Month: November 2011
Pulse of the Planet Daily Audio
Science Diary: Mims – Ozone
Hawaii’s Mauna Loa is a favorite destination for researchers like Forrest Mims, who use instruments to measure the earth’s ozone layer.
November 29, 2011Madagascar: Land Out of Time
Madagascar is an island suspended in “geological time” – home to primitive animals and plants found nowhere else on earth.
November 28, 2011Emu
But does mom get visiting rights? Young emus (flightless Australian birds) remain in the exclusive care of their father for six months.
November 25, 2011Coral Reef: Luminous Protein
The “glow” of a coral reef comes from a life-sustaining exchange between protein and algae.
November 24, 2011Mushrooms: DNA
Thanks to DNA testing, scientists are learning that the majority of micororganisms in soil are fungi which bring vital elements to plant life.
November 23, 2011Owl Feathers: Barred
These stealthy predators are named after the pattern on their feathers, which offers them near-perfect camouflage.
November 22, 2011Owl Feathers: Hearing
Its asymmetric ears and surrounding facial feathers enable and owl to receive sound much like a satellite dish.
November 21, 2011Owl Feathers: Mechanics of Silent Flight
A raptor biologist reveals the uncanny resources of an owl’s stealthy flight.
November 18, 2011Owl Feathers: Nocturnal
The silent flight of the nocturnal owl aids its ability to catch prey at night.
November 17, 2011KSC Animal Smarts – Apes,DNA,Dogs
Man’s best friend knows what we want and how to get us to do what they want.
November 16, 2011KSC Animal Smarts – Cooperation
Why don’t you ever see animals playing catch together in the front yard?
November 15, 2011KSC Animal Smarts – Thinking
What sets humans apart from dogs? It’s probably not what – or how – you think!
November 14, 2011Dingo: All in the Family
Dingoes are wild dogs with a surprisingly tight knit family structure.
November 11, 2011Dingo: Hybrid Dog
In Australia, pure bred dingoes are becoming extinct.
November 10, 2011Dingo: Wild Dog of Australia
For thousands of years, dingoes have been pets on two continents. Today, their proliferation is causing havoc in Australia.
November 9, 2011Mangroves: Shrimp Farms
A shrimp farm only lasts for five years- what happens after that?
November 8, 2011Mangroves: Transformers
Mangroves are a lot more important than you might think.
November 7, 2011Mangroves: Filter
Acting as filters, fish nurseries, and a source of food for shellfish, mangroves are a critical ecosystem.
November 4, 2011Science Diary: Mims – Tree Rings
Counting tree rings is a great way to determine that tree’s age. But what can variations in tree ring colors tell us about sunlight conditions?
November 3, 2011Kartchner Caverns: Clean
Recently opened, Kartchner Caverns is a place where park officials try their hardest to keep the cave clean, which means that the only thing humans leave behind are footprints.
November 2, 2011Kartchner Caverns: Humidity
This cave is very wet and its formations are still growing, so park officials use everything from misting systems to airlock doors to counteract and keep out the dry desert air of Arizona.
November 1, 2011Fossils & Myths: Ancient Paleontology
There is a new theory that thousands of years ago, the Greeks were analyzing remains of ancient animals, and creating myths about them.