Head lice are always an annoying thing to get. Head lice is a condition, called Pediculosis capitis, caused by head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis). Head lice are small, wingless insects that spend their entire life feeding on the human scalp. Although head lice can be pests, they do not cause any disease, unlike the the body louse. Body lice can be vectors for many diseases such as epidemic typhus, trench fever, and relapsing fever. Head lice only cause discomfort. Head lice infestations are caused by dirct contact with an infected person or by using their articles of clothing or cosmetics.
Head lice can be diagnosed by using a louse comb to comb down a person's hair. If lice, nymphs or nits (eggs) are found, treatment is necessary. if a person has head lice, everyone in their family has to be checked for them.
There are many treatments for head lice. The most common, and effective, treatment for head lice is to use medicated shampoos. These shampoos aren't as hard on the hair as other treatments but, along with a comb, very effective. Other treatments include hot air, chemical treatments, silicon based creams, natural remedies, and shaving the patients hair of altogether. If I were to get head lice, I would prefer the shampoo because I would like to keep my hair (some are the exact opposite).
Head lice is such a problem in young children because they are always in close contact. Head lice are so contagious that if one kid gets them, their whole school can get them in a matter of weeks. Some epidemics have become so bad that many policies had to be formed to keep the lice in check.
In my opinion, I think that head lice are a nuisance to anyone that has them. I am sure that if I were going to get them, i would be annoyed. How would you feel if you got head lice?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_lice#cite_note-Bolognia-0
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_louse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_louse
Friday, February 25, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
As Dead as a Dodo
Dodos an extinct species of bird that are closely related to modern day pigeons and doves. Its closest living relative is the Nicobar pigeon, a bird who lives on the Nicobar islands. Dodos stood an impressive meter and weighed over 23 kilograms. The dodo was a flightless bird. They were grayish white all over except for their wings which were black. They had a puff of feathers on their posterior, yellow legs, and a nine centimeter hooked bill. The dodos diet consisted of only fruit. During the wet season, they ate all of the fruit they could get because during the dry season, food was not readily available.
Dodos are one of the few species of animal that have become extinct due to human activity. The Dutch travelers arrived on the island of Mauritus, in the late 17th century. Considering they have evolved away from any apparent predators, which made them fearless against people and that they were flightless, they made easy prey for the travelers. In addition to over-hunting, they travelers brought other animals such as pigs and crab-eating macaques. These animals plumaged the dodos' nests, causing the population to drop. All of this, in combination with the travelers cutting down the forest that the dodos inhabited, lead to the demise of the dodo. The species was finally declared extinct in the early 18th century.
I find upsetting that an animal that was discovered in the late 17th century became extinct decades later due to human activity. To think that could have been prevented if the the dutch travelers had not exhausted their resources. Of course, this was the 17th century. they did not have the idea of conservation and preservation. Now it is the 21st century. Species are still threatened by human behavior, such as the orang-utan and the African elephant. We can all take a part in minimizing the decline of endangered species by protecting the environment and by using your resources wisely so that they don't go to was. "Going green" does not only helps us, but it helps very other living thing in the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodo_bird
Dodos are one of the few species of animal that have become extinct due to human activity. The Dutch travelers arrived on the island of Mauritus, in the late 17th century. Considering they have evolved away from any apparent predators, which made them fearless against people and that they were flightless, they made easy prey for the travelers. In addition to over-hunting, they travelers brought other animals such as pigs and crab-eating macaques. These animals plumaged the dodos' nests, causing the population to drop. All of this, in combination with the travelers cutting down the forest that the dodos inhabited, lead to the demise of the dodo. The species was finally declared extinct in the early 18th century.
I find upsetting that an animal that was discovered in the late 17th century became extinct decades later due to human activity. To think that could have been prevented if the the dutch travelers had not exhausted their resources. Of course, this was the 17th century. they did not have the idea of conservation and preservation. Now it is the 21st century. Species are still threatened by human behavior, such as the orang-utan and the African elephant. We can all take a part in minimizing the decline of endangered species by protecting the environment and by using your resources wisely so that they don't go to was. "Going green" does not only helps us, but it helps very other living thing in the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodo_bird
Friday, February 11, 2011
Holes
Asian long-horned beetles are a threat to maple trees everywhere in the northeastern United States. The mature beetles emerge from maple trees starting in May into late October. When they drill out of the trees, they leave holes that are about 2 centimeters thick. This causes the tree's structure to weaken and results in the demise of the tree. This has become a problem in this part of the United States because the Asian long-horned beetles do not have any natural enemies here.
These beetles originate from Asia, specifically from China, Korea, and Japan. The beetles may have come into the U.S. in a shipment of plumbing supplies from China. These supplies were shipped to a warehouse in new York City. From there, the beetle spread across New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.
The first time the beetle came to New Jersey was in 2002. The beetle was sighted in Jersey City. Maple trees make up over 30% of all trees in New Jersey. If the Asian long-horned beetle continues to repopulate, it can have catastrophic affect on the tree population.
These beetles only make up only a small portion of invasive species in the U.S. Invasive species are a threat because they can wipe out native species. Unfortunately, in is almost impossible for invasive species to be wiped out once it is an ecosystem. The only thing that can be done is to prevent a growth in population. Over time, the Asian long-horned beetle population will decrease and things will return back to normal.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Moths On The Move- With A Tail Of Destruction
Gypsy moths are an invasive species of moth, introduced to the United States in 1868 by a French scientist named Leopold Trouvelot. Trouvelot was trying to make a hybrid of a native silk-spinning caterpillar species and the gypsy moth. The reason he wanted to make a hybrid because the native species of silk-spinning caterpillars was susceptible to disease. The gypsy moth was immune to disease so Trouvelot he thought that it would be a good idea to create a hybrid.
While attempting to create the hybrid, a few of the gypsy moths escaped his laboratory. The moths found an acceptable habitat and started to reproduce. The moths, now, one of the most infamous pests of the Eastern United States. Once they deforest an area, they migrate towards a new feeding ground.
The gypsy moths have no natural enemys, so their population has been steadily increasing for as long as they have been in the U.S.
The gypsy moth caterpillar has an malignant affect on the hardwood trees of the northeastern region of the U.S. They eat the leaves of the trees, which prevent them from producing food. In New Jersery, these pest have deforested about 339,240 acres of forest.
The New Jersey department of Agriculture has orchestrated an arial spray program to help decrease the population of gypsy moth caterpillars. By doing this, less trees will suffer from the adverse affects of the gypsy moth caterpillars.
They had a similar problem in New Zealand. What they did to prevent what is now happening in the U.S., is that they eradicated the species before it started to thrive. If they did that here, there woulldn't be this problem.
This situation allows people to see what can happen if you don't take the necessary precautions to prevent something bad from happening. If we were able to fix this problem early on, there wouldn't be anything to worry about.
While attempting to create the hybrid, a few of the gypsy moths escaped his laboratory. The moths found an acceptable habitat and started to reproduce. The moths, now, one of the most infamous pests of the Eastern United States. Once they deforest an area, they migrate towards a new feeding ground.
The gypsy moths have no natural enemys, so their population has been steadily increasing for as long as they have been in the U.S.
The gypsy moth caterpillar has an malignant affect on the hardwood trees of the northeastern region of the U.S. They eat the leaves of the trees, which prevent them from producing food. In New Jersery, these pest have deforested about 339,240 acres of forest.
The New Jersey department of Agriculture has orchestrated an arial spray program to help decrease the population of gypsy moth caterpillars. By doing this, less trees will suffer from the adverse affects of the gypsy moth caterpillars.
They had a similar problem in New Zealand. What they did to prevent what is now happening in the U.S., is that they eradicated the species before it started to thrive. If they did that here, there woulldn't be this problem.
This situation allows people to see what can happen if you don't take the necessary precautions to prevent something bad from happening. If we were able to fix this problem early on, there wouldn't be anything to worry about.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Writing on Wasp Nests?
Have you ever wondered who invented paper? Well, many people believe that the Chinese Emperor Ts'ai Lun invented paper. In reality, the true inventors of paper are paper wasps, or sometimes called umbrella wasps. These wasps use a paper like material to create their nests. The shape of these nests resemble an upside down umbrella, hence the name.
To create this paper like material, the wasps collect the fibrous materials from dead wood and stems. Then they mix these fiber with their saliva. Then they mold the mixture around a central stalk and form the upside down umbrella shape. These wasps are very social so they can create these nests very quickly.
Other wasps make similar materials ,but use chewed plant material instead of the dead wood and stem fiber. Instead of binding the nest together with saliva, they use a silky material.
Paper wasps are usually about 3/4 to 1 inch in length. Most paper wasps are either brown, black, or reddish in color with yellow markings, similar to yellow jackets and hornets. These wasps are not very aggressive unless their nest is disturbed. Hornets and yellow jackets are usually aggressive by nature.
Paper wasps have created a substance that revolutionized our way of life today. Without wasps making paper, we wouldn't be able to make paper airplanes, print reports, or even have money! These insects provided us with the thing we need to thrive. I find it interesting how we can learn so many things from nature. When you get a chance, observe your backyard. Who knows... you could get the idea for the next great invention.
To create this paper like material, the wasps collect the fibrous materials from dead wood and stems. Then they mix these fiber with their saliva. Then they mold the mixture around a central stalk and form the upside down umbrella shape. These wasps are very social so they can create these nests very quickly.
Other wasps make similar materials ,but use chewed plant material instead of the dead wood and stem fiber. Instead of binding the nest together with saliva, they use a silky material.
Paper wasps are usually about 3/4 to 1 inch in length. Most paper wasps are either brown, black, or reddish in color with yellow markings, similar to yellow jackets and hornets. These wasps are not very aggressive unless their nest is disturbed. Hornets and yellow jackets are usually aggressive by nature.
Paper wasps have created a substance that revolutionized our way of life today. Without wasps making paper, we wouldn't be able to make paper airplanes, print reports, or even have money! These insects provided us with the thing we need to thrive. I find it interesting how we can learn so many things from nature. When you get a chance, observe your backyard. Who knows... you could get the idea for the next great invention.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Mexican Redknee Tarantula
The Mexican Redknee tarantula is large in size. They can grow to sizes of 5 to 5 1/2 inches in length. That is about the size of a dollar bill. The average weight of 15 grams. There average lifespan is about 20 years. They mature relatively slowly compared to other tarantulas.
These tarantulas are usually found in the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre de Sur mountain ranges in Mexico.
They are mostly brownish-black in color but have reddish-orange patches at the knees- hence the name. Their color is more vivid after they molt. They usually molt annually until they mature.
The Redknee tarantula kick special hair, called urticating hairs when they feel disturbed. They would rather do this than bite. This tarantula i not venomous to humans, so they are easily handled in captivity.
Redknee tarantulas live in burrows. These burrows allow them to hide from predators and to ambush prey. Their burrows have a single entrance, only a little bigger than its body. The tunnel is about three times the size of the tarantula. The entrance of the tunnel could be sealed if the tarantula needed privacy, such as when they molted.
The Mexican Redknee tarantula is a threatened species. They are threatened due to excess export. People who live near the tarantulas' burrows are afraid of them and made a nasty habit of killing them. I think that is is inhumane to kill something just because you are afraid of it. If I were one of the people who lived near the burrows I would just leave them alone. They don't harm them and are not a treat to anyone. What would you do?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_redknee_tarantula
http://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/arthropods/mexican-red-knee-tarantula/
These tarantulas are usually found in the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre de Sur mountain ranges in Mexico.
They are mostly brownish-black in color but have reddish-orange patches at the knees- hence the name. Their color is more vivid after they molt. They usually molt annually until they mature.
The Redknee tarantula kick special hair, called urticating hairs when they feel disturbed. They would rather do this than bite. This tarantula i not venomous to humans, so they are easily handled in captivity.
Redknee tarantulas live in burrows. These burrows allow them to hide from predators and to ambush prey. Their burrows have a single entrance, only a little bigger than its body. The tunnel is about three times the size of the tarantula. The entrance of the tunnel could be sealed if the tarantula needed privacy, such as when they molted.
The Mexican Redknee tarantula is a threatened species. They are threatened due to excess export. People who live near the tarantulas' burrows are afraid of them and made a nasty habit of killing them. I think that is is inhumane to kill something just because you are afraid of it. If I were one of the people who lived near the burrows I would just leave them alone. They don't harm them and are not a treat to anyone. What would you do?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_redknee_tarantula
http://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/arthropods/mexican-red-knee-tarantula/
Friday, January 14, 2011
Tragedy in Tuscon
Last Saturday, there was a shooting in Tuscon, Arizona at a meeting outside of a grocery store. multiple people were shot and 6 people were killed. The killer would have continued his killing spree if it wasn't for two people that tackled the gunman, causing the shooting to stop. It was because of these two brave people that more people were not injured. That is an act of kindness that shows how people are supposed to protect each other- how people are supposed to fight for each other.
I was watching the movie "2012" over the weekend and heard one of the characters say the following quote:
I was watching the movie "2012" over the weekend and heard one of the characters say the following quote:
“We have to stop this Madness. I know we’ve all been forced to make difficult decisions to save our human civilization, but to be human means to care for each other and civilization means to work together to create a better life. If that’s true then there is nothing human and nothing civilized about what we’re doing here. Limited resources and limited time is no excuse for this inhumane treatment toward one another. Ask yourselves can we just stand by and watch these people die? The moment we stop fighting for each other that’s the moment we lose our humanity. Everyone has died in vain if we continue to communicate with continuous acts of cruelty and violence. What will we tell our children? What will they tell theirs?”
When he said this, he was talking about, if you saw the movie, closing the gates to the arcs that were meant to the human race from the disasters occurring in2012. Another character refuses to open the gates because it would be risking the lives of everyone on the arc. Finally they decided to open the gates to let every one else in because he realized that it was the right thing to do.
I feel that this quote relates to how people should act. People should want to do what is right. The people who stopped the gunman during the shooting in Tuscon did what was right. I feel that everyone should follow in their footsteps and do what is right, even if times are tough.
I would like to remember the people who were injured, killed, or who knew anyone who was affected by this tragedy. God bless them.
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