August 31, 2009

Science Diaries: Okefenokee – Standing Up to Bears

What hisses at bears to defend its nest eggs? Hint: it’s bigger than a robin.

August 28, 2009

Coastal Research – Storm 101

A unique array of instrumentation enable scientists at the Outer Banks Field Research station to take the pulse of the shoreline, even in the midst of a storm.

August 27, 2009

Coastal Research – Teeth of a Storm

What’s it like to be on the end of one of the world’s largest research piers – in the midst of a Nor’easter?

August 26, 2009

Biological Invaders – Adaptation

Disparate species are being unnaturally relocated without the benefit of time for adaptation.

August 25, 2009

Hurricanes: Preparation

Take heed — do not drive during a hurricane!

August 24, 2009

Kids’ Science Challenge: Lindsay – Marbles

Silly ideas? No such thing, says skateboard engineer Paul Schmitt.

August 21, 2009

Outer Banks Coastal Research – Hurricane Isabel

One of the most severe storms to hit the Outer Banks left a legacy of devestation and data.

August 20, 2009

Outer Banks Coastal Research – Rhythms

Following the seasonal rhythms of the shoreline conveys the impression that it is a dynamic entity, constantly responding to the forces of nature.

August 19, 2009

Pantanal – Birds

Working in Brazil’s Panatanal, the largest wetlands in the world, researchers study the tremendous variety of local birds by capturing them in mist nets, banding and releasing them.

August 18, 2009

Kids’ Science Challenge: Claire – Germy Turf

Artificial turf fields may look clean, but with no natural means of replenishment, are they magnets for germs?

August 17, 2009

Kids’ Science Challenge: Claire – Sampling

Grade school kids are instructed to write legibly, and when it comes to scientific inquiry, third-grader Claire Dworsky now understands why.

August 14, 2009

Outer Banks Coastal Research – Measurements

Picture an amphibious buggy riding atop a 35 foot tripod. That’s the CRAB – used to map the contours of a changing shoreline.

August 13, 2009

Outer Banks Coastal Research – Building Up

Beaches erode, but over time they can also replenish and grow. Surprisingly, sometimes the engine of growth can be a storm.

August 12, 2009

Pantanal – Listening to Jaguars

In the Pantanal (wetlands) region of Brazil, the top predator could be the next big tourist attraction.

August 11, 2009

Hurricanes – Packing a Punch

The most devastating force of a hurricane is concentrated in the rim of its eye.

August 10, 2009

Kids’ Science Challenge: Claire – Lab

If you’ve ever tested pool water, then you’ll understand how a flow injection analyzer works. To check the quality of a hundred or so water samples at a time, it’s the perfect tool for the job.

August 7, 2009

Outer Banks Coastal Research – Forces

With the constant interplay of waves, wind and erosion, the coastline is a crucible of ever-changing forces.

August 6, 2009

Outer Banks Coastal Research – Dynamics

Studying the shoreline is like playing three dimensional chess with the forces of natures.

August 5, 2009

Pantanal – Calling Jaguars

Natural clues and gimmickry are all in a days work for studying jaguars in the wild.

August 4, 2009

Kids’ Science Challenge: Claire – Importance

There’s an important water quality study underway, and the lead investigator is a third-grader.

August 3, 2009

Kids’ Science Challenge: Claire – Crumb Rubber

You won’t find pesticides or fertilizer in artificial turf, but what else is showing up in the water runoff from these fields?