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Giant Parrot
There are so many species of parrots and among them, the heaviest is the kakapo. But, there is one kind of parrot that beats the kakapo at weight, it is the Squawkzilla. The squawkzilla parrot is a extinct species that is twice the weight of the kakapo. Researchers have found the fossils of the squawkzilla parrot and assumed it was an eagle, but a student discovered that the leg bones were different. Research teams tried to find the information of the squawkzilla with only their leg bones. They estimated the size of the parrot and it's suggested that they couldn't fly or climb. People can try to find out more, but there will always be differences.
Source:https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2019/08/fossils-15-pound-parrot-found-new-zealand-kakapo/
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Different Picture of Saber-tooth cats
Saber-tooth cats were fierce, fearsome animals, but they have been extinct for a long time. People have pictured how they look and act like. But with evidence from their fossils and research, saber-tooth cats seem to be different from what people thought. For example, they have pulled out saber-tooth cat teeth and examined to see what they might have used to eat. Most people thought they would eat bison or horses, but the evidence shows that they used to eat smaller creatures like deer.
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Chicken's Emotions
Animal welfare campaigner, Ruth Harrison, wrote a book that discussed the guidelines to animal's safety, called the Five Freedoms. But, people argue that instead they should put the animals in a better environment. It's difficult to know when certain animals like chickens feel are actually suffering. There are ways of telling if they are suffering. But, it's hard to tell if chickens are happy. People look out for playful behaviors to distinguish their emotions.
Source:https://www.popsci.com/chicken-emotion-happiness-animal-welfare/
Pema's Article Summary Page 7/31/19
What Happened to Dinosaurs?
There's a lot of evidence that shows us that dinosaurs existed, yet we don't know how they went extinct. Since those times, many populations of animals have gone extinct. One theory of how they went extinct is because a huge meteor hit Earth and drastically changed the environment and climate. The proof is that metal iridium, found in meteors, was highly found on the fossils of the dinosaurs. Another theory is that the Earth itself caused the disapperance with volcanoes. The proof is that temperatures were changing and volcanoes are more frequent than meteors. It was discovered that mass deaths happened before 66 million years ago and that they were already slowly dying. Scientists are combining theories to find out how the dinosaurs went extinct.
Source:https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/prehistoric-world/dinosaur-extinction/
Pema's Article Summary Page
7/30/19
Raccoon Rush
Most of the world's environment is convenient for the raccoons, so they thrive in many places. Raccoons can live in different types of conditions, making it easier to adapt and live everywhere. Climates that are fit for raccoons are expanding or going to expand soon. Raccoons first appeared in Germany, then found heavily populated in many different places such as Japan and Iran. Scientists see the increase in climate and it will soon spread to the north. But, raccoons could affect the northern forests when the climate is suitable for them. Most live in cities, but they now are spreading to non native areas as well.
Source:https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/07/raccoons-expanding-range-climate-change/
Pema's Article Summary Page 7/29/19
The Wolf Children
After World War 2, there were many children left without their parents to help them survive the consequences of the war. The children were wandering in the forests, trying to survive just like wolves. It was difficult to get the children back to their families, so most were sent or fled to different places. The wolf children in Lithuania had similar lives: working harsh conditions, little education and in hiding. Photographer Lukas Kreibig began a photography project about the wolf children, has learned many of their stories, and even met with some of them.
Source:https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/2019/07/forgotten-wolf-children-world-war-ii/
Pema's Article Summary Page
7/28/19
Diffficulties of Plastic Packaging
Products with plastic packaging like clamshells are difficult to open, causing injuries. It's hard for people to commit to recycling when product packaging makes more plastic waste than any other industry. There are many tools people use to open these clamshells. The inventor of clamshells made a tool to help people open clamshells. People have a hard time recycle the packaging because of their odd shapes and the residue from the products. To increase the recycling of the plastic packaging, they have to raise the amount of LED in the plastic.
Pema's Article Summary Page 7/27/19
The Big Five Of Africa
The Big Five of Africa consists of lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos, and rhinos, what you would think to see in the wildlife. They got their name because they were said to be the most difficult to hunt. Leopards are the smallest out of the five but, can kill large animals. Lions can be dominant than another but, that can change over time. Female lions stay in the group they were born in. The African Buffalo can form large groups as defense ;and their horns are very strong. Elephants in Africa are big enough to change the environment and are increasing. The rhinos in Africa are going extinct in different places due to poaching for their horns; conversationists are helping increase the population. Since Africa has so much wildlife, there are many different types of the Fives.
Source:https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/07/africa-big-five-safaris-lions/
Pema's Article Summary Page 7/26/19
The Epicenter of Migration
Late last year, Agustin Gomez and his son, Felipe, left their village and had crossed the border to America, but his son fell ill and passed away. News about Felipe's death uncovered the tiny town and commentators accuse them for using their kids. But, people in the village say that the commentators don't know how they live and what they have to do to survive. The number of people in Guatemala crossing the border are increasing but, many people are being deported as well. Later when school starts, few kids are gone and more will be gone because of their families crossing the border. Remittances are sent and used to make houses. Guatemala isn't a good place to be an environmental activist, two were killed and there were multiple attacks. Mateo was a immigrant coming to America too send back money for his wife and children. He passed away but, he sent back enough for a spacious home. Many people have to decide how they can raise money without getting deported.
Pema's Article Summary Page 7/25/19
Living in the future
Extraordinary ideas depend on engineering and technology to make them real. A team of researchers in England had made the lightest and strongest material, called graphene. Engineers in Sweden have produced the most powerful engine ever, but causes drag. Engineers created A-Class saloon and held the record for most aerodynamic production car on sale. The Thrust SSC, a twin-turbofan jet-powered car, can go up to 763 mph over a mile. Natasha Chang's Honda set world-record time for driving on Doi Chang mountain. The shows how technology and engineering helps people set world records.
Pema's Article Summary Page 7/24/18
Pangolins Decline Affects Others Species
Pangolins are unique mammals that are consistently poached for its scales. They're widely poached in Asia and Africa, killing hundred of thousands each year. But, it's been uncovered that the U.S. has been importing lots of pangolin skins for cowboy wear. In 2017, all the pangolin species were banned for trade, so people started using arapaima leather. But, it has affected the arapaima population negatively, trade data shows that many arapaima leathers are being bought, depleting the population. Conservationists hope that their research will lessen the poaching and buying of arapaima leather, so their population won't go extinct.
Source:https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/07/pangolin-poaching-leather-boots/
Pema's Article Summary Page 7/23/19
Iraq, Save the forests!!!!!!
One Day, the Iraqi Kurdish forest police sent a group to guard an area of wilderness in Iraq, but the fires were too violent. Recently, they were called out for another three fires in a hour. Bitter ISIS remnants set fire to thousand of acres of land in the south. People in Iraq have had it difficult with droughts and violence, but now with most of the land bleaker, agriculture will weaken. Forest rangers were shocked to how many fires they had to tame. Illegal loggers are destroying the trees for timber to help them in the winters. Despite the devastation, rangers have been able to set up networks to report on loggers or fires to far villages. But, the people in Iraq still need help for the forests.
Source:https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/07/iraq-on-fire-firefighters/
Pema's Article Summary Page
7/22/19
Mice Living In High Places
High places like Llullaillaco, the world's second-highest volcano, are unimaginably difficult to live in for anyone, even animals. But, while climbing the Llullaillaco, climber Matt Farson came across a mouse running on the snow up about 20,340 feet. He was bewildered because he had not seen an animal since 16,000 feet up on the volcano. It was a yellow-rumped leaf-eared mouse that can live in high places and low places. Even if other animals have been found in high places, these mice seem to be actually living there as inhabitants, which no species can do. They can survive in high places due to physical changes. It's a very exciting discovery that is researched by many.
Source:https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/07/highest-dwelling-mammal-mouse-volcano/
Pema's Article Summary Page
7/21/19
50th Anniversary of the First moon Landing
On July 20, 2019, is the anniversary of Apollo 11 moon landing. On July 16,1969, NASA astronauts went to space and on July 20, 1969, they were the first people to walk on the moon. The anniversary has multiple events around the U.S. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum had a large projection of the Saturn V rocket and a film about the launch. In the museum, there is a public display of Neil Armstrong's spacesuit. NASA decides to have a live broadcast of the history of their moon missions. The U.S. Space Agency plans to uncover a sample of moon rock. The U.S. Navy is going to launch a video game to celebrate this event. Hotels in Texas have made special additions for the event, including a helicopter to a space center. People out of the U.S. visit science museums around the world to see space exhibits to celebrate the anniversary. This shows how big this day was to everyone.
Pema's Article Summary Page 7/20/19
Save The Lions
The fierce rulers, lions, are now quickly disappearing. There are fewer than about 25,000 lions in Africa and the species is recorded as in danger of extinction. Lions are dying because of loss of their prey, loss of habitat, and poaching. To save the population, local communities have to conserve the lions and get rewards if there's a increase. To prevent killing, they get paid if their livestock gets killed by lions. But, they still have to raise more money to put the lions in protected areas. People have to start realizing the benefits of conserving lions.
Source:https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/07/lion-numbers-halved-since-original-lion-king/
Pema's Article Summary Page
7/19/19
History Of Ice Cream
July is coming in with hot temperatures but cool desserts. It's National Ice Cream Month, so we celebrate the history of ice cream. There's actually no exact origin or inventor of ice cream. But, the recipes were different in different places ,but then developed into what ice cream is today. The Persians made a sorbet with grape juice on snow, while the first recipes for milk-based ice cream came from the China Tang's dynasty. But, the Arabs were the ones to make the modern-day recipe, using milk and sugar. America hadn't discovered ice cream until 1744, but now America has the most consumers for dessert. It's said that the type of ice cream you like shows your personality.
Source:https://www.dogonews.com/2019/7/6/national-ice-cream-month-has-begun
Pema's Article Summary Page
7/18/19
Danger of Plastic in Heat
Around the U.S, July has been very hot and we need to to hydrate ourselves well. But, plastic water bottles won't help you if it was in the sun and heat like you. It is said that there are small chemicals that can go in the drink if the plastic is exposed to heat. It doesn't hurt you drinking one bottle, but drinking it for a long time could lead to problems. There are different types of plastic bottles that have antimony, which is poisonous if taken in large doses. Reusable containers aren't great either. They make it with BPA, a compound that can lead to serious health issues. So to avoid this, you can use glass or cover your water bottles from the sunlight.
Source:https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/07/exposed-to-extreme-heat-plastic-bottles-may-become-unsafe-over-time/
Pema's Article Summary Page 7/17/19
The Real Memorial Day
Every year on May 27, it's Memorial Day and some Americans take it as a day to start summer and do fun activities. While doing this, they have kind of forget the real meaning behind this day- to commemorate the people in the United Forces who have sacrificed their lives. The first Memorial Day was back in 1868, where they decided to make day for all the deceased soldiers in the Civil War and placed flowers on their graves. A hundred years later, the U.S. Congress made Memorial Day a official holiday. Since people have forgot the purpose, in the 2000s, Bill Clinton had approved the National Moment Of Remembrance Act, when you take a minute to remember the dead heroes.
Source:https://www.dogonews.com/2019/5/20/memorial-day-is-more-than-the-unofficial-start-of-summer
Pema's Article Summary Page 7/16/19
Goat Communication
Goats are one of those intelligent animals that have gone viral for their hilarious videos. But, there is little we know about how they feel. Recently, it was said that goats know if another is happy or sad by their voice. Researchers had done a test to see how the goats know the difference. They played recorded vocalizations of happy and in frustration calls to the goats with heart monitors. They saw when the emotions changed, it changed the length of time between heartbeats. They question if the goat who hear these emotions will also get those emotions. They also question if goats will feel empathy towards each other.
Source:https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/07/goats-can-differentiate-emotion-in-goat-calls/
Pema's Article Summary Page
7/15/19
All-White Pandas!!!!!
Since the population of pandas is lessening, seeing one is very exciting. Not long ago, an albino panda was caught in a bamboo forest by an infrared motion-triggered camera in the Wolong National Nature Reserve. It's hard to blend in because of their lack of pigmentation in its skin, hair, and eyes. Normal pandas have white fur to blend in snow and black fur to blend in the shade. People plan to place cameras in areas where it was seen to track the growth of these rare pandas. Besides all-white pandas, there are a few brown pandas living in the Qinling mountain range.
Source:https://www.dogonews.com/2019/5/30/all-white-giant-panda-caught-on-camera-for-the-first-time
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Tropical Storm Barry Hits
New Orleans is about to be hit by, the first storm of 2019 hurricane season, Barry. Since the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, Congress agreed to an upgrade to the city's flood defenses. Barry is predicted to be a weak hurricane, but the year's flooding has been very unusual. The Mississippi River is higher above sea level than normal. The rush of the approaching storm will push the waters higher and the forecast will be 10 to 20 inches of rain on Saturday. It is likely to make great damage.
Pema's Article Summary Page 7/10/19
Protect the animals
The United States made big steps banning or considering to ban things that are unfriendly to animals. Yesterday, Californian state senators considered the bill banning import and selling fur products. This shows that more people are worried for animals' welfare. Two large cities in California, Los Angeles and San Francisco, have already banned selling fur last year. But, opponents argue that banning sale of fur harms business and real fur is more environmentally friendly. Most of the new animal protections was started by California, but more places are following along. New York and other places have banned cat declawing; as well as New Jersey banned traveling acts for exotic animals. So far, the states have been very helpful in being animal-friendly.
Source:https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/07/first-time-animal-welfare-laws-in-us-states/
Pema's Article Summary Page 7/9/19
SPACE TREES
At NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, there is a sycamore tree, and it seems like any ordinary tree. But what people don't know is that it's from the moon. The Goddard sycamore tree is one of the moon trees, grown from seeds that traveled to space. On the Apollo 14 mission in 1971, astronaut Stuart Roosa had hundreds of seeds packed in his personal kit. Before he was an astronaut, Roosa was a smoke jumper ( wildland firefighter) for the U.S. Forest Service, so he brought the seeds to recognize the agency and help NASA scientists to if microgravity affects plants. The seeds survived the moon microbes and most of them germinated normally. Then, the saplings were planted across the country, but received little recognition. But, later, people were curious about the trees and remembered the achievement.
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Pema Sherpa 7/8/19
Danger At Mount Everest
Many climbers think about reaching the top of Mount Everest, the highest place in the world. But, 11 deaths have already been reported this year, even with the advancement of the equipment and weather forecasting systems. It's been the deadliest season since the 2014 icefall that killed 14 Sherpas ( guides that help with gear); it was because of the traffic jam of people wanting to reach the peak. The 2019 Everest climbing season has been shorter due to harsh weather, making it more packed with climbers. The passageway to reach the peak was delayed a few hours and climbers had to wait at elevation more than 26,000 feet. People had died by running out of oxygen or exhaustion. The problem is that more inexperienced climbers are coming to climb the mountain and they are being led by inexperienced operators. The government disagrees, saying that deaths are caused by weather conditions and insufficient supplies; and they will quip the guides with better equipment.
Pema Sherpa
Basking Sharks ARE BACK !!!
Recently in 2019, people on whale watching trips along the Southern California Coast have seen a rare sight, dozens of basking sharks in the water. This was the first time in several decades they have been seen in the area, in large groups. Basking sharks, the world’s second largest fish, can measure up to 30 feet in length and weigh over 10,000 pounds, but they are harmless to humans. They used to be found in large groups in temperate waters in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, but almost vanished in the California coast from excessive fishing and killing. It was hard to revive the shark’s population because scientists knew little of them. But it was assumed that because the ocean was changing, that was the reason why the basking sharks came back.
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Pema Sherpa 7/2/19
Navy Seal, NOT GUILTY!!!
On Tuesday, a military jury freed Special Operations Chief, Edward Gallagher, of premeditated murder. It was for the killing of a wounded Islamic State captive handed to them for care in 2017. Gallagher’s photo of him holding the dead captive up by the hair and holding a knife in the other hand with the text message,” got him with my hunting knife.” was what prosecuted him for this crime. Five marines and two sailors had to decide whether Gallagher had stabbed the captive or framed by platoon members that want to stop him from being promoted. Testimonies from some navy seals had said that they saw the chief stab the captive in the neck. Defense lawyers said that the photos and text messages were just dark humor. It was later uncovered that when Marine Staff Sergeant Giorgio moved the dead body, he saw no stab wounds on the neck. There was no body evidence and no blood on the knife, so it was assumed other things could have caused the death. In result, he was found not guilty of the Navy’s most well known war cases.
Source:https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jul/2/edward-gallagher-navy-seal-not-guilty-murder
