Current Connection Living on Caffeine

The article written by Veronique Greenwood describes how scientists have recently discovered a bacterium that can derive energy by consuming caffeine, essentially making the phrase, "living on caffeine," literal.

In may scientist discovered that a new bacterium could live for several months off of just caffeine and why humans can't. In the article, Veronique Greenwood states, "it sparked many tongue-in-cheek headlines and ledes. "Bacteria survives on caffeine (like me)." "If you can’t live without a cup of coffee…" "Think you live on caffeine?" It all came down to one simple question... Why can't humans live on caffeine? Humans can't live in caffeine because while it will keep you energized and going for awhile it doesn't give off any energy so eventually you would be so tired you just couldn't go on.

Pseudomonas putida, the be bacteria, doesn't have the same problem humans do. In the article it reads "Pseudomonas putida CBB5, and several related bacteria that scientists have known about for years, who get all the calories they need from it."-[Caffeine]. The bacterium doesn't need the calories that humans need so getting just enough energy for them is alright.

Veronica states, "The specific reason caffeine isn’t an energy source for us, thus, is that we don’t have the gear to digest derivatives further." Living on on caffeine could be a total possibility if not foe the fact that our bodys are lacking in what they can digest, the new bacteria however hangs on to the caffeine and keep going going going off it.

While reading this article, I started to remember something I read in Biology about Anaerobic organism, Anaerobic organisms can live for year without oxygen, at the time there were many questions sparked about why humans can't live without oxygen.

In conclusion, Veronique Greenwood tells us of the possibilities of someday maybe being able to live off caffeine but not right now.

Current Connection

In a recent article " Doping scandal costs Lance Armstrong sponsors, charity role " By Michael Pearson, CNN explains to us why Lance Armstrong is being accused of doping and losing sponsers.

Michael Pearson, a reporter for CNN, states, "In its report, released last week, the anti-doping agency made public testimony from Armstrong's teammates and others who said Armstrong was among team members who used banned performance-enhancing substances and tried to hide it from testing officials." Lance Armstrong had been a target for years. He's stayed strong and denied the accusations made against him, but is now possibly too tired of defending his name? The problem I have with the statement made above is that if his teammate has supossedly known about it all this time why wait until now? What was the point in waiting so long, if the alligations are ture then why after all these years of Lance getting away with it did his teammate decide it was time for people to know the true?

Lance Armstrongs's sponsers have been backing out because of these accusations made against him. Michael Pearson states, "Nike, which initially stood by Armstrong, dropped him Wednesday with a terse statement citing what it called "seemingly insurmountable evidence" that he participated in doping." Nike dropped Armstrong as soon as he didnt deny the alligations made by a former teammate, tell me how its right that the word of maybe ten individuals stands without proper investigations being held. If these alligations against Armstrong are false then this is probably one of the biggest disgraces of his life, think about.. Winning something that means everthing to you, then getting called a cheater having your trophies taken away, having people think bad when they hear your name? It just sounds awful.

Lance Armstrong's life is going to be forever changed because of these accusations, He is now banned from protecipating in many compitions including any events sanctioned by the U.S. Olympic governing bodies, in the article it was stated, "The report is part of USADA's request to international cycling officials to strip Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles. The International Olympic Committee is also reviewing the evidence and could consider revoking Armstrong's bronze medal from the 2000 Sydney games. Armstrong is already banned from competing in events sanctioned by U.S. Olympic governing bodies." I don't know what's worse having people believe you're a cheater or not being able to do what you love because of it. Armstrong's principles are being questions, people who once thought Armstrong to be inspriational, a hero are now wondering if he shoould be known as such a thing.

As I was reading this article my mind started to wonder back to when Manny Pacquiao, A boxer, was accused of taking steriods. Manny Pacquiao was constantly being accused and put down for "using" just like Lance is now. Manny lost sponsers and he also lost the titles he won because of the accusations.

In conclusion, Micheal Pearson tells his reader the reasons that Lance Armstrong is losing fans, Sponsers, his dignity and so much more.

Current Connections #2

Article title: "Obama Vs. Romney"

What's the author's purpose?: To inform the reader about the candidates running for president.

With what ideas do you agree?: That it could be a very close call when the elections come around.

With what ideas do you disagree with?: That people don't know what they want.

What connections can you make with the text?: World: Obsama has been President for a while but that could change.

How can i become a more active participant in my learing? By doing more research and learning more about the topic.

Current Connections #1

Article title: "Can Obama persuade voters to turn to him again?"

What is the author's main idea within this article?: To show that Obama's Campaign is broken.

With what ideas do you agree?: Obama failed as President.

With what ideas do you disagree: "But Obama might be able to persuade just enough voters to take a chance again and that would be good enough."

What connections can you make with the text? Self: Im a U.S. citizen and i don't think that he is right for our country.

How can i become a more active participent in my learning? How can i take responsiblitiy for my learning? By understanding what im learning and asking more questions.

World Trade Center Reborn

Rebuilding 1 of the world trade centers is a risky thing to do because of the messages that it sends to the people that once destroyed it. Rebuilding send the message "We're not scared of what you think." But prehaphs we are scared that things will take a turn for the worst and something like the tragic event of September 11, 2001 will re-occur so it is best to take many safety precautions. 71 elevators are being built into the 1 WTC 5 of which are high speed express cars moving at 2,000 feet per minute or 23 Mph. The best reason for these elevators is that they can get from top to bottom in 45 seconds so if anything horrific were to happen alot of people could get out in a little time. What about fire? 450,000 gallons of water, which is enough to fill all the pipes in 50 Empire State Buildings to capacity 50X is how much water is going to be in the 1 WTC. The concrete can withstand almost 3 times as much as the other skyscrapers in NYC, that would help alot if there were to be an obect fly/drive/hit the building.

Katy's Reading Bucket List

1. Thirteen Reasons Why- by Jay Asher: A friend of mine, recommended this book to me. I really want to read this book because it seems like something tha would keep me interested. I also want to read this because i've heard that it might be made into a movie and i like to read the books before I watch the movies.


2.The Outsiders.- by S.E. Hinton: In English last year we got to watch the movie. I really liked the movie and everyone says if i enjoyed the movie that much that I simply must read the book because its so much better.


3. Mocking Jay.- by Suzanne Collins: The Mocking Jay is the last book in the series The Hunger Games. I absolutly loved the first two books and simply can't wait to read the last. People say that the first two are better so I cannot wait to find out for myself.


4. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.- by J.K. Rowling: This book is the sixth book in the Harry Potter series, there are seven books all together. I want to read this book because I have read the first five books and I really enjoyed them. I also want to read this book because I have all the movies and I want to see how closely they follow with the books.


5. I am Number Four.- by Pittacus Lore: I went and saw this movie in theaters when i didn't know that it was a book after the movie my friend asked if i liked how it followed with the book i was like there's a book? what? Now i want to read the book, and then re watch the movie.


6. The Fault in Our Stars.-John Green: The first time i heard about this book was in my English 11 class with Mrs. Gillmore. We watched a video about it and it looks interesting, it also comes highly recommened.


7. The Perks of Being A Wallflower.- by Stephen Chbosky: I watched the movie trailer to this and it looked awesome!! I like what the book talks about and i also like to read the book before I watch the movie.


8. To Kill a Mockingbird.- by Harper Lee: This book has been highly recommended to me by several of my friends. I watched the movie in the 9th grade and I realy enjoyed it. My English teacher, told me that the details in the book were so much better and that as much as I like to read I would enjoy it.


9. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief.- by Rick Rordan: A few weeks ago my little brother asked me if I would watch a movie with him I said Yes. I really enjoyed the movie and then he started talking about the differences between the book and the movie. I didn;t know that it was a book before I watched the movie so now I want to read that series and then re-watch the movie.


10. Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children.- by Ransom Riggs I watched a book trailer for this book in Mrs. Gillmores class, I really liked the trailer and the book sounded really intersting.

"The Unsinkable Ship"

I was awoken by the pounding on the door, My Father talked to the man at the door with a worried voice he looked at my mother with disbelieving eyes. "The Titanic's been hit" he said. He had said it so quietly i had to strain to hear, but mother had heard she said "How..How could this be?" They had told us the ship was unsinkable..and as a child I couldn't understand why everyone seemed so worried. Mother rushed me out of the room and towards the deck when we got there Mother and I were put into boats along with other women and children but Father.. Where was Father? I asked Mother and she said that Father couldn't come with us and then we were in the water..and I never saw Father again. Mother forgave Captain Smith and the Captain of the other boat.. But I.. I never forgave them. How could I forgive a Captain that kept going even though he'd been warned several times?.. Just to save his own job. I never forgave the Captain of the boat nineteen miles away for ignoring the distress signals that could of saved the lives of many more people..possibly even father.. I still don't see how Mother could forgive those people for the terrible things they had done..because of them she lost her husband and I lost my Father.

Pity

"He sought my pity, but had he any right to pity? Did a man of his kind deserve any pity?"

I think that the dying S.S. Solider deserve pity becaise he know (even if it might be to late) that what he did was wrong. In the book it says "His thoughts were once again centered on himself and he was filled woth self-pity." I think that while yes the man did pity himself because he was dying at such a young age he was truely trying to ask for the jews forgiveness. I also think that the solider was trying to get the pity of someone else so that he could feel as thoigh someone forgave him and could die in peace.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is not an easy thing to give. However I do belive that every person should be able to get forgiveness no matter how bad their deeds may have been. A man kills his best friend to save him from an angry mob, Maybe the man killed his best friend so he would know that he wouldn't have to suffer, like the mob would have made him.