'superhero dna' making a rise in future medicine
Written by Shannon Kirkpatrick
DNA, or for those science nerds out there, deoxyribonucleic acid, is the make up of all humans, and it containes our genetic information within. Some people have appeared to be born with this ‘superhero DNA’ defying natural process and canceling out genetic diseases, say researchers. The study of nearly 600,000 people found 13 of those who should have developed debilitating diseases, but somehow did not. For years, scientists have searched through many ill people, trying to understand the disease raging through them. With this new study, it opens a new door. Perhaps instead of looking at what causes the diseases, the opposite approach should be taken – by searching for people harboring damaging mutations but remain healthy. This could be a step in the direction of better health for all, who knows?
DNA, or for those science nerds out there, deoxyribonucleic acid, is the make up of all humans, and it containes our genetic information within. Some people have appeared to be born with this ‘superhero DNA’ defying natural process and canceling out genetic diseases, say researchers. The study of nearly 600,000 people found 13 of those who should have developed debilitating diseases, but somehow did not. For years, scientists have searched through many ill people, trying to understand the disease raging through them. With this new study, it opens a new door. Perhaps instead of looking at what causes the diseases, the opposite approach should be taken – by searching for people harboring damaging mutations but remain healthy. This could be a step in the direction of better health for all, who knows?
Tiny Houses
Written by Shannon Kirkpatrick
Today in 2015, we live in much bigger homes, than 40 years ago, which also comes with a price tag. However, average family sizes have decreased since then. Tiny homes, which are also referred to as compact or mini houses, are small houses which can be moved.
Why do people prefer big houses as opposed to these small homes? Some people say they would get claustrophobic, living in a small space. However, a main reason many people prefer bigger size homes so they have room for ALL of their storage. In fact, in 1973, the average size of new houses in the US was 1,525 square feet. In 2013, the average size was 2,598 square feet. Then you might think, maybe family sizes have gotten bigger. Nope. From 1948, where the average family size was 3.67, it has decreased to 2.55 in 2012.
An example of one of these homes is the Gifford. The whole house, which is moveable by truck not to mention, is 6ft. 10in. wide and 16ft. 2in long. That’s about the average size of one bedroom in the US, which is between 8’X8’ to 16’X16’. Even more, the average cost for these tiny homes are $23,000, which make little, or no debt. There are lower taxes, a reduced carbon footprint, and there is less maintenance.
Would you definitely live in one of these tiny homes, consider it, or definitely not consider it? Do you prefer small, medium or big homes?
Today in 2015, we live in much bigger homes, than 40 years ago, which also comes with a price tag. However, average family sizes have decreased since then. Tiny homes, which are also referred to as compact or mini houses, are small houses which can be moved.
Why do people prefer big houses as opposed to these small homes? Some people say they would get claustrophobic, living in a small space. However, a main reason many people prefer bigger size homes so they have room for ALL of their storage. In fact, in 1973, the average size of new houses in the US was 1,525 square feet. In 2013, the average size was 2,598 square feet. Then you might think, maybe family sizes have gotten bigger. Nope. From 1948, where the average family size was 3.67, it has decreased to 2.55 in 2012.
An example of one of these homes is the Gifford. The whole house, which is moveable by truck not to mention, is 6ft. 10in. wide and 16ft. 2in long. That’s about the average size of one bedroom in the US, which is between 8’X8’ to 16’X16’. Even more, the average cost for these tiny homes are $23,000, which make little, or no debt. There are lower taxes, a reduced carbon footprint, and there is less maintenance.
Would you definitely live in one of these tiny homes, consider it, or definitely not consider it? Do you prefer small, medium or big homes?
2015's Kids Choice Awards
Written by Aviana Fedele
As a child growing up watching cartoons on Nickelodeon, around March advertisements for the stations’ awards show comes around, with bright neon colors, celebs and tons of green slime. You turn on the show the night it was presenting, and you could not believe your eyes!
The 2015 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards are right around the corner, and celebs such as One Direction, Ariana Grande, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, 5 Seconds of Summer, Beyoncé, and Katy Perry are nominated for the famous golden blimp. Nick Jonas with be the host of the night’s events, but will be performing his singles “Jealous” and “Chains.” Also performing is Iggy Azalea with Jennifer Hudson with their new single “Trouble” and 5 Seconds of Summer are taking a break from their first headlining tour to sing their cover of the Romantics’ “What I Like About You.” 5 Seconds of Summer along with Iggy Azalea, Fifth Harmony, Meghan Trainor, Echosmith, and Jessie J are in the running for Favorite New Artist.
As well as a fair amount of slime (we all remember Justin Biebers’ sliming a couple years ago) this will be a fantastic show. Tune into Nickelodeon on March 28 where the show will be live from The Forum in Inglewood, California. Watch for your favorite stars and see them win and get slimed!
As a child growing up watching cartoons on Nickelodeon, around March advertisements for the stations’ awards show comes around, with bright neon colors, celebs and tons of green slime. You turn on the show the night it was presenting, and you could not believe your eyes!
The 2015 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards are right around the corner, and celebs such as One Direction, Ariana Grande, Coldplay, Bruno Mars, 5 Seconds of Summer, Beyoncé, and Katy Perry are nominated for the famous golden blimp. Nick Jonas with be the host of the night’s events, but will be performing his singles “Jealous” and “Chains.” Also performing is Iggy Azalea with Jennifer Hudson with their new single “Trouble” and 5 Seconds of Summer are taking a break from their first headlining tour to sing their cover of the Romantics’ “What I Like About You.” 5 Seconds of Summer along with Iggy Azalea, Fifth Harmony, Meghan Trainor, Echosmith, and Jessie J are in the running for Favorite New Artist.
As well as a fair amount of slime (we all remember Justin Biebers’ sliming a couple years ago) this will be a fantastic show. Tune into Nickelodeon on March 28 where the show will be live from The Forum in Inglewood, California. Watch for your favorite stars and see them win and get slimed!
Woman Sues Police
Written by Molly Niles
A woman by the name Tiffany Howard sues police officers. This was all because she was worried of the welfare of her 12 year old daughter. Howard goes to federal court saying they violated her civil rights. The police said they were just doing their job. Stay tuned to find out what happened and to hear both sides of the story.
Howard’s lawsuit says she, her mother, and daughter were home when the DeWitt police officers knocked on her door to check on her daughter. It was 12:15 a.m. She didn’t let them in because they didn’t have a search or arrest warrant. Howard went to her daughter’s bedroom to comfort her. About five minutes later the officers barged into the apartment. Howard was arrested. Her lawsuit states the police illegally entered her home in violation of her constitution rights. Hoffman, the lawyer for Howard, said, “They had no information to indicate the child was in danger except what was given to them by the child’s dad.”
Brown, the lawyer for the police, said there was a 911 call regarding the wellbeing for the child. The police got the apartment manager to let them in. They were concerned for the child’s safety. Brown said the police took the right action. “We feel we did things appropriately,” he said, “and it was appropriate for the officers to check on the safety of the child.”
Tiffany Howard goes to court to sue the police on entry to her house without a warrant. The police say they wanted to check on the child’s welfare and they did the right thing. Who did the right think? Who will win the case? The trial is set for December 15 in the federal court in Binghamton. If you would like more information go to Syracuse.com and look up DeWitt woman.
A woman by the name Tiffany Howard sues police officers. This was all because she was worried of the welfare of her 12 year old daughter. Howard goes to federal court saying they violated her civil rights. The police said they were just doing their job. Stay tuned to find out what happened and to hear both sides of the story.
Howard’s lawsuit says she, her mother, and daughter were home when the DeWitt police officers knocked on her door to check on her daughter. It was 12:15 a.m. She didn’t let them in because they didn’t have a search or arrest warrant. Howard went to her daughter’s bedroom to comfort her. About five minutes later the officers barged into the apartment. Howard was arrested. Her lawsuit states the police illegally entered her home in violation of her constitution rights. Hoffman, the lawyer for Howard, said, “They had no information to indicate the child was in danger except what was given to them by the child’s dad.”
Brown, the lawyer for the police, said there was a 911 call regarding the wellbeing for the child. The police got the apartment manager to let them in. They were concerned for the child’s safety. Brown said the police took the right action. “We feel we did things appropriately,” he said, “and it was appropriate for the officers to check on the safety of the child.”
Tiffany Howard goes to court to sue the police on entry to her house without a warrant. The police say they wanted to check on the child’s welfare and they did the right thing. Who did the right think? Who will win the case? The trial is set for December 15 in the federal court in Binghamton. If you would like more information go to Syracuse.com and look up DeWitt woman.
After a decade of chasing, a satellite lands on a comet
Written by Ava Breitbeck
After a decade of soaring through the outer reaches of space, the European Space Agency successfully landed the Rosetta Mission satellite named Philae on a comet located in the asteroid belt. After chasing Comet 67P, the probe finally caught up to the moving target after a 6.4 billion kilometer journey. The washing machine-sized probe made a difficult landing on the comet on November 12. The comet was whirling through space at a speed 135,000 km/hour. The gravitational pull of the planets in our solar system made the journey especially long, because the satellite would be pulled toward the planet, only to drift away later. This probe landing marks a significant scientific and technological achievement. The possibility of the space probe landing on the comet was astronomical. It is considered the equivalent of dropping a nickel off the Empire State Building and it landing in a bottle. Many scientists were fearing the worst, but it was such a relief when the the mission succeeded. |