Earth & Sky Podcast

Parasite disguises ant as berry

deborahbyrd@earthsky.org (EarthSky Communications, Inc.) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:07:00 -0500

Scientists have discovered a type of tiny nematode parasite that disguises an ant as a fruit. These nematodes have managed to trick birds into eating their hosts, said tropical insect ecologist Steve Yanoviak.

Rodinia supercontinent more ancient than Pangea

deborahbyrd@earthsky.org (EarthSky Communications, Inc.) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:07:00 -0500

You might have heard of the ancient supercontinent, Pangea. But according to geologist Paul Myrow, there could be an even older supercontinent, known as Rodinia.

Saturn recycles its rings, creates new ones

deborahbyrd@earthsky.org (EarthSky Communications, Inc.) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:07:00 -0500

In the 1970s, Voyager 1 provided the first close-up views of Saturn’s rings, and determined that the rings formed about 100 million years ago. But evidence from the more recent Cassini mission suggests the rings are much older.

Robot aircraft do dirty work of science

deborahbyrd@earthsky.org (EarthSky Communications, Inc.) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:07:00 -0500

A system of robot airplanes launched in early 2008 are being used for missions scientists call “dirty, dull, and dangerous.” Hear Marty Ralph of the Earth System Research Laboratory in Boulder, CO.

Full moon near Jupiter dusk to dawn July 17

deborahbyrd@earthsky.org (EarthSky Communications, Inc.) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:07:00 -0500

July 17, 2008. No matter where you live, the moon will look full tonight and tomorrow. And – near the moon – you’ll see Jupiter, the king of planets in our solar system.

Giant heaters help recover hard-to-get oil

deborahbyrd@earthsky.org (EarthSky Communications, Inc.) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:07:00 -0500

Hear about a new, more eco-friendly oil recovery process that uses giant underground heaters to help thick, old oil flow more freely.

Scientists investigate the origin of flowers

deborahbyrd@earthsky.org (EarthSky Communications, Inc.) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 04:07:00 -0500

Scientists at Penn State University are part of an investigation into the origin of flowers: the Floral Genome Project. They say flowers first appeared on Earth about 140 million years ago.

Scientist studies the way ecosystems connect

deborahbyrd@earthsky.org (EarthSky Communications, Inc.) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:07:00 -0500

Hear USDA scientist Debra Peters talk about how ecosystems connect, and about monitoring ecological changes to see how climate events in one part of the world may affect another.

Marc Bekoff on why dogs play fair

deborahbyrd@earthsky.org (EarthSky Communications, Inc.) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 04:07:00 -0500

Does being a dog mean never having to say you’re sorry? Not really, according to biologist Marc Bekoff of the University of Colorado. Bekoff talked to EarthSky about how and why dogs learn to play fair.