Reptiles Leopard Geckos

It's Friday night, and you've been putting it off for a month. But on Monday, your child's science project is due. And you haven't even started. You need an easy science project that can be done quickly, but it has to be good...

It's not an easy thing to find! Science projects that are easy often don't meet the requirements of the teacher or the science fair. And projects that are fast often aren't enough to teach your child anything. We know. With four boys, our family has waited until the last minute to do a science project more than once. But the good news is that there really are good science experiments that can be done quickly and easily.

Here are some ideas for some easy science experiment projects:

Which brand cereal stays crunchy longest? Weigh different brands of the same cereal, soak in water, and then weigh again to see which one absorbed more water.

Which food is best for yeast? Place yeast and water mixtures into bottles, and give them different foods. Put balloons on top of the bottles, and see which one grows the biggest.

Does salt affect the boiling point of water? Find the boiling point of water, and add salt to see if it changes.

Which citrus juice has the most Vitamin C? Make an indicator solution with iodine and starch (it's EASY to do!), and test samples of citrus fruit or juice to see which one has the most vitamin C.

Here are some demonstration science projects that are easy to do:

Demonstrate how chemical reactions can be sped up. Put alka seltzer into a cup, and watch it fiz. Then do it again with crushed alka seltzer, another time with warm water, and yet another time with TWO alka seltzers.

Demonstrate how an egg can absorb moisture through the membrane by soaking the egg in vinegar until the shell comes off, then placing the egg into a cup of water. Then you can show how the water goes OUT of the egg by placing it into a cup of corn syrup!

These are all cool science projects that really are easy and fast to do. We think you'll like them, and that your teacher will like them, too!

(Note: We've done all of these science projects with our four boys, and they are easy to design on your own. Do an internet search for more information, or visit our website and find out how to purchase step by step instructions for each.)

Kayla Fay and her four boys are the creators of Online Science Project Guides, science projects that are fun, easy, affordable, and teacher pleasing! Find out about these guides, and get a free copy of "The Non-Scientist Parent's Guide to Science Fair Projects" at http://www.onlinescienceprojects.com.

Of all the classes of animal life, mammals are considered the most advanced and probably the most popular class. Dogs and cats are mammals, squirrels and rabbits in our backyards are mammals as well. Horses, sheep, baboons, giraffes and elephants are mammals. For that matter, we human beings are mammals too.

Mammals vary greatly in size. The smallest mammal is the shrew with a body that is only a little more than 2 inches long and weighs less than some insects. In contrast, the largest mammal is the blue whale, which can sometimes measure up to 100 feet long and weigh as much as 130 tons. Mammals also differ in appearance in shape. Most of them walk on four legs, but not all of them do. Some mammals fly. Dolphins and whales have lost their hind limbs and now have taken fish-like shapes and spend their entire lives in the ocean.

What is a mammal? Mammals are vertebrates - they are animals with backbones. All mammals have lungs and breathe in air and all of them are warm-blooded (they are able to maintain a constant body temperature regardless of the outside temperature.) Mammals and birds share a common characteristic - the possession of four-chambered hearts that circulate blood efficiently to all parts of the body. All mammals, except two types that lay eggs, give birth to living young and provide protection and care for them before and after birth. Mammals are the only animals that possess true hair and the capacity to produce milk. In fact, the word "mammal" comes from the Latin word "mamma" which means "breast".

Mammals have other characteristics that are not so obvious. A mammal's heart and lungs are separated from the stomach by a wall of muscle called the diaphragm. A mammal's lower jaw has a single bone on each side. Mammals also have different types of teeth adapted to different uses. And most importantly, mammal brains are much more highly developed than the brains of any other animal.

In the struggle to survive, warm blood, improved methods of caring for young and superior intelligence have all given mammals great advantages through the ages. In fact, many scientists consider mammals as the dominant animals of the world.

Yet mammals did not start out immediately as mammals. Strange as it may seem, they rose from the reptile family. In the Mesozoic era, a branch of reptiles began to grow coats of hair instead of armor and slowly turned warm-blooded. Some of them began to keep eggs inside their bodies instead of laying eggs. The first mammals were probably very tiny and timid creatures, like today's rats and mice. They were nocturnal and hid for protection during the day. When conditions of the Earth gradually changed, the dinosaurs could not adapt to this dramatic shift, so their numbers grew smaller and smaller. When they died out, the more adaptable mammals later arose in the Miocene epoch.

Between 3500 and 5000 species of mammals live in the world today and more varieties under them. Many of these animals can trace their lineage to their ancestors that adapted and survived through the Ice Age. Now, mammals have developed in a bewildering variety of sizes and shapes, classified by scientists according to body structure and relationships. In all, under the mammal kingdom, there are now 18 different groups or orders.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Animals

It can be a challenge to come up with a list of the top five attractions in a country that's as big and diverse as Australia. If you have visited the "Land Down Under" before, you may have your own suggestions. Although, if you have not yet visited Australia, the following places will give you a good start, they include man-made and natural wonders, dramatic scenery, beautiful beaches and Aborigine culture.

Great Barrier Reef

Off the eastern coast of Australia lies one of the world's greatest natural wonders. The reef's statistics are impressive, it is around 1200 miles long, and is home to around 1,500 varieties of fish and around 400 species of coral. You may also be lucky enough to see manatees, sharks, and turtles as well as humpback whales that give birth during the winter months.

There are several ways to see the reef. Many companies offer cruises - lasting from several hours to a full day, and you can also sleep on the reef aboard a 1890's sailing boat. Virtually every cruise boat also offers the chance to see the reef by diving, an opportunity not to be missed, even if you are new to diving. Also, many visitors to the reef cannot resist mailing postcards from Australia's only floating post office, anchored about 45 miles offshore from Port Douglas.

Sydney Opera House

One of the most recognizable and striking buildings in the world, Sydney's famous opera house was designed by the Danish architect Jorn Utzon. Even if you do not like opera, the building is worth visiting, it is actually a major center for the performing arts where you can see not only opera, but classical music, dance and rock concerts. And there are free performances outside the building on Sunday afternoons.

Sydney Opera House does resemble the billowing sails of a ship, quite appropriate, as the building lies alongside one of the world's most beautiful harbors. Not far from the Opera House is the area of Sydney known as Circular Quay, a bustling area of shops, bars and restaurants. And from Circular Quay, you can easily catch a bus or ferry to almost any other part of the city, the Sydney Harbor Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens and the historic Rocks district, the oldest part of the city.

The Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is Australia's playground. Beautiful white sandy beaches line the coast for 40 miles, backed by high-rise apartments, luxury hotels, shops, casinos and restaurants. The area also boasts several theme parks such as Sea World and Movie World, as well as around 40 golf courses.

The closest big city to the Gold Coast area is Brisbane, capital of Queensland. It's a friendly laid back kind of a place, offering a wide range of shopping and restaurants. But if you really want to escape from the crowds on the Gold Coast beaches, explore some of the small islands in nearby Moreton Bay.

The Outback (Ayers Rock and Alice Springs)

Many visitors to Australia come just to see the famous Outback - one of the last truly unspoiled areas in the world. It's difficult to comprehend the size of the Outback, it covers an estimated 2.5 million square miles. The Outback is not all desert, the northern part boasts high mountains, deep gorges and spectacular waterfalls. Driving across the Outback is an unforgettable experience, although you should always carry essentials such as extra water and fuel, spare tires, and perhaps a satellite phone

The unofficial capital of the Outback is the town of Alice Springs, made famous by the book and movie A Town like Alice. Alice Springs makes a good base to explore the area as well as to shop for Aborigine souvenirs. Within easy reach of Alice is the huge monolith once known as Ayers Rock, now known by its Aborigine name of Uluru. The rock is impressive at any time of day, but if you have the chance, try to be there at sunset.

Darwin and Kakadu National Park

Darwin is about as far north as you can go in Australia, in fact the city is closer to parts of Asia than to many parts of Australia, and has quite an oriental feel to it.

Within easy reach of Darwin are several areas of natural beauty, including Australia's largest national park, Kakadu. The park covers around 6,000 square miles, and offers varied landscapes ranging from wetlands to dramatic sandstone escarpments. Over 200 species of birds and around 75 species of reptile can be seen here.

Kakadu is still under Aborigine control and is one of the few places where their traditional way of life is still practiced. You can see their art on display at the park's cultural center and at various rock-art sites, and if you are lucky, you may glimpse the Aborigines themselves.

About Author:

Craig Elliott is a freelance writer who writes about topics pertaining to vacations and the travel industry such as Australia Travel | Flights to Australia

The Discrete Analyzer

Discrete analyzers are well known in clinical testing laboratories. Recently these little work horses have found their way into environmental laboratories, but their full potential in the analysis of water samples has yet to be realized. Environmental labs have found use for them in analyzing nutrients in wastewater and in relieving sample loads or reagent cost.

The Petroleum Industry

Production water needs to be monitored for major cations and anions that are used as indicators of corrosion or scaling tendency. Normally these water samples are collected and sent off to chemical supply company laboratories that use a variety of instruments and then calculate scaling or corrosion tendency indexes. A discrete analyzer makes it possible to analyze all important ions used in the scaling and corrosion index.

It is also useful to monitor production water for existing scale and corrosion inhibitors. These colorimetric tests are easily adapted to discrete analyzers making it possible to analyze these parameters at the same time and on the same instrument used for scale and corrosion index testing.

Discrete analyzers can also check for trace metals. Iron, manganese, chromium, nickel, etc. can all be determined, again in the same sample, on the same instrument, and essentially at the same time.

How the Discrete Analyzer Works

Discrete analyzers are essentially automated manual spectrophotometers. The instrument pipets sample into reaction segments, adds reagent, and then measures concentration versus pre-stored calibration curves. A huge advantage to discrete analyzers is they use very little reagent and/or sample and almost the entire process is computer controlled.

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Two of the most prevalent tick-transmitted discases in dogs are Babesiosis and Ehrlichiosis, which are and a fairly common cause of morbidity and mortality in South Asia.

While Babesiosis is caused by either of the protozoal parasites Babesia giubsoni or Babesia canis, Ehrichiosis is caused by infection with a ricketitsial organism, Ehrichia canis. Both diseases have a common vector, the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus, which thrives in warm and humid environments. It is not uncommon for a dog to be infected with both organisms at the same time.

But the greatest challenge in battling tick-borne discases lies in detecting and accurately assessing the signs. In most cases, the early signs are very subtle, and very often mimic those caused by other diseases.

Canine Banesiosis

It is an infectious blood disease, and progressive (haemolytic) anaemia, or destruction of the red blood cells, is the primary factor in the development of its symptoms. Also known as Biliary fever, this ailment in dogs has a lot in common with malaria in man.

The process of transmission of parasites (Babesia canis) takes place 2-3 days after the tick attaches itself to the dog. The parasities migrate from the ticks salivary glands into the hosts circulatory system, causing the tick bite fever. The parasite then enters and destroys red blood cells.

Clinical signs: Most dogs usually suffer from the acute or sub-acute forms of the fever, which can be recognized by the dog being listless or lethargic, losing his appetite, and running a temperature. However, when the fever reaches the per-acute (sudden and severe) from, it causes death within a few hours, since treatment at that stage is of little avail.

As the disease progresses, it may affect the spleen, liver, muscles, and circulatory, lymphatic, gastrointestinal, and respiratory system. It also interferes with the replication of live sustaining cells in the bone marrow, as a result of which the immune system of the dog is severely reduced. Depending on which system has been most severely affected by the Babesia organism, infected dogs display a variety of symptoms such as destruction of red blood cells, protein in urine, oxygen deficiency in the tissues, free haemoglobin in the urine, laboratory findings indicative of jaundice, reduction in the blood platelet count (which predisposes the dog to prolonged or spontaneous bleeding episodes), abnormalities in lymph system, kidney failure and liver disease.

Treatment and balanced diet : However, treatment should be given only after a positive diagnosis has been made by means of a blood test. Severely a anemic dogs should be given oxygen therapy and whole blood transfusions in addition to specific antibabesial drug therapy. Imodocarb dipropionate at 5mg/kg of body weight by intramuscular injection is the drug that works in such cases. The treatment must be repeated after 14 days. Though the drug is generally tolerated well, sometimes there are side effects, which include transient vomiting, salivation, muscle tremors, and restlessness. If they occur, these signs can be controlled. However, the indicious use of glucocorticoids along with liver and vitamin supplements helps in speedy recovery.

And while the treatment is on, it is important to avoid fatty foods, and the balanced diet should be imperatively supplemented with a tonic. A follow-up treatment may also be required if the dog does not appear to be responding to the initial treatment.

Canine Ehrlichiosis

Canine Ehrlichiosis is also an infectious blood desease in dogs caused by a tiny rickettsial parasite (Ehrlichia Canis), which is injected into the dogs bloodstream through tick bites. These parasites not only destroy red blood cells but also suppress the bone marrow functions. Additionally, the severe depression of the immune system caused by the disease, opens the door to secondary bacterial infections and other complications.

Clinical signs: In the acute phase of infection, Ehrlichiosis appears much like any other viral infection, with a reduction in cellular blood elements being its primary characteristic. Although the organism lives and reproduces in the white lood cells (leucocytes), it has a particularly devastating effect on the lymphatic system. And it ultimately affects the respiratory, circulatory, and central nervous systems, as well as the kidney, brain, liver and spleen. When affected, the dog often runs a temperature, may lose his appetite, and/or act depressed. Even the eyes may begin to have a glassy appearance.

Right diagnosis: However, the biggest failure has been to recognize and test for the disease. If the dog shows any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is most advisable to take blood for a routine Complete Blood Count as well as Platelet Count. Blood smear testing will also give a clear picture in some cases. Serological tests such as the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody or IFA test, which looks for the presence of antibodies produced by the dogs immune system, is also a good diagnostic aid.

Timely treatment: Even the vets should be cautioned against the use of steroids in a dog that may have Ehrlichiosis. Although some chronically infected dogs may need treatment with steroids, this should always be administered in conjunction with doxycycline and only as a last resort. In cases where the vet feels that the dog may have more than one disease, then Ehrlichiosis should be given first priority.

Most cases respond well to the treatment with the tetracycline family of antibiotics. Doxycycline is the preferred drug as it has less potential side effects. Inoculation as well as injectable antibiotics should not be administered to a dog suspected of having Ehrlichial infection, as there have been reports of reactions after this. Another drug, Imizol, has also proved very effective in treating Ehrlichiosis. Due to the high dosage, it is advisable to administer vitamin B and K supplements since the dogs ability to synthesise those vitamins in the large intestine is gratly reduced.

However, since there is no vaccine available against Ehrlichiosis, we should rely on reducing available against Ehrlichiosis, we should rely on reducing the dogs tick population. This can only be done by regular use of approved tick control measures that may be recommended by your veterinarian.

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