Mr. Sexton - My Blog

A cure for HIV? (N)

3/15/2013

Article - Early HIV drugs 'functionally cure about one in 10'
Author: James Gallagher

Summary: Scientists have found that 5-15% of people do not have to continue taking drugs to stop the spread of HIV if they are found to have HIV within weeks of infection. However, most people in the UK do not typically find out they have HIV until 5 years after infection.

Personal reflection: It is encouraging to see that maybe there is something that can slow the spread of this epidemic. If we can find the reasoning behind the effective remission of the virus, we may be able to help other individuals induce the virus into a remission as well. Note: HIV is a terrible virus, and there is no "one" way to treat it, as it changes quickly, and drugs can be ineffective from person to person. It is still advisable to protect oneself from acquiring it as opposed to treating it after infection.

Deer Overpopulation in North England (N)

3/6/2013

Article- Deer: 50% cull 'necessary to protect countryside'
Author: Anna-Marie Lever

Summary: Wildlife management says that of the six different species of deer, four are non native species. With this and a lack of natural predators the population has climbed to 1.5million animals. Wildlife management suggests that 50% of the population of deer should be 'culled' to allow for a stable population instead of an exponential increase of animals. They also suggest that venison could supplement the beef industry that has had issues recently.

Personal Reflection: I think it is a great idea to use 'culled' animals as a beef substitute. However, I also believe that a reintroduction of wolves would help to strengthen the heard, and keep it's numbers in check.

History, Application, and Securitization of an IEP (C)

3/6/2013

Individuals with disabilities, like many other groups of people, have experienced a period of discrimination based upon their disability. For too long, a group of the nation’s citizenry was deprived of its right of a free and appropriate public education. Whatever the excuse, there was separation and discrimination of individuals based upon their disabilities. This paper will discuss ...

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Boy scares off lions with flashy invention (ESL)

2/27/2013

Article - Boy scares off lions with flashy invention
Author: Teo Kermeliotis
Summary: Trying to protect his families cows from lions Richard Turere made flashing LED lights to scare lions away at night.
Personal thoughts: it's amazing what you can do if you are met with a problem, and you have the determination to find an answer.

"China suffers from invasive species" (ESL)

2/26/2013

Science Article - China suffers from invasive species
Author: Wang Wei

Summary: China has seen a large number of invasive species in the last 100 years. Some were brought here to help China, but now it is becoming a problem.
Personal reaction: As it becomes easier to move from one country to another this will become more common.

Educated Citizenry (C)

2/26/2013

Written for my legal class on a topic discussion board.

School institutions have become a nexus for the exchange of culture, ideas, values, rituals, and ceremonies. It has become more apparent that the basic school mission to create an educated citizenry does not entail strictly

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Russia starts clean-up after meteor strike (ESL)

2/16/2013

Science Article - Russia starts clean-up after meteor strike
Authors: Phil Black and Laura Smith-Spark, CNN

Summary: a 10,000ton Metor entered Earth's atmosphere, and "blew up" causing 1,000people to be hurt. NASA said this was a "tiny" astroid and is a 1-in-100 years event.
Personal reaction: Every thing was looking at another larger astroid and we never saw this one coming.

What is constructivist teaching? (C)

1/27/2013

I have spent the last few days working on and developing this website to help student become producers of information not just consumers. For me, the study and development of the cronstructivist theory resonates deep within my personhood.

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"Star Trek Style Tractor Beam' Created by Scientists" (ESL)

1/24/2013

Science Article - "Star Trek Style Tractor Beam' Created by Scientists"

Summary: Scientists have used light to cause a pulling effect on an object instead of a pushing effect which normally happens.
Personal thoughts: It is cool to think that this could one day be used to hold things without moving or cause them to move closer.

"DNA perfect for digital storage" (N)

1/23/2013

Science Article - "DNA perfect for digital storage"
Author: Jonathan Amos

Summary: DNA can be kept in stable format for 1000's of years without electricity or degradation, which allows us to keep information for a LONG time.
Personal thoughts: I think it is interesting to think that the technology used to read (and maybe even the English language will change so much) the information on the DNA will need to be modified to match the technology and the language of the time.