Animals
Birds May Use 'Sound Maps' To Navigate Huge Distances
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Friday, February 01, 2013
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.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
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.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
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.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Superstorm Sandy: Before, During And Beyond
Sand After Sandy: Scientists Map Seafloor For Sediment
January 29, 2013 On the deck of a 27-foot boat off the shore of Long Island, researchers are using sonar to study the sand and sediment that washed away from the system of protective barrier islands and beaches by Hurricane Sandy.
Animals
Killer Kitties? Cats Kill Billions Of Creatures Every Year
January 29, 2013 There are as many as 47 million pet cats out hunting for prey. Add that to the tens of millions of feral cats and strays, and researchers estimate that the furry felines are responsible for billions of bird and small mammal deaths every year.
