#16 News Log: Health and Fitness

  
      Recent studies have shown that teens who lack a sufficient amount of sleep are prone to gaining weight, boys in particular.  108 male and 147 female students at a Texas high school were surveyed; results show that males sleep for an average of 6 hours and 32 minutes, while females for 6 hours and 30 minutes during the school week, and on the weekends, approximately an additional 3 hours for each--an average of 9 hours and 10 minutes for males and 9 hours and 22 minutes for females.  Also included in this study was their body mass index (BMI), which takes into account a person's height and weight.  Investigators found that for males who slept 7 hours or less on weekdays had a 3.8% higher BMI than for those who slept more than 7 hours, and a 4.7% higher BMI for females who slept 7 hours or less on weekdays than for those who slept more than 7 hours.  Author Lata Casturi notes, "Sleep is food for the brain. When teens do not get enough sleep, they fall asleep in class, struggle to concentrate, look and feel stressed, get sick more often, and do not meet their obligations due to tiredness."  She also adds that teens who sleep less than 8 hours have higher risks of obesity because they consume more calories throughout the day.  Researchers may have not concluded their studies, however, they did find that lack of sleep causes a decrease in leptin, which is a hormone that tells the brain you are full, rather it increases ghrelin, which is a hormone that stimulates appetite.  Sex-related differences may be due to each sex's growth patterns and metabolism.
      As a student lacking a sufficient amount of sleep during the week, I can definitely understand how these studies are helpful for students to understand what they are putting themselves through.  I am always trying to keep watch of the things that I eat, and make sure I am eating healthy.  Therefore, reading this article makes me want to sleep early every night--not only because of weight gain, however, also because I would like to perform to the best of my ability in school.  When I read the quote by the author, I put myself in the situation and realize how much more stress I cause myself.  Also, I just recently got sick; I figured it was from stress and lack of sleep!

Lack of Sleep = Weight Gain

#15 TSL Response: Chapter 4

          When I read chapter 4, I might have misinterpreted it a bit.  After reading a short summary of it online, I understood the one part I mistook at first.  Despite that, I do think that this chapter was an easy read.  I thought that Robert Chillingworth was sent to prison with Hester Prynne.  However, I later found out that this was not the case. He was there as a doctor, to check up on Hester.  In the prison, they spoke to each other about their marriage.  He felt that they have wronged each other.  Although Hester felt bad, I could tell that she wasn't completely sorry for what she had done.  He expresses that when he needed company in his lonely room, he longed to kindle a fire, but he did not have the guts to betray Hester like that.  He was wrong to marry such a young beauty, who was bound to do so to him.  For some reason, I felt as though Robert was lying to Hester, but then I wonder for what reason would he do that.  By the end of the chapter, the doctor declares that he is going to avenge her lover.

#14 News Log: Opinion

          According to authors of the article, “The Pseudoscience of Single Sex Schooling,” recent studies show that separating students by gender is ineffective.  Although many may say that co-ed classrooms are filled with distractions, they are actually proven to produce better academic results.  Single-sexed classrooms are counterproductive--boys in a classroom have exhibited more aggressive behavior, while girls develop more sexist attitudes.  In the past, promoters of single-sex schooling have debated that girls and boys have such different fundamentals in learning, interests, responsiveness, and so on.  However these authors believe that schools should promote a more diverse student body, and what better way to do so than to start out just by having a boy and a girl in a classroom together.  Promoters also argue that those who cannot afford private schools are suffering socially; they are unable to attend single-sexed schools where they can achieve the "best" education.  Nevertheless, this reasoning is to no effect, given the results of studies, which show that single-sexed schooling has nothing to do with a school's success.  Authors believe that there are obvious social differences between single-sexed and co-ed schools, but none that will ever be remedied by segregating sexes.  They, as well as educators, agree with the U.S. Department of Education, which uses "‘scientifically-based research’ to guide their decisions about which interventions to implement.”  All in all, scientific studies indicate that segregation of sex in schools only increase gender stereotypes and is counterproductive in educating students.
          The scientific evidence only tells the truth.  I do believe that segregating students by gender is counterproductive.  I think it's strange that kids are unable to learn how to interact with the opposite sex, which can be a detriment in their futures.  It may be true that some single-sexed private schools are more elite, but that isn't because of the fact that they aren't co-ed.  If anything, having a more vast student population may increase their standards due to differences in "fundamentals."  If the U.S. Department of Education states that education should solely be based off of scientific research, then that is how schools should be established.  Although this may go against my argument, I do also believe it is quite empowering to have an entire student body made up of just one sex.

Source: Separate But Equal?
 (In order to continue reading the second part of this article, where the discussion is actually displayed, you must click the "Read the Discussion" button.)

#13 TSL Response: Chapter 1

     The narrator describes a gloomy environment where there are bearded men and hooded women found--in front of an oak edifice covered in iron spikes.  In any Utopia, a portion of the land which a man owns must be allotted for a cemetery, as well as a prison: two places you can never abandon.  The cemetery represents death, while the jail represents sin.  However on the way into each place, is rooted a token of congeniality: a rose bush.  This rose bush yields beauty to the prisoner on his way inside as a symbol of Nature being kind to him. 

#12 News Log: Environment

     The disaster that occurred in Fukushima, March 11, has caused serious long-term health risks on the people of Japan.  These people that were exposed to radiation leaks by multiple nuclear meltdowns are being tested for thyroid abnormalities;  Japanese officials plan on studying 360,000 children that were younger than the age of 18 during the accident.  After the research of the 2006 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, it    was evident that children and pregnant women are mostly sensitive to the radioactive iodine, possibly causing thyroid cancer.  Depending on whether or not doctors discover abnormalities, those who were recently tested will be tested until they are 20 years old and every 5 years after that.  Thousands of deaths took place in the earthquake and tsunami in the region, which led to the radioactive waves; thousands of people fear returning to their homes because they feel it is an unsafe environment to live in.  Although the government has reassured that it is safe to return, many feel otherwise.  Places, such as playgrounds and buildings, have been hosed down by officials who feel that they may be off limits for decades.  A team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived in Japan to monitor decontamination efforts; the team will meet with government officials.
     The people of Japan have every right to fear returning to their homes.  Although the government is "sure" that it is safe to return, I would not feel safe either.  Children's lives are at risk--places where kids are constantly near, like playgrounds and schools, are being hosed down and monitored.  The fact that you can so easily suffer from cancer just by living in the radioactive waves is definitely something to fear.  I would not want my own child to grow up living in such a harmful environment.

Source: Effects of Radiation Leaks in Japan

#11 News Log: Environment

          Years ago, the idea of "geoengineering" was simply unthought of--it was rejected and viewed as potentially dangerous.  Today, a bipartisan panel of scientists feel this technique is needed due to the climate's 'tipping point'.  Geoengineering, also known as climate remediation, is a large-scale system that deliberately manipulates the Earth’s climate by sending cooling particles into the air in order to reduce the risks of climate change.  Although officials want to attempt climate remediation, they are unsure of how safe it is.  There are 2 methods that scientists are considering: carbon dioxide removal or solar radiation management.  However, these procedures are thought to upset the earth's natural rhythms.  Controversy has risen because of our weak economy, government officials deem it is best to delay this procedure due to expenses.
           As a supporter of a green earth, I think it is a great idea to clear our environment of any harmful aspects.  However, I do feel that climate remediation is taking it to its absolute limit.  This isn't just a lab experiment; scientists that want to change our climate by geoengeering are aware of the consequences, but they really believe they know what they are doing.  I think it's too difficult to tell and too risky to engage in.  The entire human race, let alone the world, is at risk.

Environment: Group Urges Research Into Aggressive Efforts to Fight Climate Change Article

#10 Transcendentalism Essay Response

     In Habitat for Sanity, Liz Roberts expresses her understanding of the value of a land's natural state along with its dollar value.  She believes that developers in New Jersey are constantly destroying natural habitats and constructing homes and buildings over them.  She feels that they are unappreciative of the environment, which we, as well as animals, live in--they simply "don't care."  Unfortunately, it is difficult to save our environment of man-made manufacturing because we cannot afford to buy the land that developers are working on.  Similar to  transcendentalist beliefs of Thoreau, Roberts deems it unnecessary for all of these establishments to be manufactured; once a new one is built, the older one is forgotten about.  It is superficial to make all of these so-called improvements to our nation, when in reality, it is only decreasing nature's value.  I feel that there are many constructions that have made a huge impact on society, such as the World Trade Center, however Americans are definitely spendthrift with their money.  It is costing them to build these establishments, but it is also costing us our natural habitats.
     Tremendously inspired by Thoreau's essay, Walden, Don Henley discusses the threat of real estate development in Walden Woods and how Thoreau had provided him with a "spiritual awakening" to the preservation of it.  He feels that the woods are exceedingly inspiring and it should be embraced for its beauty.  I think it is completely disrespectful to tear down the woods of such an influential writer.  Just as Henley states "we might just as well turn all our national parks, our monuments to freedom and independence, into theme parks and shopping malls," I completely agree with his cynic remark.  The great woods that he lived in preserve Thoreau's literature and principles of living.

#9 Parks, Woods, and Wild Places

My dad used to take my sister and me to the park near our house every now and then.  While my sister and I would run around and play tag or climb on the playground, my dad would watch from far and make sure we were safe.  There was a balance beam that I loved to climb and walk on; my dad would take my hand, but I always wanted to do it on my own.  My sister and I loved hanging on the beam while my dad would shake it.  It was like a roller coaster for us.

#8 Boredom: the positive side

Boredom can stimulate you to do something you never planned on doing.  For example, if you are with family with nothing to do, someone might suggest something to do, such as playing a board game; this way you are having fun and spending quality time with family.