Science World articles from April 2005

Science World archives from April 2005

Snappy meals.(PHYSICAL/ENERGY)(venus flytraps)
April 18, 2005... To catch a meal that can fly away in the blink of an eye, a Venus flytrap has to be speedy. Scientists have recently discovered how this plant's taco-shell-shaped leaves snap shut in only one tenth of a second. An international team of...

Eat up!(GRAPH IT/HEALTH)(diet)
April 18, 2005... Have you eaten enough veggies today? According to the U.S. government's newly updated guidelines, you might want to reach for another helping. The guidelines recommend sensible eating habits that may prevent obesity-related diseases such...

Liar, liar.(LIFE/BRAIN)(brain activity when telling lies)
April 18, 2005... Liars don't usually display a telltale sign like Pinocchio's growing nose. But scientists have discovered certain brain activity may give away a deceiver. Researchers used a scanning technique called functional magnetic resonance imaging...

Sprouting phones.(EARTH/ENVIRONMENT)(mobile phones)
April 18, 2005... British researchers have come up with a novel way to discard old cell phones: Plant them in a pot. The team has developed a new cell phone cover that's made from biodegradable plastic. That way, instead of taking up space in a landfill,...

Hidden hazard.(EARTH/FAULTS)(California's new geological fault)
April 18, 2005... Life in California just got riskier. Scientists believe that just north of San Francisco lurks a hidden fault. If rocks along this boundary were to suddenly slide past each other, an earthquake would jolt the region. Blind faults like this...

Ocean keepers: California's sea otters are mysteriously dying in record numbers. How could their decline affect other ocean life?(LIFE: ECOSYSTEMS)(Cover Story)
April 18, 2005... Seated in a small boat, biologist James Estes scans the water in Monterey Bay, off the coast of California. He spots his target: a sea otter frolicking in the middle of a large patch of kelp, a type of seaweed. The otter disappears underwater,...

Drip, dry? Is it possible that America's water sources could one day be tapped out?(EARTH: NATURAL RESOURCES)
April 18, 2005... Across much of the United States, the days of carefree water use are long gone. Take for instance Denver's Water World: The theme park sells cold soft drinks, but those who want ice in theirs have to ask for it. Why the hassle? Park officials...

Turkey power! Bird dung is putting one small town on the map--and redefining alternative fuels.(EARTH: ENERGY)
April 18, 2005... Today, the United States gets most of the energy it needs by burning fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas. That may not be true in a decade. Due to environmental concerns, alternative fuels are gaining importance. Leading the way are...

Name that element! This element can be a real gem. It helps scientists see distant planets, and allows hang gliders to lift off. If you treat this element with care, you'll be helping to clean up Earth. What is it? Follow these eight clues to find out.(PHYSICAL: CHEMISTRY)
April 18, 2005... CLUE 1 COMMON COMBO On its own, the mystery element is a soft, lightweight metal. But finding its pure form in nature is mission impossible. Although it's the most abundant metal in Earth's crust, it's always found in compounds (two...

Headache.(GROSS OUT)
April 18, 2005... Ouch! When doctors examined this X-ray image--formed by high-energy waves--they spotted the cause of 23-year-old Patrick Lawler's aching head: a 10 centimeter (4 inch)-long nail. How did the nail get lodged in Lawler's skull? Last January...

Explain this!(Activities & Oddities)(sculptures)
April 18, 2005... Defying Gravity? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Explain This! Last October, people strolling around New York City's Rockefeller Center saw what looked to be a line of walkers striding up a 30 meter (100 foot)-tall pole. The walkers didn't...

Tease your brain.(Activities & Oddities)
April 18, 2005... Can you separate each cat into its own enclosure by drawing just two squares inside the existing square? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Science news.(CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING)
April 18, 2005... Name:-- DIRECTIONS: Read the Science News section on pages 4 to 6. Then, test your knowledge by filling in the letter of the correct answer below. 1. At rest, a Venus flytrap's leaves are (A) flat. (B) in a convex shape. ...

Adding up otters.(GRAPH-READING SKILLS)
April 18, 2005... In "Ocean Keepers" (p. 8), you learned that scientists keep close watch on the at-risk population of sea otters along California's coast. Each spring, these scientists tally the number of otters living near the coast. Use the data collected...

Filter this.(HANDS-ON ACTIVITY)(water filters)
April 18, 2005... Name: -- In "Drip, Dry?" (p. 12), you learned that pollutants are threatening the nation's freshwater supply. Now, complete this activity to learn how pollutants can be filtered from water. PREDICT: Do you think a paper towel can...