Month: July 2008
Pulse of the Planet Daily Audio
Diatoms Nanotechnology-Shell Game
Diatoms are among the world’s oldest and most ubiquitous creatures, and they may soon be an important part of one of the newest branches of science and technology.
July 30, 2008Diatoms Nanotechnology – Redefining “Man-made”
Nanoparticles are so tiny that the atoms inside them obey the laws of quantum mechanics and not the laws of the physical observable world.
July 29, 2008Science Diary: Redwoods – Cleanup
Outfitting a redwood with 300 pounds of research equipment is a great way to make discoveries. Taking it all down again is another story.
July 28, 2008Science Diary: Redwoods – Battery
When research equipment is wired into a giant redwood, an 80-pound battery must be hoisted 300 feet into the canopy.
July 25, 2008Bulwer’s Pheasant: King of the Birds
According to the Dyak people of Borneo, the Bulwer’s pheasant shows the bearded pigs where they can find food and, in return, the pigs dig up worms and grubs for the Bulwer’s to eat.
July 24, 2008Bulwer’s Pheasant: Risk
The destruction of the Borneo rainforest is bringing the Bulwer’s pheasant closer to extinction.
July 23, 2008Science Diary: Redwoods – Sap Flow
How and when do giant redwoods drink their water? Tiny sap flow sensors tell the story.
July 22, 2008Science Diary: Redwoods – Replacements
Big tree, tiny sensors – it’s all in a day’s work for redwood canopy researchers.
July 21, 2008Science Diary: Redwoods – Clearcut
Observe an ancient redwood, and you can read the signs of adversity in its wood.
July 18, 2008Diatoms Nanotechnology-Think Small
Nanomaterials possess superior strength, are lighter weight, and have more resistance to wear and tear than conventional materials.
July 17, 2008Astrobiology: Europa
One of Jupiter’s moons may have a liquid ocean, and NASA hopes to send “hydrobots” there to explore for life.
July 16, 2008Astrobiology – UV Rays
The sun’s ultraviolet radiation can be harmful, but it’s been an important force in the evolution of life on Earth.
July 15, 2008Science Diary: Volcano – Pele
Like a giant wind instrument, Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is producing a continuous low-frequency melody.
July 14, 2008Science Diary: Volcano – Silence
With low-frequency volcano sound, it’s a deafening silence, quite literally.
July 11, 2008Crows: Raven Language
Gurgles, knocks, and the sound of bells… a car on the fritz? No, it’s the unique language of the raven.
July 10, 2008Crows: More Than a “Caw”
“Caw caw” says the crow. Well, yes, but a lot more too!
July 9, 2008Science Diary: Volcano – Analyze
Want to listen to a volcano? You’ll first have to identify its dialect.
July 8, 2008Science Diary: Volcano – Array
Our ears are not the best tools for eavesdropping on a volcano’s sonic secrets; that’s where microphone arrays come in handy.
July 7, 2008Science Diary: Volcano – Death
Considering all the ways a volcano can kill a person, it’s not a bad idea to keep one’s distance.
July 4, 2008Big Bang – Silent Bang?
The ‘Big Bang’ was really more of a Big Crescendo!
July 3, 2008Big Bang – Moment After Conception
Astronomers are using information from microwaves to learn about the beginning of structures in the universe.
July 2, 2008Big Bang – Echoes in Space
Light energy from the Big Bang has been translated into sound waves!
July 1, 2008Big Bang – The Beginning
When the universe was born, there was more light than matter.