Glowing Plants

Roses that glow could reduce the need of street lights, according to the company Bioglow, Inc. A few reasearchers realized that this was possible after transplanting the genes of marine bacteria that allow them to light up into tobacco plants. After doing this, the researchers discovered that the tobacco plants were able to show a faint green glow. One of the researchers, Krichevsky, says this is the first time that plants have been able to glow by themselves. Glowing plants that were created before were sprayed with chemicals or had a temporary glowing effect. Right now, these plants can only glow a little bit, but Krichevsky assures that Bioglow will be able to make them glow even brighter. There are numerous living things that can produce a glow on their own, and Bioglow decided to transplant the gene of marine bacteria. The glow's color could be determined by the luciferase. This could be altered to show various colors on the plant, such as red or blue. Some people believe that this may cause nuclear contamination, but Krichevsky still needs to research further about this. Even though this fact has been discovered, the researchers say that these glowing plants will most likely not be found at a local florist and that this is more of just a visonary thing.

Source: http://www.livescience.com/technology/glowing-plants-101129.html

A Devastating Virus

Crickets that are raised as food for reptiles and other animals are dying because of a terrifying virus. This virus is quickly spreading around throughout cricket farms everywhere in North America. It has already brought millions of crickets to their death. This would assure at least one cricket producer to become bankrupt or out of a job. The cricket producer Elizabeth Payne says that there is no way to cure the virus and because of that, she was forced to go out of business. This virus has also affected crickets in Europe in 2002. In Canada, this destructive virus killed 60 million crickets. This virus came from a certain cricket. Although it is very deadly, it does not effect the other animals that eat crickets. Overall, the year for animals has not been very easy. Many of the cricket producers are now thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing the barns in the cricket farms to prevent more diseases to spread. Hopefully this disease will somehow be stopped from spreading further out, or many crickets will be in danger.


Source: http://www.livescience.com/animals/etc/110112-virus-paralyzes-crickets-and-pet-food-industry.html

This Tree's Niche

This tree may seem small, but it still has a role in the community. It's niche is to serve as a source of food for many birds with its berries and insects living in it. It gives insects food as well with the leaves. Also, it provides shelter for different birds and insects. They may create a nest in this tree. One another niche is to give out oxygen for different creatures. It absorbs sunlight by photosynthesis and absorbs water and minerals from the soil. Many of these different things it provides are in order for certain organisms to survive. Without it, they may not be able to, and die.

Limiting Factors In My Community

These flowers are a biotic limiting factor. This is because they are food for certain animals, such as bunnies. They are a source if nectar for insects. The flowers limit oxygen for many creatures. All these flowers together make a population.

Plant that increases pollution?

The intrusive and creepy kudzu vines have been spreading throughtout the southeastern part of the United Stated. Originated from Asia, these destructive vines may be a cause for ozone pollution. The kudzu rapidly extends along trees and blocks out sunlight, making it a threat. The amount of Kudzu is increasing at a rate of 120,000 acres of the vine growning a year. Ecologist Jonathan Hickman says that kudzu has a huge and negative impact on ozone pollution. The ozone is a part of the smog that clogs air in certain parts of the Earth. Hickman thought that maybe these kudzu vines were a cause of pollution. He decided to test the soil, and realized that nitrogen oxides, which effect the ozone, were doubled after the kudzu arrived in that area. The invasion of kudzu plants could highly effect the air, and increase the range of pollution levels. When Hickman realized that Kudzu plants were also invading the United States, he checked the level there. Luckily, there was no sign of an increase in pollution because of these plants. Hopefully, there will not be any signs in the future as well.

Source:

http://www.livescience.com/environment/kudzu-could-cause-ozone-pollution-100517.html

Strongest Insect

After many tests, scientific evidence proves that a species of horned dung beetle is given the name of the strongest insect in the world. The amazing beetle is called the Onthophagus Taurus. The tiny beetle can pull up to an incredible amount of 1,141 times its actual body size. To test the beetle's strength, the scientists attached a cotton thread to each beetle that was a part of their research. These horned beetles were much more stronger comparing to the hornless ones. Researchers claim that this may solve a puzzle in evolution. Over the years, biologists have assumed that these beetles show better quality most likely because of genes, but this is not what happens in reality. Instead of this theory, there is actually a lot of variability between strength and other traits. The scientist Knell suggests that some traits are actually carried on by habitat more than genes. Over a long period of time there are mutations throughout genes. The conditions must be stable in order for the organism to be able to survive. Knell states that more traits and conditions such as food availability, habitat, and environment. Without these conditions, a creature would not be able to stay alive. Knell had figured out in the study that the more well fed that the beetles were, the stronger they were while fighting. The Onthophagus beetle is definitely an interesting species, and should not be underestimated.


Source:
http://www.livescience.com/animals/worlds-strongest-insect-100323.html

Global Warming- Math

Math is found in many issues, even ones that don't seem to be related to it at all. Global warming is a world wide problem that is a huge threat to every living organism on Earth. As it continues, people will continue to suffer its negative consequences and severe changes that global warming brings. With this happening, the sea level is rising at a terrifyingly rapid pace. The rise is predicted to be up to three feet, which is enough to flood the three major airports in New York City, and the entire subway system. Clean water supply will be limited, due to salt water combining with freshwater. This will influence other people to leave the places with the rising sea level, and will settle into calmer locations. When more people move to these places, they can soon become overpopulated, and increase by thirty percent, which will make a big difference in the society. Also, global warming affects wildlife habitat. The warmth is causing the necessities of animals during the springtime to be gone by the time that they arrive to the places to get them from because winter would end too early. Animals will not have a place to raise their young, reproduce, or adapt to. According to Global Issues in Context, by 2050, fifteen to thirty-seven percent of wildlife species are to be extinct because of global warming. Out of the most fierce hurricanes, three occurred in 2005. Global warming had killed over 150,000 people that year, and things are getting worse. If humans don't stop polluting and avoiding the chances to attempt the prevention of this issue, the estimated cost for the solution is to be 1.9 trillion dollars. Since things are getting way too unpredictable, such as natural disasters coming our way, climate change, or mass extinction, global warming definitely needs to stop. Without a doubt, negative, or positive, all situations can relate to math in some ways.