Computer/Chromebook Foam Packaging...Can it be Recycled?
Monday, January 31, 2022
Sunday, January 30, 2022
Saturday, January 29, 2022
Friday, January 28, 2022
Thursday, January 27, 2022
SNC2D Unit E: Research Questions
What is the Geminids meteor shower and how does it occur?
If a comet travels close to the sun, the celestial object heats up and parts of it end up being vaporized. With each orbit of the sun, the comet leaves behind more and more small pieces of itself along the orbital path. When the Earth passes through the same orbital path streaks of light could be seen in the night sky caused by the remnants of the comet, this occurrence is referred to as a meteor shower.
The Geminids meteor shower is a particularly unique meteor shower that takes place near the end of every year. It is caused by the debris from 3200 Phaethon which is an active Apollo asteroid with an orbit closer to the sun than any other named asteroid. What distinguishes the Geminids from others is they do not arise from a parent comet rather an asteroid. The Geminids are also a lot denser in comparison and are able to come as close as 29 miles to the Earth’s surface before burning up. The first observations of this shower can be traced back all the way to the mid-1800s. Since then the number of meteors visible per hour has increased from 10-20 visible per hour all the way to around 150 at its peak.
The best time to observe the shower is between 1:00 am to 4:00 am during the event. Those living in the Northern Hemisphere will be able to observe the most Geminids compared to the rest of the world. NASA through its resources is making it possible for everyone to witness this event.
https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/everything-you-need-to-know-geminid-meteor-shower/
https://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/ask/256-What-is-a-meteor-shower-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3200_Phaethon
SNC2D Unit D: Research Questions (Part 2)
Recycling
Why we do it: The largest source of human-caused methane emissions, which is a greenhouse gas 21 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) all landfill liners, a low permeable barrier under-engineered landfill sites, will leak their toxic leachate which can then contaminate soil and underground water supplies. Recycling diverts this waste from the landfills preventing these problems. Of course, that isn’t the only positive. Recycling also conserves energy, saves energy, feeds a green economy, and overall contributes to a healthy environment.
How we do it: The recycling process can be divided into three basic steps. First is the collection and processing. Curbside collection, dropoff centers, and deposit or refund programs are some of many methods for collecting recyclables after which, the recyclables are sorted, cleaned, and processed into materials at a recovery facility. The second step of this process is manufacturing. The processed materials from the recovery facility are manufactured into more and more of today's products. The final step of the process is purchasing new products made from recycled materials. As there are thousands of products that contain recycled content nowadays anyone can help the recycling loop by buying new products made from recycled materials.
SNC2D Unit D: Research Questions (Part 1)
What is a carbon offset credit?
The reduction in greenhouse gases or an increase in carbon storage used to make up for the emissions caused elsewhere is generally described as a carbon offset and the idea of carbon offset credits stems from the concept. Carbon credits are a transferable instrument certified by the government and or independent certification bodies and can be used to balance out your carbon footprint.
The credit itself represents the reduction of 1 metric ton of CO2 or other greenhouse gases which can then be sold to another party to compensate for one's emissions. The recipient party can then retire the credit to cancel out their own greenhouse gas emissions. Individuals might use credits to offset the carbon emissions from their modes of transport while corporations and such would buy them to justify factory manufacturing.
Does this work?
If carbons offsets work can’t be answered with a simple yes or no. Having said that, there is undoubtedly a good number of people who express skepticism over the effectiveness and reliability of offsets. There are multiple examples of carbon offsets coming short of expectations like programs that sold credits for carbon reduction which didn’t follow through with the work promised. An example would be California investing heavily into forests to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045 but severely underestimating the monumental task before them, or environmental groups like Greenpeace calling an end to carbon offsets, to name a few. Many of the skeptics also believe that the carbon offsets are a convenient way for corporations and billionaires to put off accountability for their emissions.
On the opposite side of things, the major rationale behind buying carbon offsets is that it’s better than doing nothing. Although many corporations and individuals can (and should) put in the effort to reduce their carbon footprints, they argue that being able to cut carbon emissions to nil is not a possibility. While there are many concerns regarding the method and its credibility, it is still a small step (hopefully) in the right direction.
SNC2D Unit C: Research Questions
How is compost made? By Sarangan Sothrupan
Compost is made by organic materials being decomposed which are then used to fertilize and improve the quality of the soil. Compost can be made with a list of organic matter ranging from animal manure, dead leaves, shredded twigs etc…
The process of making compost involves gathering a mix of green organic materials that are rich in nitrogen (leaves, grass, food grass) and brown organic materials that are rich in carbon (twigs, manure, dead leaves), ideally in a 1 to 1 ratio. Moisture is also an important step to the overall process of making compost, and it should be managed carefully. Add water to the pile during dry periods otherwise, the materials will decompose very slowly. On the other hand add dry, brown organic materials if the pile is too wet. The pile should also be turned so the materials at the edges are brought to the center for a better supply and management of oxygen. However, that was only composting at the simplest level. A more complicated process would involve measured inputs of water, air, carbon and nitrogen-rich materials over a decent period of time.
The insects, earthworms, bacteria, and other microorganisms are the real workers in the composting process. The larger organisms like insects and earthworms break down the bigger materials in the compost pile while the bacteria and other microorganisms already present in the pile would break down the plant material into useful compost.
The time it takes to produce compost would largely depend on many factors like the size of the compost pile, the types of materials used, the surface area of the pile and the number of times it is turned. To speed up the process, the materials can also be shredded, chopped or mowed into smaller pieces. The pile can also be turned frequently, about every 2-4 weeks, to produce better results and if done properly with the ideal weather the compost can be ready in about 3 months.
What is the importance of composting?
The composting process turns organic waste, something with no value, into a nutrient-rich product, which can be used as a substitute for inorganic fertilizers. The materials used to produce inorganic fertilizers (fossil fuels, and mining products) are limited resources that can be used for numerous other purposes. Reducing reliance on inorganic fertilizers provides food producers with more options.
The organic waste taken from landfills to produce compost can only be seen as a positive. Reduction in the volume and mass of the landfills, less impact of solid waste on the environment, less greenhouse gas emission, lesser impact on the air quality and climate change, these are some of the pros for using organic wastes from landfills and doesn’t take into account many other benefits of composting. Overall, composting provides many, many positives and gives us little reason to not use this process.
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/compost/process.cfm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compos
Sunday, January 23, 2022
Research Questions Unit 1
Pesticides, herbicides and possible alternatives
The Dangers of Organic Solvents and Compounds
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
How are Canadian programs helping to reverse the effects of land degradation and promote sustainable farming in semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas?
Climate change is causing unusual weather patterns which is resulting in land degradation and desertification, affecting people already in situations of poverty and vulnerability, especially women and Indigenous people. Canada will contribute up to $55 million to the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Fund, an investment fund initiated by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This investment is part of Canada’s $2.65 billion climate finance commitment. Canada’s contribution, once it is finalized, will help to catalyze additional private sector investments in the LDN Fund so it can achieve its mission of restoring degraded land and reducing or avoiding greenhouse gas emissions. The LDN Fund is also crucial to ensuring that COVID-19 economic recovery efforts support green jobs and sustainable businesses for people who depend on natural resources for their livelihoods.
What types of human activity have led to the thinning of the ozone? What human health conditions are related to this phenomenon?
The significant thinning of Earth's protective layer was first detected in the 1970s, and scientists found that the anomaly was caused by the manufacture of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are used in refrigerators and aerosol sprays. In the late 1970s, the famed ozone hole above Antarctica was discovered. Another reason could be that newer man-made pollutants are eroding the ozone layer. The gasses in question include "extremely short-lived chemicals," such as dichloromethane, which is employed in numerous industrial processes. The "good ozone" found high in the atmosphere is in contrast to the "bad ozone" found near the surface, which is pollution and can cause respiratory issues. In a way, humanity has turned the protective layer that is supposed to be a shield into a sword with a blade instead of a handle.
How do common antidepressants work? Why should people, especially young people, be carefully monitored when on such medications?
There are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), tricyclics, SNRIs (selective) norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), and NRIs (selected) norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), as well as several new medications targeting melatonergic receptors (melatonin receptors). Every drug's mechanism of action, in terms of what it does to the body and how the body breaks it down, is complex and unique. They are based on the idea that depression is caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals). When it comes to how they make people feel, it's frequently not 'happy,' but rather 'not sad.' People experience depression in different ways, so the drugs they take have varied effects on them. Some people may experience a lack of emotion and a sense of blankness when taking antidepressants, while others may experience this as part of their depression and feel perfectly normal while on antidepressants. Despite the fact that they are commonly referred to as "happy pills," most people do not become happier just by taking them. Having ordinary folks take them does not make the person happier. Other medications that aren't strictly 'antidepressants' can also help patients recover from depression. Antipsychotics, anticonvulsants, and other medications fall under this category. These medications are frequently used for purposes other than those listed above. Antipsychotics are used to treat psychosis, but they can also be used to treat severe anxiety and insomnia, among other things. Anticonvulsants are normally used by epileptics, but they can also help persons with Bipolar Disorder stabilize their mood and avoid manic and sadness. Mood is more than just a chemical reaction, as it is influenced by how we interact with our surroundings. Many persons who use antidepressants will benefit from psychological counseling in order to improve their coping skills.
What countries have banned human cloning? What is Canada's position on this issue?
Human cloning is illegal in approximately 46 countries; Australia, Austria, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom are amongst those. As seen listed, Canada is strongly opposed to human cloning.
Should private companies be able to patent life forms, including genetic material? Why or why not? Who owns and controls our personal genetic information? Who should have access to our personal genetic information and decide how it will be used?
No, corporations should not be given the ability to patent life forms, specifically genetic material. Genes are not the result of human ingenuity. This basic fact, which no respectable scientist would deny, should suffice to shut them out as patent candidates. After the first patent was granted, the floodgates opened, and patent applications flooded in. As genome-sequencing technology developed, scientists identified thousands, then millions, of genes using highly automated techniques, and the deluge of gene patents grew unmanageable. Secondly, patenting genes is antithetical to scientific research. Even if gene patents remain legal, scientists should refuse to file them for another reason: every scientist who files a gene patent is unwittingly engaging in a process that breaches the fundamental rules of science. Scientists, in particular, should publicize their results and urge others to continue their work. This notion applies to all scientists, but it is especially true for those who work at universities, nonprofits, and other academic institutions. Personal genetic information should belong to self.
Science related careers unit 5
Title of Job: Ecologist
Job duties:
Visiting sites to undertake surveys of animals, plants and their environment.
Researching the impact of construction and other human activity.
Building computer models to predict effects of construction work.
Advising on legal regulations in relation to protected species.
Skill Sets:
Environmental consulting.
Microsoft office.
Geographic Information Systems.
Statistical methods.
Risk assessment.
Data analysis.
Personality/Aptitude Requirements
Curious
Basic mathematical skills
Concentrated
Management skills
Potential employers:
Environmental organizations
Government
Zoos
Museums
Aquariums
Education requirements:
A degree in some sort of environmental science and preferably a doctoral degree if you would ever want to be in a senior position or run a lab.
Salary Range:
About 92,600$ cad a year
Science related careers unit 4
Title of Job: Structural Biologist
Job duties:
Conduct Biological Research. Monitor Biological and Cellular Activity.
Prepare and Present Reports.
Manage Experiment Data.
Oversee Laboratory Technicians.
Skill Sets:
Extensive knowledge on biology and structure of macromolecules
Complex problem solving
Attention to detail
Personality/Aptitude Requirements
Attention to detail
Public speaking
Clear written communication
Leadership
Team management
Potential employers:
Labs around the world
Various colleges and universities
Several federal, provincial and municipal departments
Educational requirements:
A bachelor’s degree in biology. A master’s degree or doctorate may be required if you would like to do research or teaching..
Salary Range:
The average pay for a structural biologist is 68,848$ a year in Canada
Science related careers unit 3
Title of Job: Plant geneticist
Job duties:
Looking at plants dna
Write research plans
Record data on plants in trials
Identify genes that are responsible for certain plant characteristics
Skill Sets:
Computer science knowledge
Agricultural knowledge
Mathematical talent
Personality/Aptitude Requirements
Attention to detail
Public speaking
Clear written communication
Leadership
Team management
Potential employers:
Agricultural seed and chemical companies
Various colleges and universities
Several federal, provincial and municipal departments
Educational requirements:
A bachelor’s degree in biology, botany or biochemistry. A master’s degree or doctorate may be required if you would like to do research or teaching..
Salary Range:
The average pay for a plant geneticist is 83,074$ a year in Canada
Contribution of a scientist unit 5
Name of Scientist: Wolfgang Lutz (1956-)
Area(s) of Specialty: Population Projections
Examples of research she has done and the contribution to the field of study
He has worked on family demography, fertility analysis, population projection and the interaction between population and environment.
He is the principal investigator at the Asian MetaCentre for Population and Sustainable Development Analysis.
He is the author of a series of world population projections produced at IIASA
Other information of note
In 2008 he received an ERC Advanced Grant, in 2009 the Mattei Dogan Award of the IUSSP and in 2010 the Wittgenstein Prize, the highest Austrian science award.
What does this make you wonder further about?
I am interested in any thoughts Wolfgang has on the effect of COVID-19 on the population and if there will be lasting effects.
Contribution of a scientist unit 4
Name of Scientist: Frederik Banting (1891-1942)
Area(s) of Specialty: Medicine
Examples of research they have done and the contribution to the field of study
Discovered insulin by removing a pancreas (surgically) from a healthy dog and noticing that the dog would develop symptoms of diabetes which lead to further investigation and lead to the discovery of insulin.
Launched Canada's first research efforts in aviation medicine
He did useful work and research on silicosis
Other information of note
Amateur Painter
Medicine teacher at the university of Toronto
Won a nobel prize
What does this make you wonder further about?
I did read that Banting sustained major pressure from the community to conquer more diseases. This pressure led to the end of his relationship with his fiance and I wonder if he didn’t have so much pressure would he have been able to contribute more to fighting diseases.
Contribution of a scientist unit 3
Name of Scientist: Maud Menten (1879-1960)
Area(s) of Specialty: Enzyme kinetics and histochemistry
Examples of research she has done and the contribution to the field of study
She was one of the first scientists to discover information on the role of enzymes. She developed a mathematical equation to measure the rates of enzyme reactions and explained the basics of enzyme kinetics.
She investigated the mobility of proteins in the presence of electric fields. This investigation provided important information on the difference in size and mobility of hemoglobin molecules.
She created a technique still used today by scientists to find special proteins by using special dyes.
Other information of note
She spoke 6 languages
She’s apart of the Canadian medicine hall of fame
First Canadian woman to earn a medical doctorate
What does this make you wonder further about?
I wonder about how much resistance she had from other scientists trying to prove her wrong just because she is a woman and back then in this time frame it was very against social standards for a woman to be succeeding so much in the medical field.