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

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