May 31, 2006

Redback Spiders-Sexual Cannibalism

For the female Redback spider, the key to successful mating is simple: find a male spider, mate, and then eat him!

May 30, 2006

Song of the Dong

The Dong people, one of about 50 minority groups in China, have long used song as a means of recounting and preserving their history.

May 29, 2006

Sounds of the Sun – Inside

Scientists are using sound to answer one of mankind’s oldest questions – what might be taking place inside the sun?

May 26, 2006

Sounds of the Sun

The sun is in constant turbulent motion, like the contents of a fiery cauldron, causing it to ring like an enormous bell.

May 25, 2006

Egg Hatchery: Mail Order Chickens

The biology of the chicken makes it possible for newly hatched chicks to be sent through the mail.

May 24, 2006

Storks – Legend

The white stork is a revered creature in Hungary, a central figure in fable and folklore.

May 23, 2006

Storks – Voices

Baby storks have a cry remarkably like human babies, but adult storks clatter their bills instead of calling.

May 22, 2006

Storks – Homing

Pairs of white storks amaze Hungarians by returning year after year to nest in the exact same spot.

May 19, 2006

Hummingbirds – Brain Structure

The brain structure of hummingbirds has given researchers something to think about.

May 18, 2006

Hummingbirds – Brain Size Doesn’t Matter

Understanding the cerebral activity of hummingbirds may lead researchers to resolve human language disorders.

May 17, 2006

Hummingbirds – Imitative Songs

Hummingbirds are tiny virtuosos of the animal kingdom.

May 16, 2006

Dark Skies – Asteroid Defense

Astronomers are scouring the skies for rogue asteroids headed our way. They say the job is made more difficult by light pollution.

May 15, 2006

Dark Skies – Turn Out the Lights

Astronomers battling light pollution are working with local governments to reduce the amount of stray light emitted from houses, parking lots, and street lights.

May 12, 2006

Termites: It’s All in the DNA

Scientists are hoping to find a shortcut to hydrogen power- by studying the microbes found in a termite’s gut.

May 11, 2006

Sibley – Warblers

The “Holy Grail” of bird watching is finding and identifying warblers, and the best month to go on this quest is May.

May 10, 2006

Sibley – Drawing Birds

An accomplished avian artist continually refines his craft.

May 9, 2006

Butter – Spreading the Word on Pollution

Scientists are turning to a new source of data for studying chemical pollution – butter.

May 8, 2006

To Soar – It’s a UAV

Unmanned Air Vehicles are being used for everything from weather monitoring to reconnaissance in Iraq. The next stop may be Mars.

May 5, 2006

Sibley – Like An Oasis

Like the inhabitants of New York City, migrating birds find Central Park an oasis amidst the metropolitan landscape.

May 4, 2006

Sibley – Language of the Birds

Correctly identifying bird sounds is similar to learning a second language.

May 3, 2006

Sibley – Birdwatching 101

As any expert would tell you, the first step to bird watching, is well, finding the birds. Here are some tips.

May 2, 2006

Narwhal Tusks – Legends

With its long tusk-like tooth and mottled coloration, the Narwhal has intrigued sailors and royalty alike and may have been the inspiration for the Unicorn.

May 1, 2006

Narwhal Tusks – Big Tooth

A fifteen-foot whale with an 8 foot-long tusk may sound like another fish story, but it’s not!