By: Abdihakim Mohamoud

Environmental taxes, also known as carbon taxes, are fees companies are charged for every ton of emissions they produce in hopes of lowering emissions. The first country to implement these taxes was Sweden in 1991, and they have been very successful in doing so.

After countless studies and investigations about the impacts of environmental taxes, data shows that environmental taxes have positive effects on reducing emissions among companies. Research from Sciencedirect.com stated that sulfur dioxide, dust, and nitrogen oxide were significantly reduced from fossil fueled power plants when the environmental taxes policy was implemented.

After China implemented the Environmental Protection Tax law a few years ago, research began estimating the effects of environmental taxes and air pollution in China’s provinces. Compared to the pollution discharge fee policy (which was the previous law in place), pollutants decreased by 4.8 tons after the new policy was introduced.

While having a positive effect on city-level pollutants, environmental taxes were proven to have limited effects on larger, state-owned coal power plants. While the implementation of them may be beneficial for local firms, it is recommended that local governments seek other measures.

The main reason for environmental taxes being controversial is that individuals against them claim they would hurt countries GDPs. Although the tax would come back to consumers in the form of lower income taxes or a reimbursement check, others argue it would benefit bigger businesses rather than lower to middle class people.

In the end, multiple data statistics show environmental taxes having positive effects on a global scale. However, heated debates and controversy about what to do with tax revenues are still prominent. This leaves us with some questions—Should environmental taxes go back to the consumer? Or should it help us progress towards a bigger economy? These questions are yours to ponder upon.

For more information, please visit:

• https://www.oecd.org/env/tools-evaluation/48164926.pdf
• https://mdpi-res.com/d_attachment/sustainability/sustainability-14-00041/article_deploy/sustainability-14-00041-v2.pdf

By: Ava Bleifuss

What is Turner syndrome?

Turner syndrome is a genetic condition that only affects females. According to the National Organization for Rare Diseases, over 70,000 women and girls in the United States have Turner syndrome, which is about 1 in 2,500 female live births.

How does someone get Turner Syndrome?

Turner Syndrome occurs when one or part of an X chromosome is missing. An X chromosome could be missing from all, or only some, of a female’s cells. In a normal situation, a female child receives one X chromosome from the mother and one X chromosome from the father, meaning she would have all of the genes needed. However, since people with Turner Syndrome are missing part, or all, of the X chromosome, some of their genes are missing. Usually after finding a chromosomal error the body would not allow that cell to continue in the process, but in very rare situations somehow the cell does continue and eventually leads to Turner Syndrome. 

What are the symptoms of Turner syndrome?

The majority of babies with this syndrome are lost to miscarriages or still births. However, some babies with Turner Syndrome do survive. For them, the symptoms of Turner Syndrome are physical features revolving around development, because some of the genes are missing from the DNA, which is the genetic makeup of humans. People with this have slowed growth as well as developmental problems. Studies have often shown that people with Turner Syndrome have heart problems or if they don’t, have higher risk of heart disease. 

What is the history of Turner Syndrome? 

Turner Syndrome was first discovered by Dr. Henry Turner who was a physician based in Oklahoma. Turner was a pioneer endocrinologist who spent his whole life studying endocrinology. It was first described in 1938 in his manuscripts, but the cause was not identified until 1959. He presented his observations describing seven patients with the same developmental and physical features. These symptoms had never been reported before. Turner later wrote over 30 publications discussing Turner Syndrome. 

What is the treatment for Turner Syndrome?

While there is no cure for Turner Syndrome yet, there are ways to help control the symptoms. Turner Syndrome affects a lot of the body’s growth. Most of the treatments are there to help make up for what was lost. Common things to use as treatment are growth hormones to help with height, and estrogen therapy which helps with starting puberty. Surgeries and medications are also common treatments for Turner Syndrome, but only when needed or a problem occurs. 

For more information, please visit:

• https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/turner-syndrome 
• https://www.healio.com/news/endocrinology/20120325/henry-h-turner-md-the-man-behind-turner-s-syndrome 
• https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/turner-syndrome/#:~:text=Turner%20syndrome%20affects%20approximately%201,United%20States%20have%20Turner%20syndrome

By: Ashley Harris

There are over forty thousand endangered species around the globe; some of which hold crucial necessities to not only keep the food chain alive but also life as we know it alive.

According to the ‘IUCN Red List’ which is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species; 41% of all amphibians are at an extreme risk of going extinct. Amphibians play essential roles, both as predators and prey, in their ecosystems. Amphibians tend to eat pest insects such as flies, mealworms, crickets, and all sorts of beetles; all of which are known to cause problems such as carrying disease, damaging crops, and much more.

With all the risks included in losing some of earth’s critical species, scientists around the world have been trying to come up with a solution for centuries. Finally, after years of debate, The Phoenix Zoo in Arizona sparked a chain of what is now known as captive breeding. Captive breeding is the process in which a zoo takes in at least two endangered animals from the same species and drives them to reproduce until finally reintroducing them into the wild.

Sounds like the perfect solution right? Well, although this might seem like a great idea there have been many speculations in the past few years; as well as accusations towards certain risk factors that the zoos were covering up. Some of these risk factors include minor things such as the animals refusing to reproduce, but mostly include major factors such as the spread of disease, loss of genetic diversity, depression and/or anxiety in the animals, and unsustainable conditions for the animals to live in due to insufficient funds.

Although this list seems vast these are only the risk factors that take place in the zoo itself; many more risks come with the reintroduction of animals back into the wild. Animals are crucial to life on earth, but should we turn to zoos as the answer?

By: Liv Miller

The earth is filled with millions of different beautiful species of animals. No matter where you are in the world, you are exposed to many different unique and amazing animals. There is one huge problem facing these animals today, extinction.

First let’s talk about extinction itself, what it is and how it happens. Extinction is the dying out, or extermination of a single species of animal. There can be many reasons or causes of this happening. Extinction can occur when species are negatively affected due to environmental forces. Some examples of these environmental forces are natural disasters, global change, or overexploitation of species for human use.

Another cause of extinction can be due to evolutionary changes, this includes poor reproduction, genetic inbreeding, or decline in population numbers.

No matter how or where it happens, extinction is a growing issue putting many different beloved species at risk.

The first species I found that was at risk of extinction was the loggerhead sea turtle. The reason why many species who mainly live near, or in water, like the loggerhead turtles are in danger, is because according to Biologicaldiversity.org a huge percentage of the world’s population live within at least 150 miles of the coast. This puts a lot of pressure on species trying to find space to live and reproduce among all of the people and crowds. This causes more problems that are contributing to the extinction of this animal. For example; destruction of their nesting habitat, harassment while nesting, over harvesting of its eggs, ect.

Another species I want to talk about is the Florida panther. A great population of this animal used to live across all of the southeastern parts of the United States, but now is confined to just a small area in Florida. The reason this animal is facing extinction is because of the destruction of their habitat. Urban expansion is a huge threat to wildlife, and is causing not just the Florida panther, but many other species to become extinct. According to Biologicaldiversity.org, large numbers of panthers died due to the growing network of roads connecting Florida’s growing human population spread throughout the state. As of 2011, there were only 100-120 panthers left.

These are just two of the close to a million species in which their population is declining and facing extinction. Many causes of this issue are unavoidable, but I do believe that there can be something done to save at least some of these beautiful animals.

By: Ava Bleifuss

Diabetes is a long lasting health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. How does your body turn food into energy? The food that you eat is broken down into glucose/sugar and released into your bloodstream for your body to use. When your blood sugar gets too high, there is a signal that goes to your pancreas to release insulin. Insulin is a lot like a key and in this case it lets the blood sugar into the body’s cells to use as energy. When someone has diabetes, this process does not work.

There are two types of diabetes that a person can have; the first kind is type 1 diabetes. Studies have shown that type 1 diabetes occurs by an autoimmune reaction, which is when the body attacks itself by mistake. That autoimmune reaction stops your pancreas from producing insulin. Without insulin blood sugar is not able to get into cells and it can cause many buildups in the bloodstream.

Type 1 diabetes can also be passed on from parents. If a parent has diabetes then it is possible the child also has the gene, and is more likely to develop it. Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2 and is often diagnosed in the younger years of a person’s life. 

The second type of diabetes is type 2 diabetes. Type 2 and type 1 diabetes often get mixed up because type 2 is just where your body doesn’t use insulin properly. People with type 2 diabetes, their bodies can not control the blood sugar enough to keep it at a normal level. This long term condition causes too much sugar circulating in a person’s bloodstream, and the cells do not respond normally to insulin.

Most people who have diabetes have type 2, and it develops over many years. Normally, it is diagnosed during adulthood, but children and teens are able to get type 2 diabetes. There is no said cure for this type, but it can be managed and controlled by losing weight, eating well, exercising, and drinking plenty of water. 

Managing diabetes can be difficult. People with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes have to take insulin shots or can use an insulin pump to manage their blood sugar levels. They have to check their blood sugar regularly to make sure it is in the appropriate range. If it is too low, people with diabetes will have to take in more glucose, and if it is too high, they will have to take in more insulin. Having a lot of stress can cause managing diabetes to be more challenging, but doing regular physical activity, getting enough sleep, and having relaxation exercises can help. 

For more information, please visit:

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20353011
• https://www.lifelinescreening.com/health-education/diabetes/type-1-type-2-diabetes?sourcecd=WNAT003
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20351193

By: Reed Morris

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), is the flagship observatory for NASA’s next generation of space telescopes. The project has been in progress for years and has cost around 10 billion dollars to complete. Many people refer to it as “The new Hubble”; while this is partially true, Hubble and the JWST have very different missions, and operational capabilities.

The two most important differences between the two observatories are their mirror sizes, and the imaging equipment on board. The size of the mirrors are very important as the image quality and range capabilities of telescopes directly rely on the size of their mirrors. Hubble is equipped with a mirror 2.4 meters or 7.8’ in diameter, whereas the JWST has a mirror diameter of 6.5 meters or 21.3’, a massive leap forward for space telescope capabilities.

The other main difference between the two is their individual operation capabilities. Hubble has cameras that focus mostly on the visible light range with minimal ultraviolet and infrared capabilities. The JWST however has extreme infrared capabilities. This is where the time machine nickname comes from. Infrared imaging in space exploration is extremely important because of the way that the expansion of the universe affects light. The farther away an object is from an observer, the greater the expansion and stretching of the universe affect the wavelength of light. As space stretches, so does the wavelength of light, redshifting the waves from visible light onto the infrared spectrum. Having high infrared capabilities is necessary to image events that took place an incomprehensible amount of time in the past, over similarly incomprehensible distances.

The James Webb Space Telescope is a monumental step forward in astronomy. It will let us peer billions of years into the past to witness the formation of the first galaxies. It will also be used to search for exoplanets that could harbor life, and get beautiful images of the vast expanses of space. The galaxy formations that the JWST will be observing are events that took place possibly only 100 million years after the creation of the universe, the Big Bang. While Hubble was, and still is a hugely important tool for space exploration, the JWST ushers in a new era of deep space imaging, and is a launching pad for humanity’s better understanding of the creation of galaxies and the universe as a whole.

By: Liibaan Yusuf

To begin, schizoaffective disorder is a mental disorder not always easily identifiable. However, the core symptoms are usually very noticeable though they can be mistaken for other mental illnesses. Unstable mood, irregular thought processes, and depression are usually the main callers for attention, however, schizoaffective disorder can sometimes be an afterthought diagnosis especially if the patient has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and any other mood disorder beforehand.

There are two main types of schizoaffective disorder. One is the bipolar type; where the patient shows episodes of mixed emotions and mania. The other is the depressive type; patients diagnosed with this have been known to be misdiagnosed with depression and/or bipolar disorder.

What do mental abnormalities have to do with your diet? Instead ask this, what does your diet do to influence mental abnormalities? Although schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are still being studied, and are thought to have no known causes, it’s widely assumed that they are genetic and worsened by outside factors. Researchers at the Seoul Women’s University conducted a study with shocking findings. Researchers found that diets lacking anti-inflammatory foods are likely to worsen issues and problems caused by schizoaffective disorder.

Doctors and specialists recommend an anti-inflammatory rich diet (think foods like dragonfruit) to work against schizoaffective disorder. Although it cannot be prevented entirely, nor worked against, it is merely a slow down effect. Foods rich in Omega-3’s such as seafood, nuts, and legumes should be a staple in the diets of patients as well. Studies show that those who struggle with schizoaffective disorder also are missing concerning amounts of vitamins D and B which are described as ‘therapeutic’ in reversing negative aspects of the disorder.

A study conducted in Bahrain had examined the links between schizophrenia, a close cousin to schizoaffective disorder, and its links to diet. The Bahraini researchers found that the gut plays a big part in this whole case. Since the gut is responsible for the digestion and absorption of nutrients, any issues with the intake of nutrients will have notable effects on the mind.

More specifically, two missing gut enzymes, Succinivibrio and Corynebacterium, are common bacteria found in all people throughout the world, although those with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are missing both. Scientists are still not sure what causes this and how and if it links with schizophrenia, but it is concerning nonetheless.

For more information, please visit:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7644368/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31898212/

By: Abigail Hernandez Castillo & Thalia Pliego

As the world changes everyday, science changes and evolves everyday as well. There have been advances in all areas of science and regrowing limbs in adult frogs is one of them. According to CBS News, scientists at Tufts University and Harvard University’s Wyss Institute have been able to regrow amputated limbs. A study that was published in Science Advances shows how the researchers used a chemical cocktail to induce this growth on the frogs’ limbs. Currently, “The ability to regrow limbs is limited to ‘salamanders and superheroes,'” the team said in a press release. Science Advances further explains that, “For the study, scientists began by applying the five-drug chemical cocktail infused with silk protein gel to the African clawed frogs stump and they covered it with a silicone dome,” called the BioDome. 

Both frogs and humans share a similarity, they both cannot regrow limbs. According to Live Science, based on a new study, researchers had successfully been able to get African clawed frogs to grow new replacement limbs in 18 months which was followed by a treatment that lasted 24 hours. Humans are able to close open wounds and use stem cells to regrow parts of the liver, similar to animals like salamanders who can regrow entire limbs. However, as of right now both frogs and humans cannot fully regrow limbs. “The cells of the frog already know how to make frog legs, our goal is to figure out how to convince them to do it again.” says Micheal Levin, a biologist at Tufts University.

According to Science News, Michael Levin and his team amputated the back legs of 115 adult African clawed frogs. ⅓ of these frogs received BioDomes, which are silicone sleeves that cover the wound on the legs. Researchers attached BioDomes holding a gel that contained 5 chemicals which included a nerve growth promoter, an anti-inflammatory substance, and a growth hormone to another third of the frogs. The last ⅓ of the frogs had not received any treatments before being placed into their tanks. The BioDomes had stayed on the African clawed frogs for 24 hours. So why use BioDomes? According to David Kaplan, a professor of engineering at Tufts University, “Using the BioDome cap in the first 24 hours helps mimic an amniotic-like environment, which, along with the right drugs, allows the rebuilding process to proceed without the interference of scar tissue”. 

According to Science News, Over the next 18 months, frogs had grown new limbs after amputation. The ⅓ of the frogs that didn’t receive treatments grew a spiky stump. The ⅓ of the frogs that received BioDome devices and drugs grew the longest limbs with the greatest bone density and more blood vessels and nerves. According to CBS News, the new limbs had bones and several “toes” that grew at the end of the limbs, however, the toes did not have bones. The frogs were able to feel when the limb was brushed over with stiff fiber and could also use the new limb to swim through the water. 

This new study could be beneficial to humans in the long run. It increases life quality. According to Fast Company, traumatic injury is one of the leading causes of death and disability in Americans. The most lifelong disability is limb loss from severe injury. These injuries are often caused by car accidents, athletic injuries, side effects of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and even battlefield injuries. The treatment is far from being ready to be used in humans, but it is known that it only works immediately after injury. Uncovering and understanding his process is a start to a new beginning in regenerative medicine. 

We interviewed a senior at Highland High for their input on this article. “I think this is a good discovery because if we know how to make frogs regrow limbs, hopefully in the future we can figure out how to make humans regrow limbs so that if a person has to get amputated, it will be less traumatizing because they will possibly be able to regrow it and have it like nothing ever happened.” 

By: Fatima Mohamud & Sumaya Noor

What exactly is air pollution?

Air pollution refers to pollutants being let out into the atmosphere. It’s often talked about in the news but not taken as seriously as it should be. It can affect people of all ages, animals and the earth itself. About. 4.2 million people die per year because of outdoor air pollution, and about 3.8 million die from inside polluted substances according to the World Health Organization. 9 out of 10 people breathe air that is very unhealthy per day, and it’s become so normalized that it’s hard to tell, and our bodies have adjusted to it.

Air pollution can also get into our systems other ways than breathing. Air pollutants can enter you through your skin. Gaseous pollutants can deeply penetrate the respiratory system and absorb wet tissue. Some countries are more prone to air pollution such as Japan, South Korea, and others. When the air becomes too unsafe to breathe in, these countries usually take precautions and mandate you wear a mask to protect yourself.

How can air pollution affect your health?

Air pollution is responsible for many diseases and life threatening illnesses that happen to thousands of people per year. These consist of: stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, leukemia, asthma attacks etc.

People with breathing problems are very vulnerable to air pollution as it can become difficult for them to breathe. Pollution can severely affect your life and the way your body functions, however distancing yourself from these sources can help.

Air pollution can also affect animals such as your pets, farm animals and almost extinct ones.

It can also affect the way you eat; if you have an appetite or if the food you’re eating is actually healthy.

Where does air pollution come from?

As many people know, air pollution comes from places like factories, essential to society and everywhere in life, it also has its downsides because of health issues. Factories often emit gasses and chemicals such as carbon dioxide, methane, and other particles unsafe to consume.

Cars also let out pollution too, they let out nitrogen dioxide which is extremely unhealthy to breathe although we use our cars everyday. Vehicles are also one of the main reasons air pollution is becoming such a big deal, as they can also affect temperatures and weather.

Air pollution is usually fossil fuels, which fuels our cars, heats our homes, and factories. Taking these all into account, you can imagine how much gas are releasing into the atmosphere.

How does air pollution affect the environment?

The most common pollution to affect the environment are fossil fuels. These are burned and release gasses and chemicals directly into the atmosphere.

Smog is a common pollution that is a mixture of smoke and fog and is most common in less developed large counties or cities.

Air pollutants can also directly contaminate bodies of water, affecting aquatic life and our drinking water.

When pollutants contaminate soil, it can kill crops, young trees and plants. Farmers would deal with stunted growth of their crops.

Another example of how air pollution affects our environment is global warming; a huge issue created by pollution that is rapidly affecting earth. Global warming is the rise of temperatures around the world’s air and oceans. Carbon dioxide is a gas emitted into the air by burning fossil fuels, which powers our cars, planes, and heat our homes. But the excessive use of these fuels is the biggest reason for global warming, and if we don’t stop or find a solution we could be facing a dangerous future for the entire globe.

For more information, please visit:

• https://www.nrdc.org/stories/air-pollution-everything-you-need-know
• https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/air-quality

By: Mila Hart

There are a lot of celestial events in store for us in 2022. Here is a list of the most noteworthy astronomical events that we will be able to see with our own eyes this year.

Starting in mid-February, and going till mid-March, Venus will be at its brightest. If you would like to brave the cold, you could see it a few hours before sunrise in the low southeast sky. It will be the brightest on February 13th.

On March 14th you can expect to see some shooting stars in the Y-Normid Meteor Shower. The only meteor shower in March with up to six meteors per hour.

You can expect another meteor shower on April 22nd called the Lyrid Meteor Shower. Make sure to go somewhere dark, with no light pollution, so that you can see up to eighteen meteors per hour.

On May 1st there will be a conjunction of Jupiter and Venus. Look up at the night sky to see the two brightest planets become a “double star” with Venus passing within 0°14’ of Jupiter. They will be visible in the east at dawn.

Another exciting meteor shower will take place on May 6th called the Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower. You will be able to see bright shooting stars from Halley’s Comet. Expect up to 40 meteors per hour.

On May 16th there will be a total lunar eclipse. This eclipse will be visible from Africa, the Americas, Europe, and French Polynesia.

On June 14th there will be something called the Super Strawberry Moon. This is the first super moon of the year and the moon will appear up to 14% bigger and 30% brighter than usual.

The second super moon of the year will take place on July 13th. It is called the Buck Moon/Thunder Moon. This is the closest the moon will get to earth in 2022.

You can expect to see up to 25 meteors per hour on July 29-30 during the Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower. The best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight.

On August 12-13 I highly recommend leaving the city to see one of the best meteor showers of the year. The Perseid Meteor Shower peaks at up to 150 meteors per hour under dark skies. Also, on August 12th, you can see the last super moon of the year called the Sturgeon Moon.

The last noteworthy celestial event of 2022 ends with an exciting show. On November 8th there will be a total eclipse of the moon. This eclipse will mainly be seen from the western half of North America, the Hawaiian Islands, eastern Asia, Indonesia, New Zealand, and the eastern half of Australia. The total eclipse will last around one hour and twenty-five minutes.