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Animals
Wood Stork's Endangered Status Is Up In The Air
February 3, 2013 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife may upgrade the wood stork's status from "endangered" to "threatened." But some environmentalists and the Audubon Society says that in south Florida, the bird's population is still a long way from reaching a full recovery.
Animals
Did You Hear That? I Think It Was A Walrus
February 2, 2013 The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has just finished digitizing its huge archive of wildlife sounds — more than 9,000 of them — and made it available online.
The Salt
Pig Out In The Winter Or When Money's Tight? Blame Evolution
February 1, 2013 Why do we reach for that handful of M&Ms and other high-calorie treats under stress? In prehistoric times, such gluttony was probably a useful response to scarcity. That "feast before famine" instinct is less helpful in modern times, when obesity is a bigger health risk than starvation – but evolution hasn't had a chance to catch up.
When Crime Pays: Prison Can Teach Some To Be Better Criminals
February 1, 2013 Research from an Ohio sociologist has found that inmates "earn" illegal money in greater amounts after they serve time. Prison may serve as a classroom where inexperienced delinquents learn from hardened criminals — and become more dangerous criminals themselves.
Shots - Health News
How Owls Spin Their Heads Without Tearing Arteries
January 31, 2013 Owls can turn their heads 270 degrees without injuring themselves. That's more than twice as far around as humans can safely handle. Nifty adaptations in owls' vertebrae and blood vessels make it possible.
The Two-Way
Portugal's Monster: The Mechanics Of A Massive Wave
January 31, 2013 How does a tiny spot on the Portuguese coast generate some of the world's most gnarly waves? Surf experts say there are a few factors that combined Monday to create what might have been the biggest wave ever ridden.
Shots - Health News
Gut Microbes May Play Deadly Role In Malnutrition
January 30, 2013 The bacteria that live in humans' guts influence weight gain and health. By studying twins in Malawi, scientists have found that changes in this microbial community may also turn malnutrition into a fatal condition.
Around the Nation
Drought Causes Ripple Effect Along Mighty Mississippi River
January 30, 2013 Low water upstream threatens cargo traffic, and saltwater has encroached on the mouth of the river. Now, officials up and down the river are talking about the need for a comprehensive water resources plan.
Krulwich Wonders...
Pale Blue Blobs Invade, Freeze, Then Vanish
January 30, 2013 Just under the iced-over surface of a Canadian lake, white pancake-shaped bubbles stack up in towers. They may look pretty, but they pack an explosive and deadly punch.