Sunday, August 21, 2005

Welcome Skyline Students and Parents!  This is a bit of an experiment, and we'll have to see how useful it will be, but welcome to my Skyline Science Blog. I'll occasionally post links, stories, and short extra credit assignments here for those students that are curious and looking for some extra credit. Please check back every now and then to see what's new! For our first excursion, let's keep it simple. Please check out one of these two web pages, depending on which class you are in. If you're in Biology I, check out the home page of our first field trip, our walkabout in South Mountain, at http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/hikesoth.html. Check out the park and the South Mountain Environmental Education Center link, and learn about where we will be going. To get extra credit, just tell me how many acres the South Mountain Park/Preserve includes (you can email or tell me the answer in class next time you see me). If you're in Anatomy and Physiology I, check out the home page of our first field trip, the Phoenix Zoo, at: http://www.phoenixzoo.org/zoo/. To get extra credit, just tell me the name of two primates that they have at the zoo (again, you can email or tell me the answer in class next time you see me). Good Luck! JG 11:20:30 PM    comment []

Cord blood yields 'ethical' embryonic stem cells Hopes for treating disease with stem cells from umbilical cord blood have received a major boost, following the discovery of primitive cells with clinical potential matching that of embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are derived from human fetuses, which are then destroyed, and have become a major ethical issue, especially in the US. But umbilical cord blood can be saved, stored and multiplied without any of these ethical dilemmas.Furthermore, the same team is applying new microgravity technology - originally developed by NASA for the International Space Station - to make large enough quantities of the stem cells to repair tissue damage in patients. 11:13:22 AM    comment []

© Copyright 2005 John Giacobbe.