Tiger Roundup
Counting endangered Siberian tigers in Russia, and determining tiger sub-species with DNA analysis.
Bee Research
Drunk bees act the same way people do, and bee venom reduces arthritis inflammation.
Mockingbird Songs
Do mockingbirds have their own song? (No, but they have their own calls.)
Undereye Circles
Why do we get dark circles under our eyes when we're tired? (Fluid collects, deeper blood vessels show.)
Genes and Sex
DNA analysis shows that fewer males than females have reproduced over evolutionary time.
Drugs in the Environment
Medicines that we take end up in the environment, and those drugs can disrupt the hormones of wild animals.
Hearts and Worms
Studying a potassium channel that can trigger heart arrhythmia when blocked.
Asymmetry & Aggression
People who have asymmetrical features are more aggressive, a connection made in the womb.
Cowbird Nestmates
Baby cowbirds live with their host siblings instead of kicking them out of the nest.
Two Kidneys
Why do we have two kidney but only one liver? (Evolved bilateral symmetry, and kidneys are less protected so need a spare)
CD Testing
Miniaturizing a common biochemical test and putting it on a CD makes it fast and cheap.
Lost Ants
What happens when an ant is separated from its colony? (It dies -- can't join another colony.)
Bee Language
Competition for food sources may have pressured honeybees to evolve dance language.
Bee Espionage
Stingless bees can detect the odor markings of others and steal their food sources.
Dog Breeds
Are there any two dog breeds that could be considered different species? (Some breeds do have difficulty breeding, but it doesn't necessarily make them different species.)
Rats and Aspirin
Newborn male rats given aspirin show no interest in females when they grow up.
Punching Shrimp
The mantis shrimp packs a powerful punch because of a spring and latch mechanism in its leg.
Cicada Cycles
Why are cicada cycles always prime numbers? (Prevents specialist predators from developing)
Cicada Emergence
How do cicadas know when to emerge? (Don't know -- might be sensing something in tree sap)
Bug-Eating Plants
Why do some plants eat bugs? (They live in nutrient-poor habitats; bugs have lots of nutrients.)
Bone Roundup
Oyster blood carries the raw material for making shell and bone, and covering titanium joints with DNA nanotubes helps prevent rejection.
Predicting Fingerprints
A mathematical model predicts fingerprint patterns based on biological factors.