Predrag Sutanovac
Mr. Youell
Science 9B
In 2015 scientists have established many new discoveries. Though they might not be connected, the discoveries are surely fascinating.
NASA's Kepler Mission Discovers Bigger, Older Cousin to Earth
What will we do when our time on Earth is comes to a end? NASA might have the answer!
The Kepler Spacecraft was launched into space by NASA. Its mission is to discover Earth-like planets orbiting around other stars. The Spacecraft sent positive feedback to Earth, meaning that is has found a planet in the "habitable zone", called Kepler-452b.
To reach the Kepler-452b system we would have to make a big effort. It is located in the Cygnus constellation, which is 1,400 light years away.
Is the planet actually habitable?
Kepler-452b is located in the "habitable zone".
This zone is the area around a G2-type star(same as our sun) with orbiting planets which might have liquid water on the surface.
The diameter of Kepler-452b is 60% bigger (see figure 1) than the diameter of Earth. The mass and composition of this planet are
still unknown, but there is a big chance of the planet being rocky.
“We can think of Kepler-452b as an older, bigger cousin to Earth, providing an opportunity to understand and reflect upon Earth’s evolving environment," said Jon Jenkins, Kepler data analysis lead at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, who led the team that discovered Kepler-452b
I think that the discovery of this planet brings major contribution to the exploration of space. It will help us understand why and how the environment on Earth is changing. Kepler-452b could be our new destination for life, when, and if we have to move away from our Earth.
For more information click here!
New Fossils Upset the Family Tree
Coming back to our planet, archaeologists have dug up a sequence of new homo genus fossils, Homo Naledi.
These fossils were found in an underground cave in South Africa. They are something that archaeologists have never seen before!
The bones of Homo Naledi indicate that this species had both ape-like, and human-like characteristics (see figure 2). Discoverers of this species believe that the Homo Naledi had legs developed for upright walking (same as Homo Sapiens), while the chest, shoulders and hips were suited for climbing trees.
Unfortunately the age in which Homo Naledi lived in can not be specified. The soil, in the cave where they were found, is shifting, this is what makes it hard to say the precise date. It is believed though, that this species lived more than 2 million years ago.
It is also probable that the fossils are younger. They might belong to other, already familiar, species. If this is true, the Homo Naledi probably belongs to either the Homo Erectus or the Australopithecus. To solve this puzzle the Ethiopian jaw would have to be assembled. Right now too many pieces are missing for this too be achievable.
This is not only a discovery of a new species, but also another clue which can help us understand the evolution of the human species.
For more information click here!
Scientists Discover an Easy Way to Edit Genes
Now digging deeper into human bodies. A new gene-editing technology brings attention because of its ethical reasons, as well as scientific achievements.
CRISPR became one of the most powerful tools in molecular biology. Its composition, consisting of RNA, and a virus slicing enzyme, allows CRISPR to edit almost any gene in almost any organism(see figure 3); more precisely and efficiently than ever before.
There is both a positive and a negative side to this story.
Hopefully, this technology will only have a positive purpose. To cure and fix mutations, which cause genetic disorders and diseases. CRISPR
would be a blessing for such a therapy.
Though scientists fear of putting CRISPR's full potential to use, simply because of ethical reasons. There are concerns that CRISPR will be used for altering sperm, eggs, tissue or embryos, using a method which would later pass these genes on to the off-spring. Our world would beome a real life GATTACA.
China had attempted to edit a nonviable human embryo. The experiment was partly successful, but it was concluded that CRISPR still needs adjustments to be able to accomplish such a task.
“We’re on the verge of a technological breakthrough that could change the future of mankind, and we should not blindly charge ahead,” said U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, a member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
As long as CRISPR is used with caution, in a positive and ethical manner, I think that the human kind can benefit from it tremendously.
For more information click here!
Bibliography:
"Year in Review: Breakthrough Gene Editor Sparks Ethics Debate." Science News. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2016.
https://www.sciencenews.org/node/191199?mode=pick&context=166
"Year in Review: Early Human Kin Could Shake up Family Tree." Science News. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2016.
https://www.sciencenews.org/node/191200?mode=pick&context=166
NASA. NASA, n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2016.
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-kepler-mission-discovers-bigger-older-cousin-to-earth
Mr. Youell
Science 9B
In 2015 scientists have established many new discoveries. Though they might not be connected, the discoveries are surely fascinating.
NASA's Kepler Mission Discovers Bigger, Older Cousin to Earth
What will we do when our time on Earth is comes to a end? NASA might have the answer!
The Kepler Spacecraft was launched into space by NASA. Its mission is to discover Earth-like planets orbiting around other stars. The Spacecraft sent positive feedback to Earth, meaning that is has found a planet in the "habitable zone", called Kepler-452b.
 |
| figure 1-The scaled size of Cygnus compared to the Solar system , as well as Kepler-186's constellation. This image also represents the size difference, between Earth and Kepler-452b. |
Is the planet actually habitable?
Kepler-452b is located in the "habitable zone".
This zone is the area around a G2-type star(same as our sun) with orbiting planets which might have liquid water on the surface.
The diameter of Kepler-452b is 60% bigger (see figure 1) than the diameter of Earth. The mass and composition of this planet are
still unknown, but there is a big chance of the planet being rocky.
“We can think of Kepler-452b as an older, bigger cousin to Earth, providing an opportunity to understand and reflect upon Earth’s evolving environment," said Jon Jenkins, Kepler data analysis lead at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, who led the team that discovered Kepler-452b
I think that the discovery of this planet brings major contribution to the exploration of space. It will help us understand why and how the environment on Earth is changing. Kepler-452b could be our new destination for life, when, and if we have to move away from our Earth.
For more information click here!
New Fossils Upset the Family Tree
Coming back to our planet, archaeologists have dug up a sequence of new homo genus fossils, Homo Naledi.
 |
| figure 2-Homo Naledi fossils from more than 15 individuals. |
These fossils were found in an underground cave in South Africa. They are something that archaeologists have never seen before!
The bones of Homo Naledi indicate that this species had both ape-like, and human-like characteristics (see figure 2). Discoverers of this species believe that the Homo Naledi had legs developed for upright walking (same as Homo Sapiens), while the chest, shoulders and hips were suited for climbing trees.
Unfortunately the age in which Homo Naledi lived in can not be specified. The soil, in the cave where they were found, is shifting, this is what makes it hard to say the precise date. It is believed though, that this species lived more than 2 million years ago.
It is also probable that the fossils are younger. They might belong to other, already familiar, species. If this is true, the Homo Naledi probably belongs to either the Homo Erectus or the Australopithecus. To solve this puzzle the Ethiopian jaw would have to be assembled. Right now too many pieces are missing for this too be achievable.
This is not only a discovery of a new species, but also another clue which can help us understand the evolution of the human species.
For more information click here!
Scientists Discover an Easy Way to Edit Genes
Now digging deeper into human bodies. A new gene-editing technology brings attention because of its ethical reasons, as well as scientific achievements.
 |
| figure 3-Diagram of the CRISPR prokaryotic viral defense mechanism. |
There is both a positive and a negative side to this story.
Hopefully, this technology will only have a positive purpose. To cure and fix mutations, which cause genetic disorders and diseases. CRISPR
would be a blessing for such a therapy.
Though scientists fear of putting CRISPR's full potential to use, simply because of ethical reasons. There are concerns that CRISPR will be used for altering sperm, eggs, tissue or embryos, using a method which would later pass these genes on to the off-spring. Our world would beome a real life GATTACA.
China had attempted to edit a nonviable human embryo. The experiment was partly successful, but it was concluded that CRISPR still needs adjustments to be able to accomplish such a task.
“We’re on the verge of a technological breakthrough that could change the future of mankind, and we should not blindly charge ahead,” said U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, a member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.
As long as CRISPR is used with caution, in a positive and ethical manner, I think that the human kind can benefit from it tremendously.
For more information click here!
Bibliography:
"Year in Review: Breakthrough Gene Editor Sparks Ethics Debate." Science News. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2016.
https://www.sciencenews.org/node/191199?mode=pick&context=166
"Year in Review: Early Human Kin Could Shake up Family Tree." Science News. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2016.
https://www.sciencenews.org/node/191200?mode=pick&context=166
NASA. NASA, n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2016.
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-kepler-mission-discovers-bigger-older-cousin-to-earth
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