Month: September 2011
Pulse of the Planet Daily Audio
KSC Biomimicry – Reading Slug Slime
In the slug world, much can be gleaned from the trail of slime a slug leaves behind.
September 29, 2011KSC Biomimicry – Hippo Sweat
If you want to protect yourself from the sun, insects, and disease, just slather on some hippo sweat!
September 28, 2011KSC Biomimicry – Giraffes
A petroleum alternative: Giraffe Mucus!! Aided by mucus, giraffes routinely swallow sharp thorns without hurting themselves.
September 27, 2011KSC Biomimicry – Collecting Mucus
Everything you ever wanted to know about how to collect giraffe drool and hippopotamus sweat, but were afraid to ask.
September 26, 2011KSC Biomimicry – Magical Mucus
Mucus plays many roles. In fact, without it, we wouldn’t be here.
September 23, 2011KSC Claire Filtration
Kids’ Science Challenge winner Claire Dworsky learns about the importance of filtering water before testing it.
September 22, 2011KSC Claire – Reagents
Our Kids’ Science Challenge water winner learns how to test for nutrient contaminants in water.
September 21, 2011Elephant Seismic Detection – Hearing
An elephant listens with… its toenails?!
September 20, 2011Elephant Seismic Detection – Underground
If you feel the ground shake, perhaps you’d better do as the elephants do: listen DOWN.
September 19, 2011Biological Invaders – Ecology
Humans are largely responsible for the demise of the biological immunity of ecosystems.
September 16, 2011Biological Invaders – Biocontrol
The ravage of biological aliens challenge our abilities to control them effectively.
September 15, 2011Biological Invaders – Aussie Invasions
Australia has played host to unwanted visitors since the 19th century.
September 14, 2011Biological Invaders – Salvinia
Moving a species to a foreign environment may ultimately require importing another species to control the first.
September 13, 2011Biological Invaders – Adaptation
Disparate species are being unnaturally relocated without the benefit of time for adaptation.
September 12, 2011Dragonflies – Cape May
Where’s a great place to watch dragonflies migrate?
September 9, 2011Dragonflies – Mating Strategy
One of the world’s most venerable insects has developed a sucessful means of reproduction.
September 8, 2011Dragonflies – Wired
Tiny transmitters may help unlock the mysteries of dragonfly migration.
September 7, 2011Dragonflies – Riding the Wind
Unfortunately for dragonflies, they’re not the only creatures who migrate riding wind currents.
September 6, 2011Dragonflies – Migration
It’s a rare event, but a grand sight to behold – thousands upon thousands of dragonflies.
September 5, 2011Dragonflies – Myths and Truths
Can nature’s flying insect carnivores bite people?
September 2, 2011Science Diary: Flavor – All in the Taste
Most scientists refrain from eating anything in their labs, and for good reason. But when it comes to flavor science, tasting chemicals is madatory.
September 1, 2011Wolves and Moose – Antlers
They’re the largest antlered animal in the world and a lot faster that you’d expect them to be.