Month: December 2007
Pulse of the Planet Daily Audio
Hogmanay
According to Scottish legend, visitors to your door on the night of Hogamanay, will determine your luck for the New Year.
December 28, 2007Jonkonnu: Safety Valve
In the early 1800’s, letting off steam at the annual Jonkonnu celebrations may have been a social safety valve.
December 27, 2007Science Diary: Glaciers – Ice Tunnel
Melting glaciers reveal hidden tunnels within.
December 26, 2007Science Diary: Glaciers – Breaking Up
A loud splash catches the attention of researchers atop a glacier.
December 25, 2007Christmas: Trees & Mistletoe
Some of our most enduring Christmas traditions may date back to the days before that holiday even existed.
December 24, 2007Christmas: History
Believe it or not, there was a time when the singing of Christmas Carols could land you in jail.
December 21, 2007Jonkonnu: Reconstructing
A widely celebrated event during the 1800’s inspired historians and local residents of eastern North Carolina to reconstruct its spectacle.
December 20, 2007Jonkonnu: Kome
Revelers of the Jonkonnu masquerade sing and dance through neighborhoods, visiting homes where their pageantry might be favored with a gift of money.
December 19, 2007Jonkonnu: Origins
In North Carolina, the festival of Jonkonnu is celebrated with influences from West Africa, England, and the Caribbean.
December 18, 2007Bullfrogs – Reducing
Catching bullfrogs is no longer child’s play.
December 17, 2007Science Diary: Glaciers – Movement
If you think that glaciers are just quiet, white masses of ice – well, you’re wrong!
December 14, 2007Science Diary: Acoustical Ecology – Loons
Development and disturbance can silence the beautiful call of the common loon.
December 13, 2007Santa Lucia: Waking Up
Serving sweet bread and wearing a crown of candles, young Swedish girls represent Saint Lucia in an early morning ritual.
December 12, 2007Santa Lucia: History
The ancient legends of Santa Lucia are still embraced by the Swedish culture, with rituals of light in the darkness of winter.
December 11, 2007Science Diary: Bat Diversity – After the Rain
With the rains come lots of insects – and food for pregnant bats!
December 10, 2007Science Diary: Bat Diversity – Rain
A rainy day means that bat research will have to wait!
December 7, 2007Finch: Gender Gap
Researchers host a virtual “dating game” to learn how female finches ultimately choose their mates.
December 6, 2007Science Diary: Acoustical Ecology – Ecosystem
The sound of spring peepers chirping away can tell you about the health of a wetland.
December 5, 2007Science Diary: Bat Diversity – In The Bag
Hiking through the rainforest with bags full of bats around her neck is all in a day’s work for Science Diarist Tigga Kingston.
December 4, 2007Helicopters – Testing It Out
The world’s largest wind tunnel gives researchers the opportunity to test out new aircraft designs.
December 3, 2007Science Diary: Bat Diversity – Climate Change
A belly full of bugs or pregnant? The answer could have an impact on the population levels of Malaysian bats.