EXAMPLES
Here is a link to all the science essays in Book 4.
Shirley S. could write a great science essay!
Shirley related a fascinating story about actin & myosin, the proteins responsible for movement. Since these molecules are ubiquitous in living organisms, they are particularly well-suited to show evolutionary changes. Recent studies of molecular differences across species shows evolutionary morphing. Her descriptions were exciting, and involved cutting-edge research. "Shirley could write a great science essay!"
Lisa L. could write a great science essay!
Lisa says vaccinations don't need to reach 100% of the population, to be effective. She gave an example of polio, which is so hard to transmit that only 10-20% of the population needs to be vaccinated to prevent an epidemic. "Is that why flu vaccines target only the elderly?" "No, that's a different reason, they are at higher risk of serious complications." She finished by implicating the "Microsoft monoculture" in the spread of viruses. She is a mathematician, and can explain the math behind the facts. "Lisa could write a great science essay!"
Could you write a great science essay?
More topic ideas (some vague) I've gathered over the years:
* Idea of sexual reproduction as a way of increasing the rate of mutation, in
order to "keep up" with the slower life-spans of humans vs. pathogens.
Book Review: Descent of Child, or Aquatic Ape book, by Elaine Morgan(sic)?
Book Review: Mean Genes? It was good, when I read it.
The GENETIC EVOLUTION OF 40,000 generations... of E.Coli!
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/10/18/1947238
Essay: Population, ala Carl Sagan, "The Persian Chessboard" in _B_&_B_
Essay: Race, "At most wavelengths all human skin is black," per an
article I read in Science News in the last 5 years. American
indians who receive benefits if they can prove their ancestry, find
that it is difficult and must be done by genealogy rather than a
quick DNA test.
Essay: Skeletons -- We can see the kinds of work that ancient skeletons
performed when they were fully fleshed, by looking at the bone deformations
caused by various tasks, such as stone cutter or ___. (My fingernails warp
from so much typing, but grew straight when I take a hiatus.)
Essay: Microbes -- The common cold is spread easily; changing habits of cleanliness will
eliminate most common colds because they simply do not live long in the
air. Covering our mouths when we sneeze, washing hands, keeping hands off
of face. (airplanes a problem.) Colds can only "make the rounds" if the
population size is sufficent... Idea of small, isolated groups of people;
once the disease "makes its way" through the village, it dies itself.
YOUR IDEA HERE
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