Climate Change

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-climate-change-effects-california-20130807,0,7293516.story

This article about the impending climate change occurring in California really caught my interest because weather has been very irregular and seems to be changing constantly. One week it will be extremely hot, which is normal for summer weather, but then the next week it will be cold and almost rain. Maybe this irregular change is the coastal influence the state has, but as mentioned in the article it is the effect of global warming as well. The author includes several references from climate scientists, and they do not know the initial source for this irregularity except for the fact that their observations lead up to a major hypothesis that the climate is in fact changing rapidly. Nature is major evidence for the climate change, just as on of the climate scientists mentions the butterflies' adaptability to the patterns. Similarly humans must adapt to the changing weather, such as frequent flus and cold symptoms, which is the body's immediate way of homeostasis. This fitful bout of climate irregularity will disturb the pattern of adaptability every living thing, even plants, live with. Climate is a major factor that shapes a living being's environment and surroundings to be able to biologically live comfortably.  The impact of these little changes will surely be a major impact for the future, where glaciers will melt, ultimately increasing the world's mass of water. In addition, animals' migration habits and patterns will change accordingly, and this is already happening now, so what will become of the future?

Childhood Obesity

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/06/childhood-obesity-rate_n_3714436.html?utm_hp_ref=healthy-living&ir=Healthy%20Living

This article truly caught my attention simply because this issue is detrimental to the nation, moreover the world. Obesity is a pertinent and disastrous factor in deteriorating health, and, as the author points out, it has been recently seen more often in children. The article takes on an ambivalent tone towards the issue, first stating its decline then its incline. I agree with the points the author brings up, that preschoolers with obesity are prone to lifelong obesity and deteriorating life spans as a result. This is most unfortunate because obesity is a factor that can be prevented with the right measures, if not a genetic problem. With the active speaking Michelle Obama did these past couple of years, schools have definitely improved by providing healthier lunch options and vegetarian alternatives. Removing soda machines was also a big step, preventing students from eating junk at school as much as they can. This doesn't automatically help children because outside factors need to be considered as well. Eating right comes from home, where parents should train children from the beginning to eat healthier and take care of themselves and their bodies. Another step could even be improving fast food restaurants by providing less greasy and high calorie foods. Although most of the population would be angry and devastated with the loss of junk food, in the long run these types of options will end up saving more people. Health experts have proven how unhealthy junk food can be, so why not try to prevent these children from consuming so much of it to stop the growth of childhood obesity?

Illegal Immigration

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-immigration-attitudes-study-20130731,0,4231177.story#

This article brings up an important issue plaguing the border of Mexico and the U.S., which is illegal immigration and its factors. The author's well-developed article ranges from explaining the main focus of the article-reasons for people to illegally immigrate to the U.S. and reaches a narrowed focus on conditions in Mexico compelling immigrants to take that step. The author's reasoning is that economic factors play a minute role in these immigrants' decision, and harsh conditions in Mexico such as unemployment motivates those affected to move out by any means.

I find this article to be quite informative, in that I never quite realized motivations to illegal immigration. I also agree that illegal Mexican immigrants must have a legitimate reason to move out of their homeland, which most likely seems to be corrupt business there as well as diminishing job opportunities for families to prosper. Border cities especially have less-than-favorable conditions due to the immense amount of crime there, and moving to America seems to be the only alternative to escaping. Although their reason is justified, it still doesn't make sense for them to illegally enter. The article suggests racial tension that holds those immigrants from legally asking for permission to reside within the U.S., and this answer seems most logical except for another factor that my Spanish teacher once told me: drug cartels. Human trafficking and smuggling are major problems in border cities between the U.S. and Mexico, where those wanting to move to the U.S. are forced to go in illegally. In this case some illegal immigrants may be forced and in danger in order to actually break laws. All in all there are quite a few factors driving these illegal immigrants to entering the U.S., but economy cannot always be blamed.

Blood Pressure Increasing Among Children

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-elevated-blood-pressure-increasing-among-children-20130712,0,2460192.story#

When I spotted the title of this article, I felt quite surprised that not only teens but also children were being affected by deteriorating health despite their constant activity. The author conveyed the facts and statistics well, weaving the percentages into the actual commentary. The article was well articulated as well and does an exceptional job at separating the genders and displaying accurate information.

Moving on from the article's structure, I noticed that sodium intake was noted as a major contributor to the corrupted health issues, so it is quite disheartening to realize how much of a moderation individuals need to exercise within their dietary intake. It is noteworthy that the author also mentions a relationship between different factors contributing to high blood pressure, such as a large waistline and obesity. It is actually quite unsurprising now that blood pressure also has a direct correlation to obesity, which has plagued the human population vastly. What steps can be taken to prevent this now? Well first off all lay off the candy, and even salt, as mentioned in the article. It is upsetting to think of how close blood pressure is to obesity, yet the major event was the admittance of how much salt a child intakes by a survey for that particular situation. I am deeply appalled at our nation's deteriorating health, even more on prevention benefits.  Towards the end and wrapping up the article, the author demonstrates clear understanding of the pressures and harsh reality children are living with today regarding health, which will unfortunately hold worse consequences for the future.

Obama's Focus on Major Reform

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/25/us/politics/obama-to-restate-economic-vision-at-knox-college.html?hp&_r=0

This article begins with a general view on president Obama's approach to the major debate surrounding gun control, which then proceeds into his view for change in economy to benefit the middle class. The author structures the article by first addressing Obama's speeches and their inclusion of change for the country to benefit middle class economic lifestyles. Soon the article merges into reforms for education, and the author includes refutes from the Republican party.

I am glad to read that pertinent issues such as education and middle class economy are being discussed within the government, and this notion for change is welcome after the tough years of unemployment and poverty. I agree with the president's stance that establishing a secured future for the younger generations will guarantee success for America's future. Education is key to every individual's success, and reform is important to garner improved methods to help achieve success. I am also glad that president Obama is taking action for the middle class, which easily has the most occupants economically. His persuasion for the economic leniency was supported by affordability for colleges and manufacturing aspects. By adding the differing points the Republican party expressed, the author brought a contradiction into the article to further highlight the president's point. Questioning the president's intentions gives readers a chance to truly decide what side to choose and puts the issues into perspective. Furthermore, the author also mentions Democrats also being against reforms that have no point according to them, yet another strategy to make readers be inclined to take a specific side.

Children's Intellectual Benefit from Sleeping

http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21581698-regular-sleeping-hours-really-are-good-childrenif-they-are-girls-bedtime

In this article, the author does an excellent job incorporating anecdotal references in the beginning to draw attention to the topic. Sleep is an important aspect in any individual's life, and without adequate sleep he or she suffers throughout the day. I was interested in this article purely due to my interest in learning about sleeping patterns, and in the article, the author states that genders prove to differentiate in the effects of sleeping patterns. The evidence included that proves that girls seem to gain IQ points from added sleep hours seems a little far-fetched to me simply because it has always been said by any doctor or specialist that everyone benefits from sufficient sleep. Although the article clarifies that this evidence vanishes by the time boys turn seven, it still seems unbelievable that boys under seven have diminished IQ. Besides this minor refute, I agree that a child's intellectual performance directly relates to sleeping patterns, and I don't think any amount of evidence could disprove this. Going back to the article, the way the author incorporates the survey conducted into the body of the article keeps the article well articulated. In the introduction, when the author states that sons do not have added benefits from sleeping habits, she seems to be making an assertion that is too strong compared to the rest of the article. The evidence presented does not disprove claims that regular sleeping habits are beneficial to boys, so it seems too forward when she claims this. Referring to the introduction and conclusion, the author does an exceptional job when including the imagery of children going to bed at bedtime and household depictions to paint the illusion of the effect of sleeping patterns. 

Reverse Vaccine for Type 1 Diabetes

http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-diabetes-reverse-vaccine-20130627,0,7543654.story

This article interested me because it signals a transforming world with greater benefits. Reading this article evoked a sense of pride in the advancing world we live in and how intelligent scientists are to create such a vaccine to kill of killer cells that cause diabetes. Throughout the article, the author also conveys a sense of amazement and wonder for the vaccine that could improve many lives. The article is written in a well structured manner in a way that transitions to direct implications of the vaccine to its general effect on the population.

Although it is the first step to treating diabetes, this vaccine garners much appreciation and hope for patients with diabetes to now that they will not live with the illness forever. When the article explains that the vaccine would suppress the immune system from producing the killer cells, it opens up the medical discussion of the procedure and its consequences. As a result, the pancreatic instinct is to produce insulin, which therefore leads to a beneficial cause due to insulin being the main lack in a diabetic's body. Another half of the article was the experiment, conducted with this vaccine and previous medicine. The vaccine's effectiveness outweighed the previous treatment's effects on the body. The outcome of this result definitely changes my perspective and helped me realize the benefits having such intellects to continually create such notions that advance society is a benefit. With the diction used throughout the article, it conveys a sense of respect and admiration at this new finding, and I can't help but feel happy once again for the scientists who developed the vaccine. This article promises a bright, new material that helps understand a logical part of the main type 1 diabetes inborn in them.