"Bumblebees Demonstrate the Power of Insect Brains" by James Gorman

Sarah Billings

AP Biology D even

Mr. Ippolito

Gorman, James. "Bumblebees Demonstrate the Power of Insect Brains." The New York Times. The New York Times, 23 Feb. 2017. Web. 28 Feb. 2017.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/23/science/bumblebees-insect-brains-video.html?_r=0

“Just because a brain is small, doesn’t mean it is simple.” That is a point that scientists who study insects having been trying to make as they continue to do research and conduct experiments on the capabilities of insects to solving problems. And as they’ve seen so far, some insects, such as bumblebees, are more than just “little automatons” (programmed to just do certain limited actions). In a recent experiment, researchers trained the bees to actually push a ball into the center of a platform to get a sugary treat afterward. While this may seem simple, this kind of pushing action is way beyond the bees’ natural behavior, meaning that they had to have some ability to learn it. The researchers found that the best method of teaching them was through social learning, where a bee would watch another bee do it and then copy the action. Furthermore, after watching the action, the bees would learn to do it, and actually improve on later tries. According to the researchers, this type of learning is “more often seen in animals with much bigger brains, like monkeys.” Other researchers - such as David Anderson, who studies fruit flies at Caltech - believes that these insects have high potential and “are capable of doing remarkable things.”

Although this topic may not be very helpful to society at the moment, it’s really interesting research that has brought a lot more knowledge about insects, which is such a dominant species in our world that we know so little about because they are so much smaller and harder to study. Furthermore, learning more about the mental abilities of insects could be very beneficial to society, due to the vast amount of them that are present in our lives. I also personally found this topic really relevant because I am really interested in the science of the brain and how behaviors are developed, so this is something I like to know more about.

While the article was really informative overall, there are some parts I felt like could have been improved to make it even better. For example, I wish the author had elaborated a little more on the studies they have been doing with fruit flies as well. Although they mentioned those studies and praised the insects, they never really explained what kind of tests they did on the fruit flies or what the results were. This would have been interesting to hear more about. Additionally, there was no real future plan described in this article, so the reader was left wondering what impact could this have and how the study would be continued. Overall, though, this article presented a lot of different expert opinions and explained the study in a very clear, concise way so the reader could comprehend everything that was happening.   

Wind Turbines Inspired by Insect Wings Are 35% More Efficient

Current Event 17

Review Article

David ShultzFeb. 14, 2017 , 7:15 PM, 2017 Jeffrey MervisFeb. 14, 2017 Martin EnserinkFeb. 14, 2017 Gretchen VogelFeb. 14, 2017 Jocelyn KaiserFeb. 14, 2017 John TravisFeb. 13, 2017 Feb. 14, 2017 Feb. 10, and 2017 Feb. 9. "Wind Turbines Inspired by Insect Wings Are 35% More Efficient." Science | AAAS. N.p., 14 Feb. 2017. Web. 15 Feb. 2017.

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/02/wind-turbines-inspired-insect-wings-are-35-more-efficient

In the article, “Wind turbines inspired by insect wings are 35% more efficient”, a new, more effective method of constructing turbines is discussed.  Researchers found “by drawing inspiration from the flexible wings of insects, scientists have found a way to make wind turbine blades 35% more efficient at producing energy.” They discuss how efficiency of wind turbines is not about the fast rotation, but actually achieving the optimal intermediate speed. Most importantly, though, is the angle at which the wind hits the blades. The flexibility of insects’ wings allow them to avoid this problem. Their wings are “able to direct the aerodynamic load in the direction of their flight, increasing the power”. Scientists have created model turbine wings that resulted in 35% more power, unleashing a variety of possibilities. Their final challenge though is scaling these models to full size turbines.

This study is greatly applicable to society, as it would make this alternative method of energy more effective and plausible for regular use. As our world tries to move away from fossil fuels and other polluting sources of energy, scientists are constantly testing new methods. This advancement could mean a lot of great things on an environmental front as we try to better implement these green technologies.

I thought the author of this article did a pretty decent job, but there were still some areas he could have improved upon. For the most part, I felt his writing was very clear and concise. I was able to really understand this material which can sometimes be difficult with scientific articles such as this one. Still, I felt the author could have gone into some more depth. It was a shorter article it seemed, and I felt as though he just skimmed the surface. I am still really curious about how researchers came upon this idea or if anything similar has been attempted before.

Sharp Rise Reported in Older Americans’ Use of Multiple Psychotropic Drugs

Carey, Benedict. "Sharp Rise Reported in Older Americans' Use of Multiple Psychotropic Drugs." The New York

Times. The New York Times, 13 Feb. 2017. Web. 14 Feb. 2017. <https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/13/health/psychiatric-drugs-prescriptions.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=5&pgtype=sectionfront>.

The article I read called, “Sharp Rise Reported in Older Americans’ Use of Multiple Psychotropic Drugs,” talks about the rise in the use of psychotropic drugs among retirement age Americans. Recently there has been research done showing that many doctors are prescribing unnecessary psychotropic drugs to older Americans. The author states, “Earlier research has found that elderly people are more likely to be on at least one psychiatric drug long term than younger adults, even though the incidence of most mental disorders declines later in life.” A recent study showed that office visits by people 65 or older that resulted in prescribing of at least three of a list of psychiatric, sleep and pain medication, increase from 2.5 million in 2004 to 3.68 million in 2013.

The author makes the connection that the fact that this rise in psychotropic drugs is occurring in elderly people could be due to a lack of resources and outlets for their issues such as therapists. It is important for people to understand the risks of taking many different drugs at once and this article discusses this topic.

I think that the author did a good job of clearly explaining the topic in the article and making the connection to how this impacts society and why it is so bad to take so many drugs at once. I think she could have done a better job at suggesting some solutions and giving her own personal opinion. Overall, it was very intriguing and I learned some new information from it.

Dubai Plans a Taxi that Skips the Driver, and the Roads

Goldman, Russell. "Dubai Plans a Taxi That Skips the Driver, and the Roads." The New York Times. The New York Times, 14 Feb. 2017. Web. 14 Feb. 2017. <https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/14/world/middleeast/dubai-passenger-drones.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront>.

In his article, Russell Goldman discusses how commuters in Dubai may soon be able to travel in automated flying taxis. These taxis would be able to fly over streets at the push of a button. These taxis are known as passenger drones and would be capable of carrying a single rider as well as a small suitcase. The director of the city’s transportation authority says these may be flying around as early as July. This eight-rotor drone is made by the Chinese company Ehang. This device is able to fly up to 31 miles on a single battery charge and has a top speed of 100 mph. According to Ehang, the device is also equipped with fail-safe technology and will land at the nearest possible location in emergencies. The ruler of Dubai even said that by 2030, he believes 25% of all journeys in the city will be conducted by driverless vehicles, such as this passenger drone. In October, the city also signed a deal with the Los Angeles based Hyperloop One to study the potential for a vacuum-like tube through which vehicle pods move at speeds faster than airliners. This hyperloop would be between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Inventions such as these could be extremely beneficial for many reasons. One reason is that vehicles that are successfully driverless may help cut down on roadway accidents. They could dramatically lower the number of deaths by motor vehicles, one of the main causes of death in the United States. Also, drones suited for humans could help get rid of crowded roadways. If fewer people were on the roads, the amount of traffic worldwide would decrease. This would reduce travel time and would be very convenient to drivers. Hyperloops also could reduce travel time and could be very convenient to users.

Overall, I thought the article was very interesting. It discussed a topic I had not heard much about so I was interested. As someone who drives, it would be very beneficial if these drones could be used so there would not be so much traffic on the roadways. One problem I had with the article was that it did not discuss many problems or negative sides of the drones. This made the article appear sort of bias and harder to believe. However, the article did focus on a very interesting topic as it would be very cool for me to be able to travel in a drone above the roadways. I would be interested to hear if any devices are being studied to be used in the United States. Overall, the article was well-written and interesting.

Ancient Jars Hold Clues About Earth's Fluctuating Magnetic Fields

Alexander Plaza

Chang, Kenneth. "Ancient Jars Hold Clues About Earth's Fluctuating Magnetic Fields." The New York Times. The New York Times, 14 Feb. 2017. Web. 14 Feb. 2017.https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/14/science/magnetic-field-earth-jars.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront

I reviewed "Ancient Jars Hold Clues About Earth's Fluctuating Magnetic Fields." by Kenneth Chang. According to the article, Earth’s magnetic field has been weakening over the past centuries. However, scientists cannot tell whether this is a problem or simply fluctuation since records are so recent. Ancient pottery may be able to help scientists determine the strength of the field during that ancient time period. Erez Ben-Yosef, an archaeologist at Tel Aviv University of Israel says that “We can use it thousands of years later to track the changes with time and then use the jar samples to reconstruct the magnetic field intensities.” Small chips from the jars are heated and cooled in a magnetic field to determine the strength of the field when the jars were first made. Evidence from the jars show that the field would fluctuate drastically over time and that the reduced magnetic field at the moment is not too troublesome.

These findings are important since a reduced magnetic field, which deflects harmful solar radiation, could signal a eminent pole switch. A pole switch could bring on drastic environmental changes and can be detrimental to humanity. The pottery provides important data that increases the time frame for which scientists have recordings.
Overall the article was very strong. The main problem I have with the article is that it is vague on how exactly ancient pottery records the magnetic field in which it was created. The article should elaborate on that part of the argument. Other than that, it was a good article.

In the Indian Ocean, Fragments of a Continent Where They Should Not Be

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/03/science/lost-continent-indian-ocean-mauritius.html

St. Fleur, Nicholas. "In the Indian Ocean, Fragments of a Continent Where They Should Not Be." New York Times. N.p., 3 Feb. 2017. Web. 7 Feb. 2017.

            Geologists have recently discovered a lost continent beneath the Indian Ocean, now being called Mauritia, named for the island under which it rests. The continent is buried beneath millions’ years worth of volcanic material. However, it is not a continent in the conventional sense of the word. Researcher Lewis D. Ashwal suggested “it’s a continent in the geological sense, not in the geographical one.” Perhaps the terms micro continent or continental fragment are more suited to describe Mauritia. Researchers hypothesize that Mauritia split from Pangea, Earth’s former supercontinent, but was blanketed in lava when a volcano in the ocean erupted, creating an island called Mauritius. This hypothesis is based on the presence of zircon on Mauritius. Zircon contains radioactive material, allowing geologists to determine its age. Though the island is thought to be nine million years old and the crust beneath it roughly 200 million years old, the zircon crystals found on the island are three billion years old, suggesting the presence of a continent beneath the island. A volcanic eruption from the Earth’s mantle likely lifted zircon flakes from Mauritia’s continental crust onto the surface of the island of Mauritius.

            This article is quite relevant to the scientific community. This discovery gives a better indication as to our development from the supercontinent Pangaea. Furthermore, additional discoveries made regarding Mauritia can provide more biological and geological insight, as the remains of the continent will likely be examined in the future.

            This article was particularly well written. The author did a good job of keeping things concise and to the point without sacrificing thoroughness. However, I would have appreciated some more expert analysis in the article.

As Climate Change Accelerates, Floating Cities Look Like Less of a Pipe Dream

Ives, Mike. "As Climate Change Accelerates, Floating Cities Look Like Less of a Pipe Dream." New York Times. N.p., 27 Jan. 2017. Web. 6 Feb. 2017.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/27/world/australia/climate-change-floating-islands.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fearth&action=click&contentCollection=earth&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront

French Polynesia is agreeing to a plan to build a city of islands in the South Pacific.  This is a response to climate change and is organized by Seasteading, a California nonprofit.  They have raised about $2.5 million and say that they can start the project as soon as next year.  Mr. Hencken, the executive director of the group says the goal of the project is to "'create an industry that provides floating islands to people who are threatened by rising sea levels.'"  He also said that the island would cost $10-50 million dollars and be able to have a few dozen residents.  The islands would have renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines.  In addition, he states the initial resident would be "middle-income buyers from the developed world."  There are some problems, though.  For example, the issue of waste management, and getting people to buy since the land in untested.  This project shows that the increase of climate change has lead to innovative solutions.  Some are skeptical and don't know whether this will be convenient and wonder if the money is better spent somewhere else.  Some don't think that residents in poorer areas will be able to use the islands.  One expert stated the project shows that "the developed world is both responsible for climate change, and better able to cope with it."  Although there are challenges, many are optimistic that the French Polynesia project will succeed and help people all over the world.

This article was very interesting.  Climate change is discussed a lot, and many solutions are brought up, but I have never heard anything like the French Polynesia project.  It would be a very good solution to climate change and the rising sea levels.  Although this is a good idea, I think that there are still a lot of challenges and parts that need to be better thought through.  If experts figure out more details about the project and test it out, then I think this can be a very good thing for the world.

Overall, this article was very good.  The summary was short and to the point.  There were a lot of opinions that were discussed throughout the article, so all perspectives on the project were heard.  There were also a lot of quotes from experts.  To improve the article, the author could have stated ways that people were going to figure out solutions to the problems, like who was going to get to use the island.    

Cave Squeaker, Rare Frog Last Seen in 1962, Is Found in Zimbabwe

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. "Cave Squeaker, Rare Frog Last Seen in 1962, Is Found in Zimbabwe." The New York Times. The New York Times Company, 4 Feb. 2017. Web. 6 Feb. 2017. <https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/04/world/africa/zimbabwe-frog-cave-squeaker.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fscience&action=click&contentCollection=science®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront>.

Researchers in Zimbabwe have recently found the Arthroleptis troglodytes, also know as the cave squeaker frog, for the first time since 1962. It is tiny and light brown with dark spots. The frog was placed on the "red list" of threatened species, and was considered critically endangered and possibly extinct.  Four specimens of the frog were found in the known habitat of the frog called Chimanimani, a mountainous area in eastern Zimbabwe, by a team led by Robert Hopkins of the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe. The team located the frogs by following an unfamiliar animal call, which led them to the first male frog. They soon found two other males and a female. This is the culmination of an eight year long search by Mr. Hopkins and his team. They plan to breed the frogs and then reintroduce them into their natural habitat. However, authorities are now anxious for the security of the frogs, believing that the rediscovery will spark immense interest in them and lead to a rise in illegal capture and export. As of now, there are only 16 of these frogs on display around the world. Caroline Washaya-Moyo, a spokeswoman for the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, said, "We are expecting an influx of scientists looking for it. We will do everything in our power to protect and conserve the frog." The fate of the cave squeaker frog remains unknown. 
This article discussed the resurgence of an endangered species, a main topic of ecology. The Earth's biodiversity has plummeted in the past 200 years, and it is interesting to see how conservation can lead to some species reappearing even decades after they were thought to be extinct. This lesson can be extrapolated beyond the cave squeaker frog, and is relevant in the discussion surrounding Bengal tigers, rhinos, and other notable threatened species. People must decide whether or not we value protecting species such as the cave squeaker frog, and if so, act quickly to promote conservation projects.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. It was short, to the point, and gave relevant details. However, I would have liked some more quotes from ecology experts on the significance of finding this frog. I also would have liked the author to discuss the frog more, including its traits, place in the food chain, and role in the ecosystem it lives in. 

The Danakil Depression

Yee, Amy. "Gazing Into Danakil Depression’s Mirror, and Seeing Mars Stare Back." New York Times. N.p., 30 Jan. 2017. Web. 4 Feb. 2017.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/30/science/danakil-depression-ethiopia.html

The article I choose to review was about how scientists have been using the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia to test out their hypotheses about life on other planets. This geological wonder has been described as “a miasma of sulfur and chlorine, the rocky landscape sprouts patches of neon green and yellow that resemble oozing scrambled eggs.” The Danakil Depression, lies in a remote northeast region of Ethiopia named Afar, near Eritrea. It is situated about 100 meters below sea level, making it one of the world’s lowest places. It is also one of the hottest places on Earth, with an average daily temperature of 34.4 degrees Celsius and it receives only about 100 millimeters of rain each year. It is classified as a volcanic region and recently, scientists have been studying this area to understand the possibilities of life on other planets and moons. Moreover, this month, a team of astrobiologists from Europlanet, an association of research institutions and companies doing planetary research, have been studying this depression for its geology, mineralogy and especially its biology, to be used as an analogue to Mars. One of the main researcher, Dr. Gómez stated that the aim of this project is “to try to know the limits of life and the possibility of such forms of life in other planets like Mars.”

This information about this place in Ethiopia is very important to the scientific world. Scientists that want to know more about what life is and exactly what conditions can life sustain, gain a very big help with the Danakil Depression. This location helps scientists tests all of their hypothesis as it contains some very different conditions from what would normally be found on Earth. This lets them continue their research without having to go on plants that it is impossible to go on, and it gives them the opportunity to learn and discover many different things concerning life. This article shows just how useful a place like this is to scientists and also just how much even the top scientists still don’t know about life.

Overall this article was well written and interesting. The author had a thorough description of the Danakil Depression which was a great asset to the article and made it on the whole very informative. Amy Lee also put in many quotes from Felipe Gómez Gómez of the Centro de Astrobiología in Madrid, giving the readers a lot of different insights on this world phenomenon. However, one weakness of the article is that it did not go into the comparison of the Danakil Depression and Mars enough, and I felt some questions were left unanswered. To make this article better I would add another paragraph in, just to compare the differences and similarities of these two unique places. On the whole, this article taught me about a whole new place that I had no idea about and helped me gain a new perspective how diverse the Earth really is.