Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Full Moon Trifecda and then some.



You might want to look up this evening ( Early Wendesday Morning ) because the Moon will be doing some cool stuff.

1) This Moon is a Super Moon: The moon travels in an elliptical orbit, so this time the moon is a little closer to Earth than the average distance. This makes the Moon appear large and brighter.

2) This Moon is a Blue Moon: Using the modern definition of a "Blue Moon", the second full moon in a calendar month, this is the second full moon in the month of January.

3) This Moon is a Blood Moon: The full moon will enter the Earth's shadow making a lunar eclipse. The color of the Moon may vary from Amber Yellow to a Deep Red. The color comes from the refraction of sunlight through the Earth's atmosphere.

4) This Moon is the Snow Moon: Usually this would be the Wolf Moon, the full moon in the month of January, however since it is the second full moon and should be the full moon of Feburary this moon is called the "Snow Moon"

You can read some details about the Moon and viewing this wonder here:

Look up! Tonight's total lunar eclipse is special in at least three ways

'Super Blue Blood Moon' Coming Jan. 31

Thursday, January 25, 2018

First Primates Cloned! Is Human Cloning just around the Corner?

Scientist have cloned two Macaques monkeys. These are the first clones in the primate branch, the same branch that humans and all other Hominids belong. Cloning a primate is a big step towards cloning human beings. Here is some video of theses two cuties: Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua.



You may also read some great articles about the two Macaques monkeys and the methods used to generate theses clones.

Monkey Clones Created in the Lab. Now What?

Zhong Zhong and Hua Hua: first primates born using Dolly the sheep cloning method

Researchers clone the first primates from monkey tissue cells

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Astronomy and Physics: Metallic Hydrogen


Scientist have made metallic Hydrogen! A substance thought to be in the cores of Jupiter and Saturn. Now made in the lab you can read the story here: Metallic hydrogen has been created for the first time

Environment Science: The End of Antibiotics

A 70 year old woman died from an infection after being treated with 26 different types of antibiotics. The bacteria that killed her was a resistant strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

You can read the entire story here: A Superbug That Resisted 26 Antibiotics

How can you fight the Antibiotic Apocalypse? Try eating less bacon. You can read that story here: How You Can Stop Antibiotic Resistance (And Still Eat Bacon)

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Environment Science: Zika here to stay.

Along with the Zika virus, many other tropical diseases are here to stay in the Southern United States due to climate change. Many mosquitoes that thrive in warmer climates are finding a new home in Florida and other states in the south due to milder winter.
You can read (or listen) about the Zika virus here: Zika May Be In The U.S. To Stay

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Environmental Science - The Plant that Bleeds like Beef


Impossible Foods is working on a burger made from a plant. A veggie burger that bleeds and sizzle just like real ground beef!
You can read the NPR story here:Silicon Valley's Bloody Plant Burger Smells, Tastes And Sizzles Like Meat
or you can just visit the Impossible Foods website.

Thursday, August 25, 2016


Microbeads in Cosmetics: The New Water pollution.
That $20 avocado and mango facial scrub with microbeads are a danger to the ocean, life and human. Most beauty product that exfoliate have little tiny round balls of plastic called microbeads. These beads wash down the drain after bathing and are NOT removed from waste water at the local treatment plant. The beads eventually enter the rivers and ocean on our planet. Sometime these beads are mistaken as food by fish and other wildlife.

You can read about it here: Toxic Timebomb: Here's the science that explains why microbeads are a disaster

Of course, This is not the only place microbeads show up. Try your toothpaste...

Why dentists are speaking out about the plastic beads in your toothpaste

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Environmental Science: Flint's Water Crisis

Flint's Water Crisis OR How public decisions affect you!

Flint's water has been toxic for some time now due to a budget decision made over a year ago. You can see the CNN story here:

How Tap Water Became Toxic in Flint, Michigan



You may find the NPR stories helpful as well. Give them a listen if you want.

High Lead Levels in Michigan Kids After City Switches Water Source

and this one:

Who's to Blame for Flint's Water Problem