Ultraviolet Waves

Ultraviolet waves is defined as by Dictionary.com as “beyond the violet in the spectrum”. This meaning that, in the Electromagnetic Spectrum that consist of the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, Ultraviolet waves are waves that can only been seen in the violet region and beyond. An Ultraviolet wave has a shorter wavelength than visible light, at a wavelength of between 10-400 nanometers and has a high frequency of between 7.5x1014-3x1016 Hz (NASA). Ultraviolet (UV) is often found in sunlight, stars, mercury, and usually cannot penetrate the earth’s atmosphere. When it does, it is very harmful to the skin and causes several skin related illness and diseases. Ultraviolet waves have several interesting phenomena and uses in today’s world.

Though very few Ultraviolet waves can penetrate the Earth's atmosphere, the ones that do serve several important purposes to the health of humans and animals. Ultraviolet waves are known for being dangerous to our skin and cells, but this can be a benefit when it comes to sterilization, according to ThinkQuest. UV rays are used to sterilize edible material and identify bacteria in meats, dairy, and other easily spoiled foods. Like the way they kill cells on human skin, UV rays kill bacteria cells on meats and dairies that could potentially harm those who consume it. Along with this important task, Ultraviolet waves are able to identify pigments, screen minerals,and are the main source of light in a florescent lamp. These lamps use gas to excite the mercury minerals, which then produce UV waves.

Along with interesting applications, Ultraviolet waves also have many amazing phenomena. Have you ever walked outside during the winter and been blinded by the bright snow? This is simply blamed on Ultraviolet waves and the snow’s ability to reflect 80% of this light. It is commonly known that humans cannot see UV rays, but it’s surprising to find out that animals can. Among these are animals like bees and butterflies (NASA). Flowers use the reflection of Ultraviolet waves to attract such insects so that they will pollinate them. Though these waves have several interesting characteristics and roles in the world, they can end up being very harmful to the human body.

Ultraviolet waves can have severe safety considerations when it comes to the body of a human. UV rays have the ability to kill cells in the skin. Because of this, sunburn often occurs from over exposure to Ultraviolet waves, usually due to overexposure to the Sun. If such exposure continues, more severe diseases can occur such as skin cancer, cataracts due to UV waves hitting the eyes, and damage to the immune system (Britannica Online). On a less harmful note, UV waves are often the cause of wrinkling and thickening of the skin, and changes in pigmentation.

Ultraviolet waves play an important role in the world by sterilizing food, providing florescent light, and identifying bacteria. It also has many interesting characteristics like “Snow Blindness” and that fact that animals can see them, though humans cannot. Along with these include harmful things such as sunburn, wrinkling, and skin cancer. Though there are many positive and negative aspects of Ultraviolet waves, it cannot be denied that they play an important role in the function of the world.

Photo of Ultraviolet star taken from Scientific American

Photo of Ultraviolet star taken from Britannica Online Encyclopedia

Works Cited

"Ultraviolet Radiation." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. EncyclopædiaBritannica, 2010. Web. 1 Apr. 2010 <http://www.school.eb.com/eb/article-9074181>.

Netting, Ruth. "Ultraviolet Waves." Editorial. NASA. NASA, 27 Mar. 2007. Web. 29
Mar. 2010.

Epidemiology -- It's Contagious!

Throughout my science career in school, I have learned my strengths, weaknesses and goals as a science student. Considering those factors, I believe that the best career in the science field would be in Epidemiologists. Doing research and performing experiments to better the knowledge of medical science, prevent diseases and save lives would be a successful and rewarding career for me.
According to ThinkQuest An Epidemiologists is someone who researches bacteria, viruses, and their conditions with the goal of improving human health. They attempt to advance the knowledge of living organisms that affect human health that may harm people. Epidemiologists work in laboratory research, medical investigations, specialized writings, medicine development, and other related activities (ExToxNet). This type of science work interest me because of the environment that these scientist get to work in. Working with other people and collaborating ideas and information sounds interesting. Along with working with others, a job that deals with math and science appeals to me because I enjoy working with numbers and discovering the answers to problems. Helping prevent and cure disease, that would save lives, would be a rewarding career that I would enjoy.

According to (LifeWorks), Epidemiologists work in hospitals or laboratories everyday with several other people. This type of environment appeals to me because I believe that I do my best work the hardest when I have others around me to check my work and contribute information. I am able to communicate information and ideas easily orally and through writing, which is needed in such a job that information must be shared clearly with coworkers and others. My goals include having a successful and rewarding career and making a lot of money. A Epidemiologists would be an excellent career because it fulfills both of those goals.

To become an Epidemiologist, one must go through a series of educational processes. Most Epidemiologists are required to have a high school degree and a master's degree from a college, usually specializing in biology or medicine. Not only is this knowledge necessary for the present, but it also helps future generations to expand on discoveries to better help people in need . Some epidemiologists may need a Ph.D. or medical degree, depending on the work they perform. (StateUniversity)

Through research and discoveries, Epidemiologists contribute a lot to society. Past research has resulted in advances in treatment and prevention of many diseases. Researches done by these scientists continue to build the foundation for new vaccines, drugs, and treatment procedures. Without them, there would be no advancements in medical knowledge necessary for treatment and prevention of diseases. A job in the Medical Science field would be perfect for a person like me because of the qualities necessary and the everlasting reward of helping those in medical need.

Images : Mircoscopy
AllHealthCare

Nuclear Power Plants, the Better Choice

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The Simpsons portray nuclear power to be vile, green and mutant making. The radioactivity wreaks havoc in Springfield by causing harm to the townspeople. Over the years, nuclear power plants have taken on a bad reputation because of plant as an energy source. Today, 52% of the generating electricity in the United States is fueled by coal, and only 14.8% is nuclear energy A surprising fact is that studies have shown that coal power plants admit more radioactive material, and be more harmful, than nuclear power plants.

Those living near nuclear power plants should be cautious of waste and radioactivity, but should not worry near as much as those living around coal plants. Like The Simpsons, many movies and sitcoms show nuclear power plants as terrible and disgusting places. The word "nuclear" has a negative connotation due to its association with bombs and war craft. This causes many people to believe that anything containing "nuclear" would be just as dangerous. Some would find coal to be dangerous with its mining accidents, acid rain, and greenhouse emissions, but coal's popularity comes not from its potential harm to humankind, but from the controversy of unnatural energy sources. Over time, people blindly judged nuclear and coal waste, resulting in the continuous belief that nuclear power plants are more harmful than coal power plants.

Over the past years, studies have been made in order to judge these myths. Surprising results have shown that coal power plants actually admit more radioactive material than nuclear power plants. According to ORNL, studies also proved that coal ash leaks into the surrounding environment 100 times more radiation than nuclear waste causing food, water, animals, and humans to be negatively affected more often.

According to reports done by NCPR, as shown in an article of Scientific American, exposure from nuclear and coal power plants are 490 per year for coal and 4.8 people per year for nuclear plants. This means that coal power plants are 100 times more easily exposed to people than nuclear waste. In an article for Science magazine, J.P. McBride of Oak Ridge National Laboratory looked at the radioactivity of ash from coal power plants in Tennessee and Alabama. As a result, radiation doses taken in by people living near the coal power plants were higher than those for people living around the nuclear plants. They also discovered that, when food was grown in the area, radiation doses were 50 to 200 percent higher around the coal plants.

Nuclear power plants will always be stereotyped for spawning three-eyed fish and two-faced penguins, and coal power plants will remain a topic of controversy when discussing energy sources, when in reality, a coal power plant is more harmful than a nuclear power plant.

Pictures obtained from: Mothere Wordpress, Scientific American