The mite measured 170 micrometers and was founded in the body of a spider absorbed in  a lump of amber and it is impossible to see it without a microscope. It is the smallest fossil of an arthropod which has ever been founded.

            Scientists used the CAT (computer-assisted tomography) method and by basing their research on photographs of individual layers of fossil they obtained a 3D reconstruction of the specimen. Thanks to an analysis of details which were covered by the spider’s body scientists could precisely identify the mite that is the oldest known member of Histiostomatidae.

            The method used by specialists from Manchester could help to accurately examine the other representatives of wildlife immersed in primeval-forests resin. The amber specimen was saved in perfect state. Unfortunately lumps of amber containing more than one arthropod occur rarely. The discovery of the mite which was a “fare-dodger” on the spider was an exceptional case.

-Cyrek

Edit: MU (not the football team) have published a 3D reconstruction of the mite in question:

The GPS should have been completed in 2008 and then in 2012. Now engineers claim that the most probable date is the year of 2016. We know only that Galileo is going to work and all of the inhabitants of the Earth will use it. But questions about the sense of a European GPS still appear.

For whom Galileo?

Interestingly, even though the system does not work, we can see the first receivers that conform to it on sale already. Galileo is a civilian project which in theory is not intended for military purposes. The system will officially offer five services.

The first is called Open – a free service which looks like American GPS, and is available all over the world for everybody.

The second, PRS (Public Regulated Signal), is created with a view to thinking about the work of civilian services (police, border guards, fire departments), and will not be widely available.

The third service will offer commercial services with a warranty of very precise measurements (mainly for transport firms) and will not be free of charge.

Next service of Galileo is Safety of Life Service, which is going to inform about decreases in specific items. It will have wide application in aircraft and sea transport.

The last service SAR (Search and Rescue Service) is going to be intended for services which saves castaways.

Those who carefully followed the events of the competition know that this time was very exciting because of many incidents. Not only musical ones. They were able to see the contestants’ character and mentality in their playing style,  completed by their statements to the camera – a lot of interviews or their own advertising films. Fans could even meet the violinist face to face, take a picture, ask for an autograph and congratulate.

A short description – some important facts about the Wieniawski Violin Competition:

- the oldest violin competition in the world, has taken place for over seventy years (in Poznan since 1952)

- four stages

- musical pieces by various composers are performed at each stage of the competition. There is music by, for example: Bach, Mozart, Paganini, Bartók, Beethoven, Brahms and of course Wieniawski. At the first stage violinists play solo, at the second – with the piano, at the third – with a chamber orchestra and at the final stage they play two concertos with a philharmonic orchestra.

- being a winner of this competition is probably the highest honorable mention for a violinist

- in 2001 the first prize winner was Alena Bayeva from Russia, who was only sixteen then!

- the XIII competition may be described as “Polish”, because the first and third prize was awarded to Poles. And accurately – two pretty and talented Polish ladies: Agata Szymczewska and Anna Maria Staśkiewicz;

Alena Bayeva

I think this is the basic minimum knowledge of this competition. All Poznan citizens should know it at least because the competition is held exactly here.

This year I was very excited when the competition started. Every five years people who love violin music wait impatiently for this event. It’s a prodigious feast for the ear and unprecedented emotions – especially at the last stages, when the rivalry is very fierce.

At the first stage contestants have to perform a composition by Bach. They usually choose the Chaconne from Partita BWV 1004

(here you are, it is played by Maxim Vengerov. Unfortunately a little lousy quality, but… tough luck)

This piece is performed at each violin competition so I was quite unhappy when I had to listen to it six times at the first stage audition. Particularly because almost every one horribly abused our poor Bach. By the way, the prize for the best rendering of a work by J.S.Bach was  awarded to Maria Włoszczowska from Poland.

Apart from Bach, compositions by Paganini and Wieniawski and additional other composers were performed.

At the second stage it was much more interesting – the contestants played with the accompaniment of a piano and they had a wide range of musical pieces to choose from. There were funny incidents, too. For example – Aylen Pritchin lost his glasses on stage, Joanna Kreft dropped her bow. But there is no disguising the fact that the performer’s quality was very high.

The serious rivalry started at the third stage. Maxim Vengerov (chair of the jury) thought up an extra challenge. The violinist had to perform the first movement of Sinfonia Concertante in E major of Mozart with a chamber orchestra and a violist after one practice only! It was very difficult, because Simfonia Concertante is for a violin and viola in a duet – they need to arrange interpretation, and one practice is very, very little time for it.

Unfortunately I heard the performances played by Arata Yumi, Stefan Tarara, Soyoung Yoon, Aylen Pritchin and Maria Włoszczowska only, so I can’t compare them with everyone else, but in my opinion Stefan Tarara paired with the viola player best. They played as if they were one body and one instrument, every phrase was completed at the same way, their dynamics were a perfect match – with the orchestra as well. It was really a very good rendition which showed the immense musical talent in Stefan Tarara and Michał Bryła (violist).

Stefan Tarara and Michał Bryła

But certainly the best performer of the third stage generally was Soyoung Yoon, twenty-seven-years-old South Korean. She delighted me and other people (jury too – I’m sure) with her airy, skillful and confident play. Since this moment she became my favorite and didn’t disappoint.

Six contestants were admitted to the final stage – Arata Yumi, Soyoung Yoon, Aylen Pritchin, Stefan Tarara, Miki Kobayashi and  Erzhan Kulibaev. They are musicians of the highest order. It was a surprise that no Pole reached the finals. Since the beginning of this competition in 1935 at least one Pole was in the final stage. So you can see that the situation this year was a bit different and sad.

At the final stage there are two concerts to perform. It is a real test of resilience, competence and talent. Both a trial of strength and  an endurance test. Violinists obligatorily have to play one of Wieniawski’s concerts – D minor or Fis minor. D minor is  a passionate, lyrical, emotional concert while Fis minor is “beset with reefs of virtuosity”. On the first day of final auditions Soyoung Yoon showed what she can do and played concert Fis minor perfectly of intonation, technique and interpretation. Someone said that it was “charming, light, but the same time very true, natural and voluble”. I agree. Later she performed the concert D minor of Sibelius (very difficult and glamorous). Her interpretation was the greatest I have ever heard in my life. She played strong sounds, but almost delicately, movingly, magically; with musical knowledge, virtuosity fantasy and liberty. In short – awesome! She received standing ovations and, I think, the time we already knew who would be the competition’s winner.

At last, after stressful anticipation, we learnt who is the first, second and third prize winner. It wasn’t a big amazement, but some people had objection with the third prize. I don’t want to quarrel, even though I was quite surprise when I heard that Erzhan Kulibaev  only got a distinction. But I ascertained that I’m not such an expert as the members of jury and I didn’t hear every violinist at every stage, so I can’t judge after final performances only. And I finally agree with the jury.

Soyoung Yoon

I prize – Soyoung Yoon (South Korea)

Miki Kobayashi

II prize – Miki Kobayashi (Japan)

Stefan Tarara

III prize – Stefan Tarara (Germany)

Distinctions (in alphabetical order): Erzhan Kulibaev, Aylen Pritchin, Arata Yumi.

http://www.wieniawski.com/yoon_so-young.html

http://www.wieniawski.com/kobayashi_miki.html

http://www.wieniawski.com/tarara_stefan.html

Above you have pages where you can listen to all compositions in performances of winners. Enjoy!

This is the first part of our charts about music. For this week, we prepared a list of 10 best dramas. It’s based on a survey we conducted among our classmates.

10. The Shawshank Redemption

I think this movie is moving and it doesn’t contain any wonderful special effects. The film is good thanks to the screenplay and the actors’ performance.

9. Black Swan

Probably, people like this movie, because Natalie Portman is a good actress and story is very beautiful. The film was nominated for Oscars, too.

8. Slumdog Millionaire

This movie got many prizes: Oscars, BIFAs, BAFTAs etc. It’s a good connection of Bollywood with British film art.

7. The Pianist

It’s a very sad movie about a story based on facts. I think people voted for this, because it’s about a Pole and a hard period of time for the country.

6. Saving Private Ryan

The battle scenes in this movie look amazing. It’s connected with the performance of the actors. It gave an amazing effect!

5. The Lovely Bones

It’s very famous (especially amidst students). Someone who has seen it knows the end of movie, but it’s still exciting for him.

4. The Godfather

It’s a very classic movie, so I’m not surprised by the result.

3. The Green Mile

The movie is as good as “The Shawshank Redemption”. It has got the same director.

2. Titanic

It’s one of the most epic films ever – a beautiful story about love on a sunken ship. Do you know that it’s the second highest-grossing film in history?

1. Forrest Gump

…and this is the first place. I think it got it, because it’s not only drama. The creators connected it with comedy elements. People don’t like grieving very much. They want to watch some funny scenes.

The first stage took place from the 9th to 13th of October, the second from the 13th to 16th this month, the third – 17th to 18th this month and the fourth stage –19th to 21st also this month.

The main prize is 30.000 Euro and a Gold Medal, second position – 20.000 Euro and a Silver Medal, third position – 12.000 Euro and a Bronze Medal, and three honorary distinctions of 5.000 Euro.

To the second stage were selected :
1. Burdzy Maciej
2. Girunyan Oganes
3. Ji Hannah
4. Kamran Omarli
5. Kobayashi Miki
6. Kotz Celina
7. Kreft Joanna
8. Kulibaev Erzhan
9. Kuls Aleksandra
10. Lee Ji-Yoon
11. Moreno Leticia
12. Pritchin Aylen
13. Pronin Stanislav
14. Roudine Fedor
15. Smól Mateusz
16. Steele Emma
17. Strzelecki Maciej
18. Tarara Stefan
19. Ulucan Aysen
20. Valiulina Ekaterina
21. Vasilyeva Marianna
22. Wasiucionek Małgorzata
23. Włoszczowska Maria
24. Yoon Soyoung
25. Yumi Arata
To the third stage were selected :
1. Kobayashi Miki (Japan)
2. Kreft Joanna (Poland)
3. Kulibaev Erzhan (Kazakhstan)
4. Kuls Aleksandra (Poland)
5. Lee Ji-Yoon (South Korea)
6. Pritchin Aylen (Russia)
7. Steele Emma (USA)
8. Strzelecki Maciej (Poland)
9. Tarara Stefan (Germany)
10. Vasilyeva Marianna (Russia)
11. Włoszczowska Maria (Poland)
12. Yoon Soyoung (South Korea)
13. Yumi Arata (Japan)

Soyoung Yoon

Soyoung Yoon is a laureate of the 14th International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition.

The second position – Miki Kobayashi, the third – Stefan Tarara, and the honorary distinctions: Erzhan Kulibaev, Aylen Pritchin and Arata Yumi. Polish – Maria Włoszczowska won 12 violin lessons.

I was on the second stage of 14. International Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition and I wasn’t to the end, but I think, it’s very important to be on the event, which is every 5 years ! But when it comes to classical music – I don’t mind it.
All informations about this contest we can find on this website :
www.wieniawski.com

This discovery has shed new light on th history of evolution of this group of dinosaurs. Thanks to it a really important question arose: Why was it only in the northern hemisphere that tyrannosauruses grew as giant as Tyrannosaurus Rex?

            The unearthed bone came from an animal that measured approximately three meters in length and weighed about eighty kilograms. The reptile had a large head and tiny paws, which is the most characteristic feature of tyrannosaurus.

The last identified dinosaur was called NMV P186069 and was actually smaller than Rex, which was above twelve meters long and weighed above four tonnes. The mammoth reptile could grow to this massive size only in the last stage of development of this species.

According to dr. Roger Benson from the faculty of Geological Sciences on the University of Cambridge “it is extraordinarily tough to explain, why different groups of animals could survive more easily in the north and the other in the south. Now we have to know what the tyrannosaurus’s hike between continents looked like, why these reptiles died out and of course how they managed in the southern hemisphere. The answers to the above questions can only be found with next discoveries”.

by Cyrek

The Nobel Prize in physics in 2011 was shared between four people:  Americans Saul Perlmutterm from California University, Lawrence Berkeley from National Laboratory in U.S. and Adam G. Reiss from John Hopkins University and Space Telescope Science Institute in U.S. as well as Australian Brian P. Schmidt from Australian National University. They were the ones to discover that the universe’s expansion is constantly accelerating. The Nobel committee said that this discovery “shocked cosmology”.

            The key and “shocking” element of the rewarded discovery was the establishment that the universe is getting bigger faster and faster, and galaxies accelerate whilst escaping from the center. The Nobel committee announced: “It means that all in the universe will end in ice”. The galaxies and star systems will be as far from themselves that light from stars would not be able to get planets warm.

Chemistry:

The Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded to Israeli Dan Shechtman. He discovered quasicrystals. They are solids whose order is different to normal crystals. Atoms in quasicrystal molecules are arranged regularly but uniquely. Quasicrystals are in the most durable steel which is used to make razor blades or surgical needles.  The Nobel committee announces that materials constructed from quasicrystals are exceptionally immune to corrosion and sticking. They are good thermo-electrical materials and change heat energy to current. Seventy-year-old Schechtman works at the Israel Institute of Technology in Hajfa.

-c

Draconids (GIA) are a swarm of meteors in irregular activity and their radiant is placed close to the dragon’s head in the Draco constellation. The meteors are remnants of the 21P/Giacobini-Zinner comet and we can see their activity when the comet comes in the vicinity of sun.

On 8^th October about 8.00 pm. we could see a meteor shower, up to ten meteors per second. Unfortunately the moon which was  90% full interfered with our observations.

            The max of the Draconids has been the biggest incident of its type in the last seven years and has become an inspiration to create the project “Draconids 2011”. The project is aimed at researching the explosion of activity of the Draconid swarm. The scheme was executed by members of Polish Fireball Network.

This is a science association which operates independently and despite of the fact that the members are not qualified astronomers they conduct research on a high level and they release the results in journals.

-c

]]> http://zssedu.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/amazing-sky-in-first-week-of-october/feed/ 0 Skymap zssedu http://zssedu.wordpress.com/2011/10/07/the-power-of-oldies/ http://zssedu.wordpress.com/2011/10/07/the-power-of-oldies/#comments Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:18:22 +0000 sewagezombie http://zssedu.wordpress.com/?p=1017 ]]> Do you like music? Don’t you? I like it, but we shouldn’t listen to only few genres. It’s a big mistake.

Certainly you don’t know about it, however if I would ask you, then you, following reflection, could answer my question. The question is “How many songs have you heard or do you know from the ’50s and ’60s?”  I think that a frequent answer could be the bands “The Beatles”, “The Who” or James Brown.
Now, we can’t recognize a simple melody from past years in present songs.  And we should – they’re there. There is another thing. Bands often make covers of old songs. That is their first step to fame.
Now, something about covers. Band like Guns n’ Roses made covers of Bob Dylan’s song “Knockin’ on heaven’s door”. It’s a famous performance of Axl Rose’s band. There is another and it was made by the girlsband ‘Pussycat Dolls’. The song’s name is “Sway” and it is originally by Pablo Bertlan Luiz’s.
The third song is of Nina Simone “Don’t let me be misunderstood” and that song was sung by The Animals and Joe Cocker.
We see that roots are everywhere and without basic knowledge we can’t spring up therefore we have to listen a lot of old music. Undoubtedly, all music has a good influence on us. Just music could be of great help in huge bad situation. Just music.
It’s over. See Ya! And remember , visit us later!

-Bart