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http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/07/science/unreported-side-effects-of-drugs-found-using-internet-data-study-finds.html?ref=science&_r=0

"Unreported side effects of drugs are found using Internet Search data finds"
by: John Markoff

             The article was about how some scientists were able to find evidence of unreported prescription drug side effects. The scientist were able to detect this even before the Food and Drug administration's warning  system.They used automated software tools to examine 6 million internet users taken from web search logs in 2010. they looked for seraches realted to antidepressent, paroxetine, and  cholesteral lowering drug, pravastatin. In their search they were able to find evidence that the combination of the two drugs caused high blood pressure. The study done was based on data-mining techniques. Phyicans are supposed to report side effetcs through an "Adverse Event Reporting System". But thhis only happens when a physican notices something.Scientist are taking a new approch by explorinf if it is possible to automate discoveries og "drug-drug" interactions by using FDA data reports. Dr. Altman  used a software for scanning anonymized data to look for searches that had been made on drug, symptom, and condition information.They are using this software to find more drug-drug interactions and their side effects.
                While reading this article you could see that the discoveries made were amazing. The scientist were able to find out connections between two drugs. what was even  more interesting was how they were able to discover how those two specific drugs when used together did have side effects that some people did not know of. The side effect was High Blood pressure. What Dr. Altman was trying to do with the software could be very helpful to many people. He was trying to use the software to find out of nay other drug combination that could have serious side effects.
   In conclusion the article is mainly fouscued on how the unknown connections between drugs can be aharmful to many. Also that there are many side effects that we go unaware of because no one knows about them existing. 

2/18 non-fiction Reading Response

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/27/scientists-uncover-invisible-motion-in-video/?ref=science

Article: "Scientists Uncover Motion in Video
By:  Erik Olsen
   
          The article is about a video of a baby, the video shows how the baby's face blinks crimson with each tiny heartbeat. The process of amplification is called "Eulerian Video Magnification". The program was originally developed to monitor neonatal babies without making physical contact. Then scientist learned that algorithms could be applied to videos to reveal changes. According to an professor by amplifying small motions you can find out many things. The system focuses on specific pixels in video over course of time. The program was presented last summer at the annual computer graphics conference ( siggraph). Since the presentation the M.I.T. improved the algorithm. The scientist said there was availability of uses for the program from health care to lie detection in law enforcement.

         What the article is informing the reader is on how this new advanced technology works. The program from the article was able to show the change in the baby's face. The scientist found that the algorithms could be applied to reveal changes. Maybe they will be able to use this program to show changes in other things. It could end up being helpful for many other people. Also this program could help us maybe discover something we never knew was there.Even tough the program was developed for another reason it still turned out more helpful than thought. Instead of having only one use for a specific thing we may be able to use it for various other occasions
 Overall the Program with the process of amplification( Eulerian Video Magnification ) turned out to make a great discovery for us. Even though it was not intended for the Program to be able to do this it is very helpful that it can because it will help us improve many situations. 

Whispers At Moonrise 2/14

        Kylie Galen is half human half supernatural. Even though she is at a camp for supernatural teens she still doesnt seem to fit in. Her brain pattern isn't clear so no one can tell what type of supernatural she is. She feels as if she is the outcast at this camp even if she has many friends. All Kylie wants is for her questions to be answered. She wants to know who she is, what type of supernatural species she belongs to.So far what she knows is that she has the power of ghost whispering, healing, and she is fast in running like a vampire. 

      

     Kylie has always felt like the "freak" at Shadow Falls camp. Unlike the other supernaturals there Kylie's brain pattern hasn't developed. Since her brain pattern can't be read none of them know what type of supernatural she is. Campers are always trying ro read her brain pattern to see if it has developed yet.  Eventually Kylie starts to show signs that she might be a vampire when she drinks blood, but since her pattern is still unreadable she isn't sure of what she is exactly. The mystery of who she is exactly doesn't get any more easier to solve,  when her father's ghost visits her and tells her she is a "chameleon".Kylie is confused on how a "lizard" is a type of supernatural. The thought of what exactly it means to be a "chameleon" just adds more question to her list. Soon enough her grandfather and aunt come to answer some of those questions. Her grandfather contacts her asking Kylie to meet with him. Kylie sneaks off camp grounds to meet with her grandfather. When they meet up at the cemetery she asks him what it means to be a "chameleon". Her grandfather answer to her that just like a chameleon changes colors a chameleon supernatural can change their pattern. That is because Chameleons are a rare supernatural species that has the DNA of all supernaturals mixed together. Kylie's question of what type of supernatural she is, is answered which only leads her to more on what else she is able to do. 

    The way that Kylie feel about herself is like insecurity. She is unsure of herself and who she is. The position that Kylie is in can be similar to a situation that people in real life face. This is because people often times have trouble figuring out who they are. They want to fit into a group but they don't know what group they belong to exactly. Like Kylie they have many questions that they have been seeking to answer. Also sometimes when they think that they might have figured out who they are or where they belong there is an obstacle in their way. For Kylie it was that she thought she could be a vampire when she drank blood and enjoyed it. Although her friends were pretty sure that she would turn out to be a vampire, Kylie still doubted that was what she was. What helped Kylie figure out who she was her grandfather and aunt. This can be similar to the real world because, sometimes people need help from someone close to them to figure out who they are. Then pretty soon they know who they are and where they fit in. 

      During the book Kylie has to go own her own journey to find out who she really is. Overcoming obstacles in her way she soon learns who she is and has been all along. This in the real life is like people that are unsure of who they are and are insecure about their identity. They all have a journey to face and obstacles to overcome, but at the end they find it was worth it all when their questions/doubts have been answered.

Non-Fiction Reading Response

      
       "Pruney digits help people get a grip"
       
        By: Tanya Lewis


      Scientist have been researching about why the skin of human hands and feet become "furrowed" after being in water for extended periods of time. The cause of human skin becoming furrowed is mainly caused by the nervous system constricting blood vessels. Research shows that back in the 1930s surgeons noticed that if a finger nerve had been severed no wrinkling occurred. Researchers suggested this might happen to allow a better grip on things for people. A study shows that wrinkled fingers help handle moist things better. Scientist don't know however how it is that the wrinkling improves someones's grip on moist things. They also think that perhaps the reason why toes also wrinkle, is to provide a surer footing on slick surfaces. Scientist think there may be an evolutionary cost to having pruney skin. Also that if humans evolve this trait it is possible that animals could evolve it too. 
       
       Reading this article makes me wonder why the nervous system causes this. "Though often assumed to be a result of water passively seeping into the skin, the phenomenon is actually caused by the nervous system constricting blood vessels". This statement suggests that the wrinkling may be caused as a reaction of the skin from being in water for so long. What scientist wonder is why the recation also helps humans have a better grip on moist objects. This reaction to the human skin may aslo be the human body learning to adapt better to moist places & water. 
      
       In conclusion the research has helped scientist understand better what it is that causes the human skin to wrinkle up. Something that could be investigated in the future is why the nervous system causes this to happen.

You are my only

       
    The book "You are my Only" by Beth Kephart, tells the story of two people, Emmy and Sophie. Emmy was a married woman that was a mother. One day she left her baby alone for a moment. Only to come back to have found her baby missing. The book goes on to tell the story 14 years later of a home schooled girl Sophie. Sophie is forced to move often with her mother. Her mother says they have to get away from the "no good". Throughout her life Sophie isn't really allowed to go out of her home  and make friends  or talk to anyone, but one day she breaks the rules and meets Joey a boy who helps her find the answers to her questions and change her life.
      
     Emmy married a man she did not love. She became a mother of a girl. One day she had been with her baby outside her house. She had gone inside for a moment to get something. When she came back outside her baby was gone. Her husband was furious that she had lost the baby. Upset she ran away to look for her baby. Along the way she met Arlen, a man who helps her out. They become closer on Emmy's journey to find her baby.
  
    Sophie is 14, and home schooled. She lived with only her mother her whole life. Through out her life she was always at home she never left the house or talked to anyone but her mother. Her mother was her teacher. During the day her mom left to work after giving Sophie an assignment that had to be completed by the time she came back. Sophie and her mother moved often and rarely stayed in the same place for a long time. This was because Sophie's mom said they were running from the "no good". Eventually Sophie disobey her mothers rules and talks to her neighbor Joey. Soon enough they become friends. 
     
     Throughout the story Sophie is trying to answer her questions that she wants to be answered. With her new friend Joey he helps her find the answer to some of her questions. Joey's family also helps Sophie out and they treat her like she is part of her family. While keeping her new friends a secret from her mom she discovers things that her mom has been keeping from her. Emmy gets help from Arlen on her journey. Since they met he helped Emmy get through tough times. Eventually Emmy finds who she has been looking for her whole life. Her daughter Sophie.
    

Reading Response

How does this text deal with individuals and groups? Are the people acting alone and in competition with one another, or does the text help us imagine people working together?

           In the "Vampire Academy" Rose has to protect Lissa from the Strigoi which are also the most fiercest vampires. After two years that Rose and Lissa had escaped from the academy they have been found and are brought back. St.Vladimir's academy is a school for vampire royalty and their future gaurdians. Rose gets punished for taking away Lissa. This is because Lissa is a Moroi and Rose is a Dhampir.
    
          This text deals with groups because the vampires are in two froups. There are Moroi and Dhampir Moroi are mortal vampire. Rose is a Dhampir she is half vampire and half human. Thats means that Rose's job is to become a gaurdian that is to protect a Moroi. Rose takes care of Lissa because she is Lissa's gaurdian.  Rose herself gets in trouble quite often. She is the not so good student of the school. The way that the text is dealing with these two groups is that one is more valuable. The Moroi are royals so they are the ones thats get protected by the Dhampirs.
     
          The people from the book dont act alone or in competition. They work together and help eachother out. For example the Dhampirs protect the Moroi this is because the Strigoi had been decreasing the Moroi population. The Dhampirs protect the Moroi from any danger or threat that could be caused by the Strgoi towards them. Also when Dhampirs are training to learn how to fight and protect they help eachother practice. They help eachother out on their exercises. So the  book is basically helping us imagine people working together. 

      The book has its two groups that are different. Put aside their differences and they are a loving and caring community. They help eachother out, and keep eacjother away from danger. This is like in real life since people in communities/neighborhoods help eachother out. Like from the book they put aside their race, color, social status and help eachother. 

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Reading Response- Social Awareness

How does this book help you to think about social issues you care about or causes you are committed to?

               The book "Time of the Witches" helps me think about how there are many orphans in the world. The main character Drucilla  along with her best friend Gabe grew up together. When Dru was born her mother died, and a few years later her father died also. Dru and Gabe were raised by Gabe's parents until they were around four, and Gabe's parents died during a smallpox epidemic.Both children were left orphaned and they were taken care of by people in the village that offered to take care of them. 
    
             The book makes me think about the many children that are left orphaned at a young age. Dru was raised by Gabe's parents. After that they were just raised by neighbors who offered to take care of them. This connects to real life because children are left orphaned and sometimes family members or neighbors take care of these children.Eventually in the book Dru, and Gabe get separated. The townspeople have a meeting to decide where Dru and Gabe will go since the family they were living with were going to move away somewhere else and didn't want to take take them too. They both are sent for by different people and they end up having to go work for different people.

        This book relates to social issues I care about because I think that it is unfair that some children are left orphaned. Even though its not really their choice to end up like that.Also because I think that its unfair how the townspeople in the book decide where they can stay.In real life its alike because if there are not family members that can take care of them or that can, but don't want to then the children get sent elsewhere to an orphanage.The book gives a detailed explanation of what Dru had to go through growing up and living with different people. For example when she had lived with a famliy that had some children and their house aught on fire while they were inside. After that Dru and Gabe had gone to live with an elder woman, and after a few years of living with her and being taught by her she suddenly died. 

      The book relates to the life an orphaned child can have. . Also that the fate that the child could be destined to might be decided by others. It made me think more about what other children go through.I realized how many children could be leading a life that is very hard for them. Another thing is that I was able to see what the life of a child that was left orphaned at a young age would be like. Along with all the other obstacles that the child could be facing.