Month: January 2010
Pulse of the Planet Daily Audio
Thaipusam – Trance
The Hindu festival of Thaipusam is a day where devotees turn their attention away from the physical world.
January 28, 2010Thaipusam – Story of Lord Murugan
The holiday of Thaipusam celebrates the victory of the Hindu god Murugan over a human devotee with a bad case of over- ambition.
January 27, 2010Butter – Monitoring Pollutants
Scientists have hit upon a cheap and effective pollution monitoring tool – butter.
January 26, 2010Kids’ Science Challenge: Mars – Sending an Arm
If we can’t send an Armstrong to Mars, how about a strong arm?
January 25, 2010Kids’ Science Challenge: Mars – How Far
Mars may be Earth’s neighbor, but getting there can take years!
January 22, 2010Butter – Persistent Pollutants
Just because a pollutant gets banned, it doesn’t mean it has gone away. In fact, detectable traces of it might be in your refrigerator.
January 21, 2010Sea Otter – Breaking The Human Bond
Marine biologists play surrogate mom to injured sea lions, taking care that their young charges don’t get too attached to them.
January 20, 2010Kids’ Science Challenge: Forensics – Public Sentinel
Investigating death may very well protect the health of others.
January 19, 2010Kids’ Science Challenge: Forensics – Crash Case
When alcohol or drugs are involved in an auto accident, the driver’s identity is not always evident. So how do you find out who really was driving the car?
January 18, 2010Kids’ Science Challenge: Forensics – Gathering Evidence
Declaring someone dead is one thing, but if you want a definitive cause, you’ll want to give forensic investigator Mo Lupia a call.
January 15, 2010Kids’ Science Challenge: Biomimicry – Unexpected Adhesion
By way of an accidental discovery, engineers are now developing “sticky” material based on the properties of a gecko’s toes.
January 14, 2010Kids’ Science Challenge: Biomimicry – Toe Hair
Hairy toesREALLY hairy toesare essential to a gecko’s wall-climbing ability.
January 13, 2010Kids’ Science Challenge: Biomimicry – Running Like Roaches
Roaches and humans have at least one thing in common the way we run.
January 12, 2010Plough Monday – Tradition
Imagine a holiday like Halloween, with a bit of Mardi Gras thrown in, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what Plough Monday was like – in 18th century rural England.
January 11, 2010Plough Monday – Purpose
Once a year, riotous behavior gave farm workers an escape from social constraints in 18th century England.
January 8, 2010Kids’ Science Challenge: Biomimicry – Toothbrush Toes
If you want to understand gecko-inspired adhesion, just pick up a toothbrush and follow along.
January 7, 2010Kids’ Science Challenge: Biomimicry – Gecko Fingers
A gecko’s ability to adhere to surfaces is leading to advances in manmade materials. Gecko tires, anyone?
January 6, 2010Three Kings Day – The Magi
One of our listeners returns to his homeland of Puerto Rico each year for the celebration of the Epiphany.
January 5, 2010Three Kings Day – Parranda
“It’s Christmas caroling – Puerto Rican Style!” In the days leading up to the Feast of Epiphany, the sounds of Parrandas are heard throughout the island.
January 4, 2010Three Kings Day – Holiday Foods
In Puerto Rico, Three Kings Day is a festival for the palate, with savory traditional foods such as roasted pig.
January 1, 2010Hogmanay: Biggest Day of the Year
Scottish culture preserves New Year’s Day as the most important family holiday.