Month: December 2013
Pulse of the Planet Daily Audio
Yoiks – Reindeer Jazz
An indigenous style of singing created by nomadic reindeer herdsman is kept alive in contemporary Scandinavia.
December 30, 2013Sustainable Packaging – Recycling Bank
Getting paid for paying it forward: Recycle banks are a new incentive to recycle.
December 27, 2013Wildlife Veterinarian – Profile
William Karesh is a wildlife field veterinarian . His patients range from anacondas in Venezuela to elephants in Central Africa.
December 26, 2013Jonkonnu – Origins
In North Carolina, the festival of Jonkonnu is celebrated with influences from West Africa, England, and the Caribbean.
December 25, 2013Christmas – Trees and Mistletoe
Some of our most enduring Christmas traditions may date back to the days before that holiday even existed.
December 24, 2013Christmas Bonfires – Construction
Working together to build 20 foot pyres of wood and wire, a family near New Orleans celebrates Christmas eve.
December 23, 2013Las Posadas
Las Posadas, celebrated in Mexico and in many Hispanic communities, commemorates Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging in Bethlehem.
December 20, 2013Christmas – History
Believe it or not, there was a time when the singing of Christmas carols could land you in jail.
December 19, 2013Flavor – Vocabulary
Everyone has likes and dislikes, but as a flavorist it helps to be able to articulate them.
December 18, 2013Flavor – Compounding
Mmm. Is that isoenyl acetate I smell?
December 17, 2013Owl Feathers – Barred
These stealthy predators are named after the pattern on their feathers, which offers them near-perfect camouflage.
December 16, 2013Owl Feathers – Hearing
Its asymmetric ears and surrounding facial feathers enable and owl to receive sound much like a satellite dish.
December 13, 2013Kalas
In Lindsborg, Kansas, folks still mark this time of year with traditions their ancestors brought from Sweden.
December 12, 2013Storm Ecology – Fish
What’s a little extra water to a fish? Learn how flooding effects species living in rivers.
December 11, 2013Passenger Pigeons – De-extinction
Will it ever be possible to clone a Passenger Pigeon ? Perhaps, but is it a good idea?
December 10, 2013Passenger Pigeons – They Darkened the Skies
Once thought to be one of the most abundant bird species on earth, Passenger Pigeons were hunted to extinction 100 years ago.
December 9, 2013Owl Feathers – Mechanics of Silent Flight
A raptor biologist reveals the uncanny resources of an owl’s stealthy flight.
December 6, 2013Owl Feathers – Nocturnal
The silent flight of the nocturnal owl aids its ability to catch prey at night.
December 5, 2013Science Frontiers – Dark Energy
If we could harness it in some way, could dark energy be used as a power source?
December 4, 2013Science Frontiers – Dark Matter
According to astronomers, less than 5 percent of the content of the known universe is made up of what we call matter.
December 3, 2013Science Frontiers – Why is There Mass?
According to the laws of Quantum Physics, there was, until recently, no good reason for why things have mass or substance.
December 2, 2013Science Frontiers – Higgs Boson Particle
What’s The Higgs Boson Field? Well, take “The Force” from Stars Wars and add a little molasses.