Science Memes

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Can Sugar Make You Stupid?

It is a known fact that one can get obese by eating foods with high sugar levels, but who knew one could become stupid?  Foods and drinks high in sugar have been proven to slow you down.  Study shows that diets high in sugar levels completely damage the ability of synapses to change.  This is a key factor in learning.  Likewise, drinks made with sugar also ruin protein insulin by the brain called hippocampus.  The hippocampus regulates the sugar and helps with memory formation.  To prove this, scientists used lab rats.  The lab rats were trained to navigate through a maze for five days.  Thee rats had nothing but water and rat chow.  In the following six weeks, the rat’s water was replaced with syrups that were 15% fructose.  Also, half of these mice were given flaxseed oil and fish oil.  These two oils are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.  Because of the omega-3, the chemical connections in the brain are protected.  After six weeks, scientists put the rats back into the maze.  The rats’ speed was reduced dramatically.  However, the rats that received omega-3 were considerably faster than rats that were on the fructose diet. 

                I found this article to be astonishing.  Who knew that sugar can affect you so much?  I believe that this article gives more reasons as to why Americans should be eating in moderation.  Not only do we have to worry about gaining an extra pond or two when we have our daily chocolate, now we will be worrying about getting stupider!  Most people want to be smart.  Therefore, knowing that sugary foods and drinks can make you less smart will motivate you to eat healthier.  This is definitely a good thing.  I think that this shocking discovery will make America more fit.

                

Sources:

Article: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/05/120522-sugar-stupid-rats-high-fructose-corn-syrup-health-science/ 

Picture:http://bitmob.com/articles/the-video-gamer-nutrition-activity-and-mental-health

A Body with Forty Livers

Dysfunctional liver?  Do not fear because now you can have forty functional livers all throughout your body!

Doesn’t that seem crazy?  Well, it is actually is a plan that has a good chance of working.  In University of Pittsburgh, a stem cell researcher named Eric Lagasse found a successful way of helping treat liver failure patients.  When pondering about how the scar tissue in a damaged liver doesn’t allow the organ to heal, Lagasse noticed that transplanted liver cells can grow in certain areas of the body.  So to test his theory, Lagasse used several healthy mice to transport liver cells into the end-stage liver disease mice.  A majority of the mice died within eight weeks (this is normal as they are at the end-stage of liver disease), however the ones that survived Lagasse injected liver cells into their belly.  That changed everything.  The mice began to get healthy.  After tracing the path of the imported liver cells, Lagasse found that the cells moved to the lymph nodes.  The lymph nodes are ideal things to use to grow a liver because they can expand to the size of an organ, and there are so many of them that it won't make a difference if one is sacrificed.  Additionally, lymph nodes have direct access to the bloodstream meaning that they can nurture the growing organ with nutrients, hormones, and signaling agents.  Through this experiment, Lagasse grew twenty to forty mini livers in mice with liver failure that slowly took the place of the dying liver.  The size of all the mini livers combined is 70% of a normal liver.  In the experiment, Lagasse did not have any rejections because the mice were genetically engineered to have the same DNA.  However, when he tries this treatment on humans, he is going to be depending on immunosuppressant drugs to prevent rejection.  Lagasse is also looking into a new technology that allows patients to be their own donors.  This is called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).  This technology allows adult cells to turn into embryonic stem cells.  Ultimately, they can become any cell, such as a healthy liver cell.  Although this cannot heal liver disease, it can keep a patient healthy until they receive a transplant.

When I first read about this plan, I thought it was ridiculous! Why would having forty livers help treat a liver disease patient?  As I read on though, I realized that it was an interesting plan.  It’s amazing how a tiny lymph node can become a whole liver.  Moreover, I found it intriguing how the liver can grow in other places.  It’s strange think about having a liver in the back of your knee instead of your abdomen.  It is also interesting because instead of having one liver, you have several.  So if one of the new ones fails, you have thirty-nine to back it up.  However, there are some things that I think that demeans this idea.  First off, say you get a liver in in the back of your knee.  Wouldn’t it be a pain to walk around with an extra pound on one leg?  Also, having a liver in the back of your knee isn’t exactly slightly.  Lastly, the liver cells can migrate to the lungs causing severe respiratory problems.  Overall, Eric Lagasse’s idea fascinating and will save millions of people.


Sources:
Article and Picture: http://discovermagazine.com/2012/mar/30-turning-lymph-nodes-into-liver-growing-factories

"Mom's Weight May Be a Risk Factor for Autism"

A recent study shows that a mother's weight can be a cause for Autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. in an unborn child. In this study, it was proven that an obese mother-to-be or a mother with diabetes or hypertension is 67% more likely to give birth to a child with autism. In addition, a mother that is obese is two times as likely to give birth to a child with other developmental disorders, such as poor communication skills or lack of attention. In a fetus, anything that happens in a mother's body will affect it. A mother with hypertension or diabetes exposes her unborn child to high glucose at an early age. This glucose level can alter the way an unborn child's brain develops. During the study, it was found that autistic children born diabetic mothers had poorer communication skills compared to autistic children born to healthy mothers. Furthermore, children without Autism born to diabetic mothers showed sign of socialization problems and poor communication skills whereas the non-autistic children of healthy mothers didn't.

In my opinion, this article shared very important information. To begin, it explained that there are several causes of Autism. I used to think that Autism was just some sort of genetic mutation. I now know that it is much more than that. It is disorder that alter the way a child thinks, communicates, and acts. Moreover, this study will encourage mothers, women, and even girl to be healthy from the start. In America, 60% of pregnant women are overweight, 34% are obese, 16% have metabolic syndrome, and 9% are diabetic. These are huge numbers. Next, this new information adds another piece to the "Autism puzzle." Scientists have struggled for years to find more information on Autism, and this study will trigger more answers to even more complex questions. Likewise, this study gives scientists more information on what causes Autism and how to treat it. Lastly, this tell women planning on getting pregnant to keep their glucose levels in control and to exercise and eat right. All in all, this article gives great insight on Autism and ways to reduce the risk of giving birth to a child with it.

Sources:

Article and Picture: http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/09/moms-weight-or-diabetic-condition-may-be-a-factor-in-autism/?hpt=he_c2

Atom Bomb your Molecules

Atom Bomb Your Molecules: The Atom Song

Based on "Till the World Ends Remix" by Britney Spears Ft. Nicki Minaj, and Ke$ha

LYRICS:

Electrons is hatin’ but I take it all in stride

Put her in an atom with electrons on the side

Told you they’d revive your career but somebody lied

I ain’t talking poultry when I say Bohr’s got diagrams

Anyway neutron, why they so jealous that you teamed up with me

Tell my mass number just so high

Anyway atom whats that I don’t know but its got proton, neutron, electron

I done drew your whole entire atom model

Oh oh you got some diagrams?

I done balled all day

You ain’t touch the court

What, what you tired?

You need a break?

You was smart what?

Nucleus

I notice that you got it

You notice that I want it

You know that I can take it

To the next atomic number

If you understood this

This is the remix

Baby let me count your protons tonight

It’s Britney babe, I’m Nicki Minaj, and that’s Kesha

I can’t take it take it take no more

My neuclues never been this heavy before

C’mon get me get me get me on the floor

Particles what you what you waiting for . . .

WOAH OH OH OH OH OHO OH OH . . .

Watch my electrons move as they lose control

They got a negative charge

You notice my Bohr Diagram

It’s got protons, neutron, and electrons

You know that I can take it to the next atomic number

Just count the protons

Next one on my model

Baby let count you neutrons tonight

[Chorus] I can’t take it take it take it no more

protons and electrons cancel each other out

C’mon get me get me get on the floor

Particle what you what you waiting for

WOAH OH OH OH OH OH OH OH . . .

[Bridge] let’s take these elements

put them on a

periodic table

Gonna add my

Protons and neutrons

To get my mass number

Electrons keep on moving till the world ends

Keep on moving till the world ends

WOAH OH OH OH OH OH . . .

See the sunlight

We ain’t stopping

Electrons Keep on moving till the world ends

If you feel it

Let it happen

Electrons Keep on moving till the world ends

Physical and Chemical Changes

In class, we performed four labs that were all very alike. The purpose of these labs were to show examples of physical and chemical changes. A physical change is when the appearance of a substance changes, but the chemical composition does not change. On the other hand, a chemical change is when the chemical composition changes.

The first lab was called “Observing a Candle.” This lab was very simple. We observed a candle before and after it was lit. During this lab, I noticed a physical and a chemical change. After our teacher lit the candle, the candle wax started to melt. Melting is the process in which a solid, in this case the candle, turns into a liquid. This change is a physical change because the appearance of the candle changed. The chemical change that occured in this lab was when the candle started to burn. This would be a chemical change because the chemical composition of the candle changed. The candle caught on fire because of the way the components of the candle reacted with the fire.

The next lab our class performed was called "Pouring a Gas." In this lab, we made carbon dioxide. To do this, we had to mix vinegar and baking soda together. Once the mixture started to fizz, I knew a chemical change occurred. The combining of vinegar and baking soda is a chemical change because the chemical composition of the two components changed. The way the vinegar and baking soda reacted with one another caused a new substance to be formed -- carbon dioxide. Before making the carbon dioxide, our teacher lit a candle. To perform this lab, we had to hold the fizzing carbon dioxide over the candle. When we did this, the fire went out. This because carbon dioxide does not support fire.

The next day, our class did a lab called "Marshmallow Fun." For this lab, we were given small marshmallow and a large marshmallow. After describing the characteristics of both, we took the small marshmallow and ripped it in half. By ripping it in half, we made physical change occur. This would be a physical change because the appearance of the marshmallow changed, but the chemical composition did not change. After ripping it in half, we were allowed to eat it! After we finished using the small marshmallow, we moved on to the large marshmallow. Our teacher lit the Bunsen burner and we put the large marshmallows on on kabob sticks. We roasted the marshmallows over the burner until part of it turned black. The change that occurred in the marshmallows after I burnt it is called a chemical change because the substance changed after interacting with a different substance. Afterwards, we ate the large marshmallow. The burnt part tasted bitter and was hard and brittle. The inside of the marshmallow, however, was soft, creamy, and sweet.

The last lab we performed was a lab with sugar cubes. At the start of the lab, we took a couple sugar cubes and crushed them. This would be a physical change because the substance did not change, just the way it looked changed. Then we took the crushed up sugar and put it in a cup of water. The sugar dissolved immediately. At first, I was confused on whether this is a physical change or a chemical change. I then learned that it was a physical change because a new substance wasn't formed. The form of the sugar changed -- you could still separated the sugar from the water. Then, we put two sugar cubes in a test tube and put it over the Bunsen burner. The sugar went through different stages very fast. It melted, then became caramel, and then burnt all the way through. This would be a chemical change because it describes the way the sugar reacted with the heat. At the end of the lab, I tasted the burnt sugar. It was very bitter and very disgusting.

You can find physical and chemical changes all around you. When it is cold outside and you want to get cozy, you light the fireplace. That would be a chemical change. Another time you see a chemical change occur without even knowing is when you bake. The way the ingredient react with each other creates a whole new substance. In addition, physical changes take place all around you. For example, when comb your hair, you are making a physical change. Your hair is not changing, just the way it looks changes. Furthermore, you create physical changes when you eat. The crushing of the food in your mouth with your teeth is a physical change.

All in all, physical and chemical changes are all around us. You don't just see them in a chemistry lab. I also learned so much more about physical and chemical changes through the labs I completed. I can now tell the difference between the two and give example of both. Additionally, it was intriguing to see physical and chemical changes take place first hand.

Image Sources:

Candle

Marshmallow

Sugar

Separating Mixtures

Procedures:

1. First, remove toothpicks from heterogeneous mixture with your hands.

2. Secondly, remove the marble with the spoon.

3. Take the beans out with the spoon.

4. Then, turn the filter paper into a cone and put it into the funnel. Following this, put the funnel on top of the graduated cylinder. After this, put the beans into the funnel and pour the mixture through the funnel.

5. Once the water goes into the graduated cylinder, take the beans out with your hands and put them aside on the tray.

6. Then, use the magnet to pick up the iron fillings from the funnel. Put the iron fillings onto the tray.

7. After that, dump the sand in the filter onto the tray.

8. Next, remove the funnel from the graduated cylinder.

9. Following this, pour the remaining mixture into the Erlenmeyer flask. Then, turn the hot plate on and put the flask onto the hot plate. This will separate the salt from the water.

10. Once the water is evaporated, you should see the salt. Turn the hot plate off and use the tongs to remove the Erlenmeyer flask from the hot plate. Place the flask onto the table (not the tray!).

11. Lastly, clean up your area.

The seven parts are now separated!

Frog Dissection

Unlike most people, I found looking at a frog's insides quite "cool." Sure, while dissecting the frog I felt bad. I mean, it was a living creature. And yet, I had to take it apart. Before we started to dissect our frog, our teacher told us to get to know the frog. After taking some time to get to know our frog, we decided to name it Kermit (my teacher, "Very Original"). Later one, we discovered our frog was a girl. So we changed its name to Kermita.
The first thing my lab partners and I saw were the blood vessels. When we made the "doors" with the skin in the frog, my lab partner noticed the blood vessels right away. I had a hard time believing her. I always thought that the blood vessels sort of roamed around the body. I was wrong. When my teacher pointed the blood vessels out, I was extremely astonished. The blood vessels were kind of stuck onto the skin. It was almost as if the blood vessels were drawn onto to the skin.
Once we cut through the layers of muscles, we came to the organs. Remember when I said we discovered the frog was a girl, well this is how we knew. When we opened it up, the eggs were the first thing we saw. Because there were millions of them, they took up a huge portion of the frog. The eggs were small and black. To study the organs, we had to scoop out the eggs. This is when I started to feel bad about cutting open a frog. I was surprised that the eggs weren't protected by anything. In the human body, the eggs are in the ovaries and are the size of a cell. On the other hand, the eggs in the frog were visible to the naked eye. Seeing as most organisms exist to reproduce, you would think the reproductive organs and parts would be protected. The next thing we saw was really disgusting. They were these spaghetti shaped things in an orange and yellow color. I'm pretty sure you've already guessed it. They were the fat bodies. Luckily, Kermita wasn't fat, so there wasn't much fat to take out.
After we pulled out the fat, we were able to see the organs. Did you know that a frog has three livers? I didn't. I was flabbergasted when I saw the three livers. At first, I thought it was the lungs and the stomach. I was obviously wrong. The three livers are called the right lobe, the left anterior lobe, and the left posterior lobe. The liver's function is very important. It produces bile, a substance that breaks down the fats in the body. Underneath the livers, wass the gall bladder, the stomach, and the intestines. The function of the gall bladder is to store the bile the liver produces until it is needed. The function of the stomach I would think is quite obvious - it breaks down the food through mechanical and chemical digestion. The chemical digestion is when the hydrochloric acid and pepsin in the stomach break down the food. After the stomach, the food goes into the small intestine. The function of this organ is extremely important. It extracts all of the nutrients in the chyme. The large intestine is not at all like the large intestine in the human body. It looked a lot like the stomach. The large intestine seemed to be the same size as the stomach too. The difference is the function of the large intestine is to prepare wastes for elimination from the body.
We also saw the heart and lungs. The heart pumps the blood. It was white and it actually looked like a legitimate heart. Since it is a major organ, it is protected by the peritoneum (a spider web like membrane that covers the organs). Because there was no air in the lungs, they looked deflated. This is because the frog was preserved.

All in all, dissecting a frog was a fun learning experience. Frogs are interesting creatures and learning how their body works made them even better.

If you are interested in learning more about a frog's anatomy visit the website below:

http://frog.edschool.virginia.edu/Frog2/

My Picture Sources:

http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Kermit_the_Frog

http://www.e-tutor.com/et3/lessons/view/52133/print

http://www.scientificillustrator.com/illustration/amphibians/leopard_frog.html

Glogster

This is the link to my glog on the Circulatory System:

http://www.glogster.com/cocoapuffs321/the-circulatory-system/g-6lsvre7un0ips2hu54bo1a0

As the Stomach Churns

Day 1:

In Science class, we did a lab that showed how digestions occurs in the stomach. We used hydrochloric acid dilute, pepsin, water, and cubed egg whites. The hydrochloric acid dilute, pepsin, and water represented the chemicals in our stomach. The egg whites represented the food we are digesting. We had four test tubes that represented four different stomachs. In test tube A, we put the pepsin and three egg whites. Our test tube A had no immediate reaction. Then, we put water, pepsin, and three egg whites in test tube B. Test tube B did not have any immediate reaction other than the water going to the top and the pepsin sinking to the bottom. Next, we put hydrochloric acid dilute and three egg whites in test tube C. This test tube did not have any immediate reaction. Lastly, we put hydrochloric acid dilute, pepsin, and three egg whites in test tube D. This test tube also did not have any immediate reaction. After each test tube, we used litmus paper to test which test tubes were acidic. Test tube A and test tube B were not acidic because the blue litmus paper did not turn pink when it came in contact with the substances inside the test tubes. However, the blue litmus paper turned pink when it came in contact with the substances in test tubes C and D. This is because both of these test tube held hydrochloric acid dilute.

Day 2:

When we came back to science class today, we observed the test tubes again. In test tube A, the egg whites did not dissolve. Instead, the pepsin inside froze and hardened around the egg whites. The next test tube, test tube B, had some change. The pepsin dissolved into the water making it foggy. The egg whites seemed to have shrunk by the smallest amount. In test tube C, there was no reaction. The egg whites did not shrink. When we got to test tube D, we saw a significant change compared to the other test tubes. In our test tube, the egg whites shrunk and the piece were coming off from it. Lastly, we used the blue litmus paper. Again, test tubes A and B did not make the litmus paper turn pink. However, the substances inside test tubes C and D made the blue litmus paper pink. Looking at test tubes A and C, I can confirm that the pepsin and the hydrochloric acid dilute are not powerful by themselves. When they are combined, however, they can do much more. This is shown in test tube D. In this test tube, the hydrochloric acid dilute and the pepsin were combined. In just one day, you could a significant difference from the day before.

Chicken Wing Dissection

In class, we watched our teacher perform a chicken wing dissection. This was to show how the human arm worked. As she was dissecting, the first type of tissue we saw was the skin tissue. The skin is a type of epithelial tissue. This tissue was whitish-yellow and was bumpy. The skin was attached to the muscle tissue. Then, our teacher showed us the muscle tissues. The muscle was pink and smooth. The muscle attached to the bone. Before our teacher reached the bone, she showed us other types of tissue. We saw fat and ligaments. The fat was white and smooth. It is used as a cushion. Next, we saw the ligaments. The ligaments were white. This used to help move the muscle tissue. The fats and ligaments are attached to the muscle tissue. When our teacher reached the bones, we saw the cartilage. This connects to the bones and is used to help the bone move around. Without cartilage, our bodies would be stiff as rocks. The cartilage was also white. In the chicken wing, there are also nerve tissues. However, in the chicken wing our teacher dissected, we were not able to see the nerve. If it was there, it would have been attached to the muscles.

This lab was done to show how a human's arm works. Almost everything is the same. The skin is the first tissue. Then comes the muscle. After that the fats ligaments are shown. Lastly, you will see the bones and cartilage. Additionally, the way a chicken's wing works is similar to the way a human's arm works. In both organisms, the skin is the first layer. It is always used to protect what is on the inside. The muscles move the same too. They both need the ligaments to help. The fat is used to cushion in both organisms. Lastly, the cartilage helps the bones move in both organisms. Although, there are two things that are different. The first one is that the muscle proportions are different in the organisms. The last one is that chickens don't have phalanges (finger bones).

Diffusion Lab

To demonstrate how diffusion works in a cell, we did an experiment with iodine and starch. In the experiment, we put a spoonful of starch and a small amount of water into a plastic baggie. Then, we filled a beaker halfway up with water. Lastly, we poured some iodine into the beaker and placed the starch baggie into the beaker. To finish the experiment, we had to let the baggie sit in the beaker for at least fifteen minutes.

After fifteen minutes, the starch in the bag was supposed to turn purple. This is because of diffusion. Diffusion is the term used to describe the process of molecules moving form an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. In the lab, the plastic baggie was selectively permeable. Selectively permeable means that only certain things can go in and out. Since the plastic baggie was selectively permeable, the iodine molecules were able to go through the bag and spread into the starch. Once starch and iodine mix, they become purple. This is supposed to happen. However, in our lab the iodine molecules were not small enough to go through the baggie.

This experiment is a demonstration of what happens to cells. The plastic baggie represents the cell membrane. The starch represents the cell and the iodine represents things outside the cell. Our cell membrane is selectively permeable. This way only certain things can go into and out of the cell. For example, the cell allows water to come in and allows waste product to go out. However, it doesn't allow the organelles to go out or waste to come in.

Picture Source:

http://missbzscience.wikispaces.com/4b)+Diffusion+%26+Osmosis

A Paralyzed Man Can Now Walk

After a brutal car accident in 2006, Rob Summer was paralyzed chest down. After the accident Summers was given two years of therapy to gain movement in his legs. After all this, he still wasn’t able to even move his toe.

Then, in 2009 Summers was given a surgery where the doctors placed a device that would electrically provoke the lower spine. The device is supposed to copy the signal that usually comes from the brain. Right when the indication is given to the spine, the patient tries to do something with his legs. In this case, he would attempt to stand up without help. When Summers wants to move his legs, the nerves in the spinal cord work to control the muscle movement. All of this happens without the brain’s contribution.

After a while, however, the brain was able to make some sort of connection with the legs. When Summers wants to move his legs or arms voluntarily, the brain actually gets an input. Researchers aren’t truly sure how this even happened. However, the believe that the electrical stimulation must of turned on the nerve circuits that weren’t damaged by the accident. Another theory they have is that the electrical stimulation created new connections with the injured nerves.

I find this article to be very interesting. It is definitely a medical breakthrough. The fact that a man who couldn’t even move a toe for four years can now walk, is truly amazing. Additionally, through this, scientist learned much more. They learned that even if you are totally paralyzed, there is still some nerve activity. This information is crucial to know if you are treating paralyzed patients. One day, everyone will be able to walk.

Source:

http://www.livescience.com/14245-paralyzed-man-spinal-cord-injury-walks-electrical-stimulation-therapy.html

A Possible New Lung Stem Cell

After a recent study, scientist may have found a stem cell in the human lung. The stem cell found was capable of making a large amount of the organ’s tissue. To find out if the cell is really a stem cell, scientists tested it out on mice. They punctured the lungs of twenty-nine mice. Then, they injected the six doses of twenty thousand cells into the mice. Within the next ten to fourteen days, the cells that were injected created new airways, blood vessels, and air sacs in all of the mice. This showed a huge difference. The stem cells produced millions of new cells in a very short time. With this new discovery, scientists may be able treat deadly lung diseases, such as emphysema. It may also be able to treat pulmonary hypertension, which is high blood pressure in lungs’ arteries. Another way stem cells could be used is to help the lung recover after lung cancer surgery. However, scientists are not sure on whether the lung stem cell could help with asthma.

I find this to be a remarkable discovery that will change the face of medicine. Finally, we may have found a cure for fatal diseases like emphysema. This disease kills thousands of people every year. To have a cure for it is amazing. Although scientists aren’t sure on what diseases it will cure, it is up to our generations to find out. The stem cell discovery shows that technology is drastically improving. With this discovery, emphysema and other lung diseases will soon be a joke.

Sources:

Article and Picture:

http://healthland.time.com/2011/05/13/scientists-identify-possible-human-lung-stem-cell/

One of a Kind Whale

A few countries in the world-such as Norway, Greenland, and Japan- still allow whaling. However, in Norway, when a whale is hunted and is used in a whale product, it has to be given a DNA analyses to determine if the product comes from a legal source. When a geneticist named Kevin Glover was looking at a whale DNA, he was shocked. This DNA showed proof of a hybrid. The whale was a cross between a Northern Minke and an Antarctic Minke.

The only time the whales can meet is wen they are migrating. Both of the whales go down south during winter. However, a Northern Minke and an Antarctic Minke live on separate Hemispheres. so the chance of them meeting is slim to none.

This discovery by Kevin Glover has changed science. It shows that these whales might be migrating at different time. When I learned that the whales migrate at different times, i was surprised that an offspring of a Northern Minke and an Antarctic Minke could be born. I believe that this whale mix is the beginning of a new species.

Article and Picture source:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/01/110125-whales-hybrids-antarctica-arctic-science-animals/

New way to Diet: Imaginary Food?

Recently, scientists dicovered a new way to diet. Most people believe that when you diet, you shoud not think of chocolate or any other unhealthy foods. Well for those people, science has proved you wrong. Through hours of studying, scientists have come up with the most unbleievable technique. If you imagine a specific food, you loose your interest in it, causing you to eat less of it. However, this technique only works with the specific food you are imagining. For instance, if you are imaginig chocolate, that won't stop you from scarfing down a family-sized bag of potato chips. Being exposed to food repeatedly is called habituation. This habituation gives a signal to your brain that gives you have the feeling of a full stomach. Therefore, you end up eating less of it.

I think this article is important because it shows a new way for people to eat healthy. Many people in the U.S. are obese. Being obese, gives you a higher chance of Type Two Diabetes, Heart Disease, and strokes. Not only can this technique be helpful to people looking forward to control overeating, it also might be helpful to people with drug addictions. This technique may be the key to a happier, longer, and healthier lifetime.

Sources (Picture and Article are from the same page) :

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/12/101209-chocolate-obesity-science-mind-diet-weight-loss-eat-food/

MY Website on the Estauries of New Jersey

This is the website:

savetheestuaries.weebly.com

Parasitism

The picture to the left of this page is considered parasitism. Parasitism is when one organism lives on or in an organism, harming it. For example, if there is a tick on you, it will drink blood from your body. The tick benefits because it gets its food. However, you are harmed because it takes away some of your blood. In this case, it would be a parasite that ate part of a plant's leaves. We may not know what the parasite is, but we do know that fed on this plant. It benefited by getting food and energy. The plant is harmed because the parasite at some of the plants leaves and left it with a smaller amount of food.

Treasure, if you have post that I posted this today, I didn't, I just fixed something today.

Biotic Limiting Factor

This a picture a biotic limiting factor. A biotic limiting factor is a living or once living thing that limits the population of certain organisms. This picture is tree that is right in my neighborhood. The tree limits the amount of plants that grows underneath the it. It does this by blocking most of the sun the plants underneath it gets. It also gets most of the water since it is a big plant.