Science Summary for January 2020
Science Summary for January 2020
The way we view the cosmo has come a long way technology-wise. These images are the Whirlpool Galaxy, a comparison between 1845 and 2005. The image from 1845 was drawn by William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse, while looking through his telescope “Leviathan.”
The way we view the cosmo has come a long way technology-wise. These images are the Whirlpool Galaxy, a comparison...
The Speckled tortoise (Chersobius signatus) is the world’s smallest species of tortoise. The males are 6–8 cm (2.4-3.1 in) in length while the females can measure up to almost 10 cm (3.9 in).
The Speckled tortoise (Chersobius signatus) is the world's smallest species of tortoise. The males are 6–8 cm (2.4-3.1 in) in...
“Olaf” (pictured) is the first amphibian born via IVF. Previously thought to be extinct, 300+ members of this critically endangered species, the Puerto Rican Crested Toad, were born from sperm previously frozen – hence named after the Disney character – in order to save the species from extinction.
"Olaf" (pictured) is the first amphibian born via IVF. Previously thought to be extinct, 300+ members of this critically endangered...
NASA’s Mars rover Curiosity acquired this image using its Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), located on the turret at the end of the rover’s robotic arm, on April 23, 2020, Sol 2742 of the Mars Science Laboratory Mission, at 16:21:18 UTC.
NASA's Mars rover Curiosity acquired this image using its Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), located on the turret at the...
Whale sharks have dermal denticles (tiny teeth-like scales) on their eyes which protect them from abrasion. They can also pull their eyes back into their heads. It is hypothesized that these protective measures point to an importance in vision which has long been thought to not be the case in sharks
Whale sharks have dermal denticles (tiny teeth-like scales) on their eyes which protect them from abrasion. They can also pull...
Previously thought to use their suckers to climb and hang, sucker-footed bats actually use a form of wet adhesion by secreting a body fluid at their pads. They must roost with their heads up rather than upside down so that they don’t accidentally lose control of the adhesive pads while sleeping.
Previously thought to use their suckers to climb and hang, sucker-footed bats actually use a form of wet adhesion by...
Big Brown Bats (Epesticus fuscus) can go up to 2 1/2 hours without breathing during torpor!
Big Brown Bats (Epesticus fuscus) can go up to 2 1/2 hours without breathing during torpor!
There are two species of crow in the mainland United States, the American Crow & the Fish Crow. Until recently, there was a third species, the Northwestern Crow, but it was absorbed into the American Crow in 2020. The Tamaulipas Crow is an infrequent winter visitor to the southern tip of Texas.
There are two species of crow in the mainland United States, the American Crow & the Fish Crow. Until recently,...
Sea otters positively influence genetic diversity in seagrasses through foraging. Seagrass usually reproduces via cloning, but disturbances – such as digging otters – cause the plants to increase sexual reproduction. The pits otters leave after foraging then allow space for new seedlings to develop.
Sea otters positively influence genetic diversity in seagrasses through foraging. Seagrass usually reproduces via cloning, but disturbances - such as...
“Vulture bees” are the only bees that have evolved to use food sources not produced by plants. Because they feed on carcasses their gut microbiomes have more in common with carrion-loving hyenas and vultures.
"Vulture bees" are the only bees that have evolved to use food sources not produced by plants. Because they feed...
Wagner’s mustached bat (Pteronotus personatus) lives in South and Central America. They alter their echolocation frequencies so the reflected sounds are always in the range where their hearing is most sensitive. This Doppler shift compensation behavior is only done in a few bat species.
Wagner's mustached bat (Pteronotus personatus) lives in South and Central America. They alter their echolocation frequencies so the reflected sounds...