My New Best Friend- The Epidexipteryx

According to EcoWorldy, the fossil of the oldest known bird has been located in Laioning Province of Inner Mongolia. The fossil bird is an early avian ancestor called Epidexipteryx, a member of the peculiar dinosaur family Scansoriopterygidae, or "climbing wings". Researchers hypothesize that this avian organism crept stealthly from tree branch to tree branch using its elaborate feathers for balance. The Epidexipteryx, however, was not able to fly, for it did not obtain wings, but small, stout arms instead. It is believed that the Epidexipteryx is the species that evolved into today's modern bird and lived on Earth between 152 and 168 million years ago. This outdates the oldest known bird prior to this discovery, which is the Archaeopteryx that lived 125 million years ago.

I believe this is a truly remarkable discovery. The modern bird is a vital part of Earth's universal ecosystem and even in the human world. It is important for us to know and understand the modern bird's origen, and to be able to trace its evolution. Also, this discovery is monumental in the archeological world. The fossil records of many species are incomplete, consisting of holes and gaps that lead to uncertanty about how that specie evolved. It is possible that the discovery of the Epidexipteryx fossil can demonstrate the mutation that triggered the evolution of today's modern bird.

Photo Credit- From EcoWorldy Files

Mother Nature's Medicine

This featured blog is called Pain Management and Migrane Relief. Its sole contributer is Indie Cooper-Guzman, a nurse board certified in pain management through the American Academy of Pain Management. She gives helpful advice on how to reduce and better manage headaches and migranes. This particular blog entry is called "The Value of Change... Getting Outside". It is a common misconception that remaining sedentary at home will lessen physical pain. Cooper-Guzman shares with her audience how "the change of scenery, the feeling of fresh air, and the change of pace can change the way you think and how you feel" and often relieve pain. Enjoying scenery and beautiful weather will often lead to a positive attitude and thus, prohibiting pain from controlling our mentality. Also, surrounding oneself in fresh air and a calm, relaxing environment can reduce the need for worry and concern, which leads to a happier, more positive person.

The audience Cooper-Guzman is writing to is one that experiences physical pain regularly and is interested in unique methods of alleviation. Cooper-Guzman sounds very passionate about this method of alleviation and encourages her readers to adopt this practice. The most interesting part of this blog entry is how simple the solution is to a common and often worrysome problem. Many people rely on over-the-counter or prescription drugs even at the slightest sign of pain. Stepping outside is a more enjoyable and healthier method to this problem. I agree with Cooper-Guzman's advice. I notice that sunshine and fresh air help me feel much better when I am in pain or illness. Going outdoors in beautiful New England often makes people feel happier than being in a gloomy, dark basement den, especially when they are experiencing pain.

Photo Credit-Raymond 3

Pollution Bullying Our Crops

The name of this blog is the Healthy Recipe Doctor. The blog entries are composed by Elaine Magee, MPH RD, a food doctor who is the nutritional marketing specialist for the California Department of Health. The name of this specific blog entry is "Eating Healthy in a Polluted World". Magee advises that anyone who eats food and drinks water should be concerned about air pollution. Magee says that the Northeastern United States is most affected by air pollution because it is downwind from major industrial and urban sites which generate high quantities of pollution. Every major ecosytem in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic has been affected in some way by this air pollution, and from these major ecosystems come certain produce or foods we consume. The pollutants affect the soil and water which the produce grow in, therefore affecting its growth.

Magee expresses concern in her blog entry. She quotes a doctor from the Natural Conservatory, speaking of the affects of the major air pollutants affecting our ecosystems. The quote goes , "Mercury contamination results in fish that are unsafe to eat. Acidification kills fish and strips nutrients from soils. Excess nitrogen pollutes estuaries to the detriment of coastal fisheries. And ground-level ozone reduces plant growth, a threat to forestry and agriculture." This blog entry is unique because it addresses a very overlooked topic of pollution and connects it directly to humans. Because this problem directly affects the human race, the blog entry appeals to all different kinds of people.

Photo Credit- Weather damaged cereal crop

Counseling Cures

The name of this blog entry is What Medications Are Recommended for Adolescents Who Are Quitting Smoking? It's author is Donna M. D'Alessandro, MD and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Iowa Children's Hospital. The focus of this blog entry is to channel focus on adolescent smokers and which method of quitting is most effective. The blog follows a 17-year-old male who is an athlete, but also is a light smoker whose parents are asking him to quit. He had only been smoking a few cigarettes a day for the past three months, and was unsure if it was affecting his athletics. After a patient evaluation, the male was diagnosed as a healthy male athlete and recent smoker. The health counsler suggested he receive help through counseling.

Of all methods used to quit smoking, counseling is most recommended by pediatricians for adolescents. Not only is counseling more effective than other methods, but it is medication-free. This leaves the patient not dependent on other medicine in place of nicotine. I believe this blog entry was intended for parents of adolescent smokers or friends of adolescent smokers. The author's tone remains calm throughout the article. She expresses that while the health of new smokers is not in immediate danger that it will be in the future if they do not receive proper treatment soon. The author also explains that "..adolescents enrolled in tobacco cessation programs are 2 times more likely to quit and remain abstinent." This blog interested me because the patient evaluation of the young male showed no dangerous signs to his health. It is clear that short term effects of smoking are small, yet the long term effects of smoking can be fatal.

Lifehacker vs. Huffington Post and dy/dan

The qualities of a well-written blog are debatable, but I think there are specifics that set apart decent blogs from good blogs. Good blogs are informative. They give information and facts prior to giving opinions and personal beliefs. The facts are not skewed or re-written in a bias manner, but rather are as they found them. The first paragraph should be the informative one, and should include a catchy first sentence to grab the blogger's attention.

Today I examined The Huffington Post, Lifehacker, and dy/dan. They are three very popular blogs, two of which are included in Time Magazine's Ranking of Top Blogs. The Huffington Post is a very political blog. Some blogs track the economy, while others are blogging about the election candidates, especially Sarah Palin. Some are questioning how qualified Sarah Palin is with certain issues, such as being informed about women's reproductive health.

dy/dan is a more personal blog, a site organized by a young high school math teacher named Dan Meyer. In his "About Me" section he specifies that he uses his blog to assist other teachers. Most of his blogs document his experiences as a teacher in his school, personal opinions, and certain activities he does during the day, including math basketball.

Lifehacker is a blog for the average Joe. It is easy to navigate and find similar topics. This blogging site gives tips and downloads for doing a variety everyday things. Some include enabling iPhone applications, cheap solutions for long lasting clothing, and how to navigate the night sky.

I believe the most useful blog is Lifehacker for my lifestyle. It is most informative and applicable to my life. Lifehacker includes a variety of topics and tips that I can use every single day of my life that will somehow enrich my knowledge. I neither hold a political position nor am a math teacher, so I don't think that these blog sites will serve as well to enrich my knowledge. However, I don't believe that one blog is better than another. I think each blog serves a valuable purpose that can inform many different audiences on important issues, which is a dominant quality in a successful blog. Also, blogs that include a variety of topics are very important in creating a blog to grab blog navigators' attention.