The first time I fell in love was in the Sonoran Desert. I had just pulled over to the side of the road and there it was. An Ocotillo cactus, in all its glory, stood proudly before the rugged landscape. Its fluid tentacle-like stems pointed towards the sky, like a sea anemone frozen in turbulent […]
Masters of survival: Is the desert truly deserted? Read More »
From the deepest ocean trenches to the tap water in our kitchen, nanoplastics have pervaded virtually every last crevice of Earth. The minuscule particles, resulting from the degradation of plastic objects, are less than 100 nanometers (nm) and can be ingested, inhaled, or incorporated by dermal contact. It is estimated that just by eating, drinking,
Dangerously ubiquitous: The negative effect of nanoplastics on human health Read More »
What sets a group of monkeys on a mission to a new place? What compels large schools of fish to change direction from a predator? How do flocks of geese decide to land in the Fens or pick away at the grass on Centennial? On the individual level, researchers have explored decision-making capabilities, and studies
Herd harmony: Technology to study animal group behavior Read More »
In 1952, famous science fiction writer Ray Bradbury published a short story titled, “A Sound of Thunder.” Set in the year 2055, time travel has become a real (and profitable) technology, and a group of affluent hunters goes back in time on a guided safari to kill a Tyrannosaurus rex. Although the safari company has
The Literal Butterfly Effect Read More »
The chaos of Earth’s climate has led some to doubt the validity of anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change currently affecting the planet. Climate deniers commonly respond to scientific evidence of global warming with statements along the lines of “hasn’t the climate always been changing?” While it is true that Earth’s climate has often fluctuated throughout planetary
Studying the climate is chaotic. Could physics help? Read More »
At first glance, the sounds and sights of honeybees buzzing about may seem chaotic, but there is actually quite a bit of structure to the roles that each bee plays in a hive. Worker bees do most of the grunt work like cleaning the honeycomb cells, feeding other bees, and collecting pollen. Drones are male
Plan bee: How honeybee hives adapt to losing their queen Read More »
Kindly thought of as the big, fluffy sibling of the well-respected honeybee, bumblebees spend most of their time minding their own business as they go about seasonal pollination. But recent findings show that these gentle giants may not be as lackadaisical as their reputation implies — they appear to be playing a very interactive role
Buzzworthy behavior: Bumblebee nibbling promotes pollen production Read More »
In the hit show “Criminal Minds,” Dr. Spencer Reid is known for his high intelligence and ability to see the world in a way that normal people cannot. One of his most iconic moments is in Season 4 Episode 8, where he is able to identify the link between abducted women and their location using
Fibonacci’s formula to life: A blueprint for beauty and nature Read More »
Lawns have long been the sign of a clean and respectable neighborhood, causing U.S. homeowners to maintain weekly or even daily upkeep on 40 million acres of lawn nationwide. The history and environmental impact of a trim yard, though, suggests the grass is not always greener with traditional lawns. British colonizers initiated today’s concept of
The American lawn: Is the grass always greener? Read More »