SuperScience articles from March 2005

SuperScience archives from March 2005

Flash flood.(newsblast)
March 1, 2005... Venice, Italy, is no stranger to flooding. Several times a year, this coastal city's canals (waterways) overflow. The flooding had always been limited to small parts of Venice--until recently. Last November, extremely high tides (the repeated...

Horsing around.(newsblast)
March 1, 2005... What makes some racehorses so fast? According to researchers at the Royal Veterinary College in Great Britain, the answer lies in the horses' legs. As a horse gallops, it contracts (tightens) its leg muscles. The tightened muscles stiffen...

Sun storms.(newsblast)
March 1, 2005... The sun may look smooth and calm, but this giant ball of gas is actually very stormy. Large eruptions are constantly taking place on the sun's surface--and more so than ever in recent history. According to scientists at Queen's University...

Poison croakers.(newsblast)(frogs)
March 1, 2005... Colombian poison dart frogs pack a deadly punch. When threatened, these little animals release a poison so dangerous it can kill a human. Where do the frogs get their deadly poison? Scientists recently discovered that it comes from a tiny...

The case of the floating olives: this month learn about density.(science mystery)(Short Story)
March 1, 2005... "Joining the clean-up crew was a great idea," said James as he picked a soda can up from the sand. "I can't believe how trashed this beach is." His friends Katie and Tom nodded in agreement. "Littering destroys the environment," said...

Mammoth hunters: scientists travel to icy regions to unlock the secrets of an ancient animal.(life science)
March 1, 2005... Scientist Larry Agenbroad wakens to the sound of the howling wind. It is a frigid -34[degrees]C (-30[degrees]F) and the only things keeping him warm are the tent over his head, a small oil heater, and several layers of clothing. When he...

Deep freeze: can you grow a plant in frozen soil?(hands-on)
March 1, 2005... THINK: What are some things that plants need to grow? What might happen to a plant if it couldn't receive these things? PREDICT: How does frozen soil affect plant growth? YOU'LL NEED: * LARGE PLASTIC SANDWICH BAG * 1 1/2 CUPS...

Frosty fossil: can you preserve a "fossil?".(hands-on)
March 1, 2005... THINK: Suppose that one object was frozen in a piece of ice, and another object was buried in dirt. If it rained, would it be easier for the water to reach the object in the ice or in the dirt? PREDICT: If rain or snow reaches a fossil,...

Taking the high road: France's new bridge helps a small town dodge traffic--and set a new world record.(physical science)
March 1, 2005... Last December, construction workers finished building the world s tallest bridge in France. The new bridge is called the Millau Viaduct (mee-YO VI-ah-dukt). It reaches 336 meters (1,102 feet) high. That's taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris!...

Building bridges: can you construct a strong bridge?(hands-on)
March 1, 2005... THINK: Suppose you were building a tower of cards. Would you stack the cards in triangular shapes or in square shapes to support the layers of cards above them? PREDICT: What shape can hold the most weight: a triangle or a square? ...

Mystery photo.(the Back Page)
March 1, 2005... What's pictured in the magnifying lens? To find out, use these hints (plus a dictionary or the Internet!). 1. It's printed on a material made from plant cells (the most basic units of life). 2. It can define "science." 3. The...

You asked.(the Back Page)(lightning)
March 1, 2005... Q: Now does lightning occur? A: opposites attract--at least they do when lightning forms. During a thunderstorm, water and ice particles move around inside a cloud. This movement creates regions of positive electrical charges above the...

Bridge heights.(the Back Page)
March 1, 2005... France's Millau Viaduct is the world's tallest bridge. How does it measure up to other bridges? Check out the graph and key above. Then answer the questions below. 1. How many meters taller is the highest point of the Millau Viaduct than...

Renew for 2005-2006!(Editorial)
March 1, 2005... As you prepare for the end of this school year, the staff of SuperScience is busy planning its issues for the next school year. As always, the nonfiction articles, mysteries, and experiments in each issue of SuperScience will not only...

Scavenger hunt.(Assessment)
March 1, 2005... Search the magazine to find the answer to part A of each question. Then search your brain to find the answer to part B! 1 a: How do Colombian poison dart frogs defend themselves from enemies? -- ...

No-sweat bubble test.(Assessment)
March 1, 2005... (reading comprehension) DIRECTIONS: Read each question below, and then use the article "The Mammoth Hunters" (pp. 6-9) to determine the best answer. Fill in the correct bubble completely. 1. Which of the following does NOT describe...