Just Plain WEIRD #2
Permafrost is thawing across the Arctic, releasing microbes and organic materials that have been trapped in the frozen ground for thousands of years. NOAA via Wikimedia Commons – Authors: Jessie Creamean, Research Scientist, Colorado State University – Thomas Hill, Research Scientist, Colorado State …
Deicing salts keep winter roads passable but do a lot of harm in the process. Gregory Rec/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images – By Monika Bleszynski, Research Scientist and Adjunct Professor, University of Denver 2021 Jan 29 – Many people associate a …
Unique physiology allows the Australian marsupial to produce square-shaped feces that may aid communication. Scientists believe the cube shape of the wombat’s poo may aid in communication, as spherical feces are more likely to roll away. Photograph: mlharing/Getty Images/iStockphoto – By Natasha May …
Every year, tens of millions of Americans collectively lose billions of dollars to scam callers. Where does the other end of the line lead? Photo illustration of a call center near Delhi, taken from a closed-circuit TV feed recorded by an anti-scam activist …
Our canine companions aren’t the only animals that may be capable of magnetoreception. A terrier fitted with GPS remote tracking device and camera (Kateřina Benediktová / Czech University of Life Sciences) – By Courtney Sexton SmithsonianMag.Com 2020 Jul 27 – Last week, Cleo …
A coat of sand makes an effective armor. Eric LoPresti, CC BY-SA – Author: Eric LoPresti, Assistant Professor of Plant Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Oklahoma State University 2021 Jan 20 – Imagine the texture of a plant. Many may come to mind – …
The grass has a bad rap in the U.S. as an invasive nuisance, but the plant can quickly sequester at least double—and maybe even six times—the amount of carbon as a similar stand of trees. Three species of farm-cultivated bamboo towering in Hawkinsville, …
Multiple queens ensure colonies have a steady output of workers. Ryan Reihart, CC BY-SA – By Ryan Reihart, Teaching Assistant and Ph.D. Candidate of Ecology, University of Dayton 2021 Jan 21 – The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. …
– By Megan Marples, CNN Updated 2021 Jan 19 – Bioluminescent insects have long fascinated scientists, but little is known about how these animals got their light abilities. A 99-million-year-old beetle recently discovered by researchers, however, unlocks a piece of the evolutionary puzzle, …
For 10 consecutive days, from 1/20/21 to 1/29/21, the days are all palindrome dates. – By Leah Asmelash, CNN 2021 Jan 20 – The next ten days are sure to be historic, and it’s not just because of the inauguration. Wednesday marks the …
