November 30, 2011

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, 2011

Madagascar: 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, 2011

Emu

But does mom get visiting rights? Young emus (flightless Australian birds) remain in the exclusive care of their father for six months.

November 25, 2011

Coral Reef: Luminous Protein

The “glow” of a coral reef comes from a life-sustaining exchange between protein and algae.

November 24, 2011

Mushrooms: 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, 2011

Owl Feathers: Barred

These stealthy predators are named after the pattern on their feathers, which offers them near-perfect camouflage.

November 22, 2011

Owl Feathers: Hearing

Its asymmetric ears and surrounding facial feathers enable and owl to receive sound much like a satellite dish.

November 21, 2011

Owl Feathers: Mechanics of Silent Flight

A raptor biologist reveals the uncanny resources of an owl’s stealthy flight.

November 18, 2011

Owl Feathers: Nocturnal

The silent flight of the nocturnal owl aids its ability to catch prey at night.

November 17, 2011

KSC 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, 2011

KSC Animal Smarts – Cooperation

Why don’t you ever see animals playing catch together in the front yard?

November 15, 2011

KSC Animal Smarts – Thinking

What sets humans apart from dogs? It’s probably not what – or how – you think!

November 14, 2011

Dingo: All in the Family

Dingoes are wild dogs with a surprisingly tight knit family structure.

November 11, 2011

Dingo: Hybrid Dog

In Australia, pure bred dingoes are becoming extinct.

November 10, 2011

Dingo: 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, 2011

Mangroves: Shrimp Farms

A shrimp farm only lasts for five years- what happens after that?

November 8, 2011

Mangroves: Transformers

Mangroves are a lot more important than you might think.

November 7, 2011

Mangroves: Filter

Acting as filters, fish nurseries, and a source of food for shellfish, mangroves are a critical ecosystem.

November 4, 2011

Science 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, 2011

Kartchner 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, 2011

Kartchner 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, 2011

Fossils & 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.