SuperScience articles from January 2008

SuperScience archives from January 2008

Deep-sea surprises.(LIFE SCIENCE)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Scientists have discovered rare and wacky creatures living along a mountain range deep in the ocean. Researchers used remote-controlled vehicles to study the waters around a mountain chain on the bottom of the...

Water me!(LIFE SCIENCE)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... Your next phone call could be a cry for help... from your houseplant! Researchers at New York University have created a system that calls you when your houseplants need water. In order to grow, green plants pull water from the soil through...

Quake blocker.(EARTH SCIENCE)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... The main ingredient in baby powder could be a natural earthquake blocker. The substance is talc, the softest known mineral. Earthquakes occur along faults, or huge cracks in Earth's outer rock layer. The rocks on either side of a fault move...

Glasses required.(PHYSICAL SCIENCE)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] At an elementary school in Australia, sunglasses are more than a fashion statement. They are a necessary school supply. The Arncliffe Public School in Sydney now requires students in kindergarten through sixth grade...

The case of the unbeatable game: this month, learn about pendulums.(science mystery)
January 1, 2008... "I went on a ride like this at the state fair," said Patrick. He and his friend Stacy had just boarded the "Swaying Ship" at a local amusement park. A pirate ship hung from a rod that swung back and forth like a giant tire swing. "I went...

Baby-sitting bats: when baby bats are orphaned in Australia, volunteers at a bat hospital come to the rescue.(life science)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The newest patients at the hospital are just one week old. Jenny MacLean wraps the babies in blankets to keep them warm. These aren't your average hospital patients. MacLean is caring for furry bats that were...

Bat doctor: can you use charts to decide how to treat bats?(hands-on)
January 1, 2008... THINK: What types of information does a doctor gather when he or she is treating a patient? PREDICT: Pretend you are a volunteer at the Tolga Bat Hospital in Australia treating a type of bat known as a spectacled flying fox. You are shown...

Scorpions: friend or foe? Do scorpions deserve their bad reputation? One scientist finds out.(life science)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Scorpion researcher Lorenzo Prendini has had more than his share of deathdefying experiences. Surprisingly, most have nothing to do with the scorpions he studies. Scorpions can be found all over the world, but...

Arctic adventure: two explorers bundle up for a chilly trip across the Arctic ice.(earth science)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] There was nothing but snow and ice as far as the eye could see. The wind howled and the temperature plunged to -45[degrees]C (-49[degrees]F). The extreme conditions would have sent most people shivering toward the...

Meltdown: how does melting ice affect water levels in the oceans?(hands-on)
January 1, 2008... THINK: Suppose you were to fill a glass with ice and water on a hot day. Would the drink overflow as the ice melted? PREDICT: On Earth, there are giant masses of ice that float on the ocean. There are also sheets of ice that rest on land...

Mystery photo.(the Back Page)
January 1, 2008... WHAT'S PICTURED IN THE MAGNIFYING LENS? TO FIND OUT, USE THESE HINTS (PLUS A DICTIONARY OR THE INTERNET!). 1. It sometimes creates sounds that can't be heard by humans. 2. It may be referred to as a pachyderm, which means a...

You asked.(the Back Page)(Brief article)
January 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Q: Why does soda squirt out of the bottle when you shake it? A: Soda "explodes" when you shake it because of the drink's bubbles. The drink is fizzy because carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in the liquid. ...

Hidden words.(the Back Page)
January 1, 2008... Circle the words listed below in the puzzle. Then use the uncircled letters to spell out the fun fact below. (Read the uncircled letters as they appear from left to right in each line.) What is the largest scorpion species in the United...

Building critical skills.(Editorial)
January 1, 2008... Welcome to a new year! Each issue of SuperScience is designed with your needs and your students' education in mind. We understand the importance of building and reinforcing investigative skills, communication abilities, and deductive reasoning....

Mission: North Pole.(TIME LINE READING SKILLS)
January 1, 2008... In "Arctic Adventure" (pp. 12-14), you read about a trip across the Arctic by Aiain Hubert and Dixie Dansercoer. They are not the first explorers to head north. Below is a time line showing some expeditions to the North Pole. Use the...

No-sweat bubble test.(READING COMPREHENSION)
January 1, 2008... Directions: Read each question below, and then use the article "Baby-sitting Bats" (pp. 6-8) to determine the best answer. Fill in the correct bubble completely. 1. A chemical that affects the body's nerve celts is called a--. (A)...