December 31, 2007

Hogmanay

According to Scottish legend, visitors to your door on the night of Hogamanay, will determine your luck for the New Year.

December 28, 2007

Jonkonnu: Safety Valve

In the early 1800’s, letting off steam at the annual Jonkonnu celebrations may have been a social safety valve.

December 27, 2007

Science Diary: Glaciers – Ice Tunnel

Melting glaciers reveal hidden tunnels within.

December 26, 2007

Science Diary: Glaciers – Breaking Up

A loud splash catches the attention of researchers atop a glacier.

December 25, 2007

Christmas: Trees & Mistletoe

Some of our most enduring Christmas traditions may date back to the days before that holiday even existed.

December 24, 2007

Christmas: History

Believe it or not, there was a time when the singing of Christmas Carols could land you in jail.

December 21, 2007

Jonkonnu: Reconstructing

A widely celebrated event during the 1800’s inspired historians and local residents of eastern North Carolina to reconstruct its spectacle.

December 20, 2007

Jonkonnu: 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, 2007

Jonkonnu: Origins

In North Carolina, the festival of Jonkonnu is celebrated with influences from West Africa, England, and the Caribbean.

December 18, 2007

Bullfrogs – Reducing

Catching bullfrogs is no longer child’s play.

December 17, 2007

Science Diary: Glaciers – Movement

If you think that glaciers are just quiet, white masses of ice – well, you’re wrong!

December 14, 2007

Science Diary: Acoustical Ecology – Loons

Development and disturbance can silence the beautiful call of the common loon.

December 13, 2007

Santa 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, 2007

Santa 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, 2007

Science Diary: Bat Diversity – After the Rain

With the rains come lots of insects – and food for pregnant bats!

December 10, 2007

Science Diary: Bat Diversity – Rain

A rainy day means that bat research will have to wait!

December 7, 2007

Finch: Gender Gap

Researchers host a virtual “dating game” to learn how female finches ultimately choose their mates.

December 6, 2007

Science Diary: Acoustical Ecology – Ecosystem

The sound of spring peepers chirping away can tell you about the health of a wetland.

December 5, 2007

Science 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, 2007

Helicopters – Testing It Out

The world’s largest wind tunnel gives researchers the opportunity to test out new aircraft designs.

December 3, 2007

Science 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.