Increase in Rhino poaching in South Africa

Although there are laws against poaching and hunting of endangered animals, it still doesn't stop people from doing it. In South Africa, 1,000 Rhinos were killed last year for their horns. Horns are very valuable to countries such as China and Vietnam because it contains the key ingredient for traditional medicine. Elephants are being killed excessively as well for their tusks. Even though it is inevitable that people will illegally hunt and kill these animals, it is very sad that the numbers are not only high but they have increased dramatically. The demand for these animal's bodies are so high and it puts their future in great harm.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/more-than-1000-rhinos-poached-in-south-africa/

Colorado River Drought Forces a Painful Reckoning for States

The once very blue and abundant river, Lake Mead, is now trickling down to a murky brown water. Reservoir capacities are dwindling down to half and in order to use the rest of the water to its fullest, the water agencies are promoting less demanding appliances that require more water and recycling sewage effluent. Studies show that the next century shows a lot drier conditions and a possible end to the lakes and rivers around Nevada. Many things will be affected by this due to the fact that mostly everything runs with water and without water in these areas, slowly things will come to an end. In order to help prevent the absolute worst, throughout the 21st century, everyone will have to use less water.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/06/us/colorado-river-drought-forces-a-painful-reckoning-for-states.html?_r=0

Fishing technique known as trawling can sometimes be productive.

Trawling is a certain fishing method which is basically just an intense raking of the seabed. Usually, it is known to cause much damage to sea life but recently, scientists have studied and found that there are many potential benefits to it. Studies have shown that trawling can create better conditions for the fish. The trawling process usually catches the bigger fish but the smaller fish grow resistant to it and find their way around it which increases population for the smaller fish. Due to the larger population of smaller fish, the larger fish population also increases. Although this is a positive relation to trawling, this really occurs best when the trawling process isn't as intense.

http://www.insidescience.org/content/stirring-ocean-floor-can-boost-fish-populations/1385

So many ‘Earths’

A new study has showed that many there could be billions of "earth sized" planets that could potentially support life. Scientists reported and concluded from the data received by satellites in space and their knowledge our galaxy, there could be between 14-30 of every 100 stars, potential life living there. It could be as close as the planet, Venus, is to the sun or how far the planet, Mars, is from the sun. But, these estimates are rough because neither planet is earthlike. In general, it is possible that billions of stars could possibly support life in the Milky Way. The fact that there are that many chances of life living out there in space is pretty bizarre to think of and at the same time, pretty cool.

https://student.societyforscience.org/article/so-many-earths

Cockroach Never Seen Before in U.S. Identified in New York; Can Survive Freezing Temperatures

 A new cockroach, Periplaneta japonica, has been spotted here in our very own state. It originally was first noticed in China. How it exactly ended up here in the United States is still unknown. The interesting part and actually horrible part to this is that it seems to survive just fine in the cold weather. Usually most cockroaches cannot sustain themselves in the winter and only thrive in the warm temperatures so the fact that this cockroach can stay alive all year is terrifying to some people. Although, many scientists say that with the competition between the original cockroaches here in the U.S. and these new ones, there won't be as much time for reproducing and such so the amount of cockroaches in general will fall.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131209084141.htm

Widely used pesticide toxic to Honeybees

A team of doctors and researchers tested three widely used pesticides on Honeybees to study and see the impact and effect it has on the bee. The results proved the pesticides (Deltamethrin, fipronil and spinosad) were toxic to the Honeybees at some degree with certain amounts exposed. The pesticides initiated responses in the bodies of the bees which is often triggered by diseases and potentially harmful viruses. The results of this experiment show that these pesticides, along with many others that are used daily, can be very toxic and dangerous to the environment in many different ways.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130718130619.htm

Utah Coal Mining community slowly slipping away

A small community in Utah has recently been notified that the coal industry will be coming to an end.  For many, the coal industry is the only job out there. Coal is basically is how majority of the population is employed. New laws and regulations is what is now creating this problem in the coal industry and the government wants to move towards cleaner and more environmentally friendly energy sources. Many people in this community can't wrap their heads around this new idea because the coal industry has been around for a hundred plus years. Now many coal workers will now have to retire early or look for other jobs when this coal industry closes down in around 2015.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/28/us/a-part-of-utah-built-on-coal-wonders-what-comes-next.html?ref=earth