SuperScience articles from October 2007

SuperScience archives from October 2007

Pint-size pups.(LIFE SCIENCE)(chihuahua)(Brief article)(Photograph)
October 1, 2007... With a height of only 12.7 centimeters (5 inches), Dancer the long-haired Chihuahua is one of the world's smallest dogs. Scientists at the National institutes of Health in Maryland have discovered one of the reasons dogs like Dancer stay so...

Squishy center.(EARTH SCIENCE)(Brief article)(Photograph)
October 1, 2007... For many years, scientists thought that the planet Mercury had a solid core, or center. But a new study suggests that Mercury has a soft, molten core similar to that of Earth. Jean-Luc Margot, a scientist at Cornell University in New York,...

On a curve.(PHYSICAL SCIENCE)(Brief article)(Photograph)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It's time to move over, skateboard. There's a new board in town! With fourteen wheels instead of four, the Flowboard has riders carving turns like never before. Each end of the Flowboard has seven wheels attached...

Can you hear me?(PHYSICAL SCIENCE)(Brief article)(Photograph)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dinosaurs probably couldn't hear the buzzes of insects around them, according to a recent study. To find out how well dinosaurs could hear, scientists studied the ears of dinosaurs' closest living relatives: birds....

The case of the split skateboard: this month, learn about center of gravity.(science mystery)(Photograph)
October 1, 2007... "I'm nervous," said Toby. He was standing at the top of a skateboard ramp with his friends Donna and Josh. Hanging above their heads was a sign that read "1st Annual Skateboard Competition." "Josh, you should go first," said Toby. ...

A Dwindling river: as water demands rise, the Colorado River is running dry.(earth science)(Photograph)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] About 100 years ago, the Colorado River raged southward toward the Gulf of California (see map, p. 7). Where the two bodies of water met, great walls of water sprayed high into the sky. This amazing water show no...

Water waste: what affects how much water evaporates over time?(hands-on)
October 1, 2007... THINK: What happens if you leave a wet sponge on a counter overnight? PREDICT: Some of the water that is sprayed on soil to water crops evaporates, or changes from a liquid to a gas. Will water evaporate faster if it is beneath the surface...

Cool science jobs.(careers)(Interview)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Who: K. Ullas Karanth Job: Wildlife Biologist What is a wildlife biologist? A wildlife biologist is a scientist who studies animals in the wild. I study tigers in India. I gather information about the...

Attack of the body beasts: discover the creatures that call your body home sweet home.(life science)(Photograph)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For billions of tiny creatures, home is a place called YOU. These critters can burrow into your skin, snuggle between your toes, or camp out in your hair. Your skin provides the beasts with a tasty meal. Most of...

Multiplying mold: can you determine if dust contains mold?(hands-on)
October 1, 2007... THINK: Where are some places that you might find mold? How can you get rid of mold? PREDICT: Mold can grow on pieces of bread. On which slice of bread will mold grow first: bread that has been touched with a dirty hand, bread that was...

Mystery photo.(the Back Page)(Brief article)(Photograph)
October 1, 2007... 1. It is made by tiny, tube-shape animals called polyps. 2. It can be found in warm ocean waters, 3. This type got its name from its grooved surface, which looks like a human brain. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ANSWERS Brain...

Hidden words.(the Back Page)(Brief article)(Photograph)
October 1, 2007... 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.) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fun Fact Every square...

You asked.(the Back Page)(Brief article)(Photograph)
October 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Q: How do you cut a diamond if it's the hardest naturaL substance? A: A diamond is usuaLly cut by one thing: other diamonds. A diamond crystal is made of many tiny particles called atoms. The atoms are arranged...

Down the drain.(MATH SKILLS)(Table)(Brief article)(Photograph)
October 1, 2007... How much water do you use each week? Use the table below to calculate your water usage for one week. Then answer the questions that follow. We've done the first calculation to get you started. First, estimate the number of gallons of water...

No-sweat bubble test.(READING COMPREHENSION)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... DIRECTIONS: Read each question below, and then use the article "Attack of the Body Beasts" (pp. 12-14) to determine the best answer. Fill in the correct bubble completely. 1. A is an organism that lives and feeds off another organism. ...