Forensic Chemists Podcast

Forensic Chemist Podcast

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Fighting the Flu: Do Hand Sanitizers Work?

In a recent article, I read that hand sanitizers help kill bacteria and demolish any harmful viruses. When the sanitizer is on the hands for 15 seconds, most bacteria goes away instantly. Although hand sanitizer kills bacteria, everyone should still wash their hands due to the fact that there is dirt on their hands. Dirt can not be demolished by hand sanitizer but by hand washing. With the seasonal flu along with the Swine Flu, everyone should be careful and always sanitizing or washing their hands. Many schools, hospitals and work places are always carrying sanitizer so whenever you get the chance, just sanitize your hands! I myself think that this article was very useful and informational. I learned that no matter how much sanitizer I use, I will always need to wash my hands because there will always be harmful dirt on the hands. I also enjoyed the fact that a sanitizer has to have 60% or more alcohol in order to work and defeat bacteria. Overall, this article helped me realize so much about bacteria!

CSI: NY Connected to Science!

Yesterday, while I was watching my favorite show, CSI: NY, I connected the episode to science. In order for the detectives to find the killer, they had to use DNA samples and track down the killer. I thought this was interesting because I never looked at shows from a science perspective. I always just watched the show. I also realized that in order to look at evidence more closely, scientists in the show used many microscopes and other devices. I also realized that science is present everywhere and science is the reason murderers are found and not on the loose. From now on, I will watch out for science, everywhere I go!

Goop Lab

On October 22, we performed a lab that required us to create goop and play with it to learn more about its change in phases. At first, the goop was flowing like a liquid because it was contained. After we started stirring it, it turned into a solid and started to harden. However, if someone was to decide whether this was a liquid or a solid, they would have to say that the goop is an amorphous solid. The goop is in the middle of liquids and solids, therefore, it acts like both. When the goop is on our hands, it melts and drips down as if it was a liquid. However, when we started to roll it into balls, the goop started to harden and become more like a solid. So, we have concluded that the goop which is cornstarch with water, is and amorphous solid. This activity was very helpful and helped me learn about amorphous solids and how they act as solids and liquid at the same time. Also, the lab was both fun and informational at the same time. The rule was, "You had to get your hands messy!" My lab group and I really enjoyed playing around with the goop. As I said before, this lab was also very helpful and informational. If it wasn't for this lab, I would have never understood what and amorphous solid really is and how it acted.

Live Science Blog

In the article I read, Chimps Catch Yawns from Cartoon, I learned that when chimps see any chimp yawning in a cartoon, they tend to yawn just like the one shown. The chimps have empathy so what they do is yawn just like the animation. Just like humans catch yawns, chimps do too. Scientists made an animation of chimps yawning and showed it to real chimps and guess what? Even thought the yawns are artificial, the chimps yawned after seeing the animation. Unlike humans though, chimps catch yawns from animated chimps while humans catch yawns from any animated character. Scientists say that animations can help other studies just like it helped with the chimp studies. The chimps yawn back as a response but not as an imitation. A link is provided for the original article below. As for this topic, my opinion is that chimps have empathy and care for the artificial yawning chimp. I also think that they are some what intelligent because they actually take the time to yawn and again, show empathy. My respect has grown for chimps now that I know that they know something in life!

http://www.livescience.com/animals/090916-yawn-chimps.html

October Sky

Last week, as a unit activity, we watched the heart-warming movie, October Sky. This movie is based on the true happenings that occurred with Homer Hickam Jr. The movie starts out with Homer and his friends watching Sputnik, the first rocket ever made by the Russians. Homer comes from a coal mining town in Virginia and all they thought about was coal. Coal mines were usually the owners of everything in a town. In Coalwood, Virginia, Homer's home was owned by the coal mining company. Working in the coal mines back then was very dangerous and all the men had to take care or else many deaths. Also, there were many accidents that occurred and almost all men died of the coal and chemical inhalants. Since this movie took place during the 1950's, rockets were really major and no kid had ever thought of building or even testing out a rock. Homer Hickam and a couple of his friends took it upon themselves and were determined to make rockets. With hard work and perseverance, the boys start making rockets but everything changes when one of their fired off rockets goes missing and the police accuses the boys of setting a fire in the woods with their rocket. Time went by and Homer had the idea to prove their innocence with math. By making calculations, the boys were able to prove that their rocket didn't start the fire in the woods. Once their innocence was proved, the boys were able to get back on track and enter the science fair. In the end of the movie, Hickam was supported by all of his county and with all that support, Homer was able to win the National Science Fair. Homer and his friends were able to go to top colleges and became proud children. Homer Hickam grew up and worked as an astronaut for NASA and achieved his dreams.

Also in the movie, some of the CARES traits were shown and some were not. For example, cooperation was shown with Homer Hickam and his friends because they all worked together to achieve their goal and they never backed away even through the toughest time. Unlike how Homer's dad cooperated with him. Another character educataion trait that was shown in the movie was self control. Homer always controlled himself whenever his dad yelled at him and dicouraged him. Homer was always full of energy and controlled his feelings and emotions. In the movie, the characters also showed respect to themeselves and to their teacher who always encouraged them to do what was in their hearts. Aside from the traits that were in the movie, empathy and assertion weren' t shown from Homer's dad and it turns out that they never agreed on anything. Homer Hickam's dad never felt emapthy for him until the way end and that was only a small part.

Last but not least, the movie October Sky, was an emotional and deep movie. I enjoyed watching it and I also learned a lot. Many people might think that the movie is just about Homer Hickam's life and that's it. I think that all of us could learn many lessons from Homer Hickam and how he lived his life the way he wanted to. :)

Response to DOWN SYNDROME

http://ponderingbacon.blogspot.com/2009/05/down-syndrome.html

Once I read about the disease "Down Syndrome" I felt deep sadness. I can't believe that down syndrome shapes the face in a weird and abnormal way. I myself can't imagine being a patient of down syndrome and not be able to think and act normally. Fortunately for these down syndrome patients, they can benefit so much from programs that are designed for that type of disease. As for the treatment, I hope that one day soon, there will be an available cure and down syndrome will be obliterated off this Earth. With the technology and high tech science we have now, anything is possible and I would be overwhelmed with joy if a cure is found anytime soon. I agree with Pondering Bacon when it was stated that she feels bad for down syndrome patients. Many people don't like the state that they are in now a days and can't seem to cooperate. If those people took a look at anyone with down syndrome, they would thank God for what they have and that they don't have to suffer and be a disease carrier. To sum it all up, kids and adults with down syndrome suffer unlike normal humans do. Everyone should do the best they can so we can find a cure for down syndrome. 

Genetic Disorders: Canavan Disease

Canavan disease was  discovered in  1931 and causes major brain damage. What happens is that the ill gene mutates and that causes the myelin in the brain to start getting damage. Also the white matter in the brain starts getting spongy and that's when the brain damage starts occurring. When a child or toddler has Canavan disease, their motor skills differ from any other being. Besides from that, eating and swallowing becomes very difficult and complicated. Unlike normal humans, these children and toddlers will never be able to enjoy a good meal. At this time, there is no current cure or treatment for this disease. In order for scientists to build a treatment, one would need to understand the molecular aspects, the amount of affected cells and the amount of fluid in the brain and in the cell. Canavan disease is most common in the people of Ashkenazi (eastern and central Europe) and mostly the people of Jewish heritage. 1 in 6400 to 13500 get this disease. In my opinion, that is not so much and I think that is kind of rare. The common mortality of this disease is before the age of four and  early childhood. In other cases which are not that common, people with the disease can live up to adolescence and maybe adulthood. The thing that is really sad about this disease is that the patients of it can never enjoy the life others have. I myself would hate to have Canavan disease because I would die young and not be able to live a healthy and happy life. Everyone with Canavan disease is a hero to me! 

For more information go to:

www.canavandisease.net

Science Blog

Researchers have found and concluded that women are more religious and closer to God than men. George H. Gallup, a researcher, said that there is a great amount of differences that separates the two genders with God. 58% of women have a personal belief with God while only 45% of men do. A reason behind this can be that women are more motherly and caring than most men. Also, women spend more time with their children and that means more time teaching them about God, going to church, and many other religious activities. There is still many more to discover and that's what scientists are doing right now.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20090301/sc_livescience/womenmorereligiousthanmen;_ylt=AjsbpSX.tiWKgPLAgmA7zG4PLBIF

Social Studies Blog

President Barack Obama has had a huge impact over the United States ever since he took his place in office. One major concern that he has is Health Care and everyone without out it. President Obama has seeks 634 Billion dollars for the next decade in order to help Health Care get stronger, better, and back on it's feet. Also, aside from this Health Care issue, the country doesn't know what to do anymore since there has to be money set aside for the wars that are being fought.Barack Obama is trying his best in convincing everyone that Health Care is a top priority and needs to be taken care of.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obama_budget

My Roller Coaster Website

The Leaning Tower of Terror

Marissa, A 13 Year Old Autistic Child

How can an autistic child go from mad to glad and content? Recently, Marissa, a thirteen year old autistic teenager began taking steps in order to mature. Marissa used to scream, shout, steal and throw tantrums if she didn't get what she wanted. All that was way before she started getting therapy for her case. This therapy and this kind of treatment usually costs 20,000, but in this case, the price was lowered because CNN was present. Marissa is now not depending on her therapist, Rick Schroeder, who taught her how to not throw tantrums and try acting like a normal kid. Marissa is now all alone with her parents who have to follow up and treat her like Schroeder. This story is very toughing and really shows that nothing is impossible. 

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/04/autism.resolution/index.html

Local News!

On January 22, 2009, a fire occurring on New Road left four people without a home. This fire took place on Rt 522 specifically on New Road. The fire began at about 10-am and firefighters rushed to the scene. No one was hurt although there was no shelter available for the apartment owners. Firefighters from Monmouth Junction and Kendall park responded and the fire was taken care of in about 25 minutes. How the fire started is no mystery and there happened to be no sign of arson or foul play. The reason for the fire? Well, there was an electrical problem and the fire started in the electrical box, out to the wall, and into the adjoining room. No one was hurt and I am glad that everyone made it out safely. 

http://www.centraljersey.com/articles/2009/02/04/south_brunswick_post/news/doc4980d6a169a39130499916.txt

INAUGURATION 2009

On Tuesday January 20st, crowds gathered in schools, Times Square and all across the world to watch Barack Obama be sworn in as the first African American President of the United States. This event has been waited for a long time, people have lived for years and years to see this day come to reality. At 12:00 pm, Barack Obama was officially the 44th president of the United States even though he was sworn in 4 minutes after. This event unfolds a great moment in history and I am sure that it will never be forgotten. Where were you when this history unfolded?

My analysis on the first article, "Inauguration jubiliation spreads across the country" is: this article focuses on different people in different places but at the same time. People were gathered everywhere to watch Barack Obama's speech and to witness history unfold. "People are cheering here as if they were there," there was joy and gladness in the air, even if people were watching all the way from California. All ages were there to support President Obama as he took a most sacred oath, either old, young or middle aged, everyone new that this day, the Inauguration of Barack Obama, would never be obliterated from people's minds. Even disabled individuals were able to witness President Obama on Inauguration Day. That is what this article really focuses on, that people all over the country and all over the world were there to watch and encourage Barack Obama.

I think that this article mostly means Barack Obama is going to bring lots of change to the U.S. "Yes, we can," people chanted while Obama made his inaugural speech. Barack Obama promised that he is going to change the way our economy is going and many believe he will. As Obama said, "...and they will be met." Everyone now marks Barack Obama's words as he said them, these words were left engraved in the hearts of many people, young and old, short and tall. Also, change is on it's way, and the United States will soon return to be the sunshine it was before. CHANGE is coming, and before we know it, CHANGE will be here!

My opinion on the inauguration is that it was awesome. There was a great deal of money spent and I think that paid off. Obama's speech was the best ever and I myself will never forget it. Based on what President Obama said, I have great hope that the economy will change for the better. Stocks will go up, houses will go up and America will pay all of it's debt. I had a great time watching the Inauguration at school and when I grow up, I will talk to my kids and grand kids about this historic day... and I KNOW where I was!

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/20/obama.reaction/index.html
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/01/21/inaugcover0121.html
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45384000/jpg/_45384456_video_holder1.jpg