September 30, 2009

Mites and Bees

An epidemic of mite infestations is threatening North American bee colonies.

September 29, 2009

KSC Biomimicry – Novel Robots

Robots can be so, well, robotic. But bio-inspired engineering is pointing the way to a new and nimble breed of robots.

September 28, 2009

KSC Biomimicry – Pogo Stick

If you’ve bounced on a pogo stick, you’re already well on your way to understanding how animals run.

September 25, 2009

Dragonflies – Migration

It’s a rare event, but a grand sight to behold – thousands upon thousands of dragonflies.

September 24, 2009

Dragonflies – Myths and Truths

Can nature’s flying insect carnivores bite people?

September 23, 2009

KSC Biomimicry – Wasps

Without so much as a diet, wasp waists are incredibly thin; and their structure is inspiring engineers to create a new kind of packaging.

September 22, 2009

KSC Biomimicry – Reading Slug Slime

In the slug world, much can be gleaned from the trail of slime a slug leaves behind.

September 21, 2009

KSC Biomimicry – Hippo Sweat

If you want to protect yourself from the sun, insects, and disease, just slather on some hippo sweat!

September 18, 2009

Elephant Seismic Detection – Hearing

An elephant listens with… its toenails?!

September 17, 2009

Elephant Seismic Detection – Underground

If you feel the ground shake, perhaps you’d better do as the elephants do: listen DOWN.

September 16, 2009

KSC Biomimicry – Giraffes

A petroleum alternative: Giraffe Mucus!! Aided by mucus, giraffes routinely swallow sharp thorns without hurting themselves.

September 15, 2009

KSC Biomimicry – Collecting Mucus

Everything you ever wanted to know about how to collect giraffe drool and hippopotamus sweat, but were afraid to ask.

September 14, 2009

KSC Biomimicry – Magical Mucus

Mucus plays many roles. In fact, without it, we wouldn’t be here.

September 11, 2009

Biological Invaders – Ecology

Humans are largely responsible for the demise of the biological immunity of ecosystems.

September 10, 2009

Biological Invaders – Biocontrol

The ravage of biological aliens challenge our abilities to control them effectively.

September 9, 2009

Biological Invaders – Aussie Invasions

Australia has played host to unwanted visitors since the 19th century.

September 8, 2009

KSC Claire Filtration

Kids’ Science Challenge winner Claire Dworsky learns about the importance of filtering water before testing it.

September 7, 2009

KSC Claire – Reagents

Our Kids’ Science Challenge water winner learns how to test for nutrient contaminants in water.

September 4, 2009

Bugs in the Water – Living Barometer

Populations shifts of different organisms within the same stream bed can indicate changes in water quality.

September 3, 2009

Bugs in the Water – Water Quality

Bugs and organisms offer an indication of environmental changes in the aquatic habitat.

September 2, 2009

Biological Invaders – Salvinia

Moving a species to a foreign environment may ultimately require importing another species to control the first.

September 1, 2009

Science Diaries: Okefenokee – Living Landscape

Cycles of growth and wildfires keep Okefenokee swamp in an eternal state of flux.