Science World articles from February 2004

Science World archives from February 2004

These are a few of your favorite things.
February 2, 2004... Teen years are accompanied by changes--like growth spurts, acne, and an endless need for sleep. The good news? Getting older means you can make many of your own choices, from what to eat to whether you prefer an eco-friendly ride or a...

a aromatherapy: life.
February 2, 2004... What do many teens have in common with orangutans at the Denver Zoo? Aromatherapy treatments? Yep. The zoo's primates are using aromatherapy (use of essential oils extracted from herbs, flowers, and fruits to promote emotional and physical...

b belly laugh life.
February 2, 2004... Try to make yourself laugh. You'll probably only get a tight-lipped chuckle. Why? "Laughter is almost always something you do with other people," says professor Robert Provine of the University of Maryland. Your brain automatically...

c cell phones: physical.
February 2, 2004... The camera cell phone tops many teens' wish lists. That's because it's handy and discreet for snapping and transmitting images to the Internet or other cell phones. Unfortunately, this gadget is generating worldwide concerns of privacy loss....

d dreams: life.
February 2, 2004... Sinking into a deep slumber can be your ticket to dreamland. But do these resting fantasies have anything to do with reality? Scientists are still puzzled over why people dream. Matthew Walker, a psychiatrist at the Harvard Medical...

e eco-tourism: life.
February 2, 2004... Looking forward to a camping trip or a hike through the forest this spring break? You're not alone. According to a survey by Conservation International, nature tourism (exploring the outdoors)has increased more than 100 percent since 1990. ...

f fried candy bars: physical.
February 2, 2004... Forget funnel cake and corn dogs, the latest fairground fare is the flied candy bar. "They're better than a regular candy bar--frying totally changes the taste," says Tina Catron, who sells the calorie-packed confection at state fairs. But how...

g games: physical.
February 2, 2004... Imagine: You're about to smash your high score in the latest race-eat computer game. But just as you try to round a hairpin turn, you lose steering control. That's what players have in store if they pirate, or illegally copy, computer...

h hot cocoa: health.
February 2, 2004... Sweet! Recent research shows hot cocoa may be the healthiest beverage to warm up with in the frigid winter months. "If you have a choice between cocoa, tea, or coffee I definitely recommend cocoa," says researcher Chang Yong Lee of Cornell...

i ice cream: physical.
February 2, 2004... Love ice cream? You're not alone. The average American eats about 15 pounds per year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But don't you hate it when you have a late-night craving and that lonely pint buried deep in your freezer...

j Java: health: morning coffee isn't just for Mom and Dad anymore. But is it good for you?
February 2, 2004... ZZ Quinn, 15, is a real coffee addict. "I usually drink a mug of coffee in the morning and probably four or five grande Starbucks cups throughout the day," says the freshman at Mercer Island High School near Seattle, Washington. She's just one...

k karaoke: physical.
February 2, 2004... You've been practicing karaoke, and you're certain you'll be the next American Idol. So why did Simon say: "You're tone deaf"? "Listening to yourself sing is like crawling into a grand piano, closing the lid, and then hearing the sounds...

l learning disorders: life: dyslexia can make reading seem impossible. Find out how one teen overcame this learning disorder.
February 2, 2004... You wouldn't suspect that Joseph Ashton has difficulty reading. The 16-year-old high school senior is on the Honor Roll and the Dean's List for math. He even spends his time outside of school reading out loud--he provides the voice for Otto...

m money: physical.
February 2, 2004... The $20 bill just got a face-lift! This fall, the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing redesigned the bill with hidden security features. They hope this will make the money harder for counterfeiters to fake. Check out the new security...

n NASCAR: physical.
February 2, 2004... Last September, NASCAR driver Jason Keller lost control of his vehicle and slammed into the wall of the Richmond International Raceway. Amazingly, Keller walked away from the crash with only a few bumps and bruises. How? Fortunately, a new...

o old age: life.
February 2, 2004... Want to be around when the New Year's ball drops ill Times Square in the year 2090? Then you'd better lead a healthy lifestyle... and hope long life is in your genes (hereditary material). A recent study by scientists at the Institute for...

p popcorn: health.
February 2, 2004... Green apple? Chocolate-fudge brownie? Jalapeno? Whatever the flavor, Americans love popcorn. Just ask Kent Lundquist, director of consumer marketing for the American Pop Corn Company. "The average American eats 59 quarts of popcorn per year,"...

q quench: physical.
February 2, 2004... Does a glass's shape affect how much juice you pour to quench your thirst? New research shows it does. People pour 77 percent more liquid into short, wide glasses compared with tall, skinny ones--even though the glasses hold the same total...

r rainy days: earth.
February 2, 2004... It's no secret: Most teens live for summer vacation. But if you live downwind of a city and are planning to work on your suntan this summer, you might need to take a rain check. That's because new research shows that areas downwind of some...

s shyness: life.
February 2, 2004... Ever wonder why some people are shy? A new study shows young adults who are shy have differences in their brains that may have existed since they were babies. Psychiatrist Carl Schwartz at Harvard Medical School conducted brain scans on...

t tongue splitting: health.
February 2, 2004... A growing fad has tongues hissing. It involves splitting the tongue to create a forked, lizard-like look. But before you consider going reptilian, "There are serious risks involved," warns Matt Messina, of the American Dental Association. ...

u underwear: physical.
February 2, 2004... Training for a sport can be intense--and even dangerous under the wrong conditions. That's why engineers at Philips, an electronics company, have developed a new sports bra and running shorts that call 911 when you're in trouble. "The system...

v vending machines: health.
February 2, 2004... Do vending machines push an unhealthy diet on teens? State courts and consumer there's a link junk food sold from school vending machines, and rising rates of diabetes (buildup of sugar in the bloodstream) and obesity in young people. ...

w water: earth.
February 2, 2004... Water sure is valuable. It makes up about 65 percent of your body. Doctors and nutritionists recommend that you guzzle eight 8-ounce glasses per day to prevent dehydration, a medical condition where the body uses more water than it takes in. So...

x X-files: earth.
February 2, 2004... Have aliens landed on Earth? The Sci-Fi Channel is trying to find out. Along with the Coalition for Freedom of Information, they are suing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for the government agency's top-secret...

y yes: peer pressure: life.
February 2, 2004... Do you feel pressure to follow the crowd? Recent reports show that peer pressure plays a role in driving teens' behaviors--from smoking to studying for a test. Why? Often teens relate more to friends than adults. "[Teens] speak a common...

z zapped!: health.
February 2, 2004... Do you microwave your veggies? If so, they won't be as good for you. Most vegetables contain antioxidants, chemical compounds that protect your cells. In a new study, food scientist Cristina Garcia-Viguera found that broccoli loses most of...

Facts, resources, and answers from A to Z.
February 2, 2004... A Aromatherapy What are the Top 10 essential oils and what benefits do some people think they provide? Check out the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy to find out: www.naha.org/Top10.htm Fact: * Aromatherapy is not a...

Caffeine diary: you read about what caffeine does to the body in "J: Java" p. 14). Now learn about what caffeine is doing to you.(Health/Data-Collecting Skills)
February 2, 2004... Name: -- Part 1: Record your caffeine intake for one week. 1. First, make a data table. See the sample below. 2. Every time you eat or drink something that contains caffeine, record in the table the product amount, amount of...

L: learning disorders.(Vocabulary Builder)
February 2, 2004... Name: -- First, read about dyslexia in "L: Learning Disorders" (p. 18). Then solve the clues below to complete this crossword puzzle. To spell out the bonus word, unscramble the letters in parentheses. The * on the crossword grid indicates...