EXPLORING YOUNG MINDS...

TELL ME 'WHY'?

2013-05-08T04:22:00.000-07:00

Why Are Bananas Curved?
Bananas grow in bunches knows as "hands". As the bananas in a hand mature and grow larger, they curve upwards. Instead of pointing downwards, they bend up and point towards the sky to receive more sunlight. This biological ability is known as "negative geotropism".

Why Does Cabbage Change When Cooked?
The cells of cabbage leaf contain anthocyanin molecules. When cooking cabbage, the heat of stove causes the cells containing anthocyanins to burst open. The water soluble pigments are released, mixing with the surrounding liquid thus changing the color of cabbage when cooked.

Why Can't We Breathe Underwater?
When hydrogen and oxygen combine, they form H2o. The oxygen dissolved in water is bound to two hydrogen atoms and is thus useless to our lungs in such form. Human lungs do not have enough surface area to absorb sufficient oxygen from water and are adapted to air rather than water.

Why Do We See Reflection In Water?
When light shines on a pool of water it is dispersed in three ways. Some of it is absorbed as heat while some of it passes through the water and is deflected or 'bent'. This phenomenon is known as refraction of .light Also some of the light is reflected on the surface of the water which acts as a mirror. Thus if the water is clean it is possible to see a reflection very clearly.

Why Is Boric Powder Used In Carom Boards?
Boric powder is a fine white powder at room temperature which hardly reacts with anything else but itself. Sprinkling boric powder on carom board smoothens the surface and reduces the friction between the puck and the board. This helps the carom pucks move faster across the carom surface.

Why IS Sea Salty?
As rainwater passes through soil and percolates through rocks, it dissolves some of the minerals, a process called weathering. This is the water we drink, and of course, we cannot taste the salt because its concentration is too low. Eventually, this water with its small load of dissolved minerals or salts reaches a stream and flows into lakes and the ocean. The annual addition of dissolved salts by rivers is only a tiny fraction of the total salt in the ocean. The dissolved salts carried by all the world’s rivers would equal the salt in the ocean in about 200 to 300 million years. These include sodium, chlorine (which together make the salt we put in our food), magnesium, calcium and potassium.

Why Is Smoking Bad For Health?
Our lungs have over 350 million tiny sacs, called Alveoli. Though these air sacs, the oxygen is taken from the air and passed into your blood. Smoking coats these sacs with sticky tar thereby choking them thus blocking them to function, and this in turn causes breathing problems and weakens the lungs.

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DESTINATION MARS!

2013-04-21T02:32:00.000-07:00

Our resources are limited and it may not be possible to live on planet Earth forever. It is therefore imperative for us to search for the possibility of life on other planets and determine whether we can inhabit those territories. Of all the planet explorations taking place, the findings of planet Mars gives us hope to mankind about the possibility of another livable planet. Here are some of these findings.

How Far Is Mars From The Sun?
Mars has an elliptical orbit around the Sun, so sometimes it is closer to the Sun and sometimes its farther. When its closest, it is approximately 206,600,000 km away

What Are The Gases In The Planet Mars?
The atmosphere consists of mainly of carbon dioxide (95 per cent), argon and nitrogen. Mars has a very thin atmosphere. The suspicion of life on Mars was supported by the stream beds consisting of water, lava and frozen water ice at the poles. So there might even be traces of hydrogen in the planet's atmosphere.

Is There Water On Mars?
Evidence shows that water flowed abundantly on Mars during its first 500 million years of history. There are winding channels and great gorges similar to water cut canyons. One such canyon is the Valles Marineris which is 10 times longer and about four times deeper than the Grand Canyon on Earth.

Where Has The Water Gone?
It is believed that water on Mars dried up, because, at only about half the Earth's diameter, it was unable to retain the heat of its birth for as long. It is the dynamo action of molten material circulating deep inside a planet that creates a magnetic field. This magnetic field shields a planet's atmosphere from the ravages of the million-mile an hour solar wind. Without this magnetic shield, the atmosphere of Mars was quickly stripped away and so liquid water could no longer exist on its surface.

Phoenix mars lander

Did Life On Mars Exist?
Advanced life forms require liquid water. Since the mid 1960's, studies have shown the presence of frozen water at the Martian poles. Tn recent years, NASA Rover robots on Mars (Mars Pathfinder, The Spirit and Opportunity Rovers and The Phoenix Mars Lander) coupled with data from Mars orbiters proved the previous existence of liquid water on Mars.

NASA Mars Rover

Also, from images and techniques used to measure ice levels, it appears that at the polar extremes of the planet there are large amounts of ice. If melted, this ice would lead to an average level of water covering the entire surface by 11 meters high, thereby generating oxygen in the atmosphere thus justifying the probability of life on the Planet.

Mars pathfinder

Why Is Study Of Mars Important As Compared To Other Planets?
The existence of Earth-like life should necessarily be restricted to planets where Earth conditions exist or have existed. Taking a closer look at the other planets, we find Mars to be the only planet that can provide answers.

WHY NOT VENUS? - With its crushingly high atmospheric surface pressure, lead- melting temperatures and thick carbon dioxide atmosphere that is resistant to sunlight, Venus's surface makes for an extremely unfriendly environment for any robotic lander.

WHY NOT MERCURY? - Though it might be very much like the moon, half the planet and the satellites in orbit around it are subjected to high solar radiation. The heat from the sun could fry a spacecraft and the radiation could destroy all on board electronics. So nobody can ever live there.

WHY NOT JUPITER? - The giant gas planet Jupiter is very, very, far away. So with our current and near-future propulsion technology, humans can only reach it in huge colony ships. And once we would get there, we would have only some small, dead moons to live on. So if Jupiter is improbable, then life on SATURN, URANUS and NEPTUNE is just impossible!

This means we would need a leap in technology to survive on the Venus surface. We would need huge spaceships to get to Jupiter, and nobody would be able to return home for decades. And so Mars is definitely the only planet that we could go out to, explore and probably inhabit in the near future.

How Similar Is Mars To Earth?

Each planet has roughly the same amount of land surface area. Atmospheric chemistry is relatively similar, at least as Earth is compared to the other planets in the solar system. Both planets have large, sustained polar caps, which is probably made of water ice. Mountains on Mars are much larger than Earth's mountains.

Mars does not have the same kind of magnetic field as Earth. But evidence collected by the Mars Global Surveyor(MGS) indicates that the planet may have once had a global magnetic field, generated by and internal dynamo. Evidence suggests that the planet's magnetic field reversed direction, or flipped, several times in its early days as conditions in the mantle and core of the planet changed. But the dynamo faded, leaving only faint traces of its magnetic past locked in the Martian crust.

On earth much of the planets fresh water is locked up in ice covering the two poles. This polar ice and the vast ice sheet covering Greenland in the north may only represents roughly three percent of the overall water contained on Earth, it represents two thirds of all the available fresh water, that is vital to many of the lifeforms found here. Likewise, data now indicate that Mars's northern polar region may contain as much water as that contained on Greenland's ice sheet, a vast tract of frozen water that's up to three kilometres thick in some places.

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DANGEROUS ANACONDA!

2013-02-04T01:25:00.001-08:00

WHAT IS ANACONDA?

An anaconda is a large, non-venomous snake and although the name actually applies to a group of snakes, it is often used to refer to one species in particular - The common or green anaconda, EUNECTES MURINUS. It is one of the largest and most powerful snakes in the world. They are greenish-brown with a double row of black oval spots on the back and smaller white markings on the sides. Their scaly skin glistens but is dry is to the touch. The anaconda has a large head and a thick neck. Its eyes and nostrils are positioned on the top of the head, enabling the anaconda to breathe and to see its prey while its thick and strong body lies submerged under water. It smells with its tongue. It has no fangs.

WHERE IS IT FOUND?

Anacondas are found in the rivers in the rain forests of South America, Brazil and Guiana. Water is their main escape method when confronted with danger. Rather than attacking, they will choose to slide into the water unnoticed. They spend a lot of their time in the dark waters of their habitat.

HOW BIG IS THE ANACONDA?

Anacondas are very difficult for scientists to study or even find and so there is some debate about their maximum size. According to the records, the biggest anaconda ever found was of length more than 37 ft. There may be larger Anacondas which are unseen.Anacondas like to hang out in rivers so it would be difficult to estimate the length of one seen swimming without seeing the entire snake. It's the anaconda's ability to remain partly hidden in the water that makes it difficult to accurately find (and document) a specimen that exceeds the current world's record.

RAISING BABIES:-

Green anacondas spend most of their time alone. However, between April and May, males seek out females for the opportunity to mate. Often times, multiple males will pursue the same female. This results in “breeding balls” of up to a dozen males wrapped around a single female, all attempting to mate. The breeding ball can last up to 4 weeks.

Once pregnant, the female will produce eggs inside her body. The eggs develop for 8-12 weeks and then hatch while still inside the mother’s body. She then gives birth to as many as 80 tiny snakes, each 30-60 cm (12-24 in.) in length.

DO ANACONDAS BITE?

Anacondas have teeth, but they are not a venomous snake. They rely on their enormous size and power to topple their victims. It is possible to be bitten by an anaconda, but the bite itself would not be fatal. Anacondas eat amphibious animals like frogs and toads, as well as fish, caiman, birds, ducks and turtles.

HOW DOES AN ANACONDA KILL?

Anacondas kill their prey by coiling their large, powerful bodies around their victims and squeezing until their prey suffocates or is crushed to death and dies from internal bleeding. Then the snake unhinges its jaw and swallows the victim whole. The anaconda's top and bottom jaws are joined together with stretchy ligaments (elastic band), which let the snake eat animals wider than itself. Snakes don't chew their food. The acids in the snake's stomach break it down.

FACTS ABOUT ANACONDA:- SOURCE

Anacondas continue to grow as long as they live!
Compared to other animals, anacondas live a very long life. Around 35 - 45 years!
To prevent tick/ flea infestation, these snakes emit a foul-smelling substance which is poisonous to small creatures.
Though the origin of their name is unknown, there are many versions of it. Some people believe that the word anaconda originated from the Sinhalese (language of Sri Lanka) word henakandeya meaning 'a thing with an enormous body' or 'a whip snake'. A few others believed that anaconda is taken from the Tamil (a language spoken in Tamil Nadu, a state in South India) word anaikondran that means 'elephant killer'.
They are also known in South America by many local names like matatoro (a Spanish term which means 'bull killer'), yakumama and sucuri (Native American terms used for this snake).
Out of the four types, namely Dark-spotted, Yellow, Green and Bolivian anacondas, the biggest species ever found is the Green Anaconda.
The world's biggest snake i.e. the Green anaconda is also the heaviest snake, with a fully grown adult weighing more than 550 pounds (or 227 kilograms approximately) and being 9 meters (approximately 30 feet) long.
The biological name of the Green anaconda, Eunectes murinus, is formed from the Greek word Eunectes meaning 'good swimmer' and Latin word murinus which means 'who hunts mice'.

ANACONDA EATING ITS PREY

HOW TO ESCAPE FROM AN ANACONDA ATTACK? SOURCE

Avoid going to areas where anacondas are likely to be seen.

Always keep a knife with you for safety.

Try not to get gripped in the first place. Stay out of shallow rivers because there is a chance of you getting an anaconda. If you do see a snake, don't get close to it. Watch out to see if it is tracking your movement, following you, and flicking its tongue. These are signs that it is getting ready to strike.

If an anaconda ever starts squeezing you, bite the end of the snake's tail as hard as you can This will cause the anaconda tremendous pain, causing you to let go.

Hit the snake with anything that you can see, especially a rock or a sharp object like a knife.

Biting the anaconda in the middle of its body may not have the same effect as biting the tip of the tail.Anacondas are very thick, so you may not be able to do any real damage unless you get a weak spot.

A VIDEO OF ANACONDA SWALLOWING ITS PREY:-

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THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

2012-09-11T03:34:00.001-07:00

What is THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION?

The International Space Station (ISS) is a large and special kind of spacecraft floating in space. It is a large research facility with people on-board who run science experiments that can only be done in space. It orbits 250 miles above the Earth flying through space at around 17,000 miles per hour. This means the ISS goes around the Earth approximately once every 90 minutes.

WHO BUILT THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION?

The ISS deigned so that many countries all over the world could cooperate and have a place on-board to perform their science and technology experiments. The two primary countries involved with the ISS are the United States with NASA and RUSSIA with the Russian Space Agency (RSA). Other countries involved with the construction and ongoing activities on the ISS are The Canadian Space Agency, The European Space Agency, Japan, Brazil, and many others.

WHEN WAS IT MADE?

The first piece of ISS was launched in 1998. Over time, the US space shuttle and Russian rockets were primarily used to get materials, parts, and people back and forth from the Earth up to the Space station. The first crew arrived in October 2000. People have lived on the space station ever since. Over time more pieces have been added. NASA and its partners around the world finished the space station in 2011.

HOW BIG IS THE SPACE STATION?

The Space Station is as big as a house with five bedrooms. It has two bathrooms, a gymnasium and a big bay window. Six people are able to live there. It weighs almost a million pounds. It is big enough to cover a football field.

WHAT ARE THE PARTS OF THE SPACE STATION?

The Space Station has many parts. The parts are called modules. The first modules had parts needed to make the Space Station work. Astronauts also lived in those modules. Modules called "nodes" connect parts of the station to each other. Labs on the Space Station let astronauts do research. On the sides of the Space Station are solar arrays. These arrays collect energy from the Sun to convert into electricity. Airlocks on the Space Station are like doors. Astronauts use them to go outside on spacewalks. Docking ports are like doors, too. The ports allow visiting spacecraft to connect to the space station. New crews and visitors enter the station through the docking ports. Astronauts fly to the space station on the Russian Soyuz. The crew members use the ports to move supplies onto the station.

WHY IS THE SPACE STATION IMPORTANT?

The Space Station is a home in orbit where crew members do research. This research could not be done on Earth. Scientists study what happens to people when they live in space and how to keep a spacecraft working for a long time. These lessons will be important in the future.

WHAT TYPES OF EXPERIMENTS ARE DONE ON ISS?

Experiments with space medicine, gravity's affect on life, future space travel, biology in space, discovery of new materials, and various technology experiments are being conducted on ISS. Studying materials like fluids, flames, metals, and different objects in space helps us gain a better understanding of all these things on Earth. From the ISS, we have a great window to watch the Earth, watching weather, climate, agriculture trends, natural disasters, pollution, deforestation, etc. We can even have a more clear view of all the galaxies out in the universe and we can even study the very nature of space itself.

HOW IS INFORMATION FROM THE ISS COMMUNICATED TO EARTH?

The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRS) is a series of satellites that the ISS uses to communicate with the ground. Using TDRS with its satellites positioned all around the Earth, the ISS can communicate to the Earth any time it needs to. The Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) is the NASA network that controls TDRS.

WHO IS ON BOARD THE ISS NOW?

The Expedition 32 crew is on board the ISS. Crew members are from the USA, Russia and Japan. On July 14, 2012 Indian born astronaut, Sunita Williams was launched in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to join the Expedition 32 crew. She will stay on and become the commander of Expedition 33

LIFE INSIDE THE ISS:-

Once a person is inside the INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, they can float around without needing a spacesuit. The only time an astronaut would need a spacesuit is if they are doing a spacewalk, which means they are going outside the space station to work on something. As for Oxygen, there are life support systems on the ISS which provide oxygen and remove carbon dioxide so astronauts can do their job on board and breathe normally. Much of this oxygen comes from a process where the electricity from the ISS solar panels is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen gas. On the ISS, meals often come in a meal tray, and the meal tray becomes a sort of dinner place with several foods to choose from. The tray holds the foods down so they don't float away. The food and drink come in cans or dehydrated so things don't have to be refrigerated. As for sleeping, astronauts are weightless and can sleep in any orientation. However, they have to attach themselves to a wall, seat or bed so they don't float around and bump into something.

ISS TRIVIA :-

The Space Station is the largest manned object ever sent into space. It is a research facility that measures 290 feet in length and 356 feet in width. It weighs more than 1 million pounds.
It is being powered by solar energy. This energy is necessary to power the six laboratories and all the living space on board.
The ISS was designed and built with the collaboration of 100,000 people, sixteen nations, and hundreds of companies.

HERE IS A VIDEO:-

Was Is Informative? Being an astronaut is amazing, isn't it? We get to see our Earth, various planets, especially the Sun and much more! I wish I was an Astronaut..! What do you think? :D

NUCLEUR POLLUTION

2012-09-06T02:55:00.001-07:00

What Is Nuclear Pollution?

Nuclear pollution begins with the deposition of radioactive wastes. It happens when the radioactive element comes in contact with other elements in environment and emmit Alpha & Gamma Rays wich is a serious threat to Human Race.These wastes contain radioactive chemical elements lacking any practical purpose. Usually they are the byproducts of nuclear processes such as nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, etc.

How Does Nuclear Pollution Take Place?

It is basically produced by nuclear explosion caused due to various nuclear tests that are performed using nuclear weapons. The explosion results in contributing a certain percentile of radioactive particles into the Earth's stratosphere. Later these particles get settled on the earth's surface affecting the living organisms.

What Are The Severe Effects Of Nuclear Pollution?

Nuclear pollution tends to produce uncontrolled radioactive material. It has a negative impact on vegetation causing serious health hazards. The nuclear explosions that affected Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the Second World War are direct examples of the severe impact on humans as well as other living organisms. Nuclear pollution also results in global warming thus raising a major environment concern.

What Immediate Measures Can Be Taken To Restrict Nuclear Pollution?
Setting up of nuclear station is one option to reduce nuclear pollution. Educating the public on health issues and influencing the government to deal with problems of nuclear pollution should be embarked on. Besides, development and construction of nuclear power plants, promotion of energy efficiency and encouraging the use of solar power would probably help deal with nuclear pollution.

HERE IS A VIDEO:-

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WHY DO FINGERS AND TOES WRINKLE IN THE BATHTUB?

2012-08-30T03:22:00.000-07:00

The tough outermost layer of the skin is made up of dead Keratin cells formed from the protein Keratin. While a person is in the pool or a bathtub for a long time, the dead keratin cells absorb water. This absorption causes the surface of the skin to swell. But as the outer layer of skin is tightly attached to the skin underneath, it results into wrinkling.

WHY IS IT HARD FOR KETCHUP TO FLOW INSTANTLY? Ketchup has a strange property of changing from a gel-like thickness to a free flowing liquid. This is termed as 'Thixotrophy'. The word is derived from Greek 'thixis' meaning the act of handling and 'trope' meaning change. This happens because of the ketchup molecules which are in the form of long chains. When the ketchup bottle is left untouched for some time, the molecule chains coil up together in a jumble. When the bottle is shaken, the molecules break apart and become loose allowing the ketchup to flow.

WHY DO GEESE FLY IN V-SHAPE?

Geese fly in a V-shaped formation while migrating as it conserves energy. Each bird flies slightly above another in front, resulting in a reduction of wind resistance. They take turns being in the front, falling back when they get tired. In this way, they can fly for a long time before they stop for rest. Secondly, the V-formation helps to keep track of every bird in the group. Fighter pilots often use this formation for the same reason.

WHY DOES WATER STAY COOL IN EARTHEN POTS?

This is because of a physical process known as evaporation. When a liquid changes to a gaseous state without boiling, it is known as evaporation. An earthen pot is made of mud and has many minute pores. The pores remain the same no matter how tightly you pack the mud. These pores absorb heat from the water inside the pot. Due to this process of continuous absorption of heat from the water inside the pot, the water in the earthen pot remains cool...

WHY DO WE BLINK? Blinking is an involuntary action that protects the eye. It's a kind of safeguard mechanism. Besides it lubricates the eyes wiping out any minute particles of dust keeping the front portion clear for good vision. The eyelid, through suction, automatically draws the fluid we cry with from the well we refer to as the tear duct over the eyeball, to irrigate, and to moisturise the eye. Sometimes, blinking is also an expression reflecting nervousness, loud noises, stress and tension.

WHY DON"T WE FALL OUT WHEN A ROLLER COASTER GOES UPSIDE DOWN?

When a roller coaster is in motion, a lot of Kinetic energy is generated to pull the train up and go down again. When the train goes upside down, it's the inertia that keeps you seated. Interia is the force that presses your body to the outside of the loop as the train spins around. Although gravity is pulling you towards the earth, at the very top the acceleration force is stronger than gravity and is pulling upwards, thus counteracting gravity.

WHY DO PEOPLE SAY 'GOD BLESS YOU' WHEN SOMEONE SNEEZES?

This account is supposed to have originated in Rome when the Bubonic plague was spreading through Europe. One of the symptoms of the plague was coughing and sneezing. A sneeze was believed to be a sign of impending death. It is believed that Pope Gregory VII suggested saying "God bless you" after a person sneezed as "a way of commanding his soul to the care of God."

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BOATING FUN!

2012-08-24T04:22:00.001-07:00

Boating is a highly popular recreational activity all over the world. Recreational boating offers lots of opportunities for personal growth. Whether you are learning to secure a line, or enjoying the delicate taste of fresh fish that you caught yourself, boating recreation provides many different rewards for all ages.

Boating basically refers to the leisurely pursuit of travelling by boat. Seas and rivers provide a great source of tranquillity for those boating enthusiasts looking to make the most out of this leisure activity. The deep blue waters of Indian Ocean, Nile, Mississippi, Atlantic Ocean e.t.c. can be thoroughly enjoyed for their beautiful surroundings. Places like Palm Coast Florida , northwest of Indiana at Pasternick marina , etc. provides huge potential for boating buffs.It has been proven that boating is an effective tool for stress reduction. It improves the quality of life for many people, as it provides a means of group recreation.

It is a fun way to exercise and be with family and friends, and it is easy to learn.

There are at least 99 kinds of boats in existence, from little kayaks to cruising yachts. There are also various types of boats like pedal boats, canoes, speed boats, etc. that one can choose from.

Here's a look at some sports people do with the use of boats:

Fishing -

Fishing is just one of the many forms of relaxation people do these days with either friends or family. It is a time for bonding and a great escape from the pressures of daily life. Fishing involves a lot of patience, challenge and a lot of skill. Anyone can participate in this fun activity, including the kids. It is advised to fish with friends rather than fishing alone.

Water skiing-

Water skiing for fun developed considerably during the eighties. Today, this physical sport is no longer reserved exclusively for competitors. Beginners and young children can take their first steps in total safety and enjoy the pleasure of skiing on the water. Skiing with two skis is the easiest way for beginners to attempt the sport. This is carried out on two skis which are attached to the feet with flexible straps, but which also have a fin, offering greater stability and making it easier to turn.

Racing -

Sailboats and speedboats are the usual modes of boat racing. Routes, boat designs and other specifics depend on the groups/individuals involved.

But at times the activity of boating can be dangerous sport. You need to be very careful while boating through the seas, especially when the whether is rough and stormy. Here are some tips to follow while boating:-

LIFE JACKET

Be weather wise : Sudden wind shifts, lightning flashes and choppy water can mean a storm is brewing.
Bring a portable radio to check weather reports.
Bring extra gear: You may need a flashlight, extra batteries, matches, a map of where you are, flares, suntan lotion, first aid kit, extra sunglasses. Put those that need to be protected in a watertight pouch or a container that floats.
Inform : Tell someone where you are going, who is with you, and how long you will be away.
Checklist : Check your boat, equipment, boat balance, engine and fuel supply before leaving.
When travelling for a long distance in boats, always bring navigation charts.
Do not sail the boat if you are drunk. Just like driving is dangerous when drunk, boating is also very dangerous if you are drunk.
Life jackets save thousands of lives every year. The best way to prevent deaths while boating is to wear your life jacket.
Practise defensive boating: stay alert. Be aware of others who are on or around the water when you're operating your boat. When you know what & who is around you and in the water, you know how to keep everyone safe & avoid accidents

SOME FACTS:-

In 2003, there were 5,438 recreational boating accidents that resulted in 703 fatalities (down 6% from 2002) and 3,888 injuries.
Of the 481 drownings in 2003, 416 could have been prevented with use of a life jacket.
More than half of all the people in the U. S. live within 50 miles of a coastline
All children younger than age 13 must wear a life jacket while in a boat less than 26 feet in length that is underway.
Alcohol plays a role in 50 percent of all boating accidents, according to BOAT US.
Nearly 85% of boating fatality drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket.

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DEATHLY SHARKS!!

2012-08-17T03:39:00.000-07:00

Dwarf Laternshark

Sharks belong to the 'Chandrichhye' class of fish and they are believed to have existed more than 300 milllion years ago, even before dinosaurs! Massively misunderstood and for many, the Sharks are quite often feared.

Whale Shark

What Are The Physical Features?

They range in size from the small dwarf lanternshark, Etmopterus perryi, a deep sea species of only 17 centimetres in length, to the whale shark, Rhincodon typus, the largest fish, which grows to a length of approximately 12 metres. Sharks have very distinctive tails which provide thrust and speed to the sharks. A shark does not have a single bone in it body, instead it has a single bone it body, instead it has a skeleton made up of cartilage. In many shark species, a female grows than a male s25% more hark.Whale Sharks are estimated to be approximately 70 cm at birth. A shark's skin is covered by small, razor-sharp teeth called denticles. A shark's teeth are usually replaced every eight days and some species of sharks shed about 30,000 teeth in their lifetime.

What Are The Characteristics Of Sharks?

The maximum lifespan of a shark varies from species to species. Most sharks live for 20 to 30 years, while the spiny dogfish lives a record lifespan of more than 100 years. Sharks have keen olfactory senses to detect changes in Earth's geomagnetic field. They generally rely on their superior sense of smell to find prey, but at closer range they also use the lateral lines running along their sides to sense movement in the water. Sharks have a sensory organ which is called the "ampullae of Lorenzini" which they use to feel the electrical field coming from its prey. Recent studies have indicated that many sharks possess powerful problem-solving skills, social complexity and curiosity.

Do Sharks Kill And Eat Humans?

Sharks are found all around the globe from the North to the South in all seas. They evolved millions of years ago before humans existed and therefore humans are not part of their normal diets. Sharks eat small fishes, large seals, plankton, smaller fish, and other sharks etc. Under normal conditions, they are harmless and shy. They have been known to attack humans when they are confused or curious. Out of 360 species, only a dozen of them have been involved in attacks on humans. If a shark sees a human in deep water, it may investigate it leading to an accidental attack. Sharks may also attack humans because of poor visibility. But, sharks are more afraid of us than we are of sharks. We hunt sharks for their meat, internal organs, and skin in order to make products such as shark fin soup, lubricants, and leather etc. And if we just keep doing it, we won't see even a single shark in blue seas.

What Should You Do When You See A Shark?

Do not go in water if you have a wound or if you you have recently been in contact with blood.
Avoid going to areas like murky water and wherever there are animals like seals, fishes etc, which are the prey of sharks.
Do not splash or make a lot of noise. Sharks, as well as all predators, will always choose the easiest prey to attack first. Splashing and standing out from the group can make you look like a struggling fish.
If you see a shark, swim slowly but using powerful strokes. Try to get out of the water as soon as possibly.
If the sharks tries to attact you, never try to pretend dead. Try to attack him in the sensitive part of the shark i.e. gills, nose, especially the eyes of shark. Prove them that you aren't afraid of them. Till the shark feels some pain, quickly get out of water.
If you have anything around you or in your hand like a camera or a rock, use it as a defence weapon.

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WHY DO STARS TWINKLE?

2012-07-17T03:58:00.000-07:00

Earth's atmosphere is made up of several layers of moving air, each with different temperature and density. When we observe stars from the surface of the earth, we are viewing them through different layers or air and temperatures. When light from a star pass through these layers of the Earth's atmosphere, it is constantly bent by each layer of temperature and air. This random refraction distorts the image of the star slightly in brightness and position making it look as if it is moving and winking. This distortion causes our eyes to interpret this as a twinkling star. So, stars themselves do not twinkle but appear to do so through the Earth's atmosphere.

WHY DO WE SNEEZE?

Sneezing is an important reflex action that protects us from things in our environment. It's your body's way of getting rid of germs, dust, and other potentially dangerous things. Common irritants that trigger a sneeze include pepper, dust, chemical odours, cold viruses, allergens causing allergies etc. When any of these things tickle the mucous membrane inside your nose, the nerve endings inside your nose send a signal to your brain. The brain gets the muscles working, filling the lungs with a deep breath and flushing and the bad stuff out with a sneeze.

WHY DO MOSQUITOES BITE?

Mosquitoes bite to fuel the process of reproduction, Blood is like a fertility drug for those insects. Only female mosquitoes bite in order to get blood from humans or other creatures so as to convert it into energy for egg production. Therefore, each bite you suffer helps the female mosquito to produce a new generation of mosquitoes. While heat, movement, moisture, ans colour play a role, mosquito attraction is mostly about scent. Most mosquitoes find their prey by sensing chemicals, notably carbon dioxide, which we exhale while we breathe.

DO ASTRONAUTS HAVE BATH IS SPACE?
Each Space Shuttle has a toilet which is designed as much as possible like those on Earth; the units use flowing air instead of water to move waste through the system. Solid wastes are compressed and stored on-board, and then removed after landing. Waste water is thrown into space, although future systems may recycle it. The air is filtered to remove odour and bacteria and then returned to the cabin. Astronauts brush their teeth just like they do on Earth. There is no shower on the Shuttle, so astronauts must make do with sponge baths until they return home.

HOW DO YOU COMMUNICATE THROUGH A WALKIE-TALKIE?

2012-07-15T00:10:00.000-07:00

How about if old phones would be turned into an intercom for your tree house? Or maybe two cordless phones into a home base walkie talkie?

What Is A Walkie-Talkie?

A walkie-talkie is a two-way radio transciever. It is hand-held and portable and was originally developed for use in the military. It's like a telephone unit with an antenna sticking out of the top. The disadvantage of using a walkie-talkie is that a lot of people can listen to the transmitted voice as opposed to a mobile phone...

How Does It Function?
The sound transmission starts when the push-to-talk switch is presses. A typical walkie-talkie has a built-in speaker which can be heard by the user himself or herself and other people in the immediate vicinity of the user. Hand-held transceivers are used either to communicate between two walkie-talkie, vehicle-mounted stations or base stations. A walkie-talkie is limited to a few watts of power output and a small antenna. The actual size of the unit limits both the battery capacity and antenna size. Its communication range is typically short, not exceeding the line-of-sight distance or within closed buildings or underground.

MOTOROLA SRC-300

What Initiated Manufacture?

The first radia transmitter nicknamed as "Walkie-Talkie" was the Motorola SCR-300, which was created by an engineer team in 1940 at the Galvin Manufacturing Company. These Hand-held transmitters used frequences assigned for various services. They proved valuable for communication to police, emergency services, industrial and commercial users. Walkie-Talkies were also popular with some amateur radio operators, operating with an amateur radio license in several different frequency bands.

Trivia:-

Haldie Talkie became a trademark of Motorola Inc. in 1951. The abbreviation HT is commonly used to refer to portable handled ham radios.
A walkie-talkie is called "Talkie-walkie" in French..

MYTHS DEBUNKED!

2012-07-04T02:49:00.001-07:00

SUGAR MAKES KIDS HYPER:-

Truth:- There is no research that shows hyperactivity is caused by eating too much sugar. Often, children eat foods that are high in sugar, such as candy, pop, or cake at celebrations that makes them excited and act hyper. Birthday parties, family gatherings and playtime with friends are some common situations where kids eat foods that are high in sugar and may appear cranky or hyper. However, it is the situation, not food that effects a child's behaviour. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is not caused by kids eating too much sugar.

FAT KIDS BECOME FAT ADULT:-

Truth:- The rate of obesity among children and adults is on the high rise in many countries. Rather than focus on the child's weight on the scale, watch your child's growth over time. Many children "grow into" their weight as their height and physical activity increase. Healthy lifestyle habits help children have a healthy weight when they become adults.

EVERY CHILD SHOULD TAKE A VITAMIN - MINERAL SUPPLEMENT:-

Truth:- Most children do not need a vitamin-mineral supplement. If a child eats a wide variety of foods, over time thry will get the nutrients they need. Teaching children to get their nutrition from a pill tells them that food is not important. Many children will have days where thay do not eat a great variety of food. Remember, foods eaten in one single day or at single meal do not determine a child's health. Rather, foods eaten over several days add together to provide the nutrients the child needs.

WANNA GET RID OF LICE?

2012-07-02T01:14:00.002-07:00

A common probem among children at school age is having head lice. In fact it is second only to the common cold among communicable deseases affecting school children. Lice prefer to live in clean and oil free hair so that it can travel easily in different locations of your head. What's more disturbing is that a female lice can lay more than 100 eggs in just 10-12 days! The nits or eggs of lice are mostly found at the base of the hair. They cause intense itching and can be irritating and embarassing at times. Though no always, head lice could be due to bad personal hygiene or an unclean living environment and it needs to be tackled immediately.

Lice-Free!

Both over-th-counter and prescription medications are available to treat head lice. However, you can help to prevent kids from getting lice or from becoming re-infested with lice by taking the following precautions:-

Children avoid head-to-head contact at school and also while playing at home with other children.
Children should not share combs, brushes, hats, ribbions, hair ties or bands, towels, or other personal care items with anyone else, whether they may have lice or not.
Children should not lie on bedding, pillows, and carpets that have recently been used by someone with lice.
Every 3 or 4 days, children should examine themselves for head lice and also other members of the household who have had close contact with a person who has lice. Then, treat those who are found to have lice or nits close to the scalp.

These were the simple tips that you should always remember if you have lice or not. Because, there is a possibility that even you can have it. Who knows.. I hope you liked it..:)

HERE IS A VIDEO:-

HOW TO BECOME A TOPPER IN SCHOOL

2012-06-28T02:24:00.000-07:00

INTRODUCTION:-
Many of you may be working hard and getting good marks and some of you may not be working hard but still manages to get high marks in exams,Others may be wondering how it happens?.And also there will be a few of you study well but still not able to score well in exams.Don't worry there are some very simple tips and if you follow them, you can become a topper. These tips will tell you how you can prepare for exams in a week just by following these tips. It will be even better if you follow this for a long period of time. I have collected some information and want to share with you all.. I hope it helps you all..

Examinations are essential component of our system of education and even a few marks this or that side makes a student nervous. This is the reason why exams come with a lot of anxiety and expectation. Whether we like it or not, 'you cannot do all this' is needed at the last minute. However, now that it is too late to start worrying about what you didnt do months ago, concentrate on what you CAN do NOW. So go ahead and use the ASPIRE stratergy recommended be experts to crack your exams.....

A: APPROACH- ATTITUDE:-Approach ur studies with a positive attitude. Avoid negative thinking. Instead of arguing with yourself and thinking about how aweful everything is and how you feel sure you'll fail, rather strike up a positive dialogue. Psychologists say that the way you choose to think about what is happening to you, influences what will happen. So you decide that you can be sucessful and cheerful, and then you can manage that equally well....

S: SCAN:- Select what you have to study and Scan it completely . From all the study material, decide which one you want to study on priority. Once it is done take lots of notes and write down key points. Visualize what you are learning. This means that you scan whatever you are studying completely....

P: PIECE TOGETHER THE PARTS:- Piece together what you've studied. Put aside your books and notes and try to recollect and reframe you have studied. Grasp the basic idea and explain it to someone else in your own words. Summmarize what you understand and revise it either alone or with friends or ask your parents or siblings to do with you. If you go over what you've learned for just five minutes immediately after you've learned it, your retention will be far better....

I: INQUIRE:- Inquire whether there are alternative resources of information: You should access all sources of information that willl help you. There could be other text books, question papers of the earlier years or question papers of other schools that you can takefrom friends. Set a time and try solving these question papers. This will help you gain confidence and you will be well prepared with your time management....

R: REEXAMINE:- Re-examine the content:
After you have finished with ur studies,make cues to help you recall the words that u are trying to remember. Reexamine what you have studied from the point of view of an examiner. Think which probable questions can be asked. You can do a brief study of the earlier question papers to arrive at this answer.....

E: EVALUATE Evaluate ur studies honestly. Dont fool yourself. If there is something that you know you have not done well,then accept it. While trying to solve the question papers as revision, be honest in your eveluation. Revise the answers that you are not very sure of. Writing down answers and evaluating them is a great way to remember them....

*WHILE U ARE BUSY PREPARING FOR UR EXAMS, DO NOT NEGLET YOUR HEALTH*

Get plenty of sleep during the days of the exam, as it is required to calm the body. Usually 7-8 hours of sleep is adequate..

Almond or Badam is a very valuable nut to increase the memory. It preserves the vitality of the brain. Almond should be soaked overnight, peeled in the morning and had with honey or milk. Apple when taken with honey and milk improves memory and concentration, so essential during exams...

The best liquid to drink before and during an exam is water, because the brain is 30 per cent water. Fluidity of memory comes easily from sufficient water in the brain. Water speeds up brain function....

A regular meal pattern and plenty of sleep is the key to health during exam time. Try to eat plenty of vitamin B rich foods such milk,breakfast cereal and wholemeal bread as a lack of B vitamins is associated with poor memory and poor concentration....

Start the day by eating breakfast as it is essential to kickstart the brain. It will dramatically improve your energy levels and the amount of nutrients in your diet. Research shows that students who eat breakfast have much better concentration and memory recall than those who skip breakfast..

If u tend to study late into the night the day before the exam and get very little sleep,then a protein rich breakfast like egg, toast or a glass of fruit juice is a must...

A light lunch is best, particularly if you hav an afternoon exam when you will be sitting for 2-3 hours. Good lunch choices are sandwitches, chapatis, soup and salad.....

*SOME MUST TO DO TIPS ON THE DAY OF EXAM*

Before you leave home, ensure you have all necessary stationary- pen, pencils, erasers, sharpner and most importantly ur exam hall ticket or indentity card.
Get to ur examination centre at least 30 mins before your exam begins. This gives you enough time to relax yourself and settle into ur seat..
Pray, stay calm and remain focused..
Listen to the instructions given by the inviglator carefully. Read the instructions on your exam paper and if you are unsure about anything, ask the inviligator immediately.....

*D-E-T-E-R Stratergy At Your Exam Desk*
D= DIRECTIONS
* Read the test directions very carefully...
  *Ask the teacher to explain any part of the test directions that you do not understand...
  *Following directions helps u demonstrate what you know better..

E= EXAMINE
*Examine the entire test to see how much you have to do....
*Then break it down into parts that become manageable for you..

T= TIME
*Once u have examined the entire test, decide how much time you willl spend on each section...
*If there are different points for various sections, then plan to spend the most time on the sections which would make you earn maximum points...

E= Easiest
* The second E in DETER reminds you to answer the section you find the easiest first...
*If u get stuck on a difficult section that comes up early in the test, move onto the next question...

R= REVIEW
       Once you are done, review your answers and make them as complete and accurate as possible. Also make sure to review the test directions to ascertain you have answered all required items
       These tips are just an attempt on ur side to ease your stress during the exams and help you in doing your papers better. But the most important stress buster is for you to BELIEVE in yourself. Aim to do your best, give the exams your best shot and i am sure dat ur results will be best.!!! You can also click HERE or HERE for more information...
              Comments are highly appreciated..:)

METEOR SHOWER

2012-06-26T03:13:00.001-07:00

What Is A Meteor Shower?
Meteor showers are caused by debris from a comet burning up in our atmosphere. These small fragments of cosmic debris enter the Earth's atmosphere at extremely high speed, with the friction producing spectacular shooting stars which blaze across the night sky. Meteor showers are named after the constellation from which they appear.

Why Do Meteor Showers Happen?
When comets pass through space, they leave behind a trail of dust and ice. If the Earth then crosses this trail, these comet fragments will burn up in our atmosphere. From the ground, we see them as jets of bright light, shooting across the sky. The Earth follows the same path around the Sun every year. So it always crosses a comet trail at the same point in its orbit, and we see meteor showers at the same time every year.

Type Of Meteor Showers:

There are two kinds of meteors- sporadic meteors and shower meteors. Sporadic meteors originate from random bits of solar system dust than orbit the Sun. Their chance encounters with Earth are unpredictable. Shower meteors come from the dust released by comets as they travel through our solar system. Meteor showers that touch the ground are called meteorites. Because meteors move across the sky so fast, there is no point in trying to see them through a telescope. All you need to do is look up at the right part of the sky.

WHAT IS GALEX MISSION?

2012-06-25T03:14:00.004-07:00


GALEX TELESCOPE

Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) is an orbiting space telescope to conduct the first space UV sky-survey, observing galaxies in ultraviolet light across 10 billion years of cosmic history. It was launched into orbit aboard a Pegasus rocket on April 28, 2003.


GALEX TELESCOPE WHEN MADE

What Is The Objective Of The Mission?
GALEX will produce the first comprehensive map of a Universe of galaxies under construction, bringing us closer to understanding how galaxies like our own Milky Way were formed. The spacecraft's mission is to observe hundreds of thousands of galaxies, with the goal of determining how far away each galaxy is from Earth and how fast stars are forming in each galaxy.


NGC 4248

How Does GALEX Do It?
GALEX will make observations at ultraviolet wavelengths to measure the history of star formation in the Universe. Since scientists believe the universe is about 13 billion years old, the mission will study galaxies and stars across about every 94 minutes and travels approximately 408,470 million miles per day


M106 GALAXY

What Are The Findings Till Date?
GALEX has been operating for over seven years, well beyond its nominal 29 month mission life.
Over these years, GALEX has photographed
hundreds of millions of galaxies in ultraviolet light. Galaxies like M106, NGC 4248, dwarf galaxy UGC 7365 are some of the galaxies photographed. Over the past five years, the GALEX telescope has imaged half a billion objects over 27,000 square degrees of sky; equivalent to an area that would be covered by 138,000 full moons!

HERE IS A SHORT VIDEO:-

Hope you like it.. :)

Up TO 4 Billion Meteoroids Fall To Earth Every Day!

2012-06-25T02:15:00.000-07:00

It is estimated that four billion meteoroids fall to earth everyday. Though they enter the Earth's atmosphere at as much as 130,000 miles per hour, most of them are too tiny to do any noticeable harm. In 2004, a 30-foot-wide meteoroid struck the atmosphere over Antarctica. If left two million pounds of dust in its wake affecting the climate on the other side of the planet. After it impacts the Earth, a meteoroid is referred to as a meteoroid.

OCEAN DUMPING..

2012-06-15T08:53:00.000-07:00

What Is Ocean Dumping?
Ocean Dumping is the dumping or placing of materials in designated places in the ocean, often on the continental shelf. A wide range of materials is involved, including garbage, construction and demolition debris, sewage sludge, dredge material, and waster material, and waste chemicals.
.

What Causes Ocean Dumping?

The source of ocean dumping is the elimination of waste matter or sewage from tankers carrying oil and other products. Also burning of organic wastes with subsequent dumping as a kind of disposal process is a severe threat to ocean waters. Littering of plastic bags, glass items, damaged fishing nets, or leftover eatables on the beach front also accounts to ocean dumping when the collected debris is dumped directly in the sea. Also, there is always the possibility of collisions or accidents which occur admists the oceans add to dumping of toxic debris in ocean.

What Are Effects Of Ocean Dumping?
Much of the waste matter dumped contains a number of toxic chemicals that can affect marine ecosystems and marine organisms. Some of these marine organisms are consumed by humans. Dumping of radioactive wastes and soil from contaminated defense sites also harm the ecosystem. Besides, dumping of medical wastes like expired medicines or toxic waste add to the pollution. Plastic debris which is dificult to dilute, get lodged in the digestive tracts of marine animals causing death or infection.

What Safety Measures Are Taken Against Ocean Dumping?
During 1987-88 in New Jersey, significant amounts of medical waste and raw garbage washed up the beaches in Jersey Shore. This resulted in closing of the beaches and low economy with diminished tourism. This account was termed as The Syringe Tide. This resulted in the Ocean Dumping Ban Act in 1989 by the Medical Waste Tracking Act (MWTA). Nations around the world should contribute at individual or global level to put a stop to such inhuman treatment of nature.

Here Is A Video:-

THE DEVIL'S SWIMMING POOL

2012-06-14T01:25:00.000-07:00

With summer vacations round the corner, swimming would be the most favoured activity on the list of many outdoor enthusiasts. But have you ever imagined swimming in a pool, on the edge of the waterfalls without falling over? Sounds scary, doesn't it? But, if you are so enthusiastic about an adventure of this sort, then, welcome to the "Devil's Swimming Pool"

Where Is It Located?

The Devil's Pool is enclosed by rocks and is located on the edge of the world's biggest and most beautiful waterfalls, the Victoria Falls.. Victoria Falls is situated in southern Africa between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The mighty Victoria Falls with a height of 128 meters is one of the major tourist spot during the months of September and December. A naturally formed rock pool, known an the "Devil's Swimming Pool" is located on the Zambezi river, which is the actual source of the Victoria Falls. The pool offer tourist and adventures alike an ultimate adventure experience. The "Pool" at a height of 103 meters, is accessed via Livingstone Island.

How Is It Formed?

River Zambesi, which is the main source of Victoria Falls, is at a safe level during the months of September and December. In this period, the water currents are comparatively low.

A natural rock wall just below the falls acts as a barrier and slows down the intensity of the flow at a point, despite the heavy water current of the falls.

This makes it possible for people to swim as close as possible to the edge of the falls within the pool without falling into the garage below.
Thus, due to low water levels, one can safely swim to the edge of the Victoria Falls without the danger of falling over.

What Is The History Significance Of Victoria Falls?
Victoria Falls, locally known as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" or "The Smoke That Thunders" offers a spectacular feature of 500 million liters of water per minute gushing over the milewide area. The deafening sound and stunning explosion of the rainbow colored water fall can be seen almost 30 miles away. A short two hour flight from Johannesburg takes the tourists to this amazing waterfall.

HERE IS A VIDEO:-

HOPE YOU LIKE IT... :)

STEPPING STONES TO SUCCESS..

2012-06-05T21:15:00.002-07:00

"FAILURE CAN BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCE, IF YOU OVERCOME IT
WITH COURAGE AND HAVE THE WILL TO RISE HIGHER.."

A school teacher scolded a boy for not paying attention to his mathematics and for not being able to solve simple problems. She told him that he would not become anything in life.. Today the world knows the boy as 'ALBERT EINSTEIN'

A candidate for a news broadcasters post was rejected by officials since his voice was not fit for a news broadcaster. He was also told that with his obnoxiously long name, he would never be famous...Today the world knows him as 'AMITABH BACHCHAN'

The list is endless....

    The paths of numerous success stories are bereft with such accounts of failure or disillusionment. But what make their endings different are the lessons they learnt from these experiments. Through each of their tribulations, they gained strength and confidence to start afresh and eventually emerge victorious....
          Failure is one of the toughest things to deal with and it happens so frequently in life. It could be simple things like missing out on the top position in the examinations or loosing in a race or failing in an academic year. But the way an individual reacts to each of the instances is what defines the intensity of the failure. While some way may take it up as a challenge and move on to overcome it, some may wallow in self-pity, lose their confidence and succumb to it. The underlying fact is that success is the result of bouncing back during times of discouragement.
         When Thomas Alva Edison invented the light bulb, he tried over 2000 experiments before he got it to work. A young reporter asked him how it felt to fail so many times. He said,"I never failed one. I invented the light bulb. It just happened to be a 2000-step process." Edison used discouragement as a stepping stone to achievement. Each failure was a challenge to try harder. He achieved his goal because he had a vision that motivated him. It does because he had a vision that motivated him. It does not matter how many years a person spent in classrooms or what people around have to say. What is required is your own motivation to achieve your goal. Failure feels so bad because it directly affects our ego.
          In today's world, the race of cut-throat academic excellence has changed the parameters of defining success and failure. What you perceive as failure need not necessarily be one. Such instances make us realize that we need to make our children understand the true dimension of failure. It is the way you shape your destiny and conquer each step in life that conquer each step in life that determines your success. Remember the time when as an infant you were learning to walk and each time you fell, you would just get up and try again... So, what's stopping you today?

TELL ME WHY?

2012-06-04T00:08:00.004-07:00

Why Do Wet Fabric Appear Darker?

When fabric gets wet, light coming towards it refracts within the water, carrying the light through the material instead of reflecting it back to your eye. Since more of the light goes through the material, less of the light is reflected back to the eye, making the wet fabric appear darker.

Why Sound Cannot Be Heard In Space?

Like Light, sound travels in waves. White light travels through vacuum, but sound cannot. Sound energy moves through vibration. Part of the instrument making the noise vibrates (moves backward and forward quickly). This in turn pushes against the air, causing the air molecules to collide, thus transferring the sound energy from molecule to molecule away from its source, until it reaches our ears. Sound needs matter to travel. But space is silent. So there are no molecules for the sound waves to vibrate.

Why Does A Rocket Have Stages?

A rocket needs enormous power to escape from Earth's gravity. The velocity required to achieve this is called the escape velocity ( about 29,000 mph/ 49,000 kph). The rocket's power comes from burning liquid hydrogen and oxygen. Each stage of a rocket is a fuel tank, which is jettisoned when its fuel is used up. After all, carrying on empty fuel tank will only use up more fuel. Only the top stage of the rocket, called the payload, makes the whole journey and brings the crew back to Earth.

Why Do We Find It Difficult To Breathe At The Top Of A Mountain?

Most of the gases in our planet's atmosphere are concentrated fairly close to sea level. The higher you go, the lesser the gases. That is why people talk about the air "becoming thinner" at high altitudes. There is less oxygen, making it difficult to breathe. Mountaineers usually wear oxygen masks as they approach the summits of the world's highest mountains.

HOW DO BROKEN BONES HEAL?

2012-06-02T22:12:00.000-07:00

Human body works hard to repair a broken bone from the moment an injury occurs. It possesses amazing healing powers that enable it to bounce back from injuries or illnesses.

What Do Bones Contain?
Various minerals and nutrients are usually stored in the bones. Bone marrow- a soft fatty tissue in the bones, helps fill the cavities between the bones. Red Blood Cells (RBC) are stored in the inner red marrow and fat is stored in the yellow marrow. It proves to be vital in blood circulation and various other body processes.

What Are The Different Cells In The Bone?
A very important fact about bones is that they are constantly changing and this is possible because of its different cells. There are three primary cells responsible for bone growth throughout life. Cells called 'Osteoclats' constantly break down old bones. 'Osteoblast' cells replace it with new bone tissue. This process is called 'Bone Remodeling'. Another type of cell called 'Chondroblast' forms new cartilage (a connective tissue that helps in forming new bone). This helps in replacing old bone tissue with new tissue.

How Does A Bone Heal?
When a bone breaks, blood leaks out of the veins and quickly forms a clot called a 'fracture'. This helps to stabilize the bone and keep the two pieces lined up for mending. Without fresh blood, the bone cells quickly die. This causes swelling, as a result as a result of the removal of dead and damaged tissue. Certain cells called fibroblasts begin producing fibers of collagen - a major protein in the bone. Chondroblasts then begin to produce 'fibro cartilage' (a fibre coating) on the hard skin that holds the two pieces of bones together. Further, the osteoblasts produce bone cells, transforming the hard skin into a bone callus (a rubbery mass of tissues). Here the bone starts adjusting the growth of the newly formed bone, improving its blood circulation and strengthening it further.

Healing Hands:-
All this healing process definitely needs medical attention to make it as proper and smooth as possible to avoid any further bone damages. The doctors, who offer medication for fractures or any bone related injuries, are called arthopaedics.

CAT POWER

2012-06-02T02:45:00.003-07:00

JAGUAR

The Jaguar, Panthera onca, is the third largest feline after the tiger and the lion. This spotted cat most closely resembles the leopard physically, although it is usually larger and of sturdier build, while it's behavioural and habitat characteristics are closer to those of the tiger.

What Are Its Physical Characteristics?
The base coat of the jaguar is generally a tawny yellow, but can range to reddish-brown and black. The cat is covered in rosettes and the spots on the head and neck are generally solid, as are those on the tail, where they may merge to form a band. The underbelly, throat and outer surface of the legs and lower flanks are white. They normally weigh in the range of 56-96 kilograms and stand about 67-76 centimeters tall at the shoulders.

WETLANDS

JAGUAR IN DENSE RAINFOREST

Where Do Jaguars Live?
The jaguar is a very adaptable animal. While it is usually found in dense rainforests, the jaguar also prefers forest habitats and areas close to water sources such as wetlands, rivers, lakes, etc. as it loves water and is a great swimmer.

What Do They Eat?
As carnivore, the jaguar hunts for prey mostly during the dark hours od the day. Jaguars prefers large prey- deer, dogs, foxes and sometimes even anacondas, but at times they also eat small species like rats, monkeys, etc.

Which Is The Most Unique Feature?
The head of the jaguar is robust and the jaw extremely powerful. It has been suggested that the jaguar has the strongest bite of all felines. It prefers a killing method unique amongst cats i.e. it pierces directly through the temporal bones of the skull with its canine teeth, piercing the brain.

How Symbolic Is The Jaguar?
The Jaguar is the national animal of Brazil and Guyana. Synonymous to strength and power, it is widely used as a product name and symbol, most prominently for a luxury car brand - Jaguar and a sports franchise - Puma.

A SHORT AND NICE STORY..:)

2012-06-01T01:49:00.002-07:00

NEVER GIVE UP

I think many people might know this story. But this story is for them who don't know about it. But when I read this story for the first time, it really touched my heart. Now I think differently about life. Hope you like it..:)

There was a farmer who owned a donkey. The farmer used to pack all the vegetables on the donkey's back and go to the market everyday to sell them. Over the years, the donkey became old and tired, and it would take a long time to reach the destination. One day on their way back from market, the farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. But finally, he decided the animal was old, so it was better to let him be there. Also, the village well needed to be covered up anyway; so the farmer thought it just was not worth it to retrieve the donkey.

With the idea of covering ut the well, the farmer invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realised what was happening and kept howling and crying continuously. Then, to everyone's amazement he became quiet. A few shovel lods later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. he would shake it off and take a step up. The farmer stopped shoveling dirt and looked at the donkey with wonder. But the neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal. As this continued, the donkey would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon everyone was amazed to see the donkey step up over the edge of the well. He came out and shook the last bit of dirt on him and happily trooted off!

So. remember,"Life Is Going To Shovel Dirt On You, All Kinds Of Dirt. The trick To Getting Out Of The Well Is To Shake It Off And Take A Step Up. Each Of Our Troubles Is A Steppingstone. We Can Get Out Of The Deepest Wells By Not Stopping And Never Giving Up. Shake It Off And Take A Step Up!" :D

AIR BORNE.!

2012-06-01T01:41:00.000-07:00

What Is ballooning?
Ballooning simply means, flying in a hot air balloon. If you simply want to enjoy the experience of flying, there's nothing quite like it. Many people describe flying in a hot air balloon as one of the most serene, enjoyable activities they have ever experienced!

The Balloon:-
Hot air balloons are based on the very basic scientific principal that warmer air rises in cooler air. A burner fuelled by Propane Gas is positioned under an open balloon envelope to heat the air and make the balloon rise. The colourful balloon is usually made of nylon or polyester, the same type of cloth that parachutes are made of. The balloon fabric is much tougher that it might appear. If a bird were to fly into it would almost certainly bounce off.

Ballooning In India:-
An ace balloonist ant the force behind professional ballooning in India is Major Kumar Yadav who has flown his balloon from various points across the Himalayas, taking it to a height of 26,000 feet at an air show in Bangalore and has represented india at a ballooning competition in Japan. India also has its own hot-air balloons and the Ballooning Club Of India which organizes international balloon festivals and demonstration flights annually.

Ballooning Tips:-

The best time to indulge in ballooning is after sunrise when the winds are their calmest. Winter months provide the most reliable conditions, but during summer months it is better to take off early in the morning. The duration of ballooning flight can change at the pilot's discretion, taking into account the wind, temperature and weight to be carried on the day.
A balloon can move as fast as the wind blows, but high wind landings always require skill and experience.

ARTICLE..

2012-05-12T08:12:00.004-07:00

SKETCH YOUR THOUGHTS..

IF EXPRESSING YOUR THOUGHTS THROUGH ARTISTIC SKETCHES IS A PASSION FOR YOU, THEN A CAREER AS A CARTOONIST OR GRAPHIC ARTIST WOULD APTLY JUSTIFY YOUR TALENT..

A cartoonist's job is crucial as well as challenging, whether it involves making a visual comment on the socio- political scenario or anything under the sun- it conveys all messages in the most humorous way.

R.K. LAXMAN

Who Is A Cartoonist?
A cartoonist is actually an illustrator or a graphic artist who draws pictures and cartoons to amuse, inform,, educate and persuade people. They portray current events and situations with accuracy and light humor. Cartoons illustrate a topic of public interest. they add humor or sarcasm to a dull newspaper headline. Besides, it creates a certain impact on the readers. R.K. Laxman , a premier newspaper columnist created "the common man" which went on to become a national icon. It's like a visual editorial explaining current affairs with utmost simplicity and with a pinch of sarcasm.

COMMON MAN. by RK LAXMAN

Future Scope:-
About the future scope of a career in cartooning, Chawre opines, "A cartoonist has immense scope in the field of media. Ad agencies, publication- houses , media schools, press, etc usually hire aspiring cartoonists. Besides, various sectors like animation, web designing etc. hold great scope for future cartoonist". He/she should have a good knowledge of graphic art software. Thus a cartoonist is almost a powerful journalist . Instead of words, he/she uses the visual medium to convey his/her point of view to the readers.

Actual Tasking:-
A cartoonist working with a firm or company makes sketches , drawings and illustrations appealing to a particular target audience (group of people according to age, class, gender, etc.) Often such illustrations depict a theme or story , which needs explanation. The cartoonist or illustrator has to discuss it with the respective department heads or editors before outlining the work. In an electronic media, motion cartoonists work with the audio- visual media and computers. They make animated cartoon films for television or print media. Walt Disney was the first motion cartoonist to bring forward this amazing field of portraying imaginations.

Technical Training:-
Cartooning can be pursued as a full-fledged career. Multimedia packages like the Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Image Ready, director 7, Animator Pro, Animator Studio, and etc. would prove to be beneficial. Besides, there are several training programmes available in Graphic Designing, Animation Designing, Visual Communications and Applied Arts.

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hope you like it..:)