April 29, 2011

In Praise of Dungbeetles

Dung beetles of the Amazon bring new meaning to the word “recycling”.

April 28, 2011

Shorebirds: Western Sandpipers & Humans

Development along the California coastline is having an impact on Western Sandpipers and other shorebirds.

April 27, 2011

Shorebirds: Western Sandpipers Migration

Western Sandpipers are in a “frequent flyer” class of their own.

April 26, 2011

Shorebirds: Montague Island

Once a year on Alaska’s Montague Island, whole populations of shorebirds feast on a plethora of herring eggs.

April 25, 2011

Swifts in the Chimney

Twice a year thousands of Vaux’s Swifts use an elementary school’s furnace as a migratory stopover.

April 22, 2011

Science Diary: Bears – Distress

Like human babies, hungry bear cubs express their dismay with an attention-getting scream.

April 21, 2011

Science Diary: Bears – Churring

Grizzly bears don’t growl when they’re happy. They churr!

April 20, 2011

Science Diary: Bears – Seasonal

A mix of environmental factors and metabolic changes cue bears to seasonal changes.

April 19, 2011

Science 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 18, 2011

Science 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 15, 2011

Carpenter Bees: Sneaky

Some female carpenter bees engage in artifice and deception.

April 14, 2011

Carpenter Bees: Social

Carpenter bees are among the more solitary bees, sometimes living one to a nest.

April 13, 2011

Carpenter Bees: Nest

Bees are resourceful multi-talented insects, and some are skilled carpenters.

April 12, 2011

American Toads: Cross the Road

Why did the toad cross the road? Turns out he had a very compelling reason.

April 11, 2011

American 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 8, 2011

Tsunamis – Protection

what preventative measures can we take to minimize the impact of tsunamis?

April 7, 2011

Tsunamis – Origins

Most tsunamis are caused by earthquakes, but that’s not the only cause of one of nature’s most destructive forces.

April 6, 2011

Tsunamis – Lump in the Ocean

There’s a crucial difference between tsunamis and tidal waves.

April 5, 2011

EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING – Base Isolation

A layer of rubber or sliding steel may help protect buildings from earthquake damage. Could it have made a difference in Japan?

April 4, 2011

Favorite Sounds – Australia

Here’s some of our favorite sounds – We want to hear yours. Listen for details…

April 1, 2011

Retrospective – 5000th

5000 Broadcast of Pulse of the Planet