Environment Roundup
Coral reefsare disappearing even faster than once thought, and earthworms are wiping out native species.
Cold Crabs
Cold-water crab species would adapt better to global warming than warm-water species.
Pig Dust
Dust from piggeries contain antibiotics given to pigs -- may cause resistance
Disappearing Fish
Fish are smaller and not as prolific as they used to be
Eco-Disease Roundup
Biodiversity better for human health; SARS came from people who ate civet cats; eating bats causes neurological disorder in Guam
Antibacterial Pollution
The antibacterial compound Triclosan converts into a dioxin, which is toxic to plants and animals.
Biosphere 2
Biosphere 2 is doing experiments on how rising carbon dioxide levels affect pollution.
Coffee Roundup
Cheap coffee is bad for environment; and researchers can track household wastewater by looking for caffeine in streams
Replanting the Prairie
Replanting cultivated seed of natural grasses best for keeping out invaders on disturbed land
Eavesdropping Plants
Wild tobacco plants pick up hormones produced by sagebrush and develop defenses against herbivore attack.
Lyme Disease Risk
Lyme disease is spread to ticks by white-footed mice, which thrive in deforested areas
Nature’s Remedies
Drugs from sea sponges, wound-healing oxygen and a sunscreen made from white tea extract
Eco-Friendly Rocket Fuel
An environmentally nontoxic rocket fuel made from candle wax (paraffin).
Carbon Cloisters
Storing carbon dioxide underground could help environment -- removing CO2 and recovering natural gas
Houses and Environment
Increase in number of households harm the environment more than increasing populations
Weird Earth Science
Pasta is being used to model earthquake faults, and the mystery of a disappearing lake is solved.
Turtle Roadkill
Enough turtles get killed while crossing roads each year to hurt the species.
Plant Phenolics
Phenolics were thought to prevent herbivory, but may have many roles, including sun protection
Ocean Glass
Diatoms use their glass shells to soak up carbon dioxide, thus keeping it out of the atmosphere.
GM Weeds
Finding out what happens when genetically modified plants share their genes with weeds
Voracious Voles
Voles can chew up rabbitbrush, making room for native grasses to return to Southwest
Fish, Geckos and Flowers
Better fishing strategies, how geckos stick to smooth surfaces, and the rare blooming of the smelly corpse plant
Vietnamese Nuclear Worm
Worries about vietnamese nuclear worms, imported as bait, becoming a new invasive species