Month: April 2009
Pulse of the Planet Daily Audio
Shorebirds: Western Sandpipers & Humans
Development along the California coastline is having an impact on Western Sandpipers and other shorebirds.
April 29, 2009Shorebirds: Western Sandpipers Migration
Western Sandpipers are in a “frequent flyer” class of their own.
April 28, 2009Science Diary: Cats – Call
For lions, there’s information to be gleaned from a roar.
April 27, 2009Science Diary: Cats – Importance
Lions, tigers, and quite a few other species comprise the world’s pantheon of wild cats.
April 24, 2009People of the Corn
For the indigenous people of Chiapas, Mexico, the corn crop embodies their hearts and souls.
April 23, 2009Carpenter Bees: Sneaky
Some female carpenter bees engage in artifice and deception.
April 22, 2009Science Diary: Cats – Iranian Cheetahs
Northern Iran is home to a small population of cheetahs, and scientists are helping local officials to protect these rare animals.
April 21, 2009Science Diary: Lightning – Update
Weather balloons are providing scientists with new information about how electricity travels through lightning.
April 20, 2009Science Diary: Bears – Churring
Grizzly bears don’t growl when they’re happy. They churr!
April 17, 2009Carpenter Bees: Social
Carpenter bees are among the more solitary bees, sometimes living one to a nest.
April 16, 2009Carpenter Bees: Nest
Bees are resourceful multi-talented insects, and some are skilled carpenters.
April 15, 2009American Toads: Cross the Road
Why did the toad cross the road? Turns out he had a very compelling reason.
April 14, 2009Science Diary: Bears – Seasonal
A mix of environmental factors and metabolic changes cue bears to seasonal changes.
April 13, 2009Science Diary: Bears – Melatonin
Melatonin regulates the sleep-wake cycle for humans and other animals. Strangely, bears who are masters of hibernation, seem to produce very little melatonin.
April 10, 2009American Toads: Birdlike Trill
They may not be as visible or as pretty as Robins, but American Toads produce some of the most melodious sounds of Spring.
April 9, 2009New Species – Predicting
To help locate undiscovered species of animals, scientists have developed a new way to predict where they might be found.
April 8, 2009Science Diary: Bears – Overview
What biological mechanisms tell a bear when it’s time to hunker down for the winter and awaken in the spring?
April 7, 2009Science Diary: Redwoods – Update
What’s wrong with cutting down a forest if trees are replanted? Older trees appear to do a better job pulling carbon from our atmosphere.
April 6, 2009Science Diary: Healthy Ocean – Update
Some fish species are in hot water, ecologically speaking, but as consumers we can help turn the tide.
April 3, 2009Early Spring: Marmot’s Choice
Marmots risk starvation because of misleading cues that spring has arrived in the Rocky Mountains.
April 2, 2009Early Spring: Unexpected Conditions
Warming weather and increased snowfall send mixed signals to migrating species.
April 1, 2009Early Spring: Harbingers
A broad range of species of plants are blooming up to 46 days earlier now than they did three decades ago. The reason, biologists say, is global climate change.