Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Study week~
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Crazy Midnight McD Trip~
Black Out~
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Alone
Your laughter
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The first day they see the world
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Fantastic Surreal Creatures!!!
Friday, April 9, 2010
The Earliest Known Bird
- 2 chemistry reports
- 2 assignments
- 2 lab tests
Another colorful feathered dinosaur. A report identifying pigments in fossilized dino feathers and filaments, a different team of scientists says that it has mapped the full pattern of plumage sported by the oldest known feathered dinosaur. Paleontologists first described Anchiornis huxleyi, which lived in what is now northeastern China between 151 million and 161 million years ago, in September. Reports of the lithe, peacock-sized dinosaur caused quite a stir, not least because the feathered creature was older than Archaeopteryx, which is considered by many scientists to be the oldest known bird.
[Archaeopteryx]
The earliest known bird which was about the size of a pigeon.
Now, analyses of fossil feathers from all parts of A. huxleyi’s body — reported online Feb. 4 and in an upcoming Science — provide a detailed look at the dino’s color scheme. The new findings also bolster the notion that feathers first evolved for a purpose other than flying, scientists say.
A. huxleyi had black and gray body plumage, the team’s investigations suggest. And while the long feathers on the front and side of the creature’s crest were gray, those sprouting from the top and back of its head were reddish-brown. Along with reddish-brown spots on its head and neck, A. huxleyi sported white racing stripes on its legs and its winglike forelimbs.
Some analyses focused on the small, simple feathers that covered the creature’s body and skull, and others targeted the longer, more complex feathers that adorned its forelimbs, legs and feet. There was hardly any part of the creature that wasn’t feathered.
Almost all of the feathers the team scrutinized contained well-preserved remnants of pigment-bearing structures called melanosomes. Feathers lacking melanosomes were probably white, the researchers note. By comparing the size, shape, density and arrangement of melanosomes in each fossil feather with those in variously colored feathers of modern birds, the team then sketched out what A. huxleyi looked like. By using those comparisons, we can reliably predict [the creature’s] color and map the whole animal.
Knowing when color appeared in feathers or filaments may help solve the conundrum of why those structures evolved in the first place. After all, A. huxleyi’s feathered forelimbs weren’t sufficiently large enough to carry the creature’s weight in flight. “What’s the function of half a wing?” The fact that feathers appear in the fossil record long before flight-capable birds suggests that feathers initially served a behavioral function, possibly one related to sending visual signals, and only later began to serve an aerodynamic function.
“Ancient creatures didn’t just sprout feathers and start flying. The feathers were there for another reason first.” Fossils reveal that dinosaurs often had very large eyes and sizable optic lobes in their brains. Dinosaurs were very visual animals, just like birds are.
Bold patterns of plumage, such as those seen in A. huxleyi, could have served any of a number of functions. Besides communicating to members of its own species — a “come here, cutie” to members of the opposite sex, say, or a “back off” message to rival suitors — a quick flash of boldly colored plumage could startle an attacking predator or flush prey out of hiding, the researchers say.
PS: Bibi, tonight we go dinner together~Muackss~
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Tips for Diet
Drink plenty of water or other calorie-free beverages.
People sometimes will confuse thirst with hunger. So this may end up eating extra calories and foods. Drinking an ice-cold glass of water is really what you need.
If you don't like plain water, try to add some limes. lemons or a splash of juice. Peach and mango also can be added in because they have lots of flavour but no calories.
[Tips 2]
Start by focusing on getting the recommended 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day!
7 BEST Diet Foods:
1) Apples
The pectin in apples makes you feel more full. This is a great way to eat less. In addition, the pectin actually limits your cells fat absorption. Try an apple in the morning during breakfast or try it as a midday snack.
2) Avocadoes
Avocadoes are proof that a food does not have to be low in fat to help you lose weight. Instead, it needs to have the right kind of fat. Avocadoes contain more than 25 of the essential nutrients. When you eat an avocado you're gaining B vitamins, potassium, vitamin E, and lutein.
3) Grapefruits
Of all the citrus foods, grapefruit ranks the best as a diet food. It can lower your insulin levels which in turn will make you less hungry. If you don't like grapefruit, add a different citrus fruit. Both grapefruits and oranges can increase your metabolism. The vitamin C actually dilutes fat.
4) Hot peppers
Spicy foods such as jalapeños are one of the best diet foods. They give a quick boost to the metabolism. They also prove that healthy food is not necessarily bland.
5) Broccoli
Broccoli is a powerful anticancer food. Its high in calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It's filling without being high in calories.
6) Blueberries
Broccoli is a powerful anticancer food. Its high in calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. It's filling without being high in calories.
7) Almonds
Of all the nuts, almonds are the most nutritional. Have a handful of almonds in the morning during breakfast to give you energy for the rest of the day. They are also great to replace any unhealthy snack foods which are standing in the way of your weight loss goals.
Adding these top seven foods to your diet will help you lose weight while being healthy. The weight will not come off overnight, but you will gradually shed pounds and keep them off.
[Tips 3]
Eat several mini-meals during the day.
If you eat fewer calories than you burn, you will lose weight. But when you're hungry all the time, eating fewer calories can be challenging.
Dividing your daily calories into smaller meals or snacks and enjoying as many of them as you can early in the day and dinner should be the last time you eat.
[Tips 4]
Consume protein at every meal.
Spice it up.
Add spices or chiles to your food for a flavor boost that can help you feel satisfied.
Food that is loaded with flavor will stimulate your taste buds and be more satisfying so you won't eat as much.