I have not gotten enough information to write this.

Tumor Killing Bacteria

Two scientist at UCB and UCSF are trying to kill cancer with bacteria. however it is not only toxic to cancerous tissue but healthy as well, but bacteria can target cells. in order to make a cancer-killing bacteria, they must create organisms that perform complicated functions in the bloodstream.
The bacteria will only produce the tumor-killing toxin when in the cancerous cell. In order to make a bacteria that can sense a tumor they took an oxygen sensor from E.coli and linked it to invasin, which causes the organism to invade cancer cells.
They are now trying to make this system more specific. to be sure the bacteria only invades cancer cells, they are creating a genetic mechanism which allows the invasin proteins to be expressed. for more information go to: http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=16949&ch=biotech

Potential cloning

Cloning of human embryos is something that researchers at Harvard hoped to accomplish. This work is aimed to cure human blood diseases such as leukemia, sickle-cell anemia, and other blood related diseases. This research, however, is very controversial work.

There are, so far, three main researchers on this project. Dr. George Daley, Douglas Melton, and Kevin Eggan. They each are investigating deep into different aspects of Stem cell research through cloning of human embryos. Daley would not said he specifically was doing or give any other information. On the other hand, Melton is working on Diabetes while Eggan is working on Lou Georgia disease.

The whole purpose for human embryo cloning is to produce a transplant material that would be genetically matched to a patient. This would make sure that the cells would not be rejected. This theory, to many people, is ethnically wrong.
To learn more go to here

Pick Your Poison

Recently biologist have noticed that poison ivy has been growing larger then it had been growing last year, but also in the toxic substance that causes a rash to occure on people by 20%. So what is the reason for common poison ivy to mutate into this "hell ivy" it seems that the culperit is none other carbon dioxide, it would seem that it causes it to grow more efficiantly than ivy that receved regular air.

"Big deal" some people might say when in reality it is a big deal, for it appears that not only poison ivy is affected by this but also other vine type plants this can result in a longer alergy season and can also steal away the nutrients plants need to grow thus choking our oxygen production, also the animals that eat these plants get fewer nutrients from them since the carbon dioxide throws off the balance in the plants.

When I first read this artical I thought that this would also cause other types of plants to grow better also when in reality they do not because the vines not only steal more of the plants sun light with its leaves but also more of the plants nutrients. If you like more information click here.

Do Strict Parents Have Fat Kids?

Studies show that families with stricter rules have a greater percentage of overweight children than families with flexible rules. The studies show that 17% of children with strict parents are overweight, but only 3.9% of children are overweight in families with flexible parents. This may be because children with strict parents are more stressed and use food as a way to feel better.

This also is true with academics and depression. Children of flexible rule-setting parents do better in school and are not as depressed. The study was of mothers and how they treated their children when they were 4, and the children’s weight was later measured when they got into first grade.

When I first read the title I was shocked, I couldn’t understand how this could happen. But now, it seems very logical. The research doesn’t seem to have been very thoroughly done, because the majority of those surveyed were white mothers and the mother’s weight wasn’t considered either to see if that might be a factor in their children’s weight.

Source here.

Global Warming and Hawaii : (

There is a chain of small islands in Hawaii that may become that biggest marine sanctuary in the United States by next year. Because of global warming, though, the rare wildlife; including rare species of seals, sea turtles, and birds; could disappear. A group of Hawaii-based scientists have come to the conclusion that by 2100 two-thirds of some Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) could be underwater.

Jason Baker led the team of scientists and found the threats to the islands. His team found that during the 20th century sea levels rose about 6 inches and levels are expected to increase even further and quicker this century.

To figure out the possible effects of the sea level rising, Baker's team created 3-D computer images of the islands. They used scenarios forecast by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). If by 2100 the sea level rose just 18.9 inches, about 65 percent of the islands would be submerged. here

Let's All Have A Siesta!!!!!!!

Scientists at The University of Manchester have uncovered how brain cells that keep us alert become turned off after we eat. Dr. Denis Burdakov, the lead researcher based in Manchester’s Faculty of Life Sciences says, "We have pinpointed how glucose - the sugar in food - can stop brain cells from producing signals that keep us awake."

His research shows exactly how glucose blocks brain cells that make orexins, tiny proteins that are vital for normal regulation of our state of consciousness. According to Dr. Burdakov they have identified the pore of in the membrane of orexin-producing cells that is responsible for the inhibiting effect of glucose. This mechanism is so sensitive it can detect minute changes in glucose levels - the type that occurs between meals for example.

Dr. Burdakov also says, "This research perhaps sheds light on why our European friends are so fond of their siestas." Now we know that a siesta after a hearty lunch is natural.
If you would like to read this article clike HERE!!!!!!!

Potential Shingles Vaccine

Shingles is a very painful disease that you can get after having the chicken pox. It is more common in adults over the age of sixty but there have been some cases in young adults also. The disease is caused because after you have chicken pox, you (normally) are immune from getting again, but some viruses can hide in your body, and they can cause Shingles. The virus travels down the nerve and breaks out on the skin. These break-outs can be very itchy or cause tingling, burning, or shooting pains. They then turn into fluid filled blisters that normally appear on one side of the body.

The Department of Veterans Affairs are now doing a five-year study of shingles vaccines. They are testing on generally healthy adults over the age of sixty and have recruited over 1,000 people so far. Half the people are being injected with something similar to the chicken pox vaccine for children, the other half are being injected with placebo. Researchers are hoping to find a prevention soon.

If you would like more information on this article, you can click on the link to the site here.

The Robotic Arm

Neurobiologists were able to connect a robotic arm to a monkeys brain. The monkey could use the arm as if it where its own. Scientists hope that such artificial arms, hands and legs may one day offer a broad range of improved mobility and function to handicapped and paralyzed individuals.
The monkey was able to use the artafical arm and still have full use of its other limbs. As first, the primates were shown how to use a joystick that moved a cursor onto a target on a TV screen. The cursor was linked to a video representation of the movement of the robotic arm, allowing the monkeys to see the effect the joystick had on the arm's manner and speed of movement.
This helped train the monkey to use the arm. It takes training to get use to the robotic arm. I think this new invension will be very help full to humans. People who thought they would never walk again could walk or they could replaced there damaged arm. I think this would be great for society. For more info click here.

Insecurity linked to suicide

A recent study of students proved that teend concerned with their weight are more likely to commit suicide. Nearly half of the students were believed they were either to fat or too skinny. About 65% of the students were at a normal weight range but only 54% of them believed they were normal. About 19% of the students confessed they had thought about suicide. About 9% of them admitted they have attempted it. The researchers came to the fact that media is one of the causes. In today's media you have to look and be a certain way. This can make young people feel insecure and start to hate their image which eventually can turn into hating themselves. Hating yourself puts you at more of a risk to commit suicide. Because nearly half of the students perceived themselves as too thin or too heavy, "these results suggest that a sizable proportion of students may be at increased risk" for suicide.In another editorial, Dr. Alain Joffe of Johns Hopkins University said widespread media images of perfect bodies might help shape adolescent perceptions of normal.
But he said it is also possible that adolescents who are already concerned with body image pay more attention to media images.
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Beetle's Explosive Defenses

The bombardier beetle of Africa has developed a very effective line of defense. A beetle, unable to effectively flee from a preditor will dispense a foul smelling, burning, well aimed substance at the attacker to keep itself from harm. These substances that are dispensed are developed withing the body of the beetle and are chemicals that, when mixed, will cause an intense reaction that cause extreen heat and deters preditors from an easy meal.

The beetle has been captured and found by many researchers to have impecable accuracy with this deterant. With a pair of foreceps researchers have poked specific points and have recieved a burst of boiling chemicals in the same spot of provocation. Ants are a common foe of these beeltes and they can attack easily from many directions, accuracy and effective bursts are essential for survuval. These beetles have definately been blessed with an amazing way of defence and use it well.

I found this beetle to be an amazing biological specimine, and i felt that this unique anthropod would entertain and keep the biological world aware of the many miracles on earth. The Bombardier beetle's explosive defenses have amazed many and will continue to do so in the future. Comment on this article if you want to add more information.

Killer German Ivy Attacks!!!

Over part of the California coast German Ivy is invading our land. In National forests, mountain areas and small cities is where it has become a problem. It covers trees and other plants not giving them sunlight.
This weed is not the only thing that is terrorizing ecosystems across our nation. There are 79 other species that are costing the U.S. billions of dollars. Getting rid of these things are not easy.
There have been commitees set up for getting rid of these weeds but it takes time this has been in affect for at least 5 years. We learned in Biology at the beginnging of the semester about the seaweed that was taking over the seafloor in Carlsbad. Well, this is like the same thing but on land and takes over, destroying the palnt life that was there first.
I found that arundo another invasive plant is even taking over a creek right in my city and destroying the natural habitat it once had. Im sure these problems will get taken care over time. But the only other problem is that when i looked into other articles i found these things grow very rapidly. Thats why its so hard to control, when these species enter into a new area their is no predator to get rid of it. To read into more click HERE
For pictures on the German Ivy click HERE

Mass whale stranding in Australia

The false killer whales, most between four and five meters (13 to 16 feet) long, beached themselves near the coastal town of Busselton, 200km (125 miles) south of the western city of Perth.

Many whales have beached themselves,and for some odd reason, no one knows.

Scientists do not know why these animals are doing this. They believe that the whales get lost and they did not know were to go. And they believe that the other whales eighther follow them or they try to help them. Click here for the article.

Endangered Florida Panthers Have Good News From The Nursery

Cougars are endangered in florida on account of the past over hunting and expanding towns and cities. In fact only about 80 to 100 cougars remain in florida. people are trying to save these creatures and celebrate everytime another cougar enters this world.

There are many things being done to help these animals. They have set up protected habitats and lowered speed limits around cougar habitat. They moniter all of the cougars in these areas and have found that there was a litter of three and four just born. This will help the cougars greatly.
For more click here.

Two separet teams of reseachers , in two differeent locations, discovered a new species of monkeys. the teams discovered this new species in southern Tanzania. they call this ew spiecies the "Highland Mangabey. Experts say that fewer than a thousand highland monkeys exist, and the should soon be put on the endangered species list.

Highland Magabeys are medium sized, with a long off-white colored tails. they also have off-white colored bellies, and are covered with thick brown fur. Their face, hands, feet, and eyelids are black. This species lives in temperatures that drop below freezing, in elevations up to 8,000 feet. Experts say that the Magabey is in danger of being exsticted. It is facing exstition, because their habitat is being elimenated by logers. they are also being hunted for their meat.
I think that the new species of monkey is a great discovery. We have a responseability to protect all of God's animals. We have to protect them so that our childeren can also enjoy them.
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shellfish

A toxic red tide in the new england region is poisoning dozens of shellfish beds. toxins in the algae began to collect in the shellfish.

In one night the toxin justmped ofur time the legal limit, officials closed the shellfish flats in Nantucket Harbor. Officials in the south tip of cape cod closed off all local waters, that is an area where fishermen harvest shellfish worth almost $4 million dollars a year.

algae blooms are natural exstince in costal areas of california and and new england. this is bamed for killings of fish or noxious fumes. fed by pollutants, red tides have become more common

to learn more click here

Animals Detecting Natural Distasters...

Aniamals already have natual senses to use in nature to locate prey or predators. But can they really sense natural distasters?

Research has shown that they can get out of the way of earthquakes by sensing the earths vibrations and moving to higher ground. That is one theory. The other is that they can detect changes in the air.

Some people don't like the idea of using animals as natural distaster detectors. They can change their behavior for many reasons, and they don't beleive that it would be worth while to just study the animals.

I usually know when there is a storm or an earthquake comming because my two dogs freak out. So it is proven, but not for everyone. In my opinion, sure, I would trust that my dogs are right.

If you would like to read more about it, HERE is the article.

dont eat the fish

In New York a Red Tide poisoning has klled many fish and made others very poisonous along the whole New England coast. They say plankton have caused it and there is alot more than there was befor, there is actually more than they think there ever has been. They have spred 30 miles and the diseese has gone farther than that.

This is very very bad news for everybody that lives there or close to there. The people who eat them get poisoned and the sellers cant sell them to anybody. The selling of the fish and other sea things is the " coastal community's commercial lifeblood. They say it may be months befor the fisherman can start fishing again.

The fisherman get over 4 million dollars worth of fish every year and this is there bigest times of the year. Some spots in the ocean are so bad they can kill a whole restrant. there have been more red tides than normal in the last few years. Thay are trying to get it all cleared out but it looks like it wont be all gone for a wile

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Gliding Ants

A scientist from the University of the Texas Medical Branch was on an expedition climbing some 100 feet up in the trees. While he was there, he fought off numerous ants that seemed to come right back after he shrugged them off. Once he did further experiments, he discovered that these ants glided back to the original trunk they came from.
I believe that it is important to know that every species of animal is important so that the next generation may have more knowledge about the world around them.
To find out more about these extraordinary creatures click here.