Meteor over California

A bright fireball lit up the sky from California to as far as Utah and Arizona. There were many calls and reports of a very bright fireball that streaked across the sky through several social media platforms. It was nothing in comparison to the meteor that came across Russia in February. Scientists say that instead of possible meteors coming through once or twice every hundred years, it is possible that it could occur every decade. It is very dangerous considering the potential effects including shattered glass, falling of buildings and skin burns. Now, new research is being encouraged for planetary defense from these potentially harmful events.

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/07/possible-meteor-over-california-has-social-media-abuzz/?ref=space

Earthworms invade New England

Recent studies show that there are 16 species of earthworms in the New England area of the United States. All of those species are exotic; Fourteen are from Europe and two from Asia. Many people are studying these earthworms trying to figure out if they are actually helping the environment they have come to or have they put a negative impact on it. Right now, the earthworms are changing the basic layering of the forest floors by redistributing more carbon than ever before. This is changing the plants and trees that depend on the normal system and aren't expected to be seen at all soon. But, it is said that at first earthworms create dramatic changes that could be seen as negative but slowly, the change becomes positive. The soil aggregates from the earthworms could potentially protect the organic carbon inside, creating a barrier that will protect it from other organisms that could break it down in the future. The question still remains if the earthworms in New England are helping or hurting the environment but time will just have to tell.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131029133126.htm

Ancient sharks may have survived extinction event

Studies of a new fossil finding shows that ancient sharks may have survived extinction about 350 million years ago. Fossils found include teeth and other little pieces in the deep parts of the ocean near southern France. They believe the sharks may have tried to hide from the mass extinction by swimming to the deeper parts. This (almost) mass extinction was called the "Great Dying" and started the beginning of the Triassic period.

https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/science-ticker/fossils-suggest-ancient-sharks-survived-extinction-event

A trip to the Ozone

A trip to the ozone layer is currently being planned for August 2015. This will be difficult in many ways including concerns of human lungs overcoming low pressure, the glider moving fast enough to keep itself aloft, and the thickness and size of the glider itself. Any malfunctions could be extremely dangerous so it is important that everything be placed and made correctly. In total, the project will cost 7.5 million dollars and 3.5 million has already been put down. The goal is to get as close as possible to the stratosphere to get a much closer look.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/22/science/quiet-trip-to-the-ozone-hole.html?ref=science&_r=0

Moose decline due to possible climate change

There are major moose populations all across northern United States, from Montana to New Hampshire. Studies have shown that morality rates have been increasing dramatically everywhere and no one is sure of the answer why this is happening. This has become so serious that hunting has been banned in areas where live in order to keep them safe. Climate change seems to be a popular hypothesis as to why the Moose have been dying. The fact that they now have shorter winter seasons with less snow has led to winter ticks, which are deadly parasites that kill Moose. Also, the winter seasons have been higher in temperature which could lead to heat stress on the Moose. Heat exhaustion is a possibility for their deaths. This problem is continually getting worse throughout the northern regions of America.

 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/15/science/earth/something-is-killing-off-the-moose.html?_r=0&adxnnl=1&ref=science&adxnnlx=1381971931-SxTFyj8kqT8U+8LcY95arw

New Time Frame for Climate Changes

Many studies have been showing that within the next 35 years, there will be a dramatic climate change on earth. Temperatures will hit all-time highs, especially in the tropics. This major change in the temperature will affect many countries with highly populated regions as well as biodiversity everywhere. Biodiversity will be affected meaning that many species will have to try to adapt to the new changes but if they cannot, they will have to move, changing the whole dynamic of the ecosystem. Since this climate change will happen in the tropics first, it will affect a large number of countries and a good part of the world because these countries are usually highly populated and some undeveloped. This meaning that these countries will have a hard time adapting to the heat and resources will be scarce. This change in the temperature/climate will have a major effect globally both socially and physically. There is still time to help prolong the process of this climate change if everyone helps in some way.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131009133216.htm

Insect repellant

  Very recent studies have shown that scientists have identified how and why there was such big number in the repellency of insects to DEET , which is the chemical used to kill insects for crops. This is a major breakthrough because researchers have come up with 3 safe compounds that could be used instead of DEET that would safely help the crops and prevent serious diseases such as malaria and West Nile virus. This research is important and will lead to more effective insect repellents and change the way business is done.


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131002131434.htm