Owl Pellets

In science class, we are going to take apart owl pellets! No, owl pellets are not what comes out when you use the bathroom. Owls cannot chew their food, just like other birds, so they swallow their prey whole (in case you didn't know, owls are carnivores). Their digestive system separates the meat from the bones and fur or feathers. The owl then coughs up the remains in a pellet, kind of like a cat's hairball. Now that you know what an owl pellet is, I'm going to tell you what we have to do. We work with a partner for this assignment. We basically have to take the pellet apart and take out the bones. Then we have to figure out what bones they are and figure out what the owl ate for breakfast (or lunch or dinner).

For a virtual pellet disection, go to the following link:
http://www.kidwings.com/owlpellets/index.htm

Symbiosis in Science Class

In science class, we are learning about symbiosis. The three types of symbiosis are mutualism, which is when two organisms interact and both benefit, commensalism, which is when two organisms interact and one organism benefits while the other is neutral, and parasitism, which is when two organisms interact and one organism benefits while the other is harmed. We also recieved an assignment. Each of us had to choose any symbiotic relationship taking place in our area, take a picture of it, and write a paragraph on how that specific relationship is important and what is happening to the two organisms involved. The symbiotic relationship I chose was between a horse and its intestinal bacteria. I did some research and I found out that this relationship could either be commensalism or parasitism, so I typed two paragraphs. It can be commensalism because the intestinal bacteria perform a number of functions useful for the horse. It can be parasitism because if the intestinal bacteria leave the gut, it can cause a fatal infection that might lead to death. I also found out that all animals (including humans) have them, but don't worry, you're not going to die anytime soon. At least, I don't think so.

For more information on symbiosis, check out this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbiosis

For more information on intestinal bacteria, check out this link (the website will call it "gut flora"):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gut_flora

In First Place

I'm not sure you heard, but the Jets are in first place now, since the Patriots lost to the Colts. I was watching the game at my friend's house. Go Jets!

Climate Change Killing Walden Pond Plants

Believe it or not, the climate change is killing plants all around us. One place in particular, Walden Pond in Washington, has already lost 27 percent of the surrounding plants since the mid-eighteen hundreds. Another 36 percent of the plants are close to disappearing from the area. Researchers have found that warming temperatures have led to changes in the timing of seasonal activities in some plant species, but not others. They also found that plants that move to an earlier flowering time in warmer weather do well. Unfortunately, species that did not respond to temperature changes have decreased greatly. These species include anemones, buttercups, asters, lilies, roses, and many more.
For more information, visit this link:

Yahoo! News
Click on the tab that says science. Then click on the story titled "Climate Change Affecting Walden Pond Plants."

Contaminated Bottled Water

Guess what! Bottled water has contaminants too! I guess that puts the impression that bottled water is purer than tap water down the drain. For some reason, all the brands met the federal health standards, but two brands violated a California state standard. Tests were done on 10 different brands and 38 chemicals were found. This included bacteria, caffeine, acitaminophen (a pain releiver), fertilizer (trust me, it's like poison for your body), solvents, some plastic-making chemicals, and a radioactive element called strontium. Some of these contaminants came from tap water that some of the brands use. The other contaminants probably came from the plastic bottles that contain the water, (That's what researchers say. I had no idea.) The two brands that violated the California state regulation were Sam's Choice and Acadia, because they carried chlorine byproducts. Even after all this, it seems that bottled water is no less contaminated than tap water.
For more information, check out this link:
Yahoo! News

Out of the Playoffs

I know this is old news for anybody out there who follows the Mets, but I just realized that they are out of the Playoffs. I guess I'll just root for Tampa Bay for now . . . But next season the Mets will be back!
Click on this link to go to their website:

mets.com

Canada

I went to Canada! I saw the Niagara Falls for about the millionth time and got a hat. You should go there if you haven't already.