Month: April 2011
Pulse of the Planet Daily Audio
In Praise of Dungbeetles
Dung beetles of the Amazon bring new meaning to the word “recycling”.
April 28, 2011Shorebirds: Western Sandpipers & Humans
Development along the California coastline is having an impact on Western Sandpipers and other shorebirds.
April 27, 2011Shorebirds: Western Sandpipers Migration
Western Sandpipers are in a “frequent flyer” class of their own.
April 26, 2011Shorebirds: Montague Island
Once a year on Alaska’s Montague Island, whole populations of shorebirds feast on a plethora of herring eggs.
April 25, 2011Swifts in the Chimney
Twice a year thousands of Vaux’s Swifts use an elementary school’s furnace as a migratory stopover.
April 22, 2011Science Diary: Bears – Distress
Like human babies, hungry bear cubs express their dismay with an attention-getting scream.
April 21, 2011Science Diary: Bears – Churring
Grizzly bears don’t growl when they’re happy. They churr!
April 20, 2011Science Diary: Bears – Seasonal
A mix of environmental factors and metabolic changes cue bears to seasonal changes.
April 19, 2011Science 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, 2011Science 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, 2011Carpenter Bees: Sneaky
Some female carpenter bees engage in artifice and deception.
April 14, 2011Carpenter Bees: Social
Carpenter bees are among the more solitary bees, sometimes living one to a nest.
April 13, 2011Carpenter Bees: Nest
Bees are resourceful multi-talented insects, and some are skilled carpenters.
April 12, 2011American Toads: Cross the Road
Why did the toad cross the road? Turns out he had a very compelling reason.
April 11, 2011American 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, 2011Tsunamis – Protection
what preventative measures can we take to minimize the impact of tsunamis?
April 7, 2011Tsunamis – Origins
Most tsunamis are caused by earthquakes, but that’s not the only cause of one of nature’s most destructive forces.
April 6, 2011Tsunamis – Lump in the Ocean
There’s a crucial difference between tsunamis and tidal waves.
April 5, 2011EARTHQUAKE 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, 2011Favorite Sounds – Australia
Here’s some of our favorite sounds – We want to hear yours. Listen for details…
April 1, 2011Retrospective – 5000th
5000 Broadcast of Pulse of the Planet