Is It Possible To Maneuver Around A Laser Beam Alarm?
Finding: BUSTED
Explanation: The MythBusters took on spy movie magic and attempted to pull off a modern-day heist masterminded by Grant Imahara. Since every good Hollywood heist involves outwitting alarm systems, Grant constructed a laser beam alarm room outfitted with visible and infrared lasers for Tory Belleci and Kari Byron to try to tiptoe their way through.
Setting up the laser beam alarm system was easier said than done, however, since no known alarm companies actually manufacture systems with visible laser beams like we see in the movies. Why? Because, as amateur thieves Tory and Kari proved with this experiment, it may be possible to worm your way around the visible lasers. For example, they found that blowing fine powder in the air, a la Catherine Zeta Jones in the film Entrapment, could illuminate the rays, and jamming another laser into the alarm laser receptor might disarm the system.
In reality, though, most security system companies use infrared laser beams, which are invisible. So while Tory and Kari could plausibly tiptoe around the visible laser beams, the infrared laser backup system - the one today's tricksters are up against — busted them every time.
As seen in "MythBusters: Crimes and Myth-Demeanors."
Can You Stop A Car By Shifting It Into Reverse?
Finding: BUSTED
Explanation: In the 1930s, comic book character Dick Tracy had a hair-raising ride in a brake-tampered car, though he didn't even try to shift gears to stop it, as this myth suggests. But could you really stop a speeding car by shifting into reverse? The MythBusters got behind the wheel to put the brakes on this tire-squealing myth.
Two types of transmissions — manual and automatic — are at the center of this theory, but neither offers much stopping power when you're commandeering a steel bullet on wheels. Turns out, you can put a moving car's automatic shifter into reverse, but the transmission will actually go into neutral. Most modern vehicles have safeguards to prevent engine damage, which is what would happen if you flipped directly from "D" to "R." Putting it in neutral will keep your vehicle from continuing to accelerate as if you were pressing the gas pedal, but unless you're also applying the brakes, the change in gears alone won't slow your current speed drastically enough to stop it.
If you discover your brakes don't work, downshifting a manual transmission into a lower gear can slow your speed. But when the car is moving, the reverse gear won't work because it turns in a direction opposite to all the other gears.
Looks like when the brakes are out, your only option besides "go" is "slow."
As seen in "MythBusters: Viewer Special I."
Can A Secret Agent Dive To A Formal Party In A Tuxedo?
Finding: CONFIRMED
Explanation: How many times has James Bond or some other big-screen spy hopped into a tuxedo, taken a scuba dive and then arrived at a cocktail party looking fresh as a daisy? Enough times for a viewer to ask MythBusters Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage to test whether the confines of a scuba suit can really keep a tux looking crisp and dry.
For the sake of science, Jamie first slipped on a penguin suit and then zipped into a dry suit. Astonishingly, after he emerged from his scuba dive and removed his underwater apparel, the tuxedo didn't bear a single water droplet or wrinkle.
Although a lot of spy movie antics are impossible to pull off, the MythBusters confirmed that you can indeed scuba dive to a black tie event without mussing up the tux.
As seen in "MythBusters: Minimyth Madness"
Can You Beat Police Radars?
Finding: BUSTED
Explanation: One of the most feared weapons in a police officer's arsenal is the dreaded radar gun. By firing at passing cars with microwaves that then bounce back at different frequencies, the devices detect whether drivers are cruising over the speed limit.
MythBusters Tory Belleci, Kari Byron and Scottie Chapman tried out a lineup of supposed radar gun-dodging tricks, including jingling keys at the radar gun; hanging disco balls and CDs from rearview mirrors; installing LED light license plates; and covering hubcaps and an entire car in aluminum foil. The team also assembled a microwave gun and aluminum foil-shooting gun meant to scramble the police radar gadgets. As a last resort, the MythBusters even covered their test Cadillac in matte black paint in hopes of sneaking it past the radar undetected.
But as the MythBusters suspected, none of these stealth tactics helped them give the radar gun the slip.
Let the busted myth be a lesson to lead-footed folks everywhere — the only surefire way to pass by police speed guns without getting caught is to drive the speed limit.
As seen in "MythBusters: Beat the Radar Detector"
Environmental Scientist
Have you ever noticed that for people with asthma it can sometimes be especially hard to breathe in the middle of a busy city? One reason for this is the exhaust from vehicles. Cars, buses, and motorcycles add pollution to our air, which affects our health. But can pollution impact more than our health? Cutting down trees, or deforestation, can contribute to erosion, which carries off valuable topsoil. But can erosion alter more than the condition of the soil? How does an oil spill harm fish and aquatic plants? How does a population of animals interact with its environment? These are questions that environmental scientists study and try to find answers to. They conduct research or perform investigations to identify and eliminate the sources of pollution or hazards that damage either the environment or human and animal health. Environmental scientists are the stewards of our environment and are committed to keeping it safe for future generations.
Education and Training
A bachelor's degree in an earth science is adequate for entry-level positions, although many companies prefer to hire environmental scientists with a master's degree in environmental science or a related natural science. A doctoral degree generally is necessary only for college teaching and some research positions. Some environmental scientists and specialists have a degree in environmental science, but many earn degrees in biology, chemistry, physics, or the geosciences and then apply their education to the study of the environment. They often need research or work experience related to environmental science.
A bachelor's degree in environmental science offers an interdisciplinary approach to the natural sciences, with an emphasis on biology, chemistry, and geology. Undergraduate environmental science majors typically focus on data analysis and physical geography, which are particularly useful in studying pollution abatement, water resources, or ecosystem protection, restoration, and management. Understanding the geochemistry of inorganic compounds is becoming increasingly important in developing remediation goals. Students interested in working in the environmental or regulatory fields, either in environmental consulting firms or for federal or state governments, should take courses in hydrology, hazardous-waste management, environmental legislation, chemistry, fluid mechanics, and geologic logging, which is the gathering of geologic data. An understanding of environmental regulations and government permit issues also is valuable.
For environmental scientists and specialists who consult, courses in business, finance, marketing, or economics may be useful. In addition, combining environmental science training with other disciplines such as engineering or business qualifies these scientists for the widest range of jobs.
Other Qualifications
Computer skills are essential for prospective environmental scientists. Students who have some experience with computer modeling, data analysis and integration, digital mapping, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS) will be the most prepared to enter the job market.
Environmental scientists and specialists usually work as part of a team with other scientists, engineers, and technicians, and they must often write technical reports and research proposals that communicate their research results or ideas to company managers, regulators, and the public. Environmental health specialists also work closely with the public, providing and collecting information on public health risks. As a result, strong oral and written communication skills are essential.
Nature of the Work
Environmental scientists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment by identifying problems and finding solutions that minimize hazards to the health of the environment and the population. They analyze measurements or observations of air, food, water, and soil to determine ways to clean and preserve the environment. Understanding the issues involved in protecting the environment—degradation, conservation, recycling, and replenishment—is central to the work of environmental scientists. They often use this understanding to design and monitor waste disposal sites, preserve water supplies, and reclaim contaminated land and water. They also draft risk assessments, describing the likely effect of construction and other environmental changes, write technical proposals, and give presentations to managers and regulators.
Many environmental scientists work for local, state, and federal governments, ensuring that environmental regulations are followed to limit the impact of human activity on the environment. Others monitor environmental impacts on the health of the population, checking for risks of disease and providing information about health hazards. Environmental scientists also work with private companies to help them comply with environmental regulations and policies. They are usually hired by consulting firms to solve problems.
Many environmental scientists have jobs and training similar to other physical or life scientists, but they focus on environmental issues. Many specialize in subfields such as environmental ecology and conservation, environmental chemistry, environmental biology, or fisheries science. Specialties affect the specific activities that environmental scientists perform, although recent understandings of the interconnectedness of life processes have blurred some traditional classifications. For example, environmental ecologists study the relationships between organisms and their environments and the effects on both by factors such as population size, pollutants, rainfall, temperature, and altitude. They may collect, study, and report data on air, soil, and water using their knowledge of various scientific disciplines. Ecological modelers study ecosystems, pollution control, and resource management using mathematical modeling, systems analysis, thermodynamics, and computer techniques. Environmental chemists study the toxicity of various chemicals—that is, how those chemicals harm plants, animals, and people.
Work Environment
Many entry-level environmental scientists and specialists spend a significant amount of time in the field, while experienced workers generally devote more time to office or laboratory work. Some environmental scientists, such as environmental ecologists and environmental chemists, often take field trips that involve physical activity. Environmental scientists in the field may work in warm or cold climates, in all kinds of weather. Travel often is required to meet with prospective clients.
On the Job
• Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological and mineralogical information, and soil or water samples.
• Analyze data to determine validity, quality, and scientific significance, and to interpret correlations between human activities and environmental effects.
• Communicate scientific and technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
• Provide scientific and technical guidance, support, coordination, and oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
• Process and review environmental permits, licenses, and related materials.
• Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations that meet all appropriate requirements.
• Prepare charts or graphs from data samples, providing summary information on the environmental relevance of the data.
• Determine data collection methods to be employed in research projects and surveys.
• Investigate and report on accidents affecting the environment.
• Research sources of pollution to determine their effects on the environment and to develop theories or methods of pollution abatement or control.
Companies That Hire Environmental Scientists
• CH2M Hill
• U.S. Federal Government
URS
Ask Questions
Do you have a specific question about a career in Environmental Science that isn't answered on this page? Post your question on Science Buddies Ask an Expert Forum.
Additional Information
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Sources
• BLS. (2009). Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH), 2008-09 Edition, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved May 1, 2009, from http://www.bls.gov/oco/
• O*Net Online. (2009). National Center for O*Net Development. Retrieved May 1, 2009, from http://online.onetcenter.org/
• Smith, S. E. (2011, February 25). What Does an Environmental Scientist Do? wiseGEEK.com. Retrieved May 4, 2011, from www.wisegeek.com/what-does-an-environmental-scientist-do.htm
• The Princeton Review. (n.d.). Environmentalist/environmental scientist. Retrieved May 4, 2011, from www.princetonreview.com/Careers.aspx?cid=61
• Oregon State University. (2011). Interview with Dr. Staci Simonich. Environmental Health Sciences Center. Retrieved May 4, 2011, from www.unsolvedmysteries.oregonstate.edu/meet_Staci
• Haroski, D. (n.d.). Science Notebook: Interview with Kathryn Snead. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved May 4, 2011, from www.epa.gov/epahome/sciencenb/interviews/snead.html
Twin Cities Public Television. (2006). Real scientists: Ariana Sutton-Grier. DragonflyTV. Retrieved June 23, 2011, from pbskids.org/dragonflytv/scientists/scientist56.html
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-engineering-careers/EnvSci_environmentalscientist_c001.shtml#whatdotheydo
Wow! Dung Beetles Navigate by the Stars
By: Joseph Castro, LiveScience Contributor
24 January 2013 - Despite having tiny brains, dung beetles are surprisingly decent navigators; able to follow straight paths as they roll poo balls they've collected away from a dung source. But it seems the insects' abilities are more remarkable than previously believed. Like ancient seafarers, dung beetles can navigate using the starry sky and the glow from the Milky Way, new research shows.
"This is the first time where we see animals using the Milky Way for orientation," said lead researcher Marie Dacke, a biologist at Lund University in Sweden. "It's also the first time we see that insects can use the stars."